Phase 1 of the UDOT drainage project on Vernal’s Highway 40 is on track to be completed next week. “This project is a small urgent repair project from 600 West to 700 West and Main Street,” shares Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion. “This project includes the lining of aged corrugated metal pipe, rebuild of the irrigation box at 600 West, and the addition of a line along Main Street to help with the irrigation system.”
The Uintah School Board is seeking community input as they prepare to make a decision on the future of the Central Education Center, the building that currently houses Central Cove Preschool. According to a press release from Uintah School District, Central Cove Preschool serves about 275 local children and the building also houses the district’s technology department and many of the district’s special education service providers.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services reports that the number of new claims filed for unemployment benefits in Utah are going down. The week ending on April 18th had 19,751 new claims and 95,376 weekly claims paying out a total of over $17 million dollars in traditional benefits.
The Dinosaurland Cruisin’ During COVID event was a huge success last Friday and tonight all are encouraged to join in to make round 2 an even bigger event. Uintah County, the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, and other local partners are hosting Cruisin’ During COVID on Friday nights from 7 to 8pm on Highway 40 through Naples and Vernal.
The Division of Wildlife Resources takes their stewardship of wildlife seriously and care for the largest as well as the smallest of creatures. The DWR is answering an apparently common question asked of wildlife officers: “I found a baby bird. What should I do?” Baby birds often leave their nests before they’re able to fly, moving along a branch calling for a parent to bring food.
The Vernal Donation Station will be in the Kmart parking lot Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (April 24th – 26th) from 11am -4pm.
Donations Needed!
Friday they will be serving a Hot Meal(while it lasts) for those that need it.
Closures placed on several areas at and around Flaming Gorge Reservoir have been lifted. Ashley National Forest announced on Wednesday that State Line Cove, Linwood Bay Dispersed Area and Swim Beach at Flaming Gorge Reservoir east of Manila are open again for public use. The closure began on April 9th due to increased use within the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in Daggett County.
As expected, unemployment numbers by county have gone up in northeastern Utah. Duchesne County went from 4.4 percent in January to 5 percent in February and 5.5 percent in March. Uintah County started at 5.1 percent in January and rose to 5.7 percent in February before reaching 6.3 percent in March. Daggett County remained at 3.6 percent unemployment for January, February, and March.
Get on your work gloves and pull out the rakes and shovels! It is Free Landfill Week for both Uintah County and Duchesne County. Uintah County is offering a full week and two weekends to get yards cleaned up and debris taken to the landfill with no cost to residents. Residents are urged to clean up around their own property.
As the 2019 UBTech Student of the Year, many around the Uintah Basin got used to seeing McKinlee Thacker’s big smile on posters and ads for the school. Since graduating with certificates in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Welding, and CDL, McKinlee’s success has continued, most recently as one of 12 contestants on MotorTrend’s new competition digital series ‘Bitchin’ Boot Camp’ that takes place in a custom car fabrication shop.