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

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

Main, News...

Easter egg hunters hop to it

April 8, 2026

Main, News...

Town mayor re-elected in landslide

Voters select incumbents Grambley, Scoville, newcomer Greenwood

By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

John Clark will continue serving as Ridgway mayor, defeating his only challenger in 14 years since he was first elected, newcomer Tia Mihelarakis. Clark received 321 votes to Mihelarakis’ 51 votes. Cl...

Main, News...

Does Ouray need a new pool house? Council, public split

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

A series of tweaks to the design of a proposed new pool house at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool has exposed a deep divide among Ouray City Council members and the public over whether the city should proce...

News

Council absorbs more criticism over police

Employee pleads 'give us answers' as city OKs higher reimbursement rate for law enforcement services

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

The Ouray City Council on Monday agreed to pay Ouray County more for providing law enforcement services in the city, but not before absorbing another round of blistering criticism from the public and ...

News

County, Forest Service to discuss Yankee Boy closure next week

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

Ouray County commissioners will hold a work session next week with the U.S. Forest Service to discuss their plan to close the upper portion of the road into Yankee Boy Basin to reduce environmental an...

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines