How quickly things can change in a week. Or even in a day.
I’m writing this week’s newsletter from a friend’s house an hour and a half from home. I opted to head out early yesterday after the town was placed on “Set” evacuation orders since papers had to be picked up in Rifle anyway, and I would be one less car on the road trying to get out of town if evac status went to “Go.” I’m grateful I had a place to land with my pets. My heart is at home, worrying, waiting, praying, and hoping the winds stay calm today and fire crews are able to accomplish their objectives.
It’s been a rough week and it’s going to be a long haul ahead. In the public meeting last night at the high school (recorded and posted to the Sheriff’s Department FB page) someone said something about needing to have patience and not letting tempers fly. Anger is a secondary emotion, and fear is usually the root. When people are afraid they get judgmental, critical, mean, and irritable. It’s not an excuse for bad behavior, but it is a reason. Keep that in mind when engaging with others in person and online the days to come.
As the print edition won’t make it to the post office for the foreseeable future, we’re taking down the paywall. The link to the online edition at the bottom should take you directly to this week’s paper. And be sure to check the website. We’ve been posting updates there in between issues.
Here’s to hoping by the time we get to Sunday, the winds will have turned in our favor, all will be safe, and we can begin the work of recovery.
County
RBC | For the second time this summer, our print delivery is delayed due to wildfires. The online edition is up, and for this week we are taking down the…
County, Meeker
MEEKER | As per the official update from the incident team this morning, the Lee Fire has grown to an estimated 45,000 acres and the Elk Fire is at 14,250…
Meeker
IMPORTANT: There is a community meeting tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 6) at 7 p.m. at Meeker High School. Fire managers and local authorities will present on current and future fire, weather,…
County
RBC | All lands managed by the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District (Grand Junction and Silt offices) will be in stage 2…
• Due to the fires, there will be no Meeker Summer Rodeo Series rodeo this week.
• The Meeker Arts and Cultural Council’s production of Matilda, originally set for Thursday through Saturday this week, has been postponed.
• The sports competition FUNDraiser set for this weekend has also been postponed.
• The Pioneers Association Annual Dinner and Dance, scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed.
• The Meeker Summer Festival and Pie Auction set for Aug. 23 are cancelled.
• Food Bank of the Rockies is also canceled till further notice. ¡El Banco de Alimentos de las Montañas Rocosas está cancelado hasta nuevo aviso!
• Forest Service lands around the Elk Fire are closed, and BLM lands around the Lee Fire are closed.
• Also closed: Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area, Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area, Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area, Piceance State Wildlife Area – Little Hills Unit and North Ridge Unit.
Rangely, Rangely Sports, RHS Golf, Sports
RANGELY | For the first time in seven years, boys high school golf is back on the course at Rangely High School. Leading the revival is head coach Clark Edwards,…
Meeker Sports, Sports
MEEKER | They’re known as the Meeker Marlins, and they have become a force to be reckoned with. This past weekend in Cortez, the Marlins swam their way to a…
“The most fortunate of us all in our journey through life frequently meet with calamities and misfortunes which greatly afflict us. To fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes should be one of the principal studies and endeavors of our lives.”
Community journalism thrives on your support. Consider subscribing, advertising, or submitting local news and event details. Stay connected at ht1885.com.
Did you receive this email from a friend? Sign up for our newsletter here.
Have a question? Send us a message.
Copyright © 2025 Golden Lasso Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: Rio Blanco Herald Times, PO Box 720, Meeker, CO 81641
You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion, and also because we think you’re pretty cool. Thanks for reading!
