11-27 News - County Commission holds a Thanksgiving Eve Meeting that could be called -- Ducky

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Fair skies today before much cooler weather over the weekend.  Look for the high today around 60. 

 White Pine County Commissioners worked through a short Thanksgiving Eve agenda for the first time in memory, starting with plans to sell a county-owned parcel near the hospital. Officials confirmed the land is not landlocked, and the buyer has arranged additional access through 16th Street and nearby alleys. The public auction has been pushed from January 28 to February 11, and approved funding from the Economic Development Fund to cover appraisal costs.

Commissioners also updated the Fiscal Year 2027 budget timeline. Because federal audit numbers won’t be finalized until January, department budget meetings were moved to mid-January, with all budget requests due February 3 and formal presentations set for February 11.

The board also reviewed project costs for the Duck Pond renovation. Current bids came in $200,000 over budget, prompting discussion about relocating birds instead of building a temporary pond to cut expenses. Commissioner Paula Carson suggesting the ducks be taken out to Comins Lake during construction, with Commissioner Hank Vogler suggesting the ducks be harvested and served at the Senior Center.  A public hearing may be held before any decision is made.

And commissioners acknowledged a letter from the N4 Grazing Board warning that changing land and road access is harming local agriculture and wildlife. The board may issue its own statement as discussions continue.

Archive picture of the old duck pond before the recent botched renovations

Blackfoot police say a missing woman from Meridian was found dead in her car Tuesday evening. Forty-four-year-old Sarah Nylander was discovered around 6 p.m. in a vehicle parked behind a convenience store on Parkway Drive. She had been reported missing Sunday while driving from Montana back to her family’s home in Meridian. The Bingham County Coroner says she had likely been dead for at least a day, and while her death does not appear suspicious, officials are waiting for autopsy results before releasing more details.

A general with the Nevada National Guard has issued a statement after the critical wounding of two Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Nevada Adjutant General, Brig. Gen D, Rodger Waters made the statement in a post on Facebook.

"We are deeply saddened to hear the news from Washington, D.C. today. Our Guardsmen have served alongside members of the West Virginia National Guard during numerous trainings, exercises and overseas deployments. Our two states entered the Union during the Civil War. 'Battle Born,' and we stand beside them and their loved ones today as one National Guard family."

The family of a man shot and killed inside the Aliante Casino in Las Vegas is suing the property for negligence. Police say 20-year-old Aerion Warmsley shot 23-year-old Na’onche Osborne on the casino floor last March, then fired several more rounds before robbing him and fleeing in a stolen car. A new lawsuit filed by Osborne’s mother claims casino staff failed to provide adequate security and ignored multiple interactions with Warmsley before the shooting. Warmsley faces charges in both state and federal court, while the casino’s operator, Boyd Gaming, says it does not comment on pending litigation.

A visitor in town to see family left Resorts World Las Vegas with more than just memories — they walked away $11 million richer. Just before 6 a.m. yesterday, the guest hit the Megabucks Mega Vault progressive jackpot, the first ever won at Resorts World, after placing a $5 bet and playing for only about 15 minutes. Casino officials say the winner was with their spouse and relatives when the reels lined up for the $11.1 million payout, turning an ordinary family visit into a life-changing trip.

And last night's Powerball jackpot had no winner.  The jackpot jumps for Saturday’s drawing to $719 million.

11-25 News - Governor signs bills from the special session

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  Fair skies heading into Thanksgiving Weekend, look for a high today around 51.

Gov. Joe Lombardo has signed eight bills from last week’s special session, with more expected to be approved in ceremonial events.

The highest-profile measures still awaiting public signings include Assembly Bill 4, a major public-safety package that boosts penalties for violent crime, DUI offenses, retail theft, and child pornography; and Assembly Bill 6, which doubles penalties for traffic violations in school zones.

Among the bills Lombardo has already signed:

• AB1 creates a statewide Security Operations Center within the Governor’s Office of Technology to strengthen Nevada’s cybersecurity defenses.

• SB3 establishes a state-level Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and sets up related funding mechanisms.

• SB6 provides funding to demolish failing homes in North Las Vegas’ Windsor Park neighborhood and updates eligibility rules for replacement housing. The fixes address long-standing structural failures caused by unstable ground under the original homes.

Lawmakers also failed to advance the high-profile Summerlin movie studio plan. The bill required a two-thirds vote in the Senate but fell short, 10–8. Legislators from both parties say the proposal will likely return next session.

Democrats hold majorities in both chambers, but Lombardo, a Republican, has been a significant check on their agenda, vetoing a record 87 bills during the regular session that ended in June.

White Pine County deputies handled a series of routine calls Sunday, including several reports of lost property, a missing person who was later found in another county, and a dog running loose that was returned to its owner. Deputies also tagged an abandoned vehicle for removal and investigated a hit-and-run on county property. A reckless-driving complaint on a state highway was referred to Nevada State Police.

Two small children found walking alone in Ely were safely reunited with their parents. Deputies also took a burglary report after a purse was stolen from a vehicle outside a convenience store; that investigation continues.

Two arrests were made. Thirty-seven-year-old Jordan Edmo of Ely was booked for injury to property after a vehicle was damaged on a city street. Bail set at $5000.  Later, deputies arrested 31-year-old Isaac Wheeler of Ely outside a local casino on an outstanding warrant, along with charges of resisting and obstructing a public officer.  Bail set at $2420.

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners has voted 6–3 to regulate coyote-killing contests, bringing the previously unsanctioned events under state oversight. The decision follows months of public meetings and comes despite polling last year showing 71 percent of Nevadans support banning the contests outright.

Under the new rules, contests would have an official season running September through March, and participants would be required to hold valid hunting or trapping licenses.

Animal-welfare groups say the move effectively legitimizes an inhumane practice, while supporters argue the contests help control predators that threaten livestock.

The regulations now head to the Legislative Counsel Bureau for final approval next month.

11-24 News - White Pine County Schools score well in 2025 score card

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  Fair skies heading into Thanksgiving Weekend, look for a high today around 53.

Nevada’s high school graduation rate climbed to 85.4 percent for the Class of 2025, up nearly four points from last year. State education officials say more than 34,000 students earned diplomas, with Career and Technical Education students leading the way at nearly 99 percent.

White Pine County outperformed the state once again. The district posted a 93-percent graduation rate, an increase from 91.2 percent the year before and well above the statewide average. White Pine was one of nine school districts to show year-over-year improvement, and one of eight districts topping the 90-percent mark.

Across Nevada, more students earned advanced or college- and career-ready diplomas, and graduation rates rose for every major student group, including low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities.

A full breakdown of Nevada’s graduation data is available on the Nevada Report Card website at nevadareportcard.nv.gov.

For the first time in several years, the White Pine County Commission is scheduled to have a meeting on Wednesday.  Only two items of significance are on the agenda as the commission seeks to sell a ¾ acre plot of land in the city and get updates on budget preparations and SNPLMA grant projects.  The meeting is scheduled for 9am in the Library Conference Room. 

White Pine County Sheriff’s deputies handled a range of calls on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, deputies investigated a reported sex crime, a hit-and-run in Ely, two welfare checks, and a custody concern involving grandchildren. A roaming-dog complaint was forwarded to Animal Control, and suspicious-vehicle and loud-music calls in the city were found unfounded. Deputies also arrested 34-year-old Antonio Gutierrez Ramirez of Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico, for grand larceny in connection with a theft at a local business.  His bail was set at $10,000.  

On Saturday, deputies arrested 19-year-old Kenneth Wall of Ely for DUI and minor in consumption after checking on a suspicious vehicle. His bail was set at $1245.  A juvenile was detained in a domestic disturbance on charges including domestic battery, battery with a deadly weapon, and grand larceny of a motor vehicle. Deputies also investigated a report of a truck driver who allegedly pointed a gun at another motorist; that case remains active. Other calls included found property, an unfounded alarm at a business, a false report of someone inside a camp trailer, juveniles playing doorbell ditch, and text messages sent in violation of a no-contact order. 

A major case before the Supreme Court of the United States could reshape how mail-in ballots are counted in Nevada and 15 other states. The case centers on whether ballots postmarked by Election Day, but arriving days later, may still be tallied. Nevada currently allows up to four days for mail ballots and three days for those without a postmark.

If the court limits that practice, it could force Nevada to tighten deadlines or change how votes are accepted. State officials warn the ruling could have wide-ranging effects on election handling across the country.

Nevada’s rural counties are emerging as major players in the state’s economic future, according to a panel hosted by the Northern Nevada Development Authority. Industry leaders say mining, advanced manufacturing, data centers, and energy development are driving new interest outside urban areas.

Mark Nelson with Mark IV Capital says companies are drawn to open land and strong logistics along Interstate 80, fueling projects like Fernley’s Victory Logistics District and new data-center development near USA Parkway.

In northeastern Nevada, regional development director Sheldon Mudd says lithium, vanadium, tungsten, and other critical minerals position rural counties as key contributors in battery technology and energy production. He says the growing “Lithium Loop” depends on statewide collaboration.

Churchill County is expanding tourism and leveraging its geothermal production, though officials say transmission limitations prevent that power from supporting local industry. Fallon’s Rafter 3C Arena has already generated up to $15 million in new economic impact.

With rural Nevada bracing for population and workforce growth, panelists agreed the next phase of development hinges on infrastructure, housing, and continued investment to capture incoming demand.

Pershing County and Needles meet Tuesday morning again at 9, with both teams carrying seven-game winning streaks into the matchup for the state 2A Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Pershing County is 3-0 against Needles since 2016 and won their most recent meeting in September, 30–22.

Pershing County comes in at 11-1 after a tight 42-36 playoff victory over Lincoln County on Saturday. Needles, now 9-2, also advanced with a close 18-12 win over Battle Mountain, overcoming a significant rankings gap between the two programs.

Both teams are rolling, and Tuesday’s game will determine whether Pershing County extends its dominance or Needles finally breaks through.

11-20 News - Legislature Adjorns, No break for Film Studios!

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  Cloudy skies on tap but no precipitation in the forecast at all now.    Here, partly cloudy today, the high 47

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In news from the special legislative session:

Nevada lawmakers made history Wednesday as the 36th Special Session continued in Carson City. In a rare two-thirds vote in both houses, legislators agreed to expand Gov. Joe Lombardo’s agenda so they could take up corporate buyouts of Nevada homes. That opened the door for Senate Bill 10, which has failed in two previous regular sessions. The bill limits corporations to purchasing no more than 1,000 homes statewide per year. Supporters say one in four homes in Clark County is now bought by large corporations—often with cash—pricing out local families. Opponents warned of unintended consequences, but SB10 cleared the Senate with bipartisan support, and Lombardo backs the proposal.

Lawmakers also approved Assembly Bill 4, a major criminal justice package that increases penalties for crimes including DUI, assault, domestic violence, and adds a new felony for burglaries involving property damage.

But another high-profile measure failed. Assembly Bill 5, which sought to dramatically expand Nevada’s film tax credit program, collapsed after opponents argued it would strain the state budget, despite supporters claiming it would create thousands of union jobs and bring billions in new economic activity.

Gov. Joe Lombardo is thanking lawmakers after the 36th Special Session wrapped up, saying he called the session because Nevadans “could not wait any longer” for action on public safety, jobs, healthcare access, small-business protections, school safety, aid for vulnerable families, and cybersecurity reforms. Lombardo said the issues demanded immediate attention, not years of delay, and praised legislators for what he called bipartisan work as the session came to a close.

White Pine County deputies handled a range of calls on Tuesday. A driver hit an elk on a state highway, with the case turned over to Nevada State Police. School-related issues made up several calls, including a student refusing to attend class, a welfare check on an absent student, and a report of a student attacking a staff member. That case was forwarded to Juvenile Probation.

Deputies also investigated phone threats from an out-of-state family member, harassment at a workplace, threats outside a local inn, and property damage after a vehicle window was broken at an apartment complex. A domestic disturbance in the city remains under active investigation, and a reported sex crime is also being investigated. No new bookings were reported.

Mt. Wheeler Power is calling on the community to help support its annual Santa’s Elves Christmas Assistance Program. More than 120 ornaments are hanging on trees in the Ely and Eureka office lobbies, each representing the holiday wish of a local child in need.

The program has supported families for more than 30 years, providing toys, clothing, and essentials for households facing financial challenges. Residents can stop by either office Monday through Thursday to pick an ornament and shop for a child. Monetary donations are also accepted through the end of the year to help cover remaining needs.

The utility says the program relies entirely on local generosity, and every contribution helps brighten the holidays for families across the region.

Nevada OSHA is pushing back against claims it pulled a safety citation against Elon Musk’s Boring Company because of political influence. The citation stemmed from a 2024 training exercise where two Clark County firefighters suffered leg burns inside a tunnel. OSHA now says the citation was legally insufficient, finding that key requirements—such as proof of a violated standard and employer knowledge—weren’t met. The agency says Boring Company records showed firefighters didn’t use all required protective gear and ignored safety protocols. OSHA has since implemented four new inspection policies and says two unrelated inspections of the company remain open. Officials insist neither Gov. Joe Lombardo nor his staff pressured them, calling the withdrawal a legal decision, not a political one.

The NIAA Board of Control has finalized a new high school football realignment for the 2025 season after months of debate and a last-minute reversal this week. In an 8–3 vote, the board approved collapsing the 5A into a single statewide classification, ending the three-tier 5A system used the past two years. The 5A North will now include six schools, as will the 4A North, while the 5A and 4A South divisions will include far more teams.

Six state champions will be crowned under the new model, including a newly created “Open” division for the South’s top four teams based on a combined rating system. Northern Nevada teams will not participate in that bracket, avoiding potential matchups with national powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

The 5A and 4A North and South champions will now meet in true state title games, with regional tournaments added in the South. The realignment will run from 2025 through 2027 and includes promotion and relegation between the 5A and 4A divisions. Other fall and winter sports will remain largely unchanged, with minor adjustments in girls golf alignment.

White Pine County will remain in the 2A Southern league except for Golf which will be in the 2A North.  

11-19 News - Man Convicted in Ely State Prison Riot

 KELY News sponsored by Sahara Motors.   Ready for all seasons? The Kawasaki RIDGE XR CREW Limited HVAC side-by-side keeps you cool in the summer, dry in the rain, and warm in the winter. Conquer any trail, creek, or blizzard—while staying comfortable the whole way.  Check one out today at Sahara Motors.

  Just a trace of precipitation yesterday at Yellend Field, down Vegas way they got a half inch of rain that led to flooding.  Here, partly cloudy today, the high 49.

A Nevada inmate has been convicted in a deadly riot inside Ely State Prison that left three prisoners dead. A White Pine County jury found 34-year-old Anthony Ribera guilty on three counts of murder with a deadly weapon, along with multiple counts of attempted murder and battery by a prisoner.

The July 2024 attack was captured on prison cameras and showed several inmates using makeshift weapons while staff watched from a secure control room. Warning shots with pepper balls came about 14 seconds after the violence began, but officers didn’t enter the unit for roughly 11 minutes.

Three inmates were killed, including 22-year-old Connor Brown, and nearly 20 others were later charged in connection with the brawl. Ribera, who had been serving time for conspiracy to commit robbery, now faces a possible sentence of life without parole when he returns to court March 9.

The incident led the Nevada Department of Corrections to move about 2,000 inmates from Ely to High Desert State Prison, which has since seen its own wave of homicides.

In news from the special legislative session:

Nevada lawmakers may be nearing the end of the special session. Two major items — the film tax credit expansion and Gov. Joe Lombardo’s criminal justice package — were still awaiting final action in the Senate when Day 6 began yesterday. Only the crime bill advanced, passing the Senate just after midnight on a 16–2 vote. It now returns to the Assembly.

Several other measures stalled, including an appropriations bill for SNAP administration and a proposal to address health care provider shortages. Lawmakers also approved funding for legislative security and clarified rules around work-related lung disease.

Late last night, senators adopted a constitutional fix to a school-zone safety bill.  The bill would double fines for traffic violations in school zones and give schools and local governments the flexibility to design zones themselves, rather than the process in place, which makes changes difficult and subject to lengthy approval processes.

Lawmakers in Nevada have passed a major crime bill backed by Governor Joe Lombardo, with a new amendment limiting federal immigration agents from entering school grounds without a warrant. The Senate approved the amended Assembly Bill 4 on a 16-2 vote early Wednesday. 

The wide-ranging legislation expands penalties for DUIs and assaults, and allows Clark County judges to create a “Resort Corridor” court program around the Las Vegas Strip. 

The bill now returns to the Assembly for final approval before heading to the governor’s desk.

Nevada lawmakers are adding a new item to Gov. Joe Lombardo’s special-session agenda — a bipartisan bill targeting corporate and hedge-fund purchases of residential homes.

Sen. Ira Hansen says legislators filed a petition to include the measure, marking the first time a special-session agenda has been amended this way. The bill is modeled after earlier legislation from Sen. Dina Neal and would create a registry to track corporate homebuyers, aiming to keep large companies from outbidding families in a tight housing market.

Hansen says about 15 percent of Clark County homes are now owned by corporations and calls the issue critical for young Nevadans priced out of housing. Lawmakers expect to process the bill quickly without extending the session.

White Pine County Sheriff’s deputies handled several calls on Monday.

Deputies assisted staff with a problem involving a person at a local healthcare facility. A stolen four-wheeler was reported in the city, with that investigation still underway. At local schools, two juveniles were referred to Juvenile Probation after being found with vaping devices.

Deputies also responded to a battery at a county facility, with that case forwarded to the District Attorney. A missing-person report was taken involving someone traveling from out of state who has not yet been located.

A deputy cited a person after finding a child left unattended in a vehicle outside a business. Other calls included found property, an abandoned vehicle turned over to State Police, and a custody-exchange issue.

There were no new bookings.

The 2025 Ladycats Soccer team keeps piling up accolades.  

Brooklyn Reed, Paytin Lawrence, Juliane Hughes, Laura Trujillo and Ainsley Giles made First Team All State, while Miley Oxenborrow and Reese Maestes made Second Team all state with Jalee Williams, Jillian Bath and Cadence Johnson getting honorable mention.  Senior midfielder Paityn Lawrence was also named conference Most Valuable Player.   She averaged .9 goals per game, .7 assists per game, had 174 steals all season and 106 shots on goal. 

Congratulations to the Ladycats Soccer team for bringing the championship back to White Pine County, along with a lot of honors.