6-9 News - One County Commission seat to be decided today

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Today starts out with cloudy skies but increasing sunshine this afternoon with breezy conditions continuing.  Look for a high today around 80.   

It’s Primary Election Day across Nevada, and voter turnout is already strong in White Pine County. Nearly one in four local voters have already cast ballots ahead of today’s election.

Incumbent County Commissioner Hank Vogler faces four challengers in the Republican race for County Commission Seat one.  Since no one filed as a Democrat or Independent, the winner of the primary will be the next County Commissioner.  

According to the White Pine County Clerk’s Office, 361 people voted in person during the early voting period, and 770 mail ballots had been received as of this morning.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bristlecone Convention Center and the Ely Shoshone Tribal Education Center on Heritage Drive.  A reminder that roadwork on Aultman will delay you from getting to the convention center, 

Mail ballots may also be dropped off until 7 tonight at the ballot drop box in front of the new courthouse.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to numerous calls on Saturday, June sixth, including suspicious circumstances, accidents, alarms, and juvenile complaints.

Deputies investigated a report from a camper who believed someone was outside their tent overnight at a county campground, but no problems were found. Authorities also handled reports of property damage to a mailbox, a custody dispute, and trash blowing from a local business into a nearby yard. The business was issued a warning.

Several roadway-related calls were also reported, including a possible motorcycle crash, a 911 hang-up from a state highway, and an emergency vehicle alert. Some cases were referred to the Nevada State Police.

Deputies also responded to two vehicle accidents in Ely and a report of juveniles trespassing on railroad property.

A busy agenda awaits the White Pine County Commission tomorrow morning, with everything from green energy and infrastructure to high-stakes job interviews on the table.

Starting at 9:00 AM, commissioners will meet at the White Pine County Library in Ely. Topping the docket is a review of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management regarding the 2026 geothermal lease sale environmental assessment.

On the local infrastructure front, the Road Commission is holding a public hearing to decide whether a road easement in the Pierce Subdivision should be added to the county-maintained system.

It’s also a major day for county personnel. The board is scheduled to interview finalists for two leadership roles. Kevin Kauinana of Reno and Steven Smith of Oregon are vying to become the next Golf Course Director, while Steve Campbell and Lindsey Jacobson are interviewing for Road Department Superintendent. Officials say formal hiring offers could be extended immediately following those interviews.

Meanwhile, significant policy changes could be on the horizon. The Commission Chair is sponsoring two major agenda items: one that would restrict any future agenda items unless they are explicitly backed by County Leadership, and another requiring all county investments to be fully controlled by the commission.

In other business, the Liquor Board will review a temporary concession license for the White Pine Dirt Divas Travel Ball at Marich Field, and the commission will discuss supporting a rehabilitation grant for the Nevada Northern Railway.

If you can't make it to the library, you won't miss a beat. KELY will be broadcasting the entire meeting live, starting tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.

6-8 News - Another Red Flag Warning posted

 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. 

We did have a trace of precipitation at Yellend Field early yesterday morning, but a Red Flag Warning has been posted for today. Critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur with low relative humidity and wind gusts in excess of 40 MPH.  Look for the high today of 80.  

Early voting closed on Friday with turnout still considered low with less than 24% of registered voters casting ballots.  In-person early voting at the Clerk's Office has totaled 361 over the early voting period, with 89 votes cast on Friday.  As of yesterday, 755 Mail ballots have been received.  Your final chance to vote in the 2026 primary election is from 7am until 7pm tomorrow at the Bristlecone Convention Center or at the Ely Shoshone Tribal Education Center at 250 Heritage Drive.  Mail ballots can be dropped off anytime before 7pm tomorrow at the drop box in front of the new courthouse.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to numerous calls Thursday and Friday, including threats, thefts, welfare checks, accidents, and arrests.

Deputies investigated a threat report at a local casino, a theft that resulted in a petit larceny citation, and an accidental firearm discharge at a county residence. Authorities also handled several suspicious circumstance calls, including reports of vehicle tampering and a suspicious phone call involving a public official that remains under investigation.

Deputies conducted multiple welfare checks involving concerns about self-harm and child safety. One suspected child neglect case was forwarded to the Division of Child and Family Services.

Arrested were 50-year-old Tawni Hickle of Ely on Pahrump warrants, and 51-year-old Robert Kanavel of Ely on an Ely Justice Court warrant.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of Gary Ware Junior of Ruth. The cause of death remains under investigation.

The White Pine County Commission will meet Wednesday, June 10th at the White Pine County Library in Ely, with a packed agenda that includes natural resource issues, road matters, and hiring interviews.

Commissioners will consider a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Land Management tied to the 2026 geothermal lease sale environmental assessment. The Liquor Board is also expected to review a temporary liquor license request for the White Pine Dirt Divas Travel Ball concessions at Marich Field.

The Road Commission will hold a public hearing on a request to add a road easement in the Pierce Subdivision into the county-maintained road system.

The board will also interview Kevin Kauinana of Reno and Steven Smith of Oregon for the position of Golf Course Director and Steve Campbell  and Lindsey Jacobson for the position of Road Department Superintendent, and may extend hiring offers following the interviews.

The Commission Chair has placed an item on the agenda to restrict agenda items unless sponsored by County Leadership.  The chair is also sponsoring an agenda item to require county investments to be fully controlled by the commission.  Other agenda items include discussions on county investment reporting, creation of an advisory investment committee, and possible support for a Nevada Northern Railway rehabilitation grant application.

KELY will broadcast the meeting live beginning at 9am Wednesday. 

6-5 News - But what position would Pope Leo play?

 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 has been posted for tomorrow. Critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur with low relative humidity and wind gusts in excess of 40 MPH.  Today though, just hot, with a high today of 91.  

Today is the final day of early voting, and turnout is still considered low with less than 20% of registered voters casting ballots.  In-person early voting at the Clerk's Office has totaled 272 over the first nine days, with 30 votes cast on Thursday.  As of yesterday, 672 Mail ballots have been received.  Voting continues today from 9 until 6 at the County Clerk’s office.  Mail ballots can be dropped off anytime at the drop box in front of the new courthouse.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled several incidents on Wednesday, June third, including an arrest at a downtown Ely casino. Deputies say 36-year-old Russell Bainbridge of Ely was taken into custody on an active Ely Justice Court warrant during a business check.

Deputies also located a runaway juvenile who had reportedly left home overnight. The juvenile was found at a residence in Ely and released to a guardian, with the case referred to Juvenile Probation.

Other calls included reports of threats against a child at a local business, school bullying, a disturbance involving a person yelling outside a residence, fireworks complaints, and a welfare check involving a person contemplating self-harm. Deputies say the individual was found safe.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Nevada for a statewide impaired driver enforcement campaign running from June fifth through June twenty-first. The Joining Forces campaign will increase patrols targeting impaired drivers and riders while also educating the public about the dangers of driving under the influence.

Officials say a DUI can cost drivers thousands of dollars, lead to jail time, license suspension, and serious injuries or deaths. The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to plan ahead by using a sober driver, rideshare, or taxi. The campaign is funded through the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety as part of the state’s Zero Fatalities initiative.

The White Pine County Commission will meet Wednesday, June 10th at the White Pine County Library in Ely, with a packed agenda that includes natural resource issues, road matters, and hiring interviews.

Commissioners will consider a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Land Management tied to the 2026 geothermal lease sale environmental assessment. The Liquor Board is also expected to review a temporary liquor license request for the White Pine Dirt Divas Travel Ball concessions at Marich Field.

The Road Commission will hold a public hearing on a request to add a road easement in the Pierce Subdivision into the county-maintained road system.

The board will also interview candidates for Golf Course Director and Road Department Superintendent, and may extend offers following the interviews.

Other agenda items include discussions on county investment reporting, creation of an advisory investment committee, and possible support for a Nevada Northern Railway rehabilitation grant application.

KELY will broadcast the meeting live beginning at 9am Wednesday. 

A Nevada election law is creating a unique situation in the race for White Pine County Commission Seat One.

Because only Republican candidates filed for the seat — and no Democrats, nonpartisan, or third-party candidates entered the race — the June Republican primary will effectively decide who wins the office.

Five Republicans are competing for the seat, and under a 2015 Nevada law, only the primary winner will move on to the November ballot unopposed.

Critics say the current system shuts out non-Republican voters from participating in the decision, while supporters argue political parties should choose their own nominees.

The law remains in effect after past legislative efforts to reverse it failed in Carson City.

6-4 News - Ely man jailed following ENTF Drug Bust

 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 sunny skies today with a high around 88.

With just two days remaining in early voting, turnout is still considered low with only 14% of registered voters casting ballots.  In-person early voting at the Clerk's Office has totaled 242 over the first nine days, with 32 votes cast on Wednesday.  As of yesterday, 638 Mail ballots have been received.  Voting continues today from 9 until 6 at the County Clerk’s office.  Mail ballots can be dropped off anytime at the drop box in front of the new courthouse.

A monthlong narcotics investigation in Ely has led to the arrest of a local man on drug trafficking charges. The Nevada State Police Eastern Nevada Narcotic Task Force executed a search warrant at an Ely residence on May twenty-seventh. Investigators say they recovered nearly 194 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a small amount of suspected cocaine, along with drug paraphernalia and evidence consistent with narcotics sales and distribution. Authorities identified Joseph Grapes as a suspect in the trafficking and sale of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community. Grapes was booked into the White Pine County Jail on charges including trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession for sales. His bail was set at $65,000.  

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a variety of incidents on Monday and Tuesday, including arrests, juvenile investigations, thefts, and emergency calls throughout Ely and the county.

On Tuesday, deputies investigated a report of a juvenile allegedly bringing a gun to school in a vehicle. The case was forwarded to Juvenile Probation. Deputies also arrested 34-year-old Dustin Faris of Ely following a disturbance at a local healthcare facility. He faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon on a healthcare provider, child abuse or neglect, disturbing the peace, and resisting a public officer.

Monday night, deputies arrested 38-year-old Justin Barragan and 39-year-old Jeffery Miotke after locating a suspicious vehicle inside the Ely landfill. The pair face charges including trespassing, petit larceny, and illegal salvaging. Barragan was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Other calls included reports of thefts, reckless dirt bike driving, possible elder abuse, hit-and-run accidents, welfare checks, and a carbon monoxide alarm.

We reported yesterday on the political firestorm growing in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District race after sealed court records involving candidate James Settelmeyer surfaced online. The records relate to a 2005 domestic violence case in which Settelmeyer was ultimately found not guilty. Now, the controversy has shifted to how those sealed records became public.

Now the Nevada Independent reports on allegations from the Settelmeyer’s campaign that the documents passed through individuals connected to the Tarkanian family before reaching political operatives tied to rival candidate David Flippo’s campaign. Amy Tarkanian, wife of Douglas County Commissioner and Attorney General Candidate Danny Tarkanian, acknowledged on social media that she helped move Settelmeyer’s ex-wife from the home years ago, but has not responded to requests for comment. Douglas County prosecutors confirm they are now investigating whether sealed court records were improperly accessed or distributed.

6-3 News - New horse racing regulations in place following 2024 doping scandal in Elko

 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. 

Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine with warmer temperatures.  Today’s high around 87.

With four days remaining in early voting, turnout is still considered low, with only 14% of registered voters casting ballots.  In-person early voting at the Clerk's Office has totaled 210 over the first eight days, with 36 votes cast on Tuesday.  As of yesterday, 455 Mail ballots have been received.  Voting continues today from 9 until 6 at the County Clerk’s office.  Mail ballots can be dropped off anytime at the drop box in front of the new courthouse.

Nevada gaming regulators have approved new horse racing rules following the 2024 doping scandal at the Elko County Fair, where several horses tested positive for cocaine after races. Officials say the updated regulations strengthen disciplinary procedures, add new safety equipment requirements, and limit jockey whip use to better protect horses and participants. Nevada Gaming Control Board Enforcement Chief Kristi Torgerson says the state reviewed nationwide best practices while updating the rules. Trainers connected to the violations were fined and suspended. Regulators say veterinarians found no lasting harm to the horses involved. The new rules took effect June first and apply to race meets in Elko and Ely.