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KNEU 1250DWR biologists have shared their recommendations for the 2019 big game hunts and public feedback is requested. “There is always an opportunity versus quality debate when it comes to managing wildlife,” shares big game coordinator Covy Jones, “but for us, biology and the health of the herd always come first. As a result, plans are an essential part of effective wildlife management.”
Uintah High School has created a special space for students and faculty to relax on campus and enjoy entertainment and goodies. Inspired by a famous coffee shop, the Starbooks Cafe opened recently in the school’s media center, offering live music, hot chocolate, and donuts.
Vernal will host a rare visitor this month and the entire community is invited to take part. The BYU-Idaho Symphony Band from Rexburg, Idaho travels all over the world to perform and this month their tour includes a stop in Vernal as well as other cities in the region including Price and Rock Springs.
Repairs to the Steinaker dam are on schedule and it’s expected the reservoir will begin to be refilled next fall. According to Uintah Water Conservancy District General Manager William Merkley, much of the work to the dam has been complete and the plan is to start trucking fill back in next week.
The spring burn window for Uintah County is now open. According to the Uintah Fire District, the burn window opened on March 30th and runs through May 30th. Burning instructions include the following: refuse cleared away from buildings and structures, burn away from power and utility lines, have a water supply available, tend the fire at all times, fires must be out by dusk, no piles larger than 4 foot by 5 foot or greater than 3 feet high, and burn during light or NO wind conditions.
There have been and will be several special events for locals looking forward to the Easter season. A multi-faith choir and orchestra performed the Lamb of God, a christian Easter oratorio by Rob Gardner, to a standing room only audience at the Roosevelt Junior High auditorium on Sunday evening. The feedback from locals in attendance was that this free event was “incredible”, “amazing”, and “phenomenal”, with many requesting it become an annual tradition.
Snow may still be melting around the Basin but it’s not too soon to think of summer! The Vernal Chamber is urging local businesses to get in and sign up to be a sponsor for the annual Dinosaurland Passport to Summer program. The program is a win-win for locals as families have something fun to get out and do together and local participating businesses increase foot traffic to their establishments. This year’s passport will have 97 adventures which participants can complete for a stamp in their passport.
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety has released the numbers relevant to mining in western Colorado for 2018. According to the summary provided on mining.state.co.us, approximately 1.4 million tons of coal was produced at the Colowyo Coal Mine in 2018.
The effort of local leaders has paid off in returning homeless shelter funding to rural shelters. HB 203 ‘Homeless Shelter Funding Revisions’, sponsored by Representative Scott Chew and in the Senate by Senator Ron Winterton, was signed into law by Governor Herbert enabling the state definition of a “homeless shelter” to allow for a lower bed count so rural areas qualify for the funding. The bill was approved unanimously in the House and Senate committees as well as on the House and Senate floors. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion explains how this change repairs the previous oversight of state law. “The bill reduced the number of beds required in rural county shelters to be eligible for homeless funding,” shares Bennion. “The bill removes the requirement that Vernal City pay $18,200 a year to the State homeless mitigation fund.” That funding now stays local and instead will stay with Vernal’s Turning Point Shelter. Any rural area with a homeless shelter will also benefit. In addition to the work of Rep. Chew and Senator Winterton, Uintah County Commissioner Brad Horrocks, Vernal City Mayor Doug Hammond, City Manager Quinn Bennion, and Turning Point Shelter director Susi Anderson were involved in promoting and testifying for the bill during the 2019 legislative session.
It was an excellent night at the Mr. and Miss Uintah competitions at Uintah High School on Wednesday evening. The 2019 Mr. Uintah is Garrett Wilson and the 2019 Miss Uintah is Daicee Smuin. Daicee also won the People’s Choice Award for the night.
It was originally an idea to sell 50 trucks 4 years ago and has become an annual family fun event. Showalter Ford is holding The Big 50 Truck Show, a free event for both vendors and the public. Vendors can come set up a booth and “share their passion for automobiles,” states Showalter Ford in their press release. Families can enjoy numerous activities.
For the last few weeks people have been asked to donate old prom dresses for local young ladies going to prom. Well the big day is next month but the time to find a dress is this weekend. The Prom Dress Drive will conclude with the chance for students to come to the Uintah County Heritage Museum and select a free prom dress.