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Show I &'' 155eMSt h is not the amount that any individual m078.2695 may know that M ill benefit him and his fellows ; but it is the practical application oftheir knoM ledge. Uintah 500 The living is good A family new to the area Tuesday and an old timer " tell you July 4, whytheywouknttradeliving in the Basin for anything. -- Seepage 2000 Roosevelt. Utah 13 Vol. 87, Number 26 www.ubstandard.com MORE ATTENTION TURNS TO NATURAL GAS rf Hired hands becoming scarce for oil b gas industry jobs By Lezlee E. Whiting With oil price nearly triple from There are 1 5 working rigs in the state of Utah right now. The majority of them are gas wells and are located in the Uintah Basin. whit they wen one year ago, and the strong demand for natural gaa push ing its price up by 200 to 300 percent from where it stood a few years ago, of them are gas wells and are located in the Uintah Basin, said Lee Peacock, work in the oil and gas fields is plentiful, but experienced hands are be- director of the Utah Petroleum Asso- Benefits off DARE program questioned Is the DARE program effective when it comes to keeping kids off drugs? Local DARE authorities say it is. but some dispute has arisen. -- '. Seepage IS g As. : - Xm Revenue boost robust economy and the removal of a sates tax exemption for Ute Tribe members are pointing to a brighter revenue outlook for Roosevelt See page 2 V- V Net skills and Utah Wyoming volleyball improved players M their skills at a Union High camp over four days of workouts and games. 16 Change in ownership of hospital now official On Monday, July 3, the papers were signed and legalities concluded to officially change ownershipof the Uintah Basin Medical Center. No, the hospital is not being sold. In fact despite the transfer of ownership, there will be very fewchange when it comes tothe manner in which the hospital will be operated. The biggest reform comes in the fact that the hospital is no longer under the umbrella of county government. It is now a 501 (cK3)corpora tion. The nins individuals who help guide the hospital and set policy will remain the same,, except they will now be referred to as a board of trustees, rather than a board of directors. The sol member of the corporation is Duchesne County, meaning that county commissioners have retained the light to have the final say in operational and administrative decisions. . PINDER PANEL CHOSEN Prospective jurors answer 202 questions By Lezlee E. Whiling The jury which vriUsit in judgement in the double murder triad of John R. Pinder, was empaneled last Friday, June 30. Threeof the jurors are alternates. They will begin nearing testimony in the case this Thursday in 4 District Court in Heber. Throughout last week, the 200 prospective juror being perused by at torneys, not only had a lot of waiting to do, they also had to complete a questionnaire as part of the selection process. While moat the 202 questions could be answered by checking, yes, or no. several others re- - 14-pa- ge While most questions could be answered by checking, "yes, or no," several others required written responses and delved into private affairs and personal beliefs. quirvd written response and delved into private affairs and personal beliefs. Answer submitted by tbs potential juror wer designed to aid th defense and prosecuting attorneys select a fair and impartial jury. Jury election began last Monday, June 28. In addition to the routine questions about age. marital status, residence, place of employment and gen-orhealth, jurors were also asked if they believed in an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," if they have ever belonged to an organisation devoted to fighting crime, if they or anyone in their imuiediato family has ever been arrested, if they have ever witnessed a crime, if they have strong feelings about defense attorneys and prosecutor, whether they have difficulty making decisions, u they read new, paper and if so which portion of the newspaper they read. The lengthy questionnaire also asked jurors to list t he last five books they read, lift the radio stations they listen to and describe what type of al ciation. Both gas wells and oil wells essentially require the same process to bring them on line. UnUkesyear ago, when oil and gas companies were laying workers off, the same companies are finding their farmer employees aren't willing or eager to return. And although many local oil and NOW A 501 (c)(3) CORPORATION By Lezlee E. Whiting Higher prices for oil, a more Seepage coming scarce. The problem is attributed to two main factors: tM boom and bust nature of the industry that has finally sent many oil field hands working in other professions and the nation 'slow unemployment rate. There are 15 working rigs in the state of Utah right now. The majority television programming they prefer to watch. As part of the selection process attorneys were also interested in religious beliefs, whether or not the prospective jurors believe everything they read in the newspaper or bear on television or radio, and if they had ever written a letter to the editor. The questionnaire also queried jurors on whether or not they had any prior knowledge of the Pinder case and whether they may have discussed it with anyone. If they did. they were asked to briefly outline the conversation. The prospective juror were also given a list of victims, family of the accused and 95 potential witnesses to determine if they may have any previously unknown connection that would influence their decision. The case is expected to run into the first week of August The trial was moved boro Duchesne County because attorneys feared it would be impossible to find an impartial jury due to extensive media coverage of the case that has garnered national attention because of the bizarre nature of the The sole member of the ' corporation is Duchesne County, meaning that county commissioners have retained the right to have the final say in operational and administrative decisions. The benefits of the transfer, say hospital administrator and others who have worked for about two years now to affect the change, is that the medical facility has more flexibility to compete in toe fluctuating healthcare industry. Proponent afU change maintained that as a county entity, the hospital faced numerous restrictions when it came to busmeas opportunities which could ultimately impact the hospital's financial stability. Before the change was approved by county commissioners.aseries of public hearings were held to gage public sentiment. Private citizens who operated related medical service such as physical therapy and home health care, voiced opposition to the change in ownership, contending the hospital would have an unfair advantage in the marketplace. Others wanted to make certain the status change would be accomplished in such a way that the county, and ultimately the voters would maintain control and ha veavoioe in the operation ofihe facility. Members of the board of trustees out-patie- SEE UBMCon page 3 gas companies are enjoying the price surge and keeping employees very busy, they are still moving ahead with caution waiting to see what happens on a global Kale, as well as with the planned Coastal - El Paso merger. ' Alot of people have left the industry. It's hard to get experienced hands. You can always find hands, but finding hands that have any experience in the 6il field is difficult because of the boom and bust cycle, said Mike Guinn, district manager for Inland Production. The problem has hit the oil field service industry the hardest Not only did many experienced hands leave their trade during the last downturn, but in today's workforce oil field service companies are finding that there just aren't as many men looking for work that requires a lot of physical labor. One local oil field service company reported that unlike in the past when they had their pick of applicants, they are now finding themselves doing a bit of recruiting. Newly implemented employment regulations could be another factor that keeps some potential employees away. More companies are insisting prospective employees pass drug tests and have dean driving records in order to be hired. The Houston, Texas-base- d Halliburton Energy Services, which employs 180 people in their Vernal SEE INDUSTRY JOBS on page 3 couple and Road closure action hurts, not helps land, cattlemen lament By Lezlee E. Whiting Some cattlemen who trail their cows to summer past ure on the Uinta National Forest aren't at all happy with the way the Forest Service implemented a road closure that impacts themJn fisct, they say theroad they've used for years as an approach into the forest has been left "mutilated and they believe the manner in which the road was destroyed to prevent access has created more harm than good to the nearby Strawberry River. Julie King, Heber District Ranger for the Uinta National Forest acknowledges that the way the Mill B Poor Codvl JK V; ns y - theroad. They did a horrible job of dosing it, they literally tore it up with a trackhor and they mutilated it. said Wasatch County Commissioner Ren Provost, w ho also holds Forest Service permits to run cattle on the Straw-SEE ROAD CLOSURE on page 3 Small voter turnout for county primaries By Akfon Rachels attorney general post on the Republican ticket. There weren't any Democratic primary races in Duchesne County. Sharon K. Bedell won the Democratic ticket position for Uintah Duchesne County had 1M voting turnout with Uintah County doing s bit better wuh 27.934 in s primary election that saw a number or incumbents being upset and 53 794 of County Commissioner when she thKheane County enter giving their kmakedoff incumbent. Herb Snvder, Governor 1608 (65 341) to 353 (31 681 j and support to Michael Leavitt's Republican oppo- David J. Haslem won tor Republican nents. Glen P. DsvwGrrg Haw kina, spot with an easy win over former who had a 625 total a compared to rommiwuoner.LrwwG. Vincent, 1608 Leavitt'Olene S. Walkers 537 (70 531) to 672 (29 471). Dennis 48 2141. The General Election will Stevens was the top voter getter for Two-Ter- plaven in thecas. Witnesses for the prosecution am expected to testify that Pinder sent them to dean up evidence at Flood's homo and help cover the remains of fagot on the cattle drivea few wveksagn, not only were the cat tie stressed and scattered, said Shiner, one calf suffered a broken leg and had to be destroyed. They made it as impossible as they couid to get through. They wan ted the road closed, so they closed it. he stated. We complained a little, but they still do what they want to. Shiner said be had been notified about two years ago that the road -also a favorite of which he said hikerAcroas-countiskiers, horoeback nders and ATV enthusiasts was being considered for closure. That's when Uinta National Forest began an environmental study to determine if travel along the road was causing too much sediment todogupths nearby river and injure the fish population. While Forest Service studies and scoping work provided evidence to prove toe road closure was warranted to stop the damage, another cattleman brlirve there s a great deal more damage done to the river by forcing the public to find another route around . DUCHESNE VOTES AGAINST LEAVITT retrieved xploaives from the ranch to blow up their bodies in an attempt to coverup th crime. During preliminary hearingt, witnesses testified that Pinder believed the two were stealing from him as part ofthe motiv for the crime. Other evidence points to use by some of the key SEE rjNDF.R on Upper Strawberry Road was dosed is dramatic, but she said its necessary, mainly to ensure that ATVs didn't continue to try to use the route as an access road into the forest. The road was dosed, following public hearings and a federal environmental scoping process, in an effort to prevent erosion into the nearby Strawberry River. King said the closure had nothingto do with the Forest Senior's current proposed roadless initiative, but was a site specific project that had been identified long before the roadless initiative was announced. We want to fisheries on the Strawberry River because it has the greatest potential for spawning, but we felt the heavy use Ion the road) was detrimental to the water shed. King explained, adding that the road is not a major connector into the forest. Forest Service permit holder. Miles Bike Shiner, of Altamont, used the Mill B Upper Strawberry Road to move his cattle to summer range in the Strawberry Valley since 1982. Last year during the annual trek he found one section of the rood impassable because it had been torn up by a heavy equipment. Shiner earn his cowboys had to detour the herd around the road, a job. This year, the same situation greeted the group, and time-consumi-ng then the victim bodies with heavy equipment. Ruiz, who pleaded guilty to two counts of murder.ftnt degree Monies and is currently serving a term of 15- - SHEER DETERMINAHON-O- ne tough cowboy1 hoMs on w uh all his might to a bucking bronc during the bareback riding competition at the Tabiona Rodeo last Saturday as port of their Independence Day celebrations. FOREST OFFICIAL SAYS WORK WAS NEEDED Prosecutors allege that on Oct 25, 1998, Pinder and his ranch-han- d Filomeno, Ruis- Yalenchia, terrorized and then abducted Rex K. Tanner, 48. and June Flood, 59, from th home they wer renting in Strawberry River and drove them to a remote spot on th Pinder family's JJNP Ranch, not too faraway. At the ranch, Pinder allegedly shot th m a V, CELEBRATION Colorful jawn traditional costume move to the beat of the drumt as they enter the pern wow arena for the CranJlntry last week at toe annual Utc Indian IVw Wow :000 in t on LXahcvnc syws ; 'i .i) : . - iwunmemsMs. (v?;.V - . be November 7. rtuilip R. Thompson was toe leading vote getter in Duchesne County School District No. 4 with 184. Board member. Stephen R Lott had 77 1 (25-25and Juanita G. Allen 44 14 431 ). Also in Duchesne County. Friink Mvlar edged Mark L Shuttle ff. 561 (SI 661 ) to 525 (45.341 ) for the mtom.m,,, V.'-i-- '" Uintah County School District No. 2 at 308 ( 15.431 ) with Stacy Stewart, 184 (27.141); Cberolyn Cber IV well. 96 (14 161); Brenda May Roger. 90 (13 271). Other Uintah County voting results are. Republican ballot, gowr- SEE RESISTS on pap- - 3 - ' - ' i |