Meeker Police officers were notified of a missing person at 4:24 p.m. Aug. 25. Search efforts continued through the evening and into the early morning hours before being suspended around 1 a.m. At 6:29 a.m. the following morning, James Pelley was found safe walking near the intersection of Highway 13[Read More…]
Author: Caitlin Walker
“When in doubt, stay out”: Precautionary public health advisory issued for blue-green algae in Kenney Reservoir
A precautionary public health advisory was issued after press time this week after visible cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, were identified in parts of Kenney Reservoir. As of Wednesday, no cyanotoxins had been confirmed, according to the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – What we choose to protect
Last Thursday, I squished into a bus seat with my fifth grader and one of his friends for a long, lonnnnnng bus ride to Trappers Lake. I have had terrible motion sickness ever since I became a mom (cool), and I was so happy I didn’t throw up that I[Read More…]
Rio Happenings: Aug. 23-29, 2026
ARRESTS8/27/2026 The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Rangely Police Department after a man was taken into custody on suspicion of harassment, domestic violence and child abuse. CALL SUMMARIESBears, mud, fires & handcuffs — just another week in the countyAug. 23 — Communications received a call asking who is[Read More…]
Legal Notices: September 3, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICENOTICE TO CREDITORSEstate of Bobby Ray Carden,DeceasedCase No.: 2026PR7All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Rio Blanco County, Colorado on or before December 27, 2026, or said claims may be forever barred.Vicky MartinezPersonal[Read More…]
Library appointment delayed to Sept. 15
Disagreement and confusion over trustee application process continues Rio Blanco County commissioners tabled an appointment to the Meeker Regional Library District Board until Sept. 15 after applicant interviews ran longer than expected Tuesday morning. Commissioners scheduled a work session to conduct interviews with Stacy Hudelson, Kimberly Maupin, Lester “Mike” Bartlett[Read More…]
Summer project brings MES garden back to life
As the school year ramps up, Meeker Elementary School’s garden is looking abundant and green thanks to a summer gardening project involving Yampatika, ERBM Recreation & Park District, school staff, local businesses and volunteers. The project was spearheaded this summer by Ann Franklin through Yampatika. Yampatika is a Northwest Colorado[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Unfinished business
Did you know 1954 is as far from 1990 as 2026 is? When my husband mentioned this Monday night, I argued with him, even though the math does indeed math. Thirty-six years. I am sure those of you who are older and wiser have already caught whatever mysterious affliction it[Read More…]
Wandermore finds plenty to like in RBC
When Seth and Eliese Varner rolled into Rio Blanco County as part of their quest to visit every incorporated town in Colorado, they were looking for the things that make small towns worth remembering. They found history, isolation, dinosaur displays, an old wooden bridge — and one extremely memorable burrito.[Read More…]
Commissioners fail to ID executive session topic
Commissioners approved a $3.67 million federal grant application for a County Road 10 bridge replacement and took action on several other items Aug. 18 before entering an executive session without identifying the particular matter to be discussed as required by Colorado’s Open Meetings Law.Technical difficulties delayed the start of the[Read More…]
Meeker trustees discuss library turnover, housing
Meeker trustees discussed library board turnover, housing, park problems and bear-related trash issues during their Aug. 18 meeting.Trustee Jeff Madison asked Public Works Administrator Jak Kilduff about the nonfunctioning aerator at Circle Park pond. Kilduff said water continues to flow through the pond, a replacement aerator is ready to install[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Doing the work
I hibernated from technology this weekend. No phone. No apps. I spent the weekend like it was the “olden days,” which, according to my teenagers, is ye olde 1990s.I watched Tom Holland — not the actor, a cat spider named by my 10-year-old — in our kitchen window, shedding an[Read More…]
