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Local news from across the Uintah Basin.

Basin Now

DWR Officers Seeking Information on Geese Poached in Uintah County

Feb 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Officers are seeking information from the public related to the killing and waste of 8 geese in Uintah County earlier this month. “In early February 2020, conservation officers with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources responded to a report of goose carcasses dumped south of the Ballard City Office in Uintah County,” shares the DWR announcement. “Investigating officers determined that eight geese had been shot and left to waste. The individuals who killed the geese also left litter alongside the carcasses.”

Basin Now

Uintah High Wrestling Takes 2nd at State Competition

Feb 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Uintah High Wrestling had a great weekend at state competition in Orem, taking 2nd place out of 21 teams. Mountain Crest took 1st with 319.5 points, Uintah had 274.5 points, and Bear River followed in 3rd with 202.5 points. Uintah had several individual state champions: Brady Merkley in the 126 weight class, Gus Harrison in the 138 weight class, and Dylan Swift in the 170 weight class. The following also placed in their respective weight classes: Dillon Dick, 2nd; Raiden Harrison, 3rd; Cole Huber, 3rd; David Swarts, 3rd; Koby Smith, 4th; Jacob Rhoades, 5th; Gunnar Harrison, 5th; and Cameron Laris, 5th.

Basin Now

New District Ranger Announced for Flaming Gorge/Vernal Ranger District

Feb 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

A new District Ranger has been announced for the Flaming Gorge/Vernal Ranger District. Curtis Booher will serve in the position on the Ashley National Forest, headquartered in Manila. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve at such a national treasure,” shares Curtis, who describes the assignment as a “dream come true.” Initial goals for new District Ranger Curtis include sustaining and enhancing forest restoration, collaboration, tribal consultation and recreation management.

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Naples City Fire Department Responds to Residence Fire Saturday Night

Feb 16, 2020 · Basin Now · News

The cause of a residence fire in Naples on Saturday night remains under investigation. According to the release from the Naples Fire Department, a page was received from Central Dispatch for a report of a residential structure fire at 1587 East 6000 South on Saturday night at 10:00pm. “Upon arrival crews found a single wide trailer house with heavy fire showing,” shares Naples Fire Department.

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Clerk/Auditor on What You Need to Know About the Presidential Primary Election

Feb 14, 2020 · Basin Now · News

There’s been some confusion over the Presidential Primary Election coming up March 3rd and Uintah County Clerk/Auditor Mike Wilkins is wanting to set the record straight. Ballots have been mailed out to registered Republicans, registered Democrats, and Unaffiliated voters. Anyone affiliated with a recognized party other than Republican or Democratic did not have a ballot mailed to them. If they wish to receive a Democratic Ballot they can request one because the Democratic Party allows anyone to vote their ballots.

Basin Now

Genetic Tests Provide Official Documentation of Wolves in Moffat County

Feb 14, 2020 · Basin Now · News

The presence of wolves in Moffat County has been a hot topic with some doubting if what was spotted was actually wolves. Biologists with Colorado Parks and Wildlife have now provided the proof of their original announcement. They shared on Thursday that genetic tests have confirmed that four scat samples collected near a scavenged elk carcass in Moffat County came from wolves. The test provides the first official documentation of a pack of wolves in Colorado since the 1940s.

Basin Now

New Uintah School District Superintendent Sworn-In

Feb 13, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Uintah School District officially has a new Superintendent. During Wednesday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, Dr. Rick Woodford was sworn-in as Superintendent by 8th District Court Judge Clark McClellan. After taking his oath and signing his contract, Woodford thanked the school board for trusting him with “a stewardship over the education of the children in [the] community.”

Basin Now

Vernal PD Releases Statement on Monday Incident at Uintah County Library

Feb 13, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Vernal Police Department released a statement on Wednesday about the incident that took place on Monday at the Uintah County Library. They shared the following: “On Monday February 10th, an adult male was observed by juvenile females viewing sexually explicit images on a computer at the Uintah County Library. Officers responded to the library and after obtaining a description of the individual the suspect was quickly located. The case remains under investigation with potential criminal charges pending.

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Ute Tribal Enterprises CEO Featured in Native Business Magazine

Feb 13, 2020 · Basin Now · News

The CEO of Ute Tribal Enterprises, Valentina Sireech, is featured in this week’s issue of Native Business Magazine. The publication announced last October that Sireech was among 30 CEOs to be highlighted in Indian Country. The in-depth highlight of Sireech was shared on February 12th, describing Sireech as a “People Person” who wakes up early each day, “prays to the Creator”, and then gets busy planning for a productive day. The article shares the following quote from Sireech: “My goal is to serve Tribal communities, offer jobs and training for Tribal members, while strengthening the Tribe’s financial position.”

Basin Now

Brown Presents on Growth at the Vernal Regional Airport

Feb 13, 2020 · Basin Now · News

We might be a small, rural community but the efforts to improve our services and opportunities have certainly shown promise. On Tuesday at the Vernal Chamber luncheon, Vernal Regional Airport Manager Doug Brown provided a report on airport growth. In 2018, there were 10,658 Commercial Enplanements, a term for people flying out of Vernal commercially. For 2019, the area reached 13,561 Commercial Enplanements with a total of 27,129 passengers coming and going. Enterprise Car Rental also stays busy, stating that they have 60 to 70 cars rented at all times.

Basin Now

Friends Honor Dean Townsend with UBTech Scholarship

Feb 13, 2020 · Basin Now · News

The end of January marked six years since the tragic vehicle accident that took the life of Dean Townsend. His legacy of kindness is still remembered to this day. Dean, Lynn Labrum, and Chad Orme had been close friends. Dean had worked for Lynn for over 35 years and they eventually became business partners. After Dean’s passing, Cody Labrum became a partner in the business and though their business continued to grow, the partners were looking for a way to honor Dean. Lynn Labrum says, “Dean was always helping others. He made a big impact on the community.”