Month: December 2019

An update was provided on the proposed Uinta Basin Railway during the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday. The United States Surface Transportation Board announced last week that the EIS Final Scope of Study for the Uinta Basin Railway has been issued and that the Board has decided on three potential routes moving forward: Whitmore Park alternative, Indian Canyon alternative, and the Wells Draw alternative. During Tuesday’s presentation, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director Mike McKee discussed how transportation has been an ongoing challenge for the Uintah Basin and that the prospect of rail would be a game changer.

The Buckboard Marina at Flaming Gorge might be staying busy remodeling the marina infrastructure but that does not mean that they have given up on enhancing the fishery of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. They have teamed up with Game and Fish to hold the Pup-ulation Control Contest. The main reason for the contest and the hope of those that organized it is to draw attention to “the abundance of small lake trout (pups) in Flaming Gorge Reservoir and encourage anglers to harvest more lake trout less than 25 inches.”

Since 1984, the Science Olympiad organization has been hosting science competitions throughout the nation. They have rigorous standards-based challenges for nearly 8,000 teams across all 50 states. As part of training for such events, teams can have Invitationals and that is what Uintah Middle School did. They held the Uintah Invitational on Saturday, December 14th, in which “five of the top teams from last year’s state Science Olympiad came to Uintah High School for 23 different events in two divisions.

In an exciting bit of news, earlier this year, UBTech welding students went to a custom car fabrication shop entitled Kindig-it Design. What makes this shop interesting is that it was featured on a top car fabrication TV show(Bitchin’ Rides). While at the shop, the students were able to take part in the actual filming of the show. In a case of reciprocity the stars of the show, Dave Kindig and Kevdogg, came to the Basin to see the new UBTech welding building. While here they stated that they “were impressed and are excited for the future of our welding and automotive students.”

A two-man team from the Uintah Basin walked away the big winners at the World Series of Team Roping competition last week in Las Vegas. Heavy Sursa of Bluebell and Slade Witbeck of Vernal won the YETI #10.5 WSTR Finale with an average time of 34.60 on four runs, winning them $342,000 dollars. Heavy and Slade competed against 617 teams and walked away with the best average time.

The United States Surface Transportation Board has issued its Final Scope of Study for the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway. The Final Scope includes the changes to the Draft Scope following the scoping comment period and consideration of the comments received. The Surface Transportation Board has decided, along with the cooperating agencies, on three routes that they believe meet the project’s purpose and need and are responsible and feasible to construct and operate.

The Ute Indian Tribe issued a press release on Monday stating their support of the issuance of a Federal Implementation Plan to manage emissions from oil and natural gas sources on the land within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. EPA Region 8 Administrator Greg Sopkin signed the proposed plan on Monday and the EPA will now submit the proposed rule for publication in the Federal Register and a public comment period will begin.

It has been a great year for Uintah Basin Technical College and it was topped off with a great Christmas gift. The ‘You Got This’ (YGT) foundation is an organization that is focused on suicide prevention. They customize systems based on the idea that connection is the best prevention. Just over a year ago the foundation committed to donate $20,000 over a ten year period to help UBTech provide scholarships in support of basic skills training. Since 2018, the YGT scholarship has helped fifty students.

What does Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand, Sir Tom Jones and Johnny Cash have in common? They have all sung a song written by Larry Gatlin, who ranks 4th as Solo Writers with the most self-penned top 40 Billboard hits. The Gatlin Brothers, made up of Larry, Steve and Rudy have been singing since March of 1955 making it close to 65 years of performing. Those years of experiences include entertaining troops, singing the national anthem for the 85’ and 89’ World Series as well as the 2008 Olympics, performing at the White House, West Point and Radio City Music Hall (just to name a few).