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KNEU 1250Ashley National Forest has closed several roads. Red Cloud, White Cloud Loop, Taylor Mountain Road, Dry Fork and Whiterocks have been closed for the season. Do not let perceptions throw you off. The roads may look passable from a distance but they quickly become icy and deep with snow. Closing roads is not an arbitrary choice.
The Vernal Regional Airport has reached their goal of 10,000 departing passengers in 2018. Airport manager Doug Brown announced Monday that the goal had been reached and expressed gratitude for the support of the community and businesses. The numbers provided by SkyWest combined with the oilfield charter flights through Key Lime Air and the numbers from Boutique Air for the first half of the year come to 10,035 departing passengers so far this year.
Although struggles have hit Duchesne County, it hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. In a report to his constituents, Utah Representative John Westwood from District 72 shared that lawmakers recently visited Duchesne County to see the areas impacted by the Dollar Ridge Fire. Members of the Executive Appropriations Committee saw with their own eyes the impact of the fire this past summer.
While at the Dinosaur National Monument have you ever stopped to read the outdoor signs? Dinosaur National Monument refers to these signs as outdoor wayside exhibits and they are requesting suggestions for particular topics or stories that they can feature in new waysides throughout the Monument. For those that aren’t familiar, the outdoor wayside exhibits are a way for the park to “caption the landscape.”
Yuletide logs make for a cozy fire but the Roosevelt Fire Department wants to remind people about the dangers of Christmas tree fires. It is estimated that an average of 200 homes a year suffered structure fires started by Christmas trees. Sadly these fires have resulted in a yearly average of 6 deaths, 16 individuals injured and $14.8 million dollars in property damage.
Paying off a library fine can come with the bonus of helping locals in need as Food for Fines continues at the Uintah County Library. Every year during the holidays, the library accepts canned goods in lieu of fines that will then be donated to the Ashley Valley Food Pantry. Bring in undamaged, unexpired, boxed or canned non-perishable food items to the Uintah County Library for a credit towards library card fines. This does not apply to lost or damaged items. Food For Fines runs through the end of the year. The neighboring Uintah Heritage Museum also has a simple service opportunity that could truly brighten the Christmas season for local elderly community members. A card making station is at the Heritage Museum during museum hours where homemade Christmas cards can be made. The cards will be taken to the Golden Age Center on Thursday and then delivered with Meals on Wheels and to other elderly locals who are homebound. Spreading the joy of the season doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive as the Uintah County Library and Heritage Museum are evidence of.
A local hero is receiving well deserved recognition and thanks after announcing his retirement. Roosevelt City has shared that they are honoring one of Roosevelt’s longest-standing public servants, fireman Tim L. Rockwood. Rockwood joined the Roosevelt Fire Department in January 1974 and will retire in January 2019. That’s 45 years of service! “Forty-five years is a tremendous thing,” shares Roosevelt City Manager Ryan Snow. “Think of the lives that you touch in 45 years of public service. The time, the dedication that you put in over that length of time is incredible. He truly is a local hero.” Tim Rockwood set a great example and have had great men follow in his footsteps. His son, Lee Rockwood, is Roosevelt’s Fire Chief, and his grandson, Adam Rockwood, also serves as a fireman with Roosevelt Fire Department. Thank you Mr. Rockwood for your wonderful example and many years of service.
Saturday morning was an exciting time for 96 kids in Vernal. Breakfast followed by lights and sirens, Santa, and shopping for toys! Sounds like another successful Shop With A Cop event. The Elks Lodge hosted breakfast this year for the event that aims to give kids a positive interaction with law enforcement.
Who doesn’t love kittens? How about Mountain Lion cubs? Dinosaur National Monument is sharing cuteness overload in some amazing footage and pictures of a mountain lion and her cubs. Ranger Zach was able to capture footage after some noticeably long drag marks near Echo Park led him to the carcass of the biggest buck in the area.
What does Iceland volcanoes, a Tanzania safari, and Southern Africa mountain biking have in common with the Uintah Basin? According to Forbes magazine, they are all on the list for the greatest adventures for 2019. 150 years ago, in 1869, John Wesley Powell set out to explore the Green and Colorado Rivers. Now there is an opportunity to relive this monumental exploration. The trip will be a 466 mile, 28 day, fully-outfitted river trip running from Flaming Gorge to Lake Powell and will include such highlights as traveling through ancestral Pueblo ruins, hiking to a ranch where Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch stayed, as well as a chance to run rapids. There are three different options that start in June 2019. In conjunction with the 150th anniversary, local leaders are planning events and activities that will bring tourists to the area as we celebrate J.W. Powell’s trek.
ThisIsVernal.com is ready to help local residents and organizations spread the word of their upcoming events. Local partners had talked about collaborating on a community calendar for years and this fall the resource became a reality. It’s meant to serve as a one stop place to find out what’s happening in Vernal with contributors including Uintah County, Uintah County Travel and Tourism, Uintah Conference Center, Uintah County Library, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, Vernal City, Western Park, Uintah Recreation District, and Uintah School District. “We would love for people to start putting their own events on the calendar,” shares Vernal Chamber Director Joel Brown. “There is a link on the right side of the page to allow you to input new events.” Once approved, the event announcement will be visible for all visitors to www.ThisIsVernal.com, All are encouraged to check it out!
Just like Tiny Tim melts the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Vernal boy playing Tiny Tim in Vernal Theatre: LIVE’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ will melt yours as well. 8-year-old Samuel Sorenson as Tiny Tim says his favorite part of being in the show is being carried around everywhere.