Basin Now

TriCounty Health Department is warning the public of a local scam. TriCounty Health announced Monday, “If you get a phone call from anyone saying they are [with the] "health department" asking for a $500 fee for complaints or your business will be shut down DO NOT PAY! THIS IS NOT TRICOUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

A Duchesne County man’s crimes are drawing attention to a form of theft that the general public is vulnerable to. According to court documents, on March 1st, 61-year-old Marvin Lee Jones was observed on security camera at a vehicle repair shop located in Murray, Utah, cutting and removing the catalytic converters from nine vehicles.

While there are still plenty of roadblocks for the oil and gas industry due to the Biden Executive Orders, an announcement this week actually comes as positive news. According to Bloomberg First Word, an order making top Interior Department officials in charge of decisions about drilling permits is about to expire and is not expected to be renewed.

The Uintah School District announced Monday that they have received authorization from the state to end the 2020-2021 school year one day earlier than scheduled. The final day of school for all students will be Thursday, May 27th and it will follow the district's Minimum School Day Schedule.

A bill addressing the treatment and theft of livestock has been signed into law. HB 166, Livestock Amendments, was among 57 total bills signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox last week. It states that a person who shoots or steals a farmers’ livestock could lose their hunting privileges among other penalties.

Vernal City utility rates are increasing and Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion is offering further details on what led to the need for change. “The rate will increase $1 a month for sewer and $2 a month for water for residential and small commercial users,” shares Bennion.

Utah State University Statewide Campuses has announced the 2021 commencement plans. USU announced that local ceremonies are scheduled across the state for April 23rd through May 6th. 610 associates, 614 bachelor’s, 318 master’s, four doctoral degrees and 185 undergraduate and graduate certificates will be awarded statewide.

Lesha Coltharp, Director of Uintah County Travel and Tourism, gave a 2020 tourism report during the Vernal Chamber luncheon last week. Coltharp shared that even though Dinosaur National Monument was closed for April, May, and June of last year, there were 264,145 visitors in 2020.

Investigation is underway after a tragic incident in remote Moffat County. According to a media release from the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, the sheriff’s office was notified of an unoccupied vehicle stuck in the mud and snow near county road 54 in unincorporated Moffat County at about 8am on Thursday morning.