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By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
Columns, Feature
‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
Ridgway coach Jonny Zaugg dedicated to helping young c limbers of all skill levels When Jonny Zaugg returned to Ridgway several years ago, he saw an o...
December 31, 2025
Young Ridgway squad marked by stifling defense
Columns, Feature
Young Ridgway squad marked by stifling defense
Certain career milestones set apart high school basketball players, the most well-known being 1,000 points. But on the defensive end, there’s an equiv...
December 10, 2025
New era launches for Ouray basketball
Columns, Feature
New era launches for Ouray basketball
Before the Thanksgiving holiday, Ouray High School hosted its “Meet the Trojans” night, akin to a college's Midnight Madness event to celebrate the st...
December 3, 2025
Ridgway girls run down state title
Feature
Ridgway girls run down state title
There isn’t a perfect translation for “hill” in Chinese. That's something Natasha Hessler discovered when she arrived at the famous creek crossing dur...
November 5, 2025
On the course, they’re competitors. On weekends, they’re training partners
Columns, Feature
On the course, they’re competitors. On weekends, they’re training partners
Separately, the Ridgway, Ouray and Telluride High School cross country teams are among the smallest in the state. Each is successful in their own righ...
October 29, 2025
As fall championships approach, a look back at memorable moments for Ridgway, Ouray
Columns, Feature
As fall championships approach, a look back at memorable moments for Ridgway, Ouray
In my career as a journalist, I’ve covered dozens of state championship games and events. At this point, it might even be in the triple digits — and t...
October 22, 2025
Young Ouray volleyball squad showing progress
Columns, Feature
Young Ouray volleyball squad showing progress
The second win of the season is rarely cause for celebration. But when the Ouray High School volleyball team defeated Pinnacle 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 26...
October 15, 2025
Run, don’t walk: How a Ridgway athlete is improving dramatically
Columns, Feature
Run, don’t walk: How a Ridgway athlete is improving dramatically
Orion Catron first ran because he really, really didn’t want to walk. As a freshman at Ridgway High School, he wasn’t connecting with classmates or pu...
October 8, 2025
New Ouray athletics director seeks to build attendance, program support
Columns, Feature
New Ouray athletics director seeks to build attendance, program support
Like many with remote positions, Leah Klempner and her husband explored the country through their travels. They made their way to Ouray in 2020 and im...
September 24, 2025
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Editor Picks
News
City administrator to lead Ouray police chief search
By Mike Wiggins 
January 21, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer told city councilors Tuesday she will take charge of recruiting a new police chief. That’s a different approach than the city took when it was looking for a p...
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ICE FARMERS GET THEIR CROP
Main, News...
ICE FARMERS GET THEIR CROP
A long-awaited cold snap allows Ice Park to open, just in time for festival
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
January 21, 2026
After weeks of planning for the worst, the Ouray Ice Park has ice to offer after all, just in time for the 31st Ice Festival this weekend. Ice Park Executive Director Peter O’Neil has spent the past t...
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Judge delays assault trials
Main, News...
Judge delays assault trials
Attorneys say they're not ready; cases will be heard by Montrose juries
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 21, 2026
The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed, even as the woman and the judge presiding over the cases expressed concerns about ...
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News
New county manager tackles big ticket items
Mendez focused on 2027 budget, team building
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 21, 2026
Ouray County’s new manager wants commissioners to start thinking about the county’s 2027 budget now — just two weeks into 2026 and three weeks into his new job. During Antonio Mendez’s first work sess...
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Film showcases climber’s return to sport
Feature
Film showcases climber’s return to sport
'Anna' documents how Ouray-based Pfaff pushed ahead after amputation of toes
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 21, 2026
Anna Pfaff’s choice to move onward and, especially upward, resonates beyond world-class peaks in a locally made film on the elite Ouray-based climber. "Anna" is a 22-minute portrait of Pfaff’s return ...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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