Staff

If you would like to contact a member of the staff directly, the following is their e-mail information. You can also reach them at 970.878.4017 or 970.675.5033.

Sean McMahon, editor
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Janae Stansworth, subscriptions, classifieds, legal notices, display ads and billing
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Debbie Watson, classifieds, display ads and billing
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Tonya Morris, ad and page design, Colorado Hunting Club GM
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Niki Turner, Meeker town beat, proofreader, ad design
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Mitch Bettis, publisher
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Farm and ranch crews had to wait until area ponds and lakes froze over before they could begin the arduous task of cutting blocks of ice from the frozen surface and transporting those blocks back to the farm or ranch in sufficient quantities to last through the year.

Having ice a tough task in old days before refrigeration

MEEKER I Early employees of the 101 Ranch, now the Rio Blanco Ranch, may remember the “ice house” and going out to cut blocks of ice to be used for refrigeration throughout the year—or as long as it would last. This method was used in communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s until advancements […]

Shelton dominated the 2A 170-pound bracket, including a pin against Jon Hickman of Lyons in the championship match.

Shelton wins second Colorado state wrestling title — Cowboys finish 3rd in team standings

MEEKER | “T.J. just dominated his opponents,” Meeker head wrestling coach J.C. Watt said of sophomore T.J. Shelton, who won his second individual title at the 2014 Colorado State Wrestling Championships over the weekend in Denver. Meeker’s Tristin Pelloni (113) and Devon Pontine (160) made it to the championship match in their respective weights, finishing […]

Colorado Northwestern Community College sophomore Alyssa Magalong, left, the 2013-2014 Miss Colorado Teen and The Pageant U.S. National Teen, grins with her hairstylist, Gina, in July after cutting off her ponytail for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths hair donation program. Magalong, CNCC LearningTrek students and the community education department are promoting a ponytail cutting event on March 20 to benefit women with cancer. There are a number of other classes/activities just picking up for the spring semester, just for education, some for community involvement and some for fun.

Hair donations just one of many CNCC activities available

RANGELY I A hair donation drive to benefit women battling cancer is one of several community education course offerings at Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) this spring. Alyssa Magalong, a CNCC sophomore who is also the 2013-2014 Miss Colorado Teen and The Pageant U.S. National Teen, will host the Pantene Beautiful Lengths ponytail cutting event […]

On Feb. 3, Meeker Elementary School celebrated its success with a Library Book Carnival in the gym and music/storytelling in the library. Local musicians Jean Newman, Johnny Barton and Mary Kay Kruger shared their talents playing mandolin, guitar, banjo and electric guitar. Storytellers Mandy Etheridge and Georgann Amack shared southern tales between the musical numbers.

MES Library keeps kids busy, entertained

MEEKER I During January, Meeker Elementary School students enjoyed special happenings in the library. Students enjoyed a 4-H program presented by Dessa Watson and Jamie Moyer as well as Science Week and Spirit Week. Students and staff checked out 2,156 books during January. On Feb. 3, the school celebrated their success with a Library Book […]

Trapping in large numbers began in the mid-1800s in the Northern Rockies and slowly worked its way south from Montana, through Wyoming and into Colorado’s northwest corner. Anything with fur was fair game for the trappers. Pictured above is a bear trap on display at the White River Museum in Meeker.

Area trappers moved in from North

RBC I The era of fur trapping and earning a bounty for predation animals has long since passed. However, trapping was an integral part of the history of our Rio Blanco County area as well as the entire western United States. Early trading with Native Americans was a substantial part of American history and as […]

Roughly 40 people, including a few Rangely residents, attended the Citizens Forum on Economic Development held Saturday afternoon at the Meeker Hotel. Local input and input from Delta, Colo., regarding local tourism promotion were front and center at the forum. Standing far left is emcee Brian Conrado. Also standing is MACC President Gary Zellers, talking about the need for new revenue coming into Meeker.

Local development forum eyes growth for Meeker

MEEKER I Roughly 40 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the Meeker Hotel to listen to several presentations of ideas geared to promote economic development in the Meeker area, focusing on expanded marketing and improved communications. The Rio Blanco Citizens for Economic Development hosted the event, which was kicked off by Kelli Hepler, the agri-tourism director […]

Rector Science Building Tour

On Friday, Rangely Mayor Frank Huitt, left, accompanies Colorado Northwest Community College President Russell George as he gives an update and tour of the renovation and expansion of the Rector Science Building on the Rangely campus. The remodel is estimated to be complete by the end of March or early April, and classes should be […]

RHS senior royalty…

Rangely High School senior royalty candidates from left to right: Ryan Wilczek, McKale Pennell, Wesley Goddard, Chelsea Ficken, Tessa Slagle and Connor Phelan.