RBC | As its trial date in water court approaches, hundreds of pages of depositions obtained by Aspen Journalism reveal state engineers’ sticking points regarding a proposed reservoir project they oppose in northwest Colorado. Over a few days in November, state attorneys subpoenaed and interviewed several expert witnesses and the[Read More…]
Features
The Splotch: In a rural Eastern Plains community plagued by drought, stigma won’t be easy to overcome
EADS | “The Splotch,” as some here call the brown mark on the map they check weekly, is the color of scorched earth. Here in Kiowa County, farmers have always relied on whatever moisture happens to fall from the sky rather than on irrigation. In August, this 1,300-person community bordering[Read More…]
One Good Thing: What kept you going during a year like no other?
RBC | We’ve been through enough old Heralds to know this year was a real doozy, but for our annual year in review we flipped the script and asked our readers one good thing that happened to them during 2020. Here are the responses we received. For years I have[Read More…]
Light Up Rangely, Christmas Cheer Contest encourage hopeful holiday spirit during tough year
RBC | Rangely residents participated in the annual Light Up Rangely contest as part of Christmasfest, brightening up the chilly winter streets. Categories were Griswold, Classical and Blow Up Extreme. Winners will receive Rangely Chamber Bucks from the HT ($100 total will be distributed at the discretion of the Rangely[Read More…]
Speaking about depression
DENVER | Some words fail us, and for Robert Werthwein, “depression” is one of them. The 41-year-old director of Colorado’s Behavioral Health Office prefers to say “everything turned to complete s—” when his identical twin, Ryan, died of a brain tumor a week before their 15th birthdays, and that his[Read More…]
Letters to Santa..
Merry Christmas, Rio Blanco County!Please enjoy these letters to Santa from RBC elementary school students, brimming with the magic of the season. Dear Santa,I am thankful for all you do to make children happy. For christmas I wanta nerf gun.Your friend,Tyrel Dear Santa,I am thankful for all you do to[Read More…]
Oil and gas wastewater spills in the Piceance Basin topped 700K gallons last year
RBC | About twice a week, oil and gas operators in Colorado’s Piceance Basin file “Form 19” also called a Spill/Release Report with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). Nine times out of 10, the spilled substance is a form of hazardous waste byproduct called produced water. For[Read More…]
For one family, mental health difficulties aren’t just about 2020
LAKEWOOD | They love each other. That should go without saying. They have, in fact, gone through hell and back for one another — and that was before 2020 rolled out its string of gut-twisting, sleep-depriving upheavals. Still, Janay Barfoot will be the first to say that hers is a[Read More…]
‘Vaccine is best hope’
RBC I Before any vaccines for COVID-19 have been distributed, local residents asked questions about possible negative side effects and safety of the new vaccine during the quarterly Board of Health meeting Tuesday. Dr. Albert Krueger, Medical Director for Rio Blanco County Board of Health, responded to the questions. “There[Read More…]
Colorado’s shadow epidemic: heightened anxiety, depression are testing families, communities and Colorado’s already-frayed mental health safety nets
RBC | On Denver’s west side, an elderly man had been managing his solitude just fine until the pandemic hit, taking with it what social life he had and leaving in its place a loneliness he had not felt for years. Not far from his house, a young woman fights[Read More…]
SANTA’S SOUPED-UP SLEIGH …
Santa’s ride was extra souped-up this year thanks to efforts by ERBM Recreation and Park District, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s office, Meeker Police Department and Rio Blanco Fire Protection District. A Santa parade, complete with a siren-sounding entourage, made its way around Meeker Saturday morning. It was a social distancing-friendly[Read More…]
2nd COVID-related death in RBC
RBC | In a press release issued late Friday, the county announced a second death of a Rio Blanco County resident due to COVID-19 complications. No additional details will be released at this time.