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KNEU 1250A member of the Ute Tribe has been indicted on 9 felony counts of extortion by a federal grand jury in connection with alleged donations he required while working as an employee for the Ute Tribe. The indictment for Leallen Blackhair is dated January 10th and states that the illegal activity took place from 2010 to 2013 while Blackhair worked as a supervisor for the Ute Energy and Minerals Department.
The likelihood of seeing bald eagles in northeastern Utah is increasing every day. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, bald eagles fly to Utah in the winter to find food and escape colder conditions farther north and by the time February rolls around, hundreds of the birds are in the state.
The former Utah Highway Patrol trooper charged with setting the Mile Marker 166 Fire in eastern Uintah County near Highway 40 on May 30th, 2017 has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court. Rex Richard Olsen is scheduled for sentencing on April 5th with U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball and faces up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 dollars.
Steinaker State Park received a special designation this week, joining only three other parks in Utah that claim the same title. Steinaker received International Dark Sky Park status on January 22nd by the International Dark Sky Association, joining Antelope Island, Goblin Valley, and Dead Horse Point state parks in the status.
Unsecured loads is considered a serious road safety issue and it’s one the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office is speaking frankly about. Since 2010, unsecured loads have caused 51,000 crashes that have resulted in 10,000 injuries and 440 known fatalities nationwide.
While rafting may be the last thing on your mind in January, it is a crucial time for those in the rafting industry. The Green and Yampa River lottery for 2018 is now open and the level of success for many depends on the luck of the draw. The lottery allows boaters to compete for a limited amount of permits for the rivers’ high use season.
The Vernal Youth City Council enjoyed a hands on experience attending the Utah State Legislature on Wednesday. Ten Youth City Council members made the trip to the State Capital with Vernal City Mayor Doug Hammond and City Manager Quinn Bennion. The morning started by meeting the other Youth City Council groups at the Capital. A mock legislative session was held and then the Vernal group was able to watch Senator Kevin Van Tassell during a committee meeting. Representative Scott Chew and Senator Van Tassell joined the youth for lunch during an event which Governor Gary Herbert spoke at. They finished off the experience with a tour of the State Court House and Supreme Court. “It was a fascinating experience,” shares Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion. “It was great that Senator Van Tassell and Representative Chew were able to meet and talk with them. The youth engaged, had great questions, and learned from the experience.”
A Vernal man known for being community minded has had a full week. Brian Gorum was given a Certificate of Appreciation by the Vernal Chamber Public Relations Committee during the Chamber’s Tuesday luncheon for his work as the Chairman of Santa’s Community Effort, which provides gifts to local children in need every Christmas.
Small changes each month added up in 2017 in terms of unemployment rates in Uintah and Duchesne County. The final data for the year shows that Duchesne County ended the year with a 5.2 percent unemployment rate. That is 2.2 percent lower than the 7.4 percent unemployment recorded one year earlier at the end of 2016.
January 22nd through the 26th is Law Enforcement Appreciation Week 2018, as proclaimed by the Duchesne County Commission. The Commissioners signed the proclamation on Monday in recognition of the service and sacrifices of law enforcement officers nationally, statewide and locally.
The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy was such a success in the Fall that a spring course is now scheduled. The Sheriff’s Office explains that this program is for residents who want to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement.
Ronald Winterton announced Friday that he has joined the pool of those running for Utah State Senate District 26. Winterton has served for 10 years as a Duchesne County Commissioner, working closely with Senator Kevin Van Tassell who currently holds the Senate District 26 seat but will not be seeking re-election.