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Local News Headlines

Graphic Storytelling Club Preparing Kids to Make Comics

The Uintah County Library has quietly introduced a Graphic Storytelling Club. The club helps members learn skills that surround graphic storytelling, such as basic art principles, character design, storytelling techniques and world building. The club hopes to explore illustration, graphic design, how to storyboard, and of course comic books. In fact, for the next month, the club is helping members to prepare for the upcoming 2nd annual Uintah County Comic Expo, an amateur comic book convention where kids can make a comic book and sell it.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 25, 2020
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Community ´Lamb of God´ Presentation a Local Labor of Love

Community members from Uintah and Duchesne Counties have come together practicing countless hours in preparing to present Rob Gardner´s ´Lamb of God´, a musical Easter Oratorio. This is the second year for this production that was started by locals Diana Eddington, Lynne Smith, and Lana Muir. Britany Hawley took the reigns to help these women continue the community presentation again this year. The choir, orchestra, and soloists are all local musicians, many traveling from the outskirts of the Uintah Basin to rehearse weekly in Roosevelt.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 25, 2020
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Juveniles Missing/Runaway from Cedar Ridge Academy in Duchesne County

Three juveniles have been reported as missing/runaway in Duchesne County. According to the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office, three teenage girls walked away from Cedar Ridge Academy, a private residential treatment center for youth, near Roosevelt early Monday morning at about 1am.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 24, 2020
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Duchesne County Fatal Crash on Sunday

A single vehicle accident claimed the life of a Fruitland man on Sunday in Duchesne County. According to Utah Highway Patrol, the accident took place on February 23rd at 11:30am on Highway 40. “The driver and only occupant of the vehicle was traveling eastbound on SR-40 at mile 91.4,” shares UHP. “The vehicle drove off of the right shoulder, straightening a curve, and lost control and rolled back onto the highway where the pickup truck came to rest blocking the eastbound and one of the westbound travel lanes.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 24, 2020
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Attempted Murder and Kidnapping Charges for Domestic Violence Events

A Ballard man is facing a long list of charges including Felony Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, Burglary and Violation of a Protective Order following an alleged series of domestic violence events on Wednesday. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in 8th District Court, at approximately 9:30pm on February 19th 57-year-old William John Arnold arrived at the residence of a woman he had a relationship history with and who has a protective order against him. Arnold was “standing in the doorway yelling at her about a title for a vehicle.”

Kristin Forbis — Feb 24, 2020
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Uintah High School Student and Athlete of the Week

The Uintah High School Student of the Week is Mitch Richardson, nominated by Mrs. Plant. The Ute Athlete of the Week is basketball player Donovan Moon, nominated by Coach Johnson.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 24, 2020
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Duchesne Arts Council Hosting a Multi-Cultural Dance Journey

Expressions of dance might vary throughout the world but dancing is a consistent art form in every culture. Duchesne Arts Council is inviting the Basin to come celebrate this art form with a multi-cultural dance journey. They will host the Repertory Dance Theatre in a show entitled Voyage. The journey is narrated to help audiences understand how dance has been part of community life. Rhythms and patterns gathered from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the U.S.A. will connect the past with the present to illustrate how dance can document history and culture and tell a collective story.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 24, 2020
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STRATA To Use USDA ReConnect Funds to Widely Expand Broadband in Uintah Basin

Utilizing funds through the USDA ReConnect program, STRATA Networks has a plan to expand high-speed broadband internet to over 400 square miles in Duchesne and Uintah Counties. United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald LaVoy made the announcement of the $23.6 million dollar investment during a press conference on Thursday at the Big Run Ranches in Whiterocks.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 22, 2020
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Farmers, ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’ - A Message from TriCounty Health and NCC

It’s been called the next big thing for the future of Agriculture and local agencies are doing their part to offer support and share resources with the Uintah Basin. Mental illness is a rising issue in general and is becoming more common in the Agriculture industry. In fact, suicide rates are 16 times higher among men in the Agriculture industry compared to the national male average and TriCounty Health Department and Northeastern Counseling Center have paired up to let local farming and ranching families know, “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay.”

Kristin Forbis — Feb 21, 2020
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Vernal and Duchesne Awarded Airport Improvement Grants from U.S. DOT

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding $520.5 million dollars in airport infrastructure grants and Duchesne and Vernal made the list among the 287 airports nationwide. “This $520.5 million dollars in federal support to airports across the country will help to keep our nation’s airports in good shape and make air travel a better experience for passengers,” shared Secretary Chao. Twelve grants were awarded in the state of Utah, with Vernal Regional Airport being the only airport to receive more than one grant.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 21, 2020
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District #1 Candidate Kerry Gibson Speaks at Vernal Chamber Luncheon

The Vernal Chamber of Commerce recently was visited by candidate for Congressional District #1 Kerry Gibson. Gibson decided to run when Rob Bishop called him up to tell him he wasn't running again and that he wanted Gibson to run because of his background and knowledge making him a good fit. Kerry Gibson was born and raised in Weber County. He has deep seeded roots to the state having owned and operated a fifth-generation dairy farm with his father and brother.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 21, 2020
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Union High School Message for Spring Sports Students and Parents

Spring is knocking on the door and Union High is throwing the door open wide. The weather hasn’t quite warmed up but the snow is creeping away and Union Cougars are looking to take advantage since last year the fields were still covered with snow. Six different teams will be holding tryouts on Monday, February 24th. Before a student tries out they need to be sure to complete registration, before Monday for most sports, on registermyathlete.com. Baseball will be at 4pm at Cougar Field; dress appropriately for the weather and have shoes for both indoor and outdoor practice.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 21, 2020
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Jane Eyre The Musical Opening Tonight at Vernal Theatre: LIVE

Beautiful costumes, soaring music, and a classic story make for the perfect night out with ‘Jane Eyre The Musical’ opening tonight at Vernal Theatre: LIVE. Some members of the talented cast began their preparations for the show over 10 years ago when Jane Eyre was performed by the Vernal Jr. High theatre department. Seven people in Vernal Theatre: LIVE’s current production also performed or helped in some way during the 2009 show, including current leading lady Korinne Peacock. The show is just as beloved by the newcomers to the production and they all hope the community comes out to share in this story with them.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 21, 2020
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Wanted Fugitive Brought Into Custody

A Wanted Fugitive is now in custody after the BIA Fort Duchesne Police Department informed the public that he was at large on Wednesday morning. The announcement stated that James Murray Jr. had been spotted in the area as recently as Tuesday. “James Murray Jr. has an active federal warrant for his arrest,” stated the BIA announcement. “Murray was last known to be in the Ballard and Fort Duchesne area yesterday. BIA, FBI, Federal Probation are working with US Marshals office to locate Murray.” Later in the day on Wednesday, the announcement was updated to let the public know that Murray Jr. had been brought into custody.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 20, 2020
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Trail Cam Captures Uintah County Teens Exploding Police Officer’s Mailbox

A group of teens in Uintah County were captured on a trail camera blowing up a mailbox at the home of a Vernal police officer last month. According to the Affidavit For Search Warrant filed in 8th District Court, the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office was asked to perform the investigation and, using the photographs from the trail camera, the car and its owner were identified. Officers located the car and made contact with the driver who identified himself and said that he did not have a driver’s license.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 20, 2020
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Simplot Makes Large Donation to Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley

Simplot Phosphates took the opportunity at the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday to present a check to a local charity. Simplot employees selected Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley as the recipient of their charitable contribution. Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley is a 501(c)(3) that serves as a “fiscal sponsor” for other local causes. This means that upon its board’s approval of an application from another local charity, Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley can sponsor that charity that may not have their own 501(c)(3) status.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 20, 2020
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Adulting 101 Offered for Local Teens by Uintah County 4-H and Library

Jumping from teen to an adult has a bevy of challenges that often times hasn’t even crossed a teenager's mind. The Utah State Extension-Uintah County 4-H and the Uintah County Library want to help those that are of the ages 13 to 18 to be prepared for adulting. The class entitled Adulting 101 will focus on helping the teens that attend to manage money, to create a budget, to get a job, and how to cook a meal, as a few examples. There will be tips and tricks to help ease youth into adulthood. Individuals can plan on attend a single workshop or all of them, though attendance of five of the seven classes will earn you a prize.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 20, 2020
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Vernal Elks Lodge Holding Charity Poker Night to Benefit Local with Cancer

It might seem as if things are tough for the economy of our community and there is a truth to that. What makes the Uintah Basin amazing though is that even with these difficulties, when a call for help is put out there people respond. One organization that is striving to help individuals in the community is the Vernal Utah Elks Lodge. They will be holding a Charity Poker Night for Britney Nunn this Friday. Britney, unfortunately, is suffering from a form of acute leukemia. This cancer of the blood and bone marrow can be quite painful, as is the bone marrow biopsy to find out what is really going on.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 20, 2020
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Moon Lake Electric Offers Safety Tips

During the cold days of winter, consumers tend to up their electrical use. This leads to 47,700 home fires in the USA caused by electrical failure or malfunction. The toll of these fires is 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries and close to $1.4 billion dollars in property damage annually. To help prevent such tragedy in the Uintah Basin, Moon Lake Electric suggests the four following tips: First, be sure not to overload outlets as they are a major cause of residential fires. Second, never leave a space heater unattended and be sure to place them 3 feet away from flammable items.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 20, 2020
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Wanted Fugitive Last Seen in Ballard and Fort Duchesne Yesterday

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Duchesne Police Department announced Wednesday morning that a Wanted Fugitive is or was in the area as recent as yesterday. “James Murray Jr. has an active federal warrant for his arrest,” shares the BIA announcement.

Kristin Forbis — Feb 19, 2020
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