by David Boyle
News Director
A tornado in San Juan County destroyed homes and caused significant damage in the McCracken Mesa and Cahone Mesa areas on Saturday September 13.
Multiple tornado funnels and touchdowns were spotted across southern San Juan County and into Colorado as part of the storm system.
The incident has drawn national news coverage as tornadoes are incredibly rare in San Juan County.

Tewakeedah Rain Spirit Martin of Montezuma Creek was crowned the 2025-26 Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen on August 8. The daughter of Mabel and Kevin Martin, her mother Mabel told the Navajo Times that she is the first Navajo Utahn to be crowned at the event. Courtesy photo

Bluff and Montezuma Creek firefighters mounted an aerial attack on October 23rd to extinguish a fire in the Aneth oil field.
Photo credit: Gary Lichtenstein

The $152 million Energy Corridor highway project is underway in southeast San Juan County. Over the next year, State Highways 261 and 262 will see significant work along the entire 35-mile length of the two state highways.
Officials state that extremely cooperative weather conditions has resulted in steady progress and few obstacles.

by Bill Boyle
San Juan Record Editor
Work crews will begin work soon on a massive road project in southeast San Juan County. Groundbreaking ceremonies on the 54-mile, $152 million project took place on August 13 in Montezuma Creek.

A federal jury convicted Randy Lansing, age 40 of Aneth, for murder in the second degree.
The four-day trial took place before U.S. District Court Judge David Nuffer at the United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City and was prosecuted by United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tad May and Tanner Zumwalt.

by David Boyle
News Director
The Utah Navajo Commission met on October 17 in Denehotso.
Members of the Navajo Utah Commission appointed Council Delegate Curtis Yanito as the chairperson, with Teec Nos Pos Chapter President Kenny Victor as the vice chair.
After accepting the appointment, Yanito spoke about priorities for the commission. First listed is an ask to see water rights issues brought up every month.

by David Boyle
News Director
The nearly 100-year-old iconic Goulding properties in Monument Valley are moving closer to changing ownership to the Navajo Nation.
Members of the Navajo Nation Council approved legislation on October 17 to approve the purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge for $59.5 million.

by David Boyle
News Director
Tribal, federal and state agencies are working through the next steps to bring water infrastructure to the Navajo Utah strip.
Federal and state representatives outlined the next steps at recent meetings in Montezuma Creek and Monument Valley (see SJR July 19, 2023)
More recently Navajo Nation Leaders met on June 30 to receive an update on the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement.

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission denied a request to sale beer at a Montezuma Creek store, approved a zone change to a 72-acre project in Spanish Valley, and received reports from a state department at their May 16 meeting.
The Commission denied the request for off-premise beer sales at the Family Dollar in Montezuma Creek.

Students at Whitehorse High School participated in the annual Miss Indian Broken Trail pageant on May 4. Pictured are: (left to right) 1st Attendant Ashanti Shorty, 2023-24 Miss Indian Broken Trail Kyalee Benally, 2022-23 Miss Indian Broken Trail Leionna Silas, and Miss Navajo Nation Valentina Clitso.

Members of the Navajo Utah Commission approved resolutions requesting Red Mesa Road be designated a state road, a resolution requesting funds for a feasibility study for a shopping center in Montezuma Creek, and received reports as part of their latest meeting.

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Navajo Utah Commission discussed road issues, polling locations and ASC offices at their September 13 meeting.
Members of the commission heard from UDOT Region 4 Director Monte Aldridge and Utah Rural Public Transit Program manager Alana Spendlove regarding transportation concerns.

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Navajo Utah Commission gathered three separate entities with responsibilities and interest to maintain roads on the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation at a September 2 meeting.

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Navajo Utah Commission passed a resolution asking for matching funds for the Navajo Mountain Chapter Building Renovation project and also discussed road needs on the Navajo Utah strip at their latest meeting.