The Rio Blanco County Historical society and Bureau of Land Management White River Field office are seeking stories, photocopies, or archival information about the Yellow Creek Schoolhouse to help complete the historical record. If you’d like to contribute or just want to learn more about the historic structure on state highway 64 between Meeker and Rangely, contact Teresa Reed.
During a special board of health meeting with county commissioners Tuesday, Public Health Director Alice Harvey said a change in behavior was needed, recommended strong action, and asked the board to use messaging in support of mask wearing, limited gatherings and minimizing social activity.
Dr. Albert Krueger from Pioneers Medical center spoke in support of public health recommendations, and repeated the call for mask wearing, hand-washing and social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus. Dr. Krueger also submitted a letter to the editor this week titled, “Is this the season to love your neighbor as yourself?”
Rio Blanco county has reported its first death due to complications from the virus. The individual was a resident of the Wallbridge Wing in Meeker, but will not be identified for privacy reasons. As of Friday Meeker had 39 active cases, Rangely had five. More on that story is also online.
And in even more COVID related news, the Meeker Rec Center closed Tuesday due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among district staff members. Although the term outbreak may sound scary, its actually just a technical definition.
The state of Colorado’s public health guidance on preventing workplace outbreaks defines an outbreak as “two or more people who are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a workplace/facility, with onset within 14 days.”
Rec District staff also shared updates virtually this week with its board of directors about the lap pool leak. Though surface cracks were identified as a likely cause of the leak early on, additional detection work has confirmed leaking water was actually coming from the pool’s main fill line.
Page 7A also has an update on the Rangely food bank, and a summary of the latest Town of Meeker Board of Trustees meeting, who discussed using reserve funds to balance the budget, and a Colorado Department of Transportation recommendation to move an existing radar speed feedback sign closer to the Pioneers Medical center.
The Meeker Rec Center wasn’t the only entity that had to make sudden adjustments due to the surge of coronavirus cases. Colorado Northwestern Community College will go online after thanksgiving, Meeker School District is transitioning to hybrid learning and the Meeker Chamber of Commerce has chosen to cancel this year’s parade of lights. More on these updates on page 2A
This week’s print edition has more on county happenings, with summaries of the board of commissioners Nov. 10th and Nov. 17th regular meetings. Find those updates on page 8A.
Other special content this week includes three student perspectives on COVID-19, a list of things to be thankful for this thanksgiving, the conservation corner discussing forest health and watershed impacts, and a plea from an Emergency Room Physician currently recovering from COVID-19. He compares his struggle against the virus to his special forces experience, describing the virus as a hunter.
After shutting out the Paonia Eagles 470 in their last regular season game, the Meeker Cowboys headed to Strasburg, marking their 7th year straight in the playoffs. An exciting game ended dramatically in the last 30 seconds with an interception by Strasburg. Final score 36-34, Strasburg. Great game and great season Meeker Cowboys.
And the Western Slope League Champion Rangely Panthers secured the title by defeating the Gilpin County Eagles 28-20. As of this recording, the team was taking the field for their quarterfinal playoff game against the Dove Creek Bulldogs. Good luck Panthers!
NOTE the fill transcript of this episode is at https://tinyurl.com/rbcnews31
