News

Subcategories: Featured Stories

Basin Now

Tragic End for Missing Snowmobilers; Uintah County SAR Among Responders in Search

Mar 23, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.

Basin Now

Dinosaur National Monument Outdoor Areas Still Open for Recreation

Mar 23, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.”

Basin Now

Chromebooks for Uintah School District

Mar 23, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.

Basin Now

Uintah County Declares Local Emergency Due to Economic Impact of Pandemic

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.

Basin Now

UPDATE: Juvenile Booked in Detention Center Following Officer-Involved Critical Incident

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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."

Basin Now

Social Media Service Groups Show What It Means To Be ‘Vernal Strong’

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.

Basin Now

Daggett County Declares Local State of Emergency

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.

Basin Now

STRATA Offering Relief During Coronavirus Pandemic Including WiFi Hotspots

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

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.

Basin Now

Local Sheriff’s Offices Address Rumors of Travel Restriction and Martial Law

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

Hearsay, gossip, hoax, rumors. In a time of uncertainty, it is certain that rumors will abound, and local law enforcement is meeting those rumors head on. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office wants it to be clear: TriCounty Health Department issued a travel ADVISORY but no one is actually restricted from leaving or returning to Duchesne, Uintah or Daggett Counties. It is asked that all avoid unnecessary travel outside the TriCounty area for the time being. The Uintah County Sheriff’s Office also has a rumor to squash.

Basin Now

Officer-Involved Critical Incident in Vernal Under Investigation

Mar 20, 2020 · Basin Now · News

An officer-involved critical incident is under investigation in Vernal. According to a press release from the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, probation requested assistance on Thursday, March 19th, at about 11:10pm. “Vernal police officers and Uintah County sheriff’s deputies responded to assist,” shares the Sheriff’s Office. “They encountered the probationer, who had his hands concealed around his waist. An officer believed the individual had a weapon. When the individual advanced on the officer, a K9 was deployed and engaged the suspect.

Basin Now

Duchesne County Woman Enters Guilty Plea in Homicide of 2-year-old Foster Child

Mar 19, 2020 · Basin Now · News

A Duchesne County woman originally charged with 1st Degree Felony Aggravated Murder in the death of a 2-year-old foster son in her care has changed her plea ahead of a jury trial scheduled for this month. According to the ‘Statement of Defendant in Support of Guilty Plea’ filed this week in 8th District Court, Lisa Jo Vanderlinden entered a plea of Guilty to 1st Degree Felony Child Abuse Homicide which carries a penalty of 5 years to life in prison and a $10,000 dollar fine.