Month: February 2020

Beautiful costumes, soaring music, and a classic story make for the perfect night out with ‘Jane Eyre The Musical’ opening tonight at Vernal Theatre: LIVE. Some members of the talented cast began their preparations for the show over 10 years ago when Jane Eyre was performed by the Vernal Jr. High theatre department. Seven people in Vernal Theatre: LIVE’s current production also performed or helped in some way during the 2009 show, including current leading lady Korinne Peacock. The show is just as beloved by the newcomers to the production and they all hope the community comes out to share in this story with them.

A Wanted Fugitive is now in custody after the BIA Fort Duchesne Police Department informed the public that he was at large on Wednesday morning. The announcement stated that James Murray Jr. had been spotted in the area as recently as Tuesday. “James Murray Jr. has an active federal warrant for his arrest,” stated the BIA announcement. “Murray was last known to be in the Ballard and Fort Duchesne area yesterday. BIA, FBI, Federal Probation are working with US Marshals office to locate Murray.” Later in the day on Wednesday, the announcement was updated to let the public know that Murray Jr. had been brought into custody.

Simplot Phosphates took the opportunity at the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday to present a check to a local charity. Simplot employees selected Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley as the recipient of their charitable contribution. Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley is a 501(c)(3) that serves as a “fiscal sponsor” for other local causes. This means that upon its board’s approval of an application from another local charity, Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley can sponsor that charity that may not have their own 501(c)(3) status.

Jumping from teen to an adult has a bevy of challenges that often times hasn’t even crossed a teenager's mind. The Utah State Extension-Uintah County 4-H and the Uintah County Library want to help those that are of the ages 13 to 18 to be prepared for adulting. The class entitled Adulting 101 will focus on helping the teens that attend to manage money, to create a budget, to get a job, and how to cook a meal, as a few examples. There will be tips and tricks to help ease youth into adulthood. Individuals can plan on attend a single workshop or all of them, though attendance of five of the seven classes will earn you a prize.

It might seem as if things are tough for the economy of our community and there is a truth to that. What makes the Uintah Basin amazing though is that even with these difficulties, when a call for help is put out there people respond. One organization that is striving to help individuals in the community is the Vernal Utah Elks Lodge. They will be holding a Charity Poker Night for Britney Nunn this Friday. Britney, unfortunately, is suffering from a form of acute leukemia. This cancer of the blood and bone marrow can be quite painful, as is the bone marrow biopsy to find out what is really going on.

During the cold days of winter, consumers tend to up their electrical use. This leads to 47,700 home fires in the USA caused by electrical failure or malfunction. The toll of these fires is 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries and close to $1.4 billion dollars in property damage annually. To help prevent such tragedy in the Uintah Basin, Moon Lake Electric suggests the four following tips: First, be sure not to overload outlets as they are a major cause of residential fires. Second, never leave a space heater unattended and be sure to place them 3 feet away from flammable items.

After 40 years in the medical industry and six and half years as the CEO of Ashley Regional Medical Center, Ben Cluff has retired. Life Point says it will take two to three months to officially fill the position as the process is very particular and very detailed. For now, Ashley Regional Medical Center welcomes Steve Seltzer as the Interim CEO who was introduced at the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week. Seltzer, who calls Houston, Texas home, was in Vernal six years ago and was impressed with the town then.