Month: March 2020

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Duchesne Police Department is asking those that may call them to request an ambulance to instead call 911, not the BIA Police Department. The reason is “there are specific questions and protocols now in place that need to be answered.” Those that do call the BIA will be transferred to Central Dispatch for calls that may pertain to COVID-19.

The Uintah County Commission voted on Monday to waive the ACH/Echeck convenience fee currently charged online when customers pay for Uintah County Business Personal Property, Uintah County Mobile Home, and Uintah County Treasurer Real Property Tax. “This change is being made to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, by encouraging residents to use the county’s online payment system instead of coming to the county building to make payments in-person.”

Local agencies are encouraging Uintah Basin residents to make sure they are registered for the CodeRED alert system that keeps community members informed during emergencies or critical situations. To register to receive the alerts you’ll need to set up an account connected to the County you live in. You can do this through the links shared on the Facebook page for the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office, or Daggett County Sheriff. If you are unsure if you are signed up or not, you can call 866-419-5000 and 855-969-4636 and it will let you hear the last message delivered or inform you that your number is not in the system.

The body of a missing Millcreek man was recovered on Saturday morning from the Lake Canyon area of Duchesne County. According to a press release from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office received a report late Thursday night that Robert “Austin” Harker of Millcreek had failed to return home from a planned fly-fishing trip. Wasatch County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue started the search for Harker with help from the Department of Public Safety and Utah National Guard helicopter crews.

Governor Gary Herbert announced on Friday afternoon the soft closure of all K-12 public schools in Utah for at least two weeks to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. “We believe this is prudent and based on good science, based on what we’ve learned from other areas of the country and around the world,” shared Governor Herbert. “…The soft closure is effective for 2 weeks and after 2 weeks we’ll re-assess, reevaluate…To be clear we are closing Utah schools as a preventative measure…This is to say an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Acting early is better than acting late…This decision is guided by input from scientists.”

The Uintah County Library will be closed starting tomorrow(March 14, 2020) until March 23, 2020 at which time the situation will be reevaluated. This is a preventive measure as a result of virus containment recommendations from the State of Utah and by order of Tri County Health Department.

Roosevelt City has announced their plan in preparation for the possibility of Coronavirus coming to the Uintah Basin. The initial measures state that while all Roosevelt City services will remain fully active, members of the public should avoid visiting the City Offices unless absolutely necessary. Utility bills can be paid online at www.xpressbillpay.com or by telephone at 435-722-5001.

Uncertainty in the oil and gas industry is not slowing down the partners working to see the Uinta Basin Rail Project become a reality. Mike Stengel of Newstalk KVEL’s Uintah Basin Today Show spoke with Mike McKee, Executive Director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, on Thursday regarding the project.