Month: May 2019

It’s the end of an amazing era for a well-known Vernal business that is the oldest same-family Ford Franchise in the State of Utah. Earlier this month, the Showalter family announced the sale of Showalter Ford to Heritage Ford and the new ownership takes over on June 1st. Thursday was a special celebration as family, friends, and customers new and old from throughout the region stopped by the dealership to say thank you for the many years of service as well as wish Gary the best of luck in his retirement.

The Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition is in full swing, with members floating the same passage that John Wesley Powell did in his expedition. As part of the celebration, the SCREE has put together an expanded art exhibit entitled “Contemporary Views of the Arid West: People, Places and Spaces”. The art show is made up of several exhibits across multiple museums in various states.

The first Vernal community fishing ponds are officially open on June 1st and officials are excited for the public to come see what they’ve been hard at work creating. The Old Fort Ponds are located in Maeser where the Old Fort Thornburgh used to sit.

We believe in the age-old verbiage of, “change is the only constant in life.” The Showalter Family is deep-rooted in the automotive industry so much so that it’s currently the oldest same-family Ford Franchise in the State of Utah. C.W. Showalter, the company founder, headed west to the Vernal area from Iowa in the mid-1930s for the promise of abundant land and desirable country for his large sheep herd to flourish.

This month’s DinoSOAR Customer Service recipient is the perfect example of one who goes above and beyond in customer service. Debbie Harrison works at the Utah Field House/Dinosaur Museum in Vernal where she interacts with many locals and tourists alike.

Summer activities have arrived and the health department wants the public to be equipped with the information they will need when serving food or drinks to the public. Temporary Food Service Permits and Food Establishment Permits are available at TriCounty Health Department. The permit is required to be posted in view when you are serving food or drinks to the public whether or not a cost is involved.

A favorite day for newcomers and experts alike, Free Fishing Day in Utah is coming up on Saturday, June 8th, and all are invited to participate. The annual event allows anyone to fish at any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license. “Because you don’t need a license to fish that day, it’s the perfect time to take someone fishing with you and introduce them to the sport,” shares Randy Oplinger, sport fisheries coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

The CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Derek Miller, made a special presentation on Tuesday at the Vernal Chamber luncheon about the Inland Port Project in Utah. Miller is the Board Chair of the Inland Port Committee and focused his presentation on why he and supporters of the Inland Port believe it is important for the future of Utahns.

Vernal City Police held a press conference on Sunday concerning the March death of a Vernal 3-year-old and the related arrest of the child’s stepmother Mckenley Yadon (also known as Mckenley Stout) made last week. Vernal City Assistant Police Chief Keith Campbell confirmed the identity of the 3-year-old Vernal girl as Arianna Rose Stout, who would have turned 4 on May 19th.

2018 held major economic benefits for the communities near Dinosaur National Monument. According to a report from National Park Service, visitors to Dinosaur National Monument spent $18.3 million dollars in surrounding communities last year, supporting 222 jobs and creating a cumulative benefit of $20.3 million dollars.