Month: October 2020

A hazy sky may not have the same shock value as its occurrence becomes more common but poor air quality can result in side effects, especially for vulnerable individuals. Wildfires from around the West are putting off large amounts of smoke which can literally get trapped in the Uintah Basin for days at a time until the right weather pattern sends it on its way.

Fall is known for the weather cooling, the leaves changing colors, and in Dinosaur National Monument, it’s time to keep an eye out for Monarch butterflies. Fall is the peak migration time for Monarchs as they make their way to overwintering sites in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.

The second phase of the Vernal Main Street Drainage Improvement Project is well underway. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion reports that Phase 2 of the project is on schedule. Phase 2 is installing a new storm drain under Main Street between 500 West and 500 East in three sections. Section one of the work has been between 400 West and Vernal Avenue.

UBTech Vice President of Instruction Tammy Wilkerson recently shared in a press release that she is “excited about what the future is going to bring, We know that COVID is going to create some challenges,” shares Wilkerson, “but we will move forward with whatever the challenges are.”

This week I had the pleasure of watching The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux stride across the stage of Vernal Theatre: LIVE. Before the show began, I was welcomed into the world of Devereaux by a set simply and beautifully designed as ‘Hanover D. Cash Clinic’ with a splash of creative shout-outs to Vernal Theatre: LIVE’s sponsors. Everything from the skeleton on one end of the stage to the musicians dressed in hospital gowns on the other helped set the environment for the melodrama to follow. 

Uintah School District shared on Thursday that Ashley Elementary School has been named a National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School for its outstanding work with students who are English language learners. According to the District’s press release, Ashley Elementary is one of up to 100 schools nationwide that has been nationally recognized this year.

There are several opportunities for businesses to get some financial help from struggles that COVID-19 have brought. The second round of Area Business Grant for Uintah County is open today for applications. To learn the guidelines and to apply visit uintahbusinessgrant.org.