County, Meeker, Rangely

Rio Blanco County Days Gone By

The Meeker Herald — 125 years ago
• The bridge across the White River below town is now finished and open to the traffic. The cost was $5,000.
• By Jan. 1, Denver will be illuminated with the latest improved Edison incandescent electric light.
• Freeman Fairfield arrived in Meeker on Tuesday with Sam Fairfield’s freighting outfit. Mr. Fairfield was loaded with Hugus & Co. This is the last trip the train will make this season.
• George Wager and Sam Smith are about to open a meat market, which is needed here.
• J.W. Welch is preparing to build on Main Street near the Herald office. And Meeker still booms!

The Meeker Herald — 50 years ago
• Marshal Sam Cron tells us that the town has set up a coasting hill for the youngsters on north Fifth Street from Garfield Street on north up the hill.
• White River Electric is sponsoring a home Christmas lighting contest.
• Santa Claus day in Meeker will be Dec. 17.
• While we had a taste of cold weather last week, the first real cold spell came this week when the government thermometer registered 15 below-zero Tuesday morning. The cold spell came after several days of snowy weather.
• The newspaper staff of the Cowboy Round-up, Meeker High School’s newspaper, was honored last week by receiving a charter in the Quill and Scroll society, an international honorary society for high school journalists.
The Meeker Herald — 25 years ago
• Meeker children will have an opportunity to talk with good ol’ St. Nick himself when he comes to Meeker this Saturday. The kids will be treated to a movie before the Sunshine Generation performs a few numbers. Santa will hand out candy.
• A $2 million lawsuit filed by five Sanderson Hills homeowners was filed this past week. Attorney Kent Borchard filed the suit on behalf of Rocky and Nan Curnutt, David and Karen Arnold, James and Glenda Steward, George and Denise Tyson and Michael and Debbie Ovensby. The homeowners claim that each of their residences has substantial defects in materials and workmanship due to improper construction, design, and/or preparation. The complain was filed against SEDI, Inc., Edward Florence Jr., the town of Meeker and the board of trustees.
• Only a small handful of Meekerites showed up at the Christmas tree lighting on the courthouse lawn last Saturday night.
• MHS presents “Arsenic and Old Lace,” starring Bobbie Jo Tucker and Melanie Gertson.

Rangely Times — 50 years ago
• Three local men announced plans to open a ski lift on West Douglas Road about 26 miles south of Rangely, snow depth permitting. Harold Crandell, Carl Wilson and Earl McFrey have leased a site on West Douglas and plan two slopes, one for beginners and one for advanced skiers with a tow available.
• Only 17 days remain until Christmas and it is time the town’s holiday decorations were in place.
• President-elect Kennedy will be the 12th American president to be elected with less than a majority of the popular vote.
• The final population counts from the Census Bureau show that Rangely is the second fastest-growing community in western Colorado.
• The Rangely Teen-Age Traffic and Safety Club will present the Driver of the Month award to Bill Mitchem at their weekly meeting.

Rangely Times — 30 years ago
• “Public meeting closed to the public.” Only minutes after opening a special, posted as public, Rangely Town Council meeting last Friday, Mayor Peggy Rector called for a motion to go into executive session.
• Showing at the Campus Theatre: “Smokey and the Bandit II” starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field; and “The Blue Lagoon” starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins.

Rangely Times — 20 years ago
• Local martial artists Jason Hoyt and Aaron Parsons tested for Tae Kwon Do’s black belt rating.
• Rangely High School’s wrestling squad came away with the team victory in the Meeker invitational last Saturday.
• A total of 18 RHS students were named to the 24th edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students: Mary Lou Allred, Danette Comstock, Cindy Conkle, Curtina Davis, Monica M. Deliz, Laura Flores, Michelle R. Green, Geri A. Gunderson, Dena L. Harling, Jason Hoyt, Brian K. Newland, Sosan Polston, Jeanette G. Rice, Krista M. Rice, Dusti K. Rose, Cheryl J. Schofield, Brian L. Tobiasson and Holli D. Wilmeth.

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  • This year’s batch of Mormon crickets are beginning to hatch. Above is a picture of an immature cricket compared to a dime. JANE TURNBURKE PHOTO Read more online at ht1885.com.
  • Join Home.Made for their Spring Cleanout Sale for discounts, new spring styles, and  preordering your Mother's Day flowers!
  • On April 4, the Meeker Lions Club installed new shelving units for the New Eden Pregnancy Care Center. New Eden asked the Lion’s Club to help them come up with more storage for items within the building, and the Lion’s Club raised money to purchase shelves. OPAL MUNGER PHOTO
  • Why are we all so mad? Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
  • Livestock Judging teams from both sides of the county competed at The Rumble In The Rockies Livestock Judging Contest in La Plata County this past weekend. Read the full story this week online ht1885.com.
  • Meeker Cowboy Track continued its season with another meet in Grand Junction, the Frank Woodburn Invitational. The meet went on despite the blustery winds, low temps and snow. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
  • Sunglasses, shorts and snowflakes... if that doesn’t sum up a Western Colorado track meet in April, nothing does. The Rangely Panthers will likely have a warmer meet this Friday, April 12, in Grand Junction. Read the recap from the last meet in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker High School’s FCCLA group placed 10 of 13 students in the top three in their respective categories and six qualified for the national competition in Seattle, Washington, this June. Results: Sam Hightower and Finley Deming - 1st Place Gold - Repurpose and Redesign; Aimee Shults - 1st Place Gold - Job Interview; Becca Hood - 1st Place Gold - Leadership; Lissbeth Sanchez and Shailee Rundberg -  2nd Place Gold - Promote and Publicize FCCLA; Kailynn Watson- 3rd Place Gold - Job Interview; Emma Bauer and Jacey Follman - 3rd Place Gold - Sports Nutrition; Braydin Raley - 3rd Place Silver - Professional Presentation; Graycee Cravens - Silver Medal - Entrepreneurship; Haylee Steele - Silver Medal - Sports Nutrition; Eduardo Cordova- Silver Medal - Career Investigation. More photos and full update online at ht1885.com.
This year’s batch of Mormon crickets are beginning to hatch. Above is a picture of an immature cricket compared to a dime. JANE TURNBURKE PHOTO Read more online at ht1885.com.
This year’s batch of Mormon crickets are beginning to hatch. Above is a picture of an immature cricket compared to a dime. JANE TURNBURKE PHOTO Read more online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Join Home.Made for their Spring Cleanout Sale for discounts, new spring styles, and  preordering your Mother's Day flowers!
Join Home.Made for their Spring Cleanout Sale for discounts, new spring styles, and preordering your Mother's Day flowers!
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
On April 4, the Meeker Lions Club installed new shelving units for the New Eden Pregnancy Care Center. New Eden asked the Lion’s Club to help them come up with more storage for items within the building, and the Lion’s Club raised money to purchase shelves. OPAL MUNGER PHOTO
On April 4, the Meeker Lions Club installed new shelving units for the New Eden Pregnancy Care Center. New Eden asked the Lion’s Club to help them come up with more storage for items within the building, and the Lion’s Club raised money to purchase shelves. OPAL MUNGER PHOTO
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Why are we all so mad? Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
Why are we all so mad? Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Livestock Judging teams from both sides of the county competed at The Rumble In The Rockies Livestock Judging Contest in La Plata County this past weekend. Read the full story this week online ht1885.com.
Livestock Judging teams from both sides of the county competed at The Rumble In The Rockies Livestock Judging Contest in La Plata County this past weekend. Read the full story this week online ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Meeker Cowboy Track continued its season with another meet in Grand Junction, the Frank Woodburn Invitational. The meet went on despite the blustery winds, low temps and snow. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker Cowboy Track continued its season with another meet in Grand Junction, the Frank Woodburn Invitational. The meet went on despite the blustery winds, low temps and snow. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Sunglasses, shorts and snowflakes... if that doesn’t sum up a Western Colorado track meet in April, nothing does. The Rangely Panthers will likely have a warmer meet this Friday, April 12, in Grand Junction. Read the recap from the last meet in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Sunglasses, shorts and snowflakes... if that doesn’t sum up a Western Colorado track meet in April, nothing does. The Rangely Panthers will likely have a warmer meet this Friday, April 12, in Grand Junction. Read the recap from the last meet in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Meeker High School’s FCCLA group placed 10 of 13 students in the top three in their respective categories and six qualified for the national competition in Seattle, Washington, this June. Results: Sam Hightower and Finley Deming - 1st Place Gold - Repurpose and Redesign; Aimee Shults - 1st Place Gold - Job Interview; Becca Hood - 1st Place Gold - Leadership; Lissbeth Sanchez and Shailee Rundberg -  2nd Place Gold - Promote and Publicize FCCLA; Kailynn Watson- 3rd Place Gold - Job Interview; Emma Bauer and Jacey Follman - 3rd Place Gold - Sports Nutrition; Braydin Raley - 3rd Place Silver - Professional Presentation; Graycee Cravens - Silver Medal - Entrepreneurship; Haylee Steele - Silver Medal - Sports Nutrition; Eduardo Cordova- Silver Medal - Career Investigation. More photos and full update online at ht1885.com.
Meeker High School’s FCCLA group placed 10 of 13 students in the top three in their respective categories and six qualified for the national competition in Seattle, Washington, this June. Results: Sam Hightower and Finley Deming - 1st Place Gold - Repurpose and Redesign; Aimee Shults - 1st Place Gold - Job Interview; Becca Hood - 1st Place Gold - Leadership; Lissbeth Sanchez and Shailee Rundberg - 2nd Place Gold - Promote and Publicize FCCLA; Kailynn Watson- 3rd Place Gold - Job Interview; Emma Bauer and Jacey Follman - 3rd Place Gold - Sports Nutrition; Braydin Raley - 3rd Place Silver - Professional Presentation; Graycee Cravens - Silver Medal - Entrepreneurship; Haylee Steele - Silver Medal - Sports Nutrition; Eduardo Cordova- Silver Medal - Career Investigation. More photos and full update online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
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9/9

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