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Local news from across the Uintah Basin.

Basin Now

Give’m Health: The Great American Smokeout November 21st

Nov 20, 2019 · Basin Now · News

TriCounty Health is inviting residents to join in the Great American Smokeout this Thursday, an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The challenge is for smokers to take the first step and pledge to quit smoking for at least 24 hours as a step toward quitting for good. Over 34 million people or 14 percent of the population in the United States smoke cigarettes. Tragically, 480,000 people also die every year related to tobacco use making smoking the number 1 preventable cause of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, the TriCounty Health District is the second highest in the state for adults who smoke, reaching 17.5 percent.

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Former Uintah High Teacher Formally Charged for Sexual Conduct with Student

Nov 19, 2019 · Basin Now · News

A former Uintah High School teacher who was fired for inappropriate behavior with a student has been formally charged in 8th District Court. Two charges of 3rd degree felony Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a 16 or 17 Year Old were formally filed on Monday against 33-year-old Rodd Adam Repsher. Repsher was arrested and booked into Uintah County Jail on October 23rd for investigation of 6 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a 16-year-old. According to the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s detective Jason Turnbow, the high school’s resource officer, was informed on October 11th, 2016 that another teacher had found Repsher alone in his classroom pressed up against a 16-year-old student.

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Hotel Vernal Haunt Presents Local Charities With Donation Checks

Nov 19, 2019 · Basin Now · News

“Do we need any more heads in here? How about the blood splatter?” These might not be common phrases you would hear on your average work site but questions about body parts and blood were part of the everyday magic for those who made the Hotel Vernal Haunt possible again this year. There were countless smiles, laughs, and even some tears shed last night as the Hotel Vernal Haunt presented local charities with donation checks thanks to another successful year of scaring folks for a good cause.

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Uintah Transportation Special Service District Asks Public to Complete Survey

Nov 19, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Uintah Transportation Special Service District is seeking public input as they continue work on the UTSSD Transportation Master Plan. A brief survey has been created that can take just a few minutes depending on how much detail you would like to provide. “The information and comments that you submit will assist in creating an appropriate and effective plan for the County,” shares the transportation district. The survey can be taken at TinyURL.com/UintahRoads.

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Ladder Fire in Strawberry Valley Visible from Highway 40

Nov 19, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Travelers on Highway 40 in the Strawberry Valley have seen the smoke and wondered if they could really be seeing a wildfire in the middle of November and, in fact, it is. The Ladder Fire was first reported on Sunday at about 2pm near Strawberry Reservoir. Initial estimates were the fire was at about 100 acres and burning in grass and brush. Approximately 40 firefighters responded from local, state, and Forest Service crews. By Monday morning the fire had grown to over 300 acres and was burning in grass, brush, aspen, and conifer stands.

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GENTRI to Kick Off Tour in Vernal Where They Have a Special Connection

Nov 19, 2019 · Basin Now · News

A Utah based musical group is kicking off their Christmas tour in Vernal tomorrow night and starting in Vernal holds special meaning for the performers. GENTRI, short for The Gentlemen Trio, was formed in 2014 and is comprised of three talented tenors: Brad Robins, Casey Elliott, and Bradley Quinn Lever. In the last five years the group has enjoyed success performing around the world to a growing fan base.

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Crowd Loves Opening Night of Union’s ‘Cinderella’; Running Through Nov. 23rd

Nov 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Union High School's Drama Department opened their production of ‘Cinderella’ on November 16th, directed by Union's drama and choir teacher, Mindy Palmer. With a cast varying from high school grades to elementary school, all have been working long and hard to get this picture perfect. Senior Shaun Hicken is starring as the prince and junior Olivia Wells is starring as the one and only Cinderella. Auditions started at the beginning of school in August and they've all been hard at work since then.

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Gates Close on Emma Park Road, Now Under Carbon County Ownership

Nov 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Travelers eager for a short cut between the Uintah Basin and Utah County were less than thrilled over the weekend to find the gates closed on Emma Park Road. An article from ETV News out of Price shares that the Carbon County Commissioners recently approved acceptance of ownership of Emma Park Road. According to the article, the state acknowledged that they thought the road belonged to Carbon County but a title search showed that the road was actually under the state’s jurisdiction.

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DWR: What to Do When Encountering a Cougar

Nov 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Mountain lions tend to follow their prey and during the winter deer start coming out of the mountains to populated areas. This can lead to more encounters with cougars and the Division of Wildlife Resources has further tips to keep you safe. First, STOP! Do not run from a cougar, neither approach it. Pick up children and pets while maintaining constant eye contact. Stand up tall and make yourself look bigger by raising your arms above your head.

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Roosevelt City Reports on Annual Financial Audit

Nov 15, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Roosevelt City has shared the results of their annual financial audit. “As is required annually, Roosevelt City has just undergone its independent financial audit for the 2018-2019 fiscal year,” shares Roosevelt City. “Auditors from Aycock, Miles, & Associates found that the city’s financial condition has steadily improved, putting Roosevelt in a better financial condition than it has been at any time in a number of years.”

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Successful 2019 Tourism Season for Uintah County

Nov 15, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Uintah County Travel and Tourism Office has some great news. 2019 was another successful year for tourism in Uintah County. “Numbers for visitation at Dinosaur National Monument were up in the summer and fall months over the same months in 2018,” shares Uintah County Travel and Tourism Director Lesha Coltharp. “Close to 300,000 people have visited Dinosaur year to date. Most hotels in the area are reporting that they had a great tourist season as well.