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Local news from across the Uintah Basin.

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Colorado Historian Signing Books Tonight at Uintah County Library

Nov 13, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Uintah County Library Regional History Center and the Uintah Basin Chapter of the Utah Archaeological Society are sponsoring a book signing. For 19 years Robert Silbernagel was the editorial page editor for The Daily Sentinel, a newspaper in Grand Junction. Even though he retired in 2014 he continues to write the history column for the newspaper. He is the author of “Troubled Trails: The Meeker Affair and the Expulsion of Utes from Colorado”, a book about the chain of events that lead to the Utes being expelled from their homeland.

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Uintah School District Business Administrator Scott Ruppe Resigns

Nov 12, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Uintah School District Business Administrator Scott Ruppe has resigned from his position after accepting another career offer. Ruppe made the announcement to district employees through email shortly before noon on Monday. Within his letter, Ruppe commented on Superintendent Mark Dockins’ resignation last week. “Out of the management teams I have worked with,” shared Ruppe in the letter, “the district leadership as presently constituted is by far the team that actually walks their talk. Mark Dockins’ departure will leave a large hole to fill but I am confident that the district as a whole will continue to collaborate to do what is best for our students. There are those who will claim that it is because the Levy didn’t pass that Mark is leaving.

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Uintah County Recorder Named Recorder of the Year by UAC

Nov 12, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Utah Association of Counties(UAC) has awarded a Uintah County elected official with a coveted recognition. According to the UAC press release, Brenda McDonald has been named the 2019 Recorder of the Year for her exceptional efforts and accomplishments. “Affiliates of the Year are selected from and voted on by their peers for demonstrating outstanding work ethic, bold leadership, and creative problem solving throughout the past year,” shares the announcement. “Brenda was elected as the Uintah County Recorder in 2015.

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Community Matters Conference Both Entertaining and Educational

Nov 12, 2019 · Basin Now · News

On November 6th, Union High School hosted the Community Matters Conference with keynote speakers Clint Pulver and Dr. Hank Smith. Clint Pulver spoke first and inspired the audience with his speech on today's society. He talked about his life as a youth and how his struggles got him to where he is today. "I have to dedicate this to Mr. Jensen," said Pulver. Mr. Jensen was his Middle School teacher who changed his life entirely and inspired his love for drumming which eventually led him to start the Green Man Group Drumline at UVU.

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DWR Recommends Green River for November Fishing

Nov 12, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Despite the cold weather, there is still plenty of good fishing to be had. In fact, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources recommends the Green River as a great place for some November fishing. It might even be considered the ideal month as the river is far less crowded. Fishermen can fish from the banks for large rainbow trout and brown trout. Randy Oplinger, the sportsfish coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, states, "There are a lot of fish in the Green River, but the fishing pressure there is high in the summer, making fall an ideal time to go.

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Ashley National Forest Proposes Projects for Flaming Gorge-Vernal Ranger District

Nov 12, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Ashley National Forest provides many wonderful opportunities to be outside and enjoying nature. The Flaming Gorge-Vernal Ranger District has six new projects that they are focusing on to improve the recreation and wildlife habitats in the eastern half of the forest. The six projects include the Highline ATV Trail reroute, Big Brush Creek – Outlaw ATV Trail Reroute, Round Park Hardened Stream Crossings, Dutch John Mountain ATV Connector trail, the west Northwest D1 Wildlife Habitat Improvement project, and the Buckboard Marina Improvement project.

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Duchesne Man Arrested for Kidnapping, Assault, and Drug Charges

Nov 11, 2019 · Basin Now · News

A Welfare Check last week resulted in the arrest of a South Duchesne man. 60-year-old Garren Thomas Breach was arrested for the offenses of Kidnapping, Assault, Threat of Violence, Possession of a Controlled Subtance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, deputies were dispatched to a trailer in South Duchesne for a Welfare Check on November 6th and the owner, Garren Breach, came out. After multiple requests, a woman also came out of the trailer, moving as if she was in extreme pain. “When asked about what had happened, the victim claimed she had been beaten and that she had attempted to get away,” shared the deputy’s probable cause statement. “We removed her from speaking distance from the owner.

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Uintah School District to Seek Board Approval for Funds to Cover Critical Needs

Nov 11, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Uintah School District announced Thursday that they are seeking approval from the Uintah School Board to take money from the district’s general fund balance to cover some of the critical needs that would have been covered by Proposition 4 if it had passed. The request will be made by District Business Administrator Scott Ruppe during the November 13th school board business meeting. The District explains that: “If the school board approves Ruppe's request, he will draft a revised budget for the current fiscal year.

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Vernal Man Killed in Wednesday’s Crash Identified; GoFundMe Set Up for Family

Nov 11, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Vernal man killed in a head on collision near Myton on Wednesday morning has been identified. 43-year-old Joshua D. Mordecai was traveling westbound on Highway 40 at Mile Marker 100 when the unthinkable happened. His car suddenly swerved in front of a semi tractor-trailer and a head-on collision was the result, according to Utah Highway Patrol. Since the devastating news, the community has rallied around the Mordecai family by making donations on a GoFundMe page called “Tribute to Josh Mordecai Loving Husband and Father.”

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Dinosaur National Monument Offering Virtual Field Trips

Nov 11, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The cool weather during this season really impacts the ability of students to enjoy a good field trip. Dinosaur National Monument is offering a very unique solution. The monument is offering an in class virtual tour. This is one of the most famous dinosaur quarry sites in the world with fossils from the quarry on display throughout numerous museum. The tour park rangers will help students learn about fossils, dinosaurs, geology, geologic time, earth history, and adaptation.

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DEQ Sets Boil Advisory in Place for South Duchesne Culinary Water

Nov 9, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality issued a Boil Advisory on Friday for a specific area in Duchesne County. According to the Friday announcement, South Duchesne Culinary Water has had reports of water users becoming ill prompting the Boil Advisory. South Duchesne Culinary Water provides water to less than 40 homes. Utah DEQ explained that on October 19th there was a main line water break and during the investigation and fix, 10 samples were taken which were all satisfactory.

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Prioritized Projects Moving Forward from Uintah County Trails Master Plan

Nov 8, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Vernal Chamber recently recognized the work of the Trails Committee as prioritized projects are moving forward from the Trails Master Plan in Uintah County. Individuals have been working to improve the trails since 2010 (and even earlier) with the first known trails committee made of representatives from various trail user groups. In 2015, the official DinoTrails committee was formed. The committee worked with Uintah Transportation Special Service District on funding and the Uintah County Trails Master Plan was completed by Sunrise Engineering and CIVCO Engineering.