MEEKER | The annual Oktoberfest celebration at Smoking River Brewery has become a community tradition in a few short years. The Lee and Elk fires nearly squelched it. “We were going to cancel this year,” said co-owner Kristofer Borchard, noting that after the fire it didn’t seem right to have[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
What’s missing?
It’s easy to overlook things we’re accustomed to seeing everyday, even when those things disappear. The iconic blinking red light at the intersection of 6th and Main, the last remaining stoplight in the county, was quietly removed by the town’s public works department in the last month. The light had[Read More…]
Commissioners review bridge repairs, replacement projects
RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Sept. 30 in Meeker to address some agenda items. After implementing a hiring freeze, commissioners were asked to approve a request from County Clerk and Recorder Shawn Luce to fill a recently vacated position for recording clerk[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – National Newspaper Week and Banned Books Week remind us of our roots
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we[Read More…]
For the Rafellos, the Lee Fire was one more struggle that has left them in need of help
RBC | Everyone experienced the Elk and Lee fires from their own perspective. For some it meant the inconvenience and discomfort of having to evacuate, for others it brought damage and destruction to property and livelihood. The impacts continue to ripple through the community, and will likely be felt for[Read More…]
Rec district board and town trustees meet again to discuss future of parks agreement
MEEKER | Following last month’s initial proposal from the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District asking the Town of Meeker to transfer ownership of the town’s park properties to the district, the boards from both entities met again last Tuesday for another work session. At the previous meeting,[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Grief can be your secret superpower — for better or for worse
“The whole world can become the enemy when you lose what you love.” ~ Kristina McMorris Today (Oct. 2) marks seven years since the death of my oldest son, Ethan, at the age of 25. Them: “It’s been so long and you’re still grieving?” Me: “Well, they’re still dead. So[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – You can’t help those who won’t help themselves
“Sometimes, the most loving act is stepping back, preserving your energy for those genuinely seeking light rather than drowning yourself in someone else’s darkness.” ~ Unknown Life is often like one of those mastery learning programs where you keep taking the same test again and again until you achieve the[Read More…]
RBC Sheriff’s Office announces arrests in Yellow Jacket Fire investigation
RBC | On Aug. 15, 2025, Rio Blanco County deputies responded to a wildfire in the Yellow Jacket area northeast of Meeker. Rio Blanco County Deputies began an investigation and were able to preserve evidence while there was active fire with firefighters and air support actively engaging the fire. Rio[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Bring back bicycle safety programs
“Biking is freedom, but safety keeps it that way.” ~ Unknown To the concerned citizen who left the letter to the editor in the office door, your letter is not published because it was unsigned. That’s standard newspaper policy, not a critique of what you wrote, which I will address[Read More…]
Meeker trustees review planned capital projects, discuss rising health insurance costs
MEEKER | Trustees met Tuesday, Sept. 2 for a regular meeting, followed by an executive session with the town’s legal counsel to discuss the parks lease agreement with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District. Final payment for the Garfield Street water line project was tabled at the[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Recalibrating our moral compass
“There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders.” ~ Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek In the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Captain Jack Sparrow zealously guards a broken compass, insisting that the compass will point the way to the holder’s true desires. We all know[Read More…]
