Blanding

San Juan County grocers navigate the minefield of COVID-19

“Make it stop!” That’s Craig Stanley’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus craziness, and you can hear virtually every voice in San Juan County echoing the sentiment. Stanley, manager of Clark’s Market in Blanding, says his team is working hard and is tired, but they are doing everything they can...

Several San Juan County students receive Career and Technical Education scholarships

Four high school seniors in the San Juan School District (SJSD) earned Career and Technical Education (CTE) scholarships, the Utah State Board of Education announced on March 19. Brittany Grover, Staten Perkins, and Kash Shumway of San Juan High School and Rianna Shumway of Monticello High School...

All-state basketball honors for San Juan High student athletes

San Juan County is well represented on All-state basketball teams for the 2019-20 season. The Deseret News released its annual list of the top Utah high school basketball players on March 25 and 26 based on coaches’ votes. Ten players were chosen from San Juan, Monument Valley, and Whitehorse high...

County restaurants coping with state restrictions in wake of COVID-19

San Juan County restaurant owners are scrambling to make ends meet after their services to customers were severely limited by an order designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Local restaurants and bars have been heavily impacted by the order from Utah Gov. Gary Herbert that...

Threat of virus causes widespread disruption of life in San Juan

The threat of the COVID-19 virus has disrupted the lives of San Juan County residents. Schools have been closed, events have been canceled, and the health care systems are on high alert. Utah Governor Gary Herbert asked for the cancellation of any meetings or events involving groups larger than 100...

Food bank provides assistance to the area

Estimates are that nearly one in five San Juan County residents face hunger every day. One quarter of children may not know where their next meal is coming from. The number of San Juan County residents facing hunger is much higher than national and statewide averages, reports the Utah Food Bank....

Blanding City Council talks transportation master plan, virus

The Blanding City Council moved through business quickly at their March 10 meeting. The COVID-19 virus was a topic of discussion at the city meeting. City Manager Jeremy Redd went over some basic recommendations to prevent the spread of disease, including hand washing, avoiding close contact, and...

San Juan High School spring teams get a week of competition in before season is suspended

The Utah high school sports landscape is very uncertain following an announcement that the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) suspended all activities and athletics beginning March 16 for a period of at least two weeks in the wake of the worldwide COVID-19 virus outbreak. According to...

There is much crows and ravens can teach us

“Once upon a midnight dreary...” begins the poem, The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe. It tells the story of a man who has lost his beloved Lenore and yearns for her presence only to be told by an ominous raven that he will hold her “nevermore.” In this poem and in many cultures, ravens and crows serve...

Monticello art teacher is Teacher of the Year

Shari Griffin, an art teacher at Monticello High School, is the 2020 Teacher of the Year for the San Juan School District. Griffin was honored for her work at a March 2 banquet. Monticello High School Principal KC Olson said, “Shari Griffin is a valuable asset to our MHS team. As a member of our...