Episode 25 ~ October 8, 2020

Fall is in full swing and that means beautiful colors, chilly evenings, and even some sightings of predators getting ready for hibernation, like the mountain lion caught on one Meeker Resident’s security camera on Saturday morning. Colorado Parks and Wildlife area manager Bill deVergie described the sighting as uncommon, noting that he couldn’t remember that last time one was spotted in town. More about the mountain lion, including a zap link to the security cam footage is on the front page. There you can also read about National Night Out, an event to enhance relationships between neighbors and law enforcement officers, and enhance a sense of community. A total of 160 people were vaccinated against this year’s influenza virus at free clinics in Meeker and Rangely this year. Officials say the shot is especially important this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can still schedule a flu shot through the county’s public health office. Find more information on page 4A The annual Scrub Shirt 5k, sponsored by Pioneers Medical and Pioneer’s Healthcare Centers drew more than 70 who walked or ran in the race. The event raised almost $1200 to support the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation Cancer Screening Fund more on page 2A The wolf creek dam project heads to trial in January of 2021 because the state of Colorado and a Rio Blanco County Water Conservancy district can’t agree about whether the district actually needs the amount of water it claims it does for a large dam and reservoir project. Find more from Aspen Journalism on page 2A 39 year old Dawn Hoffman turned herself in to the Loveland Police Department on October 1st for her involvement in the theft of 28 firearms from the Rangely True Value store last December. Hoffman, the second person to be arrested in connection with the crime, is being charged with second degree burglary, theft and criminal mischief. Rio Blanco County ballots go in the mail this week, and with national concern about the integrity of mail in ballots, Colorado is getting national atten