Apologies for the tardy letter this week. I’ll put my (not very) secret right up front: despite having student-athletes in my home for several years now, I always forget about physicals. I would love to blame all the crazy stuff happening in life right now, but no. This happens Every. Year.
If you’re reading this as a superb organizer who always has life together, and your socks match, and you schedule appointments a year in advance, and you never have to eat four granola bars for lunch because you forgot vegetables exist, and you simply wouldn’t dream of dropping a ball, well, you’re very welcome for the confidence boost. 😘
And for the rest of us barely treading along, I see you. We’re fine! We’re gonna make it! Right? …. right? 😭
Definitely, definitely not one of these.
Anyway, next week, we’ll officially be starting our 142nd year of publication! In this day and age, the fact that we still have a community newspaper is a precious and special thing, and it says a lot about the awesomeness level of our citizens.
If you’d like to help keep the Herald publishing for another week, month, year or decade, please consider subscribing! Sign up yourself, a family member, a friend, your crush, a coworker, your archnemesis, or even your neighbor’s cat …
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Let’s get to the freshy-fresh news.
We have two features this week. The first is the obituary of longtime Herald legend Leota Cook, written by her son and former newspaperman Jim.
Editor’s Note: Leota Cook was a driving force behind The Meeker Herald for nearly three decades. The work we carry on today is only possible because of those who have…
With my own grandmother in hospice and my grandfather in the hospital now, as well, I have been thinking about death and dying and seasons and change a LOT anyway, and how the choices of others ripple so far beyond their passing, for better or for worse. In Miss Leota’s case, it was unequivocally for the better.
That’s what I wrote about this week in my column. I also included some origin-story lore about how my ancestors just might have bumped elbows with the Herald-founding Lyttles in Ireland in the 1800s. 😱
Did they know each other? Like each other? Compliment each other’s sweet ‘staches? Go to the same hoedowns, or whatever they called parties in 1800s Ireland?*
I have no idea, but it’s pretty fun to think about.
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“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” ~ Pericles (sorta)*
When my brother died, one of…
Next up–and this doubles as our happy thing this week–is Jared’s reporting on the rescue of a wiener dog from a storm drain last week.
I may or may not have cried about this a little, and it probably wasn’t even about this as much as all the other things happening, but hey, crying is good for you either way.
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It started with a report of three dogs running loose and turned into an hour-and-a-half rescue effort as first responders, town employees and local youth worked side by side to…
Read it and … weep in a good way, I guess?
Probably this won’t be you if you’re, like, emotionally regulated and stuff. You’ll probably be fine.
Also in this week’s paper …
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When we first began planning Meeker’s America 250–Colorado 150 celebration, we called our collection of ideas a “wish list.” It was never intended to be a…
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Special to the HT The Bureau of Land Management began gathering wild horses from the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area and surrounding areas over the weekend. The BLM contracted with…
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Bears are popping up all over the place as they search for water and food, including in town, according to recent reports. Here’s what is becoming your regular reminder to…
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Dear Editor: Please permit an old guy some reflections. The valley is filled with wildfire smoke. Again. It’s another of those days when you have to decide whether…
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On September 26, 2026, the Meeker Veterans Community Center, in support of VFW Post 5843, and American Legion Post 74 will host the inaugural Gold Star…
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Rio Blanco County 4-H members showcased months of dedication Wednesday, July 29, during the annual Rio Blanco County Fair Poultry Show, competing in showmanship, market and breeding classes with chickens,…
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Hayden Garcia delivered a standout performance Wednesday afternoon, July 29, during the 2026 Rio Blanco County Fair Rabbit Show, earning championships in showmanship, market, breeding and the Born and Raised…
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This past weekend, the Meeker Marlins swim team added another chapter to one of Colorado’s most successful summer swimming programs, capturing their sixth consecutive Colorado State Seasonal Club…
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Entering his second season as head coach of the Meeker High School boys golf team, Nick Burri has a much better idea of what to expect. After spending…
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This past week the winning streaks continued to define the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series on July 30 as Dawson Nunn captured his sixth consecutive ranch bronc riding title,…
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Extreme low flows and high water temperatures have prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to implement voluntary afternoon fishing closures on sections of the White…
Annnnnd we’re back to hobbits. #fullcircle
*Okay, so I looked up the Irish parties thing and discovered the term hooley, which is defined as follows:
hooley: a noisy celebration or party; also, an evening of traditional music and dance. Source: Wiktionary How cool is that? I especially like the last reference in this entry:
“She had always loved what she called a hooley, a gathering of family and her friends, and her dying was to be her last, greatest hooley.”
*immediately panics about length of bucket list relative to estimated time remaining on the planet*
You guys, I think I just learned how midlife crises happen. I get it now.
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