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Local news from across the Uintah Basin.

Basin Now

Local Opioid Drug Abuse Recently Featured on TV

Jan 21, 2020 · Basin Now · News

The Uintah Basin is very aware of how the opioid crisis has greatly affected rural communities, especially our own. Robin Hatch, the Prevention Coordinator for Northeastern Counseling Center, was recently interviewed on Fox 13’s The Place. Hatch works for a prevention team that covers Duchesne, Uintah, and Daggett Counties. They rely on local residents, church groups, civic groups and businesses to help spread information to the public. Recently, the team found that individuals were hoarding medications, throwing fire on the opioid crisis.

Basin Now

USU Uintah Basin and UBTech Holding Nursing Programs Open House

Jan 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

According to the Utah Department of Health, Utah does not have enough nurses to care for its population. In fact, the shortage is projected to increase each year. Kathleen Kaufman is the co-chair of the Utah Nursing Association and shared in a recent interview that this is especially a huge problem in rural areas of Utah. Utah State University Uintah Basin and Uintah Basin Technical College are doing their part to help the Basin with any nursing shortages and are having two open houses this week.

Basin Now

Ashley Regional Medical Center CEO Ben Cluff Announces Retirement

Jan 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Ashley Regional Medical Center CEO Ben Cluff announced his retirement last week. The hospital issued a statement on Friday morning stating that his plan to retire is effective January 24th. The statement continued:“We are deeply grateful for Ben’s leadership and many contributions to our hospital and the Vernal community through the years, and we wish him well in his retirement. A national search for a permanent CEO is currently underway, and we will inform our community when the right leader has been identified.” Evans Family Media adds our thanks and well wishes for Ben Cluff as he moves on to retired life.

Basin Now

DinoSOAR Customer Service Award: Phil Rushton

Jan 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

The Hospitality Committee in Uintah County continues to recognize the faces of customer service in local businesses. The new DinoSOAR customer service award recipient is Phil Rushton of Phil E Rush Ton delivery service. Phil is known for his great customer service and has been running his delivery service for nearly three years. His service picks up groceries, prescriptions, take out food or any small items or packages ordered from local businesses and delivers the items to the recipients homes for a nominal fee of $6.00 dollars.

Basin Now

Fatal Accident on SR-45 Early Sunday Morning

Jan 19, 2020 · Basin Now · News

A fatal accident occurred early Sunday morning in Uintah County. According to Utah Highway Patrol, a 24-year-old Vernal man was traveling southbound in a 2001 Lincoln Continental on State Road 45 at Mile Marker 36 at about 4:50am. The vehicle drove off the road to the right causing the vehicle to roll.

Basin Now

Pilot Programs Addressing Intergenerational Poverty Seeing Some Success

Jan 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

For eight years, Utah has been working to decrease intergenerational poverty, a situation of poverty and public assistance use that continues from one generation to the next. The Intergenerational Welfare Reform Commission and Advisory Committee shared this month that things are headed in the right direction. "I'm thrilled about the incredible progress taking place in our pilot counties," shared Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, chair of the Intergenerational Welfare Reform Commission.

Basin Now

Roosevelt City Winterfest Activities This Weekend

Jan 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Roosevelt is in the middle of its Winterfest fun. This weekend there are three activities to enjoy. First, the Roosevelt Aquatic Center will be offering discounted admissions for open swim, which will be every Saturday in the month of January. Second, there will be a Winterfest Paint Night. For $25 per person or $40 per couple all supplies will be provided for any skill level. There is limited capacity for the event at the Villa on Saturday from 7pm to 9pm. The third event is the activity that started Winterfest, cross-country skiing. Individuals need to bring their own gear (or borrow from a neighbor) to the Roosevelt Golf Course on Saturday at 10am and will go until 12pm.

Basin Now

TONIGHT: Female Twist of Classic Odd Couple Opening at Vernal Theatre: LIVE

Jan 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

‘The Odd Couple: Female Edition’ opens at Vernal Theatre: LIVE tonight! This contemporary classic comedy explores the real life subject matter of sudden roommates, clean freak Florence Unger and slob Olive Madison. The theatre guideline for the show is that it is for ages 8 and older. Production lead Katie Ufford, who plays Olive Madison, says that the play will be more appreciated by older youth and adults but that a younger audience will still find moments of comedy to giggle at and that a comedy is just what the month of January ordered.

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Lane Frost Challenge at the Western Park Friday and Saturday

Jan 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Lane Frost captured the attention of the bull riding world by becoming the 1987 World Champion in bull riding. He became known to the world through the movie ‘8 Seconds’. Unfortunately, he tragically died after a successful ride when a bull turned on him. Lane grew up locally on a Lapoint farm. In his memory, the Lane Frost Challenge was established in 2001 here in Vernal. By 2009 the challenge had 10 events throughout Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and South Dakota which included Professional Bull Riding and Championship Bull Riding stops.

Basin Now

Iowa Sex Offender Arrested in Vernal for Alleged Sexual Assault on Greyhound Bus

Jan 17, 2020 · Basin Now · News

An intoxicated registered sex offender recently released from prison in Iowa and enroute to California was arrested in Vernal on Wednesday for a sexual assault that allegedly took place on the Greyhound bus he was traveling on. According to the arresting officer’s Affidavit of Probable Cause, the manager of the KFC restaurant in Vernal called police after the bus driver reported that a man on the bus had a bag of alcohol and had inappropriately touched a female passenger.

Basin Now

Trapper Mine President Confirms Mine Closure Between 2026 and 2030

Jan 16, 2020 · Basin Now · News

While it may not be surprising, it is still a blow to the people and economy of northwestern Colorado and beyond. Trapper Mine president Michael Morriss confirmed to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel this week that with the closing of Craig Station power plant, Trapper Mine will close sometime between 2026 and 2030 as that is the mine’s sole customer. Tri-State Generation and Transmission announced a week ago the retirement of their 3 remaining coal generation facilities; Craig Station and Colowyo Mine in northwestern Colorado by the year 2030 and their New Mexico coal-fired power plant by the end of 2020.

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UBTech Considering Adoption of Collegiate Mascot; Wants Public Feedback

Jan 16, 2020 · Basin Now · News

UBTech is mulling around some big ideas and are asking the public to share their opinions through a short online survey. On Wednesday, UBTech director of marketing and recruiting Stephanie Carter informed local media partners that UBTech is considering adopting a collegiate mascot and would like feedback prior to proceeding any further with this consideration. The survey can easily be accessed from the front page of www.ubtech.edu and it will be available until the end of the month. All feedback from community members is welcome, whether or not you are a student or community partner in some way.