Letters To The Editor, Opinion

Letters to the Editor: Sept. 17, 2020

Thank you from property owner

Dear Editor:

I have owned property on the Meeker Dome for over 25 years. The land is special to me and is providing much in the way of recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation for myself, family and friends.

For the past several years, the property has been developed to provide forage and habitat for the area mule deer that are being decimated by Chronic Wasting Disease. These efforts are under the supervision of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

The property was struck by “dry lightning” over the Labor Day holiday. Fortunately, a major disaster was averted through the prompt and skilled action of the following parties and organizations: Meeker Volunteer Fire Department, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, BLM fire crew, Meeker Police Department, Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge Department, Darrold Nay, and White River Electric Association.

But for the concerted efforts of the above groups, individuals and many others, the Meeker area was spared from what is being reported in the national news regarding the horrors of conflagrations throughout the West.

My thanks and heart felt appreciation to everyone involved in limiting the damage from the fire to scrub trees and ground cover.

Ed Matonich
Meeker

Meeker Mustang Makeover thanks community

Dear Editor:

What to do with an ever expanding herd of wild mustangs in the local surrounding range?

Last year a group of area citizens came up with the idea of a Meeker Mustang Makeover.

A local solution to a local challenge. Quickly it was embraced by the community and in just its second year was able to gain national attention and buyers to more than double the prices and reach of the event.

Huge thanks to our umbrella non-profit, the Rio Blanco County Historical Society and their hardworking Terri Reed, their executive director, for saying, “Sure we can do that!” along with Maym Cunningham for being the on-going cheerleaders and mentors. The White River Branch of the Bureau of Land Management, and in particular the always cheerful and incredibly capable and energetic Melissa Kindall, brought organization and endless resources to assist in this pilot program and make it a success.

Our sponsors, this year led by White River Electric Association who brought in their partners, Tri-State and Basin, to be our grand sponsors, along with generous Silver Sponsors Utah Gas Corp and The Bank of San Juan, and the RBC Lodging Tax Board.

The success of being able to reach around the world goes to our Silver Sponsor partners the Rio Blanco Herald Times who produced our sparkling auction brochure, and helped with their partner Level Head Audio to live stream the whole event, which for those who watched at home, said had the quality of NBC Sports. Our new partner this year, Longhorn Video Auctions, did a spectacular job of marketing the event and running it online resulting in more than double the sale prices for our horses, helping trainers and creating a strong foundation for next year’s event.

Did we mention 20,000 views on the auction page?

Valued financial and service partners included: Ducey’s Electric, Ranch and Resort Realty, Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, 4M Ranch, Columbine Ford, Mountain West, Town of Meeker, Curicyn, Rio Blanco County, Michael Gotchey, DVM and Steamboat Veterinary Hospital, Murdochs, Global Fund Investments, Identity Graphics, the Meeker Fire Department and the Meeker VFW Post 5843 and American Legion Post 74 led by Rob Baughman, Boyd Richardson of the Meeker Fairgrounds, and of course the Lions Club for their great refreshments and cheerful service. And thanks to the /EV Ranch for their use of their yearling cattle.

Our well respected knowledgeable and great judges, Steve Mantle, Bridget Strang, Mindy Bower, brought fairness and legitimacy to our event, along with course designer Maree McAteer, announcer Jay Mueller and Diane Shipley and her sidekick Joanne Oatman, and our volunteer veterinarian, Mike Gotchey.

And special thanks to all the trainers who came from across the state for believing in our mission: educating the public and showing that even with just 100 days these horses can become amazing partners.

And special thanks to the town of Meeker and all of Rio Blanco County for their patience with this year of COVID and the difficulties of event planning. Here’s to next year for full stands of local and visiting families and continuing the growth of this hometown fun event geared to area trainers — a testament to the resilience and innovative spirit of the American West.

Meeker Mustang Makeover Board of Directors: Bruce Clatterbaugh, Melissa Kindall, Deirdre Macnab, Robyn Blackwood, Billy Goedert, Dessa Watson, Jane Turnburke, John Rogers, Elizabeth Pearce, San Riebold

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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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 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.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • 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.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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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!
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!
47 mins ago
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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.
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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
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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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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4 days ago
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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.
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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View on Instagram |
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