News

Subcategories: Featured Stories

Basin Now

Moon Gingerbread Creation of ‘The Hobbit’ on Display in All Its Glory

Dec 4, 2019 · Basin Now · News

For 15 years now the Moon family of Jensen has generously shared their talents with the Uintah Basin through the creation of epic gingerbread displays and this year’s creation is now on display. Some of themes considered were Never Ending Story, Princess Bride and Alice in Wonderland but in the end the Moon family settled on ‘The Hobbit: There and Back Again.’ The final creation has around 80 pounds of dough and took the whole month of November to complete. Such a creation isn’t without its frustration. Stephen Moon relates how he had finished making all the trees for the Out of the Frying Pan scene when screams, crashes, and a very scared cat left all the trees reduced to shards.

Basin Now

Duchesne Arts Council Holding Winter Art Festival

Dec 4, 2019 · Basin Now · News

In an effort to bring “Art For Every Season” the Duchesne Arts Council sponsors events for each season of the year. Winter brings the joy of Christmas and the glow of the holiday season and is the perfect setting for the Winter Art Festival this Thursday, December 5th. There is a free kids craft and some treats that start at 4pm and will go until 5:30pm. At 5:30pm, the Duchesne Community Orchestra and other local musicians will hold a free concert and a Christmas sing along. For those that want to be part of the final event you will need to purchase tickets.

Basin Now

Make Safety the Top Priority During Winter Travel

Dec 4, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Even though the intense snowstorms missed much of the Uintah Basin over the Thanksgiving holiday we are definitely heading into winter and that means winter travel conditions. Uintah County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that when facing winter driving conditions individuals need to change the way that they drive. Drive slower than posted speeds, leave extra room between vehicles around your vehicle, and be sure to avoid cruise control, braking quickly and taking sharp turns. Do not crowd the plows on the road, give them plenty of room to work. Another key component is to stay alert to weather and road conditions as they will change rapidly. Finally, it is a good idea to keep your gas tank at least half full and to have a winter safety kit in the car.

Basin Now

Trees For Charity Auction Gala a Magical and Generous Evening

Dec 3, 2019 · Basin Now · News

It truly was a magical and generous evening at the Trees For Charity Auction Gala at the Uintah Conference Center on Monday night. Local inspiration Braxten Nielsen worked the crowd as the auctioneer to sell 41 trees to the highest bidders, the night’s total reaching $233,300 dollars! The ‘Healing With Harmony’ Tree to benefit Cindy Hadlock was purchased and rebid several times, receiving bids totalling $31,400 dollars. A special Hunt and Mount auction to benefit Cindy also received $3,500 dollars for a grand total of $34,900 dollars. Cindy is a mother to young children and was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer.

Basin Now

Roosevelt Municipal Airport Runway Now Open

Dec 3, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Roosevelt City announced last week that the new runway at the Roosevelt Municipal Airport has officially reopened. The airport closed in July as work got underway to overhaul the runway and for construction of a new parallel taxiway which will be complete next spring. The airport has reopened for flights having been inspected and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. “This gets us to where Vernal was before their latest update,” shares City Manager Ryan Snow. “It doesn’t get us to the level of providing regional service, and we’re not aiming for that. We’re still a step behind them, but this will be a significant upgrade for us.”

Basin Now

16th Annual Holly Days Attracts Visitors Near and Far

Dec 3, 2019 · Basin Now · News

While it is no surprise that Holly Days attracts visitors from outside the area, it can be surprising sometimes to learn just how far some have traveled. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion provided a summary of this year’s event including the news that the crowds included guests from as far away as Australia! An estimated 8,000 people enjoyed the days festivities and roughly $20,000 dollars worth of gifts were given away between the prize give-away, Bingo, cash machine, and game show. “There was a great response to the new events this year – archery tag, laser tag, the video game trailer and other games,” shares Bennion.

Basin Now

Surprises in Store for 3rd Annual Naples City Christmas Tree Lighting

Dec 3, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Christmas has many great traditions that bring families and friends together and the 3rd Annual Naples City Christmas Tree Lighting happening tonight is a growing favorite. Mayor Dean Baker hosts the tree lighting at the Naples City Plaza Park each year with tons of fun and this year crowds can expect a few surprises added to the mix. While of course there will be the traditional serenading by the elementary choirs as well as Santa arriving in style, Naples City will also be unveiling a new guest whose home will be in the Naples City road side park.

Basin Now

Story Update – Nuclear Steam Generator Travels Through Uintah Basin and Over Indian Canyon

Dec 2, 2019 · Basin Now · News

An extra oversized load successfully traveled through the Uintah Basin over the weekend escorted by local law enforcement. The load, a nuclear steam generator with a transport size of approximately 23 feet wide and 400 feet long, spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Dinosaur, Colorado as its travel was restricted on the 27th and 28th. On Friday morning, the impressive caravan and massive load attracted attention as it passed through Vernal on Highway 40. Taking their cues from the weather, the load made its way to just east of Duchesne where it stopped and stayed through Saturday.

Basin Now

Craig Mother Changes Plea to Guilty in Toddler Son’s Christmas Eve Death

Dec 2, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The mother of the toddler boy who died in a house fire last year on Christmas Eve in Craig has changed her plea to Guilty ahead of her scheduled December trial. In a joint press release issued on November 27th by the District Attorney’s Office and Craig Police Captain Bill Leonard, Vanessa Jenkins pleaded guilty to Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class 5 felony, on November 26th in the case of the 2018 Christmas Eve house fire that killed 3-year-old Lane E. Cullen. Jenkins was arrested in April and entered a plea of Not Guilty in August prompting the court to schedule Jenkins for trial to begin on December 16th.

Basin Now

Daggett County Holding Human Trafficking Seminar This Week

Dec 2, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Daggett County Task Force is holding a special seminar concerning the threats, dangers and trends of human trafficking. Sadly, anyone can be a victim but 50% of victims are under the age of 16 and 80% of victims are female. There are various types of human trafficking and it does not mean that victims have moved across borders or states. It is a problem that exists in every country around the world, across cities, suburbs and rural towns alike. Allison Smith, Outreach Specialist for Trafficking in Persons Program, and Amy Graham, a Victim Specialist for the FBI, will discuss the current trends and practices of human trafficking during the event on Tuesday, December 3rd at 5pm at the Daggett County Comission Chambers.

Basin Now

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Dec 2, 2019 · Basin Now · News

For those wanting to catch a glimpse of that jolly old Saint Nick, here are some opportunities this week. Come meet Santa at Naples City Office on Friday, December 6th at 3pm. The man in red will be at Wendy’s on Saturday, December 7th at 4pm. For those in Roosevelt go to Stewart’s Marketplace on Saturday, December 7th to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be a breakfast with Santa at the Tridell Community Building on Saturday, December 7th. Breakfast will be from 8am to 10am with Santa visiting from 9am to 10am. Dino Family Dental is sponsoring Santa and his elves at the Priority First Real Estate Professionals on Saturday, December 7th from 11am to 1pm.

Basin Now

Oversized Load Nuclear Steam Generator Travels Through Uintah Basin Friday

Nov 29, 2019 · Basin Now · News

An extra oversized load traveled through Vernal Friday morning escorted by local law enforcement. The load, a nuclear steam generator with a transport size of approximately 23 feet wide and 400 feet long, spent the holiday in Dinosaur, Colorado as its travel was restricted on the 27th and 28th. It was expected the load will make it to Duchesne on Friday and, weather permitting, will head south over Indian Canyon on Saturday as it continues its journey making its way into Utah County and then north to its destination west of Salt Lake.