Here’s our community newscast for the week of December 17, 2020
Twenty-year-old Colten Fritzlan, a rodeo star with Rio Blanco County connections, finished third in the National Finals Rodeo this year. It was his first time competing at the national event. Fritzlan netted more than two-hundred-forty-one-thousand dollars in season earnings. Photo and Zapcode video on page 1B.
A special report from the HT’s Lucas Turner investigates oil and gas wastewater spills in the Piceance Basin. More than 700,000 gallons of produced water, a hazardous waste byproduct, was spilled in the basin in 2019. More on PAGE 1A.
The HT continues the CoLab On Edge mental health series with the story of Janay Barfoot, a Lakewood resident who discusses the stigma associated with sharing mental health struggles. Read her story on PAGE 2B. Watch for more coverage, and features from Rio Blanco County residents, in the coming weeks.
Whatever you’re going through, crisis counselors and professionally trained peer specialists are always available to help. Call the Colorado Crisis Services hotline at 1-844-493-TALK (8255). There is no wrong reason to reach out.
The state moved Rio Blanco County to Level Orange on their COVID dial framework Monday, Dec. 14, according to the CDPHE website. This further reduces capacity rates for various small businesses and makes the county ineligible for new variance requests. More on PAGE 1A.
Rio Blanco County’s COVID dial movement has been a bit chaotic. The county was Level Green for several weeks, then CDPHE informed the Public Health Department they’d be moving to Level Red. Instead, RBC was moved to Level Yellow. It took five days for the CDPHE to update the dial dashboard to reflect that. RBC was supposed to be in Level Yellow for three weeks, but was moved to Level Orange early. (You don’t have to use this, I just need to blurt it out. Cuz it’s RID-IC-U-LOUS.)
The United States hit 300,000 COVID-related deaths Dec. 14. Locally, however, case counts were down in both Meeker and Rangely last week. More statistics on page 3B.
In the opinion section this week, editor Niki Turner reminds us to “just keep swimming” (Dory voice in background … COPYRIGHT BE DAMNED), the Meeker School Board lays out the case for keeping kids in school, and Kaye Sullivan thanks her “trail angels.” That and more on pages 4-5A.
Rio Blanco County commissioners had a busy meeting Tuesday with not one, but two meetings. Coverage of the regular meeting is on Page 2B, and the 2021 budget approval report is on page 8A.
Chilly weather made its way to Rio Blanco County this week and is expected to stick around. There’s no better time to enjoy the crisp winter air with a buddy or two, and Rangely’s Kaisley Sanford did just that with her pet rooster Tony. Photo on PAGE 1A.
The Sanfords also won Rangely’s Snowflake Pet competition with goat “Billy the Kid.” A photo, and results from this year’s Christmasfest, on page 7A.
You can still enter to win $50 in Holiday Bucks through our Shop@Home promo in both Meeker and Rangely. Sign up for the sweepstakes at any of the businesses advertised on pages 6 and 7A.
Congratulations to this week’s winners, Jake and April Butler, who entered at Northwest Auto in Meeker, and Wade and Chris Allred, who entered at EZ Auto in Rangely.
All that and more in this week’s edition, in print and online at ht1885.com
Thank you for supporting community journalism.
