News

Blanding Council addresses capital projects

The Blanding City Council discussed a number of issues at their January 28 meeting, including capital projects and economic development. Kara Laws, representing the Blanding Chapter of the San Juan Chamber of Commerce, asked the City Council to set aside some of the city’s capital projects funds to...

Spanish Valley zoning regulations repeal may appear on ballot

A petition to seek the repeal of new planning and zoning regulations in Spanish Valley has been filed with the San Juan County Clerk. More than 30 packets bearing the signatures of San Juan County voters were presented to Clerk John David Nielson on January 23. If Nielson can verify 1,168 of the...

Despite drop in unemployment rate, San Juan County still ranks fourth-highest in the state

The unemployment rate in San Juan County is estimated at 3.8 percent, according to data recently released by the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS). This is one of the lowest unemployment rates on record and compares to a 6.0 percent rate in October 2018. Despite the drop in unemployment,...

The Voices of Bears Ears videos win award

San Juan County is the focus of marketing efforts that recently won a prestigious award for the Utah Office of Tourism. The Voices of Bears Ears, a four-part video series, earned an Adrian Award for marketing excellence on January 21 from Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (...

Trio of Blanding men face attempted homicide charges

Three men from Blanding face a host of first-degree felony charges, including attempted criminal homicide, aggravated murder, after an alleged rampage on January 23 that left three victims in the hospital. The charges state that the alleged crimes are gang affiliated. Deon Tanner Rock, age 27;...

Strong citizen support of petition leads to tax reform law repeal

A statewide citizen-led petition drive, including a strong effort in San Juan County, has led to the repeal of a controversial tax reform law. After opponents of the law submitted petitions with an estimated 152,000 signatures, legislative leaders and Governor Gary Herbert announced on January 23...

Commission signs contracts worth over $300,000 in January meeting

Navajo Mountain was the location of the January 21 meeting of the San Juan County Commission. It was the first such meeting in the isolated community, which is 200 miles from the San Juan County Courthouse in Monticello. After being welcomed by Navajo Mountain Chapter President Hank Stevens, the...

Kelly Pehrson to serve as interim manager of Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Kelly Pehrson is the new interim manager of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). Pehrson was appointed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert on January 14. Commissioner Kerry Gibson stepped down from his position at the head of the department and announced that he was running for Congress...

Blanding City Council changes water rate structure, standardizes info request code

by Alene Laney Contributing writer The Blanding City Council started their meetings for 2020 on January 14. Councilmembers Logan Shumway, Logan Monson, and KD Perkins took the oath of office. As the only candidates on the ballot, Monson, Shumway, and Perkins were re-elected for another term. In...

Monticello Council swears in new members

Three City Council members were sworn in during the first Monticello City Council meeting of the year on January 14. Ronald Skinner, Kim Henderson, and Nathan Chamberlain swore to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Utah, and to...