The top 10 stories of 2021

What were the top stories in 2021 for Rio Blanco County? Based on our website traffic at ht1885.com, the top 10 are as follows (oddly, they’re all from the last half of the year)

No. 1. — RBCSO explores jail changes (Sept. 2, 2021)

Sheriff Anthony Mazzola laid out the reasoning behind closing the RBC Detention Center and transporting inmates to Moffat County. The closure came in October, and continues to generate public discussion.

No. 2. — COVID-19 cases spike in RBC (Nov. 4, 2021)

A rapid rise in the number of COVID-19 cases triggered plenty of local commentary in a story that continues to dominate the news worldwide. Twelve Rio Blanco County deaths have thus far been attributed to the illness since the start of the pandemic, most of them in the last six months of 2021.

No. 3. — Reflecting on the death of Laurie French (Sept. 16, 2021)

Rangely resident Laurie French died in 2020 following an overdose near Rangely. How the case was handled by law enforcement raised questions and concerns from her family and friends.

No. 4 — Press release on hostile workplace investigation (Oct. 14, 2021)

Part of an ongoing story that includes the effort to recall Commissioner Gary Moyer, multiple dismissals of longterm county employees, and a lawsuit currently underway, the county issued a statement regarding the findings of a “hostile workplace” investigation by a contracted outside firm. In short, because one of the lawsuits relates to the allegations in the investigation, no details can be released at this time.

No. 5. — Sharp increase in COVID cases (Sept. 10, 2021)

COVID strikes again. And again.

No. 6. — The long haul (Sept. 2, 2021)

A local, personal take on COVID outlined Wendi Gillard’s experience as a COVID-19 long-hauler nearly a year after her initial infection.

No. 7. — Election results (Nov. 2, 2021)

There were plenty of local issues on the ballot in November, including a lengthy slate of school board candidates from both RBC districts and a bond issue presented by the Rangely School District.

No. 8. — PMC statement on mandates (Sept. 28, 2021)

Pioneers Medical Center issued a press release on vaccine mandates at the end of September. As with everywhere else in the nation, mandates are a cause for consternation.

No. 9. – Budget discussions continue at RBC (Nov. 5, 2021)

Long meetings with lots of questions and plenty of discussion about how best to allocate the county’s funds in 2022 were the topic of multiple work sessions for commissioners and department heads. Long story short, the final budget came out better than expected in terms of anticipated revenue and expenses. The final 2022 budget was approved in December.

No. 10. — Brewery dreams become a reality (Sept. 2, 2021)

And after all of the above, you just might need a beer. The new Smoking River Brewery, owned and operated by the Borchard brothers and featuring homegrown brews, crafted by master brewer Tyler Frye, opened this fall to rave reviews.