
Hello folks!
My brain is a hotter mess than usual this week. The paper is thinnnnn this week, which means I had to make un-fun editorial decisions about what gets print space and what does not. I am decision-ed out.
I still love this little edition. It’s got heart and local voices and community (and rascally sheep!), but there are a lot of pieces missing. I thought it was important to explain why, so that’s what my column is about this week.
In happier news, I was truly inspired by the amazing fifth-grade field trip to Trappers Lake last Thursday! Thanks to the school and the Forest Service for coordinating everything and making it happen, and to my fifth grader (and last elementary schooler 😭) for convincing me to go.

With my three other kids firmly in teenager mode, I am relishing the time before conversations devolve into a mix of eye rolls and huffs.
Being a teenager is really hard. Parenting them is also really hard.
This week’s edition …

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Stories this week:
An update on blue-green algae in Kenney Reservoir
We received additional details after press time regarding blue-green algae in Kenney Reservoir. Here’s all the details we have right now.
Kenney Reservoir near Rangely. Herald Times File Photo A precautionary public health advisory was issued after press time this week after visible cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, were identified in…
The Classic turns 40
Congrats to the Classic on four decades of quintessential Meeker awesomeness, and thanks to Maym for submitting this great feature piece (and for letting us pepper her and Emmy and Regas with questions for this week’s Coffee Time community podcast! Go give it a watch. 🖤)
One of the world’s toughest sheepdog trials returns Sept. 9–13 Each September in Meeker … As the cars line up at the main gate, flags ascend poles and the set-out…
Related: Meeker’s first-ever drone show is tonight! View it from the Fairgrounds (NOTE: there has been a time change to 9 p.m.) Also check out the PEO Quilt Show on Friday, Sept. 11, and head downtown for the first-ever Frontier Fest featuring the Buffalo Soldiers, Josephine Meeker, a fish fry benefitting the White River Alliance ($15/plate), and more. That starts at 4 p.m.
From the Blotter …
Sept. 4, 4:04 p.m. — Deputies and the Meeker Police Department found themselves dealing with a go-kart driver who decided to elude law enforcement.
After what may have been the slowest attempt at eluding in Rio Blanco County history, the driver was eventually apprehended and taken into custody without incident.

More things
During a special meeting Sept. 3, the Pioneers Medical Center Board of Directors appointed Steve Hannah as chief executive officer. Hannah had served as interim CEO since late January 2026.…
Frontier Fest set for Friday Josephine Meeker’s Frontier Fest will take place Friday, Sept. 11, from 4–7 p.m. on Main Street in front of the Rio Blanco County Courthouse. The…
Meeker Police officers were notified of a missing person at 4:24 p.m. Aug. 25. Search efforts continued through the evening and into the early morning hours before being suspended around…
On the Opinion Pages …
Last Thursday, I squished into a bus seat with my fifth grader and one of his friends for…
When I first started exploring Meeker, one of the things that drew me to this little town was the presence of a little wine and cheese shop — Blanco Cellars.…
Dear Editor: Thank you to everyone who helped make David’s 80th birthday so special with your phone messages, emails, cards, and especially for joining us during his open house celebration.…
Dear Editor: On behalf of Extension and the Fair Board, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Rio Blanco County Fair…
Meeker School District RE-1 is “Accredited with Distinction” in 2026. This is the highest accreditation rating given by the Colorado Department of Education. In 2026, only 12 entities earned “Accredited…
EDITOR’S NOTE: This column is part of a paid partnership with Pioneers Medical Center. PMC provides the column, and we’re labeling it clearly so readers know what it is. The…
August may have marked the beginning of the transition from summer into fall, but it was another busy month for the Meeker Chamber & Visitor Center as we continued welcoming…
ICYMI
Did you know the White River was originally named the San Clemente?! (You did if you read History Lessons last week!) Wednesday was the 250th anniversary of the Dominguez-Escalante expedition.
We thought it was cool, so we made a reel about it.
In Sports …
Meeker sophomore Raegan Clatterbaugh prepares to serve during an earlier-season match against Basalt. Clatterbaugh led the Cowboys with 10 kills in Saturday’s five-set loss to Plateau Valley.
Meeker sophomore Kylee Barrios, No. 11, slides into third base during the Cowboys’ game against Thompson Valley at the Berthoud Tournament Saturday, Sept. 5, in Loveland. Barrios and the Cowboys…
This week’s secret is that I have lived in my house for nearly 10 years and I STILL question which switch is the garbage disposal and which is the light. 😭
This week’s secondary secret is that I don’t know how many cute little sheepies I ended up hiding in the newspaper, either (see aforementioned note about mess of a brain). Let me know how many you find!
This week’s … thirdondary … secret is that this is my new favorite reel, in honor of sheepdogs everywhere.
#broccolollies #bordenclockies
See ya!
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