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Basin Now

Utah Symphony Thrills Local Students in Educational Concert

Jan 25, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Utah Symphony thrilled the community in a free concert on Wednesday night and didn’t stop there. Every school in Uintah School District as well as students from White House Academy, Uintah Basin Christian Academy, and Flaming Gorge Elementary were represented during an educational concert held Thursday morning at the Vernal Middle School auditorium. The concert stop was part of the Professional Outreach Programs in the Schools or POPS program funded by the Utah Legislature and administered by the State Board of Education. Before each number, the conductor took the time to teach musical principles and give pointers of what to listen for in that particular song. Uintah School District Arts Coordinator Lynna Kendall was thrilled by the support from the community and response of the students, who gave the Utah Symphony a standing ovation after the final number. Kendall estimated that just over a thousand students were able to attend the rare opportunity to listen to the Utah Symphony in person.

Basin Now

Celebrate Bald Eagle Month at Local Viewing Event

Jan 24, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reminds the public that next month is the best time to catch a glimpse of the national bird, the bald eagle. February is Bald Eagle Month in Utah. During the winter months the bald eagle flies to Utah to get away from the colder northern conditions and find food. By February, hundreds of eagles are in the state boundaries.

Basin Now

A Special Tax Credit for Rural Business

Jan 24, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Our 2019 has started and the small businesses of rural Utah should take note of a special tax credit now available. The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) through the Office of Rural Development (ORD) has been striving to help rural communities like those in the Uintah Basin by providing resources to sustain business and improve employment opportunities.

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Uintah Middle School Placed on Lock down Thursday; Police Report No Threat

Jan 24, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Uintah Middle School was briefly placed on lock down during their final class period of the day on Thursday. According to an announcement from the Uintah School District, a student reported seeing a firearm on campus which prompted the lock down. “School administrators contacted Vernal police, who responded to the school and determined there was no threat to students of staff. The lock down was lifted after about 10 minutes and students were released from classes for the day as scheduled,” shared the announcement.

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Burbot Bash Ice Fishing Derby Increases Public Awareness

Jan 24, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Burbot Bash Ice Fishing Derby at Flaming Gorge doubles as a way to discuss an unwelcome invader. Namely the burbot, a freshwater cod native to waters in the east and now an illegal stocked fish in Flaming Gorge. This invasive species has had a very negative effect on the sport fishery. Mark Wilson, president of the Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce, says, “We are excited about using the Burbot Bash as a forum to increase public awareness of this threat to the Flaming Gorge fishery. It is also a great way to introduce anglers to the family-friendly sport of ice fishing that is so popular in Flaming Gorge.” The derby is a prime way to deal with this problem species. There is no limit and anglers are encouraged to harvest as many as possible. Robert Keith, the Wyoming Regional Fisheries Supervisor, shares these words: “Angler harvest is currently the most effective tool available to reduce Burbot numbers in the drainage.” Since 2011, anglers from the derby have removed about 25,000 burbot. The derby runs from January 25-27, 2019. Visit www.burbotbash.com for more information.

Basin Now

Mike Lefler Honored by Utah Emergency Management Association

Jan 23, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Duchesne County had its share of emergencies this last year and the person who was managing the operations was recognized for his efforts. Mike Lefler has been the Duchesne County Fire and Emergency Management Director since June 2007 and was honored at the 2019 Utah Emergency Management Association Conference. Tal Ehlers, the past president of UEMA and current Uintah County Emergency Management Director, presented Lefler with the 2019 UEMA Member of the Year Award. Ehler emphasized the impact Lefler’s abilities had in dealing with the emergency operations throughout the Dollar Ridge Fire and his general expertise. He also pointed out his efforts on the Wasatch Back communications exercise during the summer of 2018. While accepting the award, Lefler made sure to highlight the efforts of all those who helped with the Dollar Ridge Fire and all the many partners throughout the Uintah Basin, state, and local government.

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Moffat County High School Enters Robotic Competition

Jan 23, 2019 · Basin Now · News

As we look to the future the need for science minded individuals is quite apparent. Luckily schools are stepping up their efforts in having kids engage in STEM. The Craig Press recently reported that Moffat County High School has put together a robotics team, the first ever to grace Craig’s high school.

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Weather Prediction Center Experimental Product

Jan 23, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The National Weather Service is using an experimental product to help the public to make better choices in the winter months. The experimental product is called the Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI) and is designed to be a companion to aid the forecasts.

Basin Now

USTAR Striving to Create Jobs in Rural Utah

Jan 23, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Rural Utah has its own unique struggles when it comes to economic development. There are parts of Utah that are still having loss to net population and slow to negative economic growth. Daggett County has the state’s smallest county and has had a very large drop in county revenue. The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (U-STAR) is striving to take the ideas of science and technology to have a positive impact tax revenue, employment and corporate retention throughout the state of Utah.