Jan. 29, 1937 ~ Aug. 10, 2025 James (Jim) Lee Ruckman was the firstborn son of Raymond Roy Ruckman and Clara Maud Johnson Ruckman, born on Jan. 29, 1937, in Powell Park, Rio Blanco County. When he was a toddler, around 1940, his family moved from the ranch on Powell[Read More…]
Latest News
DAYS GONE BY – August 28th, 2025
Meeker Herald ~ 125 years ago Wanted, immediately, someone to put up a dozen habitable dwelling houses. It is guaranteed that they will be rented as soon as completed. For further information inquire from the first person you meet. Several attempts to break the drought occurred early in the week,[Read More…]
Preseason announcement for Athlos Life youth wrestling season; parents’ meeting Sept. 10
MEEKER | The competitive folkstyle season will begin in December this year and will conclude with the elementary/middle school state tournament. That season will be followed by a competitive freestyle season and will continue through the freestyle state tournament. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to[Read More…]
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reopens Meeker Area office and two State Wildlife Areas
MEEKER | Due to decreased fire activity and an increase in fire containment lines along the northern perimeter of the Lee Fire, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reopened the Meeker Area office. In addition to reopening the area wildlife office, CPW has also removed the closure to Colorow Mountain State Wildlife[Read More…]
BACK TO SCHOOL!
These Meeker Elementary School students were all smiles at the end of the first day of the 2025-26 school year on Monday. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO
Elk Fire 100% contained, Lee Fire at 68% – New team took command Monday
MEEKER | With the Elk Fire 100% contained, progress continues on the south side of the Lee Fire, with 68% containment as of press time Wednesday. On Monday the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 handed off command of the incident to the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management[Read More…]
Breakfast stop leads Dr. Atwell to Barone Middle School principal role
MEEKER | A summer road trip and a stop for breakfast at Wendll’s for a ‘Bodacious Breakfast Burrito’ and coffee set the course for Barone Middle School’s new principal, Dr. Debra Atwell. While traveling through town with her husband, Roger, they visited with a local couple who shared their story[Read More…]
Benny the St. Bernard finds a new home and new job
MEEKER | His name is officially Benjamin, but he goes by Benny. This young St. Bernard was picked up as a dog-at-large in Meeker at the end of July, according to Community Service Officer Melissa Fellows, and subsequently relinquished to the Meeker Animal Shelter by his owner. “He was in[Read More…]
Commissioners limit grant funding to emergency requests, focus on fire recovery
MEEKER | The Rio Blanco County Commissioners opened their regular meeting last Tuesday with a letter of thanks to firefighters, emergency responders and citizens “who have worked tirelessly to protect our community” during the Elk and Lee fires. (The full letter was published in last week’s edition of the Herald[Read More…]
RIO HAPPENINGS: AUG 10-16, 2025
ARRESTS 8/18/2025- A 54 year-old male was arrested by Meeker PD for Felony Eluding, Criminal Attempt, First Degree Assault-Criminal Attempt, Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence, Failure to Maintain Lane, Domestic Violence, Third Degree Assault, Obstruction of a Telephone and Criminal Mischief. He was taken to jail and remains in[Read More…]
COMMUNITY CALENDAR – August 21st, 2025
Date/location change for food bank to this Friday at City Park MEEKER | The Meeker Mobile Pantry will be held on Friday, Aug. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at City Park. This is a date and location change due to the wildfires. La Despensa Móvil Meeker se realizará el viernes 22[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Can we hold on to the good as we return to normal?
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” ~ Abraham Lincoln I am[Read More…]
