Life in San Juan

Bikes for La Sal students

It all started last Wednesday when students, parents, the faculty of La Sal Elementary School, and others gathered for an assembly where local deputy Rhett Adair gave a presentation on bicycle safety. His first words of advice were to always wear a helmet when riding. One young man raised his hand...

The Shake Shack is back in Monticello

The gears of the legendary ice cream machine are turning. Hamburgers sizzle on the grill and pops from the fryer can be heard as fresh french fries hit the oil. Jan is training new girls and making sure the food items are sent out. Grayson is grunting at something in the back. It feels like the...

Local residents affected by nuclear testing sought for interviews

Staff from The J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah will interview individuals throughout Utah who have been affected by the nuclear weapons testing that occurred in the 1950s and 60s. On Tuesday, May 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. they will be at the San Juan County Library in Blanding,...

The new Silver Queen Miniature Golf Course is a vibrant visual experience

“You have to see it.” That’s the best way to describe the new Silver Queen Mine Miniature Golf Course that opened at the Monticello Merc last week. The traditional log cabin facade within the store belies nothing of the mine within. Once inside, the new mini golf course is anything but traditional...

Snowpack benefits Colorado River operations

The plentiful snowpack of the past winter will benefit the Colorado River Basin through increased runoff to crucial reservoirs, according to a Bureau of Reclamation study released on April 15. With the improved hydrology, Lake Powell’s operation for water year 2019 will shift to a balancing release...

Local students compete in USU Eastern art show

More than 150 art students from the San Juan School District competed with 163 entries in the 2019 art show hosted by Utah State University – Blanding Campus. Recognizing the arts play a major role in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the campus welcomed the artistic addition to...

Local services set to celebrate Easter season

Many fun and uplifting activities are planned for the upcoming Easter holiday. The first Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by San Juan High School National Honor Society and Blanding City Council, will be held at the Blanding Visitors Center, Saturday April 20 at 10 a.m. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday,...

Bears Ears Souvenir Shop opens at Yak’s Café

The first-ever souvenir shop for the Bears Ears National Monument has opened in Blanding, UT. Tamy Jaramillo, owner of Yak’s Café, released her line of Bears Ears merchandise on January 1. Jaramillo opened the souvenir shop in her restaurant and it has expanded to an online store. Jaramillo’s café...

Wet winter expected to turn into heavy spring runoff

After the third-wettest winter in the past 35 years, San Juan County is anxious to see area reservoirs begin to fill and possibly overflow. “Recapture Reservoir has already gone up 18 feet since October and not a bit of it is off the mountain,” said Ferd Johnson of the San Juan Water Conservancy...

SSG Aaron Butler will be remembered in Idaho 5K/10K run this August

by Rhett Sifford Staff writer It has been 19 months since SSG Aaron Butler was killed while battling Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan. This summer, former teammates will honor the Monticello Special Forces soldier with a trail run bearing his name in Eagle, ID. The Inaugural SSG Aaron Butler...