Dear Editor: Thank you to everyone who helped make David’s 80th birthday so special with your phone messages, emails, cards, and especially for joining us during his open house celebration. It was his “best birthday ever.” David Cole Family To submit a letter to the editor on a matter of[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Free Frontier Fest celebrates Western heritage Sept. 11
Correction: A previous version of this press release stated the fish fry was free. It is $15 per plate. Proceeds benefit the White River Alliance. Meeker will celebrate Western heritage and the nation’s 250th birthday with the first Frontier Fest from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, on Main[Read More…]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Relationships beyond town strengthen community at home
Dear Editor:In a small, rural community, it is fair to ask whether attending tourism conferences, professional trainings and statewide gatherings is the best use of limited resources. Travel costs money, and every community organization has a responsibility to use its funds carefully.But we should also ask what our community loses[Read More…]
Town board approves multiple donations, hears updates from staff
By NIKI TURNER | [email protected] The Meeker Board of Trustees approved $10,000 in community support funding Tuesday while hearing updates on wildfire mitigation efforts, youth programs, grant opportunities and other town business.Trustees unanimously approved $5,000 for YouthZone and $5,000 for the Meeker Veterans Community Center.White River and Douglas Creek Conservation[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN(S) – Change is inevitable. Resistance makes it harder.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 I’ve kept a lot of plates spinning for a long time, through good times and bad, through sorrow and joy, through praise and criticism (sometimes all at once). Over the last 10 years[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – What holds us together?
“A republic, if you can keep it.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Birthdays are a good time for reflection. That’s why this week we’ve dedicated the front page of the Herald Times to reprinting the Declaration of Independence again. Why? Because I suspect that, much like many Christians have never read the[Read More…]
UPDATED: 2026 Unofficial Primary Election Results
RBC | The Rio Blanco County Clerk and Recorder’s Office released the final unofficial count of ballots from the 2026 primaries at noon on Wednesday, July 1. Voter turnout for the primary was 50.98% of active voters (4,494) with 2,291 ballots cast. In the two contested local elections, which will[Read More…]
Town board hears concerns on park conditions; backs chipping days, economic development work
MEEKER | The Meeker Board of Trustees on Tuesday heard concerns about a connector road and park maintenance, approved special event permits for the Meeker Lions Club, backed two community chipping days, and received an update on regional economic development efforts tied to the coal transition. Police and planning updates[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – If you could do anything, what would you do?
“The great thing about life — the most magnificent thing about being these sentient human beings — is that we have been given the power of choice.” ~ Bryant McGill One of the few benefits of being shoved up against the reality of mortality — our own or someone close to[Read More…]
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions start Friday, June 19
RBC | Rio Blanco County’s unincorporated and private lands, the entire White River National Forest, and all areas within the BLM White River Field Office boundaries are entering into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions starting Friday, June 19, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Rio Blanco County’s Stage 1 Fire Restrictions include: PROHIBITIONS:[Read More…]
Opioid settlement to help fund peer recovery service position in RBC
MEEKER | A portion of Colorado’s opioid settlement funding will help expand recovery services in Rio Blanco County through the addition of a peer recovery specialist. In May, the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council awarded $11 million to 24 organizations and local governments statewide to expand treatment and recovery services related[Read More…]
Town of Meeker welcomes new town clerk
MEEKER | In what may have been the shortest Meeker town meeting in recent memory, trustees approved an update for Smoking River Brewing Co.’s liquor license that will allow them to serve beer and wine outside during their larger events, such as Oktoberfest. Town staff recommended approval with the contingency[Read More…]
