The Meeker Herald
125 years ago
– Sheriff Wilber returned in the fore part of the week from Pueblo where he left Robert McKee with the asylum authorities. For his services the sheriff has a charge of $240.15, which with the expense of the inquisition proceedings, will come out of the insane man’s estate, which includes a fine ranch on Piceance.
The Meeker Herald
100 years ago
– Help Uncle Sam to win the war. You can do it by complying with the new food regulations. Under the new regulations merchants are restricted from selling you meat and wheat products on certain days.
– Joe Collom has sold his ranch at Axial to a Chicago capitalist named Streeter, and with it goes the famous Collom coal mine, which carries a vein of pure coal 25 feet in thickness. Joe Collom is a pioneer in the Axial region, being in that section when the Ute Indian outbreak of 1879 took place; and it is related how he and about a dozen other pioneers of that vintage took shelter in a stout log cabin situated near the present Lay post office and held the “fort” until the coming of Colonel Merritt and the Fifth Cavalry.
The Meeker Herald
50 years ago
– Miss Mary K. Villa, senior student at Meeker high, last Friday night at the basketball game, was named Sweetheart Queen of 1969. Miss Villa received a bouquet of red and white carnations from Mrs. Dale Frisby, ESA chairman, which organization sponsored the contest. Gift certificates by Avery’s and A. Oldland & Co., were presented to the queen by Mayor Bob Brubaker. All proceeds from the Sweetheart contest will go to the Heart Fund.
– The possibility of licensing snowmobiles was discussed—briefly but heatedly—during a meeting of the Senate Game, Fish and Parks Committee Thursday. The committee reported out favorably a bill which would allow the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to designate special areas in the state as restricted areas, where over-snow vehicles may not operate. A companion bill, which generally sets up guidelines for the operation of snowmobiles, was not acted upon but did spark the initial comments on licensing.
– Officers and directors of the Rio Blanco Stockgrowers Association., following the annual meeting in Meeker Saturday afternoon. Starting from the left and going clockwise around the group, are Dallas Collins, Forrest Nelson, Ben Franklin, Clanton Buckles, Tom Pearce, Jack Russell, Bud Norell, David Smith, Bill Brennan and Ray Nelson. Directors not present are Robert LaGrange, J. Gentry and Pat Johnson.
The Meeker Herald
25 years ago
– Rio Blanco County Clerk and Recorder Nancy Amick says that she has had two candidates turn in petitions for the Sheriff’s election this fall. Sheriff Pete Larson will be looking to retain his job and Rangely’s senior sheriff’s deputy Dave Raley has also thrown his hat into the ring. Both candidates are running on the Republican ticket. Meeker Chief of Police Si Woodruff, who has expressed interest in the position in the past, has yet to decide whether or not to enter the race. County caucuses are set for April 5, followed by the county assembly to be held between April 15 and May 5. The primary’s will be held Aug. 9 and the election on Nov. 8.
– When you want credit and recognition for a job well done, some people just seem to have to work harder for it than others. The Meeker Cowboy wrestling team is definitely in the “same” category. After defeating state-ranked 2A, 3A and 4A teams through the season, going undefeated in league action and qualifying 11 for the state tourney last weekend, there was still very little said of coach Mike Tate’s squad. Even after advancing nine past opening round action on Friday, the focus remained elsewhere. A few passing comments were made by Denver press after Meeker pushed nine Cowboys into the metal round on Saturday and opened up a virtually insurmountable team lead over Olathe Pirates, but it really wasn’t until late Saturday night that the black and gold finally received their just desserts when there were awarded the class 3A state wrestling title before record crowds gathered at McNichols Arena.
Rangely Times
50 years ago
– Oil and gas leases on 7,599 acres of public land will be auctioned through competitive sealed bids March 19 at the Land Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Denver. Twenty-four parcels’ within the known geologic structure of the Bell Rock, Canadian River, Elk Springs-Winter Valley, Rangely, South McCallum, and Sulphur Creek fields will be up for auction at 2 p.m., on that date according to J. Elliott Hall, Land Office manager. The tracts are located in Jackson, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties, and range in size from 39 to 640 acres.
– The grand opening held last Friday and Saturday at Yaeger Lumber & Hardware Co. here was a big success, with several hundred visitors during the two days. Manager Bud Slaugh said this week that he was extremely well pleased with response to date for the business. He announced a change in hours for the store on Saturdays, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, until spring when it will be open all day Saturday.
Rangely Times
25 years ago
– In Denver, Roxie Long will share the stage with nationally known kid entertainers such as Jodie Sweeten (Stephanie) of “Full House.” After her show, she’ll sign autographs and head home. Chipeta Opry of Ouray, Colo., has expressed an interest in having Roxie appear as a guest throughout their summer season, most of the Opry acts are regulars on the show each night, but thought Roxie would bring some excitement to their stage with her oldies and country. So the year of slowing down and fishing has been totally blown out of the water for Roxie.
– On Thursday, Feb. 3, Mrs. Williams’ first grade class opened a “Beach Mall” in their classroom. Students in beach attire and surrounded by palm trees were busy selling shoes, clothing, toys, books, groceries, and pets. We even had a movie theatre complete with popcorn! The children were busy tending their stores when the parents came to shop.
