Episode 4 ~ May 14, 2020

This is your weekly update from the Rio Blanco Herald Times. Weekend weather is supposed to be cloudy, but warm, up into the 70s and maybe even 80s on Sunday. Industrious honeybees and other pollinators are enjoying the warmer weather. They are hard at work, ensuring not only food for themselves but a healthy ecosystem for us. Local beekeeper Carrie Swails told the HT, “the best way to be a friend to bees in the spring is to not use weed killers with pesticides in them. One tiny bit of pollen with pesticides on it can be brought back to a hive and can kill the entire hive in less than 24 hours.” So let those dandelions brighten up your yard this spring, instead of spraying them. It’s for the bees. Matt Scoggins shares his story after a serious bike accident left him with a laundry list of injuries, including 11 rib fractures, three broken vertebrae and a collapsed lung. Scoggins credits his helmet with saving his life. That story on Page 1A. A trio of baby bears have gained a bit of celebrity after residents reported sighting them with their mother up County Road 8. It’s a great idea to give bears their distance all the time, but especially during this time of year. Photos of the triplets, courtesy of Justin Davis, are on page 1B. A mill levy increase for the Douglas Creek Conservation District brought out 53% of voters, and results were so close it triggered a recount. The increase fell by just two votes, with 62 in favor and 64 opposed. The State of Colorado approved nearly all of Rio Blanco County’s variance requests to the safer at home orders currently in place, however, commissioners are still looking to “get out ahead” of coming health orders when the state safer at home mandates expire on May 26. Of specific concern to the commissioners is whether the county will be able to host Range Call over the Fourth of July. More on Page 1A RBC Public Health is offering free testing if you think you may have COVID-19. You can call 970-878-9520 in Meeker and 970-620-3969 in Rangely to see if testing is indica