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The Southeast Utah Health Department confirmed an additional confirmed case of COVID-19 in Grand County on May 22, while four previous positive cases were declared "recovered."
Friday, May 22, 2020
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As the Grand County Council moves towards creating a budget in the midst of a pandemic and economic crisis, the prospect of deep cuts and a lean future led to a brief conversation about how deep payroll cuts at the Council will go and what services must continue to be funded at all costs.
Before the global coronavirus pandemic took center stage, a proposed parking structure in downtown Moab was the hot local topic.
While the remainder of Utah was declared to be at “Low Risk” by Gov. Gary Herbert on May 16, Grand County was among a handful of counties and cities to remain with higher restrictions in place.
The Whole Enchilada mountain biking route is one of Moab’s signature attractions. Officially designated by the Forest Service in 2009, the scenic and challenging trail covers about 30 miles, descending over 7,000 feet from Geyser Pass to the banks of the Colorado River.
Photo caption: “If the people can’t go out to hear music, we’re going to bring the music to the people,” said a statement from Moab’s party marching band, the Fiery Furnace Marching Band. With appropriate social distancing precautions, the funky brass band announced that they will be marchin…
After having their senior year in high school curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic, some Grand County High School students went to work with staff to design a graduation ceremony that would be memorable, safe and meaningful for all.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Shik Han and Liz Dana Han welcomed their daughter, Magnolia Grace, to the world on May 15 at 9:43 a.m. at Moab Regional Hospital. “She’s a happy, healthy baby and loves every bit of the 24/7 attention she’s getting!” said the proud parents. [Courtesy Photo]
Michael Ray Arehart was born December 5, 1950, to Edgar Thorpe (Bud) and Edna Lenore Johnson Arehart in Salmon, Idaho. He returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on May 14, 2020, due to respiratory failure.
Volunteers and saff from the Moab Arts and Recreation Center brought some optimism and creative spirit to Center Street, painting a new mural along the crosswalk in front of the Center Street Gym. "We're hoping to do murals on many crosswalks in town," said MARC Assistant Director Makeda Bar…
Richard J Fullam III, 68, died in his Castle Valley home on May 9 after a long battle with throat cancer.
Grand County Middle School student Liam Clark was awarded first place in this year’s Americanism Essay contest, after a competition that History teacher Mr. Sokolowski said was “fierce.” Silver Turner and Amelia McKay came in second and third place in the contest, which is put on by the Amer…
Friday, May 15, 2020
With few tourists and months of lost income, many Moab businesses are in a perilous position, balancing economic pressure with concerns about customer and employee safety. Respecting public health orders, each is creating an individual plan for how their business will adapt to the “new normal.”
Moab City Council held a workshop before their regular May 12 meeting to discuss raising water rates for city residents and businesses. As an enterprise fund, the city’s water fund is supposed to be self-sustaining, like a business. As Moab City Engineer Chuck Williams stated in a presentati…
On May 13, Zion National Park is set to begin a phased reopening amid a nationwide push to reopen businesses and public land. Arches and Canyonlands will follow suit at the end of the month on May 29 after two months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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At the regular Moab City Council meeting on May 12, the city’s budget was the main topic of discussion. Like the county government, even before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the national and local economies the city was already making tough decisions to balance their budget.
River Martucci does a ‘rock and roll’ at the Swanny City Park skate park on May 12. [Photo by Muruce D. Miller / Moab Sun News]
Aaron Shumway of Redd Mechanical is getting parts needed for a project from Standard plumbing’s new location at 1145 S. Hwy 191. [Photo by Murice D. Miller / /Moab Sun News]
Work has commenced at the site of a planned clinic in Spanish Valley, less than one mile from the Grand / San Juan County border and about 8 miles from Moab Regional Hospital. In January, representatives from MRH spoke to the Grand County Council, asking for the council to support MRH in opp…
Four candidates in the race for the Republican Party’s nomination for Utah Governor met virtually on May 7 due to the coronavirus pandemic, which also dominated the debate topics.
Josie Kovash and Michael Edwards gave their moms a new granddaughter for Mother’s Day. Their daughter, Hunter Moon Pierre Edwards, was born at 8:27 p.m. on May 10.
In a legal blow to plans for a 150-room hotel and resort adjacent to the Sand Flats Recreation Area, the Utah Supreme Court declined to examine a lower court’s ruling that the City of Moab and City Council entered into a contract for the project that violated Moab’s own laws. The decision wa…
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
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A seven-year-old Utah girl has died and her three-year-old sister remains missing a day after their family was caught in a flash flood on May 11 in Little Wild Horse Canyon, a popular slot canyon near Goblin Valley State Park.
Monday, May 11, 2020
A search and rescue operation is currently underway in the San Rafael Swell near Goblin Valley State Park, where over 20 hikers were caught in flash floods in Little Wild Horse Canyon, a popular slot canyon, during a thunderstorm.
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Arches and Canyonlands National Parks will open its trails and roads to visitors again on May 29 after two months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday, May 07, 2020
Moonflower Community Cooperative employee Brad Hanson completes a grocery order for a customer utilizing the store’s curbside pickup service. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as in grocer…
Amid all the discussion of science and economics as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Moab area, for some the most important question is clear: how do I pay my rent?
Add field research to the long list of activities delayed or modified because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The two main topics of discussion at the Grand County Council meeting April 30 were the response to the coronavirus pandemic and the county’s grim budget outlook.
Britton Buford enjoys the springtime weather while doing an L-sit exercise in Swanny City Park on Monday, May 4. [Photo by Murice D. Miller / Moab Sun News]
Full Circle Intertribal Center Director Kristen Ramirez-Marsh marked the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls on May 5 along with other board members and volunteers.
The Southeast Utah Health Department confirmed an additional positive test for COVID-19 in Grand County on the evening of May 4, after announcing earlier in the day that three previous positive cases were declared “recovered.”
The Grand County School District is marking Teacher Appreciation Week, as educators are adjusting to distance learning and online classes.
As of May 5, San Juan County now has 119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 after the Utah Navajo Health System and the Utah Department of Health’s Utah Public Health Laboratory instituted local outreach testing.
On April 30, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued orders that require all employees of Utah businesses to wear masks. This order goes further than the locally drafted public health order that had been scheduled to go into effect, which only required businesses considered “high-risk” to have facial …
Monday, May 04, 2020
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The Southeast Utah Health Department confirmed an additional positive test for COVID-19 in Grand County the evening of May 4, after announcing earlier in the day that three previous positive cases were declared "recovered."
Saturday, May 02, 2020
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Friday, May 01, 2020
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The revised order for Grand County goes into effect today, allowing some businesses considered high-risk to public health to reopen with safety precautions.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
“People want to go back to work,” said Carl Albrecht, Representative for Utah House District 70, which includes Moab, in an April 23 conversation with the Moab Sun News.
Moab resident Ashley Cloward serves as a perch for two of her new baby chicks. Blanche (who is perched on her shoulder) and SharpTooth are about three weeks old and were purchased from Farm and City (850 S. Main St.). [Photo courtesy of Ashley Cloward]
As recent public health orders allow hotels and motels to accept visitors to Moab, Grand County officials sent out a warning to tourists: don't come here thinking you'll hike to Delicate Arch.
Lop's Pop Stop, located at 1004 S. Main St., recently celebrated five years of being in business serving purees, shakes, ice cream and more. [Photo courtesy of Lop's Pop Stop Facebook]
Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan announced that the department’s paralegal, Kema Johnson, will join the Grand County Attorney's Office as the new deputy county attorney after she is licensed to practice law.
Gary Wade Campbell passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on April 27.
Utah State University Moab is celebrating one of its largest graduating classes ever, with 28 certificates being awarded including two bachelor’s degrees and eight master’s degrees according to university officials.
At their regular meeting on April 28, Moab City Council heard an extensive update on the coronavirus response from community health leaders, and discussed how state actions may affect local decision-making. They also considered how they will respond to a significant pending oil and gas lease…
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office Division of Search and Rescue responded to two separate incidents where Grand County residents were injured on Saturday, April 25.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued orders that require all employees of Utah businesses to wear masks. This order goes further than the locally-drafted public health order scheduled to go into effect tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
David Haworth, 84, passed away on April 17 at Canyonlands Care Center. He was the father of Evan Haworth. Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held in Franklin, Idaho at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
Kenneth W. Dull, 66, passed away on April 17 at his home in Moab, Utah.
Alvin Earl Shinkle, 72, passed away on April 19 at his home in Moab from complications from a chronic illness.
