Features, Rangely

Dinosaur mayor seeks letter of ‘no objection’ from Rangely council on casino proposal

RANGELY | The Rangely Town Council met for their regular meeting on Tuesday night. During the meeting they heard a request for support from the Dinosaur casino project from the Dinosaur Mayor and approved additional funding for the Chamber of Commerce.
Town of Dinosaur Mayor Richard Blakely approached the council regarding the Ute Indian Tribe’s attempt to acquire land in the Dinosaur vicinity to build a casino. Blakely was seeking a letter of ‘no objection’ from the council regarding the casino.
Rangely Mayor Joseph Nielsen voiced concerns including the number of acres the tribe is seeking (approximately four square miles) which he described as “excessive,” rights-of-way, ambulance and law enforcement services and sovereign status. “We don’t want to see northern Utes having a seat at the table in Colorado,” said Nielsen. Nielsen said the council would not endorse the casino, but once their apprehensions were addressed they would express that they have no concerns.
Chamber of Commerce Director Konnie Billgren updated the council on the Chevron work taking place this summer. Billgren said she is expecting around 400 temporary employees in late May/early June. However, preparations for the workers are beginning now, including meeting with local restaurants. Billgren is expecting the first living quarters to arrive in town on April 25. Chevron will be providing meals for the workers daily at noon and midnight.
A resolution providing funding to the Chamber of Commerce was approved unanimously. The Council will be providing $15,000 of budgeted money, as well as an additional $5,000 to cover increased activities and salaries for 2017 to the Chamber. Billgren told the council that she really believes she needs additional part time staff for the chamber office.
The council also approved a resolution for the outdoor advertising signs location and maintenance, chip sealing at various locations around town and an application for a technical assistance grant in the amount of $5,000 to help fund the 2017 Dinosaur Spectacular, which council member Lisa Hatch said was expected to cost $42,000-44,000 and bring in approximately $35,000 in revenue.
The council will meet again on April 11 at 7 p.m.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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