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KNEU 1250Local news from across the Uintah Basin.
Repairs to the Steinaker dam are on schedule and it’s expected the reservoir will begin to be refilled next fall. According to Uintah Water Conservancy District General Manager William Merkley, much of the work to the dam has been complete and the plan is to start trucking fill back in next week.
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety has released the numbers relevant to mining in western Colorado for 2018. According to the summary provided on mining.state.co.us, approximately 1.4 million tons of coal was produced at the Colowyo Coal Mine in 2018.
Snow may still be melting around the Basin but it’s not too soon to think of summer! The Vernal Chamber is urging local businesses to get in and sign up to be a sponsor for the annual Dinosaurland Passport to Summer program. The program is a win-win for locals as families have something fun to get out and do together and local participating businesses increase foot traffic to their establishments. This year’s passport will have 97 adventures which participants can complete for a stamp in their passport.
The effort of local leaders has paid off in returning homeless shelter funding to rural shelters. HB 203 ‘Homeless Shelter Funding Revisions’, sponsored by Representative Scott Chew and in the Senate by Senator Ron Winterton, was signed into law by Governor Herbert enabling the state definition of a “homeless shelter” to allow for a lower bed count so rural areas qualify for the funding. The bill was approved unanimously in the House and Senate committees as well as on the House and Senate floors. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion explains how this change repairs the previous oversight of state law. “The bill reduced the number of beds required in rural county shelters to be eligible for homeless funding,” shares Bennion. “The bill removes the requirement that Vernal City pay $18,200 a year to the State homeless mitigation fund.” That funding now stays local and instead will stay with Vernal’s Turning Point Shelter. Any rural area with a homeless shelter will also benefit. In addition to the work of Rep. Chew and Senator Winterton, Uintah County Commissioner Brad Horrocks, Vernal City Mayor Doug Hammond, City Manager Quinn Bennion, and Turning Point Shelter director Susi Anderson were involved in promoting and testifying for the bill during the 2019 legislative session.
There have been and will be several special events for locals looking forward to the Easter season. A multi-faith choir and orchestra performed the Lamb of God, a christian Easter oratorio by Rob Gardner, to a standing room only audience at the Roosevelt Junior High auditorium on Sunday evening. The feedback from locals in attendance was that this free event was “incredible”, “amazing”, and “phenomenal”, with many requesting it become an annual tradition.
It was an excellent night at the Mr. and Miss Uintah competitions at Uintah High School on Wednesday evening. The 2019 Mr. Uintah is Garrett Wilson and the 2019 Miss Uintah is Daicee Smuin. Daicee also won the People’s Choice Award for the night.
It was originally an idea to sell 50 trucks 4 years ago and has become an annual family fun event. Showalter Ford is holding The Big 50 Truck Show, a free event for both vendors and the public. Vendors can come set up a booth and “share their passion for automobiles,” states Showalter Ford in their press release. Families can enjoy numerous activities.
Vernal’s Pepsi-Cola bottling company has been a supporter of UBTech as a four year sponsor of the school’s annual Foundation Golf Tournament. Pepsi-Cola manager Steve Hansen wanted to do more, however, and last fall the process began to explore a deeper partnership between the organizations. This month, exactly that was accomplished with the signing of an agreement in which Pepsi-Cola will provide $10,000 dollars annually to UBTech, which the UBTech Foundation can use to help students in any of the school’s programs. “Pepsi-Cola bottling company of Vernal plays a large part in our community,” shares UBTech President Aaron Weight. “They are involved in local events, local businesses, and continually support causes in the Uintah Basin. We are delighted to partner with such a wonderful company.” The students who benefit from the annual donation are required to meet certain specifications, including contributing a donation back to the UBTech Foundation within one-year of program completion and employment.
For the last few weeks people have been asked to donate old prom dresses for local young ladies going to prom. Well the big day is next month but the time to find a dress is this weekend. The Prom Dress Drive will conclude with the chance for students to come to the Uintah County Heritage Museum and select a free prom dress.
Let’s hope for some clear skies. 2019 International Dark Sky week is starting on Sunday March 31st. The event was created in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow. “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution,” states Barlow. “The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. … I want to help preserve its wonder.”
Uintah County Library is having a comic book convention featuring comics from kids and teenagers from the Basin. To help prepare for the convention, comic book making classes are being offered. Two weeks ago the classes focused on helping younger kids start their comics, with over 100 kids attending. Now it’s time to help the teens that are interested.
A UBTech welder has found success in the world of competitive welding and has an amazing story of work ethic and perseverance. A UBTech press release this week shares the story of Roosevelt’s Jordan Wynn who was a welding student at UBTech back in 2017 when he won gold at the Utah SkillsUSA State Competition and then went on to win the National SkillsUSA bronze. Continuing his pursuit, in January Wynn’s name was announced as one of the top three semi-finalists from the World Trials with a chance to travel to Russia for the World Skills title.