Thanks for listening to Rio Blanco County news. Here are highlights from the August 6 edition of The Herald Times.

Happy Birthday to the Herald, which is 136 this week! The first edition was published Aug. 15, 1885 by Mr. James Lyttle.

Check out the cover of the very first Herald on page 6B this week.

Three new cases of coronavirus were reported in the county Wednesday and eight new cases were reported today, Aug. 6, bringing the case count to 20, with 14 active, and 6 recovered.

The active cases are in Meeker. You can find more information at rbc.us/592/Coronavirus-Update

The Skull Creek neighborhood near Dinosaur could become the site of an open pit mine for frac sand. Uinta Mining, LLC filed an application for construction permit in October 2019. Homeowner Lori Lazarus is concerned about truck traffic, noise pollution, water quality and quantity, and proximity to uranium deposits. Story begins on page 1A.

August 24 is the first official day of school for Rio Blanco County. Each school has outlined precautions to protect the health of students and staff, including masks, self-screening, social distancing, and no in-town bus routes. Check more specifics on page 1A.

Three Meeker residents have been sentenced for poaching two trophy bull elk last fall. 18 year old Henry Musser, his father John Musser, and a juvenile pled guilty and will face various fines and court costs totalling more than $30,000, and were ordered to forfeit their hunting equipment.

This week’s sound of Meeker ... the St. James church bell ... read more on page 6A.

The annual Kottenstette blood drive will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12 at CNCC in Rangely from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are required. Visit the link in the story on page 3A to reserve a time slot.

RBC Public Health is offering HPV, Tetanus and meningitis shots for middle schoolers with all insurance sources. Details on page 4A.

Flood insurance rate maps for Rio Blanco County have been released, and some homeowners will be required to purchase flood insurance under the new models. You can check to see if your property was added (or removed) by visiting the links on page 6A.

The Rio Blanco County Fair is underway. View photos from the first view events on page 8A, and watch for more coverage in the coming weeks.

Here’s a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late.”

That’s all for this week. Find more in print and online at ht1885.com.

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

Thanks for tuning in to Rio Blanco County news. Here are highlights from the July 30 edition of the Herald Times.

HT intern Sophia Goedert takes a look at how the coronavirus pandemic has affected area ranchers, from packing plant bottlenecks to nonexistent markets. This week’s feature story and photos on page 1A.

Rio Blanco County public health nurse Kelly Christian of Rangely has resigned after accepting a position at Rangely District Hospital. A goodbye potluck was held July 22. According to RBC’s help wanted listing in the classifieds, applicants for Christian’s position are still being sought.

Oil and gas fallout is going to hit Rio Blanco County where it hurts this season. Preliminary numbers indicate an 11.5% drop in revenue due to impacts on assessed valuations. This translates to about $900,000, or 5% of operating expenses, according to Finance Director Janae Stanworth.

The reduction in property tax revenue will also extend to every special district with a mill levy.

Additionally, the county expects to lose about $1 million in severance tax and mineral lease dollars this year, and even more in 2021.

According to RBC Assessor Renae Nielsen, about 80% of the county’s total assessed value is tied to oil and gas.

In pandemic related news, Public Health is working on the application for the county to move into the third phase of the coronavirus response titled “Protect Your Neighbor.” Case counts remain at 6, with all patients recovered.

The HT hosted a fourth coronavirus q&a live last Thursday.

Here’s an excerpt.

“The whole point of closures, the whole reason any society chooses to close down or shut down, this is around the world, it’s all about hospital capacity. If you think of it in terms of that, anything we can do, even if a lot of people are going to be asymptomatic, so we’re not going to be able to use just hey stay home if you’re sick as a strategy but if we can wear a mask and we can have broader mask usage if we do that we can really reduce the risk or reduce the amount the virus is spreading in our communities therefore reducing the number of people potentially who are going to catch it who are gonna get sick and end up in our hospitals. That’s when we’re going to see statewide closures again is when we reach that ICU bed capacity.

If you start thinking about it like that, wearing a mask is one of the best ways we can stay open.

Watch the full video on our Facebook page or YouTube channel, or listen here on the podcast.

HopeWest had to cancel their gala fundraiser this year, but there are still plenty of ways to donate to the hospice program. Perhaps the tastiest way is to swing by HopeWest’s farmer’s market booth Friday, July 31, for Christine Halandras’s famous baklava sundae. All proceeds benefit HopeWest. For more ways to donate, read the story on page 5A.

This week’s Sound of Meeker: the siren. Read the full story on page 6A.

Rangely and Meeker football teams held scrimmages in preparation for the regular season. Practice for both teams begins Aug. 10. More sports on Page 1B.

Informed citizens are the best citizens. Read your public notices, which start on Page 4B this week.

From the Rangely Times, 50 years ago:

A true diplomat is a man who can tell you to go to hell so tactfully that you’ll actually look forward to making the trip.

Find more in this week’s edition, in print and online at ht1885.com.

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

***

Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1 - I. Allegro by Daniel Veesey is licensed under a Public Domain License.

Cover photo by Sophia Goedert.

Welcome to Rio Blanco County News. Here's your update for the week of July 23, 2020.

If you happened to be on the planet, oh, 6,700 years ago, you may have caught a glimpse of a comet making its way through the sky.

Since NASA definitely wasn’t around back then, scientists have only recently discovered a new-to-us celestial body, dubbed NEOWISE after the mission that spotted it: the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer.

NEOWISE is approximately three miles wide. Check page 1A of this week’s edition for a sky map and a NASA video on spotting the comet.

Give it a shot with binoculars, a telescope, or even the naked eye, as this comet won’t be seen again until the year 8,786.

Three wildland fires in Rio Blanco County are now mostly contained after an incident management team took over command last week, setting up a large camp at the RBC Fairgrounds. The fires burned a total 3,712 acres.

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect in Rio Blanco County and on Bureau of Land Management and White River National Forest land.

More in our update on Page 1A.

Nichols Store in Rangely is celebrating their 116th birthday this year. Fred Nichols, who worked for the Meeker Herald in the early 1900s, managed and then purchased the general store in 1963. In 1974, Bill Hume, a long-time employee, and his brother John purchased the store. Bill continues to operate it today. Check out photos on page 1A.

The Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials has been canceled this year due to coronavirus concerns. Make plans for the 2021 event, which is set for September 8-12. More on Page 1A.

Commissioners and some residents came out against a statewide mask mandate at Tuesday’s meeting in Rangely.

RBC Public Health Director Alice Harvey expressed support for the commissioners politically, but stated Public Health will still be encouraging mask usage because scientific data indicates it can help slow the spread of the virus.

Why? Well, a covering over your face and nose makes it harder for your spit to make its way into someone else’s mouth or nose, spit which may contain respiratory viruses like COVID-19, whether you have symptoms or not. (Check out this video: https://www.pbs.org/video/how-well-do-masks-work-ke2qje/)

So, that’s the scoop science-wise, but is a mask mandate really an unconstitutional infringement on your personal freedoms?

According to most constitutional law scholars, the answer is “no”, but a final decision in this case will have to come from the courts.

Kaye Sullivan introduces us to the Sounds of Meeker in a new series. This week’s focus: wildfire. Read it on page 6A.

Enjoying the great outdoors has not been cancelled. Showcase your business in the 20th annual Northwest Colorado Hunting Guide magazine and help hunters enjoy a safe and responsible season. Email [email protected] or call 970-220-2228 to reserve your space.

From the Meeker Herald archives, 125 years ago:

Overcharged boilers burst or blow out a cylinder-head; overcharged politicians avoid danger by talking all the time.

More in this week’s edition in print and online at ht1885.com

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

***

Last Energy For The Day by Loyalty Freak Music is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

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Thanks for tuning in to Rio Blanco County news. Here’s your update from the July 16 edition of the Rio Blanco Herald Times.

***

A sixth case of coronavirus was reported in the county earlier this week. According to public health, four of the six cases are considered recovered.

Recommendations to slow the spread of the virus include social distancing - keeping at least six feet of space between yourself and others in public spaces, washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and wearing a cloth face mask, scarf or bandana in public to keep your respiratory droplets (AKA spit) out of other people’s mouths and noses.

The State of Colorado instituted a mask mandate after this week’s edition went to press. Find that story on our website at ht1885.com.

***

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has assumed command of multiple fires in Rio Blanco County. The team is staging near the Rio Blanco County fairgrounds. The fires were all sparked by lightning, and more than 3,000 acres have burned.

Rio Blanco County has instituted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, as well. Find more fire coverage on page 1A.

***

Commissioners will look at adding a ballot question regarding term limits for some county officials this election cycle. Further discussion is planned for the next Meeker meeting. Find more in the county beat on page 2A.

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The White River is turning green, with the algae cladophora or “rock snot”, coating the river bottom. The recurring issue is being studied by the United States Geological Survey, and findings are expected next year.

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Here’s a quote for your weekend, again from Teddy Roosevelt, a favorite of ours.

“If you could kick in the pants the person most responsible for your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.”

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Find more local news in this week’s edition, in print and online at ht1885.com.

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

***

You're Magic by Soft and Furious is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Thanks for listening to Rio Blanco County News. Here are highlights for the week of July 9, 2020

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Front Range counties are leading the census response in Colorado, meaning Rio Blanco County could be underrepresented when it comes to funding and planning for schools, infrastructure, healthcare, grants and government representation. Results will impact our communities for the next 10 years.

Only 42.4% of RBC residents have responded.

You can respond online in about five minutes at 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.

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Rio Blanco County, the Town of Meeker and the Town of Rangely are hosting public meetings to present updated floodplains. These may impact insurance rates and developments. Details on PAGE 3A.

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The Town of Meeker’s water fluoridation equipment is inoperable and as a result, water is not currently being fluoridated at optimal levels. The Town is working to obtain updated equipment, and you can find updates on the progress on their website at townofmeeker.org and social media pages.

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Check out photos from Rangely and Meeker’s Fourth of July celebrations on page 1A this week.

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Opie, a mini Aussie with a brown and white coat, went missing from Park Avenue in Meeker last Friday after illegal fireworks were set off in the area. He is not wearing a collar. Please keep your eyes peeled for Opie, and call 970-361-0293 or 970-878-3333 if you have any information.

***

Here’s your quote for the week from Theodore Roosevelt, who often visited Rio Blanco County in the early 1900s. You can learn more about his local adventures at the White River Museum

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Public Domain Soundtrack Music: Album One by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Thanks for listening to Rio Blanco County News from the Herald Times. Here are top stories from the July 2 edition.

Ty Gates will be the next Rio Blanco County Commissioner for District 3, taking the seat vacated by Si Woodruff. Gates won against Mona Avey with 62.49 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect tomorrow, July 2, in the White River National Forest. Under stage 1 restrictions, fires are only allowed in designated fire grates in developed campgrounds. No other fires of any type are allowed, including charcoal, smoking, use of explosives, welding or torches, or internal combustion engines lacking a spark arrestor.

Rio Blanco County and the BLM White River Field Office are not entering fire restrictions at this time.

Rio Blanco County’s coronavirus case count continues to tick upward, with the fourth case announced Tuesday. Pioneers Medical Center shared a press release stating a relief employee had tested positive, but was asymptomatic.

Residents in Rangely held what they titled the All American Freedom March Friday, June 26. A parade honored first responders, veterans and local law enforcement, followed by a free barbecue. More on page 1A.

An iconic Meeker property is for sale. Sleep Cat Ranch has been listed with local agent Suzan Pelloni for $7.9 million. Check out the story on page 2A.

License requirements for State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands are now in effect. If you are 18 or older, you must have a valid hunting or fishing license to access these areas. More on page 1B.

ERBM Recreation and Park District discussed budget projections and projects at two meetings in June. Budget projections show decreases to ERBM’s fund balance every year for the next 10 years. More details on page 2B.

Check out the Range Call special section in this week’s edition for an event schedule, information on where you can livestream the parade and fireworks if you’d rather not go out, messages from local businesses and more.

Apart from the flags and fireworks, Americans also love to celebrate with something else on the Fourth of July: hot dogs. More than 150 million of them are consumed during Independence Day celebrations across the country. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, that’s enough hot dogs to stretch from D.C. to LA more than 5 times.

Celebrate the freedom to be an informed citizen! Subscribe to Rio Blanco County news in your favorite podcast app, and find more in print and online at ht1885.com

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

Propane by Tintamare is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License.

https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/484266/

The 21st Century Guide to Being an Informed Citizen

POP THAT BIAS BUBBLE

Have a (civil) conversation with a friend you disagree with on a local political topic, preferably in person. (Try not to chicken out and hide behind a screen.)

CHECK YO'SELF

ANYONE with a computer and a connection can throw up misleading information on the internet in seconds these days. Avoid getting duped by checking your sources, sticking to reputable websites and outlets, and fostering a healthy skepticism.

Treat the internet like the front page of the National Enquirer - excellent at getting your attention in the grocery line, but also false, inflammatory and generally ridiculous.

OPINIONS ARE LIKE ...

Americans love to shout about freedom (and we should!), but it goes both ways. Someone else is allowed to disagree with your strongly held beliefs ... just make sure you can tell the difference between strongly held beliefs and basic facts and you'll be a-okay.

VOTE

We don't care how (friendly reminder: we do not endorse candidates.) Just fill out that little sheet of paper, drop it or mail it (don't forget the stamp) and ask your family and friends to do the same.

SHOW UP

Attend a public meeting or two, when you can. And when you can't ...

Read your community newspaper!

#informedcitizensarethebestcitizens

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Happy Dictator by Simon Mathewson is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.

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Here’s Rio Blanco County news from the June 25 edition of the Rio Blanco Herald Times.

*fireworks sounds*

Fireworks are one of america’s favorite pastimes, but for some, the pops and crackles can be disruptive or downright scary, especially if the noise is unexpected.

Adults and children with autism-related noise sensitivity can have a hard time calming down after the disruption, family pets may panic or bolt, and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder can be triggered as well. Please be considerate this coming holiday.

Read more … and refresh your memory on what types of fireworks are legal and illegal in our state ... on page 1A.

Have you voted yet? Primary ballots are due back by Tuesday, June 30. You can drop your ballot off at the courthouse ballot boxes, or mail it. If you are unaffiliated or independent, make sure you only return one party ballot.

Contact tracing is underway after a second positive case of COVID-19 was announced last week. If you’ve been in close contact with the person who tested positive, you’ve probably already been notified by public health. Contract tracing, while not perfect, is effective when combined with safety measures like social distancing, wearing a mask in public, self isolating if you have symptoms and getting tested if you think you might have COVID-19.

More info from Public Health Director Alice Harvey on pages 1A and in the County Beat on page 7A.

Rangely residents Sara Woodall and Lyndon Cordova welcomed a baby girl just a bit earlier than planned last Friday. Miss Cora Mae was born in the back of an ambulance about 10 minutes from Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. The family thanked the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s office for helping them get through the road construction, and mom and baby are doing well. Check out the new cutie and more from the family on page 1A.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has received increased wolf sighting reports in the state. The closest pack to our neck of the woods has been sighted in neighboring Moffat County, but has been “relatively quiet of late” according to a press release. New sightings have been reported in Larimer County and Grand County. More on Page 4B.

Read through the public notices in the back of each edition, this week and every week. While they’re certainly not the most thrilling, you will find all sorts of useful information about local government activities, spending, meetings, and more. This week’s notices start on page 5B.

Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast in your favorite app, and find more in print and online at ht1885.com

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

Stomps and Claps by Scott Holmes is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.

Here’s your weekly update from the Rio Blanco Herald Times for the week of June 18, 2020.

Rio Blanco County has a second confirmed case of COVID-19. The first confirmed case was reported April 2, and that person has fully recovered. Public Health cannot confirm whether the positive is in Meeker or Rangely, but Director Alice Harvey stated the person has been on both ends of the county.

If you are identified by contact tracing, you will be notified and can get tested.

A different kind of bug is also making its way around. Rio Blanco County has an outbreak of Mormon crickets. The 2 to 3 inch insects have infested properties along Strawberry Creek Road and have also been spotted on China Wall.

Mormon crickets are actually a species of shield-backed katydid, but they take their name from Mormon history. In 1848, a swarm of the insects were eating all the crops of starving Mormon pioneers near Salt Lake, Utah. The pioneers prayed for deliverance, and according to the tale, a huge flock of California gulls swooped in and gobbled up the insects over a two week period, saving the crops and the lives of the pioneers in the process.

Mormon crickets, like many insects, are edible and nutritious for humans, too … if you can get over the ick factor. About 2100 years ago, the Ute and Paiute indian tribes would harvest the insects, dry them, ground them into flour, and bake them into bread. Rumor has it they taste quite sweet.

Find that story on Page 1A.

Approximately 20 Rangely residents held an event Tuesday in remembrance of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The peaceful vigil, organized by Peter Forbes and Julie Noyes of Rangely, included readings, videos and 8 minutes and 46 seconds of candlelit silence. It tturned into quite the spectacle, however after a resident posted rumors on a Facebook page that the group Black Lives Matter would be bussing in “lots of out of town people.” The post cautioned residents to be “ready for protection.”

The swirling rumors drew more than 200 spectators, who surrounded the vigil participants for the entire ceremony. Some snapped photos. Some peered through binoculars. Others carried political flags. One man held a cardboard sign reading, “we support our police department.” Most just watched.

The Facebook rumors proved to be unfounded. No buses came, no outside protestors appeared. The event remained peaceful and anticlimactic.

Our story begins on Page 1A.

Jammin’ Lamb has been canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. A final decision on whether to go ahead with the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials will be made August 1.

More info on page 2A

Thanks to the College Opportunity Fund, tuition will be waived for some Rangely residents who choose to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College. 2.1 million dollars in tuition is available.

Find more details, and eligibility requirements, on page 7A.

Meeker’s Main Street Program is moving forward with several local downtown projects. The primary purpose of the program is to preserve historic downtowns, according to manager Stephanie Kobald.

You can learn more about the Program and check out a map of the designated downtown area on page 3B.

That’s all for this week. Check out the rest in print and online at ht1885.com

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

Intro and outro music:

Madness is Everywhere (ID 1228) by Lobo Loco is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Thanks for listening to Rio Blanco County news. Here are top stories from the June 11 edition.

Wild weather blew through the county last weekend. A dir-RAY-cho is a long-lasting line of severe thunderstorms that produces wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour. The phenomenon almost never happens in the Western United States. In fact, it’s only been recorded twice, according to the National Weather Service.

This storm was 750 miles long and was described as “exceedingly rare” because it crossed over the Continental Divide, which typically tears these systems apart. It downed trees and displaced gravestones at Highland Cemetery, knocked over power poles, took out internet towers near Rangely and upriver, and started a brush fire southeast of Meeker

In our unscientific opinion, 2020 needs a chill pill.

Also this weekend, the MHS Class of 2020 stepped into adulthood in a drive-in style ceremony at Ute Park.

Thankfully, the wind gusts had died down by the time the graduates toss their caps. Congratulations to the class of 2020! Check out the photos and the graduation keepsake edition in this week’s paper.

Summer events are gearing up with restrictions in place after the county received their second variance request. The Meeker Summer Rodeo Series got underway this week, and Rangely’s annual Surf and Turf dinner and fireworks are planned for the Fourth of July.

RBC Public Health Director Alice Harvey has recommendations for staying safe this summer.

(EXCERPT)

But, what about those hot, and hotly contested, masks? Here’s what Alice had to say.

(EXCERPT)

Hooray for science.

More from our latest coronavirus q&A on page 1A.

Rangely District Hospital suffered a ransomware attack in April. Ransomware is a type of computer virus that encrypts files and then demands a ransom payment be made to unlock or decrypt them. RDH did not pay any ransom and has recovered many files from backups and other sources. You will receive a notice if your records were compromised. More on Page 2A.

Primary ballots were mailed Tuesday. If you’re an unaffiliated or independent voter, you’ll get both a Republican and Democratic ballot, but you can only fill out and return one, or both votes will be invalidated. Ballots are due back by June 30.

Find excerpts from our interviews with RBC Commissioner Candidates Ty Gates and Mona Avey on Page 3B, and watch full videos on YouTube and Facebook, or listen to the episodes here on Rio Blanco County News.

June is PTSD awareness month. While it can and does affect the general population, veterans are at a higher risk of experiencing PTSD. Basic symptoms include reliving the event, avoiding situations that are reminders of the event, negative changes in beliefs or feelings, and feeling keyed up and on edge.

If you or someone you love needs help managing PTSD symptoms, call 1-800-273-TALK.

There’s our highlights for the week of June 11, 2020. Check out the rest of the stories, letters, classifieds, public notices and of course messages from the advertisers who support community journalism.

Thanks for listening!

Music in this episode:

There's a Party in the Factory! (instrumental) by Freddy & the Indifferents is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Netherlands License.

Patriotic songs of America by New York Military Band and the American Quartet is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.