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Show Wednesday, February 6, 2008 A7 u shots available National Wild Turkey Federation Benefit Auction .at TriOounty E3ealt Vernal Express UTr ------ - .-. 1 ,- - ---rj wmmp T- Jayme Leyba, local chapter member, holds one of a set of moose antler lamps auctioned during the NWTF Benefit Action. Some 180 people attended the auction. Proceeds go to aid in conservation efforts for the wild turkey in Utah. BLM w ill crea The Bureau of Land Management's Man-agement's Utah State Office announced plans last week to reorganize re-organize its statewide structure, with an emphasis on increased (customer service and building land use planning capacity. 1 Utah BLM is adding a district Jevel to its statewide organization. organiza-tion. The new district offices, are: West Desert District (Salt Lake and Fillmore field offices), located in Salt Lake City ;i Green River District (Vernal and Price field offices), located in Lt. Governor Herbert plugs education during Basin speech ByPrestdh McConwe Uintah Basin News Service Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert spent very little time last Tuesday during his keynote speech to the 20th Annual Uintah Basin Water Conference talking about water issues. Instead he chose to emphasize executive plans to address ad-dress Utah's need for teachers. Herbert said Utah is ranked first in the nation for rate of job growth, averaging 4.5 percent per year in the past three years, with a 4.6 percent growth rate in 2007. Yet the consequence of record-low unemployment - as little as 3.2 percent at one point last year, and currently 3.7 percent per-cent - is that employers, including includ-ing the state's school districts, are having a hard time finding qualified teachers. "We have had about a 400 teacher shortage this past year, so we're probably not doing something right," Herbert said following his speech. "The low unemployment rate exacerbates the problem." Several innovations will be needed in order to create "the best possible education opportunity for our children,". Herbert said in his speech. The innovations include the obvious - raising teacher salaries - plus a plan to pay math and science teachers more than teachers in more easily recruited subjects such as English and history. "We need to consider paying more for teachers with special talents," Herbert said, adding that he is also weary of "bickering" "bicker-ing" between supporters private and public education. He said any changes to education in Utah "ought to be talked about in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with neither side saying we have all the answers." "We have good public school experiences, good charter school and good private private school experiences," Herbert said. "They are all good experiences and they can all work together so our children can compete in the global market." But that doesn't mean Herbert Her-bert or Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. are ready to support another private school voucher bill, the lieutenant governor clarified. "The public has spoken its mind on vouchers, and it would probably be unwise to revisit the voucher issue at this time," Herbert said after the speech. "I think there are other innovations that ought to be looked at, such as providing public schools with more local control." Specifically, Herbert wants to see more policies set by local school boards rather than the state school board, and superintendents super-intendents and principals given more power to hire and fire, all under the direction of local board members. "I've had principals come into my office and say 'I've had to fire someone, and it took two years to get it done. The process was so ugly, I'll never do it again; I'll put up with a bud teacher instead,'" Herbert told confer 0$P te districts Vernal Canyon Country District (Moab and Monticello offices), located in Moab Color Country District (Cedar (Ce-dar City, Kanab, St. George and Richfield field offices), located in Cedar City The Grand Staircase Es-calante Es-calante National Monument will continue to report directly to the state BLM director, and the monument's office will remain in Kanab. "This move will allow us to put more critical functions closer ence attendees. "So right now the system is a little unwieldy, and that should change." But to make it possible to hire and retain good teachers, Herbert Her-bert said salaries must go up. He said the Huntsman administration administra-tion has approved K-12 funding increases ' totaling 48' percent since coming into office in 2005, and reminded the audience that Huntsman approved a $510 million mil-lion boost to the public education budget in 2006 alone. "That kind of got ignored dur-ingthe dur-ingthe voucher debate," Herbert said. "But I expect education is going to seealarge number again this year." In addition to larger starting 'J i K ' I M Waul ftaitoMtej? I cm Cf mj csrs wi j I ' . til lit v With Each Windshield Replacement You Receive Dinner... on us! w Anniversary!, 1 j- 1 1 L - r" , s r J , I - i .i ' . . j - r f ! ' ' J ' " V J : k , si : . . -'? ' - i , '"' ' - ; ' :' ' ' ' " f i ! Kevin Richens, daughter Emalie Richens, 8 of Roosevelt, pictured with chapter president Bob Hurley drew the youth turkey tag at the Uintah Basin National Turkey Federation Chapter OPtero-dactyl OPtero-dactyl Ptoms6 Dinner on Feb. 2 at Western Park. Richens will most likely be the hugest turkey hunter afield this season. The tag was purchased and donated to the event by Jones Paint and Glass. Utah in to the ground," BLM Utah State Director Selma Sierra said. "I think the public will appreciate having more resources to help accomplish crucial tasks such as planning - which is really at the heart of our work as the nation's land managers." Field offices will remain in their present location. They will also continue to function as they have in the past, but will have extra assistance and guidance from the district level management. manage-ment. The district office structure wages, Herbert said the "pay ladder" needs to be changed so teachers can enter higher earning brackets while remaining remain-ing teachers, rather than being forced to become administrators administra-tors to climb above the salary plateau. Herbert also said schools should consider options such as extended school days and methods meth-ods of using school buildings all year rather than having facilities that go "offline" for three months in the summer. "We may not be using our assets the best that we can," he said. Wow! Let me tell you, it is worth shopping in the pages of the... 54 North Vernal Avenue Vernal, Utah 435-789-3511 www.vernal.com j is expected to increase BLM's capacity to work more closely with local cooperators and communities; increase land use planning capacity in field offices; create better balance and span of control in the management of public lands in Utah; and create an oversight function between the field offices and the state office. Exdtiipjisiness Opportunity Today's Weather Wed 26 Thu 27 234 Snow showers at times. 2513 Snow showers at times. Highs in the mid 20s and lows in the low teens. Sunrise 7:21 AM Sunset 5:41 PM Sunrise 7:20 AM ... r jr Utah At A Glance Logan t 251 6 '-'V y 4I Ogden 4 Cedar City 3712 j Area Cities Beaver Blanding Brigham City Cedar City Delta Elko, NV Evanston, WY Farmlngton, NM Fillmore Flagstaff, AZ 35 14 sn shower pt sunny sn shower sn shower sn shower sn shower sn shower pt sunny sn shower pt sunny 37 27 37 36 30 16 33 36 32 14 19 12 15 14 12 6 17 6 National Cities Atlanta faa 3J 29 16 rain rain snow Boston Chicago Dallas Denver 48 28 54 40 39 sunny 17 pt sunny S"?n05 Amnrican Prntll Hnmntown Content Sorvlm Increases in the number of people diagnosed with influenza have prompted the Utah Department De-partment of Health to upgrade Utah's status to "local" from "sporadic activity." Influenza seasons are unpredictable un-predictable in several ways due to the beginning, severity and length of the season, including the type and strain of the virus that is circulating on any given year. To date, 59 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported statewide, with 43 of those cases reported during December and January. The majority of reported cases are influenza type A and most have occurred in children less than 18 years of age. Influenza A is commonly associated with more severe disease and outbreaks. TriCounty Health reports one pediatric case has been confirmed in the Uintah Basin. 'fWhile Utah has not yet reached peak activity, it isn't uncommon to see influenza activity peak during January or February," said Dr. Robert Rolfs, UDOH state epidemiologist. "Vaccination is still effective in preventing disease, especially since more cases are occurring," says Dr. Rolfs. In 16 of the last 19 years, vaccine has been well matched to the virus to provide optimal protection, making influenza vaccination the best defense against the virus. Vaccination reduces the chance of getting the This property can be purchased An established retail business (with inventory) Great Location Or a variety of commercial purposes. Has been brought to code for commercial use, and extra lot in back, a 30x40 detached garage, a storage shed. Also has a 2 bedroom, 1 bath basement apartment that ts currently receiving monthly income. 'Expect the Best 1340 West Highway 40, Vernal, UT 84078 Office: (435) 789-7555 Fax: 781-2913 Fri ' Sat Sun 28 29 210 r L,xJm I... j-J- -i..J, 3011 3215 3215 Times of sun and Mix of sun and Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the clouds. Highs in the clouds. Highs in the low 30s and lows in low 30s and lows in low 30s and lows in the low teens. the mid teens. the mid teens. t Sunrise Sunset Sunrise Sunset Sunrise Sunset . 7:18 AM 5:44 PM 7:17 AM 5:45 PM 7:16 AM 5:46 PM Sunset 5:43 PM We Celebrate Hometown Life Stories for and about hometowns just lite yours. Look for us each week in thi paper. .Salt Lake C O 3121 ity St Vernal 234 Provo 3015 Grand Jet, CO 31 10 pt sunny Green River 33 11 sn shower HeberCity 23 8 snow Kanab ' 36 15 sn shower Logan 25 16 sn shower Moab 33 13 sn shower Mt. Pleasant 28 11 sn shower Ogden 30 21 sn shower Park City 21 14 sn shower Preston, ID 23 16 6now Houston Los Angoles Miami Minneapolis Mow York b1 65 81 20 57 41 sunny 45 mst sunny 69 pt sunny 12 pt sunny 34 rain flu by 70 to 90 percent in healthy adults and 66 percent or higher in young children. Close contacts of young children should also receive immunizations to provide additional addi-tional protection. Keep in mind that two weeks are needed for the body to build the necessary antibodies against the virus. According to health officials, the risk of exposure to influenza increases during this time of the season because more people are traveling to Utah for winter activities. Crowded settings in restaurants and other businesses create an easy environment for spreading influenza. School-aged School-aged children are also common contributors to influenza outbreaks. out-breaks. UDOH recommends people get vaccinated throughout the season to prevent serious illness and to keep from spreading the disease to others. All age groups, especially young children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, should get an influenza vaccine, if they haven't already. Other groups, such as pregnant women, international travelers, service workers and health care personnel should also get vaccinated. TriCounty Health. Department Depart-ment is offering influenza vaccine vac-cine at a reduced price of $20. Both pediatric and adult doses are available during regular clinic hours in both Roosevelt (722-6302) and Vernal (781-5475) (781-5475) offices. ..lift n LI i ASPEN BROOK REALTY INC. as: and Karen Price, Aghnt 789-7555 or 828-0510 Moon Phases Last Jan 30 New Feb 7 First Full Feb 14 Feb 21 UV Index Wed 26 2 Low Thu 27 2 Low Fri 28 3 Moderate Sat 29 3 Moderate Sun 210 3 Moderate The UV IndoK is measured on a 0-1 1 number scale, with a higher UV Index showing the need lor grealor skin protection. pro-tection. 0 " " if .if ' Price Provo Richfield Roosevelt Salt Lake City Sandy St. George Tooele Vernal Wendover 21 30 35 21 31 29 48 30 23 34 sn shower sn shower sn shower sn shower sn shower sn shower pt sunny sn shower sn shower sn shower Phoenix San Francisco Seattle St. Louis W J mst sunny 56 42 rain 42 41 mixed 33 24 sn shower Washington, DC 66 41 rain |