Author - News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Main, News...

UPDATE: Body of Ridgway man found in Chaffee County

By Mike

October 28, 2026

The bodies of a college student from Ridgway and another man were found Wednesday afternoon in Chaffee County, five days after they left for a weekend hiking trip and got caught in a snowstorm. Kaden ...

Main, News...

A well-deserved honor

By Erin McIntyre

October 28, 2026

The Telluride Foundation is honoring Williams with its 2026 Volunteer of the Year award. Williams, who moved to Ouray in 1975, is a longtime volunteer and former Ouray city councilor. Her experience i...

News

Cow Creek project fight heads to key hearing

By Chart Riggall

October 28, 2026

A Colorado judge will consider next week whether regional water managers have enough ground to stand on to pursue a plan to divert water from Cow Creek into Ridgway Reservoir, as a long-running battle...

News

SMPA proposes fifth consecutive rate hike

Trio of increases would raise access charge 27%

By Chart Riggall

October 28, 2026

San Miguel Power Association has proposed to hike its base monthly access charge for the vast majority of its customers from $33 to $42, marking the fifth straight year the power provider has sought a...

News

Agency warns of ongoing flood threats in burn scar

By Chart Riggall

October 28, 2026

A U.S. Forest Service survey of the Gold Mountain Fire says flooding and debris flows will likely continue to be dangers within the most severely scorched areas of the burn scar. A report released thi...

Willie Richardson

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines