8/11 News - Ward Fire 83% Contained

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Look for cloudy skies with Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon.  Look for today’s high around 89.

Great news from last night’s community meeting on the Ward Fire: now 8,683 acres and 83% contained.

Command of the Ward Fire will change hands this morning, as the California Complex Interagency Incident Management Team transitions control to the Eastern Nevada Interagency Management Team.

Lisa Kemper will take over as incident commander at six a-m today.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has also reduced the Ward Fire closure area. And White Pine County officials have lifted the “Ready” evacuation status for zones one through four.

Mt. Wheeler Power says the South Steptoe power line remains on single-shot protection because of ongoing fire traffic and equipment.

Forest roads inside the fire perimeter remain closed, but main roads are open. Drivers are urged to watch for fire crews and equipment.

The White Pine County Commission will meet on Wednesday, August 12th, beginning at 9 a.m., in the White Pine County Library Conference Room in Ely.

Among the items on the agenda, commissioners will consider a new policy requiring surplus county equipment and vehicles to be offered at public auction before being donated or transferred. They'll also decide whether to apply for an $808,550 grant from the William N. Pennington Foundation to improve the White Pine High School baseball field, with a $200,000 county match already budgeted.

Other agenda items include approval of a liquor license for the McGill Swimming Pool Park Labor Day weekend event, adoption of the county's Continuity of Operations Plan, acceptance of grants for the library and sheriff's office, and comments on the proposed Greenlink North transmission line project. The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live here on KELY.

The Ely City Council will meet Thursday, August 13th at 5 p.m. at the Ely Volunteer Fire Hall.

Key agenda items include reports from city departments, a quarterly Georgetown Ranch report, and consideration of utility penalty waivers totaling more than 23-hundred dollars. The council will also consider hiring a third-party building plan reviewer, options for replacing the city treasurer if they resign, a proposal regarding a city-owned communications tower, and several employee pay-increase requests.

The Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers and the Las Vegas Police Protective Association are demanding Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford remove a campaign ad they say falsely suggests their endorsement.

The groups say Ford’s ad recycles footage from his 2018 attorney general campaign, including officers wearing their logos and badges.

Retired officer Dave Kallas, featured in the ad, says he does not endorse Ford and now supports Governor Joe Lombardo.

The Lombardo campaign says the ad is misleading and accuses Ford of manufacturing law enforcement support.

Nevada reported 31 traffic deaths in July, according to new figures from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety.

That’s slightly higher than the 30 deaths reported in July of last year.

So far this year, 199 people have died on Nevada roads — down about 13-and-a-half percent from the same period in 2025.

Deaths involving unrestrained motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians are all down.

In White Pine County, traffic deaths are also down this year.

State figures show one traffic fatality in the county so far in 2026, compared with two during the same period last year — a 50-percent decrease.

State officials caution the numbers are preliminary and could change as crash investigations are completed.

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

8-6 News - Heat advisory through Sunday

 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 today, with today’s high around 98.

A Heat Advisory is in effect across much of northern and central Nevada through Sunday night.

The National Weather Service says valley temperatures will reach 100 to 105 degrees each afternoon, including in White Pine County, where Ely, McGill, Lund, and Ruth are included in the advisory.

Forecasters warn the prolonged heat could lead to heat-related illnesses. Residents are urged to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned buildings when possible, avoid prolonged time in the sun, and check on elderly neighbors and relatives.

The Ward Fire burning in White Pine County has grown to 8,728 acres and is now 5 percent contained.

The U.S. Forest Service says firefighters made progress Wednesday by strengthening containment lines on the fire's southern edge and improving emergency water supplies south of Ely. About 500 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Today's efforts are focused on securing the fire perimeter, reinforcing containment lines, and mopping up hot spots. Evacuations remain at Level One – Ready, and a fire area closure remains in effect. Residents are urged to stay alert and avoid the closure area while firefighting operations continue.

White Pine County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a reported sex crime and the theft of an electric bike in Ely.

The bike was stolen from outside a local business, and deputies say surveillance video helped identify a suspect.

Other calls Tuesday included a domestic disturbance, social media harassment involving a child, vandalism at a county park, and a scam in which someone posing as a public official demanded bail money for a supposed family member. Deputies also responded to several juvenile complaints and two welfare checks, with both individuals found to be safe.

The New Pass Fire northwest of Austin is now 60 percent contained.

The lightning-caused fire has burned 35,634 acres. Fire officials say successful tactical burning operations have slowed fire growth, and crews are now mopping up and strengthening containment lines. Travelers should expect possible intermittent road closures north of Highway 50 as firefighting operations continue.

The Quail Springs Fire in Lincoln County is showing its first signs of containment. The lightning-caused fire is now estimated at 13,611 acres and 75 percent. And the nearby Mouse Meadow fire in Nye County is at 49,766 acres 

President Donald Trump campaigned in Las Vegas Wednesday, praising Nevada Republicans and promoting his administration's economic agenda ahead of the midterm elections.

Speaking at Red Rock Casino, Trump touted tariffs, tax cuts, and his "no tax on tips" policy, while Governor Joe Lombardo joined him on stage, praising the president's leadership and calling for lower taxes, stronger immigration enforcement, and voter ID requirements.

Trump also endorsed Republican candidates for Congress and other statewide offices, as Democrats criticized the event and argued Nevada families continue to face high living costs.

Nevada added more than 19,000 active registered voters in July, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

The statewide voter roll now stands at just over 2.1 million active voters, an increase of nearly one percent from June. Nonpartisan voters saw the largest gain, increasing by more than 16,800. Democrats added about 1,600 voters, while Republicans gained 250.

Nonpartisan voters remain the state's largest voting bloc, making up nearly 39 percent of all active registered voters.

Three Republican-commissioned polls show Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo with a lead over Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in the 2026 governor’s race. The surveys, conducted from late June through late July, show Lombardo ahead by margins of 7, 9, and 12 percentage points. Lombardo’s political group, Better Nevada PAC, says the results show a strong position heading into the general election. Democrats point to other recent polling, including a survey they commissioned, that found the race much closer. 

A Henderson doctor is facing federal health care fraud charges in what prosecutors call a $95 million Medicare scheme.

A federal grand jury indicted 74-year-old Dr. Stephen Dubin, accusing him of billing Medicare for medically unnecessary wound treatments on elderly patients, including some in hospice care. Prosecutors say Medicare paid more than $54 million on the false claims and allege Dubin received illegal kickbacks while using the profits to finance a lavish lifestyle, including multi-million-dollar yachts.

If convicted, Dubin faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. Federal officials say the case is the first brought in Nevada by the new West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force.

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

8-3 News - Updates on the Ward Fire

 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 got up to 93 at Yellend Field yesterday.  Look for mostly fair skies today with areas of patchy smoke this afternoon.  Look for today’s high around 97.

The Ward Fire, 9 miles south of Ely, has grown to nearly 8700 acres with no containment.   Please avoid the area.  

The following areas have been identified as entering the Ready, Set, Go evacuation process.

Affected Areas Currently Include:

Zone 1: Cave Valley Rd, 308th South St, 282nd South St, 224th South St, 221st South St, Blue Diamond Estates Community

Zone 2: Ely KOA, Mosier View Drive & Pinion Pine Lane, S 33rd W St, S 20Th W St, W 14Th S St, Methodist Church

Zone 3: Cedar Park East & West, Ely Shoshone Tribe, Mineral Heights Subdivision (Iron Dr, Mineral Dr., Opal Dr., & Turquoise Dr.), Country Rd, 80Th W St, W Juniper Hills Dr., Loves Av, Bobcat Dr

Zone 4: Willow Creek Ranch, Willow Creek Estates, Ward Charcoal Ovens

West side of US6 from Cave Valley Rd to the Methodist church

All Properties SW of US6 Bypass to Comins Lake Rd/Cave Valley Rd

Comins Lake is closed until further notice, including to observers, as helicopters are using it for water to attempt to put out the fire. 

Avoid the area.  No drone flights in the area.  That will prevent helicopters from dropping water in the area!  Stay out of the way of the firefighting operations!

Mt. Wheeler Power advises that members South of the bypass, above the high school, and west of Mineral Heights may lose power due to wildfire activity.  This include KOA, Blue Diamond and the Buffalo Ranch. The line includes the east side of highway just before the KOA. 

These types of temporary power shutoffs are used to help protect firefighters, emergency personnel, and critical infrastructure during active wildfire response.  This is due to a de-energization of the South Steptoe Line requested by BLM.  Please make sure your phones and essential medical devices are charged, and have a plan in place in case an outage becomes necessary.

If you lose power, you are urged to call Mount Wheeler at 775-289-8981 immediately.  Don’t assume it will just come back.  

Fire departments from Southern Nevada are in White Pine County to help battle the Ward Fire southwest of Ely. The state requested mutual aid as the wildfire has grown to more than 5,700 acres with no containment. The strike team includes engines and command staff from Clark County, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson. Crews arrived Sunday night and began structure protection assignments. They're expected to remain in our area for up to two weeks.

A community meeting will be held today, Monday, August 3, from 6-730pm at the Bristlecone Convention Center in downtown Ely to provide the latest information on the Ward Fire. Fire managers and representatives from the Ward Fire Incident Management Team, along with cooperating local agencies, will provide an update on current fire activity, suppression efforts, and operational objectives. Community members will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information directly from incident personnel. A live stream option is available on the White Pine Main Street Facebook page or live on KELY.

And it's important to repeat: Unless you live in the affected area or have an essential reason to be there, Please Stay Away from the Ward Mountain Fire Area! 

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office stayed busy during the final days of July with fraud investigations, fires, and two arrests.

On Wednesday, deputies assisted the Eastern Nevada Narcotics Task Force in the arrest of 21-year-old Quincey J. Bennett Cruz of Whitney on charges including attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, escape, and resisting a public officer.

On Friday, 34-year-old Sarah Perez of Ely was arrested for domestic battery. Deputies are also investigating an attempted burglary in Ely and identified a juvenile responsible for a hit-and-run at a county park.

Other calls included brush fires, multiple fraud scams, reckless drivers, welfare checks, thefts, and trespassing complaints.

The New Pass Fire, burning about 30 miles northwest of Austin, has grown to more than 27,000 acres and remains 15 percent contained. About 230 firefighters are assigned to the lightning-caused blaze in Churchill and Lander counties. Crews continue building containment lines as hot, dry, and windy weather is expected to keep fire activity high.

The Quail Springs Fire in Lincoln County is showing its first signs of containment. The lightning-caused fire is now estimated at 12,990 acres and 7 percent contained after firefighters made significant progress Thursday. No evacuations have been ordered, and no structures are threatened, although smoke may affect the Rachel area.

A longtime Las Vegas radio station is preparing to sign off for good. News/Talk 840 KXNT will end broadcasting on September 1 after parent company Audacy said it could not find a financially and technically viable replacement for its transmitter site. Veteran host Alan Stock announced the decision Friday, saying it was not an easy one. Stock's local morning show will move to KDWN 101-point-5 FM, formerly a 50,000 blowtorch on 720 AM,  while KXNT's nearly 40-year run on the Las Vegas AM dial comes to an end.

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

7-31 News - Elko Domestic Dispute turns fatal

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 got up to 93 at Yellend Field yesterday.  Look for mostly fair skies today with areas of patchy smoke this afternoon.  Look for today’s high around 97.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for White Pine County from 11 this morning until 9 tonight and from 11am until 9pm on Saturday. Forecasters are expecting high temperatures between 97 and 102 degrees in areas including Ely, McGill, Lund, Ruth, and surrounding communities. Officials warn that the heat could cause illness and urge residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of direct sunlight, use air conditioning when possible, and check on neighbors and loved ones.

The Elko Police Department is investigating a homicide following a domestic violence incident Monday. Officers responding to a home on Opal Drive found Daisy Cortez with severe injuries. She was flown to a Utah hospital, where she later died. Santos Cortez-Molina, who was initially arrested on a charge of domestic battery causing substantial bodily harm, now faces a murder charge. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Elko Police Detectives.

The New Pass Fire, burning about 30 miles northwest of Austin, has grown to more than 27,000 acres and remains 15 percent contained. About 230 firefighters are assigned to the lightning-caused blaze in Churchill and Lander counties. Crews continue building containment lines as hot, dry, and windy weather is expected to keep fire activity high.

The Quail Springs Fire in Lincoln County is showing its first signs of containment. The lightning-caused fire is now estimated at 12,990 acres and 7 percent contained after firefighters made significant progress Thursday. No evacuations have been ordered, and no structures are threatened, although smoke may affect the Rachel area.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Las Vegas next Wednesday to promote the Republican-backed Working Families Tax Cuts. According to the White House, the president will highlight the elimination of federal taxes on tips, Social Security benefits, and overtime pay, saying the changes will help Americans keep more of their earnings. With Nevada's large hospitality workforce, the visit is expected to focus heavily on tax relief for service industry employees.

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association has named Sean FitzSimons as its interim executive director, effective August 1st. FitzSimons, a former athletic director at Lincoln County High School, currently serves as an assistant director for the NIAA, overseeing coaches education, compliance, and postseason events. He replaces Timothy Jackson, whose contract was not renewed. FitzSimons will lead the association while the NIAA conducts a search for a permanent executive director over the next several months.

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

 

7-30 News - Flock Cameras not going 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. 

We got up to 93 at Yellend Field yesterday.  Look for mostly fair skies today with areas of patchy smoke this afternoon.  Look for today’s high around 95.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for White Pine County from 11 Friday morning until 9 Friday night. Forecasters are expecting high temperatures between 97 and 102 degrees in areas including Ely, McGill, Lund, Ruth, and surrounding communities. Officials warn that the heat could cause illness and urge residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of direct sunlight, use air conditioning when possible, and check on neighbors and loved ones.

No Flock cameras in Elko.  Aleena Khan writes in today’s Elko Daily Free Press that community members shared concerns over a potential grant for Flock cameras during Tuesday's City Council meeting, and their voices were heard loud and clear.  Police Chief Kyle Ward told the council he didn't recommend them at this time, and the council voted unanimously not to go after a federal grant to get them.

The conversation comes at a time when White Pine County residents are questioning the existence of the cameras in White Pine County.  Flock Cameras were approved with minimal discussion in the March 2026 White Pine County budget meetings.  In an email yesterday to KELY, Sheriff Scott Henroid told us Flock cameras help law enforcement locate vehicles connected to active investigations, such as stolen vehicles or missing persons alerts. Sheriff Henroid says the system only provides alerts on specific plates entered by law enforcement, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse.

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The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to several incidents Tuesday, including a DUI arrest tied to a domestic disturbance in the county. Deputies arrested 40-year-old Charles F. Cambell of McGill on charges of driving under the influence and driving with a revoked license. Another person involved in the incident was transported to a healthcare facility for assistance. Deputies also investigated a theft, responded to city and county disturbance calls, handled a two-vehicle crash in Ely, and recovered found property. Reports of a highway rollover, a reckless semi-truck, and a roadside brush fire were referred to the appropriate agencies.

We start our morning update of wildfires in Elko County.  The Chimney Fire, about 20 miles northwest of Midas, is now 20,985 acres and 80 percent contained. Fire activity has remained minimal, allowing crews to transition command to a Type 4 incident team. Firefighters will continue mopping up hot spots and patrolling the perimeter, with little additional fire growth expected.

Turning to Lander County, the New Pass Fire, about 30 miles northwest of Austin, has grown to more than 23,000 acres and is now 15 percent contained. More than 230 firefighters are assigned to the blaze. Hot, dry, windy weather is expected to increase fire activity through the coming days, as crews continue building containment lines and working to protect infrastructure and natural resources.

The Quail Springs Fire in Lincoln County has grown to about 13,500 acres with no containment. The lightning-caused fire is burning on Nevada Test and Training Range and BLM lands, fueled by dry grass and pinyon-juniper. Hot, dry, windy conditions are driving fire activity, but no evacuations have been ordered and no structures are threatened. Crews continue working to slow the fire’s northward spread.

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is asking the Trump administration for details behind its claim that nearly 16,000 noncitizens may be registered to vote in the state. Aguilar says Nevada will work to remove ineligible voters but wants information on how the federal government reached its conclusions, including what databases and matching methods were used. Aguilar called the claims speculative, while federal officials say the review is part of a broader effort to verify voter eligibility nationwide.

A 73-year-old Washington woman was killed Monday morning in a motorcycle crash on U.S. Highway 50 in Eureka County. The Nevada Highway Patrol says Karen Thompson of Snohomish lost control of her BMW motorcycle about 18 miles west of Eureka. The motorcycle slid, overturned, and Thompson was ejected. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

Nevada is investing more than 50 million dollars to strengthen rural healthcare across the state. The Nevada Health Authority announced new Rural Health Transformation Program awards Wednesday, funding medical residency programs, provider recruitment, and healthcare training.

The money will help bring doctors and other providers to rural communities, expand nursing and apprenticeship programs, and improve access to services including behavioral health, dental care, and emergency medical services. Nevada received 180 million dollars in the program’s first year through a federal rural healthcare initiative.

The Powerball jackpot continues to climb, reaching an estimated 707 million dollars after no ticket matched all six numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing. The jackpot has now gone nearly three months without a winner. The next drawing is Saturday night, with the cash option estimated at nearly 310 million dollars. One player in Maryland did win a one-million-dollar Match 5 prize.

And a former member of Congress celebrated a Las Vegas wedding this week. TMZ reports former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene married Brian Glenn Tuesday at the Bellagio’s Terrazza di Sogno. The couple picked up their marriage license in downtown Las Vegas last Friday, then celebrated with family and friends — including a little casino action with craps, roulette, and slot machines after the ceremony. Greene resigned from Congress earlier this year, while Glenn works as a White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice.

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