Opinion

Editorial: What’s the purpose of a local newspaper?

Niki Turner, Editor
Niki Turner, Editor
RBC I First of all, hello! My husband Pat and I are excited about our return to Rio Blanco County.
We’re looking forward to meeting new people and getting reacquainted with old friends. We’ve been away for four years and we’re glad to be moving back to where we raised our family from 1998 to 2012.
I’m excited and a little nervous to write this introductory column. Newspapers and the newspaper business have been a major part of my life since I was 5 years old. I wonder sometimes if ink gets in the bloodstream and you can’t get it out.

My parents began a motor route newspaper distributorship in the Roaring Fork Valley when I was in kindergarten. I rode along with them in the early morning hours (starting at 2 a.m., seven days a week) sleeping on the floorboards of the pickup while they delivered the now-defunct Rocky Mountain News.
Their distributorship expanded over the years to include the Denver Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and everywhere in between. Thankfully, I only had to ride along for the first few years.
Some of my early memories involve being awakened by a ringing telephone in the pre-dawn hours to explain to elderly Mrs. Williams in Glenwood that I didn’t know why her paper was late because I was only 10-years-old. She called at least once a week anyway. People get very emotional about their newspapers.
When I turned 16 and could drive I got my own route, starting at 4 a.m. weekdays and 2 a.m. weekends, filling racks and flinging papers out my Jeep window into driveways and lawns from Carbondale to Basalt.
At 18 I became the production manager for the Bargainhunter, a weekly shopper. I was hired as a typesetter, typing in classifieds, but the production manager walked out two weeks after I started work. We were just transitioning from the old days of wax rollers, cut-and-paste, and border tape to the new world of desktop publishing, and I was young enough to read the manual and figure out the program, so the job became mine. Learn-as-you-go has been a way of life for me.
I took a hiatus from the paper business to get married, have four beautiful children, and moved to Meeker with my husband.
I started working at the Herald Times 16 years ago this month, and have filled various positions over the years. For the last two I’ve been working remotely from my family’s ranch near Harvey Gap as the production manager and page designer.
Sitting in the editor/publisher seat is something entirely different than anything I’ve done so far. Taking on the responsibility of a 132-year-old newspaper—one of only a few independently owned and operated newspapers in Colorado—is a weighty thing.
For the last few weeks I’ve been examining my thoughts and beliefs about what a local newspaper should be, especially in this modern digital age.
There’s a lot of (mostly accurate) grumbling about “mass media” and “corporate media” these days, and it’s easy to lump all media outlets into that group, but a local newspaper is a different creature than your network television news or a giant media conglomerate. Or it should be, in my opinion.
A local newspaper is a living history textbook. It tells the stories of the people it represents and the journey they are on together. Within its pages we should see pictures of our kids and grandkids, find announcements of marriages and births and obituaries, read about the interesting things your friends and neighbors are accomplishing or learn about their struggles (and hopefully be inspired to offer congratulations or lend a helping hand). While ESPN probably isn’t going to report on the local high school’s homecoming football game, the community newspaper will.
And while many of us use social media for a lot of those things now (and we’ll be making more use of those outlets for your convenience both in getting the news and in helping our advertisers market their businesses) there’s nothing quite like seeing your name in print or being able to cut out your grandchild’s birth announcement to frame, or saving a loved one’s obituary in the family Bible or a scrapbook. Printing it out yourself at home just isn’t quite the same. There’s something about having it “in the paper” that validates and immortalizes an event in a way a tweet or a Facebook post can’t.
By the way, we will continue to print announcements and obituaries free of charge, so don’t hesitate to email them or drop them by the office. If they have a local connection, they are part of our collective story. Took a fabulous picture this week? Don’t just put it on Instagram, send it to the paper. We’ll make every effort to include it as space allows.
Additionally, and of greater weight and importance, the local paper should keep you informed about the goings-on in your local government, because there’s nowhere else you’re going to get that information unless you’re willing to attend all those board and council meetings in person yourself, and who has time for that? We’ll make every effort to cover the town and county meetings, as well as school boards and other taxing-district boards. Will we get to them all? Probably not, but we’re going to make a Herculean effort.
On that note, I’m asking for your help. A newspaper, perhaps more than other businesses, doesn’t operate in a vacuum. If you have a story idea, or a suggestion for something you’d like to see in the paper, please drop us an email, call the office, or send us a message on Facebook. We aren’t omniscient. We need “citizen reporters” to feed us information, to give us a “heads up” about things that are going on throughout the county.
People are the news, and you are the people. This is your story!
We also need—and are eternally grateful to—all our local advertisers. Yes, that’s a shameless request to our current and future advertisers to let us know about your clearance sales and your special offers and your new products. We want to help you reach your customers and help you market your business. The newspaper is one of the best possible ways to let local customers know what’s available, and keep those dollars in town, which benefits all of us.
Like the owners who have gone before us, this will be a family affair. My husband, Pat, and I will be working together with our daughter, Caitlin Walker, to make the paper the best it can be.
We’re going to be very busy in the days to come. If you’re in Rangely this weekend, we’ll have a booth at Septemberfest on Monday, Sept. 5. Come by and say hello! And we’ll be out and about during the Meeker Classic next week.
We look forward to hearing from you in the days to come. I believe together we can continue to make the Rio Blanco Herald Times something we can all be proud of for generations to come.

One Comment

  1. Welcome back to town and congrats on you acquisition of our local newspaper, we know you will do a bang up job.

Come say hi!

@ht.1885
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
5 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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