Features, Rangely

Jarrod Fiscus ‘smacks down’ the competition

Rangely resident Jarrod Fiscus is $10,000 richer after he took first place in the History Channel’s Forged in Fire “Titanium Smackdown” episode. Fiscus humbly reports “not much has changed.”

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On May 6 viewers from around the United States tuned into the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire” episode “Titanium Smackdown” and watched as Rangely native Jarrod Fiscus competed and won the championship title. Fiscus competed against three other blacksmiths and bladesmiths who created a variety of weapons which then were tested and judged. Jarrod, the son of Daniel and Bobbie Fiscus and a surface truck driver at the Blue Mountain Energy Deserado Mine, is relieved that he can tell people he won now.
The show was filmed in Connecticut in September 2019. Fiscus, a Rangely High School Class of 2017 graduate, has been blacksmithing for the past several years. He started by grinding out knives. His first project was an old file that he found in the mountains. Between reading, watching online instructional videos, and being mentored by a family friend in Germany, Fiscus was able to sharpen his skills in the disappearing art of blade and blacksmithing, which led to his prestigious win.
Fiscus, owner and bladesmith at Waving Hands Forge, said the day after the show aired, the History Channel deposited his $10,000 winnings into his bank account. Now a local celebrity, being interviewed by newspapers and a radio station, Fiscus humbly reports “not much has changed” since winning. He has goals to start offering blacksmithing and knife-making classes in the community and surrounding areas. To date his favorite projects have been forging Tomahawk axes. Fiscus forges custom works of art such as knives, tomahawks and swords. Individuals interested in his work can follow and contact him via Facebook or Instagram at Waving Hands Forge.
Addressing the graduating class of 2020, which his younger brother Jordan is a part of, Fiscus says the Class of 2020 are great kids and they will go very far in life. Speaking from experience he says, “If you have a dream, chase it with everything you’ve got. With enough effort anything is possible!”

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By ROXIE FROMANG
Special to the Herald Times

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • 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
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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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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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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