MEEKER | Last week, reporters from the Herald Times had the opportunity to observe suppression repair efforts on both the Lee Fire and the Elk Fire, led by Northern Rockies Team 1, offering a firsthand look at the extensive work required after a wildfire is contained. Lee Fire: Repairing Firefighting[Read More…]
Latest News
From classroom to office: Holliday takes on principal role at Meeker Elementary
MEEKER | After 15 years as the art and music teacher at Meeker Elementary School, Shana Holliday is stepping into her next chapter in education as the school’s new principal. “I’ve been teaching here for 15 years,” Holliday said. “Watching some administration changes over the last five years made me[Read More…]
90% containment reached for Lee Fire
MEEKER | As of press time Wednesday, the Lee Fire was mapped at 137,758 acres. The acreage was updated to reflect more accurate mapping. The FDNY Incident Management team assumed command of the fire on Monday. There were 211 total personnel on the Lee Fire per the Wednesday update. Tuesday[Read More…]
Rec district board seeks change to parks agreement with town
MEEKER | The Town of Meeker’s Board of Trustees were taken aback during a joint work session with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (ERBM) Board of Directors when ERBM Board President Kent Walter read a prepared statement that ERBM wants to end the lease agreement with[Read More…]
RIO HAPPENINGS:AUG 17-23, 2025
CALL SUMMARIES There were 63 traffic stops performed within a 3 day period by deputies on Highway 13 due to the reduced speed limit of 50 mph. 8/17/2025 @ 01:43 pm. A semi-truck traveling near mile marker 60 on Highway 64 ran off the roadway. The driver overcorrected, causing the[Read More…]
County enacts hiring freeze
RBC | In a special meeting Monday, Aug. 25, the Rio Blanco County Commissioners enacted a hiring freeze for the county, effective immediately and continuing through the end of the year. Exceptions must be approved by the commissioners. “The intent of this is so that we don’t have to fire[Read More…]
COMMUNITY CALENDAR – August 28th, 2025
Open drop-in community meeting for landowners affected by the wildfires MEEKER | We understand there are many challenges following the recent fires, and we want to ensure landowners have support and clear information moving forward. Join us for an open, drop-in, community meeting where staff from the BLM, Rio Blanco[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – You can believe whatever you want, and so can ‘they’
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” ~ John F. Kennedy At least at this point in time, we have the right to believe whatever we want to believe about literally anything. We can believe the moon is[Read More…]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – August 28th, 2025
Water engineer disagrees with findings of return flow study Dear Editor: Please accept these comments correcting misinformation published on page 9 of the July 17th edition under “…Return flow study indicates flood irrigation benefits river flows”. The article cites Liz Chandler as referring to results of a groundwater modeling study[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS:Letters from history No. 95
Los Pinos Indian Agency, October 2,1879 TO THE OFFICERS IN COMMAND AND THE SOLDIERS AT THE WHITE RIVER AGENCY: Gentleman: At the request of the chief of the Utes at this agency, I sent it to Joe. W. Brady, an employee, the enclosed order from Chief Oray to the Utes[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Meeker’s Founders — A.J. Gregory
EDITOR’S NOTE: In honor for the Town of Meeker’s 140th birthday in September, we are publishing the histories of the Town’s founders who’s names are listed at the White River Museum and on the plaque on the boulder in front of the courthouse. When the Army occupied the White River[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Non-random acts of kindness
One dark night when we were all in bed, Old Lady lit the lantern in the shed, and when the cow kicked it over she blinked her eyes and said, “It’s gonna be a hot time in the old town tonight.” A hot time would certainly be an understatement about[Read More…]
