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KNEU 1250Ashley Regional Medical Center has received yet another accolade. The hospital has been named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. This list is based on the iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength Index that measures facilities across eight pillars of hospital strength.
The Ashley National Forest is serious about including the public as they plan for the future. According to an ANF news release, they have planned the second in a series of topic-based workshops and the outcome will inform the development of the revised Ashley forest plan. During the workshop, the public will learn more of the history and trends of the forest’s rangeland conditions and how this affects the rural economies in the neighboring communities. It will also explore the challenges and opportunities for future rangeland health and use. The input received from the public will be considered during the Ashley Forest Plan Revision process and potentially affect forest management over the next 15 to 20 years. The upcoming workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd, from 1 to 5pm at the Uintah Conference Center. Dustin Bambrough and Dr. Stanley Kitchen will be presenting. The workshop is free to the public but space is limited so those interested can register by phone at 435-781-5118 by leaving your name and number. Register at: https://ashley-national-forest-rangeland-workshop.eventbrite.com
The former Utah Highway Patrol trooper who pleaded guilty to Arson last November is set to be in 8th District Court next week for sentencing. Rex Richard Olsen pleaded Guilty on November 14th to Arson in the case of the Maeser Highway Fire on June 9th in Uintah County. On August 8th, the Utah Attorney General’s Office charged Olsen with one count of Second-Degree Felony Arson as well as a second charge for placing a lighted item on a highway/wildland area, a class B misdemeanor. Olsen pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of third-degree felony Arson while the second charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal. He is scheduled for sentencing with Judge Clark McClellan on Tuesday, February 20th. Olsen is also facing a federal charge for setting the Mile Marker 166 Fire on May 30th in eastern Uintah County.
While there hasn’t been much of a winter so far this season, snow did come down in full force starting Sunday. Vernal City is reminding residents that effective snow removal requires their efforts in addition to the hardworking plows. “Vernal City snow crews are diligently plowing snow from the streets and spreading sand and salt,” shares Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion, who reminds citizens that when new snow falls, it takes hours to reach all the city streets. “As we enjoy the winter weather and welcomed moisture,” Bennion continues, “there are a few reminders for businesses and residents as they clear their own driveways and sidewalks. Residents are encouraged to keep the areas around fire hydrants clear as well as the sidewalks and ADA ramps in front of their homes. Also residents should not push snow from their own driveways into the street.” Pushing snow into the street causes hazards for drivers and problems for the road crews.
Utah’s Legislative Session for 2018 is halfway over with the conclusion of week 4 and Senator Kevin Van Tassell reports that 131 bills have been passed with more coming. Among many other bills, the Senate passed SB43 which would name the UtahRaptor as the State Dinosaur. So far, the remains of the UtahRaptor, the largest type of raptor yet discovered, have only been found in Utah. Young student Kenyon Roberts pitched the idea to legislators to name the UtahRaptor as the State Dinosaur and the Senate gladly complied. It will now be considered by the House. Another bill that passed the Senate last week was SB87, concerning School Security Locks. The bill allows school districts to decide for themselves whether or not to install bolt locks on classroom doors to be used during a lockdown situation. According to Van Tassell, the bill passed on Thursday after concurring with a House amendment just one day after the mass shooting in Florida. Those interested can keep track of bills with the bill tracker tool found at https://le.utah.gov/asp/billtrack/track.asp.
The Cards for Kids @ Heart project was a great success this year, spreading love to local seniors all over the Uintah Basin. Deliveries were made from Duchesne to Rangley and everywhere in between, shares project coordinator Amy Richards, morning show host on 105.5 KLCY. With help from many agencies and community members, nearly 900 homemade and heartfelt cards were crafted and through donations made at Family Dollar in Roosevelt there were plenty of sweets to go around. The Duchesne and Uintah County Meals on Wheels teams delivered Valentines to homebound seniors while Amy and her team of helpers made hundreds of other deliveries. Amy’s team included Trina Hedrick from DWR, Kara Campbell from McDonalds, Makayla Miller from Family Dollar, Jared Bennion and Sgt Kelli Oaks from Utah Highway Patrol, Geoff Liesik from the Villa, and Brooke Grandberry at the Uintah Care Center. This was the third year for the Cards for Kids @ Heart project.
The Uintah County Commissioners provided State of the County addresses during Commission meeting earlier this month. Commissioner Brad Horrocks began by highlighting a long list of departments and county employees that he feels are doing a great job and making the most of budget cuts. He noted that revenue for the Uintah Conference Center is up 40 percent and that the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is working on great projects, including the railroad which shows great promise.
After significant discussion and debate, the Utah Interagency Fire Team has made the decision to maintain the current five-dispatch center model. This means that the wildfire dispatch center located in Vernal is no longer on the chopping block. Executives from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services met on Thursday to discuss the consolidation efforts and ultimately decided to abandon the plan to consolidate locations. “As we moved through this process, it became clear that there was a great deal of concern and uncertainty among fire managers, partners, and the local communities that we serve,” stated BLM Director Ed Roberson. “From the start of this efficiency and cost management effort, we said clearly that we were prepared to stop and adjust at any time if we could not offer the same level of safety and service to our customers.” When the announcement was made in 2017 that the Vernal and Moab fire centers would be relocated to Richfield, local agencies and officials including the Uintah Fire Suppression Special Service District formally announced that they did not support the move and pushed to keep the Vernal center in tact.
The charge of misdemeanor negligent homicide against a Duchesne County Jail nurse was dropped last week in 8th District Court. 50-year-old Jana Clyde was charged in September by the State of Utah Attorney General with Negligent Homicide, a class A Misdemeanor, in the death of Madison Jensen in the Duchesne County Jail on December 1st, 2016.
The Uintah Basin Emergency Care Conference drew a crowd to the Uintah Conference Center over the weekend for a successful training conference. Over 230 people were in attendance coming from as far as the Spanish Fork area, Rock Springs, and the Rangely District in addition to agencies from all around the Uintah Basin.
What’s the latest list of locals gathering signatures for the 2018 election season? Greg Lamb has announced he is gathering signatures to run for Uintah County Attorney, joining incumbent County Attorney Mark Thomas. Also in Uintah County, those gathering signatures include Dan Dilsaver and Bart Haslem for Commission Seat A, Duane Shepherd, Bill Stringer and Troy Slaugh for Commission Seat B, Michael Wilkins for Clerk-Auditor, and Steve Labrum and Leonard Isaacson for Uintah County Sheriff. Each in Uintah County need to gather 329 signatures from registered Republicans. In Duchesne County, those gathering signatures include Luke Stratinger, Travis Tucker, Rick Harrison, and Brandon Adams for Sheriff, JoAnn Evans and Mindi Crowley for Clerk-Auditor, Gregory Todd for Commission Seat A, and Gregory Miles for Commission Seat B. Each in Duchesne County need to gather 186 signatures from registered Republicans. Currently, www.elections.utah.gov shows that the following have gathered at least the required amount of signatures. In Uintah County: Greg Lamb, Mark Thomas, Michael Wilkins, Bart Haslem, Bill Stringer, Leonard Isaacson, and Steve Labrum. In Duchesne County: JoAnn Evans, Mindi Crowley, Gregory Todd, Gregory Miles, Luke Stradinger, and Brandon Adams. Those with enough signatures can be included on the Primary ballot in June. There is still time to gather and submit signatures.
The Vernal City Police Department is getting some love to end this Valentine’s week as they are being recognized by Team Uintah for their support of local schools and students. “Chief Dylan Rooks has been a dedicated supporter of the Uintah School District throughout his long