Local news from across the Uintah Basin.
Team Uintah Recognizes Vernal Rotary Club
The Vernal Rotary Club has long been a supporter of the Uintah School District so it makes sense that they are being recognized this week by Team Uintah.
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Flaming Gorge Ranger District Planning Prescribed Burns for April
The Flaming Gorge Vernal Ranger District is planning prescribed burns as weather permits in April. The prescribed fires will primarily be used within Ponderosa Pine stands on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains.
UBOC Concert Featuring Extraordinary Talent this Weekend
The quality and variety of the arts available the area. The Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus performs just twice a year and their spring concert is this Saturday with extraordinary talent traveling to be a part of it. Dr. James Franklin is the guest conductor traveling from East Carolina University where he conducts the internationally renowned ECU Chamber Singers and directs the graduate program in choral conducting. His wife Nicole Franklin will also perform in the concert as a guest soprano soloist. “Nicole is an amazing soprano,” shares UBOC alto Debbie Spafford. “She will join the choir for a couple of pieces and will also provide some beautiful solo work. We do not often see this type of talent in the Basin and we invite everyone to come and enjoy our concert.” This concert is the conclusion of season 5, a great milestone for the organization. Members of the Uintah High School Choir will be joining for several pieces, including the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The concerts will be held at 2:00pm and 7:30pm on Saturday, March 24th. Tickets can be purchased at Davis Food & Drug or on www.uboc.org.
Caucus Night March 20th
It is caucus night in Utah and the state has made it easier than ever to learn where your party and precinct will be meeting locally. Every community member can visit vote.utah.gov to find locations or to find out if you are registered with a party or not. Not all parties will hold caucus meetings in the Uintah Basin but information on your closest contact and meeting will be provided.
Pathway Connect Students Can Now Continue Education at USU-Uintah Basin
Local Pathway Connect students now have broader higher education options thanks to a new agreement between BYU-Idaho and Utah State University. The one-year Pathway Connect program has been offered locally, allowing adults to transition into higher education at a low cost through online courses. The new collaboration agreement between USU and BYU-I means that once students complete the Pathway Connect program, they can transition to USU, taking classes at USU’s main campus, online, or at one of the regional campuses including USU-Uintah Basin. “Teaming up with Pathway Connect fits perfectly with our mission,” shares USU Interim Provost Larry Smith. “We want our university to be accessible, a place where students can come and continue to build and improve themselves, and in return improve their own communities. USU’s statewide system works naturally with the Pathway Connect program.” Local advisors at USU-Uintah Basin can help those interested in learning more.
Maeser Elementary Cubs Making Magic Happen; Raising Funds for Wheelchair
Sometimes things just come together like they were meant to happen. That’s how Denise Williams, Principal of Maeser Elementary, feels about an exciting school wide fundraiser and service project underway for a special Maeser student with a rare form of Epilepsy. At 6 months old, Jake Cook began having up to 20 seizures a day and became 1 of 4 Utahns diagnosed with SCN8A and only 1 of 250 people diagnosed with this form of Epilepsy worldwide so far. He is unable to talk, walk, or care for himself, making mobility an ongoing and expensive task as he grows. Learning of a way they could help, the administration at Maeser Elementary had an idea. “At Maeser, we want to focus on the good,” shares Principal Williams. “We found out that Jake and his family are in need of a jogger wheelchair. We had an assembly to learn more about Jake and introduce our service project.” Each student was asked to earn one dollar to donate to Jake’s new jogger wheelchair and excitement spread like fire among the students. “We want students to learn that when we work together, our collective efforts can make a huge difference for someone else,” explains Williams. “It has been amazing to hear students talk about their service…. Students are working hard to make the magic happen for Jake and his family and we are grateful that Josh and Cami are letting us serve their family.” In addition to the fundraising effort, the school is having a reading contest. If as a school they are able to read 2,000 hours before spring break, Classic Air Medical helicopter will deliver the jogger wheelchair to the school in high flying fashion. The entire experience has been one of love and community growth for not only Jake and his family but, perhaps especially, for the students and staff of Maeser who now share in the joy of broadening the opportunities for a fellow student they know and love better. The Cook family has extended their sincere gratitude for Principal Williams and all involved in making it possible for Jake to get out hiking, biking, camping, and just living life!
No Injuries After Landing Gear Malfunction at Vernal Regional Airport
No injuries were reported after a tricky landing at the Vernal Regional Airport on Friday in the late afternoon. According to Vernal Regional Airport Manager Doug Brown, an individual and his instructor were in the air practicing and training when they discovered a malfunction on the nose landing gear.
Track Team’s Bus Ride Home Comes to a Muddy Stop
The ride home for the Uintah High girls track team came to a muddy halt late Wednesday night in Wasatch County. The team was returning from a region meet at Mountain View High School when a flat tire caused the bus to come to rest in the mud against a hillside along Highway 40, making it impossible to open the front door of the bus.
State of the Art Welding Technology Building Underway at UBTech
UBTech enjoyed a successful groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for their latest expansion of infrastructure. Construction of a new state of the art welding technology building is now underway on the Roosevelt campus. The $4.5 million dollar structure, funded by Utah State Legislature, will be equipped by two highly respected welding companies, Miller Electric and Norco Incorporated, ensuring welding students have access to the most updated equipment available with equipment upgrades every other year. UBTech’s welding program has earned national and even worldwide recognition by producing welders who have consistently claimed both state and national titles. This includes an international ranking of 5th place for a UBTech welding student at the 2015 world welding trials in Abu Dhabi. “They might not know where we are located,” shares UBTech President Aaron Weight, “but they know who we are and what kind of welders we produce.” The new welding technology building is anticipated to open in 2019.
Representative Bishop Legislative Update
Utah’s 1st congressional district Representative Rob Bishop is at work in Washington, D.C. His bipartisan bill, HR 1800, was passed by the US House of Representatives, authorizing the transfer of an 80-acre parcel of land to the Utah State University Research Foundation. The transfer will facilitate the continued use of the property for scientific research in direct support of ongoing U.S. military research. “This bill is the cleanest and simplest way of transferring control of this land back to the entity which is using it now so that they can continue their research,” shares Bishop, “much of which is done in support of our military.” Rep. Bishop also reports that he voted for HR 4909, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018. The bill is designed to curb violence in schools throughout the nation by providing resources for teachers, students, and law enforcement officers. The bill also provides funding that can be used for metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other technology.
Celebrate Responsibly For St. Patty’s Day
Local law enforcement are urging residents to celebrate responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day. “Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Utah Highway Patrol!” shares UHP Sgt. Kellie Oaks. “We will have extra patrols looking for DUI and distracted drivers. We’d love for everyone to buckle up, have a designated driver, and enjoy a super safe weekend.” Vernal City Police are also hoping locals enjoy the holiday, but in the right way. “Celebrate responsibly,” shares Assistant Police Chief Keith Campbell, “and utilize a designated driver or the many options available in the community for taxi services.” Oh and one more thing from Chief Campbell, remember to wear something green and BEEF up!
Report of Armed Student at Vernal Middle School Found to be False
Thankfully, a report that a student brought a gun to school was found to be false. According to Uintah School District Superintendent Mark Dockins, police investigated the claim that a Vernal Middle School student brought a gun to school on Wednesday and were able to prove the claim false.