County, Stories

RIO BLANCO COUNTY DAYS GONE BY

The Meeker Herald — 125 years ago
n A meeting was held at J.V. Houston’s office Monday night for the purpose of organizing a baseball club. Morris Dreifuss was elected treasurer and J.F. Houston, secretary. The following constitute the nine, and placed as they will play. C.G. Grymes, catcher; E. Long, pitcher; Morris Dreifuss, first base; J.V. Houston, second base; C.J. Henroid, third base; J.E. Tate, shortstop; Simp Harp, left field; B.C. Wakeley, right field; Charley Beall, center field.
n George D. Meitzler of Piceance Creek met with a bad misfortune Friday last in the burning of his house and furniture.
n County surveyor Clark commenced the official survey of the Meeker Town site Monday and completed the work Wednesday. This will settle all dispute as to the boundary of the town of Meeker and our citizens can now build and wake-up and not find their lot jumped for agricultural purposes. We hope to be able to give a complete description of the boundaries of the town soon.
n W.J. Veatch, formerly of Hot Sulphur Springs, Middle Park, has made a permanent location on Upper White about eight miles above town.

The Meeker Herald — 50 years ago
n A beauty queen and Range Call rodeo season queen will be selected in two contests this week. The winner of the beauty contest will pick up a $100 savings bond. Two runners-up will each be awarded a $25 bond.
n In order to line up the Fourth of July parade as early as possible, parade chairman Sam Cron has issued a plea for those who have issued a plea for those who have entered the historical parade to give him a description of the entry soon.
n In a surprise move in the district court Wednesday, John McLean entered a plea of guilty to the crime of burglary.
n Nina Hauck and Eldon Leff were married at the Meeker Methodist Church Sunday.
n We are so very proud of our son, Michael Lugenbeel, age 10 years, for the wonderful deed he did Wednesday, May 31. He and his little sister “Rusty” were staying with their grandma. When Rusty fell to the ground and stopped breathing, Michael administered mouth to mouth respiration immediately and started her breathing again.

The Meeker Herald — 25 years ago
n District Court Judge Gavin Litwiler said that Deven Striegel had already been given a second change and he was not going to give him a third opportunity. He sentenced him to the middle range of the penalty range with four years in the state penitentiary.
n Following the recommendation of the their planning commission, the board unanimously voted to allow Mike Washburn, Darold Hedenskog and Bill Rucker to use the back room of A. Oldland and Company’s store to manufacture “Binney Bowstrings,” a nationally recognized product.
n For 32 years, the Wilderness Transit Bus Company has been an important transportation link between Meeker and other towns in northwest Colorado, a link that is about to be broken because of the high cost of liability insurance, which increased 283 percent in the last year.
n Miss Peggy Ann Clapper and Howard Stephen Kilduff exchanged wedding vows Friday, May 23 at the home of the bride’s aunt, Vina Johnson, on Flag Creek.
n Christyna Rose Bibb, daughter of Roni and Bill Bibb of Meeker, celebrated her first birthday last Thursday, June 12.

Rangely Times — 45 years ago
n Rangely College’s graduating class were honored at the third annual commencement exercise. Twenty-seven sophomores received diplomas.
n Troy Pollard was installed as president of the Rangely Lions Club June 7.
n Hardworking Jim Warner is responsible for taking care of Rangely’s attractive city park and he does a fine job of it.
n C. Glenn Fraser, former editor of the White River Press, filed charges against Meeker councilmen and mayoral candidates in the recent town election there. He claimed the 14 failed to file an election statement of expenses after the election.
n The First Baptist Church of Rangely was the setting for the June 11 wedding of Miss Karen Dawn White and Roy E. Harris.

Rangely Times — 35 years ago
n Plans are in full swing for the July 5 Rangely Bicentennial Days celebration. A parade will start the days activities.
n Maxine Enterline and Lucille Cook took honors today for having the most fives.
n Because the new recreational swimming pool will not be completed until next summer, the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District will be offering bus rides to the Vernal swimming pool on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays of every week for the rest of the summer.
n At Bestway: Glad 30-gallon trash bags, $1.09; Shasta 12 oz. canned pop, six for 89 cents.

Rangely Times — 25 years ago
n As of June 6, there is a change of ownership in the Rangely Korner Drug Store from the Rooks to Stan and Debbie Peterson.
n “This is an open letter to the many young people who attended the dance at the marina last Saturday night. I wish to congratulate you on the way you behaved; you seemed to enjoy yourselves, you followed the rules and you helped clean up the area before you left. It is too bad I can not say the same for the ‘adults’ who also attended this dance.
n Tish King has added the Sears catalog to her Calico Teapot store.
n Doug and Toni Dembowski are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Amber Ann, and she was born June 14, 1986, at the Rangely District Hospital.
n Meeker won the Town Cup in the Third Maybe Annual Almost Meeker to Rangely Canoe Race, led by the first place team of Greg Fenchel and Curt Leet.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
16 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
17 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
22 hours ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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