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...

MURAL IN BLOOM

By Erin McIntyre

June 12, 2025

Artist Yulia Avgustinovich works on the mural she was commissioned to paint on the southeast side of the Space to Create building in Ridgway on Monday. Avgustinovich, who has been a professional mural...

Main, News...

Prison ordered in sex assault

Judge: Crime shows 'true character' of Ridgway man alternately commended, castigated

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

June 11, 2025

A judge has sentenced a Ridgway man to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman in 2023 after he claimed he was drunk and thought she was his wife. Brian Scranton, 49, hugged ...

News

Road, retaining wall fixes nearing $300K

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 11, 2025

The cost of repairing County Road 361 and a retaining wall following a large rockfall is nearing $300,000, a sum Ouray County is paying in full. When commissioners declared the event an emergency in F...

News

Trail closures could trigger domino effect

With Blue Lakes, part of Imogene Pass off limits,other areas could see more wear and tear

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 11, 2025

Closures of beloved hiking and off-highway vehicle trails in and around Ouray County this summer could congest and pressure other areas. The popular Blue Lakes trailhead is closed through August due t...

News

New power contract amplifies local control

San Miguel Power can generate up to 20% of own energy under Tri-State deal through 2050

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 11, 2025

San Miguel Power Association will continue to purchase power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association for the next 25 years under a revised contract that gives it the ability to generate...

Willie Richardson

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines