New Program Schedule effective April 18

 

4-30 News - City tries to ease construction traffic pain

 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 mostly fair skies and warmer weather today with a chance of isolated afternoon showers.  Today’s high around 61.

The City of Ely says traffic changes began yesterday to help ease congestion during ongoing construction projects.

As of yesterday, Clark Street will become a two-way street from 1st Street through 10th Street. The temporary change is intended to improve traffic flow during continued work on Aultman Street and the Duck Pond project.

Drivers are asked to use caution and be respectful as crews and motorists adjust to the new traffic pattern.

Questions can be directed to the City Public Works Department.

An 18-year-old California woman was killed in a rollover crash last week in White Pine County.

The Nevada Highway Patrol says troopers responded on Friday to State Route 487 near mile marker 7, just north of Baker. Investigators say a Ford Expedition left the roadway, crossed the center line, then overturned after the driver overcorrected.

Authorities say passenger Katherine Truong of San Jose, California, was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol’s Major Incident Reconstruction Team.

4-28 News - Club Rio Licenses suspended until May 14

 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. 

Just about a third of an inch of precipitation over the past 48 hours.  Look for mostly fair skies and warmer weather today with a chance of showers tomorrow and Thursday.  Today’s high around 57 

In a tense special meeting of the Ely City Council last night, the council voted to suspend the liquor and business licenses of the Club Rio on Aultman Street until the Council’s May 14 meeting.  The Council pointed out past violations that the bar had regarding minors loitering and drinking in the establishment and told the owners they would need to come up with a concrete plan to address these issues and submit them to the City Clerk by May 7th.  

 The move comes after a chaotic scene on April 16th when White Pine County deputies reportedly found the bar doors locked and windows covered while minors were allegedly drinking inside. Authorities claim staff refused to let officers enter as juveniles scrambled to hide.

This isn’t the first time the establishment has been under the microscope; city officials note the owner had received prior warnings regarding underage violations.

(UPDATE: After spending almost an hour again, having to file oddly specific parameters in the state's AURORA Campaign Finance Disclosure system, which was touted as permitting significant transparency in the reporting process, I managed to dig up all but one of the missing campaign finance reports. The system is deeply flawed. Hopefully one of the Secretary of State candidates can address this issue that is one more bit of opaque "transparency" in Nevada government.)

Several White Pine County candidates had not filed required campaign finance reports as of last night.

In the crowded Seat One race for the County Commission, incumbent Hank Vogler and candidate Gina Cavenaugh both filed reports showing no money raised or spent. But former commissioner Mike Coster, Robert Mike Simon, and David Pratt had not yet filed the required documents.

In the county assessor race, Burton Hilton reported no contributions but listed spending for yard signs. Opponent Jane Murdock had not filed a report.

The only contributions reported were in the sheriff’s race, where candidate Todd Fincher listed more than 10 thousand dollars in donations from three contributors. Opponents Roy Allen and Robert Whiteside had not filed reports as of last night.

4-27 News - Club Rio's life on the line tonight

 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. 

Rain and Snow Showers this morning becoming all rain this afternoon and possibly a thunderstorm.  Look for a high of just 48.  

The future of a downtown Ely bar hangs in the balance tonight following a tense standoff with local law enforcement.

The Ely City Council has called a special session for 5 p.m. to decide whether to suspend or revoke the licenses for Club Rio on Aultman Street. The move comes after a chaotic scene on April 16th  when White Pine County deputies reportedly found the bar doors locked and windows covered while minors were allegedly drinking inside. Authorities claim staff refused to let officers enter as juveniles scrambled to hide.

This isn’t the first time the establishment has been under the microscope; city officials note the owner had received prior warnings regarding underage violations.

KELY will provide live coverage of tonight's meeting starting at 5 p.m.

A civil lawsuit filed by former Sheriff Jesse Watts against Eureka County is now awaiting a judge’s decision.

Steve L. Dobrescu heard arguments on a motion to dismiss during a hearing April 17th at the Eureka County Courthouse. County attorneys argue the case should be thrown out for failure to state a claim and lack of standing.

Watts alleges county officials conducted improper investigations while he was sheriff, violating Nevada’s Peace Officer Bill of Rights and damaging his reputation.

The judge says he will review arguments before ruling whether the case moves forward.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to numerous calls over the past several days, including arrests, fraud reports, and traffic incidents.

Deputies arrested 20-year-old Izabelle Olson of Ely for violating a protection order and minor in consumption of alcohol. Thirty-three-year-old Seth Van Horn of Yerington was booked on an Ely Justice Court warrant, and 40-year-old Jonathan Oxborrow of Ely was arrested on charges of domestic battery and failure to register.

Deputies also investigated scam and loan fraud reports, school disturbances, and welfare checks.

In traffic news, a Ruth driver was cited after striking a pedestrian flagger in a construction zone at Fifth and Aultman Streets.

4-23 News - Commission selects a new Finance Director - again

 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. 

No significant measurable precipitation fell at Yellend Field yesterday.  Our next chance for rain is Saturday through Monday.  Look for Sunny skies today with a high of 59.  

The White Pine County Commission has selected its next Finance Director following a lengthy and contentious meeting. Commissioners chose Reno resident Alicia Berkbigler, who currently works as a program assistant at the Regional Public Safety Training Center. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is pursuing a doctorate through National University in San Diego.

The commission approved a starting salary of just over 125-thousand dollars, along with a moving allowance, and set a May 18th start date. Adam Thompson was named as a backup candidate if needed.

The Commission on April 2nd voted to hire Rayna Bowdre for the position but Ms. Bowdre declined the offer. 

In other business, commissioners tabled a decision on renewing the interlocal agreement with the City of Ely for police protection, citing concerns over the cost.

They also approved a 500-dollar-per-week stipend for Maintenance Supervisor Cole Burdick, who will serve as interim golf course director after a previous candidate, Bruce Towle, failed to respond to the job offer.

And finally, the commission approved overtime pay for sheriff’s deputies providing security during the White Pine Horse Races.

A high-stakes legal showdown is unfolding in White Pine County today, as a challenge to remove Commission Chair Paula Carson heads to court.

County Treasurer Catherine Bakaric and Recorder Christina Shady have filed a formal complaint, accusing Carson of malfeasance and repeated violations of Nevada’s Open Meeting Law.

The dispute centers on the January firing of the county’s finance director, which the plaintiffs claim was an attempt to sidestep public meeting requirements. The complaint also alleges Carson sought unauthorized access to financial systems, approved a costly consulting contract through emergency meetings, and withheld a taxpayer-funded payroll study.  KELY reported on the study and made it public back in February. Click here for the prior story. 

Carson remains in her position as commission chair as the case moves forward. Both sides are set to appear today in Seventh Judicial District Court.

Here's a link to the publicly available court documents