RBC | Rio Blanco County’s proposed 2021 budget is set for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. During work session Tuesday the board reviewed the budget with Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth. Overall revenue is projected to increase by $355,772 and expenses by[Read More…]
Tag: County
‘Vaccine is best hope’
RBC I Before any vaccines for COVID-19 have been distributed, local residents asked questions about possible negative side effects and safety of the new vaccine during the quarterly Board of Health meeting Tuesday. Dr. Albert Krueger, Medical Director for Rio Blanco County Board of Health, responded to the questions. “There[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Forest Health and Pine Beetles
CSU-Extension states: “Mountain Pine Beetles (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae, are the most important insect pest to Colorado’s pine forests.” They can have devastating effects on whole systems. Unfortunately, there are currently millions of dead trees across western North America. Prior to signs of dying trees, indications of an MPB infestation include:[Read More…]
County Beat: Nov 24 Commissioners Meeting
Editor’s Note: After press time on Tuesday, the CDPHE notified the county that RBC would be moving to yellow status on Nov. 30, rather than red as they had previously indicated. Read our full update at theheraldtimes.com/state-moves-rbc-to-yellow-instead-of-red/rio-blanco-county/ RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners work session Tuesday, Nov. 24 began[Read More…]
When in doubt, quarantine
RBC | Local COVID-19 case counts are changing quickly, and not in the right direction. The number of positive cases has tripled in the last two weeks, putting the county in “mitigation” status to attempt to preserve its Protect Our Neighbor status. As of press time Wednesday there are outbreaks[Read More…]
Joint MoCo/RBC DHS director job open
RBC | Rio Blanco County held the budget workshop for the Department of Human Services on Oct. 28. Making budget cuts to DHS is “tricky” because many of the programs, like food assistance, are at least partially reimbursed by the State of Colorado. “If you really want to meet that[Read More…]
County road signs stolen
RANGELY | Several Rio Blanco County road signs have been stolen in the Rangely area. At least 10 missing signs have been reported in the last week. While this may seem like a harmless prank, these missing signs create major traffic hazards, especially at night. The county urges those responsible[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Hooray for public participation
We, like many of you, have spent multiple hours over the last few weeks listening to the county’s budget work sessions for each department. We’ve reported on some of those department work sessions already and are following up on others with additional background information. Some of that reporting has encouraged[Read More…]
RBC sees uptick in COVID-19 cases
RBC | “We all have to be vigilant,” Rio Blanco County Public Health Director told the board of commissioners Tuesday regarding an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
Fire season is not over
RBC | Extreme drought and fire conditions continue to plague Northwest Colorado as we head into mid-autumn. According to Rio Blanco County Sheriff Anthony Mazzola, last week the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District responded to five human-start fires, four of which were allegedly started by hunters in the forest. “We[Read More…]
With a $2.3 million budget shortfall, four county jobs are on the chopping block
RBC | Budget work sessions last week culminated in two special meetings Monday and Tuesday as commissioners tackle a shortfall now expected to reach $2.3 million. Late Friday after work sessions, the board issued a notice for a special meeting on Monday at 8 a.m. to discuss “county restructuring due[Read More…]
Open for business?
[responsivevoice voice=”US English Female” buttontext=”Listen to this”] County commissioners submitted a letter to the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment on April 29 requesting a variance for the county in relation to COVID-19 related restrictions, citing low caseload and plans in place. The board received a response via[Read More…]
