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...

Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns

First-timers Todd, Oakland seek clerk, treasurer posts

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to specify that Glenn Boyd volunteers for the county EMS department. A group of unaffiliated political candidates joined together this week to announce the...

Main, News...

Mild temps leave Ice Park high, dry

Without key ingredient — ice — and no estimated opening date, officials forced to reimagine festivals

By By Lia Salvatierra and Mike Wiggins lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

The half-bare walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge tell a story Peter O’Neil wanted no part of — one of 50-degree December days and out-of-work rangers and ice farmers scrambling to find other sources of in...

Main, News...

Schiffer, Doherty picked for council

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

Ouray Planning Commissioner Kevin Schiffer and former city building inspector Dave Doherty were selected Monday to fill the two vacancies on the Ouray City Council, restoring a full slate of elected o...

News

Sheriff steps in again to help police

Residents back former interim chief as meeting scheduled to discuss future of policing in Ouray

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

The city of Ouray is once again leaning on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office to fill gaps in police officer patrol shifts, after City Administrator Michelle Metteer decided not to hire Interim Police ...

News

Skijoring marks anniversary with expanded competition

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

The organizers of the San Juan Skijoring event learned a long time ago they couldn't count on Mother Nature to provide the materials for their competition. Last year, they invested $54,000 in their ow...

Willie Richardson

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines