‘People who feel the need to control others, don’t have control over themselves.’ ~ Author Unknown My Christmas decorating this year got as far as carrying the artificial tree downstairs and plugging it in. I have no inclination to rummage through boxes in the chilly attic to find the ornaments,[Read More…]
Opinion
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – December 19th, 2024
Library Board mill levy vote Dear Editor, The Rio Blanco County Meeker Regional Library Board is currently controlled by three new board members, relative newcomers, who appear to know little about Rio Blanco County economics. The mill levy, set years ago before the energy boom, is 2.03 mills. With the energy[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: YOUTHZONE
December is always a great time to look back on the year, acknowledging successes and spending time being grateful for our achievements. This year, we certainly have a lot to celebrate! Thanks to the generous support of donors in every corner of our jurisdiction, we were able to raise almost[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: REP. MEGAN LUKENS
As the year comes to a close, I am filled with immense gratitude for your continued support and trust in me as your State Representative. On Nov. 5, I was honored to be re-elected as your State Representative. To the people of House District 26, thank you. Through collaboration, communication,[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The ugly trait we may share with the Grinch and Mr. Scrooge: Contempt
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch. What do these two notorious characters from Christmas fiction have in common that we might all need to check for in ourselves? Is it greed, or stinginess, or selfishness, or meanness? I think we can sum up the[Read More…]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – December 12th, 2024
Thanks from 4-H Dear Editor, The Rio Blanco County (RBC) 4-H Staff, 4-H Program, and 4-H Youth Fund would like to thank the community for their generous support this past week. A big thank you to Mountain Valley Bank (MVB) for hosting their annual Charity Challenge and selecting 4-H as[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: The importance of shopping local
This season of giving promises to be a challenge for many families. The commercial aspect of it is always bloated. The biggest and wealthiest advertisers go all out in every form of communication, radio, television, and social media. The numbers of consumers depending on online shopping, for all of their[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – What is leadership?
“Leadership is not a rank, it is a responsibility. Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” ~ Simon Sinek, Author Classes and programs about leadership (which most people never take until they find themselves thrown into a leadership role) often break[Read More…]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – December 5th, 2024
A call for change in Rio Blanco County’s 4-H program Dear Editor, Our Rio Blanco County 4-H program has experienced a shift in atmosphere, and it is becoming increasingly clear that many of our youth feel discouraged and unsupported. Seasoned 4-H participants are expressing frustration, with one saying, “It’s not fun[Read More…]
Guest Column – Enrollment information for incoming Meeker preschoolers in 2025
MEEKER | Meeker Elementary Preschool is currently gathering information about children who intend to enroll for the 2025-2026 school year. As the Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) prepares to release more information on Dec. 17, we want to share some important details about Meeker Preschool’s enrollment process for the 2025-2026[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Write your own holiday script, you’ve already got all the plot points
“She was new in town and didn’t have any friends, until she decided to trust a handsome stranger —Hallmark movies and true crime podcasts.” ~ Jennifer McAuliffe By the time you’re reading this week’s column you’ll probably be wearing your stretchy pants and contemplating another round of leftovers. Congratulations! You[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Thanksgiving Traditions
Some of us have been venturing out into feats of culinary change for traditional holiday dinners for years. Yet, as more and more family members travel far away and tables are filled with friends who can’t travel to their own families. It has become a tradition to fuse the tastes[Read More…]



