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

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...

Willie Richardson

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines