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KNEU 1250In response to the growing danger of the COVID-19 outbreak, Duchesne County has declared a local state of emergency. With both federal and state agencies recognizing the potential global impact and the ease by which it spreads from person to person, measures are being put into place to help deal with the negative impact to the community.
Several business and social activities have been placed on hold with the need for social distancing. Despite that being the case, the Roosevelt Golf Course remains open. It is a situation that will be monitored day to day as the course strives to maintain the safety of guests. The Roosevelt Golf Course has taken the following precautions and asks that those who come to the course help the public to stay safe. The door handles and carts are constantly and consistently disinfected.
TriCounty Health Officer Jordan Mathis issues a plea to local community members: Currently, the only thing spreading faster than the Coronavirus (COVID-19) are the rumors spreading through our community. Right now, these rumors are proving more destructive to our local response than the actual virus itself. I understand the concern and anxiety around this new disease, but if you are engaging in the creation of rumors or the continuation of rumors within our community, SHAME ON YOU!
Uintah County Search and Rescue responded to a call on Friday, March 20th, of two Colorado residents possibly stranded on Wild Mountain along the Utah/Colorado border. According to a press release from the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, the search also included Moffat County Search and Rescue, Classic Air Medical, and officers from Dinosaur National Monument. The missing snowmobilers truck was found on Friday and the snowmobiles the men had been riding were found Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon searchers on the ground spotted a man waving an orange sled and the Department of Public Safety helicopter was guided to the men.
Like many public places, Dinosaur National Monument has had to make changes in response to the CDC guidance and government orders in an effort to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Monument announced this week that the Quarry Visitor Center and Quarry Exhibit Hall have closed indefinitely. “The outdoor areas of the monument remain open for hiking and other recreation. Please follow guidance of maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet and not gathering in groups larger than 10 people.”
Today is the last day to sign out a Chromebook in Uintah School District. Please call the office of your child’s school to arrange pick up. The district also has a tech support hotline to help students, parents, and teachers as they are getting set up and to help with any questions they have. The number is 435-781-3111 and is available from 7am to 9pm daily. Direction from Duchesne County School District is for families to contact their children’s school if they need a device or access to technology at home.
The Utah Department of Health issued a State Public Health Order on Saturday, March 21st, backtracking the state order from a Prohibition on gatherings in groups larger than 10 to a Recommendation. The state makes it clear that this adjustment was made to clearly remove the potential criminal penalty associated when ordered as a Prohibition.
Uintah County has declared a local state of emergency due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have been speaking daily with business owners, hotel managers and others in our county,” shares Uintah County Commission Chairman Brad Horrocks. “Some are already suffering significant economic losses brought on by the efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and there’s no concrete timeline for when that might change.” Horrocks signed a proclamation on Friday, March 20th, declaring the local state of emergency.
UPDATE: HIGHWAY 40 REOPENED AT ABOUT 1:20PM FRIDAY The Uintah County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on Friday afternoon concerning Thursday’s officer-involved critical incident that shut down two blocks of Vernal’s Main Street. “The officers involved in Thursday night’s critical incident suffered no physical injuries,” shares the Sheriff’s Office. “The individual who was taken into custody is a 16-year-old male who is on probation with the state Division of Juvenile Justice Services. The juvenile was treated at the hospital after being bitten by a police K-9 during the incident. He was then booked into Split Mountain Youth Detention Center in Vernal."
The last few weeks have been a lot to take in for most members of the community and while there has been worry and panic there has also been those finding opportunities to serve and uplift. Antonio Casillas of Vernal was among those who recognized the growing struggle for others and wanted to find a way to help. The ‘Vernal Strong’ Facebook group was formed as a result and Antonio and his wife Rachel have been managing the page as a place where locals can ask for help and offer help during this difficult time and those who are able to help or are in need can respond. “We have such an amazing community that has come together before and has shown love, kindness and compassion,” shares Rachel.
Daggett County has declared a local state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a Daggett County press release, Daggett County Commission Chairman Randy Asay signed the proclamation on Thursday, March 19th, and the proclamation will expire in 30 days if it is not ratified by the Daggett County Commission. “We are a small county and our resources are extremely limited.” shared Asay. “It wouldn’t take much for those resources to be depleted.
STRATA Networks has pledged to help the community stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. Here are a few ways they are offering relief: Free internet service will be provided until June 15th to all new customers who are not currently subscribed to STRATA’s internet service and who either have a student or educator living in their home. This includes the students, staff, and faculty members of elementary, junior high, high schools or colleges.