Public lands across the United States will waive day fees on August 5 to commemorate the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 into law this week.
Friday, July 31, 2020
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At their regular meeting on July 28, the Moab City Council discussed two policy changes being crafted by city staff: a temporary avenue for local restaurants to create outdoor dining areas and a formal procedure for collecting public input on proposed uses of city property.
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States this spring, many industries slowed to a crawl and unemployment rates spiked. Many retail stores shut their doors and laid off employees, unsure of when they would be able to reopen, legally or ethically. Many outdoor equipment manufact…
As the nationwide debate over the reopening of schools rages, residents and school officials are trying to come up with plans that meet the needs of local families.
The Dalton Wells area north of Moab is known as the discovery site of the Utahraptor, a species of dinosaur that lived in the Early Cretaceous period. The scenic desert landscape overlooks green-tinted hills and is an access point for trail systems and a popular spot for dispersed camping.
The National Park Service announced that Patricia Trap will become superintendent of the Southeast Utah Group Area National Parks, which includes Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments.
A report released on July 21 by investigative journalism nonprofit Propublica revealed how politics, rather than public health policy, steered Utah’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and made special mention of Grand County. The article, written by journalists Lisa Song and Mollie Simon, ma…
The Grand County Search and Rescue reported that on July 26, a 54-year-old Texas man fell 200 feet to his death while hiking with his family on the west rim of Dead Horse Point State Park. A National Park Service Ranger was able to rappel to the man’s location and confirm that he had not sur…
The Grand County Motorized Trail Committee and volunteers including Randall Fox, Clif Koontz, Doug McElhaney, Shannon Sweeten, and Zane Taylor spent over 40 hours this month cutting overgrown scrub oak from the Brumley Creek four-wheel-drive trail in the La Sal Mountains. “The oak was actual…
The Moab Valley Fire Department honored local David Nissen on July 21, noting his “outstanding bravery and selflessness.” Nissen helped two neighbors escape from the room of a home as flames engulfed the front of the residence. Tracey Lemon, one of the residents, said “I can't express how my…
Moab residents Joshua and Chelsea Jensen welcomed baby Owen Vernon on July 11. Born at Moab Regional Hospital, Owen weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Congratulations to the happy family! [courtesy photo]
Gayle McKeel Stevenson, 60, peacefully passed away at her home in Moab on July 25.
Moab youth juggled, stilt-walked, tumbled and clowned around at their final performance after a multi-day camp run by Phoenix Youth Circus Arts. This is the fourth year that the group has offered circus arts classes in the area. [Kevin D. Brydie / Moab Sun News]
Thursday, July 23, 2020
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Schools in the Grand County school district will reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with a host of additional hygiene measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students, teachers and their families. However, as in districts across the country, concerns remain about how …
The Grand County Council revisited a contentious Spanish Valley development application at their regular meeting on July 21. The issue was postponed, for a second time, to a later meeting.
A city park focused on developing basic bike skills is moving ahead despite continued controversy over its location.
Local photographer Susan Magnano caught this glimpse of the newly-discovered comet referred to by astronomers as Neowise in the skies above Moab. Noticed by scientists in March of this year, the bright comet will be visible to the naked eye about an hour after sunset for the next few days. I…
Business closures and reduced tourism have hit Grand County’s economy hard, with unemployment rates among the highest in Utah. Lost wages, added to the region’s high cost of housing, led many to worry about covering their rent beginning in April. For many in the community, federally boosted …
A house on Moab’s Mountain View Drive caught on fire on July 17, reportedly forcing a young man and his mother to escape from the home before flames engulfed the front of the residence. Moab Valley Fire quickly responded and contained the fire. Moab City Police Department officials reported …
Taylor Bane and his sons, Tristan and Austin, practice baseball on a July afternoon at the Center Street Ballpark. [Murice D. Miller / Moab Sun News]
The Grand County Council and Planning Commission held a joint workshop on July 21 before the council’s regular meeting to discuss a “small area development plan” for the Highway 191 corridor roughly between the junction with Highway 313 and the Moab Airport.
Margaret Naomi Cochran of Moab died on July 14, 2020, at the age of 97. She was born on June 20, 1923, in Bristol, Tennessee, as the third of four children of the Reverend Edwin Bittle Smith and Margaret Henderson Smith.
To adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, Utah State University announced they will offer multiple ways for students to return for the fall semester, including traditional face-to-face classes, online classes, and options that combine a bit of both. The semester begins on August 31.
Friday, July 17, 2020
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The state of Utah added ten more confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on July 14, adding to the growing evidence of a surge of positive cases in the state. Locally, Grand County has reported its first hospitalization of a resident as cases grew to 28 positives, with 18 people considered recovered.
American society’s ongoing reckoning with racism and sexism is sparking conversations even among people who, in the past, have often felt removed from these issues. Small towns, rural areas and niche groups are reflecting on their cultures through the lens of equality. Now, rock climbers are…
Zion National Park reopened on May 13 without its shuttle service. Instead, the National Park Service relied on the 400 parking spaces along the scenic drive to serve visitors going to iconic trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows.
Southeast Utah Health Department Environmental Health Director Orion Rogers receives a swab for COVID-19 during a free mobile testing event put on by the department on July 14. [Murice D. Miller / Moab Sun News]
The Grand Conservation District announced an award to Moab’s Youth Garden Project to support the area nonprofit’s attempts to address food security during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Moab Regional Hospital has instituted safety procedures for all staff, patients and visitors to protect against the spread of COVID-19, standard hospital services are also being offered including skin screenings, sports physicals and expanded oncology services.
Margaret Naomi Cochran, 97, passed away on July 14, 2020, at Canyonlands Care Center. Cremation will be taking place and a graveside service will be held at a later date at the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, VA.
Pat was born in Plainview, TX to Elmo “Tex” & Eileen Anglin. She was the oldest of five children and in her younger years worked as a backup singer for country star Lefty Frizzell. Pat was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, as were both of her parents & late husband. Pat love…
Thursday, July 16, 2020
School districts across Utah are revealing their reopening plans for the fall, negotiating public health concerns and the needs of parents and students. The Grand County School District approved its proposed plan for the 2020-2021 school year on July 15, aiming to reopen schools for in-perso…
Friday, July 10, 2020
Grand County Council tackled several contentious topics at their regular meeting on July 7. In addition to an ordinance requiring the use of masks in shared public spaces, a letter opposing the Bureau of Land Management’s September oil and gas lease sale was approved and the council heard co…
COVID-19 case numbers have stayed low in Grand County, but some local residents know the dangers of the illness all too well. Don Wiseman, a Moab resident, caught the virus while working as a ski instructor this winter in Crested Butte, Colorado.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the economy and the effects are felt most acutely by those who were already struggling financially.
Zacharia Levine has served as the head of Grand County’s Department of Community and Economic Development for over five years. Recently, Levine announced he will be leaving his post at the county to become the director of corporate development and social responsibility at the Synergy Company…
Free testing for COVID-19 will be available on July 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Southeast Utah Health Department offices (575 S. Kane Creek Blvd., Moab) through mobile units from the Utah Public Health Lab. Advance registration is strongly recommended and a mask must be worn.
Evan Ellison and Jessie Anderson were announced as the 2020 Moab Half Marathon scholarship recipients. The scholarship is awarded based on running participation, need and passion for running as a lifetime choice. Ellison has said he will attend Utah State University and Anderson will attend …
Shirley J. Shelton passed away on July 4, 2020, in Moab, Utah. She was born on Sept. 17, 1934, and raised in Clifton, Colorado. She was the youngest of six children born to Ralph and Leona Oberly. Shirley is survived by her sister, Leona Gardner of Leisureville, California.
As the sun was rising in the sky and a beautiful rainbow peeked out of the clouds, our sweet mother, grandmother and friend passed away on July 4, 2020.
Plants are sending out signals all the time. Have you noticed?
Wednesday, July 08, 2020
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In Grand County, masks will be required in public places where physical distancing is impossible, including businesses and government buildings.
Friday, July 03, 2020
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The Grand County Council voted to recommend that the public be required to wear masks in indoor public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the county.
Moab resident Susan Magnano called in a fire near the Hal Canyon Campground along River Road (state Route 128) at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 27. Fire Department officials said that about one acre of dry brush burned downstream from the camping area. Investigators said the fire was hu…
Public health officials are raising concerns that voluntarily-enforced policies aren’t enough to contain the spread of COVID-19 amid record-setting spikes in positive tests in Utah and across the southwest.
At a special meeting on June 30, the Grand County Council discussed, among other items, organizational restructuring. The topic was prompted by the recent announcement from Zacharia Levine, Director of the Community and Economic Development Department, that he will be resigning from his posi…
Moab resident Felecia Amundsen found herself with a little extra time this summer. Because of coronavirus complications, one seasonal job ended earlier than planned, and her next employment started a month late.
Jamie Carter was recognized as Veterans of Foreign Wars' Teacher of the Year for the entire State of Utah. Carter teaches fifth grade at Helen M. Knight Elementary School. Pictured, left to right, are State Inspector Russell Pogue, VFW 10900 Commander Terry Lance, Jamie Carter and State of U…
The City of Moab announced that planned Independence Day events would be canceled "due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state and out of an abundance of caution," a statement read.
Milo A. Randall, 82, passed away on June 29, 2020, at his home in Moab after a long battle with multiple illnesses.
Staff at Helen M. Knight Elementary School distributed free boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables on Tuesday, June 30, for all in the Moab community experiencing food insecurity. “Thank you to our fabulous Nutrition and Food people who put this together for the people in Moab,” HMK officials s…
