Meeker, Opinion

Loose Ends: Noon whistle mystery solved

Residents who miss the “noon whistle” will be pleased if the Rio Blanco Volunteer Fire Protection District gets it going once again. According to Fire Chief Steve Allen, the fire District board has directed him to fix the broken fire alarm. He mentioned that his efforts to get it repaired so far have not been successful, but he is continuing to find a way to get it up and running.
While the absence of the daily shriek was rumored to be attributed to complaints from disgruntled business and property owners, the broken alarm is what caused it to be taken down. While more observant residents noticed that the noon whistle apparatus had been taken off its downtown property, the missing high-pitched sound was what was mentioned by most people.
After the appearance of my column about the noon whistle, one reader called to let me know his theory.
“Open your door when the bells start ringing and listen to what happens.”
Upon doing so, I discovered that neighborhood dogs raise a ruckus. Like clockwork, the howling and barking lets everyone know the bells have rung on time. As I don’t live right next to a canine chorus, I hadn’t noticed how jarring the daily doggy din could be on the ears.
Much like many things in this community, the explanations for the alarm’s discontinuation were many and varied. A simple answer such as “it broke” doesn’t sound nearly as good.
To hear some people tell it, St. James’ bells could soon cease to ring because close residents find the aural aftermath (barking and howling of the dogs) disturbing.
Someday that sound may disappear, too, but if it does it will probably be because the bells get broken.

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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.
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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
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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.
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