Some superheroes wear capes and others wear aprons. Among the many changes with schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic, the school foods programs in the Uintah Basin school districts have taken on the massive task of offering free lunches to all youth ages 18 and under. The response has been amazing with many grateful families taking to social media to thank the schools for their efforts.
Uintah County Sheriff’s K9 ‘Riddick’ will soon be suited in a special multi-threat vest thanks to generous donations from the Uintah County community. The ‘Hero K9’ organization made the announcement on Wednesday, sharing that they are pleased to announce Riddick as the recipient of the special vest and a Ranger K9 Trauma Kit.
With the announcement that there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in neighboring Wyoming’s Sweetwater County, the Daggett County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that Sheriff Erik Bailey has modified how deputies will respond to non-emergency calls.
It is undeniable that COVID-19 has brought about numerous temporary changes. Recently, Airport Manager Doug Brown updated the Basin as to what has changed at the Vernal Regional Airport. He reports that Enterprise Car rental has shut down operations for two weeks and All-Save Car rental has shut down their office for the same time, though they are operating as needed out of Naples Auto Sales.
Uintah County Sheriff Steve Labrum offered some clarification on rumors about the Uintah County Jail. He shared the following: “There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the jail. We have an entire male housing unit and an entire female housing unit in the jail dedicated to holding new arrestees and people who we are not comfortable citing and releasing.
Ashley Regional Medical Center is being proactive about COVID-19 preparedness. ARMC Chief Nursing Officer Greg Gardiner shared with Evans Family Media what has and is being done. Ashley Regional is working with TriCounty Health Department on a daily basis and has implemented their emergency management plan.
One man’s pursuit of treasure came at a tragically high cost last week in Dinosaur National Monument. Two missing men that had been reported snowmobiling along the border of Utah and Colorado in the Wild Mountain Area were found on Saturday by search and rescue crews within the Monument, one alive and the other deceased.
Every year, thanks to the Showalter Endowment Fund, teachers are recognized in the Uintah School District for their excellence in teaching. The community nominates teachers and the Uintah Schools Foundation has the near impossible job of narrowing the pool down to two teachers.
Dinosaur National Monument has announced modifications to operations to implement the guidance from the CDC, White House, and state and local authorities. “As of Noon, Monday, March 23rd, 2020, all river trips/operations in Dinosaur National Monument are canceled until further notice,” shares the Monument.
The Department of Workforce Services provided an update on the latest employment data which is a snapshot of February. Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 2.9 percent, adding 44,300 jobs to the economy since February 2019. February’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 2.5 percent with approximately 40,400 Utahns unemployed and seeking work in February.