Month: June 2019

Although Utah is considered a healthy place to live in many ways, the opioid epidemic has hit the state hard, especially in the rural areas. In 2018, Utah State University Extension started the Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative to provide resources for rural Utahns to address and combat opioid misuse and a Rural Opioid Summit is coming up, largely in thanks to a Uintah Basin citizen. The funding was secured by USU Extension Health and Wellness Specialist Sandra Sulzer and local teacher Suzanne Prevedel, the Uintah Basin Extension Assistant Professor. “Utah is, in many ways, an unusually healthy state,” shared Sulzer with the Moab Times.

Vernal Christian Church is accepting registration for their annual day camps. The 2019 Vernal Bible School summer camps are called ‘Roar! Life is Wild, God is Good.’ The free camps are for children ages 4-12 and will have games, crafts, music, snack and a Bible Story.

Roosevelt City is using their social media platforms to promote mental health awareness and this week posted a profound thought for residents to consider. Body image is a huge factor in mental health. Sadly, it is a norm for women and girls to hate their bodies, thinking that they are not worthy of confidence or feeling empowered because they have not met some unreal standard.

Snakes and lizards may not be everyone’s cup of tea but enthusiasts in the Uintah Basin will be thrilled by a new rule approved Thursday by the Utah Wildlife Board going into effect January 1st, 2020. Previously, amphibian and reptile collectors or breeders had to have a Certificate of Registration and the highly sought-after native species in Utah were considered ‘controlled’ or ‘prohibited.’

The Basin will have a very special visitor in the upcoming days. Royce O’Neale, the forward for the Utah Jazz, will be coming to give autographs and take pictures. Royce played college ball at the University of Denver from 2011 to 2013 and then from 2013 to 2015 he played at Baylor University.

Summer lunch at Ashley Elementary is drawing a crowd! “They have been serving at least 500 meals each day,” shares Uintah School District. “That takes time, so they appreciate everyone’s patience with the long lines.”

Baseball is a big part of life in the Uintah Basin for many local families. It makes the investments worth it when members of the Basin are able to take the local opportunities and make something better of it. Uintah High School alum Jayden Murray has done just that. He was a standout pitcher at Uintah High and graduated in 2015. He played four years of college baseball and spent the last two years at Dixie State.

Agencies and community members throughout the Basin took to social media over the weekend to remember a fallen local officer. On June 7th, 2010, Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer Joshua Yazzie was killed while responding to a call in Fort Duchesne. Tragically, his patrol vehicle rolled down an embankment when he was on his way to assist on the call.