On May 10, the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the highly anticipated, final environmental assessment for the Ridgway Travel Management Plan. By releasing the assessment, the way is finally clear for the Ridgway Area Trails group (RAT) to begin construction on an inter-connected system of single track mountain biking trails northeast of Ridgway. The assessment was released just in time for RAT to take advantage of the incoming trail building labor force that will be in the area for the June 7-8 RAT Fest.

by Beecher Threatt

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Two small earthquakes centered east of Ridgway Reservoir shook up residents in the early morning of Thursday, May 2. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quakes occurred at 7:11 a.m. and 7:16 a.m.
"I felt it more from the roof than from the floor," said Sue Husch, who lives just off County Road 12. She said others reported the jolt came from the top also.
At 8:01 a.m. a WENS alert from the sheriff's office reported an "unconfirmed" earthquake in the Log Hill area. At 9:03 a.m., the WENS alert said "USGS confirms a 2l6 earthquake centered near the Ridgway Reservoir."

by Mary Pat Haddock
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Ted Donahue, Ridgway Elementary School’s principal for the past three years, has accepted a position in Montrose. Describing the amicable circumstances of Donahue’s departure, Superintendent Cheryl Gomez said, “We are grateful for his instructional leadership over the last three years.”
“I am very grateful to the Ridgway School District and the community of Ridgway for the opportunity that they have provided me," Donahue said. "They have entrusted me with the well-being of their children and I can think of no higher compliment. I have done my best to live up to the high expectations we set for ourselves and with the help of this wonderful staff we have done some amazing work. I will have nothing but good memories of this time in my career.”

by Mary Pat Haddock
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Ouray native Clyde Sherman Williams, known as “Sherm” to his friends, passed away on Apr. 22 in his home in Montrose. He is survived by his wife, Susan Rahn, six children, two stepchildren and many grand- and great-grandchildren.
Williams entered the law enforcement field in California and later moved to Montrose, where he became a police officer. He finished his career as Ridgway’s town marshal. Williams’ daughter, Jamie Freyman, said, “He loved it (being a marshal), every day was an accomplishment to him. He felt like town was secure.” Freyman remembers times when visitors broke down while coming through Ridgway and her father would pay for a hotel room for the family for the night and help them get back on their way the next day.