San Juan County

Water year was wetter than normal, but drought designation returns

Despite a dry end to the recently-completed water year, San Juan County experienced a remarkable wet year. The water year runs from October 1 to September 30 every year. In the past year, Monticello received 136 percent of normal precipitation, including receiving ten feet of snow. Monticello had...

Elected officials meet from federal, tribal, state, county, and community groups

A group of elected officials met on Wednesday, October 2 in Blanding, including Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Congressman John Curtis. The group included tribal, federal, state, county, and community leaders. According to President Nez, the focus of the discussion was “how the entities...

County considers large property tax increase

A tax increase may be coming to property owners in San Juan County. The county introduced the possibility at a Commission meeting in Blanding on October 1. The tax increase may be coming from three separate county taxing entities, with a comparatively small increase from the county library and...

SJ School Board gets construction update, hears school reports

The San Juan School Board met on September 11 at Whitehorse High School in Montezuma Creek. Business Administrator Kyle Hosler provided a brief update of the progress on construction projects for Bluff Elementary School and the Montezuma Creek Elementary School gymnasium. Both projects are...

San Juan County agrees to $2.6 million settlement for attorney fees for seven-year voting rights/redistricting case

San Juan County will pay $2.6 million in legal fees to make a settlement in the massive voting rights lawsuit between the county and the Navajo Nation. The settlement was approved at a special meeting of the San Juan County Commission on September 24. The $2.6 million is for the Navajo Nation...

San Juan County is not broke: Legal fee settlement may be painful, but it is not likely to bankrupt county

DUST IN THE WIND While it is not as bad as many people think, it also isn’t as good as we may be accustomed. I am referring to the financial status of San Juan County. In September, county officials – including Commissioner Bruce Adams, Attorney Kendall Laws, and Interim Administrator David...

San Juan Record adapts to changes, expands to meet reader needs

The San Juan Record is in the process of developing a “2020 Vision” as the information industry continues to grow and transform. This vision will result in a few changes in coming weeks. “Our readership has never been larger,” said San Juan Record Publisher Bill Boyle. “The challenge is making...

Judge rejects SUWA motion in public lands case

With a scathing rebuke, a federal judge rejected a motion by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) to become a full-party participant in a landmark public lands case. Judge Clark Waddoups ruled on September 5 that SUWA could participate in a massive case regarding RS-2477 road rights-of-way...

Blanding City Council calls for county civility

The Blanding City Council called for civility and cooperation among San Juan County residents in an August 27 meeting. The council discussed a letter and press release condemning the comments former San Juan County Commissioner Mark Maryboy made in a Mexican Water town hall meeting held August 22...

Fugitives are still at large after overpowering guards

San Juan County was apparently the setting in the past week when two prisoners escaped from custody while being transported from Henrietta, NY to Tucson, AZ. The two overpowered a two-person transport team on August 26, soon after leaving from the San Juan County jail in Monticello. Initial...