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KNEU 1250Uintah Basin Healthcare has extended sincere thanks for some generous donations received. The Newfield Foundation recently donated $50,000 to the Uintah Basin Medical Center. Half of that amount will benefit the Villa Adventures Program and half is for the Nursing Simulation Program. Uintah Basin Healthcare also recently offered their thanks to a young man who made a donation for his Eagle Project.
Influenza is hitting community members and the Department of Health reports that the 2018-2019 influenza season has had an increase in activity in Utah. Although the number of reported influenza-associated hospitalizations reached a season-high of 93 they are still below the historic average.
Elected officials attending the Uintah County Commission meeting on Monday were surprised to learn of a proposed resolution to reduce their salaries, with several stating this was the first they had heard of the proposal. A public hearing and Resolution 01-07-2019 were listed on the agenda under the title ‘Elected Official Salary Adjustment’. After reading from the Resolution, Commissioner Bill Stringer explained that the salaries of the Sheriff and County Attorney would remain the same because of the complexity and responsibilities their positions hold but that the remaining positions, including the Commissioners, Assessor, Clerk/Auditor, Recorder, and Treasurer would be lowered to $85,000. When the meeting was opened to public comment, several elected officials stood and shared their concerns and questions, stating they felt “taken back” and didn’t understand the purpose and what the money will be used for. Commissioner Stringer stated that they had met with most of the elected officials and that the rational is to consider the economy when determining salaries. Chief Deputy Attorney Jonathan Stearmer stated at the beginning that the Resolution shared was not the same draft that he had. One of the questions Stearmer had concerned Mike Wilkins consolidated position as Clerk/Auditor and the consideration of his pay according to Utah Code. Other concerns were shared by members of the public as well as by other county employees including Economic Development Director Sylvia Wilkins who felt worried about other local economic impacts this could have. After all input was received, Commissioner Stringer said he felt the Commission needed to better investigate Utah Code before making a motion. The other Commissioners agreed and the topic was tabled. The audio of the meeting is posted at www.pmn.utah.gov under Entity: Uintah County and Body: County Commissioners with this agenda item beginning at about 2 hours 6 minutes. During the meeting, the Commission also suspended Policy 450, that has to do with benefit continuation of elected officials after leaving office. Both agenda items will tentatively be revisited during the February 25th Commission meeting.
The Duchesne County Republican Party shared a list of those who sent letters of interest for the open County Commission Seat C. As of last week, the list of candidates included the following names: Rod Harrison, Kent Petross, Mark Murray, Kent Olsen, Patricia Barton, Todd Anfinson, Gordon Snow, Luke Stradinger, Jerry Nelson, Wayne Robb, Irene Hansen, Paul Spencer, and Mondi Taylor.
Uintah Basin Healthcare recently had a ribbon cutting for their new 3D Mammography Suite. The Uintah Basin Healthcare announcement shared that they are very excited for what this equipment will be able to do for the healthcare of women. A sad fact is 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer, yet many women avoid a simple mammogram because it is uncomfortable or intimidating.
It is not often one can say that they have helped some 200,000 people in the Uintah Basin and opened up a host of possibilities to a better future. Not only that, but has also passed along a service ethic that is still influencing us today. Alva Crosby Snow was honored posthumously as well as two of his sons, Lynn and Gordon Snow, for their roles of bringing, keeping, and upgrading education in the Basin during the 4th Annual UBTech Champions Gala in January.
On the heels of an amazing and unexpected rise to YouTube fame, Wednesday was a night one Uintah graduate won’t soon forget. Karina (Bolton) LeBaron got her musical and theatrical start in the Uintah High Theatre program under Kevin Dickson and Chris Piner. She moved away from Vernal in 2010, attended college, married Jayson LeBaron (a fellow musical theatre lover), and is the proud mama of two kids.
An update from the USU Bingham Research Center reports that the current high ozone episode is expected to last through Saturday with the highest ozone levels occurring Friday or Saturday. The Research Center encourages those in the oil and gas industry to, if possible, delay activities that lead to emissions until after Saturday.
The Uintah Basin Youth Chamber Orchestra has an exciting concert in store this Saturday night and Director Brad Vanfleet has more than a few reasons you’ll want to be there. “This concert is exciting,” explains Vanfleet. “They are playing a piece my own directors growing up never considered.
TriCounty Health Department wants the public to know that a new program has started that might seem familiar. In 2017, a program that brought special services to the Uintah Basin was shut down but now it’s back. Children with Special Healthcare Needs clinics (CSHCN) bring specialists in the fields of developmental pediatrics, audiology, speech pathology, physical therapy, pediatric psychology and occupational therapy to work with children. Six times a year, CSHCN will bring the specialists to work one-on-one with kids. The clinics fill up fast as there are hundreds of children in need of these services. Interested individuals can learn more at their booth at the Women’s Day Out event on Saturday, February 2 at the Uintah Conference Center from 10am to 4pm. WIC will also be there for those that want to learn about the benefits of WIC.
Ladies! Call your Mama and text your girlfriends for a girls day out this Saturday in Vernal. A long time Basin tradition, Women’s Day Out is the perfect place to peruse goods, sample treats, and enjoy live entertainment. Joe and Teddie Evans hatched the idea for the event 18 years ago, wanting to offer something fun when winter blues are at their peak and there’s not much going on in the Basin. All these years later, the event continues to grow and don’t let the name fool you, all are invited including men, many who come each year as the best place to find the right Valentine’s present for their sweetheart. At last report, there were over 80 vendors participating. The Women’s Day Out is this Saturday from 10am to 4pm at the Uintah Conference Center.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and the opportunities to celebrate your sweethearts are popping up on the calendar. One of the first is a ‘Will You Be My Valentine Dance’ being put on by the Crossroads Senior Center. Part Valentines dance, part fundraiser, the event will have a live band called Classic Country with lite refreshments.