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Show - ntdWti 'tah Stats p 0. alt i v m V lit io - ,J ilv $ s ; box r33 1j27 cl. Utis V N .. ,-- v . - ;? . w v a. lif t--t a ,w 81113 j&4 n$ i -' .-- v ), 4 i, V1 .. . ? S E- -- , Assn.. ut-- t v V ?f, iy r, i ? 5 y !& . $. i to i && i , vs.4yrf&?' .. 4 S A v yfit tX. li i 1. Az 's M 43 L,&r A ? - CiA'ip i A f 1$ 5 i 4v. . Vj The rugged mountains east of tWillard presented a majestic and picturesque scene this week , caught in a splash of sunliaht between snow storms. The peaks and rocky canyons on this mountain go essentially unnoticed by many who live in the area. But they pose a picture of grandeur nevertheless Volume 69, Number 8 Brigham City, Utah 84302, Thursday Morning, February 19, 1976 24 PAGES At pross nesting goo, .DeisMol GGlipfiOITO- - GO0DS The methane gas leak which has plagued an area 13 miles west of Brigham City since late November apparently has been plugged. But both the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining and Duckville Duck club on whose property the leak developed are standing by with fingers figuratively crossed. Theyre hoping the methane doesnt break lose again. Jim Tadlock, Vernal, completed sealing the well on Sunday. And Monday, the road leading to Duckville and Bear River Bird refuge, located just a short distance away, was opened to the public. It had been closed since the gas began escaping out of control on Nov. 19, The Box Elder News and Journal shared in awards handed out at the 78th annual meeting of the Utah State Press association in Salt Lake City this past weekend. The local weekly newspapers and others across the state were recognized during the associations annual awards luncheon in the Hilton hotel Sunday. Competing with publications in the highest circulation category, the Journal captured second place in general excellence, recording firsts in best advertising campaign and excellence in typography, second in best front page and third for best editorial. The News rated third place in general excellence with firsts for best front page and best news story, second for best editors column and third for best use of illustrative material. The News received the H.R. Merrill award from Brigham Young university for best front page in its division. Tremonton official proposes police cutback 6 Cleon Feight, director of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, said Wednesday, We believe the well is 99 percent plugged and no longer is a danger to the public health and welfare. We will lie monitoring it for the next few months, checking it out every other week or so." He said it looks pretty good. There is a little bubbling taking place but it was suggested this probably emin-ate- s from charged zones (ground infiltrated with gas) bleeding off. Feight said the cost amounted to 823,000 and we think it was well worth He was not optimistic about the prospects for marketing the gas commercially, indicating it could not be compressed in bottles as butane and propane for off-siuse. 1975. After one effort financed by the duck club to plug the leak proved futile, the state legislature in late January appropriated 825,000 to make the latest try. Apparently the gas has been stopped from escaping. But the situation will be watched for several weeks to make sure the concrete seal holds. About 300 cubic feet of cement was poured into the well with work having started on Feb. 9. Photo Winners In addition, both the News and Journal were winners in photo competition sponsored by the University of Utah Department of Communication. Pictures taken at Willard basin placed first in the photo essay competition for the Journal and the picture of a youngster tossed from a sheep at Bear River Citys July 24 celebration was the years top feature photo. The Murray Eagle was the general excellence winner in the top circulation division and also won the community service award presented by Utah State university. There are three different categories for Utahs approximately 50 weekly newspapers. Box Elder News and Journal Publisher Charles Tuff Claybaugh relinquished the (Continued on Page Three) Cites climbing costs ing right now, Hewlett said. However, should the commercial venture materialize, it would mean the club would be required to pay back the state for the expense of capping the old well. This was one of the terms in an agreement between Duckville and Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. The state got into the act when it was determined that, although the leak was located on private club, it constituted a threat to public health and safety. it. Has Used WeU Duckville drilled the well 40 years ago and has been using the gas since for cooking and heating. The club hasnt given up on the prospects of continuing to tap the natural resource. Tony Hewlett, club manager, said Wednesday the clubs board of directors will meet in March and discuss the possibility of drilling a new well. Not only would the hunting organization utilize the gas for its own use but the possibility of producing it commercially has been proposed. It could possibly be bottled under pressure and distributed for home and other use. Its something theyre really consider A pending cutback in police department personnel sparked a discussion at Tuesdays Tremonton City council meeting with one citizen protesting the contem' plated move. Councilman Russell Webb who now is assigned to the police department, said he believes the force should be cut from five to four men. Its already assured that Judy Wood, a receptionist-secretar- y for the department, will be terminated on March 12. And, if Councilman Webb has his way, a police officer will be released in March as well. t The city official said that the police budget has been way too high and out of line, mushrooming over the past 10 years. The city hasnt increased in size sufficiently to warrant that kind of increase. He further opined that the crime rate hasnt substantially increased over this period. If the trend continued, taxes will have to be increased to finance the added costs of operation. It was also suggested that the police fleet of three vehicles be cut to two. The decision on whether to cut one police officer was left until the council's March 2 meeting. Jay Vard Hansen, a Tremonton citizen, voiced his opposition to personnel cuts in the police department. He argued that such a move would endager the health and safety of the community. Three other citizens. Mack Hansen, Glen Curtis and Steve Miller, expressed their concern over the impact of reducing the force. They said they would be satisfied with four officers if it could be expected that the same level of protection would continue. Gail Larsen and Brian Honey representing Valiev Engineers of Logan, reviewed (Continued on Page 13) te Banker is named to chamber post Reid Goodliffe, recently elected to a term on the Greater Brigham City Area Chamber of Commerce board of two-ye- directors, has been named chamber second vice president. He was appointed to the post for 1976 in action taken by the board Goodliffe is employed at First Security bank in Brigham City. Oecal by mil buf you musf ask Climbing postage costs this week caused a Box Elder county official to modify a license by mail plan slated to begin in March. County Assessor Clifton G. M. Kerr said his office will serve those of the public who want to pay their motor vehicle taxes and receive new license plate decals by mail. But the service will be extended only to those who request it by mail, telephone or in person. It was previously announced that preprinted applications plus receipts showing the amount of tax due would be mailed to all motor vehicle owners in the country. Owners need only return the completed registration form and enclose a check or money order for the amount of tax and new . decal plus proof of no fault insurance. Decals are then mailed out in cooperation with the local state tax commission office. This service is still offered as a convenience. However, it must be requested. Otherwise, car and truck owners are expected to handle the transaction in person in the county courthouse. Kerr said a check revealed that other counties using the license by mail plan are receiving only 30 to 50 percent response. This means the balance of forms and (Continued on Page 13) |