COMMUNICATION ISSUES Elected officials, staff and law enforcement personnel from all three local government entities filled the county courthouse Monday to discuss the recent closure of the Justice Center/jail. RBC Sheriff Anthony Mazzolla announced the closure in September 2021 at the beginning of this year’s budget cycle. Since that time,[Read More…]
Author: Lucas Turner
COUNTY BEAT: 2022 budget nearing final approval
Governmental budgets are really confusing to most people, including us. With many numbers based on estimates, and constantly shifting allocations from one fund to another, last minute cuts and additions, reallocations, etc., some numbers listed here may not be totally up to date, though they’re likely to all be pretty[Read More…]
Medical professionals talk COVID, testing and more
Skip ahead to 21:30 to watch the video above. With the return of cold weather, COVID cases are again climbing in Rio Blanco County and many areas of the state. Hospitalizations are also increasing, which is why 95% of the state’s ICU beds are full. “We’ve been having anywhere from[Read More…]
County Beat: Nov 16 meeting report
PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE Public Health staff workloads are “at the highest level we’ve seen” according to Director Alice Harvey, who updated the RBC Commissioners in Rangely this week. She said the department was spread thin between testing, vaccination clinics, answering phone calls, contact tracing and other pandemic-related work, in addition[Read More…]
WOOLY BUDDIES …
Why you should care about the state of the river
No matter your background, water plays a vital role in your day-to-day life. Like other necessities, it can be easy to take for granted, but a lack of it will quickly impact every facet of life. Businesses, for instance, can’t operate without reliable running water, lawns/fields go brown as municipal[Read More…]
Budget discussions continue at RBC
Editor’s Note: Numbers listed in this article are based on the latest proposed budget available at rbc.us and may not reflect recent changes or adjustments to estimated 2021 revenues and expenditures. This article also does not cover all the department budget meetings that have taken place so far. The HT[Read More…]
County Beat: Oct. 28, 2021
RBC I Budget season is underway in Rio Blanco County. Combined decreases in projected revenue total $2.4 million, primarily from property taxes (-$685K) charges for service (-$311K) investment earnings (-$256K) capital grants and donations (-$1.1mil) and miscellaneous (-$35K). Despite projected decreases, overall budgeted revenues for 2022 are up slightly (about[Read More…]
Town, Rec revise agreement for Circle Park improvements
By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected] MEEKER I Meeker’s Board of Trustees picked up where they left off earlier this month in discussing proposed improvements to Circle Park. As it stands, both entities have committed $250K of capital improvement funds in their respective 2022 budgets towards the project, but will still[Read More…]
Meeker Oktoberfest {PHOTOS}
Oktoberfest attendees in Meeker packed the house at Smoking River Brewing Co. this weekend for locally crafted German brews, entertainment and a nice selection of lederhosen. Festivities included a stein hold contest, beer chugging contest, yodeling, face painting, cornhole and more. Lucas Turner Photos
Meeker trustees approve budget
MEEKER I Meeker trustees approved the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 during their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct, 5. Major line items under “systems development” in the general fund total just under $1.9 million, and include $250K for phase two of Circle Park, as well as money to construct sidewalks[Read More…]
County Beat: Oct. 14, 2021
RBC I The following topics were covered at Tuesday’s commissioner meeting. PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 cases have surged in Rio Blanco County and surrounding areas, stretching healthcare services thin. Public Health departments are feeling the squeeze too, including in Rio Blanco County. RBC Public Health Director Alice Harvey informed the board[Read More…]


