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KNEU 1250The Uintah County Sheriff’s Office is being recognized for their proactive effort to decrease opiate overdose deaths in the state of Utah. According to an announcement by Utah Naloxone, the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office is trained and equipped and the Uintah County Jail is the first facility in the state to have naloxone rescue kits provided to inmates upon release from incarceration.
A local higher education administrator has been named the Post-Secondary Educator of the Year by the Utah Association of Career and Technical Education. James Taylor is the associate vice president of USU-Uintah Basin and has worked hard to build strong partnerships with UBTech and industry partners in the Uintah Basin.
Thankfully, the original forecast for a winter storm impacting western Duchesne County was an overestimate. National Weather Service forecasted that the storm could bring up to 20 inches of snow to western Duchesne County between Wednesday and Saturday morning.
It’s tax season and the Uintah Basin Association of Governments is reminding Basin residents of a fantastic free tax prep resource. The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program has IRS certified tax law volunteers that help residents file their state and federal income tax return. The service is free for those who make less than $66,000 dollars annually and is available at a reduced price for those who make over that. Walk-in appointments are available in Roosevelt on Wednesdays from 5 to 8pm at UBTech and in Vernal on Saturday from 9am to noon at the Uintah County Library. Appointments can be made in Roosevelt, Vernal, and Duchesne by calling 1-888-826-9790 or by visiting UtahTaxHelp.org.
Daggett County has accepted the resignation of one Commissioner as well as welcomed a replacement. After several years of dedicated service, Daggett County Commissioner Clyde Slaugh has resigned. The Commissioners shared in their newsletter that they were sorry to accept his resignation and that they wish him all the best with his health challenges.
Brady Trucking has a great solution to finding quality CDL drivers that understand the driving conditions in the Uintah Basin. The company has entered into a partnership with UBTech to provide $8,500 in scholarships for students in the CDL program every year for the next five years. “Finding qualified drivers is difficult,” shares Brady Trucking HR director Bill Kremin.
The Uintah County Library is always looking for new ways to better serve the community with programs and services. That is why they have things like the Mango Languages program, access to Greater Learning Courses and even a 3-D printer. In the library’s search to improve they have come across a unique idea, in which they would like public feedback.
Despite the reservoir being drained, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been striving to save as many fish in Steinaker Reservoir as possible and had been very hopeful even though the reservoir has been extremely low. On Monday, February 11, the DWR attempted to do a Bluegill salvage.
Vernal can make a difference in the world and the students of Uintah High School are showing us the way. On Friday, February 15, from 8:41 am to 9:19 am, essentially an extended first period, 1,900 students will be involved in a service project. The UHS Student Council put this service project together with the Utah-based nonprofit group Stitching Hearts Worldwide (SHW).
Science is a crucial part of our children’s education. As a part of improving that education Utah is looking for a new standard and hopes for input from the Uintah Basin as well as from anyone else. In December of 2015, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) adopted the standards of the Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) for grades 6-8.
Monday’s Uintah County Commission meeting included ‘State of the County’ addresses from each Commissioner. Among several topics, new County Commissioner Bart Haslem said he is looking forward to the decisions being made to better the county and better the job market. Specifically, Haslem said the railroad project is more viable than ever before thanks to progress made in the last two weeks. Haslem explained that he was originally opposed to the railroad because he didn’t think there was any way to pay for it but now has learned of the partnerships and funding opportunities that can make it possible. He also mentioned work on a potential gas pipeline. Haslem says it is an exciting time in Uintah County and he feels he’s in the right place at the right time to help. Commissioner Brad Horrocks shared several highlights and areas where progress is being made. He explained that the Governor’s Office is considering having the main office for the Community Impact Board moved to Uintah County. 70 percent of all mineral lease money comes from Uintah County, explained Horrocks, and it would be a good thing to have them in Uintah County. Horrocks also commented on the homeless bill in last year’s legislature and that work is being done for the local homeless shelter to also receive funds. He thanked previous Sheriff Vance Norton for his work in having state inmates contracted at the Uintah County Jail and also highlighted events including the upcoming John Wesley Powell celeration, the U-RAT conference, and mountain bike tournaments. Commissioner Bill Stringer focused more on the economy and finances than the other two. “I do think there is room to be optimistic, provided we are cautious,” said Stringer, who then spoke about the City/County meeting from two weeks ago that has resulted in some negativity. The purpose of that meeting, explained Stringer, was to be proactive. Mineral lease money funds the 6 Special Service Districts and the money has been getting tighter and tighter, stated Stringer, who emphasized that the meeting was not held to say “Let’s close the Districts” but instead to prepare all to live in a new environment where the money is not what it once was. Commissioner Stringer finished his address stating that he feels the county has the right leadership to do the job that needs done moving forward. Commissioner Haslem Commissioner Horrocks Commissioner Stringer
Search and Rescue teams stayed busy this weekend near Strawberry Reservoir with separate incidents of stranded individuals. The first report came in on Saturday and was reported at 8:30pm. A 61-year-old male and his 14-year-old son were snowmobiling in the Clyde Creek area when they became stuck in the snow and decided to hike to the road. With chest deep snow, the pair stopped to build a fire and call 9-1-1.