Author - News

Columns, Feature

Fall sports gear up at Ouray, Ridgway schools

Fall is in the air, and so are volleyballs arcing over the net for remarkable rallies and soccer balls rocketing into the net for breath-taking goals....

September 9, 2026

Feature

With help of Ouray volleyball coach, player enthusiasm spikes on court

Four seasons ago when Brian McDowell came on the scene to assume the head coaching reins of Ouray High School volleyball, he was called to resurrect a...

August 26, 2026

Columns, Feature

Reflection, projection as Ridgway girls’ soccer season comes to close

Although the Ridgway girls’ soccer team’s run for a championship ended earlier this month in Westminster with a second round 6-1 defeat at the feet of...

May 27, 2026

Main, News

Runners go the distance to claim state titles

LAKEWOOD — Both runners had established new personal bests and school records during the regular season. Both entered the state track and field champi...

May 20, 2026

Feature

After big rivalry win, Ridgway eyeing playoffs

The Ridgway girls’ soccer team took the home field ranked No. 12 in Class 2A for a pivotal rematch against long-time nemesis and second-ranked Crested...

April 29, 2026

Main, News...

‘This is the challenge that I needed in my life’

Ouray Ice Park's new executive director trims staff, seeks more buy-in from recreational climbers amid financial crunch

By Chart Riggall

October 21, 2026

In the waning weeks of the 2019 ice climbing season, a 27-year-old Tres Barbatelli stood at the bottom of the Uncompahgre Gorge wondering what he’d just done. Minutes before, he’d rappelled down into ...

Main, News...

Police department dissolved

Council turns over services to sheriff; remaining employee laid off

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

October 21, 2026

The city of Ouray terminated the sole employee of its police department and turned over its police services to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, officially dissolving a stand-alone law enf...

News

Paramedic fired after three months’ leave

Commissioners pause refilling second EMS vacancy

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

A paramedic for Ouray County Emergency Medical Services, who has been on administrative leave since the Gold Mountain Fire, was fired last week after a meeting with county administration went awry. Jo...

News

County wraps up draft budget without layoffs

Initial plan leaves five positions vacant, reduces some departmental hours

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

Ouray County’s draft budget for next year proposes five staff reductions from general fund departments – all of which are currently vacant positions. The positions are from administration, the assesso...

News

Veteran transport program approved

October 21, 2026

After resolving concerns about an intergovernmental agreement with San Miguel County, Ouray County commissioners approved a new partnership last week that will transport veterans to medical appointmen...

By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines