Month: November 2019

A former Uintah High School teacher who was fired for inappropriate behavior with a student has been formally charged in 8th District Court. Two charges of 3rd degree felony Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a 16 or 17 Year Old were formally filed on Monday against 33-year-old Rodd Adam Repsher. Repsher was arrested and booked into Uintah County Jail on October 23rd for investigation of 6 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a 16-year-old. According to the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s detective Jason Turnbow, the high school’s resource officer, was informed on October 11th, 2016 that another teacher had found Repsher alone in his classroom pressed up against a 16-year-old student.

“Do we need any more heads in here? How about the blood splatter?” These might not be common phrases you would hear on your average work site but questions about body parts and blood were part of the everyday magic for those who made the Hotel Vernal Haunt possible again this year. There were countless smiles, laughs, and even some tears shed last night as the Hotel Vernal Haunt presented local charities with donation checks thanks to another successful year of scaring folks for a good cause.

The Uintah Transportation Special Service District is seeking public input as they continue work on the UTSSD Transportation Master Plan. A brief survey has been created that can take just a few minutes depending on how much detail you would like to provide. “The information and comments that you submit will assist in creating an appropriate and effective plan for the County,” shares the transportation district. The survey can be taken at TinyURL.com/UintahRoads.

Travelers on Highway 40 in the Strawberry Valley have seen the smoke and wondered if they could really be seeing a wildfire in the middle of November and, in fact, it is. The Ladder Fire was first reported on Sunday at about 2pm near Strawberry Reservoir. Initial estimates were the fire was at about 100 acres and burning in grass and brush. Approximately 40 firefighters responded from local, state, and Forest Service crews. By Monday morning the fire had grown to over 300 acres and was burning in grass, brush, aspen, and conifer stands.

A Utah based musical group is kicking off their Christmas tour in Vernal tomorrow night and starting in Vernal holds special meaning for the performers. GENTRI, short for The Gentlemen Trio, was formed in 2014 and is comprised of three talented tenors: Brad Robins, Casey Elliott, and Bradley Quinn Lever. In the last five years the group has enjoyed success performing around the world to a growing fan base.

The second public meeting regarding the Vernal Regional Airport Master Plan is fast approaching. Vernal City and the airport announced work on the master plan early last summer sharing that 5 public meeting would be held on specific topics and public input was encouraged throughout the process.

Union High School's Drama Department opened their production of ‘Cinderella’ on November 16th, directed by Union's drama and choir teacher, Mindy Palmer. With a cast varying from high school grades to elementary school, all have been working long and hard to get this picture perfect. Senior Shaun Hicken is starring as the prince and junior Olivia Wells is starring as the one and only Cinderella. Auditions started at the beginning of school in August and they've all been hard at work since then.

Mountain lions tend to follow their prey and during the winter deer start coming out of the mountains to populated areas. This can lead to more encounters with cougars and the Division of Wildlife Resources has further tips to keep you safe. First, STOP! Do not run from a cougar, neither approach it. Pick up children and pets while maintaining constant eye contact. Stand up tall and make yourself look bigger by raising your arms above your head.

Roosevelt City has shared the results of their annual financial audit. “As is required annually, Roosevelt City has just undergone its independent financial audit for the 2018-2019 fiscal year,” shares Roosevelt City. “Auditors from Aycock, Miles, & Associates found that the city’s financial condition has steadily improved, putting Roosevelt in a better financial condition than it has been at any time in a number of years.”