6-24 News - County Commission meeting this morning

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We have a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon.  Look for the high this afternoon around 89. 

The White Pine County Commission meets this morning with a full agenda that includes county finances, personnel matters, infrastructure updates, and preparations for summer events.

Commissioners are expected to consider renewing the county's insurance coverage through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool and will hear an update on road and infrastructure projects from Road Superintendent Martin Troutt.

The board will also consider appointing Lloyd Eugene Phillips Junior to the Airport Advisory Board, discuss advertising for a building inspector position, and review proposed property tax rates for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Additional items include grant funding requests for library ADA improvements and the senior meal program, as well as a request to close Clark Street for the annual Arts in the Park Festival scheduled July 31st through August 2nd.

You can hear live coverage of the meeting right here on KELY beginning at 9 a.m.

Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Monday afternoon at 1 to conduct a public hearing and consider approval of a budget augmentation for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposed resolution would appropriate funds from the county's Emergency Medical Services Fund for payment to the White Pine County Fire District.

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to numerous calls Monday, including two arrests and several active investigations.

Forty-five-year-old Jeffery Williams of Ely was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a traffic stop. In a separate case, deputies arrested Zachary Norton and Kristy Lowrey of McGill on alleged violations of court-issued protection orders following a domestic disturbance.

Deputies are continuing investigations into a report of possible elder abuse and suspicious activity involving an ATM at a local financial institution.

Sheriff's deputies also investigated a hit-and-run crash that damaged a transformer and caused a power outage at a local business. In another incident, a semi-truck driver was cited after an illegal U-turn in downtown Ely damaged the roadway.

Firefighters continue making progress on the Kane Springs Fire south of Caliente. The fire has now burned more than 16,000 acres and is 40 percent contained, with crews focusing on the western edge of the fire.

Meanwhile, the Grapevine Fire has grown to 18,500 acres and remains zero percent contained in the rugged Clover Mountain Wilderness Area. Firefighters are using aircraft, ground crews, and strategic burnout operations to slow its spread.

Hot, dry weather, gusty winds, and the potential for thunderstorms later this week continue to challenge firefighting efforts across Lincoln County.

Nevada Assemblyman Bert Gurr says he plans to introduce legislation in the 2027 session addressing participation of transgender athletes in school sports.

Gurr says the bill would require athletes to compete based on sex assigned at birth and would classify school sports as male, female, or co-ed. He says the proposal was submitted for drafting on June 19th.

The announcement follows Governor Joe Lombardo’s decision not to move forward with a related ballot initiative.

Gurr says the goal is to ensure fair competition for female athletes and says he hopes lawmakers will hear and vote on the measure during the upcoming session.

New federal labor data shows Nevada once again leading the nation in job growth.

The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation says figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show the Silver State posted a 1.8 percent increase in total employment over the past year, the fastest growth in the country for May. North Carolina ranked second at 1.2 percent.

Nevada’s unemployment rate now stands at 5.2 percent. State economists say the gains reflect continued strength across multiple industries, even as leisure and hospitality show softer performance.

Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada is facing a growing maintenance backlog as federal parks nationwide struggle with aging infrastructure and limited funding.

Amy Alonzo writes this morning for the Nevada Independent that park officials say Great Basin—known for its dark skies, bristlecone pines, and Nevada’s only glacier near Wheeler Peak—shares in more than 400 million dollars in deferred maintenance across Nevada’s national park sites, with roads, campgrounds, and visitor facilities in need of repair.

Advocates say funding shortfalls are making it harder to keep up, even as visitation continues to grow. Some projects are being supported through state land sale revenues, but officials warn the overall repair backlog continues to rise, putting long-term park operations under strain.

Staff from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s office will be in Ely later this week to meet with residents and provide assistance with federal agencies.

The senator’s staff will hold office hours Thursday, June 25th, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the White Pine County Library on Campton Street. While Senator Rosen will not attend, staff members will be available for one-on-one consultations regarding issues involving federal agencies and government services.

Residents will also have an opportunity to share concerns and opinions on federal matters for follow-up by the senator’s office.

That’s your morning news from the state of Nevada

6-23 News - County Commission meets Tomorrow

 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. 

Look for a hot week ahead with highs in the 90’s.  Today’s high should be 93.

The White Pine County Commission has a packed agenda for its upcoming meeting this week, covering everything from infrastructure to community festivals.

Topping the schedule, commissioners will vote on renewing the county’s insurance coverage through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool, and Road Superintendent Martin Troutt will deliver the latest updates on local road and infrastructure projects.

In personnel matters, the board is set to recognize Payroll Specialist Terri Martinez and Social Services Director Desiree Barnson for their additional service to the county. They will also consider appointing Lloyd Eugene Phillips Junior to a vacant seat on the Airport Advisory Board, and are looking to advertise an opening for a new building inspector.

On the financial front, County Treasurer Catherine Bakaric will present the proposed property tax rates for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year. Commissioners will also review several funding requests, including a ten-thousand-dollar library grant for A-D-A improvements and over ninety thousand dollars in grant applications for the senior meal program.

Finally, looking ahead to the summer, the board is expected to authorize the closure of Clark Street for the annual Arts in the Park Festival, scheduled for July 31st through August second.

You can catch the entire meeting live right here on K-E-L-Y tomorrow morning starting at nine o'clock.

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to numerous calls over the weekend, including reports of vandalism, trespassing, fraud, domestic disturbances, vehicle accidents, and suspicious activity.

Among the incidents, deputies investigated a scam in which a resident reportedly sent money to someone posing as a law enforcement officer, claiming they had an outstanding warrant.

The weekend's most serious case resulted in the arrest of 35-year-old Joshua Doty of Ely. Deputies say Doty was booked on charges of battery on an older person resulting in substantial bodily harm and abuse of an older person resulting in substantial bodily harm. Bail was set at 20-thousand dollars.

Deputies also assisted a lost motorist in a remote mountainous area of White Pine County and handled several animal-related calls.

Firefighters continue battling two large wildfires burning south of Caliente in Lincoln County. The Kane Springs Fire has grown to more than 14,300 acres and is now 25 percent contained, while the Grapevine Fire has burned about 14,500 acres and remains uncontained.

Crews are strengthening fire lines on the Kane Springs Fire and working rugged terrain in the Clover Mountain Wilderness Area on the Grapevine Fire. Hot, dry conditions and the threat of isolated dry lightning later this week continue to challenge firefighting efforts as crews work to protect lives, property, and natural resources.

Staff from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s office will be in Ely later this week to meet with residents and provide assistance with federal agencies.

The senator’s staff will hold office hours Thursday, June 25th, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the White Pine County Library on Campton Street. While Senator Rosen will not attend, staff members will be available for one-on-one consultations regarding issues involving federal agencies and government services.

Residents will also have an opportunity to share concerns and opinions on federal matters for follow-up by the senator’s office.

A transformer behind Ridleys was damaged yesterday afternoon, causing a power outage that impacted the store only.

Mount Wheeler Power crews say early indications suggest the transformer may have been struck by a vehicle, though no vehicle was found at the scene and the cause remains under investigation.

Utility crews worked through the afternoon heat to complete repairs safely and quickly. Power was restored last night.

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is pushing back against a reported Department of Homeland Security proposal that would require states to turn over voter information and make major changes to election procedures.

Aguilar says elections are the responsibility of states, not the federal government, and argues Nevada law prohibits the release of certain voter data. The proposal reportedly calls for states to rely on hand-marked paper ballots and use a federal database to verify voter rolls.

Aguilar says Nevada will continue to defend its authority over elections, adding that federal election security funding at stake amounts to about 140-thousand dollars—far less than the cost of implementing the proposed changes.

A state inspection report released to Nevada lawmakers has raised concerns about child safety and welfare at several children's care facilities across Southern Nevada.

Tabitha Mueller at the Nevada Independent writes this morning that the December 2025 report found inspectors questioned whether children were adequately protected at nine of the 25 facilities reviewed. Concerns included fire safety violations, medication procedures, reporting requirements, and missing documentation. In one case, inspectors found a loaded firearm accessible to children in a foster home.

The findings come as Nevada faces a separate lawsuit alleging widespread abuse in juvenile detention facilities. Child welfare advocates say the report highlights ongoing concerns about the state's ability to protect children in government care and are calling for stronger oversight and accountability.

Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is taking steps to bring the NBA to Las Vegas. Foley announced today that he's pursuing an expansion franchise and has hired financial and legal advisors to help build an ownership group around his existing Southern Nevada sports holdings. Foley says Las Vegas has proven itself as a major sports market and points to the success of the Golden Knights, who captured the Stanley Cup in 2023. The proposed NBA franchise would utilize T-Mobile Arena and include a dedicated practice and player-health campus. Foley says his group will be ready whenever the NBA moves forward with expansion.

That’s your morning news from the state of Nevada

6-22 News - County Commission meets Wednesday

 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. 

Look for a hot week ahead with highs in the 90’s.  Today’s high should be 92.

The White Pine County Commission has a busy agenda this week, including insurance renewals, road updates, personnel matters, and several grant and funding requests.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider renewing the county's coverage through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool. They will receive an update on county roads and infrastructure projects from Road Superintendent Martin Troutt.

The board will also consider recognizing employees for additional service, including Payroll Specialist Terri Martinez and Social Services Director Desiree Barnson. Treasurer Catherine Bakaric is expected to present the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 property tax rates, while commissioners will consider appointing Lloyd Eugene Phillips Jr. to a vacant seat on the Airport Advisory Board.

Other agenda items include adopting a regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, accepting a $10,000 library grant for ADA improvements, ratifying more than $90,000 in senior meal program grant applications, advertising a Building Inspector position, approving a relocation incentive for the county's new Golf Director, and authorizing the closure of Clark Street for the annual Arts in the Park Festival July 31st through August 2nd.

KELY will broadcast Wednesday’s meeting live at 9am. 

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of incidents on Thursday and Friday, including a four-wheeler rollover that sent one person to a medical facility for treatment. Deputies are also actively investigating a report of possible child abuse.

In Ely, 19-year-old Emmamarie Parmley was arrested on an Ely Municipal Court warrant. Authorities also investigated the death of Robert Ream of Ruth and determined he died of natural causes.

Other calls included a hit-and-run accident, vandalism, domestic disturbances, traffic hazards, and reports involving suspected intoxicated drivers. New jail bookings included Parmley and Kodie Herring, who was arrested on charges including DUI, possession of a controlled substance, and reckless driving.

Wildfires south of Caliente continue to challenge firefighters in Lincoln County. The Kane Springs Fire has grown to more than 12,400 acres and is now 10 percent contained, while the nearby Grapevine Fire has burned more than 11,600 acres and remains zero percent contained. Fire crews are battling steep terrain, dry fuels, and windy conditions, with aircraft supporting operations on both fires. Despite continued fire growth, no evacuations are currently in place. Officials are urging the public to avoid activities that could spark new wildfires and to give firefighting crews plenty of room to work safely.

A proposed Nevada ballot measure limiting participation in girls’ school sports to biological females will not appear on the November 2026 ballot. Governor Joe Lombardo says legal delays and uncertainty made it impossible to complete the initiative process in time, despite a recent Nevada Supreme Court ruling allowing the measure to move forward. Advocacy group Silver State Equality praised the decision, saying opponents worked to prevent discrimination from being added to the state constitution. Lombardo says he plans to ask lawmakers to consider the proposal during the 2027 legislative session and, if unsuccessful, seek voter approval in 2028.

6-19 News - Primary Election Results official

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. 

A Red Flag Warning has been posted from 11am until 11pm today with winds up to 35 mph, but today, hot with a high near 91. 

Local government offices and most banks are closed today in observance of Juneteenth.  That includes the Ely Landfill. 

Services including county offices, post offices, and financial institutions will remain closed throughout the holiday, with normal business hours set to resume on Monday.

At yesterday’s White Pine County Commission special meeting commissioners voted unanimously to certify the results of last week’s Primary Election.

According to White Pine County Clerk Nichole Stephey, over 35% of registered voters turned out, an even 1900 ballots cast.  She credited her staff and poll workers for their hard work, which made for a smooth process.  And though over a thousand of those 1900 votes were cast by mail, there was a downside in that.  Of the 4300 mail ballots distributed, over 3021 were not returned.  Commissioners Hank Vogler and Tim Pauley did not attend, citing work obligations. 

Stephy clarified for us that since Todd Fincher received more that 50 percent of the vote in the primary election for Sheriff, state law says he is declared elected, while Dr. David Pratt and Burton Hilton will both appear unopposed on the General Election ballot for County Commission Seat One and Assessor, respectively 

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to a variety of incidents on June 17th, including a vehicle fire on a state route that remains under investigation. Deputies were assisted by White Pine County Fire, Nevada State Police, and Search and Rescue in extinguishing the blaze.

Other calls included a domestic disturbance, a child bitten by a family member's dog, and a harassment complaint that resulted in a citation being issued.

Deputies also recovered a scooter reported stolen by a juvenile at a city park and issued a warning to an underage side-by-side driver operating on a city street.

Additional calls involved welfare checks, traffic hazards, reckless drivers, and reports of smoke in a mountain range, which was referred to the Bureau of Land Management.

Fire crews are continuing to battle two lightning-sparked wildfires burning south of Caliente in Lincoln County along the Nevada–Utah border.

The Bureau of Land Management says the Kane Springs Fire is now estimated at about 6,000 acres with zero percent containment, while the Grapevine Fire has grown to roughly 3,949 acres, also uncontained.

Officials report extreme fire behavior on both incidents, including wind-driven runs, torching, and spotting in steep, rugged terrain. Gusty southwest winds, low humidity, and critically dry fuels are making suppression efforts difficult.

Interagency crews have been working through the night, using road systems and previous burn scars as containment lines where possible, while aircraft drop water and retardant when conditions allow.

No evacuations are currently in place.

U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen have introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the life and legacy of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch.

The resolution was introduced alongside North Carolina Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis.

Busch, a native of Las Vegas and one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history, died in May after being hospitalized with a serious illness.

The senators say the resolution recognizes Busch’s impact on motorsports and honors his contributions both on and off the track. The measure highlights his Nevada roots and celebrates a racing career that inspired fans across the country.

And over the past two weeks Regular 85 unleaded gasoline in Ely has dropped roughly 40 cents a gallon, from $4.39 to $3.99 per gallon. That price at one outlet will drop tomorrow.  The Golden Gate next to the White Pine Golf Course will be offering free food and prizes tomorrow from 11am until 4pm, but the most anticipated prize will be discounted gasoline.  Representatives of Golden Gate aren’t being precise on what the discount will be…

Los Angeles County prosecutors have announced 12 felony counts of tax fraud against Las Vegas comedian Carlos Mencia.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman says the charges include six counts tied to alleged unfiled personal tax returns and six more related to corporate filings. Prosecutors allege Mencia failed to report about $8.7 million in income between 2019 and 2024, resulting in more than $300,000 in unpaid state taxes.

Officials say the case is the first brought by a new Business Tax Fraud Unit created to target complex financial crimes. If convicted on all counts, Mencia could face more than 10 years in prison.

Mencia, who performs in Las Vegas and is known for his stand-up career and former Comedy Central show “Mind of Mencia,” has not commented on the charges.

And for Sahara Motors, that’s your morning news from the state of Nevada

 

6-18 News - County Commission set to certify election results today

 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. 

A Fire Weather Watch is posted for tomorrow with winds up to 35 mph, but today, hot with a high near 93. 

The White Pine County Commission is scheduled to certify the results of last week’s Primary Election during a special meeting Thursday morning.

According to White Pine County Clerk Nichole Stephey, eleven mail ballots will not be counted after the voters failed to respond to requests to verify signatures that did not match those on file. Nevada law allows voters an opportunity to cure signature issues before ballots can be counted.

No changes in the outcomes of local races based on the mail-in ballots.  Burton Hilton won the Assessors race by a wide margin over Jane Murdock, 941-403, and Dr. David Pratt won the County Commission Seat One race by a wide margin over four challengers, including the incumbent Hank Vogler.  Pratt’s 585 votes were more than Mike Simon’s 265 votes and Mike Coster's 255 votes.  Vogler was fourth with 148 votes, and Gina Cavanaugh finished with 102 votes. In the Sheriff’s race, Todd Fincher made good use of his over $10,000 in campaign donations by getting more votes than his two challengers combined.  Fincher received 1458 votes to Roy Allen’s 259 and Robert Whiteside’s 116. 

The commission is expected to canvass and certify the election results during its 9 a.m. meeting in the White Pine County Library Conference Room.

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to several incidents on Tuesday, including a theft investigation, welfare checks, and a DUI arrest.

Deputies are investigating the reported theft of property from a mine site in White Pine County. Several welfare checks were also conducted, including one involving a resident who missed an out-of-state medical appointment and another where a subject could not be located.

A report of harassment through social media resulted in deputies providing information about obtaining a protection order.

In Ely, deputies arrested 63-year-old Calvin K. Kennedy on suspicion of driving under the influence after receiving a report of an intoxicated driver at a local business. Bail was set at 890 dollars.

Deputies also investigated a reported battery at a local business but determined no battery had occurred. The reporting party was trespassed from the property at management's request.

Nevada Secretary of State candidate Jim Marchant is heading into a general election rematch after pulling off a surprise primary win despite almost no campaign spending.

Marchant, a former state lawmaker known for questioning Nevada’s election system, entered the race late after initially filing for Congress and raised little to no money in the early months of 2026. Still, he defeated better-funded opponents, with strong support in Clark County and rural areas pushing him over the top.

Marchant will now face Democratic incumbent Cisco Aguilar, who beat him in the 2022 general election by more than 20,000 votes and enters the race with a large fundraising advantage. Marchant says his victory shows voter support for his message, while political observers say name recognition played a major role.

Nevada's unemployment rate improved slightly in May, according to the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.2 percent, while employers added 800 jobs during the month. Nevada now has more than 1.6 million nonfarm jobs, up 1.8 percent from a year ago.

Las Vegas led the state's job growth, adding 1,000 jobs in May and nearly 20,000 over the past year. Reno lost 600 jobs during the month but remains up more than 4,000 jobs year-over-year, while Carson City saw a slight decline.

State economists say gains in professional and business services helped offset transportation-related job losses following the closure of Spirit Airlines operations in Las Vegas.

A North Las Vegas man will serve 30 days in jail after admitting he posed as an attorney using another lawyer’s bar number. Forty-year-old Jerrell Roberts pleaded guilty to a felony count of obtaining and using personal identifying information after authorities said he filed legal documents and appeared in court under false credentials.

At sentencing, District Judge Ron Israel called the punishment “a slap on the wrist,” but imposed 30 days with no early release, followed by three years of probation. If Roberts completes probation, he could withdraw the felony plea and instead plead to a misdemeanor. Roberts apologized in court and previously worked for Clark County Juvenile Justice Services.

Legendary stand-up comedian Tom Dreesen has died at the age of 86, according to *People* magazine. His family confirmed his passing in a statement, remembering him as a performer who brought “laughter, heart, and humanity” to audiences for more than five decades.

Dreesen built a long entertainment career after serving in the U.S. Navy, going on to make more than 500 television appearances on shows including *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*, *Late Show with David Letterman*, and *The Tonight Show with Jay Leno*. He also toured as an opening act for stars like Frank Sinatra, Gladys Knight, and Liza Minnelli, and appeared in TV shows such as *Columbo* and *Murder, She Wrote*.

Actor Gary Sinise called Dreesen “one of America’s great comedians,” praising his humor and long career.

That’s your morning news from the state of Nevada