Local News — Page 1014

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Brief Standoff Ends in Drug Arrest in Rock Springs

Feb 22, 2018 · Basin Now · News

A brief standoff ended in arrest in Rock Springs on Tuesday night. According to the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff’s Narcotics and Arrest Group (SNAAG) and DCI special agents were executing a high-risk narcotics search warrant when they encountered 18-year-old Paul David May who was armed with a 9mm handgun. After a brief standoff, May gave up the weapon, which was found to be stolen, and he was taken into custody on charges of Aggravated Burglary and drug offenses. 20-year-old Michael E. Caron was also arrested for felony-grade possession of methamphetamine. Sheriff Mike Lowell says that no one was injured during the course of the arrests. Both men are in custody of the Sweetwater County Detention Center awaiting their initial court appearance.

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Dr. Seth Lyman Gives Uintah Basin Air Quality Update During Chamber Luncheon

Feb 21, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Director of the USU Bingham Research Center, Dr. Seth Lyman, gave an update on Uintah Basin air quality during the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday. Addressing winter ozone has been a focus of local officials for several years, especially since the EPA standard for ozone was lowered to 70 parts per billion. This standard has pushed the Uintah Basin closer to the possibility of non-attainment. According to Dr. Lyman, there have not been any days of non-attainment so far this winter but non-attainment is based on a 3 year average and the average varies depending on what 3 years are used. Dr. Lyman says based on the latest information from the EPA it is likely that parts of the Uintah Basin will be in the Marginal Non-Attainment category, which is the lowest exceedance level. In Marginal Non-Attainment, ways would have to be found to reduce emissions including offsets for large emission sources. A final designation by the EPA, explains Dr. Lyman, will be made later this year.

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Ashley Regional Medical Center Named a Top 100 Rural Hospital for 2018

Feb 21, 2018 · Basin Now · News

Ashley Regional Medical Center has received yet another accolade. The hospital has been named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. This list is based on the iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength Index that measures facilities across eight pillars of hospital strength.

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Uintah County Heritage Museum Annual Report

Feb 21, 2018 · Basin Now · News

2017 was an excellent year for the Uintah County Heritage Museum. An annual report was made during the Museum Advisory Board meeting last week stating that last year was the second largest year for cumulative visitation. The Museum gathers its data using a guest registry and was recorded as bringing in 14,578 visitors.

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Attorney General’s Office Evaluating Options in Case of Dismissed Homicide

Feb 21, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Utah Attorney General’s Office has not committed one way or another whether they will appeal a judge’s decision made last week in 8th District Court to dismiss a charge against a Duchesne County jail nurse. The charge of misdemeanor negligent homicide against 50-year-old Jana Clyde was dropped by 8th District Court Judge Lyle Anderson last Thursday. According to Utah Attorney General’s Office representative Cindy Reinhard, the Attorney General’s Office is “currently reviewing [the] decision and is evaluating all [their] options moving forward.” Nurse Clyde was charged in September by the Attorney General with Negligent Homicide, a class A Misdemeanor, in the death of Madison Jensen in the Duchesne County Jail on December 1st, 2016.

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Rifle Police Department Warning

Feb 21, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Rifle Police Department has issued a disturbing warning. Over the past week, shares Rifle PD, residents in several Counties in Colorado have encountered an influx of bottles turning up on river banks. The bottles are encapsulated in duct tape and are filled with corrosive and flammable liquids.

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Former Trooper Scheduled for Sentencing Next Week in Arson Case

Feb 20, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The former Utah Highway Patrol trooper who pleaded guilty to Arson last November is set to be in 8th District Court next week for sentencing. Rex Richard Olsen pleaded Guilty on November 14th to Arson in the case of the Maeser Highway Fire on June 9th in Uintah County. On August 8th, the Utah Attorney General’s Office charged Olsen with one count of Second-Degree Felony Arson as well as a second charge for placing a lighted item on a highway/wildland area, a class B misdemeanor. Olsen pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of third-degree felony Arson while the second charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal. He is scheduled for sentencing with Judge Clark McClellan on Tuesday, February 20th. Olsen is also facing a federal charge for setting the Mile Marker 166 Fire on May 30th in eastern Uintah County.

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Ashley National Forest Inviting Public Input During Workshop

Feb 20, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Ashley National Forest is serious about including the public as they plan for the future. According to an ANF news release, they have planned the second in a series of topic-based workshops and the outcome will inform the development of the revised Ashley forest plan. During the workshop, the public will learn more of the history and trends of the forest’s rangeland conditions and how this affects the rural economies in the neighboring communities. It will also explore the challenges and opportunities for future rangeland health and use. The input received from the public will be considered during the Ashley Forest Plan Revision process and potentially affect forest management over the next 15 to 20 years. The upcoming workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd, from 1 to 5pm at the Uintah Conference Center. Dustin Bambrough and Dr. Stanley Kitchen will be presenting. The workshop is free to the public but space is limited so those interested can register by phone at 435-781-5118 by leaving your name and number. Register at: https://ashley-national-forest-rangeland-workshop.eventbrite.com

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Citizen Reminders for Effective Snow Removal

Feb 20, 2018 · Basin Now · News

While there hasn’t been much of a winter so far this season, snow did come down in full force starting Sunday. Vernal City is reminding residents that effective snow removal requires their efforts in addition to the hardworking plows. “Vernal City snow crews are diligently plowing snow from the streets and spreading sand and salt,” shares Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion, who reminds citizens that when new snow falls, it takes hours to reach all the city streets. “As we enjoy the winter weather and welcomed moisture,” Bennion continues, “there are a few reminders for businesses and residents as they clear their own driveways and sidewalks. Residents are encouraged to keep the areas around fire hydrants clear as well as the sidewalks and ADA ramps in front of their homes. Also residents should not push snow from their own driveways into the street.” Pushing snow into the street causes hazards for drivers and problems for the road crews.

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Cards for Kids @ Heart Shares Valentine Love With Local Seniors

Feb 20, 2018 · Basin Now · News

The Cards for Kids @ Heart project was a great success this year, spreading love to local seniors all over the Uintah Basin. Deliveries were made from Duchesne to Rangley and everywhere in between, shares project coordinator Amy Richards, morning show host on 105.5 KLCY. With help from many agencies and community members, nearly 900 homemade and heartfelt cards were crafted and through donations made at Family Dollar in Roosevelt there were plenty of sweets to go around. The Duchesne and Uintah County Meals on Wheels teams delivered Valentines to homebound seniors while Amy and her team of helpers made hundreds of other deliveries. Amy’s team included Trina Hedrick from DWR, Kara Campbell from McDonalds, Makayla Miller from Family Dollar, Jared Bennion and Sgt Kelli Oaks from Utah Highway Patrol, Geoff Liesik from the Villa, and Brooke Grandberry at the Uintah Care Center. This was the third year for the Cards for Kids @ Heart project.

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Senator Kevin Van Tassell Legislative Update

Feb 20, 2018 · Basin Now · News

Utah’s Legislative Session for 2018 is halfway over with the conclusion of week 4 and Senator Kevin Van Tassell reports that 131 bills have been passed with more coming. Among many other bills, the Senate passed SB43 which would name the UtahRaptor as the State Dinosaur. So far, the remains of the UtahRaptor, the largest type of raptor yet discovered, have only been found in Utah. Young student Kenyon Roberts pitched the idea to legislators to name the UtahRaptor as the State Dinosaur and the Senate gladly complied. It will now be considered by the House. Another bill that passed the Senate last week was SB87, concerning School Security Locks. The bill allows school districts to decide for themselves whether or not to install bolt locks on classroom doors to be used during a lockdown situation. According to Van Tassell, the bill passed on Thursday after concurring with a House amendment just one day after the mass shooting in Florida. Those interested can keep track of bills with the bill tracker tool found at https://le.utah.gov/asp/billtrack/track.asp.

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