County

Year in Review – Pt. 5

Three teams from Meeker made it to the Destination Imagaination Global Finals last year.
Three teams from Meeker made it to the Destination Imagaination Global Finals last year.
• Three Meeker Destination Imagination teams qualified for the Global Finals in Knoxville Tenn., in May. The third-grade team is in the front row; the fifth-grade team in the middle row; and the sixth-grade team in the back row. Meeker has three of the four teams representing the Western Slope as members of Team Colorado.

• Authorities said restaurant owner, Francisco Peralta-Cabral, 44, of Meeker, known as “Pancho,” was the U.S. head of the drug-dealing operation with tentacles across the Western Slope, including ownership of the Los Koras Mexican restaurant in Meeker.
Meeker Police Chief Robert Hervey said Tuesday that for several months the Meeker Police Department had been working with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency on a major drug investigation. He added that on April 23 that investigation resulted in the arrest of Peralta-Cabral.

• A John Deere 350D excavator tore down the old Rangely District Hospital and Rangely Family Medicine building at South White Avenue and Eagle Crest Drive. The demolition began last week and will continue for the next month, Alpine Demolition owner Steve Mitchell said. The company is taking the debris, some of which Mitchell said will be recycled, to the Meeker landfill and will use dirt from a local ranch to fill in the holes.

• After 17 months, the project to increase access to recycling in Rio Blanco County is a reality at the newly improved Town of Meeker Recycle Center.
Residents are urged to bring recyclables to the newly remodeled center, which now accepts No. 1 and No. 2 plastics along with cardboard, newspaper, white paper and aluminum cans.

• Sarah Ward of Rangely crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon with an unofficial time of 4:03.16 and an official time of 3:57.46. She finished the race several minutes before two bombs detonated near the finish in Boston. She was five blocks away at the time and described “booms” that sounded like thunder.

• More than 70 residents filled the Meeker Town Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night to voice concerns at a public hearing about the town turning over the old elementary school to Rio Blanco County for use as the new justice center. It was nearly unanimous among audience members that they didn’t want to see the old under-used building torn down and removed from its location.
However, Town Administrator Scott Meszaros stated that asbestos problems and structure deficiencies would mean millions of dollars in expenditures just to bring it up to current code without any remodeling, something town officials are reluctant to do.

• Upgrades at Ute Park and sidewalks for east Market Street are the two chief projects planned by the Town of Meeker in the next several months. First is a new stone monument planned for Ute Park that will identify the park and contain a wooden attachment that identifies the park as “Home of the Meeker Classic” sheepdog championship trials, which occur annually over Labor Day weekend.

• Rangely District Hospital is cutting employee hours, leaving positions vacant and increasing marketing efforts for long-term care and assisted living facilities after a four-year recession and an energy industry bust cycle continue to drive admissions, out-patient procedures and clinic visits down, CEO Nick Goshe said. Hospital statistics, which have been steadily declining for more than three years, were projected by feasibility studies to have emerged from recession numbers by the time the hospital’s new building opened. Goshe said the impending move and implementation of an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system made cutting back impossible before now.

• Teachers at Meeker High School are not particularly happy with teaching, preparation and discipline issues at the school, according to the 2013 TELL Colorado survey, yet they are satisfied with other issues. The Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) Colorado survey is an anonymous statewide survey of licensed, school-based educators regarding teaching, preparation and discipline conditions at their school.

• Teachers at Barone Middle School are considerably happier with conditions at that school than teachers were in last week’s look at Meeker High School. In fact, Barone (BMS) teachers were happier with teaching, preparation and discipline issues at the school than at many Colorado middle schools represented in the 2013 TELL Colorado survey.

• Rio Blanco County operator Ron Willey uses an 872 John Deere, all-wheel-drive, fully-chained, road grader with an A-plow to break through the snow on the Colorado Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway at approximately mile marker 44 on Monday. “This is the best part of the job,” Willey said. County Road and Bridge Director Dave Morlan said the “goal” is to have Ripple Creek Pass open by Memorial Day weekend. Willey broke through and over the top Tuesday, then was headed to do the same on Burro Mountain.

• A piece of Rangely history came down when the structure popularly known as the “Peacock Building” was demolished last week. Another form of history, a car museum, will take its place.

• Eight current teachers were issued class reassignments at the Meeker School Board meeting on May 14, and the trustees also announced there were two new hires in the district for the 2013-14 school year.

• Meeker’s T.J. Shelton flew across the finish line to win the 100-meter dash Saturday in Denver at the 2013 Colorado State Track and Field Championships, held in Jefferson County Stadium. Rangely senior Colton Coombs (second from right), who ran against Shelton all season, finished fourth. Shelton finished second at the state meet in the 200 and anchored the 4×100 relay, which earned a bronze medal.

• Teachers at Meeker Elementary School are very happy with some aspects of working at the school, yet equally upset with other conditions, stating notable dissatisfaction with leadership and chances for professional development.

• After resigning from his position last week, Rangely School District Superintendent Todd Cordrey said he and his family will return to Brighton, Colo., where he will consider whether to continue in K-12 education or further his real estate business.
Cordrey was the RE-4 superintendent for two years.

• Joseph Duane “JoD” Stults was presented with the Eagle Scout Award, which is scouting’s highest honor, at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on May 18 at the Rangely First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Stults is a member of Boy Scout Troop 189, sponsored by the Rangely LDS Church.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • 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.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
1 hour ago
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1/9
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
2 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
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!
8 hours ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
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 |
4/9
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 |
5/9
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 |
6/9
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 |
7/9
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 |
8/9
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 |
9/9

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