OCR Text |
Show T P 0 005 UTAH C PRESS J0 6 of human happipesf are pain and boredom. Arthur Schopenhauer wtiitah Basin olA. ti 13 (ID ASSOCIATION 307 W. 200 S. SUITE UT SALT LAKE CITY, The two foes Domestic violence reports up Tuesday There ere laws that protectwomen and children from these abusive behaviors and there are places in Duchesne County where they can go for help. Since 1999 there has been a April 10, Roosevelt, Utah 88, Number 15 www.ubstandard.com Vol. 195 percent increase in incidences of domestic violence that have been ; reported to Roosevelt police. See page 2 A ride on UBTAUBET CUSTOMERS, JUST HOLD THE PHONE! charges will remain unchanged for a while Long-distan- ce the "vomit comet It could be viewed as a sick assignment ," but Union High greduate, Lane Christensen, and his partner, fellow University of Utah student, Mike Fowler, didnt let the vomit comet" upset their stomachs. See page 9 For the first time ever Uintah Basin resident! in Duchesne andUintah counties are served by the sums telephone provider. LastFriday, April 6, UBETTelecom,ssubjdiaiyofUBTA UBET Communications, officially took over ownership of service territory formerly owned by QWEST. Although Vernal, Roosevelt, and Duchesne area telephone customers are now owned by the same company that serves seven exchanges in the outlaying areas, it doesnt mean that chargee have been eliminated. While plans call for the fee of a monthly flat-rat- e for longdistance service throughout the UBET Telecom and UBTAUBET Communications service territory, the feet is that it wont happen for several more months. Because a rate freeze was ordered by the Utah Public Service Commission following last weeks official sale of QWEST exchanges in Duchesne and Uintah counties, the new UBET Telecom customers will still pay a. make a call anywhere out own prefix number. At the same time,' all UBTA telephone customers will .Continue to be W . long-distan- ce imple-tnentati- six-mon-th Thinking Out Loud it happens everyday. No matter how my good intentions, no matter how plot my course, I'm going to show up five to ten minutes late, panting out of breath -red faced - and oh ... "so sorry." Columnist Cheryl defies fewsgaassawaoe Its Springtime New Coach Seepage 12 Almost! APRIL SHOWERS BRING.. .DAFFODILS A fast moving snow storm brought needed moisture to the area Sunday morning, but didnt dampen the spirit of this daffodil, which emerged unscathed from the nippy temperatures and snow that was mixed with rain. UINTAH COUNTYLOFFERSHEip; Drug Court could be on its way, pending Commission okay ByKatieHanseaL samDucheai officials had not discussed the bility of a Drug Court in Due County. Due to lack of binding and little knowledge about a program there was minimal enthusiasm among countyofficialawhenitcametoestab- with drug offenses. However, an offer made by Uintah County to expand their already existing Drug Court into Duchesne County, has altered the situation. That there is a need for a solution to Duchesne Countys drag problem is " has one of the worst meth problems in the state. In feet since 1998 drug and alcohol offenses in that county have increased. In 1998 there were 487 offenses, in 1999 there were 482, in 2000 there were523drug and alcohol offenses. The total number of felony's and misdemeanors in the county also steadiW increased over the past three years. In 1998 there were 1,035 felony and misdemeanor charges and 1,294 in 2000. Since Uintahs Drug Court became permanent in 1998 their felonies and misdemeanor offenses have steadily dropped. They have also seen a decrease in drug and alcohol offenses. In 1998 there were 1,181 felony and misdemeanor offenses in Uintah County, 1,022 in 1999 and 921 in 2000. Uintah County had 408 drug and alcohol offenses in 1998. In 1999 there were 426 drug and alcohol a higher amount of offenses than the previous year or following year in Uintah, but a lower numberof te long-distan- ce several more months. charged $4.96 per month for unlimited calls within seven rhnnga in the Randlett, Tabiona, Flattop, Altamont, Lapoint, Fruitland, and Neola. Those UBTA customers who subscribe to the companys UBOTS Plus plan which billsthem $3 a month for 50 minutes worth of calls to Roosevelt, with additional minutes at a reduced charge, will also continue on the same calling plan until the advent of Basin-wid- e calling. For the former QWEST customers and UBTA customers we cant do anything in regards to implementing Basin-wid- e calling for at least six months until the rate freexe has been lifted, then at that point we file with the Public Service Commission,'' explained UBTAUBET Communications Executive Secretary Glenda Stewart. "At the benchmark it could take up to 12 months or even longer before Basin-wid- e calling could begin, depending on regulatory six-mon-th approval. To determine how much customers will be charged each month for the toll calls within Duchesne, Uintah and Wasatch counties (their territory ends at Whiskey Springs on Highway 40 near Daniels) UBTA will conduct an economic analysis as well as consider the results of a recent customer survey. That survey indicated the majority of QWEST customers who are now served by UBETTelecom would support a monthly fee between $6 to $ 10 for the ability to place longdistance calls anywhere within UBTA UBET Communications service area without a per minute charge. Once we get the data co mingin we can look at it and see exactly what our true cost of service is. We have to maintain the financial integrity of UBTA and UBET Telecom and see what impact it has on our financial and loan ratios, she stated. . V 1 Plea bargain keeps teens being charged as adults explanation." Union Cougars name former BYUlinanam GregHoegtand as new football coach. While plans call forthe implementation of a monthly flat-rafee for service throughout the UBET Telecom and UBTAUBET Communications service territory, the fact is that it wont happen for uFOUR ENTER'GUILTY, PLEAS: Mecham admits that her "lateness 2001 That there isaneedfora solution to Duchesne Countys drug problem is hardly the question. Duchesne County has one of the worst meth problems in the state. Expansion would be fairly easy. The two counties share the nu judges, who are already working in Uintahs Drug Court and know the program. In addition Wallentine would volunteer his time as administrator for the program. Commis sioners have not yet made an official decision conceroingaDrugCourt, com- mented Commissioner Lorna Stradinger. In order for Uintah County to expand their Drug Court to Duchesne County, County Commissioners, along with the sheriff- - and the county attorney must approve. "An offer was made, stated Wallentine, just waiting to see what happens. Incorporating a Drug Court into the county hai the approval of most county officials. Duchesne County Attorney Herb Gillespie said a Drug Court would do a lot of good in the county. Duchesne County Commissioner Larry Ron is also in support of the program, "Itappears to be aposi- may be a way fie aasist in getting a partial control on drug uae in the county. Rep. Gordon Snow Commissioner Stradinger is less mthiiwastir ahmitsstahlhincf TViig Court in Duchesne County. She explained that she is concerned about the future financial burdens a Drug Court may place on the county. "I don't have an answer to the drug problem, but Imnot sure Drug Court is it," said Stradinger. Complete eupport of the program within the county is essential to its success. "I am not interested in expanding (Uintahs DrugCourt), ifthere is any contention, Wallentine emphasised. Wallentine noted that he had everything to loee and nothing to gain by expanding Uintahs Drug Court to Duchesne. Ifcommissioners decide to accept Uintahs offer, Duchesnes SEE DRUG COURT on page 3 Four of the seven teens charged with attacking a girl appeared last week in 8th District Juvenile Court to enter guilty pleas to two of the charges against them. In return for an admission of guilt to charges of aggravated assault and illegal consumption and possession of alcohol, the more serious charges against the teens were dismissed. OlaL. Aratx, 16; Gary L. Peterson, 17; SengRasaphonh, 16; and Adam J. Young, 15, will each undergo a psychological evaluation prior to their May 9 sentencing on the felony and misdemeanor charge. They continue to be held in juvenile detention facilities. Duchesne County Deputy Attorney Roland Uresk initially wanted the teens tried as adults, however after farther examination of the evidence he opted to dismiss felony charges of attempted murder and mayhem and keep the case in the juvenile court system. "We believed we could get more accomplished in the juvenile system rather than the adult system. We had questions about convincing a jury of the intent to kill (on the attempted murder charge) or specific intent to cut off the ear (on the mayhem charge), said Uresk. A poesible sentence or punishment for the defendants could range from community work hours and fines to some detention time or confinement in a secure youth corrections facility, depending on the results of the psychological exams. Emma Ellsworth, the mother of the victim, said she backed the plea bargain believing it was the best result possible in juvenile court She acknowledge theseriousfeloqychaigBs which carry lengthy prison terms haa offenses than the same year in been a e supporter of a Drug Duchesne County. Uintah had a low of Court in Duchesne County. "I am a 336 total drug and alcohol offenses in believer that if oomething is success-fi2000. I would like to see it here, said Uintah County Drug Court Admin- Snow, noting that Uintah County has istrator and Deputy County Attorney, seen very good results through their Ken Wallentine extended an invitaprogram. tion to Duchesne County that would Duchesne County Sheriff allow the proposal Duchesne Drug St&nsfield said he was in favor Ralph ofthe Court almost cost fees to be program if the funding and absorbed into Uintah Countys 8th manpowercould be found and reDistrict Drug Court tained . long-tim- ll Census 2000 Results . Punishment could range from community work hours and fines to detention time or confinement in a secure youth corrections facility. would be difficult to move to a jury. She said it was difficult for her daughter to attend the hearing held last week in Roosevelt and see her attackers "laughing and not feeling any remorse." Ellsworth said that in the two months following the attack and is doing well emotionally. Three other teens two girls and a boy will appear in 8th District Juvenile Court on Wednesday (April 11) fora status hearing and possible pleas. One of the girls earlier entered a guilty plea to the aggravated assault charge and illegal consumption of al cohol, but entered a denial of guilt to the charge of mayhem. She was tenced to 200 hours of community service for the aggravated assault, fined $150 for the alcohol violation and ordered to pay another fine. The other two suspects entered a denial of guilt in connection with the charges against them The charges against all seven juveniles stem from a Feb. 16 assault which occurred at a Roosevelt home and left the victim who knew her with fecial injualleged attackers ries, a broken wrist, damages to her eardrum and an ear that had been partially torn off. The teens had been drinking prior to the attack, which began as the result of a dispute over who was responsible for a car accident that claimed the life a their mutual friend. The victims mother had dropped her daughter ofT so she could visit a girlfriend and returned an hour later to pick her up. She found her daughter bloodied and struggling up the staj re. The teens left the home and were later arrested. OVER ALL GROWTH IS UP 13.6 2000 Census stats show rise in county ByKat&Hansen. With the results of the 2000 Census out, many counties in Utah experienced tremendous growth, while growth in some counties was minimal. Duchesne County wason the low end of a 29.6 percent population increase in the state. Both Duchesne and Uintah counties population, increased 13.6 percent overa 10 year period. Duchesne countys population increased from 12,645 in 1990 to 14,371 in 2000. Duchesne county gained 1,726 residents in 10 years. Duchesne County's Black population showed the greatest increase since the 1990 Census. The Black population increased 110 percent However, at 29, they are the one of the smaller ethnic populationgroups in the county. The Hispanic population followed the Black population in increase. Totaling 508, the Hispanic population increased 45 percent The countys Asian and Pacific Islander population decreased 3 percent There are a total of 30 Asians and eight Pacific Islanders in Duchesne County. Duchesne Countys White population increased 9 percent, climbing to 12,956. The countys American Indian population increased 12 percent totaling 769. Individual growth within Duchesne County included a 24.2 percent population increase in Tabiona. The town's population increased from 120 in 1990 to 149 in 2000. Mytons population increased 15.2 percent, growing by 51, from 488 in 1990 to 539 in 2000. Despite the matching population increase, Uintah County residents out number Duchesne County's by 10, 853. Roosevelt city's population reached 4,299 in the 2000 Census, increasing 8.8 percent. Duchesne City's population increased 7.6 percent to 1,408. The town of Altamont increased 6.6 percent in population to 178. In Uintah County the population ofBallard decreased 12. 1 percent from 644 in 1990 to 566 in 2000. Vernal City increased 18.1 percent to 7,714. Despite the matching population increase, Uintah county out numbers Duchesne by 10, 853. In 1990 the population difference between the counties was 9,566. Uintahs population increased by 3,013 during the 90s to 25, 224 in 2000. Uintah County saw large growth in their Black population. The countys Black population, 29 according to the 20001Census, increased 190 percent Asians and Pacific Islander's' population decreased 10 percent since 1990, there are a total of 56 Asians and 20 Pacific Islanders in Uintah County. The countys White population increased 12 percent reaching 22,130. The Hispanic population increased 29percentclimbingto894.TheAmeri- SEE CENSUS on page 3 |