UPDATED: 2:02 p.m., 8/5 Elk Fire Evacuation Orders: County Road 8, MM 11-16: evacuation order in place GOSleepy Cat to Lake Avery- North side of the road – GOCounty Rd. 40 and 63 – GOCounty Road 49 evacuation order in place- GORecreationists near Yellow Jacket, Fawn Creek, Sleepy Cat Peak,[Read More…]
Latest News
Elk Fire update: Monday, Aug. 4
MEEKER | Rio Blanco County officials held an emergency meeting Monday morning with updates on the Elk Fire, approximately 11 miles east of Meeker on County Road 8, following a “chaotic” day Sunday. County officials now confirm the Elk Fire at approximately 2,000 acres. Sheriff Anthony Mazzola reiterated that the[Read More…]
Elk Fire prompts emergency declaration, evacuation notice
MEEKER | A lightning-sparked wildfire that started Saturday, Aug. 2, approximately 10 miles east of Meeker in the Oak Ridge area along County Road 8, has grown to an estimated 600 acres according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, prompting a declaration of a local disaster emergency by the[Read More…]
Rogers receives RBC 4-H Youth Fund scholarship
RBC | The Rio Blanco County 4-H Youth Fund (previously known as the Rio Blanco County 4-H Foundation) is pleased to award Charlie Rogers of Meeker, Colorado, with the 2025 Rio Blanco County 4-H Youth Fund Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. Charlie is the daughter of Ben and Jamie[Read More…]
RBC FAIR CAT SHOW
The cat show is a relatively new feature of the RBC Fair. This year two competitors brought their feline friends to compete. Names and results were not available as of press time. JARED HENDERSON PHOTOS
RBC Pioneers Association hosting 114th annual celebration Aug. 9
‘Spirit of the Pioneer Awards’ to be presented to Butch Theos and Sally Lou Shultz MEEKER | The Rio Blanco County Pioneers Association is excited about our 114th annual celebration coming up Aug. 9 with doors opening at 4 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and awards and dancing to follow.[Read More…]
RIO HAPPENINGS: July 20-26, 2025
ARRESTS There were no arrests this week. CALL SUMMARIES 7/20/2025 @ 5:18 pm. When Round-Up just isn’t cutting it… A neighbor called the police because someone was out blowtorching weeds. 7/20/2025 @ 5:36 pm. One vehicle crash at the 4 mile-marker on County Road 8. The single occupant sustained[Read More…]
Preparations for budget season get underway for RBC Commissioners
RBC | As local governments prepare for budget season, the Rio Blanco County Commissioners heard a presentation about the county’s insurance policies from Meredith Burcham of County Technical Services, Inc. (CTSI) during a work session last Tuesday. CTSI administers the County Health Pool (CHP), County Workers’ Compensation Pool (CWCP) and[Read More…]
COMMUNITY CALENDAR – July 31, 2025
Community theater production of ‘Matilda’ coming Aug. 7-9 MEEKER | Mark your calendars for Meeker Arts and Cultural Council’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda: The Musical” on Thursday, Aug. 7, Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9. All performances are at 7 p.m. at Meeker High School and tickets are[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Becoming consistent
‘Reality control’, they called it: in Newspeak, ‘doublethink’.” ~ George Orwell, 1984 There’s a saying about consistency: “What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.” In July I signed up for ladies’ golf classes — a first for me — in an effort[Read More…]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – July 31, 2025
First annual FUNdraising Games set for Aug. 8-9 Dear Editor: For more than 30 years, Wendll’s has always been about the hoopla, cheering on the locals who support us all year, while promoting our local businesses, the great communities of Meeker and Rangely, along with the beautiful White River valley[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS: Letters from history No. 92
White River Agency, Colorado September 29, 1879 To E. S. HAYT, Commissioner, Washington, D.C.: Major Thornburgh, Fourth Infantry, leaves his command 50 miles distant and comes today with five men. Indians propose to fight if troops advance. A talk will be had tomorrow. Captain Dodge, Ninth Cavalry, is at Steamboat[Read More…]