Life in San Juan

Remembering basket weaver Mary Holliday Black

by Janet Keeler Wilcox Contributing writer Mary Holliday Black, one of San Juan County’s master basket weavers, passed away December 13, 2022. She was born in Oljato in 1934. Mary played a key role in the revival of traditional Navajo basket weaving. She was also the mother of 11 children. For...

A spectacular geometric weather creation by San Juan County artist Gil Scott. Courtesy photo

Gil Scott, San Juan’s Abstract Geometric Artist

by Janet Keeler Wilcox Contributing writer True artists not only need to see the world with fresh eyes but must also have the skill to interpret and “show” that world in unique and beautiful ways. Such talents are what San Juan County’s geometric artist, Gill Scott has successfully honed and...

Nine impounded horses set to be auctioned

In accordance with Utah Code Chapter 25 Estrays. San Juan county is giving notice they have impounded nine horses that were trespassing on private property. The horses are mixed color, breeds and sex. They were picked up in the Ucolo area of San Juan County. These horses will be auctioned at the...

Former resident Hal Jensen turns 90

Hal M. Jensen, formerly of Monticello, will celebrate his 90th birthday at a dinner with his family. Hal was born August 28, 1932, in Metropolis, NV, to Ira Milford and Ellen Hyde Jensen. The family moved to Gridley, CA in 1934. Hal attended Gridley High School, where he excelled in sports,...

The Unforgivable reviewed

by Jill Pearson Every once in a while, you stumble onto a good one. With so many streaming services and choices, it usually takes longer to decide on something to watch than it takes to watch the actual program. I admit, the leading lady had a lot to do with choosing The Unforgivable on Netflix....

Pictured are the 2022 Miss San Juan Royalty. Royalty members are ready for the start of the San Juan County Fair August 1-6. Members of the royalty pictured left to right: 2nd Attendant Olive English, Queen Ellai Black, 1st Attendant Kaitlyn Musselman. Courtesy photo

County Fair fun coming to San Juan first week of August

by Joe Boyle Staff Writer The 2022 rippin’ roarin’ San Juan County Fair has all the fixings to be a week of fun times and memories. The festivities will begin Monday, August 1, and last till Saturday, August 6. The theme for this year’s addition to the long-lasting tradition of the County fair is “...

New book tells remarkable story with local connection

A new book tells the remarkable story of the pursuit of Olympic Gold and the story includes an unexpected – and pivotal – stop in San Juan County. If Gold is Our Destiny, How a Team of Mavericks Came Together For Olympic Glory, was published this month by Rowman and Littlefield. In the 1970s and...

Free performance for BYU-Idaho dance group

After a couple of years with no performance programs due to COVID-19, Blue Mountain Entertainment is pleased to make a re-entrance by presenting the BYU-Idaho Dance Alliance. Brigham Young University-Idaho Dance Alliance will perform at the Monticello High School auditorium on Tuesday, July 26 at...

August 6 run will honor fallen special forces soldier Aaron Butler

A run and accompanying event honoring fallen soldiers is coming to San Juan County this August. The Inaugural Aaron Butler Memorial Foundation (ABMF) Utah Purple Heart Run will take place in Butler’s hometown of Monticello on August 6, nearly five years after his death. A member of the Army Special...

Blanding to host Independence Day

With a celebration starting June 30 and lasting until July 9, the City of Blanding Independence Day celebration is sure to be one to remember. “United We Stand” is the theme of this year's celebration, with events starting Thursday and lasting over a week. Due to a number of complications with...