Episode 21 ~ September 10, 2020

Here’s our community newscast for the week of September 10. This week’s weather mirrored the craziness we’ve come to expect from 2020, with snow falling across Rio Blanco County. Nearly five inches of the stuff wreaked havoc on power lines and trees in Meeker, but it wasn’t all bad. One resident built a snow dino, check out photos on our Facebook page or website. You can also view some of the damage from the storm and read more about this weekend’s forecast on page 1A. Ursa Piceance Holdings, LLC has filed for bankruptcy. The company owns around 41,000 acres of oil and gas properties in the Piceance Basin and focuses primarily on natural gas and natural gas liquids. According to documents submitted to the court, the company holds $282.7 million in secured debt, as well as a number of unsecured debts which include $5 million owed to Garfield County, and $718,000 in back taxes owed to Rio Blanco County. RBC Assessor Renae Nielsen is unsure whether they will end up receiving the money, which may add to the county’s current budget woes. Currently the county is facing a $2.3 million dollar deficit for 2021. Commissioners are looking at cutting four full time positions, decreasing health insurance premiums, and defunding local dispatch. Citizens have expressed support for keeping dispatch local in public meetings, so last Thursday, county officials and boards from the Town of Rangely and the Town of Meeker met to discuss a 1% sales tax increase ballot measure to fund local dispatch. Ultimately the entities could not come to an agreement. According to commissioners, cutting dispatch is still on the table for budget discussions. You can read more from that meeting, as well as Tuesday’s regular commissioner meeting, on page 1A and 2A of this week’s edition. Providence Recovery is opening satellite offices in Rangely and Meeker through a partnership with Rio Blanco County Public Health. Both meeker and rangely residents will have access to substance use disorder treatment beginning September 22. Read more on page 2A.