Outdoors

Galbraith “Gil” Keith November 6, 1949 ~ June 24, 2022

Galbraith “Gil” Keith, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2023, in his hometown of Blanding, Utah, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 6, 1949, to loving parents, Gil was a pillar of strength, quiet dignity, and...

Adonis Stone Black July 19, 2019 ~ June 24, 2023

Adonis Stone Black, a beacon of light and hope, was born on July 19, 2019, in the coastal city of Galveston, TX. His journey, though brief, was filled with vibrant colors, boundless love, and a courage that inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Adonis’s life was a testament to the...

Halls Crossing Boat Ramp in north Lake Powell (3560.22 ft ASL May 31, 2023). NPS photo

Halls Crossing Boat Ramp Reopens Lake Powell access to San Juan County

For the first time in nearly two years Halls Crossing Boat Ramp is open again to vessels of all sizes. Halls Crossing, the lone motorized launch point in San Juan County, was closed due to low lake levels on July 21, 2021. After years of extended drought an historic winter has brought in enough...

Snowstorms continue to pummel San Juan County during epic winter of 2023

by Bill Boyle San Juan Record Editor As a long series of storms continue to pummel the area, the critical snowpack in San Juan County is more than 246 percent of normal. As of March 21, there is nearly two and one-half feet of water in the snow at the Camp Jackson Sno-tel station in the Abajo...

9 cases of illegally killed ‘trophy’ deer and elk currently being prosecuted

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers are investigating several cases involving large, trophy-sized deer and elk that were killed illegally across the state, including several in San Juan County. A “trophy” deer is defined in Utah state code as a buck deer with an outside antler...

Series of snow storms greeted with joy, despite headaches

by David Boyle New Director A series of large snowstorms brought a ton of needed water to San Juan County, and some challenges to accompany it. The series of storms has brought the deepest snow pack in area mountains for this time of the winter season in 18 years. On Tuesday, January 17, San Juan...

Balloons set to soar above Bluff January 13-15

By Andrew Gulliford Contributing writer Every Western small town crows about its festivals, but only Bluff, Utah has balloons that launch beneath red rock cliffs on cool January mornings. Balloons gracefully glide upward with a low hiss and then move at the mercy of the wind. Eager visitors and...

No severe injuries in La Sal Mountain helicopter crash

There were no serious injuries after a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) helicopter with three occupants crashed in the La Sal Mountains in northern San Juan County. According to the San Juan County Sheriff Jason Torgerson, the men were evacuated from the crash site by a Utah Division of...

It’s not a job, it’s her way of life. Heidi Redd is a true cowgirl, and that was officially confirmed when she was inducted as a member of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. Gary Torres photo

Heidi Redd named to Cowgirl Hall of Fame

A Real American Cowgirl – Heidi Redd I am on my way to interview Heidi Redd, so I am driving down Indian Creek to the Dugout Ranch listening to the John Denver song, I’d Rather be a Cowboy. Heidi is going to be inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. If I am...

BLM lifts voluntary climbing avoidance areas in Indian Creek

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has lifted seasonal climbing avoidance areas in the Indian Creek corridor. The agency welcomes the public to use the climbing walls and areas within the Indian Creek corridor that were previously included in the voluntary avoidance areas to benefit raptors. “We...