STAYING A STEP AHEAD

Ouray middle school runner Cameron Skoloda passes the baton to teammate Mikayla Hirt in the 4x200 relay race at the Olathe Invitational meet on April 29. The eighth grade girls' relay team finished fourth out of nine teams with a time of 2:11.25. David Emory — Special to the Plaindealer

Feature

April 30, 2025

Ouray middle school runner Cameron Skoloda passes the baton to teammate Mikayla Hirt in the 4×200 relay race at the Olathe Invitational meet on April 29. The eighth grade girls relay team finished fourth out of nine teams with a time of 2:11.25.
David Emory – Special to the Plaindealer

Main, News...

Signed, sealed, retired

After serving Ridgway postal customers for 22 years, Laura Hagert puts a stamp on her career

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 30, 2025

On any other day — except Sunday, of course — they would flood her counter, a constant stream of people entrusting her with greeting cards for loved ones, seeking her help finding missing packages, st...

Main, News...

Schools brace for funding changes

Proposed formula may hit harder in Ridgway, which is losing students

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 30, 2025

A series of proposed changes in how the state of Colorado funds K-12 education is expected to hit the Ridgway School District harder than the Ouray School District over the next few years due to formu...

News

Hurd focuses on public lands during visit

Commissioner grills freshman congressman on immigration enforcement

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 30, 2025

Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd listened to concerns about public lands and other topics during a work session with Ouray County commissioners on April 23. The conversation ended with the legislator ...

News

City, library expansion plans could conflict

Library eyes rooftop deck for patrons at community center, while city may want space for future growth

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 30, 2025

The Ouray Library District’s plans to build a rooftop deck as part of a broader facility expansion could conflict with the city of Ouray’s own facility needs. Architectural drawings the library has un...

Soccer finishing season with strong kick

Columns, Feature...

PREP ROUNDUP

Soccer finishing season with strong kick

By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

April 30, 2025

After a 4-0 victory over Bayfield on Monday, the Ridgway High School girls' soccer team clinched a record of .500 or better for the eighth time in the past decade. Throw out a season lost to the COVID...

News

Surplus road funds to stay with Log Hill

Superintendent sought to spend leftover dollars elsewhere this year, then earmark funding in 2026

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 30, 2025

A chunk of money left over from a resident-led effort to pave roads on Log Hill Mesa will remain dedicated to road improvements in the area. Ouray County commissioners discussed what to do with a roug...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hurd’s defense of Medicaid welcome

April 30, 2025

Dear Editor: I was pleased to read the online article (posted April 25) regarding Representative Hurd’s appearance at the recent county commissioners’ meeting. It is but the most recent example of you...

Letters, Opinion...

Are we ready for the next round of growth?

April 30, 2025

Dear Editor: Neighbors, the biggest problem with growth occurs when it is not anticipated and not managed. Look at Ridgway’s current growth. No one can say, “I didn’t see that coming.” Are we planning...

Looking Back

OURAY COUNTY

LOOKING BACK

40 YEARS AGO

April 30, 2025

May 1, 1975 – The statement from Congressman Frank Evans in Washington, as reported in the Plaindealer last week, has been confirmed this week, at the local level, concerning a possible offer to buy s...

Obituaries

Burton Stern

April 30, 2025

March 27, 1933-October 15, 2024 Burt was the oldest of three boys born to Bernard (Ben) Stern, who immigrated to the U.S. from Poland through Ellis Island at the age of 18, and Rose Turner Stern, who ...

Obituaries

Julia Mae Johnson

April 30, 2025

May 4, 1928-April 5, 2025 Julia was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Thomas W. Meiklejohn and Ella Mae Markow. Julia was an amazing woman, not because she was my mother, but because of how she lived...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines