RBC | In a few weeks Rio Blanco County property owners will receive updated “Notice of Valuation” postcards from the county assessor’s office. Those valuations—based on a complex formula of local real estate sale prices and property improvements—will determine what you owe in property taxes next year. In a nutshell,[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
County Beat: April 4, 2019
RBC | As winter weather wraps up, plans to complete the county broadband project are in high gear. During a work session with county commissioners Monday, April 1, Rio Blanco County Communications Director Cody Crooks outlined progress made and items yet to be completed. Orders have been placed for the[Read More…]
Biosolids applied to Rangely field passed safety test
RANGELY | Biosolids being spread on neighboring fields as fertilizer has Rangely resident Jean Kenney concerned. Biosolids refer to solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment process and used especially as fertilizer. Biosolids material from the Town of Dinosaur’s waste treatment program was recently applied to about 11 acres[Read More…]
State legislation, wolf reintroduction, water regulation outlook ‘depressing’
RBC | “Depressing.” That’s how RBC Commissioners describe legislation underway at the state capitol. Commission Chair Jeff Rector said he testified on Senate Bill 181 again last week in another 10 hour session. Proponents of the energy industry, and counties dependent on oil and gas tax revenue, believe the bill—as[Read More…]
Meeker trustees shift course on plans for Third Street facilities
MEEKER | In a work session following the regular board meeting, Meeker trustees reviewed a study about the town’s facilities at the end of Third Street, which include the water load-out, town shop, dog pound and recycling center. During discussions with Better City about the proposed Adventure Center, moving the[Read More…]
DA decides not to file charges in officer-involved shooting death
RANGELY | No charges will be filed against Rangely Police Lt. Roy Kinney or any of the officers involved in the shooting death of Daniel Pierce, 58, last December. Ninth Judicial District Attorney Jeff Cheney outlined his reasons for the decision in a 12-page letter released earlier this month following the[Read More…]
County Beat: March 14, 2019
RBC | Members of the public present for Monday’s meeting of the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners urged the board to “use every tool in the tool box” to fight back against SB19-181. “There was a power failure in Rangely yesterday [Sunday],” said Rangely resident Jimmie Dearman, 80, who[Read More…]
Fire Rescue members honored at annual banquet
RBC | At the 85th annual Meeker Fire Rescue Banquet on Saturday, March 9, Gary Merriam received an award for his 40 years of service to the department. Some, not all, of the members of Meeker Fire Rescue, were present Saturday to receive their recognition awards for years of service,[Read More…]
Wildlife worries dominate discussion at Woolgrowers
RBC | The potential introduction of wolves into Colorado dominated discussion for a second year at the Rio Blanco County Woolgrowers annual meeting. While the sale price for wool is up 16 percent, and grazing fees are down, there wasn’t much more in the way of positive news shared at[Read More…]
Q&A with author Diane Les Becquets
MEEKER | Diane Les Becquets, a former professor of English and MFA director, is an avid outdoorswoman, enjoying backpacking off the grid, snowshoeing, archery, and swimming. A native of Nashville, she spent almost 14 years living in Meeker before moving to New Hampshire. Les Becquets will be in Meeker on[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Strawgate
As long as the clock is ticking, the pendulum swings from one extreme to the other. Politics are no exception. Whichever side takes power, there’s a reaction from the other side. It’s almost always a lot of drama without a lot of substance. Take, for example, the latest bit of[Read More…]
Moffat County District Attorney issues new round of Dinosaur subpoenas
DINOSAUR | The Dinosaur Town Council will be taking another taxpayer‑funded trip Thursday, Feb. 28, to Steamboat Springs to testify before a grand jury regarding an ongoing, sealed investigation into the small town of about 300. Trustee David Heinrich on Tuesday, Feb. 26, confirmed he and at least eight others[Read More…]
