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Show Pane 1 2 - UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. August 6. 2002 Economic slump plagues Duchesne County down ten percent Although the Olympics failed to increase state sales rev- By Justin Pinegar enue as was expected during the first quarter, air transportation increased by 18, hotels and lodging went up 30, and general merchandise increased by 23, compared to a year Duchesne County reported one of the largest drops in taxable sales revenue in the state during the first quarter, falling by almost 15, according to economic statistics recently released by the Utah State Tax Com- MOlM AN - Dulaney Medium impressed the audience and the judges by mndclingasMojinuin" fnrhissuperhero. Medium alsodid well in the rest ol'tlie pageant categories and went on to win this year's Mr. UBIC title. He also pci formed his talent, a vx:al solo, at the Miss UBIC pageant later in mission. Neighboring Uintah County faired much better, reporting only a minimal decrease in taxable sides revenue. Meanwhile, Roosevelt City and the state of Utah both posted 1 gains, showing that while sales revenue has increased slightly in Roosevelt, where roughly half of the countys population resides, the rest of the county has performed dismally during the economic woes of the past year. One of the economic sectors which improved most in Duchesne County was private motor vehicle sales, which rose 56 from last year. At the same time, county retail motor vehicle sales dropped by 20. This shows that more people are opting to purchase used cars from private owners, rather than from retail institutions. State-widprivate sales rose by ten percent, while retail sales rose by six percent. Among the countys biggest losers was construction, which fell by almost 70. Wholesale durable and goods fell by 47 and 31 respectively, and miscellaneous retail fell by e, BIKE ilie week. BallarriCity. isawanlcdabike from Yngi last week. Hogi- - non-durab- le Convict is back in jail after being released from prison 3 weeks ago runner Utah State Prison inmate, who apparently decided to make Duchesne his home after being released from prison, is back behind huraafler just three weeks of freedom. JetTrey Smith, 41, Salt Lake City, finished serving his time while incarcerated in the Duchesne County Jail andstayedin the area to look for work. Smith was recently arrested alter he allegedly threw a bottleof whiskey over the fence to inmates in the Duchesne County Jail. The county's annual summer picnic was goingon at the time of the crime and jailers who were nearby witnessed his actions. After he allegedly threw the whiswho was key over the fence, Smith reportedly intoxicated at the time came over to the county employee picnic and got into line for a meal and thats where he was arrested for throw-ingth- e whiskey over the fence and for public intoxication, said Duchesne A 42. Over the last two years, miscellaneous retail sales have dropped by over $3 August 7 Union Golf T ryouts, Roosevelt August 23 Football. Union at Emery High School August 30 Football, Altamont at DHS, Lehi at Union High County Sheriff Deputy Kick Coil. Smith had been under investigation earliqf for the theft of tools from the county work shed. The shed is located near the county administration building. Smith had been on work detail at both facilities while he was a state inmate. He had been seen leaving the county administration building with tools earlier on the day that he is accused of tossing the bottle of whiskey over the fence at the jail, according to Coil. At Smiths residence deputies recovered tools that had allegedly been taken from the county work shed. Smith had been serving prison time for robbery, and told deputies he had been in prison for 23 years. He is charged with third degree felony burfelony introducglary, third-degre- e ing alcohol into a secured facility, misdemeanor public intoxication, and class A theft. A hardy variety of noxious weed has recently invaded the Uintah Basin and has spread so rapidly, that county officials have compared it to a wildfire. Even duringcuirentdroughtcon-ditions- , the tall whitetop, or perennial peppetweed, has spread quickly. County officials estimate that the number of plants has doubled in the last two years, and it continues to invade and destroy new areas at an increasingrate. The tallwhitctopstandsupto seven feet tall when in (kill bloom, with clusters of fluffy white flowers. It spreads both through itsunderground root system, as well as through its seeds. Us roots often grow to 20 feet or more, alter which they will shoot up new plants. In addition, each plant also as many as 200,000 seeds, mak-in- g control bTtTie weed extremely It usually prefers wet areas, especially along ditches and streams, where it chokes out native plants that help to prevent stream erosion. Ron Johnson, the county weed supervisor, said that the majority of Duchesne Countys whitetop infestation is due to migrating waterfowl. Tall whitetop seeds are about the size of ground pepper, and are easily embedded in waterfowl down as they roost on banks infested with the weed. Birds coming from Salt Lake And the Uintah Basinan attractive spot to rest as they migrate west, and spread the weed as the seeds fall from theirdown. Once the seeds are in the waterways, t he weed spreads much more rapidly. This plant is amazing, said Johnson. If you pull out one of the plants, the root system will send up 20 new shoots. In addition, it makes three to four seed crops in a year, which allows it to choke out even other species of noxious weed. It spreads incredibly fast. Experts say that early control ia the key to successful control of the weed, before it becomes very expensive and harmful to the environment and water quality. Duchesne County Weed Department has chemicals available to fight the weeds, which they offer to landownere at below cost. These chemi- -' cals may be purchased Monday through! Thursday, between 7 a rid 8 a.m. at the weed department in Duchesne. County officials hope that the community will voluntarily work together to control this weed, butane willingto enforce its control, if necessary. The Utah Noxious Weed Act states that landowners shall control noxious weeds on private property. If they do not, the cou n ty will control the weeds at the property owner's expense. It is also illegal to transport or sell seed crops and hay that have been infested with the weed. Farmers who do not pro-duc- es dif-ficu- lt. Wal-Mar- V " r 1 v,- A sVi;:. :h,!M ' ' . - , - ' ;1 : :,'i fc 3D r ft f Wfc'1, In a recent Fourth District Court decision, a Provo woman was found guilty of providing false information to Utahs Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program. The Court determined the defendant committed a Class A Misdemeanor so she could receive unemployment insurance benefits. On May 14, Judge Ray M. Harding found the defendant guilty and sentenced her to 365 days in jail. Judge Davis later reduced the defendants jail time to 20 days and ordered the defendant to repay the entire $3,050 she had defrauded from Utah's UI Program. Judge Davis also ordered her to pay an additional $3,038 penalty to Utahs UI Program, a $740 fine to the Court, and serve 80 hours of community service. Utah's Unemployment Insurance Program has always taken a firm stand against unemployment insurance fraud," said DWS Deputy Director Jim Finch. "The Court is simply reinforcings Law that clearly states UI fraud is not tolerated in Utah.' Individuals are encouraged to report UI fraud to Utahs Unemployment Insurance Program at (80 1 ) 526-954- 5. ( esr'IP.' rw-. , , s- '- ! . ; ft '' ' fcrj j '! Sjwr usrb mw&jbsjtm Through Our Doors, The Worlds Greatest Customers Enter! Migrating birds spreading noxious whitetop weed in the Uintah Basin By Justin Pincgar million dollars in Duchesne County. That amounts to almost a ten percent decrease in the countys overall sales revenue. Meanwhile, many sectors involving retail sales have steadily increased in Uintah County. This mqy be attributed, in part, to the addition t, aa well as the sucof Super cess ofother variety stone in Vernal. Statewide, taxable sales revenue from livestock was also down 16, oil and gas dropped by 33, and food was Courts get tough with unemployment insurance fraud control the spread ofthe weed within a field run the riskofhaving their crop condemned, and would not be allowed to cut or harvest the field. Noxious weeds, like the tall whitetop, have infested 17 million acres of rangeland in the West. The negative economic impact to the nation is estimated at $123 billion each year. Ifwe dont do something about this soon, we can forget about agriculture in the Uintah Basin, said Johnson. In the last few years, it has gone completely nuts. The weeds are actually doing better during the current drought conditions, because of the lack of competition. Johnson plans to set up an educational booth at the county fair, where he will be every evening Aug. 7 to answer any questions. He can also be reached at his office during the week 13-1- at (435) 738-274- 5. Discovery Might i End Heartburn Forever WASHINGTON According to recent research, upper gastrointestinal (GI) problems like acid reflux, heartburn and ulcere may be eliminated with a new type of chewablc tablet. Scientists say that GI problems are not the result of excess acid, but the body's inability to deal with it The new tablet called Pepstat 380r contains an extract from die Glycyrrhiza glabra plant or DGL that strengthens the body's natural defenses against acid. Pepstat 380 goes to work immediately on stomach acid while addressing the underlying cause of GI problems. Sc- ientists suggest that the DGL in Pepstat 380 improves the body's protective substances, increases the life-spof digestive tract cells, improves blood supply to the area and has no known side effects. Comparative studies have appeared in publications like the British medical journal The Lancet showing DGL to be as effective as Zantac!, Tagamet andor antacids with an less side effects. The problem with antacids which neutralize stomach acid and acid blockers which reduces acid secretions is that they can interrupt the body's normal digestive process. Pepstat 380 is a natural alternative to antacids and H2 receptor antagonists more commonly known as scid blockcre. Pepstat 380 is available at pharmacies without a prescription or call Available locally at: DAVIS IGA PHARMACY 750 E. 200 N. 722-225- 5 iwmiWMfcswa a nwar. 02001 HCD Sate Oil Changes Transmission Flushes Coolant Flushes Inspections General Auto Maintenance A nve 9 0 0, 36 Months WE ARE PROFESSIONAL GRADE .l', f .. ' 2.9 1.9, 48 Months 60 Months W PONTIAC DRIVING EXOnEMENTT Murray mim Rate depends on length of contract See Dealer for details A usiw-Mm- u 157 S 200 E, Roosevelt, Utah OR CALL 722-510- 7 |