News

Week set apart for avalanche awareness

In the aftermath of last January’s tragic avalanche fatality in the La Sal Mountains near Moab, the State of Utah declared the first week of each December as Avalanche Awareness Week. Utah state Congressman Phil Lyman (R, San Juan County) and state senator Kirk Cullimore (R, Salt Lake County,...

Truth in Taxation hearings will focus on proposed property tax increase

A potential property tax increase in three separate San Juan County funds is under consideration by the San Juan County Commission. The potential increases will be the focus of Truth in Taxation public hearings on Wednesday, December 5 beginning at 6 p.m. at the San Juan County Commission...

Rep. Phil Lyman files $10 million suit against BLM

Former San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman has filed a $10 million civil lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its actions related to the 2014 protest in Recapture Canyon. Lyman, now serving in the Utah House of Representatives, filed the private action on November 8 in the U....

High-speed chase suspects captured in Blanding

Two suspects are in the San Juan County Jail facing a combined 12 felony charges and multiple misdemeanors following a high-speed chase between Monticello and Blanding involving four law enforcement agencies on Thursday, October 24. The case began when Monticello Police Officer Kory Dunn received a...

Commission rejects Planning Commission recomendation on Spanish Valley issues

Master planning in Spanish Valley was the major focus of a marathon meeting of the San Juan County Commission on November 19. In the end and by a 2-1 vote, Commissioners rejected the recommendations of the San Juan County Planning Commission and adopted a preliminary plan that had been submitted...

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks comment on sage grouse

The Gunnison sage grouse, an endangered species with a very small population in San Juan County, is the focus of a draft recovery plan recently released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal agency is asking for public comments on the conservation actions necessary to stop population...

Deep roots for new insurance agent

Shanna Black is a new insurance agent at Farm Bureau Financial Services. She has worked alongside Wyatt Holyoak since July after earning her insurance license. Many may know Black from her recent position at Monticello Elementary School. In fact, Black was recognized this year as a top employee...

Ask an Expert – Cougar sightings on the rise

by Terry Messmer Utah State University Extension wildlife specialist In recent weeks, reports of cougar sightings have increased across Utah. The cougar, Puma concolor, is known as the mountain lion, puma, screamer, or panther. They are readily recognized by their tawny color, white muzzle and long...

San Juan Search and Rescue crews are busy

Search and Rescue volunteers have been busy recently, with two highly technical operations in San Juan County. On October 27, crews responded to Little Balley’s Road, where two hikers had fallen approximately 30 feet while descending into the canyon. One hiker had a head wound and the other...

Asphalt plant focus of Commission meeting

The licensure of an aggregate and hot mix asphalt plant in Spanish Valley was the topic of significant discussion at the November 5 meeting of the San Juan County Commission. Commissioners felt pressured to act as they faced a November 8 deadline for public comment on the licensure decision by the...