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Show UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. November 26. 1996- - Page 23 Auditors find overpayments in money given to ranchers for disaster aid Ths Associated Press When drought struck western South Dakota two years livaatoek pnducera tumad to in, tm government far halp. Soma got a lot man than they deserved, federal auditors Bay. The Agriculture Departments inspector general recently sampled SO payments mads to farmers and ranchers in three counties and found mistakes or possible fraud in a third of the One Harding County rancher filed a claim for $25,,000 in coats when he had actually spent leaa than $6,000. In another case, a rancher apparently altered his records to show his feed costa were not the $3,808 he really i . sr Similar problems wsra found during companion audita in California and Texas. One hundred payments in the three Personal watercraft education classes offered Video games, action figures & barbie, Hot picks this Christmas The Associated Press He flies, flounders and flips, and this fancy footwork ia turning Super Mario 64 into a big hit of the holiday season. Running on Nintendos new home video game player, Super Mario is one of the most sought-afte- r toys this Christinas, along with Pilot Wings and Mortal Kombat Trilogy, two other games Nintendo 64 fir the system. Video games are cornu strong this year, said Jacobson, an analyst at Jefferies Co. in New York. Thats generating a lot of excitement for toys in general because its bringing more people into the just-releas- ed That may mean strong sales for other toys on kids wish lists, including Barbie, Star Wars action figures, Goosebumps and anything tied to the new movies 101 Dalmatians and Space Jam. A barrage of classics from Monopoly to Mr. Potato Head are also expected to be big sellers. After several years of soft salsa video games an coming back, led the launch of Nintendo 64, iich usds' advancer hr computer chip arid software design tovrthte game play. The system coots about $200 in stores, with each game tacking an an additional $70 on average. Sonys PlayStation and Segas Saturn, while on the market far a year, are also quite popular and are helping to revive interest in video games. Both game players tetail far about $200, with games costing an avenge of about $50 each. While these high-tec- h systems are expensive, parents are already scramming to find them in time fir the holidays and retailers are struggling to meet customer demand. Thera are no screaming gotta-havthis Christinas, but' then are a few hot products that everyone will be going after, said Whitfield, an analyst at Hancock Institutional Equity in New York. Thats sending parents to stains now before stocks ssll out Thafa a good sign for the toy industry, winch depends on the for about 65 fourth quarter ' all ita sales. Sales hit ss . bfflion last year and analysts predict that amount will grow by 4 percent to 6 percent in 1996. "Unlike last year, the economy is pretty good right now and wining to spend, said i Reysen. editor of Playthings trade magazine, a New York-baae- d publication. That should make it a good Christinas season after a few lackluster years. Mattel Inc.a Barbie still reigns g as ths doll, with a tow new looks this year, including pet doctor and scuba diver outfits. Holiday Barbie is having another big year, with inventories already low in sane part of the Kenners Juken Cookies Alive, which sips, dirties her diaper, is a strong contender in the doll segment, as are Mattels Cabbage Patch Kids, especially ita new SnackTime Kid that locks like its really eating. Demand for action figures is strong again this year, with Batman, Star Wars and GI Joe i hot picks. And, as usual, toys with movie and television tie-in-s are expected to be on many shopping lists. Store shelvee are filled with toys from Michael Jordans new animated film Space Jam and Disneys 101 Dalmatians and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In addition, the video release hit of Toy Story, the Utah State Parks and Recreation Boating Gtxxdinator Tied Woolley is encouraging young personal watercraft (PWQ operators to register now for FWC education classes in preparation fix a fun and safe 1997 water recreation season. Utah stale law allows minors 12 are the computer drawing system to 17 years old to operate a FWC if made kidDraw, by kidBoord, and Tiger Electronics Brain Warp, a they meet certain conditions. First, hand-held d operators must successfully game. Also going high-tec- h are classic complete a FWC education class board games, with titles like offered by Utah State Parks and. Recreation. Second, operators 12 to Monopoly, Clue and Battleship available on Barbie has IS years old must be under direct a new that lets kids' supervisiorfof someone 18 yean of create their own fashion dssigns, age or older. And third, operators print them and then make the under 18 years of age not meeting outfits. the above requirements, may not Although retail Bales and operate a FWC unless accompanied consumer confidence have who is at rebounded in 1996, the toy on board by a person 18 yean old least industry is still using aggressive' Woolley emphasizes that PWC tactics to attract shoppers. operators can avoid the summer ii the promotions have seen scaled back rush for courses by registering and somewhat after toy retailers were completing the class now. Operators hurt in last year by deep discounts will be well prepared to safely that cut into their profit margins. enjoy Utahs many water recreation The deals arent out then this areas. The FWC education program year, said Whitfield of Hancock Institutional Equity. Toy retailers includes home study of the PWC are watching their inventory and rules and safety handbook and a 1.5 out didnt inventory that cutting hour education class which includes sell. videotape instruction, review of rules, safety, buoys and hazards, and a written test For more information, please contact Utah State Parks and Recreation PWC education hotline T in Salt Lake City or 61 outside fee Salt Lake city calling area. Parents also are turning to creative and educational toys, especially with children becoming mare computer savvy and more families owning PCs. fast-pace- Toys are entertainment, and entertainment is about building bn your intelligence, said Judy Ellis, chairwoman fir the New Yorks Fashion Institute of Tschnoli toy department. This year, seeing a lot of toys and interactive software that bring children into CD-RO- CD-RO- creative play. Tiger Electronics My First teaches counting and matching on a battery run system, which also can be hooked into a home Laptop math. Tycos $100 VideoCam, which connects to a VCR to allow kids to shoot their own videos, also is a popular pick, as black-and-whi- Christmas Assistance Committee 538-BOA- gear up for Christmas The Christmas season and the time to give to thoee less fortunate than ourselves is feat approaching. It doesn't matter what you may call it, Sub for Santa, Guardian Angles or Toys for Tots, it all amounts to the samo thing: people helping people. This year as in the past, The Duchesne Community Assistance Committee, comprised of different of groups and organizations Duchesne City and surrounding area, will be collecting food, toys, and donations of money in an effort to assist . any qualiM family who may need some help Christmas time. Anyone who wishes to apply may do so by picking up an application form at the banks, schools, churches, city and county and load . Duchesne City. So that we may process the requests for assistance in accurate and prompt manner, wa applicant! i ' the December 1, 1996 deadline by returning the completed forma by this data. Applications turned in after December 1, deadline will be processed ONLY if extra funds are gifts of snaring when 738-533- 9, 738-594- 3, Can Place An Ad This Size In 3 Newspapers Throughout Utah box-offi- ce last has Christmas, awakened interest in classic toys like Mr. Potato Head and Slinky Dog; which an featured in the film. Kids also want anything thats tied to Goosebumps; the childrens books written by ILL. Stine. flashlights, board Glow-in-the-da- rk scary-facs- d games figures and a few of d toys. are imps-theme- -- . the at the county Agency committee Farm Service reported to USDA that he paid $25,000 fix when he had actually leased CRP land fix $5,715. As a county committee member, the producer ehould have known that submitting a bill for more than the actual coot was a questionable action and, at a minimum should have inquired as hay to' the applicable . Agency. reek Physical Therapy Orthopedic and Sports Injury Rehabilitation Workers Compensation Injuries Knee and Shoulder Rehab ' Pre and Muscle Strenghening Headache Pain Reduction e Spinal Rehabilitation Back School Balance Rost-Operati- ve Major Insurance Companies Accepted Median & Workers Compensation - Approved ' ' " ' r Jerru Kulland, PT Erin K. Forest, PT Wendu Hyder, Patient Coordinator Caye Hall, Office Manager 58 East 100 Noth, Roosevelt 722-317- 7 1 180 North VfemaJ Ave. 3, Vernal 2 996 ParacIe BeqIns 6:70 p.M. DECEMbtR 6, 1 Category (Circle One) Schools Church Non-Prof- Family Professional Organization it Or Call For More Information 1 NAME OF SPONSOR: : INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTRY: Entries will be lined up In the order they arrive. DRIVER MUST BE WITH FLOAT BY 5:30 RM. AT ROOSEVELT CITY, AND CONTINUE WITH FLOAT UNTIL PARADE TIME. ADDRESS: NOW OPEN Full Service Oil Change Includes: . PENNZOIL ) WORKS LIKE BEARINGS Oil Filter Fluids Checked Battery Checked Lights Checked Tire Pressure Checked Antifreeze Checked Windows Washed Car Vacuumed IS THERE MUSIC OR SOUND ON YOUR FLOAT YES NO1 Agree To Abide By All Decisions Of The Parade Committee. You Acknowledge That All Decisions Of The Parade Committee Are Final. "You SIGNATURE OF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTRY Send Application To: All For One Low Price! CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 48 SOUTH 2ND EAST PO BOX 1417 ROOSEVELT, UT 84066 No Appointment Necessary Open Monday - Friday 8:00 0 Saturday 9:00 . ! PHONE: "NO CANDY CAN BE THROWN FROM FLOAT OR CAR" LIQUID BALL a.m.-5:0- Hwy. 40. Next to Swwirfs .Thriftway a.m.-6:0- 0 p.m. p.m. 722-574- 7 program requirements, tha auditors said. In Maada County, a recipient claimed $10,574 in benefits even though he was not actively fanning and had gross earnings exceeding the $2.5 million limit for the program. USDA officials said they attempt to get the money back when they find that producers were overpaid. In eases of fraud ws turn it over to ths UB. attorney and they tay to collect, said Mariyn Aycock, a spokesman for the Farm Service RooseveIt FestwaI Of LiqliTs Business Program shley Small The Uintah Basin Standard 1 Reserve land fix hay to claim the coeta they would have incurred if they had bought feed. A producer who was a member Now In Roosevelt... 789-002- For Only $195 Per Week 722-513- Under the program, which was 722-459- 8 I 738-271- 4, top-sellin- from For More Information Call: iiimiiu Stop In report allowed who loaaed a representative calls at your door or miriness. For information calk Clint and Vem Helen Park at Florence Smith Paterson . . Uintah Basin Telecommunications Fair December 5, 1996 producers Conservation there, it wasof soma soma information given by both the producer and the county office. Its something we have corrected. But auditors said they referred some of the South Dakota cases to investigators for possible fraud charges. Tbs auditors identified enable payments of about Juesti in South Dakota. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the audit, dated July 1996, under the Freedom of Information Act. The names of the producers wen deleted from the in Harding improperly available. Wa head everyones help in collecting items to be given away so pleaaa be generous with your mill; You Want to find the address and phone number of a friend who lives in Dallas, Texas? Find out how on the Internet. Attend the officials County misinterpretation pre-Chr- computer for more advanced Smart Sturt applications. Speak A Listen Computer is school geared for elementary students learning spelling and abolished by the 1996 torn bill,' the government would reimburse producers half the cost of getting emergency feed fix their livestock. In applying for tho assistance, coeta producers report their feed and certify that they meet the income limits and are actively engaged in livestock production. Some 1,100 producers in South Dakota received $8.3 million through the program fix the 1994 totes wan audited, and 37 them totaling $740,000 wa ineligible. "Whenever you have an emergency kind of a program ... obviously ifs more prone to having problem than a program that la a permanent Kind of program with all the appropriate controls built into it, laid James Ebbitt, the deputy inspector general fix audits. Tbs payments were selected for audit because they wen among the largest made in thoee states, Ebbitt said. In California, 11 of the 30 producers whose payments were reviewed were ineligible for the program, end four man ranchers were overpaid. The South Dakota director of USDAs Form Service Agency, Michael O'Connor, says the questionable payments resulted from honest mistakes USdSl producers or county officials. "I dont beliova anybody tried to milk tho system, OConnor said. If than was anything dais |