Interviews focusing on community issues and events
Uintah Basin Rail Update Nov 4 2020
Mike McKee, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director, provides an update on the Uinta Rail project. Project scope, timelines, public comment dates and an announcement from private finance company Drexel Hamilton about proposed changes to public private partnership agreement once the project is commercialized. Great news for Utah's energy producing counties. McKee was a guest on the Uintah Basin Today Show on Newstalk KVEL. Program aired on Nov. 4 2020
Madeline Kazantzis (R) Write-in Candidate for Utah Governor
Conservative voters have a choice beyond Spencer Cox for Utah Governor this election. Madeline Kazantzis and her family attended the Mainstreet Vernal Trump parade Friday and stopped by the KVEL studios to discuss her candidacy, her motivations, qualifications and vision for Utah.
Westyn's Vision - Children With Disabilities Playground Project
Children with disabilities struggle to experience the joys other children take for granted like playing with friends on playground equipment in our local parks. Shaylee and Johnny Hacking are local parents of Westyn, a child with disabilities. Motivated by her strong desire for Westyn to experience activities like others, Shaylee began fundraising efforts to build a playground for children with disabilities in the Naples Community Park. Interview on KVEL 9-28-20
Rio Grande Pacific Sr. Vice President, Mark Hemphill and 7 County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director, Mike McKee provide an update on progress made with the Uinta Rail Project.
Should the Utah State Legislature have had more influence on the State's response to the Coronavirus pandemic? Senator Winterton addresses that question along with discussion on legislation passed passed during the most recent special session that will affect Utah Elections, the State's extraction industries, economic stimulus programs administered through the State and more. Program Aired on Newstalk KVEL Aug. 31, 2020
Tri-County Health Director Jordan Mathis addresses community concerns over the school mask mandate with Mike Stangel and Mark Winterton on the Uintah Basin Today Show on Newstalk KVEL. Program aired live August 26, 2020.
Mrs. Carranza is head of the U.S. Small business Administration provides an update on CARES Act programs administered through the SBA including the P.P.P. and EIDL programs. Learn of recent changes to these programs which could benefit your business.
Blake Moore Utah First Congressional Dist. (R) Nominee
Blake Moore Republican Nominee for Utah's First Congressional District was in the Uintah Basin recently meeting with civic leaders and the public. Should he be elected this November, Moore shares his vision of how he can use his experience and position to help diversify and grow the economy of Northeastern Utah. Interview aired on KVEL July 28, 2020.
Uintah School District Proposal to Reopen this Fall
Uintah School District Board Chair, Kurt Case, Curriculum Administrator, Jayme Leyba, and Superintendent, Rick Woodford (pictured left to right), discuss districts plans to re-open K-12 schools this fall. Program aired on KVEL July 13, 2020
Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Joel Brown and Vernal City Manager, Quinn Bennion discuss the Small Business Economic Recovery Grant stimulus and application. Uintah County, Vernal City, Naples City, and Ballard City rolled out the grant application Friday June 26th. The application deadline is July 10th. This grant is part of the CARES Act passed by congress earlier this year.
Rep. Rob Bishop - BLM-Uintah Co. Ashley Springs Land Transfer
BLM Vernal Field Office announced on May 19th the conveyance of 780 acres of public lands, known as the Ashley Springs Property in Uintah County. The land to be managed as open space to protect the watershed and underground karst system and aquifer. The 35,000 citizens of Uintah County rely on this watershed for culinary water.
As our community is in the orange stage of the Coronavirus pandemic, Ashley Regional Medical Center new CEO Wes Taylor discusses hospital readiness and elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures now available at Ashley Regional Medical Center. Taylor discusses emergency procedures implemented to protect patients and staff.
The Utah State Legislature met in 4 virtual special sessions earlier this month to pass several pieces of legislation that helped the State better manage affairs during the pandemic. The State of Utah’s interests were met but what about the small, independent business owner? Does the State of Utah have an obligation to support Utah businesses who were ordered by the Governor to shut down their businesses? Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman told us emphatically yes during this program last week. Utah Senator Ron Winterton answers these questions and shares his opinions and efforts he is making as Senator to argue for further economic support for rural Utah economies.
UHS Principal Sharon Shipton and UHS Business Teacher, Kami Elison discuss the May 22nd Class of 2020 UHS Graduation Celebration and the UHS Commencement Ceremony which will take place in June or July. Interview aired on Newstalk KVEL 4-29-20.
We are experiencing a health crisis and an economic crisis but are we also experiencing a constitutional crisis? John Swallow (R) Candidate Utah Attorney General shares his opinion on our society's movement away from individual liberties during times of crisis. He also addresses public lands, shrinking rural Utah's legislative voice and the need for improved infrastructure in the Uintah Basin
Tri-County Health Director Jordan Mathis discusses the revised heath order which took affect April 20th and clarifies many misunderstandings about the order. Interview aired on Newstalk KVEL 4-21-20
Former US Ambassador to China and Utah Governor Jon Huntsman discusses future US relations with China post COVID-19. He shares his opinion on possible reparations and the US dependency on items manufactured in China including pharmaceuticals. Mr. Huntsman also shares his thoughts on Utah's obligation to small business owner operators during this crisis. Interview aired on KVEL 4-20-20
UIntah County Commissioner, Brad Horrocks (R) incumbent candidate for Uintah County Commission Seat C this election, addresses issues regarding COVID-19 economic recovery, this summer's planned community events and financial condition of Uintah County. Interview aired on KVEL 4-17-20
USU's Latrisha Fall provides helpful hints for parents working with their children and shares some of the many school resources available for support, and ways to reduce family stress. This is part on of a two part series on helping families adjust to family life under quarantine and the new home school curriculum. Part two of this series will air Thursday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m. on Newstalk 104.5 FM and AM 920 KVEL. Latrisha Fall is a Human Development and Family Study USU graduate and American Family Therapy USU grad student. This program aired 4-16-20 on KVEL
Utah Senator Ron Winterton discussed pressing legislative issues regarding the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Legislative special session to begin Thursday, April 16th and continue for up to 10 days. Program aired Wednesday, April 15, 2020 on Newstalk KVEL.
Tri-County Health Director, Jordan Mathis provides a community health update. Listen here for the latest information about COVID-19 in the Tri-County area. Program aired on Newstalk KVEL during the USU and You program 4-9-20
Our local health officials have done a remarkable job educating the public about the COVID-19 Pandemic. What about our first responders and EMS personnel? If we were to see a sharp increase in the number of cases which required hospitalization, are we prepared? Scott Adams, Manager of Gold Cross Ambulance service in Vernal answers those questions.
