Local News — Page 1008

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Patriot Riders Show Support for Local Law Enforcement

Mar 14, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office is feeling especially blessed for the local support they have been shown. Local members of the Patriot Guard Riders presented members of the Sheriff’s Office with a wooden flag and a plaque on Saturday, a gesture that means a great deal to the agency. “Feeling so much support is always good for us and our officers,” shares Sheriff’s Office Manager Cynthia Wardle. “We had a really good turnout and it was a beautiful day. When they presented it to Chief Deputy Tucker they asked for a photo with the Patriot Guard standing behind the group to say that they always have our back.” The flag was made by Willy Rivera. Patriot Guard Riders is a non-profit organization that takes on missions as invited guests at funerals to show respect or find other ways to honor veterans, first responders, or law enforcement.

Basin Now

Uintah County Spotlight: Cemetery Department

Mar 14, 2018 · Basin Now · News

A new program is highlighting the work of Uintah County employees. The first Uintah County Spotlight was the Uintah County Cemetery Department, recognized during Monday’s Uintah County Commission meeting. Cemetery Department employee James Sharp described the work he and the cemetary crew perform throughout the week, rotating weekends and ensuring that all funerals at the 11 cemeteries are covered. “We meet with families on the worst day of their lives and are accommodating to every request that is in our power,” shared Sharp. “…We try to do everything we can ourselves and do our best to save money and time. We respect the fact that it is public money that pays our paycheck… [My coworkers and I], we care about the cemeteries.” The Commissioners thanked Mr. Sharp and the members of the Cemetery Department for their commitment and hard work as Uintah County employees.

Basin Now

Warrant Issued on Charges of Rape and Sexual Abuse of a Child

Mar 14, 2018 · Basin Now · News

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 37-year-old Vega-Oviedo Arnulfo on charges of rape and sexual abuse of a child. The charges, filed in 8th District Court in Duchesne, include 1 count of first degree felony Object Rape of a Child and 2 counts of first degree felony Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child. According to court documents, the acts took place in 2015 in Duchesne County. The victim or victims disclosed the abuse to foster parents and in interviews at the Children’s Justice Center. Court documents state that the presumptive sentence for a conviction of the individual offense is 15 years to life and that imprisonment is mandatory. The warrant for the arrest of Vega-Oviedo Arnulfo was issued on March 1st by Judge Samuel Chiara.

Basin Now

Central Utah District Plant Will Not Allow Fluoridation Process

Mar 13, 2018 · Basin Now · News

Vernal City Mayor Doug Hammond read a statement during Wednesday’s City Council meeting concerning a proposal to add fluoride to Uintah County drinking water. Mayor Hammond explained that the topic of fluoridation was not initiated by Vernal City or the City Council but by a group of local healthcare professionals who are gathering signatures in hopes of including the topic on the November ballot.

Basin Now

Give Em’ Health: Preventing Hantavirus

Mar 13, 2018 · Basin Now · News

Hantavirus may not be on most Basin residents radar but the virus is carried by rodents in the TriCounty area and can be passed to humans. Deer mice carry the virus and do live throughout the Uintah Basin mostly in fields and remote areas, shares TriCounty Health epidemiologist Diana Oyler.

Basin Now

Western Park/Conference Center Crew Recognized by Team Uintah

Mar 13, 2018 · Basin Now · News

Derk Hatch and his hardworking crew are getting credit where it is due as the group recognized this week by Team Uintah. Many of the people in the Uintah Basin are familiar with Derk Hatch. “Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of colorful stories about Derk as well,” shares Uintah School District Superintendent Mark Dockins.

Basin Now

Like Father, Like Son: Garcia, Jr. and Sr. Collect Donations for Medical Mission

Mar 12, 2018 · Basin Now · News

A local high school senior will soon embark on a third world medical mission and you could say he has spent most of his life preparing to do so. Joseph Garcia, Jr. has watched his father, Dr. Joseph Garcia, Sr., go on medical missions with the U.S. Air Force for his entire life and has been going with his dad on trips to hospitals in Iowa, Texas, and Utah since he was 6 years old. The experiences have clearly made a positive impression as Joseph, Jr. now aspires to become a physician and do humanitarian work by traveling to do medical missions of his own. He has studied Spanish for 3 years to help prepare for the humanitarian work and a future LDS mission and is this year’s Union High School World Languages Sterling Scholar. Joseph has interned through Union’s CAPS program working at the Uintah Basin Medical Center with his father and Dr. Baum for the last two years. He is the student founder and president of HOSA – Future Health Professionals at Union and is currently preparing for a medical mission to Guatemala this summer with his father and uncle. A donation drive is underway for the mission. They are gathering hygiene kits among other useful items including bars of soap, combs, hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, exercise books, rulers, sharpeners, erasers, glue, colored pencils, blue pens, pencils, and backpacks (plastic lined if possible). Help this impressive young man make a difference in the world by dropping off donations at the main entrances of Uintah Basin Healthcare locations. Joseph Sr. ( Air force Doctor), and Joseph Jr.

Basin Now

Basin Roots of Utah Parks and Rec Director Lost Too Soon

Mar 12, 2018 · Basin Now · News

If plans continue to line up, Starvation State Park will soon have a new name to honor a man with strong Basin roots. Fred Hayes, director of State Parks and Recreation, passed away early this month at the age of 58 and Utah legislature quickly passed a Resolution to honor Hayes by renaming a state park in his honor but why Starvation State Park? Hayes started his career in 1982 as a Ranger Aide at Starvation State Park. Hayes grew up in Duchesne County and before his state parks career he spent several years as a biology, math, and personal health teacher in Duchesne and Uintah County public schools. After launching his career at Starvation State Park, Hayes worked in numerous positions over the years including park ranger and deputy director before becoming the state director. Hayes lived in Heber at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife Serena and their five children.

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Woman Transported to Hospital Following Vernal Crash

Mar 12, 2018 · Basin Now · News

Seat belts made a big difference in a serious crash on Highway 40 in Vernal on Thursday. According to Utah Highway Patrol, the crash took place at approximately 12:54pm when a white 2012 Ford F-250, driven by a 66-year-old Lapoint man, was traveling Westbound on Highway 40 in the area of 1500 South. A red 1997 Plymouth Neon, driven by a 19-year-old Vernal woman, was stationary on the West side of the 1500 South intersection at the stop sign. The driver of the Neon pulled out of the intersection to make a left-hand turn and was struck on the driver side by the White Ford F-250. The driver of the red Neon was transported by ambulance to Ashley Regional Medical Center. The driver of the White Ford was uninjured in the accident. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

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Ute Tribe Suing United States Alleging Mismanagement of Water Rights

Mar 12, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Ute Tribe has filed two more federal lawsuit against the United States of America, this time alleging mismanagement of the Tribe’s water rights. According to a Ute Tribe press release dated March 9th, the Tribe has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims requesting monetary relief to compensate for what the Tribe calls “past harms” as well as a second lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for, quote, “equitable relief to hold the United States accountable to the Tribe now and into the future.”