UPDATED: 3:29 p.m. July 6, 2020 A wildfire near Mile Marker 61 on Hwy. 13 north of Meeker has prompted the evacuation of Colowyo mine Tuesday afternoon, according to the Craig Press. The fire, of undetermined origin, jumped the highway earlier Tuesday, fueled by dry conditions and high winds. The[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Hwy. 13 north of Meeker impacted by wildfire
Firefighters are on scene at a wildfire between Nine Mile Gap and County Rd. 80 — about 13-15 miles north of Meeker. Travel delays are possible and smoke may be visible from the road.
Editor’s Column: Out of order
This week there were three public events in 24 hours where face coverings were almost non-existent. When Caitlin told me an elderly lady asked to sit by her because “no one else is being safe” (no masks), I did something I shame other people for doing: I went toxic on[Read More…]
‘All American Freedom March’ in Rangely honors first responders, law enforcement and veterans
The ominous-looking clouds to the south held off their thunder, lightning and rain for the duration of the first All American Freedom March. The germination of the event, according to organizers, started in April when Rangely residents organized a “Cruisin’ Main” parade as a socially-distanced way to get everyone out[Read More…]
Stage 1 fire restrictions enacted on White River National Forest effective July 2
All lands within the White River National Forest will enter stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Thursday, July 2. Under Stage 1 restrictions: • Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure — fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable)[Read More…]
RBC Public Health update
As the state prepares to transition into the next phase of COVID-19 response, Public Health Director Alice Harvey met virtually with community stakeholders to answer questions, provide an update on case status, and to share information on the Protect Our Neighbor framework that will be the next phase of reopening[Read More…]
Street stripes…
OPINION: Do unto others…
“The liberty of one citizen ends where the liberty of another citizen begins,” which comprises in two lines the entire law of human society.” ~ Victor Hugo There’s been a lot of talk about our “rights” in the last few months. It’s not new. For 200 years lawyers and politicians[Read More…]
Children, veterans and family pets can suffer because of fireworks
Everyone loves fireworks. In theory that’s probably true, but in reality, fireworks are troublesome for many of our friends and neighbors. Jess Bayles’ 7-year-old son is one of several young children in Meeker with noise-sensitivity related to autism. “If we know they’re coming, we can warn him, someone can hold[Read More…]
Fairfield basement flooded; proper handling of asbestos; and a public health update
A water line break at the Fairfield Center in Meeker flooded the basement with about 6 feet — more than 400,000 gallons — of water last Tuesday. The community center houses the county’s public health and human services departments and Chuckwagon, the senior meal service. The basement, which is not[Read More…]
LeBleu signs with CNCC
The Rangely High School baseball team is proud to announce that Dylan LeBleu will continue to play baseball at the next level. He announced his decision to play baseball at Colorado Northwestern Community College. LeBleu will be trading the green and black to don the red and black of the[Read More…]
Contact tracing and you
Last week’s announcement of the second laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in Rio Blanco County sparked some questions for residents. Public Health Director Alice Harvey answered those questions by phone on Monday. Other counties give a lot more details when they have a positive case, why don’t we? “The state leaves[Read More…]



