“Whereas, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that ‘A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” read the first paragraph of the resolution signed by commissioners Shawn Bolton, Jeff Eskelson and Jon Hill.
The proclamation quoted president Thomas Jefferson, “The strongest reason for the People to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
• “Overwhelming,” Kathy Sizemore said of the community support given to the her family and the second annual “I Ride With James” Poker/Fun ride held last Sunday, where a Polaris youth snowmobile was given away to Kevin Brown, who pulled a royal flush for the best hand for the grand prize, which his grandkids Kael and his sister Jayden Overton-Linsacum enjoyed. Kathy and her husband Mike, lost their son James “on the mountain” two years ago and since have organized events to raise funds benefiting the local Rio Blanco County Search and Rescue and two scholarships, for a local boy and girl planning to attend a trade school. “They don’t fill out an application because James’ sister Abigail told me James would never fill one out,” Kathy said with a smile.
• An eight-year investigation by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has culminated in U.S. District Court Judge Christine Arguello sentencing Dennis Eugene Rodebaugh, 72, owner of D & S Outfitters of Meeker, to 41 months in federal prison.
• Tala Atoafa is the 20th Eagle Scout in Meeker to receive his award since the first Eagle Scout award was presented to Meeker Scouts beginning in 1948. He joins his friend Collin Cochran and his brother Alema as Eagle Scouts. Less than five percent of all Scouts earn the Eagle Scout award.
• Meeker High School activities director Brett Steinacher, a member of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) wrestling committee, shook hands with Meeker freshman TJ Shelton before presenting him with his gold medal and championship bracket at the 2013 Colorado State Wrestling Championships. Shelton is the first freshman from Meeker High School to win an individual state wrestling title.
• When Colorado Northwestern Community College anatomy and nutrition instructor Sarah Ward ran her third marathon last May and won the women’s division, she knew her time had qualified her for the Boston Marathon.
• The Meeker girls’ basketball team won the District 5 championship last Saturday in Paonia, after defeating the host team 61-58 and will host the Region 5 tournament this weekend at Grand Junction Central High School. Playing on Meeker’s first girls’ district championship team are (front) Megan Parker, Taylor Neilson, Aly Ridings and Deena Norell, (back) Katie Dinwiddie, Jamie McLaughlin, Sydney Hughes, Bailey Atwood, head coach Greg Chintala, Kacey Collins, Piper Haney, Amanda Kendall, assistant coaches Mike and Karen Dinwiddie and Kaysyn Chintala.
• The Rio Blanco County commissioners gave architect Jim Lichty until April 22 to come up with cost comparisons on building a new justice center on county courthouse property in Meeker versus building a new justice center at an alternate location.
• Seven teams entered and five teams participated in the ninth annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly White Fish tournament held last weekend on the White River. From left: Jarrod Nay won the individual “high point” award and was on the winning team with Chris Hutchins, Mason and Mark Scritchfield. The purpose of the tournament is threefold: raise money for the sustainability of the historic Buford School, to secure the white fish for the annual Community Fish Fry (scheduled for June 8) and to provide a fun and competitive opportunity for the community. The judges were Bailey Franklin, Loretta McCoy, Shawn Welder, Jesse Dorner, Jeanne Newman and Jon Wangnild.
