10-8 News - Ranchers get green light to sue feds

 KELY News sponsored by Sahara Motors.   The Kawasaki KX450 is built out of the box with everything you need to dominate the track. Check it out today at Sahara Motors and let the Good Times Roll. 

Cooler temperatures are on tap over the weekend and into next week with some rainfall on the way, but going into the weekend, enjoy the warmth, sunny today and a high of 81 degrees.

A divided Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Nevada ranchers can pursue a water-rights lawsuit against the federal government involving Baker and Lehman Creeks through Great Basin National Park.

The ranchers argue activities in the park have reduced water reaching their downstream properties. The court ruled the 1952 McCarran Amendment allows the lawsuit to proceed despite federal sovereign immunity.

The ruling does not decide whether the ranchers’ claims are valid. The case now returns to the lower court for further proceedings.

One judge dissented, arguing the federal government remains protected by sovereign immunity.

Republican congressional candidate David Flippo is facing new scrutiny over his employment history.

The Reno Gazette Journal reports Flippo was fired in late 2024 by First Command Financial Services, where he worked with military families and veterans.

A FINRA report says Flippo was terminated for violating company policies and regulations involving electronic communications, recordkeeping and customer identification. The report says there was no client harm.

Flippo has disputed the characterization, saying an investigation found no wrongdoing that resulted in discipline, fines or loss of his professional licenses. He joined another brokerage firm in 2025.

Flippo is running against Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson for Nevada’s Second Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Mark Amodei.

The Ely City Council will consider several major issues Thursday, including a proposed emergency action to deal with a cockroach infestation at a West 15th Street property.

City officials have determined the infestation is a public nuisance and an immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare. The council will consider authorizing the city to exterminate the cockroaches and remove the infestation.

The council will also review Ely’s drinking-water rate study and could direct staff to examine the potential business impact of higher water, sewer and landfill rates, along with hydrant rental and “will serve” fees.

And the council will consider Resolution 2026-10, establishing historic districts along Aultman Street from First to Eleventh Streets and along Nevada Northern Railway, or East Eleventh Street.

Other agenda items include potential fee studies, NDOT signage at the city dog park, and updates on state and federal funding efforts.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Ely Volunteer Fire Hall on Mill Street. KELY will have a podcast of the meeting available Thursday night or Friday morning on major podcast platforms by searching KELY 1230 98.5.

Earthquake activity is continuing in the Preston area.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a three-point-eight magnitude earthquake struck about 16 miles from Preston Tuesday morning, at around 7:35.

That was followed by a three-point-three quake about 14 miles west of Preston yesterday afternoon, at approximately 1:15.

And overnight, a two-point-seven magnitude earthquake was recorded about 23 miles west-northwest of Preston, around 4:30 this morning.

There are no reports of damage or injuries from any of the earthquakes.

Two Elko casinos could close next month, putting nearly 240 jobs at risk.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining notices filed with Nevada officials say the Maverick Casino Hotel and Gold Country Inn and Casino could close November 30th.

The notices list 198 employees at the Maverick and another 41 at Gold Country.

Both properties are operated by Maverick Gaming and owned by Maverick Nevada LLC. The company is dealing with an ownership transition and bankruptcy filing.

The notices warn of possible closures, but do not mean the casinos will definitely shut down.

The Vegas Golden Knights rolled past the Seattle Kraken six-to-two Tuesday night, improving to a dominant start behind a five-goal first two periods.

Victor Olofsson and Tomas Hertl each scored twice, while Jack Eichel had a goal and three assists. Mark Stone added a goal and an assist, reaching 400 points with Vegas — becoming just the third player in franchise history to do so.

Carter Hart stopped 25 shots for Vegas. The Golden Knights return home Thursday to host Toronto.

We’ve talked about the White Pine County Clerk’s office having problems with getting mail delivered. Here’a a story about a Las Vegas man that can’t get election mail stopped!

For nearly 30 years, a Las Vegas homeowner has been receiving election mail for the person who lived in his house before him — and it’s still happening.

Russell Lorenzen bought his home in 1997, but says he continues receiving sample ballots and other election mail addressed to the former homeowner. He says he recently received another sample ballot for her, despite previously trying to alert officials.

Clark County elections officials say voters can remain on the rolls until the county receives official notice they no longer live at an address.

Officials also say mail-in ballots are subject to signature verification, and ballots with mismatched signatures are not counted.

The county encourages voters to report election mail delivered to the wrong address.

That’s your morning news from White Pine County and the state of Nevada

10-6 News - Governor's race a Toss-up

 KELY News sponsored by Sahara Motors.   The Kawasaki KX450 is built out of the box with everything you need to dominate the track. Check it out today at Sahara Motors and let the Good Times Roll. 

Another new record high temperature yesterday at Yellend Field.  The 83 degree reading broke the 1964 record of 81.  There’s a slight chance of an afternoon or evening thunderstorm today with a high today of 83.  

Nevada counties began mailing ballots Monday to more than two million active registered voters ahead of the November election.

The Secretary of State’s office says ballots will continue going out through Thursday. Early voting begins October 17th, with Election Day November 3rd.

Voters can return ballots by mail, at official drop boxes, or at polling locations during early voting and on Election Day.

White Pine county Clerk Nichole Stephey recommends use of the drop box at the rear of the Historic Courthouse 24 hours a day or just drop the ballot off at the Clerk’s Office during business hours. 

Nevada’s governor’s race between Republican Governor Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford remains extremely close.

An Emerson College poll has Ford ahead by two points, but the margin of error is three-point-seven percent.

Polling analysts are split as well. Nate Silver’s model gives Lombardo a narrow point-four-point advantage, while another analysis has Ford slightly ahead.

Most national election forecasters rate the race a toss-up, with Election Day November third and early voting beginning October seventeenth.

The Ely City Council will tackle two significant issues Thursday : the city’s water rates and historic preservation.

The council will review a Rural Community Assistance Corporation study of Ely’s drinking-water rates and could direct staff to study the potential business impact of higher water, sewer and landfill rates, along with hydrant rental and “will serve” fees.

The council will also consider Resolution 2026-10, establishing historic districts along Aultman Street from First to Eleventh Street and along the Nevada Northern Railway, or East Eleventh Street.

Other agenda items include potential fee studies, NDOT signage at the city dog park, and updates on state and federal funding efforts.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Ely Volunteer Fire Hall on Mill Street. KELY will have a podcast of the meeting available Thursday night or Friday morning on major podcast platforms by searching KELY 1230 98.5.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports several arrests and investigations from Wednesday through Friday.

On Thursday, 35-year-old Zachary G. Smith of Ely was arrested following a crash involving a traffic control device. He faces charges of driving under the influence of a controlled or prohibited substance and failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving unattended property.

Also Thursday, 38-year-old Norma F. Finkenbinder of Lund was arrested on an Ely Justice Court warrant.

The Sheriff’s Office also investigated three sex-crime reports, which remain under investigation, along with threats at a school, suspected fraud, reckless driving and several welfare checks.

On Friday, deputies investigated reports of threats, harassment, trespassing and fraud. A brush fire in the county was referred to the BLM.

And 43-year-old Emily G. Edmonds of Ruth was arrested for trespassing at a local casino. Her bail was set at 355 dollars.

Elko County Fire crews and state and federal partners are responding to multiple fires sparked by lightning yesterday.

The Jones Fire in the Uhlig-Jones area is the largest, covering about 250 acres with zero containment and active fire behavior. The Dennis Flats Fire near Deeth is about three acres, while the Metropolis Fire is about two acres; forward progress has been stopped on both.

No fires were found near Raine Mine or South Fork.

Officials ask residents to report smoke or active fire, but not lightning strikes alone, to avoid diverting resources from active fires.

White Pine High School seniors and their parents are being reminded that financial aid applications can help make college more affordable.

The Nevada Promise Scholarship can provide tuition-free attendance at eligible Nevada colleges, including Great Basin College, after other financial aid is applied.

The Nevada Promise application deadline is October 31st, while the FAFSA deadline is April 1st.

Representatives from the Nevada Treasury and Great Basin College will be in White Pine High School at Senior Achievement and JAG classrooms Wednesday to walk students through the application process, eligibility and next steps.

Frank Zele, a longtime White Pine County resident, has died at the age of 86.

Zele attended McGill Grade School and White Pine High School before moving to California at age 17. He later settled in Las Vegas, where he worked in telecommunications and met his wife, Sue. They were married for 63 years and raised two children.

Frank was remembered as a happy-go-lucky man with a terrific personality who cherished his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife Sue, two children, three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and sisters Alice Hamilton and Jo Anne Ambrose of Ely.

At Frank’s request, no funeral services will be held.

A top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is warning that the surge in online gambling and sports betting is encouraging greed, particularly among young people.

Speaking Saturday at the church’s general conference, D. Todd Christofferson said smartphone betting is taking time away from students’ studies and personal relationships. He called gambling morally wrong, arguing it promotes getting something for nothing.

Christofferson also classified online prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket, as gambling, putting the church at odds with the Trump administration, which argues those platforms should not be regulated as gambling.

The debate is especially significant in Utah, where a federal judge recently ruled the state can enforce its strict gambling laws against prediction markets.

That’s your morning news from White Pine County and the state of Nevada

Just a reminder

To those old-school intimidators who don't like our news reporting...

Listen to KELY anytime, anywhere

 Wyatt recommends the Simple Radio app by Streema.  He's had it on his phone for years.  It's available for both Android and Apple.  Download it, search for KELY, and BOOM, we're there!

Android Users Click Here

 

Apple Users Click Here 

 

Desktop Users Click Here 

 

You have NO EXCUSE not to listen! 

And for heaven's sake, get a radio like this one!  

Pay study the Commission wants buried...and the Treasurers comments the Commission wouldn't let her make...

Originally published in February 2026.

 The County Commission wants to bury this study that they commissioned.  We won't let them.  This is the story we reported on February 4th.  

----

White Pine County employees are being paid well below market rates, according to a new compensation and classification study.

KELY Radio has obtained a copy of the report commissioned by the county.  The independent review found county wages average about seven percent below comparable public employers across Nevada, with some departments falling much further behind. Human Resources pay was more than 30 percent below market, while Emergency Management and Fire Protection were each nearly 20 percent under market rates.

The study reviewed pay for 154 employees across 89 job classifications and found no positions paid above market levels. Consultants say the gaps are contributing to recruitment and retention challenges.

To address the issue, the report recommends phased salary adjustments totaling about 922 thousand dollars, with no wage reductions proposed. The largest increases would go to positions currently well below market and those affected by wage compression.

At the January 14th County Commission meeting, Commissioners approved a 2% cost-of-living increase for elected officials on a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Vogler and Pauley voting no.  Included in the Cost of Living increase was approval of the Legislative-approved 35% increase in pay for commissioners from $24,513.60 to $33,660.  But Commissioners opposed a similar increase for rank-and-file employees on a 4-1 vote, with former Commissioner Janet Vancamp voting no.  

County leaders will now decide whether and when to implement the recommendations, weighing budget impacts alongside workforce stability, or even acknowledge the study they themselves commissioned!

Decide for yourself - click here for the study!

And during closing public comment, the County Commission "accidentally"skipped White Pine Treasurer Catherine Backaric who was waiting to make Public Comment.  While we aired CBS News, I called Catherine and offered her the opportunity to make her comment over the air - and she agreed.  Listen below.  

And if you didn't hear our commentary on the Commission and this study, listen below!

Unequal treatment for all?

Originally published in 2024.  You need to know how radio is treated differently from other media. 

Why are we treated differently than newspapers and social media?

 

Do you know that candidates for Federal office - President, Senate, and House - get the best advertising rate on radio and television stations that we give anyone? No newspaper or social media platform has their advertising rates dictated by federal law.

 Did you know that as a broadcast station licensed by the Federal Government, we cannot refuse to accept advertising for ANY candidate for Federal office? No newspaper or social media platform is required to accept advertising from anyone!

 Did you know that if a candidate for state or local office purchases advertising on a broadcast station, another candidate for the state office has to be granted equivalent time at the exact same rate. Again, No newspaper or social media platform is required to accept advertising from anyone nor have their rate dictated.

Did you know that broadcasters are required to identify who purchases advertising? No newspaper or social media platform is required to identify who bought advertising!

When you buy advertising on Social Media, the money goes out of your community and into a billionaire's pocket.

When you purchase advertising on KELY or KDSS, that money goes to keep these local resources on the air.  We aren't millionaires.  We're your neighbors. 

 

Think about it!

Better listening tips

 Originally published in 2025.  Facts remain relevant today. 

So.  I went out and drove our signal last night I had a clear and audible signal from Majors Place to Lages Junction.  The minor improvements in our audio processing have made a significant improvement in our signal.  

So, why are you not able to hear us better?  

1) Try turning your radio. Many radios have a ferrite antenna inside that runs the length of the radio. It is a very directional antenna.  Try rotating the radio to improve the signal.  No, I'm not going to move the 200 foot tower to help. 

2) Move the radio away from florescent or LED lighting, computers, or television sets.  The FCC knows these (mostly Chinese-made) devices interfere with AM (and in some cases FM) broadcast signals in violation of Part 15 of their rules and regulations and the FCC doesn't give a crap.  So listeners blame the stations instead of the FCC.  I'm used to it.  So, there you go.

3) Add a simple antenna.  Here are a couple of suggestions.

If it hit the fan like it did in Western North Carolina, would you be prepared?

 After a week, people in Western North Carolina have no power, internet, or reliable cell service.  What's keep them informed?  Radio.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/07/wnc-listeners-call-into-local-radio-station-seeking-solace-connection/75543836007/

Radio is a lifeline, but how can you be connected to the lifeline if you don't HAVE a radio?  Sadly, people think of radio as an antiquity, a relic of the past.  But when push comes to shove, radio will be here long after the other devices have failed.  

But how do you get a radio?  What little retail business we have in White Pine County doesn't even sell them.  Well, The Greek might, but the others?  Nope. 

Try this inexpensive radio.  Under $20, uses 2 AA batteries.   Add this to your next Amazon order. (I know you're shopping Amazon and not local.  It's no secret.) 

https://amzn.to/3Azpdg5

If nothing else, you might learn some truths that Facebook and TikTok won't tell you.  Because they don't give a damn about you.  You know that. 

OPINION: Local Radio Isn’t Dead—It’s More Vital Than Ever

By Wyatt Cox

In an age when people scroll endlessly through social media feeds, it’s surprising how many folks right here in Ely have never tuned in to their local radio stations. Many assume that if it doesn’t show up on Facebook, it’s not worth knowing.

That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.

Social media may be quick, but it’s shallow. It can’t match the depth, context, or local commitment that radio offers—especially when it comes to accurate news and timely information.