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KNEU 1250The Executive Director position for the Uintah Transportation Special Service District (UTSSD) has been filled. Cheryl Meier officially accepted the position on January 16th. Meier has served for four years as the Uintah County Public Lands Specialist. “I have been doing double time right now between my position as the public lands specialist but will be transitioned as the Director [of the Transportation District] this week,” shares Meier.
Although the Utah Wildlife Board approved changes to the black bear hunts, the only real difference is an increase to the number of hunts. Having no changes is a good thing for biologists. They will be able to better determine how the rules truly affect the bear populations. “The number of bears doesn’t fluctuate much from year to year,” Darren DeBloois, game mammals coordinator for the DWR, explains, “so it makes sense to keep the rules consistent and not change them every year.
The Utah Symphony thrilled the community in a free concert on Wednesday night and didn’t stop there. Every school in Uintah School District as well as students from White House Academy, Uintah Basin Christian Academy, and Flaming Gorge Elementary were represented during an educational concert held Thursday morning at the Vernal Middle School auditorium. The concert stop was part of the Professional Outreach Programs in the Schools or POPS program funded by the Utah Legislature and administered by the State Board of Education. Before each number, the conductor took the time to teach musical principles and give pointers of what to listen for in that particular song. Uintah School District Arts Coordinator Lynna Kendall was thrilled by the support from the community and response of the students, who gave the Utah Symphony a standing ovation after the final number. Kendall estimated that just over a thousand students were able to attend the rare opportunity to listen to the Utah Symphony in person.
The government shutdown continues despite votes taken in Washington that could have brought it to an end. Senator Mitt Romney made a public statement following the failed votes saying he voted in favor of President Trump’s proposed compromise that would end the shutdown and secure the border.
Are you an adventurer looking for an epic quest? The Uintah County Library is starting a Monday night Dungeon and Dragons for teens. For those who are ages 13 to 18 and have always wanted to try D&D out but have never had the chance, your time has come.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reminds the public that next month is the best time to catch a glimpse of the national bird, the bald eagle. February is Bald Eagle Month in Utah. During the winter months the bald eagle flies to Utah to get away from the colder northern conditions and find food. By February, hundreds of eagles are in the state boundaries.
Our 2019 has started and the small businesses of rural Utah should take note of a special tax credit now available. The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) through the Office of Rural Development (ORD) has been striving to help rural communities like those in the Uintah Basin by providing resources to sustain business and improve employment opportunities.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services has updated unemployment rates by county. Daggett County ended 2018 at 5.4 percent unemployment, up from 5.1 percent in November and 4.7 percent in December 2017. Duchesne County ended the year at 4.5 percent unemployment, down from 4.8 percent one year prior.
The Burbot Bash Ice Fishing Derby at Flaming Gorge doubles as a way to discuss an unwelcome invader. Namely the burbot, a freshwater cod native to waters in the east and now an illegal stocked fish in Flaming Gorge. This invasive species has had a very negative effect on the sport fishery. Mark Wilson, president of the Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce, says, “We are excited about using the Burbot Bash as a forum to increase public awareness of this threat to the Flaming Gorge fishery. It is also a great way to introduce anglers to the family-friendly sport of ice fishing that is so popular in Flaming Gorge.” The derby is a prime way to deal with this problem species. There is no limit and anglers are encouraged to harvest as many as possible. Robert Keith, the Wyoming Regional Fisheries Supervisor, shares these words: “Angler harvest is currently the most effective tool available to reduce Burbot numbers in the drainage.” Since 2011, anglers from the derby have removed about 25,000 burbot. The derby runs from January 25-27, 2019. Visit www.burbotbash.com for more information.
Most Basin residents understand that air pollution is a hot topic locally but, considering the often beautiful skies, may wonder why. Dr. Seth Lyman, Director of the USU Bingham Research Center, was a guest this week on the KVEL Monday Radio Forum, shedding light on the topic.
Vernal Police announced Thursday that formal charges have been filed in 8th District Juvenile Court against the suspect in the September stabbing that resulted in the death of CalDee Reynolds and injured Kathy and Kyle Reynolds.
Uintah Middle School was briefly placed on lock down during their final class period of the day on Thursday. According to an announcement from the Uintah School District, a student reported seeing a firearm on campus which prompted the lock down. “School administrators contacted Vernal police, who responded to the school and determined there was no threat to students of staff. The lock down was lifted after about 10 minutes and students were released from classes for the day as scheduled,” shared the announcement.