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KNEU 1250Certified destruction of data on computers and devices is not easy to come by but a window of opportunity is now open. The Vernal Chamber Conservation Committee is holding their annual electronics recycling event. Electronics can be dropped off for recycling for free at the Vernal Chamber Office and at TriCounty Health Department locations.
It might not be the gift we were asking for but Utah was given a wonderful present just before Christmas. Utah Department of Transportation reported that we had a 10 consecutive day stretch with zero fatalities on the road. As a state we have not gone more the than seven days without road fatalities since January 2016. John Gleason, the public information officer for UDOT, implores the public, “This is something that we can do. We just had 10 days without anyone dying on our roads. And if we can do 10 days, why can’t we do another 10 days?” Distractions are a big part of the problem, as are not wearing seatbelts. Even though 88% of drivers wear their seatbelts, it’s the 12% that do not wear them that is the number one cause of death. “In 2018, we shouldn’t have to have this conversation anymore,” Gleason said. “But that’s still the number one cause of deaths on our roads — people not buckling up.”
Local county unemployment rates haven’t shown much movement from the month before. According to new data from the Department of Workforce Services, unemployment in Daggett County rose from 4.3 to 4.5 percent. Unemployment remained the same for another month in Duchesne County at 4.7 percent and Uintah County ticked down slightly from 4.7 to 4.6 percent. Utah as a whole remained at 3.2 percent unemployment for another month while nationally it remained at 3.7 percent.
Western Duchesne County experienced an earthquake shaking up the mountains near Fruitland this month. The University of Utah Seismograph Station reports that on Monday, December 17th, at around 8:05am, a 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck about 11 miles Northwest of Fruitland. The classification of earthquakes into categories depends on magnitude and this qualifies as a micro-earthquake. A minor earthquake classification is a magnitude of 2 to 3.9. The University of Utah Seismograph Station reports on all earthquakes in Utah and the greater region at Quake.Utah.Edu.
The elves in Duchesne County helped many families this year as part of two phases of ‘Be A Santa’s Helper.’ According to Chamber Director and event coordinator Irene Hansen, 231 children in 85 families were given gifts for Christmas as part of phase one while coordinators worked with local non-profits and clergy to help another 26 families during phase two. “This year went especially smooth,” shares Hansen. “Every time we had a need, a wonderful, generous contribution would come in. We also worked with a Roosevelt Stake on a humanitarian project to collect and make blankets. They were added to many of the families [gifts] to add the perfect cozy touch.” The ‘Be A Santa’s Helper’ effort supplements families own efforts by providing an old fashioned Christmas with dolls, trucks, games, and other traditional or old fashioned gifts. Hansen says the Santa room used to store everything and distribute gifts is called the “magic room because of the wonderful tears of joy” shared there.
Homes and yards with Christmas decorations around Uintah County were vandalized over recent days. Local law enforcement confirmed that areas were hit by vandals including on Christmas Day. One victim took to Facebook hoping to get help finding the culprits, even offering a $3,000 dollar reward. Jessy Mckee says he and his four-year-old daughter worked hard to put together the display in their yard. Part of their Christmas morning was sadly spent discovering that four of their inflatables and the timers on the lights display were destroyed, the damage adding up to at least $800 dollars. The Mckees were not alone, with many other homes experiencing damage of their own. Law enforcement would appreciate any information on the vandalism from the public and encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity to Central Dispatch at 435-789-4222.
Goodbyes are in order for a dilapidated former business located on Highway 40 in Roosevelt. Roosevelt City announced last week that Western Hills Motel is scheduled for demolition the first week of January. Construction fence is in place around the perimeter and crews have started work removing items of value. The Western Hills Motel is in disrepair and has been unoccupied for several years, drawing criminal activity.
It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. Well Vernal Middle School has found a unique way to encourage excellence on a daily basis. The school is spending the year on the theme of “Focus on the ‘Wildly’ Important” and the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) committee have come up with WISE tickets.
Dinosaur National Monument will remain accessible during the federal government shutdown. According to a Dinosaur National Monument press release, Monument roads and trails will remain accessible to visitors, unless safety concerns warrant their closures. Emergency and rescue services are limited due to the shutdown and there will be no NPS-provided visitor services, including restrooms, trash collection, and facilities and roads maintenance, including snow plowing.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking the public’s help in identifying poachers reported recently in the Book Cliffs. According to a press release shared earlier this month, officers responded to a report on December 1st of an elk that had been shot and abandoned within view of Seep Ridge Road south of Vernal. Investigation revealed that two elk had been killed between November 28th and 30th, with only one being removed from the kill site. Officers are seeking to identify the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information about this or any other wildlife violation are asked to contact the Turn in a Poacher Hotline at 1-800-662-3337.
Are you aware that the majority of live Christmas trees come from outside the state? That means that we have little migrating friends that come along for a ride from out of state. Officials from Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) are asking the public to be on the lookout for invasive insect species in their Christmas trees, very specifically the gypsy moth and pine shoot beetle.
For the last 30 years, community members in the Vernal area have ensured that anyone in need of a hot Christmas dinner is sure to receive one. The Helping Hands Christmas Dinner was organized to take over on the one night a year that all the employees for Meals On Wheels have off. It has grown over the years to include any household in the community in need of a hot Christmas meal. The Ashley Valley Calvary Chapel took over the effort about 18 years ago and it has continued to grow, shares coordinator Christina Daggett. Headquartered at Western Park on December 24th, many in the community donate and volunteer to pull off the cooking and delivering of the Christmas dinner each year. Volunteers willing to help deliver the meals are asked to meet at 4:00pm at the Western Park on December 24th. Nominations for households in need of a meal are also still welcome. To nominate or for more information, call 435-828-0016.