Montezuma Creek / Aneth

A tornado touched down and destroyed three homes on McCracken and Cahone mesas on Saturday, September 13. No injuries were reported but there is significant damage. The National Weather Service has yet to classify the tornado, coming on the heels of an EF2 “fire-nado” near Old La Sal on July 11. Otis Oldman photo

Weather Service gives EF2 ratings to two San Juan tornados in 2025

The National Weather Service has issued additional information about recent tornados in San Juan County on Saturday, September 13. The National Weather Service reported two tornadoes touched down on September 13, with one recorded by the agency to be lasting about 15 minutes and causing no damage,...

Tornado destroys homes, property on Sept. 13 near Montezuma Creek

by David Boyle News Director A tornado in San Juan County destroyed homes and caused significant damage in the McCracken Mesa and Cahone Mesa areas on Saturday September 13. Multiple tornado funnels and touchdowns were spotted across southern San Juan County and into Colorado as part of the storm...

Work is advancing on the new roundabout at the intersection of Highways 162 and 262 in Montezuma Creek. This is the view looking east toward the roundabout. The new intersection is one of many projects being completed on a $152 million road project along the two highways. Photo courtesy Utah Department of Transportation.

New McElmo Creek Bridge open to traffic

Work continues on the massive $152 million road project on Highways 162 and 262. On Highway 162, paving is completed between Aneth and the Colorado Border, while the Bluff to Montezuma Creek leg is still undergoing shoulder widening before travel lane paving resumes. In Montezuma Creek, paving is...

Tewakeedah Rain Spirit Martin of Montezuma Creek was crowned the 2025-26 Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen

Tewakeedah Rain Spirit Martin of Montezuma Creek was crowned the 2025-26 Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen on August 8. The daughter of Mabel and Kevin Martin, her mother Mabel told the Navajo Times that she is the first Navajo Utahn to be crowned at the event. Courtesy photo

A map of traffic patterns in Montezuma Creek while a new roundabout is under construction at the intersection of Highways 162 and 262. Courtesy art

Road projects making headway

The massive road project in southeast San Juan County continues to make progress. The project stretches from the start of the routes off Highway 191 all the way into Montezuma Creek and beyond to Aneth. The project is aimed to improve safety along 53 miles of road, including lane widening,...

Work is underway for the the bridge over McElmo Wash on Highway 162 between Montezuma Creek and Aneth. All part of a $152 million project. Courtesy photo

Construction update for Highway 162 and 262

Off-road work continues on the project to improve Highways 162 and 262 in San Juan County. A dryer than normal winter has allowed crews to make progress on the $152 million “Energy Corridor” project to improve Highways 162 and 262 in central San Juan County. The Utah Department of Transportation (...

Bluff and Montezuma Creek firefighters extinguish fire in Aneth

Bluff and Montezuma Creek firefighters mounted an aerial attack on October 23rd to extinguish a fire in the Aneth oil field. Photo credit: Gary Lichtenstein

Dry weather means great start to $152 million “Energy Corridor” road project

The $152 million Energy Corridor highway project is underway in southeast San Juan County. Over the next year, State Highways 261 and 262 will see significant work along the entire 35-mile length of the two state highways. Officials state that extremely cooperative weather conditions has resulted...

Whitehorse Homecoming Royalty

Homecoming royalty was recognized at halftime of the Whitehorse High football game.

Road crews will rebuild Hwys 162 and 262 over the next 18 months, with a round about and new bridge over the San Juan River at McElmo Creek. Art courtesy UDOT

$152 million project to rebuild Hwys 162, 262

by Bill Boyle San Juan Record Editor Work crews will begin work soon on a massive road project in southeast San Juan County. Groundbreaking ceremonies on the 54-mile, $152 million project took place on August 13 in Montezuma Creek. The road upgrade project, which will occur over the next 18 months...