Hanging up all his hats

Randy Cassingham is leaving Ouray County after living here for 20 years, driven from the area he loved by suspected allergies to piñon pines. Cassingham volunteered in numerous capacities across Ouray County, including the Rural First Responder Corps, Regional Services Authority, Emergency Telephone Service Authority and with emergency communications. Daniel Schmidt — Ouray County Plaindealer

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By Daniel Schmidt daniel@ouraynews.com, on October 4, 2023

Neighbors and Helpers: Randy Cassingham

Hanging up all his hats

As Randy Cassingham and his wife, Kit, prepare to leave Ouray County after 20 years, the signs of his community involvement are still strewn throughout their home.

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County declares emergency

Rockfall closes Camp Bird Road

By LIA SALVATIERRA

February 28, 2025

County Road 361, also known as Camp Bird Road, is indefinitely closed to both foot and vehicle traffic after a rockfall event that triggered county officials to issue an emergency disaster order. The ...

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‘There wasn’t even time to have a goodbye party’

The same day she received a plaque designating her a full-time Forest Service alpine ranger, Kricket Olin was swept up in the federal layoffs

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

Kricket Olin didn’t check her email on Valentine’s Day morning because she wanted to go to work. She didn't want to believe it could be her last day. She spent the day riding snowmobiles to make sure ...

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Council pledges to help police

Tense meeting marked by criticism, warning more officers may quit

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

Ouray city councilors vowed Tuesday night to pursue measures to boost police officer pay and hire more sworn help as quickly as possible, even while asking for continued patience as the city administr...

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Master plan adoption marked by conflict

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

After a two-year revision process, Ouray County commissioners adopted the county’s updated master plan, but not without a fight. During a hearing to adopt the final version of the plan Tuesday, Commis...

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County renews permits for Red Mountain Lodge

Mixture of support, objections mark hearings to allow business to host weddings, operate bed-and-breakfast

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

Ouray County commissioners renewed Red Mountain Alpine Lodge’s special-use permits to hold weddings and operate a bed-and-breakfast for two years, in another showdown between the businesses' vocal opp...

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Ridgway cancels council election

February 26, 2025

Ridgway won't hold town council elections this year since there were not more applicants for candidates than the number of open seats. The town received three nomination petitions, from current counci...

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Deputy manager tapped as temporary leader

Rather than pursue outside help, commissioners OK plan for outgoing Hunt to assist Rhoades

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

Deputy County Manager Kara Rhoades will serve as Ouray County’s interim manager, drawing support from Connie Hunt after she leaves her job. The former administrator will be paid as a part-time contrac...

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Ouray schools mull idea to hire another principal

Superintendent proposes shifting focus to gym project

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

The Ouray School Board is considering a proposal to add another administrator to the payroll. Superintendent Tod Lokey presented his idea to the board at a work session last week, asking them to consi...

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‘Steel Magnolias’ takes stage in Ridgway

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

The story of the classic "Steel Magnolias" is coming to the stage in Ouray County this week, brought to the community by Minerva West Theatre Company. Set in a small-town beauty parlor in Louisiana, t...

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New ownership brewing at Colorado Boy

Longtime customer acquires Ridgway brew pub and depot, emphasizes community focus

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

There’s one word Matthew Beyer keeps coming back to when he talks about Colorado Boy. Community. The brew pub that has anchored downtown Ridgway for 17 years has succeeded with a simple formula: thin,...

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A taste of the rainforest comes to Ouray

Acai, a purple berry derived from palm trees, forms foundation of new fruit bowl shop

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 26, 2025

Just two years ago, Marmots Acai owner Christine Rector didn’t know what a marmot was and her husband and co-owner, Mark, had never tried acai. The purple berry is derived from a palm tree native to t...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines