San Juan County

Former Sheriff’s Deputy charged with sex crimes takes his own life

A retired San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy took his own life one week after being charged with 14 sexual abuse crimes. The body of Grayson Redd, age 74 of Monticello, was discovered on July 28 by an employee at a building in Monticello owned by Redd. In an appearance on Friday, July 26 before...

Monticello man faces multiple felony charges related to sexual crimes committed against minors

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant on 74-year-old Grayson W. Redd of Monticello on July 21. Redd has been charged by the San Juan County Attorney’s office with six counts of first-degree felony and eight counts of second-degree felonies alleged to go back two decades....

Farmers ask San Juan weed control to match Dolores County

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission spent the first hour of their latest meeting discussing weed control in the county. Members of the commission heard from members of the public including farmers from throughout the county on the issue of noxious weeds in San...

Fatalities at Canyonlands National Park

A father and daughter died while hiking in Canyonlands National Park on July 12. They are identified as Albino Herrera Espinoza, age 52, and Beatriz Herrera, age 23, both from Green Bay, WI. The pair had called 911 to report that they were lost and out of water on the Syncline Loop Trail with...

Fire Suppression Efforts Begin on Babylon Wildfire within Manti-La Sal National Forest

Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials are currently engaged in wildfire activity near Steamboat Point on the Monticello Ranger District, located west of Blanding, UT in San Juan County. The Babylon Fire, reported Friday, July 5, 2024, is approximately 50 acres, as of July 9, 2024. Due to...

San Juan County Commission hears zoning concerns, sets tax rate

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission heard from La Sal residents regarding property rights, approved a grant aimed at increasing the number of Native Americans in governmental administrative positions, and approved the certified property tax rate at their latest...

Six local dams need dam safety upgrades, funding is limited

Six reservoirs in San Juan County are listed as having a high-hazard rating by the Utah Division of Water Rights. They join more than 200 reservoirs across the state of Utah with the same rating. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated $7.2 million to rehabilitate high-hazard...

Flash flooding in Lime Canyon washed out fence lines, flooded Highway 163 for several hours, and contributed to significant damage in recent days. David Kartchner photo

Storms drench San Juan, cause damage

Several days of storms, driven in part by moisture from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, brought a deluge of rain to San Juan County, resulting in floods, disruptions and damage during a normally dry June. The storms were widespread, but had particular impact on several key areas. Highways were...

County commission gets update on Monument Valley, renewable energy area

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission got an update on the Goulding’s Lodge sale, approved a continued lease for communication infrastructure on BLM lands and discussed a possible renewable energy project area at their latest meeting. While the county was unsure how...

Members of the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise Board, 25th Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, and the Navajo Land Department stood together at the grand opening of the Goulding’s Lodge. Photo Courtesy 25th Navajo Nation Council

Navajo Nation secures Goulding’s Lodge

by David Boyle News Director Navajo Nation officials celebrated the tribe’s purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge and Tours with a grand opening on June 14. The purchase comes as the property celebrates 100 years in business. Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved a $59.5 million...