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Willie Richardson

Thanks, Sandy, for giving it one more shot
Opinion
Thanks, Sandy, for giving it one more shot
When people ask how my wife, Sandy, and I met, I tell them the following story: I was afoot in Ridgway one night, and while taking a shortcut through ...
February 16, 2022
The only resolution I can keep: make no resolutions
Opinion
The only resolution I can keep: make no resolutions
I’m trying to decide which New Year's resolutions I’ll be breaking this year. 1. Quit chewing tobacco. Yeah right! Like that’s gonna happen! I’ll quit...
January 19, 2022
An ice-crusted heart is where the home is
Opinion
An ice-crusted heart is where the home is
Growing up here, I despised the cold and snow. At 6 a.m., 58 years ago, my stepdad Roger and I were driving the team toward the silage pit. The temper...
December 24, 2021
How a mangy Hobo found a home with us
How a mangy Hobo found a home with us
In 2018, a cat showed up in our courtyard. He sat by the door meowing. Sandy opened the door and he marched in like he owned the place. We explained t...
November 18, 2021
That cat food is smelling pretty good right now
Opinion
That cat food is smelling pretty good right now
Sandy has gone to Indiana to visit our family. She left Hobo the cat and me here to look after things. What the heck was she thinkin’?! That's kinda l...
October 21, 2021
A guide to being a real man of the West
A guide to being a real man of the West
About this time last year, Sandy and I decided we wanted to have a turkey for Thanksgiving. Considering myself to be a real man of the West, it occurr...
September 15, 2021
Let’s fulfill Sparky’s prophecy by coming together
Let’s fulfill Sparky’s prophecy by coming together
Normally my column is lighthearted and humorous, hopefully bringing some joy into someone's life who might be feeling down. This column will be differ...
July 15, 2021
I can’t outrun her, so I might as well stay with her
Opinion
I can’t outrun her, so I might as well stay with her
Since Sandy and I just celebrated our third wedding anniversary, I thought it only fitting to write this column. On June 1, 2018, Sandy and I were mar...
June 16, 2021
At my age, the pros still outweigh the cons
Opinion
At my age, the pros still outweigh the cons
I'm writing this column on my 71st birthday. Now that I'm a full-fledged, certified, card-carrying member of the social security crowd, I want to info...
May 19, 2021
Nonsensical or profound, my favorite ‘Willie-isms’
Opinion
Nonsensical or profound, my favorite ‘Willie-isms’
Not knowing how much time I have left on Earth, I want to share some of my favorite sayings. Some are my originals, but most are quotes from family an...
April 14, 2021
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Editor Picks
Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run
Main, News...
Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run
By Mike 
July 2, 2026
The U.S. Forest Service this afternoon expanded the closure area in the Uncompahgre National Forest east of Ridgway, as the Gold Mountain Fire makes another big run. The original closure largely encom...
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News
Water providers ask customers to conserve
By erin@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2026
Water managers are asking residents to avoid excessive water use and putting more demand on their distribution system. Ridgway Mayor John Clark announced during a Ouray County Board of County Commissi...
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Reservoir to close due to aerial firefighting operation
News
Reservoir to close due to aerial firefighting operation
By erin@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2026
Ridgway Reservoir will close to boaters as soon as planes dispatched to assist with the aerial attack on the Gold Mountain Fire arrive. It's hard to tell exactly when that will be, but Colorado Parks ...
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Fire surges into Cimarrons
Main, News...
Fire surges into Cimarrons
Evacuations expand, forest closes as forecast offers little relief
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 1, 2026
A wildfire that started as a wisp of smoke on a cliffside just north of Ouray last weekend exploded to more than 15,000 acres by Wednesday, driven by winds north to the Cimarron Range east of Ridgway....
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City curtails holiday events, keeps parade
Main, News...
City curtails holiday events, keeps parade
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 1, 2026
Fourth of July events in Ouray will be scaled back this year in response to the Gold Mountain Fire, with the July 3 fire department benefit concert and the Independence Day parade and kids’ games a go...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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