Disagreement and confusion over trustee application process continues Rio Blanco County commissioners tabled an appointment to the Meeker Regional Library District Board until Sept. 15 after applicant interviews ran longer than expected Tuesday morning. Commissioners scheduled a work session to conduct interviews with Stacy Hudelson, Kimberly Maupin, Lester “Mike” Bartlett[Read More…]
Latest News
Summer project brings MES garden back to life
As the school year ramps up, Meeker Elementary School’s garden is looking abundant and green thanks to a summer gardening project involving Yampatika, ERBM Recreation & Park District, school staff, local businesses and volunteers. The project was spearheaded this summer by Ann Franklin through Yampatika. Yampatika is a Northwest Colorado[Read More…]
Meeker Classic marks 40th anniversary with full slate
SPECIAL TO THE HT The Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials will celebrate its 40th anniversary Sept. 9-13, bringing five days of sheepdog competition, demonstrations, exhibits, art and special events to Meeker. Preliminary runs begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, with 45 dogs competing each of the first three days.[Read More…]
RBC hosting Airport Master Plan open house Sept. 10
Special to the HT Rio Blanco County, in partnership with Garver, will host a public open house Thursday, Sept. 10, to share information about the Rangely Airport Master Plan and gather community input on the airport’s long-term development. The open house will provide an overview of the master planning process,[Read More…]
RIO HAPPENINGS:Aug. 23-29, 2026
ARRESTS 8/27/2026 – The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Rangely Police Department after a man was taken into custody on suspicion of harassment, domestic violence and child abuse. CALL SUMMARIES Bears, mud, fires & handcuffs — just another week in the county. Aug. 23 — Communications received a[Read More…]
STEWART FIRE
The Stewart Fire started Aug. 26 south of the Lee Fire burn scar in the Piceance Basin. The fire burned only 25 acres before crews knocked it down. Fire Chief Luke Pelloni said first responders hit fast and hard to keep it from spreading. Aerial support was on scene the[Read More…]
COMMUNITY CALENDAR – September 3rd, 2026
Short stories and snacks Sept. 5 Meeker Public Library will host short stories and snacks Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. The short story is The Storm by McKnight Malmar. Library open house Sept. 9 Public libraries aren’t just about books anymore! Celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month at Meeker[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Unfinished business
Did you know 1954 is as far from 1990 as 2026 is? When my husband mentioned this Monday night, I argued with him, even though the math does indeed math. Thirty-six years. I am sure those of you who are older and wiser have already caught whatever mysterious affliction it[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS – Good ole’ school days
Special to the HT A totally random observation from this writer at the unofficial end of summer is that there are many more generations making the same statement about the good ole days of school. Reading last week’s online newsletter, I realized that the editor of our own Rio Blanco[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS – The San Clemente
We celebrate our great nation’s 250th anniversary this year. We can also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the White River. The valley had its first European tourists in 1776. The resident Native Americans had been roaming this area for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Saint Clement of Rome was an[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN – Back to school: reflecting on Colorado’s investment in students
Special to the HT This month, school buses are back on the roads in House District 26, and thousands of Colorado kids are heading back into the classroom. As a former teacher and now chair of the House Education Committee, back-to-school season has always been important to me. It is[Read More…]
Wandermore finds plenty to like in RBC
When Seth and Eliese Varner rolled into Rio Blanco County as part of their quest to visit every incorporated town in Colorado, they were looking for the things that make small towns worth remembering. They found history, isolation, dinosaur displays, an old wooden bridge — and one extremely memorable burrito.[Read More…]