As we smooth open the shiny pages of 2025 calendars with a blend of hopeful inspiration and fretful trepidation, let’s pause for a moment and consider our position. What transpires in the days ahead will be a heady blend of things that are subject to our control through free will[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Home(town) for the Holidays
It feels strange to be this far into December with so little snow downtown. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted a warmer than normal 2024-2025 winter season for the intermountain region, with precipitation below average in December and above average in January. Winter officially began (astronomically) with the winter solstice last[Read More…]
Fifth annual Meeker Skijor event canceled due to lack of snow
New Year’s Eve Snowball Dance is still happening! RBC | The Meeker Skijor board had to throw in the snow shovel this week and cancel the fifth annual Meeker Skijor races that were scheduled for Jan. 4-5. An unseasonably warm and dry November and December have not produced enough snow[Read More…]
COUNTY BEAT – Commissioners certify mill levies and revenues for the year in special meeting
RBC | Rio Blanco County Commissioners held a brief special meeting on Friday, Dec. 20 to amend resolutions passed earlier this month to correct valuation for property taxes in 2024 to defray the cost of government for 2025. The amended valuations reflect changes from August to December, and are minor[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – Looks like we made it! Thank you!
“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” ~ Alice Walker Don’t ask me who sang the song referenced above, or what the rest of the lyrics are. I only get headline-length snippets in my head![Read More…]
COUNTY BEAT – Commissioners bid farewell to Gates, approve 2025 budget in two meetings
RBC | At the Dec. 10 regular meeting of the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Doug Overton first addressed a letter to the editor published in November from Rangely resident Wendi Gillard regarding a veterans services program. Overton declared the county administration’s firm support and dedication to all[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – December 19th, 2024
‘People who feel the need to control others, don’t have control over themselves.’ ~ Author Unknown My Christmas decorating this year got as far as carrying the artificial tree downstairs and plugging it in. I have no inclination to rummage through boxes in the chilly attic to find the ornaments,[Read More…]
Meeker trustees discuss Circle Park contract
MEEKER | The town’s board of trustees held its final regular meeting for 2024 on Thursday, Dec. 12. Trustees, all present with the exception of Tiffany Jehorek, approved the adoption of the town’s 2025 budget. Town Clerk Lisa Cook said the town’s valuation for property taxes was almost the same[Read More…]
RIBBON CUTTING
With temperatures hovering in the low 40s it definitely didn’t feel like December in Meeker for the opening day of the new skating rink at the courthouse last Saturday, but that’s one of the benefits of opting for an artificial ice surface. The new rink, funded by a grant from[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The ugly trait we may share with the Grinch and Mr. Scrooge: Contempt
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch. What do these two notorious characters from Christmas fiction have in common that we might all need to check for in ourselves? Is it greed, or stinginess, or selfishness, or meanness? I think we can sum up the[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – What is leadership?
“Leadership is not a rank, it is a responsibility. Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” ~ Simon Sinek, Author Classes and programs about leadership (which most people never take until they find themselves thrown into a leadership role) often break[Read More…]
‘TIS THE SEASON
Santa’s elves, disguised as White River Electric Association employees, were out before the storm Tuesday morning putting up Christmas lights on spruce trees at the courthouse. Decorations are going up all over town in preparation for holiday festivities to come. NIKI TURNER PHOTO



