NEWS BRIEFS

News

April 23, 2025

NEWS BRIEFS

Woman released from ICE facility, drugs involved in fatal vehicle crashes, town signs water lease, town seeks info about statue vandalism, Blue Lakes trail to close

Ouray woman released from ICE facility

A Ouray woman who had been detained since February in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora has been released on bond.

After two months, 31-year-old Aurora Yadira Mireles Terrazas was released last week. A federal judge set an $8,500 bond for Terrazas, according to her attorney.

Records of detainees at the ICE facility show she is no longer there.

Terrazas, who has lived in Ouray since 2009, was taken to the facility by ICE officers after sh...

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AN EASTER SHELL-EBRATION

April 23, 2025

Main, News...

County rejects $11,000 legal bill

Commissioners cite lack of justification for reimbursement; Padgett alleges process flawed

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Ouray County taxpayers won’t foot Commissioner Lynn Padgett’s nearly $11,000 legal bill after commissioners Jake Niece and Michelle Nauer voted against her reimbursement request on Tuesday. Padgett an...

News

Ouray police exodus continues

Sergeant's retirement, sergeant's medical leave temporarily makes chief lone full-timer

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the Ridgway Marshal's Office has hired a half-time deputy. ___________________ The city of Ouray hired Daric Harvey to stabilize and reform the ...

News

Man accused of drunken driving, spitting on deputy

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

A Ridgway man suspected of hitting a liquor store building with his vehicle, driving drunk and leaving the scene also faces possible felony charges for allegedly spitting on a Ridgway marshal when he ...

News

Ouray council backs rental license nonrenewal

Owners of vacation home failed to rent for 30-day minimum

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

A Ridgway couple who failed to rent their home for at least 30 days in the last year won't be allowed to keep their short-term rental license. Ouray city councilors on Monday night unanimously rejecte...

News

Duplex answers a housing Hail Mary

Home Trust's first new-construction project ensures two families can stay in Ridgway

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

For too long, the Patton family had too many discussions about changing school districts or moving away from Ouray County entirely. Now, at their new home on North Laura Street, they can ditch those h...

News

Microgrid creates ‘energy island’ in Ridgway

New system atop Space to Create building ensures lights stay on in power outage

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

When a nearly countywide power outage darkened homes and businesses for an evening last week, the downstairs window at Ridgway’s Space to Create remained glowing with light. That’s because a solar mic...

Columns, Feature...

PREP ROUNDUP

As weather warms, so does Ridgway soccer team

By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

April 23, 2025

It’s probably no coincidence that the Ridgway High School girls’ soccer team has heated up on the field as temperatures have warmed up outside. In the sunshine, practices can focus much more on team p...

Feature

‘I want to bring this to other women’

Singletrack Addict encourages female mountain bikers to be playful, confident on the trails

By By Lia Salvatierra lia @ ou ray news, com

April 23, 2025

It’s supposed to feel like summer camp — rooted in playfulness and empowerment — at Singletrack Addict, a new local female-focused mountain biking community and coaching business. Co-owners Jen Sawyer...

Feature

Montrose gift, toy shop expands to Ridgway

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Sonja Horn was looking for a way to retire from running her gift shop in Montrose when she got a call asking if she’d be interested in opening a second location in Ridgway. So rather than an “exit str...

Feature

Custom cowboy couture saddles up to Ouray

Hat bar, retail shop The Mercantile opens May 3

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Tourists and locals alike can add a feather in their cap at The Mercantile Ouray, a new build-your-own hat bar and Western wear shop opening on Main Street in Ouray on May 3. It was the city’s vibrant...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines