Features

Dialing Down …

New changes to the COVID-19 dial metrics changed the designation of 50 of 64 counties Feb. 6, including Rio Blanco, which was moved from Level Orange to Level Yellow by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). For local businesses, the change means operating at 50% capacity instead[Read More…]

February 11, 2021 by Special to the Herald Times Comments are Disabled

County Beat: Board Addresses “Friction”

RBC | Rio Blanco County commissioners started work sessions early Tuesday to accommodate a busy schedule. ERBM Maintenance Manager Rodney Gerloff requested assistance inventorying trees in Meeker’s parks. Gerloff said ERBM could benefit from County Planner Leif Joy’s GIS and drone expertise to map trees in an effective way. With[Read More…]

February 11, 2021 by Niki Turner 1 comment

Board of Health/pandemic

RBC | The county’s Board of Health heard from community members, student athletes, athletic directors and school superintendents regarding the requirement for high school basketball players to wear face masks both on and off the court on Jan. 28. On Feb. 2 the board reconvened to approve a letter addressed[Read More…]

February 5, 2021 by Special to the Herald Times Comments are Disabled

After wanting to die, learning to live

AURORA | Navee Essien has grown up keenly aware of her gifts. More times than she can count, people have reminded the senior at Aurora’s Rangeview High how fortunate she is to have a close family and strong support system, academic and athletic talent, ease making friends, and the kind[Read More…]

February 5, 2021 by Special to the Herald Times Comments are Disabled

White River Algae TAG group reviews data

RBC | The White River Algae Technical Advisory Group (TAG) held a well-attended virtual meeting last week to review data from three studies conducted over the last year. STREAM TEMPS The first data set, presented by Brian Hodges of Trout Unlimited in partnership with Tory Eyre of Colorado Parks and[Read More…]

February 4, 2021 by Lucas Turner Comments are Disabled

Features

How friendship can be a safety net

GRAND JUNCTION | It started about four years ago when Laurel Carpenter and Melissa Humphrey bought matching parkas and then matching comfort shoes. Soon enough, the nurses-slash-best friends from Grand Junction found themselves with matching chihuahua-print leggings and matching hoodies with fleece-lined pockets in which they carry their matching chihuahuas.[Read More…]

January 28, 2021 by Special to the Herald Times Comments are Disabled

Releasing the wolves

CPW sticks to three-year timeline, for now RBC | The 11-member Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission hosted two days of virtual meetings Jan. 13 and 14, with approximately eight of 18 total hours allocated to discussing an adaptive management plan for wolf reintroduction. The passage of Proposition 114 last November,[Read More…]

January 27, 2021 by Caitlin Walker Comments are Disabled

Community spread boosts case counts

RBC | With new case counts remaining high, Rio Blanco County recorded its 401st positive COVID-19 case on Monday, Jan. 25, with some of the highest active case counts since the spike in November. As of Monday, there were 42 active cases in Meeker and 34 in Rangely. Six residents[Read More…]

January 27, 2021 by Niki Turner Comments are Disabled

Commissioners End Morlan’s 17-year Term as County Road and Bridge Director in Unanimous Vote

“All I can say right now is I’m going to do my best to make things right. Our county is too special a place to be ruined by bad decisions,” said Dave Morlan during the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners regular meeting Tuesday. In his public statement, Morlan responded[Read More…]

January 26, 2021 by Lucas Turner Comments are Disabled

Veteran paramedic grapples with post-COVID toll on his lungs and his sense of self

ALAMOSA | Even now, nearly three months after COVID invaded his body, Jason McGinnis cannot stop asking himself how he contracted the virus. On its face, the answer seems clear: He’s a paramedic. But he was careful, thought himself well-protected, thought that if he did catch COVID, he’d knock it[Read More…]

January 21, 2021 by Special to the Herald Times Comments are Disabled

$37K keeps Hopewest hopeful

MEEKER | Fifth-generation Meeker natives, the Conrado family has always been involved in giving back to the community in various ways. The most known contribution has always been providing construction services for projects in and around the town. Meeker Sand and Gravel, run by siblings Dan and Katie Conrado, has[Read More…]

January 20, 2021 by Sophia Goedert Comments are Disabled

RBC COVID-19 cases spike as state vaccination plans change

RBC | Both Meeker and Rangely are seeing spikes in positive COVID-19 cases, and an increase in the number of residents requiring hospitalization. As of Monday, six local residents, ranging in age from their 50s to 80s, were being treated at Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker. RBC Public Health Director[Read More…]

January 20, 2021 by Niki Turner Comments are Disabled