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Show aa 'ifViH 3 0 7 PFfg-.- c - M W ,cn. If tj CIV'uurTTE-i,in- ' JM '! i 0 The amount - 1 - 1 ofsleep required by the average person is aboutfive minutes more. MVson Misner I Uintah Basin School registration 50$ Be sure to math down these dates. Inside you will find the school registration Tuesday times and days for all Duchesne and Uintah August 6, 2002 county schools Roosevelt, Utah 15 Seepage Vol. 88, Number 32 www.ubstandand.com Lost on the mountain WILLING TO GO TO VERNAL The story of a old boy lost in rugged territory in the Uintas and the efforts to find him. 14-ye- ar . 13 Seepage 1 .J Lapoint parents MS-- i . favor restructuring By Therena Morrill The congenial atmosphere at the Lapoint meeting was in stark contrast to the heated exchange that took place at West Junior High the preceding evening. Uintah trators and school board member Mike McKee met with parenta of Lapoint Elementary students last week to hear concerns and answer questions about the recent decision to restructure Lapoint and Todd elementary schools and West Junior High. The restructuring is partly the result of all three schools placement on Program Improvement for low scores in either reading or math In the meeting, the asphalt ridge derision, generated dismajority of parenta responded favorably toward the plan that allows approval among many Lapoint-are-a parents, who had previously sent Lapoint students to transfer to either Ashley, Maeser, or Discovery their children to Vernal to attend elementary schools in Vernal, if they schooL Now that decision has bechoose to do so. Secondary students come void, based on new federal legwho live in the Lapoint area and islation which gives students the right have been attending West Junior to transfer to other schools within High will also have the choice to the same school district when their transfer from West to Vernal Junior own school foils to produce satisfacHigh. The school district will provide tory scores on core curriculum tests. Lapoint Elementary was placed transportation for the students, and will also pay parents 25 cents per on "Program Improvement for math mile to drive their students to and for the 2001-0- 2 school year because from their bus stops, if one is not students there did not demonstrate available near their homes. expected improvement in some school Westside students lost the opporgrades during the 2000-0tunity to choose to attend Vernal year. One parent, Whitey Turner, area schools two years ago with a three to two school board vote in viewed Lapoint Elementarys placefavor of declaring most Vernal schools ment on the list as ironic because the and therefore closed average math score for Lapoint was to transfer students. SEE LAPOINT on page 3 That decision, referred to as the School District adminis- well-attend- Commissioner to appeal A Duchesne County Commissioner says she will appeal a fina levied by state building officials to help make the road easier for others in the same situation. See page 3 1 H vh."' H"" Alarming statistics Criminal justice statistics have made it dear that the area is in need of a program aimedat assisting parents who are at high risk in raising their teenagers. Seepage 11 Jazzman visits Utahs Jarron Collins gives some hoop advice to Junior Jazz players in Roosevelt. Seepage 16 Duchesne schools can't take Uintah students By Therena Morrill The Uintah School Districts recent derision to restructure three westside schools has forced the Duchesne County School District to consider its transfer policy. With many westside Uintah students living just a hop, skip and a jump from LOGGING OPERATIONS HURTING Will logging have a future in county? By Angela Eddington Tall trees on hills and mountainsides throughout Duchesne County provide residents and travelers passing through with beautiftil scenery, but to Jeff Fabrixio, Roger Young, and Luke Defa, these trees are more than just something to look at. They provide their living. These men run three of four logging companies in Duchesne County and are concerned with the availability of lumber locally in the firture. They spoke to Duchesne County Commissioners and representatives from the U.S. Forest Service on July 29 to voice their concerns over government regulations which have severely limited the harvesting of Umber. "I just want to know ftiture plans for this area. Can we rely on Umber here? Will I have a job? There is Umber here that does need to be harvested, said Defa. "Theres a lot of wood here, and someone needs to go in there and get it or it wont be good to anyone later on," added Young. If you dont harvest the trees but allow them to die, no new trees can grow there, but if you harvest the trees, more new ones can and will grow in place of them. Dead trees AUGUST Local Forest Service officials said they would like to make more timber available, but are bound by legislation. also create a breeding ground for insect infestations. Young noted. Fabrixio voiced similar concerns and also brought up a theory that is shared by many that a mqjor reason wildfires all over the nation have become such a problem is because of fuel and no access to the fight the fires. If trees are not allowed to be harvested, they eventually die and become an even greater fire hazard. County commissioners were supportive of the loggers positions. "Everyones job is important. My opinion is if you dont harvest it, it could bum. I think we ought to farm the finest I would like to see mul- tiple use, stated Commissioner Larry Ross. could hire three to four more people if I had local timber SEE LOGGING on page 3 10-1- 6 Duchesne County Fair booklet inside! "Theres Fun For You in 2002 at the Duchesne County Fair! In this issue of the Uintah Basin Standard you'll find your Duchesne County Fair booklet listing all the happenings at the annual summer event. The fair runs Aug. 10 18 in Duchesne City (please note the date on the cover or the fair booklet ia incorrect) and is filled with festivities you won't want to miss. Take the il family, friends and neighbors with you to the rodeo, horse pull, and demolition derby! The livestock show is always a favorite as well, and you'll be amazed at all the talent in the area when you view the arts and exhibits. Hang on to your fair booklet be- cause you won't want to miss a thing at the 2002 Duchesne County FaW POOR COPY 4-- H Roosevelt, some have expressed a desire to attend Roosevelt schools rather than be bussed to Vernal. But according to Duchesne County School District Superintendent John Aland, no transfers will be allowed fin this school year due to staffing concerns. "Its so late in the game now, weve reduced our staff for this year and we cant accommodate more students, Aland said. Aland explained there are two things to consider when deciding if transfer students can be accommodated. "Theresbufldingcaparity and program capacity . Our class sizes are not small ... our programs are flill," he said. According to Aland, theres been no communication between himself and anyone from the Uintah School District regarding the westside students who want to attend school in Roosevelt He said he has no reason to believe that Uintah administrators assume their students can attend school in the Duchesne District But there has been some communication from parents requesting transfers to Roosevelt schools. "If Uintah District has assumed that we can take those kids at such a late date, theyve assumed wrong, Aland said. "Our principals have been instructed not to enroll any studenta. out-of-ar- ea y Dayton Law, 13, and his little sister Mariah, 2, enjoy the evening entertainment at the UBIC. With the exception of abrief rain shower Saturday night, UBIC crowds enjoyed fair weather and slightly cooler temperatures than normal. A HUG FOR BIG BROTHER 2002 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS NOT MET High Peaks Wilderness ordered to close pending court hearing without a licence while promising to come into compliance. A Roosevelt-base- d business dialHowever, the state lost patience investigators, High with High Peaks when they repeating with the treatment of troubled teens was shut down lust Wednesdqy Peaks failed to perform edly failed to meet licencing renewal deadlines. by the state attorney generals office criminal background "We decided to shut them down for operating without a license, and rather than risk the life of a child, for other alleged violations. on employees checks Peaks Wilderness Eddington said. High Program, Assistant Attorney General Carol owned and operated by Gabe and some staff members Verdoia said an investigaReynolds, was forced to send an unhad not received tion was performed July 22 because specified number of teens back to their homes or into other treatment they had been receiving complaints required training. from parents and clients about a lack programs, according to Keith of food and water available. They Eddington, Utah Assistant Attorney womun for the Utah Department of found about 20 teenage clients parGeneral. After being served with the court Humun Services, over two months ticipating in the outdoor treatment orders by a Roosevelt police officer ago High Peaks hired a new director program, but determined adequate water and food was being provided. Reynolds complied and closed his without notifying the licencing divibusiness. When contacted by the sion, as required by law. The state However, investigators did uncover behavioral management polihas also alleged the director is unStandard, Reynolds refiiscd to comcies that they deemed inappropriate ment, other than to say he was inqualified for the position. "All directors of youth programs and potentially harmful. volved in a legal battle over the closure of his business. He also declined must be qualified and approved, said According to information filed in 8k District Court in the case, two to disclose what arrangements were Sisco. Because of the violation, the state clients enrolled in the program were made for the teenaged clients enrolled in the program who suddenly revoked High Peaks business license required to run up and down a hill on May 15, but they were allowed to several times as punishment, and found themselves unsupervised. According to Carol Sisco, a spokes- - continue to operate the business another had to walk in sandals for three weeks because High Peaks failed to provide adequate hiking boots. Investigators also allegedly found violations of campers-to-instructratios and a lack of radio and telephones available in the wilderness camps for emergency communications. According to Verdoia, other violations were also detected during the July 22 visit from state investigators. Among those were failure to perform criminal background checks on employees who were responsible for the safety of the youth in the outdoor setting. They also discovered that some stafT members had nut received required training "Background checks and proper training are vital to the safety of the kids, explained LJ. Dustman, licencing supervisor for the Department of Human Services. "These people are in the wilderness with a bunch of kids that they are responsible for. According to Dustman, there are currently nine wilderness treatment facilities licenced in Utah, and there have been as many as 14 at one time. I le said it is very unusual for a facility to have its licence revoked, even though the state monitors them very closely to assure the safety of the children involved. Shea I lanscn, a Union I ligh senior, is Miss Uintah Basin 2002. Shea will represent the MISS UBIC ROYALTY High Peaks had been licenced Uintah Basin at the Miss Utah pageant this spring. Pictured from left to right are Amy Cooper, recipient of the since March 31, 2000. A court hearPersonal Achievement Award; Natalie Winterton, first runner-uShea I lanscn. Miss UBIC; and Vanessa Miles, ing on the states request for a temNatalie walked away with awards for the Ufcstylc and Fitness and the Evening Gown second runner-u- p. restraining order against High porary competitions. Melissa Crazier won theTalent competition and Shea won both the Private Interview and the Peaks Wilderness is schedule for Aug Interview competitions. 9 in 8 District Court in Roosevelt. By Therena Morrill According to ld or p; On-sta- gc |