Author - News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feature, Main...

After hiatus, a rally for high school baseball in Ridgway

Sporting nearly 30-year-old jerseys, pilot junior varsity team takes field, aims for long-term viability through fundraising

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 15, 2026

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect when Ridgway School District last had a baseball team, given updated information provided by Ouray County Baseball after the story was published. ...

Main

Zero-waste policy draws public fire

Council tables proposal for compostable, recyclable materials over concerns from business owners, community groups

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 15, 2026

Ridgway town councilors tabled a draft “zero-waste” policy for events on town property after public backlash about how the rules would impact business owners and community groups. The proposal discuss...

Main

Administrator sought info backing chief decision

Records: Officers concerned about training

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 15, 2026

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer sought input from neighboring law enforcement agencies about how they conduct background checks — after she decided not to hire Daric Harvey as the permanent ...

Feature

Track and field returns to Grand Junction

April 15, 2026

News

County renews water lease for fourth year

By LIA SALVATIERRA

April 15, 2026

Ouray County commissioners signed off on an agreement Tuesday to lease and help pay for backup water to support the county’s irrigators for a fourth year. The lease secures a 2021 no-call agreement be...

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines