Caitlin here, tagging in for Niki (AKA my mom). As you may know, mom’s beloved pupper Nellie the Newshound died Monday after an unexpected injury. We are completely heartbroken and will miss her happy presence so much at the office and in our lives. Thank you for all the kindnesses and hugs and such, they are so appreciated.
In addition to a little break for mom, I’m popping in to lighten things up a touch, because it’s desperately needed to balance out all the sadness going on.
This will, of course, include GIFs and memes and bad jokes. Also, George Washington references.
Thank you to Off The Olive Branch and On The Grapevine for sponsoring this newsletter!
Go get your 17.76% off and party like George Washington… except with more teeth that are hopefully not made out of, you know, hippopotami and stuff.
If you clicked that link, NOW YOU DO. 👏🦛🎊
Rio Blanco County, now with 100% more cowbell Travis.
Election results didn’t come out until pages went to print, so they will officially be recorded in ink (forever and ever and ever) next week.
According to unofficial results, Travis Mobley and Travis Day won their contested primary races for county sheriff and commissioner, respectively.
This was one of the lowest turnout elections I can remember, with only about half of eligible voters casting ballots.
Pretty crazy, if you ask me.
Tap above to get your wristbands.
Today kicks off Range Call AND the celebration of our country’s 250th birthday. Please, please be careful not to spark any fires while you’re celebrating. I totally get that blowing things up is a sacred national pastime, but perhaps not when so many things are on fire already.
If that’s not motivating enough, how about this: don’t give us a reason to report on you.
Do you *want* to end up in the Police Blotter? Cuz that’s how you end up in the Police Blotter.
On the professional blowing stuff up front, Meeker’s fire chief has a letter on page 7 of this week’s edition detailing their decision to continue with the fireworks display and what would warrant cancellation. On the other side of the county, fireworks were canceled June 26 by the BLM, per the WRBM Recreation & Park District.
Happy Things: Kids in Business Day
Also on page 7, continued Kids In Business Day coverage … and maybe even a flicker of hope for the future of humanity. Hop on our socials later today for a video of my favorite quotes from the kids!
Thanks to reporter Jared Henderson for coming along to take photos and to my kiddo Kellan for filming. He only recorded 11 minutes of video upside down and six minutes of the sidewalk, which frankly, is pretty good.
(See Page 3 for additional details on these events.)
🌲 Local Working Group Meeting — July 2
Share input on local conservation priorities at 6 p.m. at the Meeker Fire Protection District. Food and drinks provided.
🏊 MRC Holiday Hours
The Meeker Recreation Center closes at 1pm July 3 and remains closed July 4. Regular hours resume July 5.
🏀 Stars & Stripes Basketball — July 4
ERBM’s annual 3-on-3 tournament tips off at noon with divisions for youth through adults.
🏃 Run for Your Life 5K — July 4
Kick off Independence Day with the family-friendly 5K at 7:30 a.m. from the Downtown Plaza.
🚵 MAMBA Meeting — July 6
The Meeker Area Mountain Bike Association meets at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss trail projects, National Public Lands Day and the Poker Ride.
🎨 Craft Crazy at the Library — July 9
Paint flower magnets with Erin at 5 p.m. Registration is required, call or 970-878-5911 or stop by to sign up.
🚒 Fire Preparedness Day — July 17
Free Fire Preparedness Bootcamp for landowners from 5-7 p.m. during Meekerpalooza. Learn about defensible space, home hardening and fire safety, with Smokey Bear and a fire truck on site.
🍽️ Library Cookbook Wanted
The Meeker Public Library is collecting recipes for a community cookbook. Submit your favorite recipe at the library or by email.
Thanks to the Classic for helping us tell our community story!
Meeker, Meeker Sports, Sports
The Meeker Summer Rodeo Series wrapped up its first month of competition June 25 at…
ERBM, Meeker, Sports
Lace up your sneakers and grab your morning coffee! A true community classic is back…
ERBM, Meeker, Sports
PRESS RELEASE MEEKER | Looking for a way to kick off Range Call weekend? ERBM…
Thanks to 777 Construction for helping us keep the presses running this week!
Did you make it this far? I think most of you probably didn’t.
One of my favorite podcasters likes to tell a secret at the end of their podcast, so I am stealing that tradition to tell you that when I was 15, I became weirdly obsessed with George Washington. (I was homeschooled, okay? Also this is before I found out about the teeth.) My high school sweetheart/now husband was greatly annoyed by this obsession. Lucky for him, George is super dead… or who knows what might have happened!
I estimate approximately 36% of my brain space is forever relegated to useless George Washington fact recall. The rest is used up trying to remember what I just came in here for, followed closely by Disney song lyrics. It’s fun in here.
Anyway, go read the rest of the paper, don’t start any fires, and enjoy the Fourth.❤️🤍💙
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