Months of hard work and preparation paid off during the 100th annual Rio Blanco County fair last week. KIM EKSTROM/NIKI TURNER PHOTOS
Author: Lucas Turner
AGNC hosts final eco devo planning meeting
Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) last week hosted its final strategy/planning meeting for the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The meeting covered data about the existing economic situation in the northwest Colorado region and reviewed implementation strategies for economic development and resilience over the next 10-20 years. Attendees[Read More…]
State of the River: Part 3
Algae bloom effects cause frustration, uncertainty RBC I This week, the HT conducted interviews with Alden VandenBrink, manager of the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District; Bob Tobin, a former USGS hydrologist and water quality expert; Dr. Bob Dorsett, White River Alliance member; and Callie Hendrickson, White River Conservancy District Executive[Read More…]
State of the river: Part 2
Stakeholders have varying opinions about algae bloom’s origin MEEKER | “It’s supposed to be a nice, wild experience, this is like Coney Island out here,” said Bob Regulski, expressing years worth of frustration over what he considers to be unnatural and detrimental changes to the White River, just upstream from[Read More…]
State of the River: Part 1
RBC I Seven years since the first major algae bloom affected the White River, much is still unknown about what exactly causes the blooms, and by extension, how they can be remediated/mitigated in the future. The earliest report of significant algae blooms in the river, noted in the HT was[Read More…]
Archaeologist’s research reveals rich Ute history
RBC | Last month Archaeologist Luke Trout from the Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office shared research findings with the White River Alliance in a presentation titled “History in the White River Valley: How Humans Shape Our Landscape,” focusing on the last 200 years of history in the[Read More…]
Scott Marsh new R&B director
RBC | “It’s fun when you can come to work with a smile and leave with a smile; it’s a fun job when you’re doing that,” said Scott Marsh, who seems to be enjoying his new position as Road and Bridge/Landfill Director for Rio Blanco County. Marsh noted that the[Read More…]
BUILD A BRIDGE …
Concrete bridge girders stationed along Highway 64 on Tuesday. County road and bridge crews began installation of new girders early Wednesday morning as part of the ongoing replacement of the CR73 bridge crossing the White River. | LUCAS TURNER PHOTO
Proximity to gas plant increased Oil Springs fire danger
RBC | Thanks to much needed rain, the hard work of local fire protection crews, more than 300 federal firefighting personnel, and a bit of luck, the 12-thousand-plus acre Oil Springs Fire south of Rangely has calmed down considerably. But things didn’t look quite so positive last week, as exceptional[Read More…]
Recall update: County to release recordings, hire firm for investigation
RBC | In response to legal counsel from Rio Blanco County contract attorney Todd Starr, RBC commissioners and staff convened a special meeting on June 23 to discuss the handling and/or release of particular executive sessions and hostile work environment claims, and authorization to act on either matter as directed.[Read More…]
River flow near record low
RBC | “Every organization needs a Cassandra and an Eeyore, and I’m it,” is how Dr. Bob Dorsett pre-empted his presentation to the White River Alliance last week. He discussed conditions on the White River, covering subjects like snowpack, streamflow projections, long term precipitation trends and algae blooms. Dr. Dorsett[Read More…]
Recall repeat, part two: let’s talk transparency
RBC | With all the usual activities planned for this summer, it appears that things may finally be returning to “normal” for many. However it’s far from “business as usual” in Rio Blanco County, as the effort to recall sitting county commissioner Gary Moyer continues. In part one of this[Read More…]
