Dear Editor: Nearly all the industrialized nations of the world offer universal health care. Many of these nations are often led by conservative administrations but they recognize health care as a bas...

This May is well worth celebrating, weatherwise. Ouray has been temperate, nicely wet, and lovely to look at. Trees and spring flowers are blooming and the grass is soft and thick after plentiful rain...

50 YEARS AGO May 27, 1971 - More contestants for Queen for the Fourth of July are needed. Girls in their teens, in Ouray County, are all eligible. Contact Jack Clark, Sr., at the Four J Trailer Court ...

Dear Editor: In the last few days ballots have arrived in our mail boxes for the San Miguel Power Association Board of Directors election. This election is perhaps the most important in the history of...

50 YEARS AGO May 20, 1971 - Construction of the Silver Jack Reservoir on the Big Cimarron River will be completed this summer. The reservoir is filling from spring runoff and should be full within the...

Dear Editor: I strongly believe that there should be zero tolerance for people who drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, regardless of “who they are." I also strongly feel that the same z...

Dear Editor: In response to the group of emergency physicians call for continuing the local face mask mandate (April 29 Plaindealer edition), I have two basic questions; 1. Where’s the evidence that m...

50 YEARS AGO May 13, 1971 - Passersby were rather interested and amused when work began Friday morning last week on the new “Youth Park,” on the Main Street lot belonging to Benje Kuehling. Miss Janet...

Dear Editor: This Saturday, May 15, Coloradans will celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day. In May 2016, Colorado became the first state in the nation to establish a state holiday recognizing the importa...

Dear Editor: The Cedar Hill Cemetery District has operated the cemetery between Ridgway and Ouray for more than 100 years, with its last seven years of operation being under the care of Rik Lane. Rik,...

Ridgway junior Bella Janda (18) goes on the attack against Ignacio blocker Lexy Young (8) during Class 2A/1A San Juan Basin League volleyball action on April 24. The Lady Demons defeated the visiting ...

Red-tailed Hawks are Highly variable in Plumage coloration --Anonymous— It seems like when I go birding, I never know what I will see. Sometimes it’s just the ordinary and other times it’s outstanding...

I believe it was once said by Charlie Brown while hugging his beloved pup, Snoopy. “Happiness is a Warm Hug.” I try to keep that idea in mind as the mornings are continuing to remain chilly and the su...

50 YEARS AGO April 29, 1971 - Three men and a woman were arrested following burglary of the Ridgway Post Office in the early morning hours Saturday, but were released Monday. No charges were pressed o...

Dear Editor: As a group of emergency physicians and Ouray County residents, we encourage the continuation of the local face mask mandate. We thank Ouray County for its continuing efforts throughout th...

Dear Editor: In the wake of Earth Day and amidst ongoing severe drought and threats of another wildfire season, Great Old Broads for Wilderness is encouraging the U.S. Forest Service to look closely a...

50 YEARS AGO April 22, 1971 - Five members of the Ridgway Extension Homemakers Club, President Roberta Dangehart, Minnie Brown, Hazel Weston, Bertha Phillips and Clara Ingo, attended the district meet...

In our work with young people, we often encourage them to live by the mantra: “You either make your future or it will be made for you.” Here’s an example of a local hero who has made his future and b...

Dear Editor: We are fortunate, here in the San Juans, to have a great many non-motorized trails that hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders can choose from. Unfortunately there are some trails and a...

If you watch enough national news, it’s easy to think that Democrats and Republicans rarely speak, always argue, refuse to compromise, and have nothing in common. Fortunately, in Colorado at least, th...