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Subcategories: Featured Stories

Basin Now

Spirit of Generosity Abounds During Enchanted Forest Auction

Nov 27, 2019 · Basin Now · News

It was another magical year for the Enchanted Forest event in Roosevelt which auctions trees and items to benefit local charities each year. There were over 200 people in attendance at the auction dinner on Thursday evening. There were 17 total trees which collectively raised $110,000 dollars. The silent auction went well on Friday and Saturday, raising another $4000 dollars. Folks enjoyed the tree view on Friday and Saturday with approximately another thousand people who came to enjoy the sight of the beautiful trees. The tree which raised the most benefited the Uintah Basin Faith Based Recovery Foundation and brought in $20,000 dollars!

Basin Now

First Angel Tree is Up for Santa’s Community Effort

Nov 27, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Santa’s Community Effort has a long and successful history in Uintah County with the Rotary Club now keeping the cause organized and running. The program’s success rests on the giving hearts of locals each year who are willing to take tags from the trees around town and follow through by donating gifts for the children assigned. The hope is that the generosity will continue this year to help brighten the holidays for local children in need. The Vernal Rotary Club announced that the first angel tree is now up at Davis Food & Drug and all interested in participating are invited to go choose tags off the tree. Each tag includes the gender, age, and basic interests or needs of a local child. Instructions are included on the tags of what to do with the gifts you purchase.

Basin Now

16th Annual Holly Days Ready to Welcome Crowds Friday

Nov 27, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Vernal City and countless sponsors are thrilled to welcome all to the 16th Annual Holly Days scheduled for this Friday, November 29th. Holly Days is Vernal’s largest community event of the year and draws families from not just the area but even from far away states each year. Activities start at noon and finish with fireworks at 8:30pm. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion explains that there will of course be dozens of activities, presentations and events going on, and all for free. New activities this year include laser tag, archery tag, and mechanical swings.

Basin Now

Ashley National Forest Road Update for Dry Fork Canyon and Taylor Mountain

Nov 27, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Ashley National Forest provided a road update on Tuesday for Dry Fork Canyon and Taylor Mountain. For Dry Fork Canyon as of Tuesday you could have snowmobiles at the restroom at the bottom of the Canyon near the Massey Meadow turnoff and ride to the top. High ground clearance vehicles can make it to the Alma Taylor Road turn off as of Tuesday. Beyond that the snow gets over 1 1/2 feet deep at the turn off to Ashley Twin Lakes. For Taylor Mountain as of Tuesday you could have snowmobiles at the top of Taylor Mountain and ride. Vehicles will have difficulty making it from Kaler Hollow to Iron Springs.

Basin Now

Utah Highway Patrol Encourages Safe Travels

Nov 27, 2019 · Basin Now · News

While the weather will likely slow down some travelers, AAA has estimated that 55 million travelers will hit the road for Thanksgiving this year. Their data estimates that this will be the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since the year 2000. Gas prices have been fluctuating lately but they are currently cheaper than the national average this time last year. For those in the Uintah Basin that choose to hit the roads, officials are urging them to be prepared and make safety the top priority. Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Kellie Oaks has some great advice for all on the roads. “We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!” shares Sgt. Oaks “Please drive safe, buckle up, and don’t drink and drive!”

Basin Now

Steinaker 3D Archery Range Now Closed for the Season

Nov 27, 2019 · Basin Now · News

For a few short weeks, archery lovers have enjoyed a new outdoor range to practice their skills. The 3D Archery Range at Steinaker State Park welcomed excited hunters in training in early November. The last few weeks many have enjoyed the archery range. On Tuesday, Steinaker State Park announced that “due to the cold weather and snow, the archery range is closed. The targets are put away until spring.” During the range’s opening, Steinaker gave a big thank you to Utah Outdoor Recreation, SCI of Vernal, and Uintah County for making the Range possible. When the range reopens, park officials will let the public know.

Basin Now

Uintah School Board Starts Search for New Superintendent

Nov 26, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The search is underway for a new Superintendent for Uintah School District. Superintendent Dockins announced his resignation on November 7th explaining that he accepted a position as Vice President of Development at UBTech starting in January. “During a special work session held on November 22nd, the school board worked page by page through a draft announcement for the superintendent vacancy,” shares an announcement from Uintah School District. “The special work session was held at the Uintah School District Office…

Basin Now

UBTech Announces 2020 Student of the Year

Nov 26, 2019 · Basin Now · News

Nursing student Laci Day has been named the 2020 UBTech Student of the Year. The announcement was made last week during a banquet on the Roosevelt Campus. 2019 Student of the Year McKinlee Thacker was invited to the stage to make the big announcement, sharing advice with Day, urging her to “say yes, work hard, and listen harder.” Day received a $1000 dollar award and she will represent UBTech as an ambassador for technical education. Individual awards were also given to the candidates who were not chosen. Christopher Nolden, Sydnee Clinton, Celeste Kendall, Marguerite Hunter, Evgeniya Bloat, Sarah LeBaron, Terra Turner, and Maddison Florence were all highlighted for their unique story, personality, and skills.

Basin Now

Bridge Demolition Delayed; Seep Ridge Road Remains Open

Nov 26, 2019 · Basin Now · News

While originally scheduled to begin last week, the White River Bridge demolition has been delayed and as a result Seep Ridge Road remains open. According to an announcement from Uintah County, there has been a manufacturing delay and the project is now on hold, possibly until early January. “In 2016, the Utah Department of Transportation conducted a regularly scheduled inspection of the bridge and recommended a load limit of 12 tons, which restricts tractor-trailer trucks from using the bridge on Seep Ridge Road,” shares Uintah County. “This made it necessary to replace the bridge.”

Basin Now

Roosevelt City Public Information Officer and Deputy Recorder Resigns

Nov 26, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Roosevelt City Public Information Officer and Deputy Recorder is the latest to resign from working for Roosevelt City. LeeNichole Marett announced her resignation on November 21st, effective mid-December. “During Marett’s time as Public Information Officer, the City improved its public communications to an unprecedented degree,” shared Roosevelt City in an announcement on Monday. “The State of Utah recognized Roosevelt City for being a community engagement leader among rural municipalities and reviewed their communications practices as a case study to establish best practices in the state.

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Uintah County Library Children’s Area Continues Transformation

Nov 26, 2019 · Basin Now · News

A favorite feature in the children’s section of the Uintah County Library has been retired as a safety measure. Changes started on the children’s section last summer with the addition of a glass wall on the east side to contain the noise that often accompanies the children’s area. This fall, the children’s librarian desk was moved from the center of the children’s area to the main entrance/exit and shelves began to be rearranged. The most recent change may get more of a reaction from the public as the iconic oversized letters secured to the wall have been removed and the wall has been repaired to a plain clean slate.

Basin Now

Oil Illegally Dumped on Site Near Currant Creek Water Source

Nov 25, 2019 · Basin Now · News

The Division of Wildlife Resources reports that 150 gallons of used oil has been illegally dumped on the Wildcat Wildlife Management Area, within 100 yards of an active water source that drains into the Currant Creek watershed. “The Wildcat Wildlife Management Area is still recovering from the 2018 Dollar Ridge Fire,” shares the DWR. “The illegal placement of the oil on the Wildlife Management Area posed an additional threat to wildlife habitat and the species that depend upon it. DWR officers are currently investigating and pursuing leads in the case.” Anyone with information on this incident are asked to call the UTIP hotline at 1-800-662-3337.