Month: November 2019

The success of a local cowboy continues ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. PRCA Pro Rodeo chose to feature Josh Frost again after winning the bull riding average at the RAM Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo in Heber City over the weekend. “I’ve just been getting on practice bulls, roping quite a bit and going to jackpots, and riding horses a lot (since the end of the regular season),” Frost shared with PRCA Pro Rodeo. “It felt really good to make three back-to-back rides like that and get the win.”

A training exercise for local law enforcement held late Tuesday evening and into Wednesday’s early morning hours was a success. Uintah County Sheriff’s Office shared that dozens of officers from local, state, and federal agencies joined together for the training exercise that simulated an active shooter incident inside Vernal’s Walmart. "In a small, rural community like we have we are always going to work with our partner agencies and on a major scenario like this, at a Walmart or a school, we have to know what our capabilities are all the way around," shares Uintah County Sheriff Steve Labrum.

Sidney Smith was already considered a local hero but his dedication to compete in an Ironman race as a double amputee has managed to level up his superhuman status. Sidney set off to Panama City Beach, Florida earlier this week to get ready for one of the longest running Ironman events, the Ironman Florida. Through the beauty of technology, the Uintah Basin is invited to follow Sidney during the event this weekend. To follow him through the race, download the “Ironman Tracker” app and track him as #91.

The Rotary Club of Vernal is holding their annual Winter Coat Drive. They are gathering new and gently used coats of all sizes and for all ages. Residents of the community who wish to donate can take any coats, gloves and scarves to Davis Food and Drug, Smith’s Food and Drug, Soda Poppin’, Vernal Christian Church, or Uintah County Library until November 7th.

The Treasurer for the ‘Friends of Uintah and Daggett Counties Children’s Justice Center’ was arrested on Wednesday after an investigation into the handling of the organization’s account revealed unauthorized charges and withdrawals dating back nearly 10 years. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in 8th District Court, 41-year-old Michelle Lyn Coon was arrested on the offense of felony Theft and was booked into Uintah County Jail. The probable cause statement provides the account of an officer with Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office that was asked to conduct the investigation after suspicious charges were noticed on the account and the Uintah County Attorney and local law enforcement decided the case should be handled by an outside agency.

The death of two men at a Halloween party in north Roosevelt is under investigation as a double homicide by the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office. “Deputies were called to a house near 1250 West 850 North at about 12:15 a.m. November 1st, 2019,” shares the Sheriff’s Office. “When they arrived they found two men dead. The names of the men are not being released at this time. Individuals who were still at the house when deputies arrived are being interviewed. Detectives are working to locate an unknown number of people who left the house before deputies arrived.”