Opinion - News

Opinion

By News Staff

July 15, 2021

50 YEARS AGO July 15, 1971 - A major piece of business was transacted in the Ouray City Council meeting Monday night that may effect a considerable change in the appearance of Ouray’s business distric...

Opinion

Thanks from McElrea family

By News Staff

July 15, 2021

Dear Editor: On behalf of the entire family of Paul McElrea, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the friends who helped search for our beloved Paul and the Ouray County professionals, in ...

Opinion

A hazy reminder of vulnerability

By Erin McIntyre

July 15, 2021

We’ve reached the time in summer when we play a game I don’t like much. The “where’s that smoke coming from” game. The haze first brings grayish skies, muddying our views of the spectacular mountain v...

Opinion

Missing Ridgway man victim of fatal accident

By Erin McIntyre

July 7, 2021

A search for a missing Ridgway man ended tragically on Wednesday morning after his body was found at the scene of a motorcycle accident. Paul McElrea, 52, had left home before midnight on Monday and d...

Opinion

Santa Fe Trail: The Great Plains Highway

By Carolyn Snowbarger

July 7, 2021

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail (1821-2021). This commercial route connected Missouri and Santa Fe and was an “international highway” used by travelers, settlers, freighter...

Opinion

In an often ostentatious industry, a weekend of authenticity in Ouray

By Mike Wiggins

July 1, 2021

Rain spattered the plastic dessert plates as a breeze jostled the giant inflatable movie screen. “We invite you to watch the rest of the movie inside,” a voice announced. “Terry has a theater inside h...

Opinion

Wishing hard for rain â but not too much of it

By Karen Risch

June 23, 2021

In spite of a dry, warm May on most of the Western Slope, the San Juans and Ouray saw plentiful moisture and relatively cool temperatures the third week of the month. High mountains emerged with 5-10 ...

Opinion

I can’t outrun her, so I might as well stay with her

By Willie Richardson

June 16, 2021

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 married at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk. The following is a true sto...

Opinion

No, you can’t read it first

By Erin McIntyre

June 16, 2021

Most newspapers have a policy against allowing prior review. That’s the term we use when sources want to read an article before it’s published. There are a few reasons why we don’t allow this practice...

Opinion

LOOKING BACK

By News Staff

June 10, 2021

50 YEARS AGO June 10, 1971 - “Since I have been in this office, I have bitten by dogs four times — and there is four dead dogs.” Police Chief Harold Boyd made the statement Monday night at city counci...

Opinion

You don’t have to go far to travel back in time

By Carolyn Snowbarger

June 10, 2021

Travel back (way back) in time along the Trail of the Ancients, a National Scenic Byway. This route showcases the archaeological and cultural history of the Native American peoples in the Four Corners...

Opinion

At my age, the pros still outweigh the cons

By Willie Richardson

May 19, 2021

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 inform the younger generations of what they have to lo...

Opinion

How one local resident painted with a lot of Grit

By Carolyn Snowbarger

May 12, 2021

Robert “Bob” DeJulio was one of many locals who worked on the classic western movie, “True Grit,” in 1968. He was a “sign painter” when he got the gig of his life turning the little ranching town of R...

Opinion

LOOKING BACK

By News Staff

May 6, 2021

50 YEARS AGO May 6, 1971 - Reorganization to combine the Ouray and Ridgway school districts was defeated Tuesday by only 50 votes, 258 to 208, in one of the heaviest school elections in either Ouray o...

Opinion

Legislation aimed at advancing state’s vital agricultural industry

By Barbara Mclachlan

April 28, 2021

My grandfather was a mover and shaker in the Colorado sugar beet industry with Great Western Sugar, and he was also a professor of agriculture at Colorado State University. But the ag roots my brother...

Opinion

April was glorious, but drought outlook is gloomy

By Karen Risch

April 28, 2021

Morning birdsong, tiny bees, blooming apricots, sprightly daffodils, thick green grass – the wonder that is April finally arrived. The first 15 days of the month were bone-dry, though. Luckily, since ...

Opinion

Nonsensical or profound, my favorite ‘Willie-isms’

By Willie Richardson

April 14, 2021

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 and friends. Mostly nonsense, but if you look deep, ...

Opinion

LOOKING BACK

By News Staff

April 8, 2021

50 YEARS AGO April 8, 1971 - The Ridgway Town Council had received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Pastore requesting a public dance permit for the Fort Smith Tavern and Little Chef Cafe. Mr. Tom Van Arsda...

Opinion

LOOKING BACK

By News Staff

April 1, 2021

50 YEARS AGO April 1, 1971 - It just may be that phone users will find the lines much busier than usual around the Ouray area this weekend, if too many people are playing with the new direct distance ...

Opinion

Vaccinations: A first-class operation

By News Staff

April 1, 2021

Dear Editor: Greetings to members of the Ouray County Health Department and all volunteers who have assisted in providing the important vaccinations for COVID-19. My wife Margaret and I think of today...

Main, News...

Home for the holidays

Perennial renters. Globetrotters. Forced minimalists. For financial and other reasons, they've spent most of their lives moving from place to place. Now, for the first time, these new Waterview homeowners are putting down roots in Ouray.

By LIA SALVATIERRA

December 25, 2024

When Diane Todd pulled her white Chevy pickup into the driveway of her new home in Ouray, she jumped out of the car and gave her next-door neighbor a hug. It was the first time they had met, and both ...

News

SEASON OF SHARING

Minerva West Theater Co.

December 25, 2024

Editor’s note: The Ouray County Plaindealer started publishing profiles of nonprofits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in 2020 as a community service. The purpose of these profiles is to highlight ...

News

The Sherbino Theater/Ridgway Chautauqua

December 25, 2024

Year established as a nonprofi t: 2012 What does your organization do for Ouray County? The Sherbino and 610 Arts Collective, operated by Ridgway Chautauqua, enrich Ouray County by providing vibrant a...

News

SEASON OF SHARING

Ouray Teacher Fund

December 25, 2024

Year established as a nonprofit: 2021 What does your organization do for Ouray County? The Ouray Teacher Fund has been established to support Ouray School faculty and staff in their continuing educati...

News

Threshold Singers of the Shining Mountains

December 25, 2024

Year established as a nonprofit: 2000 What does your organization do for Ouray County? The local chapter of the national Threshold Choir, the Threshold Singers of the Shining Mountains, sings songs of...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines