LATEST NEWS

Uintah County Sheriff’s Office has identified the 14-year-old girl who passed away Monday after an ATV accident in the Jensen area. Addie Oldham sustained fatal injuries on September 25th when the ATV she was driving went off the shoulder of the roadway and onto its side. This devastating loss is being felt by family, friends, and the community at large. Funeral services are being held on Saturday at the Ashley Calvary Chapel. Evans Family Media offers sincere condolences to all those mourning this tragic loss at this time.

It may have been a good idea at one time but in recent years, the amphitheater at Cobblerock Park in downtown Vernal has rarely succeeded in serving its purpose. Loud traffic and limited space has minimized its usefulness and Vernal City decided a change was in order which you’ll notice this week if you’re driving downtown. “The benches and stairs limited the use of the space,” explains Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion. “The space as an amphitheater was ineffective due to the noise and dust. The flat concrete will allow more flexible space during events and festivals.” The area will remain a flat, open space which Bennion notes can accommodate food trucks and booths much better during downtown events.

Vernal Police announced on Tuesday that they have officially concluded their investigation of a report of inappropriate contact between an adult and a child on September 21st at the Vernal Baseball Diamonds and they found no evidence to conclude that a crime had been committed. “Investigators conducted interviews with witnesses and carefully scrutinized video surveillance footage to substantiate the child’s statements [and] all parties have been interviewed,” shares Tuesday’s announcement. Vernal PD says this incident is a good reminder to have a positive conversation with your children regarding safety and they always encourage individuals to report suspicious activity. Their announcement concluded with Vernal PD thanking the community for their involvement in keeping children safe.

In this article, we take a tour through three exceptional pizza stores in Vernal. Have you had a chance to visit any of these yet? If you have, we'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments section below.

This story was originally published by Kaiser Health News, or KHN, a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Subscribe to KHN's free Morning Briefing here. There isn’t much to this town...

UBTECH recognized the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce with “The Connectivity Award for continued support and connection to technical education in the Uintah Basin.” We would like to thank UBTECH for recognizing the Chamber with this award and for all they do in our community.

The State of Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation has awarded multiple Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Grants to Uintah County. Gennie Bird with Uintah County Grants Department presented the grants to the Uintah County Commission on Tuesday. Each was discussed and unanimously approved by the Commissioners. The first grant is in the amount of $83,700 dollars to fund the Uintah County Seasonal Trails Crew. There is a $21,000 dollar County match for a project total of $104,700 dollars. This will fund a two person seasonal trail crew, a side by side, and miscellaneous equipment. The crew will perform routine maintenance on trails, post signage on unmarked trials, and assist with ongoing projects and events. The second grant is in the amount of $52,000 dollars to install a permanent 2 stall vaulted restroom at the Moonshine Arch Trail. The County match is $13,000 dollars for a project total of $65,000 dollars. This will replace the two temporary portable restrooms currently being used. The third grant is in the amount of $24,000 dollars for Uintah County Search and Rescue to purchase an advanced drone. There is a County match of $9,000 dollars for a project total of $33,000 dollars. The drone is for responding to calls in areas with limited ground access.

Funeral Services for Addie George Oldham, age 14, the daughter of Trini and Gwen Obermueller Oldham, of Jensen, will be conducted Saturday, September 30, 2023 at @ 2 PM at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary, there will be a viewing Friday evening from 6-8 PM and Saturday 1 Hour Prior to Services with Burial in the Jensen Cemetery.

WORCS Racing brought Round 7 of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC World Off Road Championship Series to Uintah County’s Buckskin Hills this month and riders from all over the western United States showed up to compete. WORCS Racing described the track as “laid out at just over 8.5 miles of trail that combined hills, a large motocross track with big tables scattered throughout, and quite the bed of silt that covered the course almost throughout the entire thing.” A highlight among the results was a father-son duo that finished 1st and 2nd on the ATV podium. Beau Judge hit the course in his new build while his son Braden Judge kept pace in dad’s passed down championship-winning car. It was a thrilling weekend of racing and there will surely be more to come to Buckskin Hills in the future.

A 14-year-old girl in Uintah County lost her life after an ATV rollover crash on September 25. While the scene is currently under investigation, some details have been provided on the circumstances of the crash. The teenager was driving westbound when she reportedly careened off the road, flipping the ATV....

Ashley Regional Medical Center is hosting the Angel Dash, a one mile memorial walk in memory of all angel babies, next month. Every couple that has endured pregnancy loss, stillbirth or infant loss, as well as family and friends, are invited to register and join the walk. The registration fee benefits Rachel’s Gift, a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides education, resources and support for caregivers and families enduring pregnancy and infant loss. The one mile memorial walk will be around the perimeter of Naples Park. Register at www.angeldash.org and come participate on Saturday, October 21st at 11am. If you can’t get there in person, go to www.angeldash.org to participate virtually and to learn more.

The Vernal community has been on high alert since a report came forward that a child had been molested in the bathroom at the Vernal City ballpark last week. The family reported that it occurred on the evening of September 21st and Vernal PD immediately began its investigation. Thankfully there was video footage available for the investigation. With the investigation ongoing, Vernal PD declined to give a comment on Monday but did share with Evans Family Media that based on the investigation there does not appear to be an ongoing threat to the community. Vernal Youth Baseball did make a statement about the case on Monday that was shared on social media. It states, “VYB would like to thank the Vernal PD for their quick and thorough investigation regarding last week’s reports. We are overly relieved that no one was harmed at the ball field last week. We are so glad we have trustworthy volunteers, coaches, parents and especially players that make for awesome leagues each year! Slight changes will be in place moving forward ensuring the safety of all our participants at the complex each night. Let’s be ever vigilant ensuring each other’s safety and well being. Let’s play ball!”

September 28th is World Rabies Day and TriCounty Health Department is spreading awareness. In the United States, rabies deaths are very rare due to animal control and vaccination programs as well as ready treatment for those that have contact with a potentially rabid animal. It is because of great interventions in public health that we don’t see rabies commonly, explains Cyndie Mattinson with TriCounty Health Department. This does not mean, however, that the public should be casual about encounters with animals that could have rabies. Mattinson says bats are the most common animal in the state to test positive for rabies and it is important to never touch a bat and to call Central Dispatch or the health department if there has been contact or if the bat is hanging around. Still, this isn’t something to panic about and even if there is a possibility of exposure, Mattinson says it is urgent but not an emergency. If the animal is positive for rabies then there is treatment available. To learn more, visit www.tricountyhealth.com.

The Utah Department of Transportation is holding workshops around the state concerning the new UDOT Trails Division and community leaders and partner agencies in northeastern Utah recently attended the workshop held in Vernal. UDOT officials were joined by a roomful of area stakeholders from Duchesne, Daggett, and Uintah Counties in the Vernal City Community Room to learn about the new Trails Division and brainstorm how to further connect the state through trails. The UDOT Trails Division has been given $45 million dollars to continue building a trail network and the funding will be distributed to projects around the state. The workshop also gave time to discuss potential projects for the Trails Network based on the local input received. In order to qualify for funding, proposed trails must connect multiple communities or regional destinations, safely accommodate a broad range of trail users, and build trails according to certain design standards. Workshops are being held around the state this fall and a project list is expected to be put together over the winter.

Downtown Vernal City continues to get a facelift. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion reports that there has been an excellent response on the facade grant program with 46 applications coming in over a 2 year period. This is considered an amazing response and the program is still taking applications. The grant program is funded with the Community Reinvestment Area funds. Its purpose is to encourage private exterior investment into the downtown area with grants of 40% of the project cost. Most projects focus on upgrading commercial grade windows, awnings and doors. Bennion also shares that construction continues to progress on the Zions Block construction. Crews are working really hard to pave before the weather turns cold. Some work will happen after that as concrete can be poured later in the year and then in spring it will be time for landscaping and final adjustments.

VERNAL, Utah — The Utah State University history club, Phi Alpha Theta, gathered students from across USU Statewide Campuses for a weekend of history and adventure on Sept. 8-9. Students traveled to the Uintah Basin to learn local history from USU faculty and experience the region’s natural wonders.

From Boy Scouts to recreation management school, Daniel Mahoney knew where he belonged and where he’s going to be since he was young, and it was in the great outdoors. Campground managers, RV park operators, and other outdoor hospitality players all have one thing in common–it’s the love for the outdoors—and for Mahoney, the campground manager of KCN Campgrounds’ Vernal Dinosaurland KOA Holiday, working with people, dinosaurs, and collecting funko pops are only some of the things he loves the most.

Are you interested in learning more about being a wildland firefighter or assisting in the effort? Local agencies, including staff from Dinosaur National Monument, are partnering with UBTech to provide a Fall Fire School to community members. In only 6 weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting October 2nd, from 6 to 9pm, and one Saturday field day, you will have completed all required training to be a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter with any Federal or State agency. If you have questions, please contact Lezlee Whiting at (435) 725-7109 or Joy Logan at (970) 629-0193. Visit ubtech.edu/custom-fit/ to register for Fall Fire School.

Most of the time when you think of Halloween you think only of kids and trick or treating. Well, Uintah County Library also thinks about fun for the adults! The Library will be having a Halloween Town Party for those 18 and older. As they put it, “We’ll have a tiny pumpkin painting station set up, so you can get creative and make a cute decoration for your home.” There will be a movie “and of course, there will be plenty of sweet treats to snack on throughout the night. But the highlight of the evening will be our costume contest! Come dressed in your scariest, funniest, or most creative costume for a chance to win some great prizes. Whether you go all-out with a full-on costume or just add a few spooky accessories to your regular clothes, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.” To take part in this event, interested individuals need to register before September 30th. A link to the registration site can be found on the Uintah County Library Facebook page.

Entrepreneurs abound in the Uintah Basin and add so much to local communities. An event held this week was all about celebrating some special locals working hard to make their dreams come true. Wednesday night, the Vernal Innovation Hub and the Women Business Center of Utah hosted the annual Inspirational Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Uintah Basin. Innovation Hub Manager Sydney Millett shares that the event had an amazing turn out and that she is already excited for next year. Two winners were awarded at the event. Angie Cook with Clean Bee Cleaning Service was the established business winner of the 2023 Inspirational Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Tonya Murray with Positive Vibe Coffee Co. is the new business winner of the 2023 Inspirational Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Congratulations to both Angie Cook and Tonya Murray on your well deserved awards.