Local News — Page 819

Basin Now

DinoSOAR Customer Service Award: Bridget Hullinger

Dec 19, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Hospitality Committee in Uintah County continues to recognize the faces of customer service in local businesses. The new DinoSOAR customer service award recipient is well-known as a familiar face at Smith’s Food & Drug. Bridget Hullinger has been a cashier at Smith’s for 21 years, which she says she has loved as she gets to know so many people in the Vernal community. She also loves the chance to make sure customers have a positive shopping experience. Bridget plans to stay at Smith’s Food & Drug for years to come.

Basin Now

Uinta Basin Railway Project Focus of Vernal Chamber Luncheon Presentation

Dec 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

An update was provided on the proposed Uinta Basin Railway during the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday. The United States Surface Transportation Board announced last week that the EIS Final Scope of Study for the Uinta Basin Railway has been issued and that the Board has decided on three potential routes moving forward: Whitmore Park alternative, Indian Canyon alternative, and the Wells Draw alternative. During Tuesday’s presentation, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director Mike McKee discussed how transportation has been an ongoing challenge for the Uintah Basin and that the prospect of rail would be a game changer.

Basin Now

The Buckboard Pup-ulation Control Contest has Its First Winner

Dec 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Buckboard Marina at Flaming Gorge might be staying busy remodeling the marina infrastructure but that does not mean that they have given up on enhancing the fishery of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. They have teamed up with Game and Fish to hold the Pup-ulation Control Contest. The main reason for the contest and the hope of those that organized it is to draw attention to “the abundance of small lake trout (pups) in Flaming Gorge Reservoir and encourage anglers to harvest more lake trout less than 25 inches.”

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Uintah Middle School Hosts a Uintah Invitational Science Olympiad

Dec 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Since 1984, the Science Olympiad organization has been hosting science competitions throughout the nation. They have rigorous standards-based challenges for nearly 8,000 teams across all 50 states. As part of training for such events, teams can have Invitationals and that is what Uintah Middle School did. They held the Uintah Invitational on Saturday, December 14th, in which “five of the top teams from last year’s state Science Olympiad came to Uintah High School for 23 different events in two divisions.

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Students of UBTech to Be Featured on TV Show

Dec 18, 2019 · Basin Now · News

In an exciting bit of news, earlier this year, UBTech welding students went to a custom car fabrication shop entitled Kindig-it Design. What makes this shop interesting is that it was featured on a top car fabrication TV show(Bitchin’ Rides). While at the shop, the students were able to take part in the actual filming of the show. In a case of reciprocity the stars of the show, Dave Kindig and Kevdogg, came to the Basin to see the new UBTech welding building. While here they stated that they “were impressed and are excited for the future of our welding and automotive students.”

Basin Now

Local Pair Wins Big At World Series of Team Roping Competition

Dec 17, 2019 · Basin Now · News

A two-man team from the Uintah Basin walked away the big winners at the World Series of Team Roping competition last week in Las Vegas. Heavy Sursa of Bluebell and Slade Witbeck of Vernal won the YETI #10.5 WSTR Finale with an average time of 34.60 on four runs, winning them $342,000 dollars. Heavy and Slade competed against 617 teams and walked away with the best average time.

Basin Now

Surface Transportation Board Issues Final Scope of Study for Railway EIS

Dec 17, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The United States Surface Transportation Board has issued its Final Scope of Study for the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway. The Final Scope includes the changes to the Draft Scope following the scoping comment period and consideration of the comments received. The Surface Transportation Board has decided, along with the cooperating agencies, on three routes that they believe meet the project’s purpose and need and are responsible and feasible to construct and operate.

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Ute Indian Tribe Issues Press Release on EPA Air Quality Plan

Dec 17, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Ute Indian Tribe issued a press release on Monday stating their support of the issuance of a Federal Implementation Plan to manage emissions from oil and natural gas sources on the land within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. EPA Region 8 Administrator Greg Sopkin signed the proposed plan on Monday and the EPA will now submit the proposed rule for publication in the Federal Register and a public comment period will begin.

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UBTech Receive a Wonderful Christmas Gift

Dec 17, 2019 · Basin Now · News

It has been a great year for Uintah Basin Technical College and it was topped off with a great Christmas gift. The ‘You Got This’ (YGT) foundation is an organization that is focused on suicide prevention. They customize systems based on the idea that connection is the best prevention. Just over a year ago the foundation committed to donate $20,000 over a ten year period to help UBTech provide scholarships in support of basic skills training. Since 2018, the YGT scholarship has helped fifty students.

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Gatlin Brothers Christmas Concert Tonight

Dec 17, 2019 · Basin Now · News

What does Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand, Sir Tom Jones and Johnny Cash have in common? They have all sung a song written by Larry Gatlin, who ranks 4th as Solo Writers with the most self-penned top 40 Billboard hits. The Gatlin Brothers, made up of Larry, Steve and Rudy have been singing since March of 1955 making it close to 65 years of performing. Those years of experiences include entertaining troops, singing the national anthem for the 85’ and 89’ World Series as well as the 2008 Olympics, performing at the White House, West Point and Radio City Music Hall (just to name a few).

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Final Numbers In And Trees For Charity Breaks Previous Record

Dec 16, 2019 · Basin Now · News

In an absolutely amazing show of generosity, the final numbers are in and this year’s Trees For Charity event has once again set a new record. The 2019 tree auction combined with the tree toppers, silent auction items, and other donations has come to a total of over $285,000 dollars, a new record and all raised for local charities. Last year’s Trees For Charity event raised a grand total of $266,281 dollars which was an exciting record at that time that beat the record total from 2017 of $260,000 dollars. This year’s auction gala event took place on December 2nd.

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Uintah Schools Superintendent Mark Dockins Honored At His Final Board Meeting

Dec 16, 2019 · Basin Now · News

During his final school board meeting as the Uintah Schools Superintendent, Mark Dockins was recognized and offered special thanks for his service in the District. Superintendent Dockins announced his resignation on November 7th explaining that he accepted a position as Vice President of Development at UBTech. While the process of hiring his replacement is still underway, Dockins starts in his new position in January regardless. Dockins has lived in the Uintah Basin for 25 years, spending his career in education as an English teacher and eventually moving into administration as an assistant principal, student services director, and Superintendent.