November 22, 1973 – The old school at Ridgway is no longer in use. Monday this week the move was made into the new school. A potluck open house was held Tuesday night this week, to celebrate and to give school district residents a chance to get acquainted with the new building.

There has been delay on delivery of the carpet for the library (which will also serve as the public library), and a few other minor jobs remain. A formal dedication will be held sometime soon.

40 YEARS AGO

November 24, 1983 – In commemoration of 1983 as Colorado archaeological Awareness Year, Steve Baker of Centuries Research in Montrose has announced a new project in historical archaeology.

This project will locate and explore regional historic sites originally associated with the ute Indians. Among these sites are the adobe cabin of Chief Ouray which was located in Ouray in 1876. There has long been some dispute about the idea of Chief Ouray actually having a home in this town. By using an existing photo, it is hoped that the site can be found again. The project will be sponsored by Centuries Research which hopes to have the assistance of other local agencies and individuals. Other sites on the agenda will be Chief Ouray’s farm home and associated Mexican/Indian town near Montrose, the Ute Indian Agency near Colona, Fort Crawford near Colona, Fort Robidoux near Delta, and a few known locations of major Ute encampments.

30 YEARS AGO

November 25, 1993 – Red Mountain Pass was closed at press time and may remain closed at least through Wednesday, according to State Patrolman William Whitcomb in Montrose. A flatbed truck carrying 27 barrels of what is believed to be zinc dust slid off the side of Highway 550 “just on this side of the pass,” according to Whitcomb. Thirteen of the barrels fell over the side into a small pond and two stayed near the road. “The information is kind of sketchy. We’re still not 100 percent sure of what is in the barrels,” said Whitcomb. At press time there was a Colorado State Patrol Hazardous Material Team testing the material to find out exactly what it is.

20 YEARS AGO

November 21, 2003 – A trial balloon that proposes the county sheriff take over law enforcement in the City of Ouray became an easy target for some stinging criticism this week. City Council members say the plan would have to provide significant savings to be worthwhile. Nearly all of about 40 people at Monday’s City Council meeting voiced their preference to keep as is the Ouray Police Department operation. The city is in the process of replacing Chief Richard Zortman, who retired on Oct. 31. Sixty-four applicants have been filtered down to 24, who will be sent written questionnaires. “It’s taken years to get where we’ve gotten. I’d hate at this point to give up what we’ve got,” said Zortman. “I’d hate to see you put it to bed until this is thoroughly explored,” said Heidi Albritton.

10 YEARS AGO

November 21, 2013 – Two miners are dead following an incident that unraveled early Sunday morning at the Revenue-Virginius mine near Ouray. Nick Cappanno, 33, of Montrose and Rick Williams, 59, of Durango, died of carbon monoxide poisoning on Sunday, according to the county coroner’s preliminary reports. An additional 20 other employees were transported to regional hospitals in Montrose, Delta and Grand Junction for treatment.

On Sunday night, Ouray County’s Emergency Management Team hosted a press conference at the Ouray Community Center. Serving as the public information officer, County Attorney Marti Whitmore stated that the incident occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. on Sunday.

The Ouray County Sheriff’s Department received a call from 911 dispatch requiring a response at the Revenue-Virginius mine. Along with the Sheriff’s Office, the Ouray Fire District and Ouray County EMS responded. Emergency services blocked County Road 361 leading up to the mine as 20 patients were transported to the hospitals throughout the day. Early reports cited that a total of 10 people were admitted to Montrose Memorial, five to Delta Memorial, and five to St. Mary’s in Grand Junction. Rory Williams, manager for Star Mine Operations, operator of the Revenue-Virginius mine, declined to comment whether the victims were found dead on site. Williams is not related to Rick Williams. An explosion and mine collapse have been ruled out as the cause of the incident by Ouray County Sheriff Junior Mattivi. During Sunday’s press conference, however, Williams stated that it’s possible a blast from the previous work day left noxious gases nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air, causing miners to collapse from inhalation of the fumes.