by Leo Platero The Whitehorse Raider basketball team took second place against the Monument Valley Mustangs of Kayenta, AZ at the Webb Toyota Basin Basketball Tournament. The championship final was a tough game, with the Raiders from Montezuma Creek falling by seven, 71-64. There were five teams in the tournament from New Mexico (host Kirtland, Bloomfield, Shiprock, Crownpoint, and West Las Vegas, Ignacio from Colorado, Monument Valleyfrom Arizona and the Whitehorse Raiders from Utah. W

It was almost exactly one year ago when it all began. It was one of those ordinary everyday moments, but with one comment everything changed, and now the moment is burned into my memory forever.

Dec 05 07 - 09:02 AM |  Full story

Serotinous pine cones only open under high temperatures, providing a quick reseeding of areas burned by forest fires. This photo was taken in August at Deadman Canyon by Ted Piehl, 435-587-3180.

Nov 28 07 - 09:32 AM |  Full story

Several attempted escapes from county jail facilities throughout the state have had an impact on state inmates in the San Juan County jail. Approximately 25 state inmates with first degree felony convictions have been moved from the jail in Monticello in the past month. They have been replaced by inmates with less serious convictions.

Nov 28 07 - 09:31 AM |  Full story

The delivery of coordinated health care services was the topic of discussion at a November 20 meeting between state and local health care officials in Salt Lake City.

Nov 28 07 - 09:30 AM |  Full story

The National Weather Service has released a weather forecast for the coming winter.

Nov 28 07 - 09:29 AM |  Full story

San Juan High School recently completed a succesful run of Grease!

Nov 28 07 - 09:29 AM |  Full story

JC Hall, head coach of the Monticello Buckaroo football team, recently concluded his third year at the helm of the Bucks with 5-6 record. However, the Bucks still qualified for the state 1A playoffs, before losing to Enterprise 30-3 in the quarterfinals. He had this to say about the season...

Nov 28 07 - 09:27 AM |  Full story

On Saturday, November 10, Marcia and I returned from a week out of town. The last time I remembered using my wallet was at Walker’s in Wellington. I am NOT one who loses things. I always put my wallet in the same place.

Nov 28 07 - 09:24 AM |  Full story

Fire hydrants and base gravel as far as the eye can see. The massive 700-acre 67-lot Phase II at the Elk Meadows development six miles north of Monticello is taking form.

Nov 28 07 - 09:23 AM |  Full story

A wicki-up frame lies abandoned in the Canyon country.

Nov 21 07 - 09:08 AM |  Full story

“If you had a pack of dogs running around town you would be taking care of it. These are a pack of deer and they need to be taken care of,” said an impassioned Councilwoman Cassie Boyle during the November 14 meeting of the Monticello City Council.

Nov 21 07 - 09:05 AM |  Full story

Since Utah’s Navajo Trust Fund statute is set to sunset in 2008, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman and Legislative leadership have joined together in asking Congress to create a new disbursement system for the royalties.

Nov 21 07 - 09:04 AM |  Full story

The Empire Electric Board of Directors approved a rate increase effective January 1, 2008. The rate increase averages 8.9 percent.

Nov 21 07 - 09:03 AM |  Full story

San Juan County has been pursuing the expansion of cellular and telecommunications infrastructure throughout the sprawling county. A conference in January, 2007 brought together a host of entities to outline strategies to pursue the expansion.

Nov 21 07 - 09:01 AM |  Full story

Construction at the new Blue Mountain Hospital in Blanding is progressing.

Nov 21 07 - 08:56 AM |  Full story

Monticello’s precocious Webelo Boy Scouts recently took an educational tour of the massive gas plant located in Lisbon Valley.

Nov 21 07 - 08:53 AM |  Full story

Even as the much anticipated Utah-BYU game looms, so does the end of a glorious 2007 golf season at the Hideout. Mild November weather has extended the season longer than most years.

Nov 21 07 - 08:48 AM |  Full story

There is a buzz and a little bit of excitement down south by the San Juan River as the Whitehorse Boys basketball team is rearing to go out of the gate. They are foaming at the mouth for the upcoming basketball season.

Nov 21 07 - 08:40 AM |  Full story

Newspaper readers by the millions have received an insert in recent weeks with an advertisement touting San Juan County. The advertisement, reprinted below, has reached an estimated 6.5 million readers in the past two weeks.

Nov 21 07 - 08:37 AM |  Full story

A new incentive program in the San Juan School District appears to have been successful in raising math test scores for students in the fourth through sixth grades. As a result, a number of teachers have earned a large bonus.

Nov 14 07 - 08:30 AM |  Full story

It was a good night for incumbents on November 6 as the 2007 general election determined members of local community governing bodies. All three incumbents on the ballots in Monticello and Blanding were returned for another term in office.

Nov 14 07 - 08:29 AM |  Full story

San Juan County Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy is featured in the current issue of Reader’s Digest.

Nov 14 07 - 08:26 AM |  Full story

In a conversation with San Juan County Commission Chairman Bruce Adams talking about the projects listed below, he said: “If this were a month from now, I think I could reveal some things that are truly exciting.”

Nov 14 07 - 08:24 AM |  Full story

In a fitting ceremony, held the day before Veteran’s Day, military honors were extended to a soldier who died in the line of duty 123 years ago.

Nov 14 07 - 08:23 AM |  Full story

The Monticello High School drama department will tackle William Shakespeare this week for a two-day run of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Nov 14 07 - 08:13 AM |  Full story

esults of the November 6, 2007 General Elections.

Nov 07 07 - 09:24 AM |  Full story

A visit with City and County officials reveals a plethora of exciting projects, both in progress and in the planning stages. In terms of size and dollar value the present state of affairs is without precedent in City history. These projects reflect the optimism generated by such economic juggernauts as the new Lisbon Valley Copper Mine and mill; the planned start-up of the Dennison Corporation’s Uranium Mill in Blanding, The huge increase in mining and trucking of uranium, and the leasing and exploration for gas and oil throughout the county. Add in the 15 or so new subdivisions approved or in the planning stages in the County driven by out of state interest from investors and retirees, and it is all coming together to rival the Uranium and Oil booms of the l950’s.

Nov 07 07 - 09:23 AM |  Full story

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a draft resource management plan and environmental impact statement (RMP/EIS) for public review and comment. The draft RMP/EIS provides direction for future management of public lands administered by the BLM’s Monticello Field Office in San Juan and Grand counties.

Nov 07 07 - 09:21 AM |  Full story

Funeral services are today for Jack Codner, who passed away last week at the age of 83. He will be mourned by a large family, by neighbors and friends, and by the communities here in San Juan County.

Nov 07 07 - 09:20 AM |  Full story

Frankly, I think cats are a spoiled, ungrateful lot. They never slobber or bark or jump on their masters trying to show love like Hooch does. (“Hooch” is the nickname of my cute little lady dog, although on the records of the AKC her official name is “Sophie”)

Nov 07 07 - 09:19 AM |  Full story

Do you see the ghost of Latigo? An apparition in a tree is apparent to some at the top of Latigo Loop in Monticello, a Halloween reminder that disappears with the falling of the leaves.

Oct 31 07 - 08:53 AM |  Full story

Voters will select members of governing boards in area communities at the November 6 general election. Three seats are up for grabs in Monticello, Bluff and Blanding.

Oct 31 07 - 08:51 AM |  Full story

While San Juan County as a whole has seen unprecedented growth in the last two years, Blanding seems to be experiencing growth and development second only to Spanish Valley in the northern part of the county.

Oct 31 07 - 08:51 AM |  Full story

In addition to choosing three members of the City Council and voting on statewide school vouchers, voters in Blanding will determine two sales tax issues at the polls on November 6.

Oct 31 07 - 08:50 AM |  Full story

On November 6, 2007, voters in Utah will vote for or against the implementation of HB 148, Education Vouchers, passed by the Legislature in February 2007. HB 148 establishes a voucher program to funnel taxpayer dollars to private schools. The amount of a voucher ranges from $500 to $3,000, depending on family income and size. Families at every income level are eligible.

Oct 31 07 - 08:49 AM |  Full story

No doubt many wonderful people who live in our neighborhoods and attend our churches with us belong to the National Education Association. Most do a creditable or better job of teaching school in their various assignments. Many do put in a lot of extra hours helping kids. Most know their subjects and their students quite well.

Oct 31 07 - 08:48 AM |  Full story

Vouchers for private schools have dominated news in Utah for several months. Voters will have a chance to state their opinion on the matter on November 6. We have provided articles both in favor and opposed to vouchers on the preceding pages.

Oct 31 07 - 08:47 AM |  Full story

LeGrand Black led a cheer during high school sports contests when he lived in Monticello years ago. It went like this: “How many pencils do I have?” he would stand up and shout. The crowd would respond “five!” because he held five pencils in his hand.

Oct 31 07 - 08:46 AM |  Full story

The November 6 election is less than two weeks away. Even though there are no county-wide elections, San Juan County is saddled with the task of administering the election. San Juan County Clerk Norman Johnson reports that the costs will total approximately $27,000.

Oct 24 07 - 10:09 AM |  Full story

Dr. Shannon Brooks (left), of George Wythe College, presented a one-day seminar to a number of Monticello-area residents about the school and its basic teaching philosophy. Participants said that it was an excellent and informative presentation. Staff photo

Oct 24 07 - 10:09 AM |  Full story

Utah Governor John Huntsman spent the day in San Juan County on October 16 as part of a quick visit that included the Monticello area, Dugout Ranch and Canyonlands National Park. The Governor met with officials to discuss the proposed Canyon Country Discover Center, including (left to right) Greg Martin, Janet Ross, Bill Boyle, Governor Huntsman and Doug Allen.

Oct 24 07 - 10:08 AM |  Full story

When he was a year old we called him Harry Walker, because he was pretty much bald and not yet walking. We were hoping that he would respond to our moniker for him and grow hair and start walking. He did.

Oct 24 07 - 10:07 AM |  Full story

Imagine after 95 years (95 is no typo!) still having fun with your school buddies?

Oct 24 07 - 10:06 AM |  Full story

Macee and Katie were at it again last week, thrilling the cross country minions with their latest exploits.

Oct 24 07 - 10:05 AM |  Full story

Brightening our lunches, this month’s jokesters included Bud Corbin, Scottie Warren, Shirley Steffen and Martha Garner. Martha’s delivery of the emergency flashers joke was well done.

Oct 24 07 - 10:02 AM |  Full story

The glow of yellow foliage marks the passing of ano...

Oct 17 07 - 09:56 AM |  Full story

A Monticello man was killed on October 10 when he hit a deer while riding on his motorcycle. Pieter Haller, age 48, was traveling east on Clay Hill Drive when he hit the deer.

Oct 17 07 - 09:55 AM |  Full story

Mayor Doug Allen presented the Monticello City Council with parking concerns at their October 10 meeting. Allen said that there have been issues raised over parking on several streets in town where there is limited parking for numerous businesses.

Oct 17 07 - 09:55 AM |  Full story

“We exceeded our expectations,” PTA President Doreen Tanner stated after the Art Festival October 11. The event, sponsored by the Blanding Elementary PTA, was very well-attended. Student artwork created under the supervision of local artists was on display. Students and community members also participated in various art activities.

Oct 17 07 - 09:54 AM |  Full story

The already successful distance education program at the College of Eastern Utah-San Juan Campus just received a big boost. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded a $315,294 grant to the school to expand and improve their distance education infrastructure at six new sites.

Oct 17 07 - 09:53 AM |  Full story