New patient portal, compliance changes and long-term planning discussed as four candidates file for hospital district seats. MEEKER | The Pioneers Medical Center board received updates on billing reforms, compliance oversight, staffing and long-term planning during last Wednesday’s meeting, as hospital leaders outlined changes aimed at improving patient experience, financial[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Bright Smiles program brings dental care to Meeker Elementary third graders
MEEKER | In recognition of February as National Children’s Dental Health Month, White River Dental Hygiene has launched a new school-based dental initiative aimed at helping local students build healthy habits early and remove barriers to preventive care. The program, called “Bright Smiles — Building Bright Smiles for Life,” debuted[Read More…]
Graduation requirements spark discussion at February board meeting
MEEKER | The Meeker School District RE-1 Board of Education held its regular February meeting last week at the district office, with all members present. The board approved the agenda before recognizing the Barone Middle School MathCounts team, coached by Meeker High School juniors Tucker Chinn and Said Rodriguez. The[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The Pedestal Problem
“Hero-worship is innate to human nature, and it is founded on some of our noblest feelings… but which, like all other feelings, when uncontrolled by principle and reason, may easily degenerate into the wildest exaggerations.” ~ John Calvin One of my granddaughters is currently obsessed with Spider-Man. She wears her[Read More…]
Town approves updates to municipal codes; Mayor Day puts his name in the hat for county commissioner seat
MEEKER | The town’s board of trustees formally agreed to prioritize the development of an emergency plan by May 2026 at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Chris Lockwood at the Feb. 17 meeting. The board had discussed the idea and agreed by a head nod at a prior meeting,[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Won’t you be a neighbor?
“Borrow trouble for yourself, if that’s your nature, but don’t lend it to your neighbors.” ~ Rudyard Kipling From Mr. Rogers to Veggie Tales to Sesame Street, a significant chunk of children’s programming for the last 50 years has been dedicated to educating our little ones about how to identify[Read More…]
BLM, partners host seeding event this Friday to restore land damaged by 2025 Lee Fire – volunteers welcome
MEEKER | The Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office and partners will host a volunteer event scheduled 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 27 to help restore portions of the landscape damaged by the 2025 Lee Fire. Volunteers will help spread more than 4,000 pounds of seed across 525 acres[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Happy Lunar New Year!
“This New Year, do not live in the past for it may make you depressed; do not live for the future for it shall only make you anxious. Live only in the present, for that alone will bring you peace.” ~ Unknown You know, it’s not a bad idea to[Read More…]
Property taxes higher than expected? Here’s why…
RBC | Property tax notices for 2025 taxes, payable in 2026, were mailed last week, and many property owners are seeing higher bills. The increase is tied to two main changes: the end of a temporary tax break and new rules for how school funding is collected. In 2022, lawmakers[Read More…]
Town board tables code updates, approves donations, discusses water rights and land-use changes
MEEKER | The Meeker Town Board of Trustees approved one ordinance, tabled another for transparency concerns, and considered a wide range of policy and operational issues during its regular meeting. Board members approved zoning and subdivision regulation updates but voted to table final approval of broader municipal code updates. The[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Pinocchio Syndrome
“Prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and someday you will be a real boy.” ~ The Blue Fairy I’ve been thinking about Pinocchio a lot lately. Not just the lie detecting growing nose part of the story, although I can’t help thinking how handy it would be if the deceitful[Read More…]
Library board approves cost-of-living increase, doubles donation to Meeker Int’l Ecology Program
MEEKER | After canceling its January work session, the Meeker Regional Library District Board met Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., where Board President John Moffitt raised concerns about the agenda length and proposed a 7 p.m. hard stop. “Eighteen items under new business is excessive,” Moffitt said, suggesting remaining items be[Read More…]
