9-22 News - Mixed bag in Department of Education reports

 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. 

Good rainfall overnight, 34/100 of an inch of precipitation.  Look for showers to continue with a chance for an afternoon thunderstorm today with a high around 69.

New school performance ratings from the Nevada Department of Education show mixed results for White Pine County schools.

One of the biggest improvements statewide came right here in White Pine County.

Lund Elementary was among just 11 Nevada schools to improve by at least two stars in the state's latest ratings for the 2025-26 school year, receiving a 5-star rating, the best rating in the county.  

The ratings consider factors including math and English proficiency, science, chronic absenteeism and other measures.

But the results weren't positive across the board.

McGill Elementary was rated a one-star school, with an index score of 15, placing it in the state's bottom five-percentile group.  White Pine High School, Learning Bridge Middle School, and Lund High School received four stars, with other schools in the county receiving two stars. 

The Nevada Independent has released an interactive database allowing families to track individual school ratings and academic trends.  Click to access.

New state education data shows some significant changes in reading proficiency at White Pine County schools.

Lund Elementary posted the biggest gain, with the percentage of students proficient in reading jumping from about 38 percent last year to more than 68 percent this year — a 30-point increase.

Baker Elementary also improved, gaining nearly 17 points to reach 50 percent proficiency.

David E. Norman Elementary increased nearly five points, while White Pine High School gained just over two points, reaching nearly 59 percent.

There were declines at McGill Elementary, down more than 13 points to 19 percent, and White Pine Middle School, which fell nearly four points to about 29 percent.

The Nevada Independent's ratings also include factors beyond test scores, including chronic absenteeism and, at the high school level, graduation and college-and-career readiness.

A complaint filed with the FBI is asking for an investigation of Democratic Second Congressional District candidate Teresa Benitez-Thompson over alleged conflicts of interest during her time in the Nevada Legislature.

According to the Nevada Republican Party, the complaint questions whether she properly disclosed her service on the Mater Academy of Northern Nevada board and paid employment with the University of Nevada while serving on the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

The complaint also alleges she participated in discussions involving funding for those institutions. Benitez-Thompson’s campaign says the complaint is baseless and contains no evidence supporting the allegations.

White Pine County residents will have a chance to enjoy Nevada’s public lands for free this Saturday, as the state celebrates National Public Lands Day.

Nevada State Parks will waive entrance fees and offer free camping and boating at all 27 state parks on Saturday, September 26th — including Cave Lake State Park near Ely.

The state says visitors who already made camping or park-entry reservations will automatically receive refunds for applicable fees.

There is no special National Public Lands Day event currently listed for White Pine County, but Cave Lake offers fishing, boating, hiking and camping.

National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is held on the fourth Saturday of September to encourage people to enjoy and help care for public lands.

For those willing to travel, the Bureau of Land Management is holding National Public Lands Day projects elsewhere in Nevada, including a trail-maintenance and picnic event at the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko.

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!

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.

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.

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!

9-21 News - Painting donated to benefit local animals

 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 cloudy skies today with a slight chance of a shower.  Better chance of rain tonight and tomorrow. Look for the high around 79.

From left to right are Jane Wolf, local artist and donor of Mona Froyland painting; Patricia Bute, BAARX board member (holding painting); and Nancy Riedell, owner of Nancy Riedell Fine Arts Studio & Gallery.

A piece of California art history is now up for sale in Ely — and it’s helping local animals.

A signed oil painting by the late artist Mona Froyland is being sold, with all proceeds benefiting Bristlecone Animal Aid Rescue and Xpress, or BAARX.

White Pine County artist Jane Wolf donated the rose-filled still life to BAARX. Wolf says she knew Froyland in California in the 1960s and briefly studied under her.

Gallery owner Nancy Riedell is selling the painting commission-free, thanking BAARX for helping find her cat earlier this year.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of calls from Tuesday through Saturday, including traffic hazards, animal complaints, reckless driving and domestic disturbances.

Three arrests were reported. Daniel Johnson of Ruth was arrested for violating an extended protection order. Carl Lutze of Ely was arrested for trespassing following an alleged attempted break-in, and Jason Robinson of Ely was arrested on an Ely Justice Court warrant.

Deputies also investigated reports of fraud, harassment, threats, suspicious activity and an attempted theft of a side-by-side. Several investigations remain active.

The White Pine Bobcats football team rolled past The Meadows School Friday, winning 26-to-6. White Pine led 20-nothing at halftime and improves to two-and-three on the season. The Bobcats are off until October second, when they open conference play against Lake Mead Christian Academy.

Meanwhile, the White Pine girls soccer team rallied past West Wendover Saturday, three-to-two, for its third straight win. The Bobcats improve to five-five-and-one and travel to Boulder City Friday for a five o’clock match.

A 75-year-old Washoe County woman is suing the Nevada Department of Agriculture, alleging one of its officers tried to have her prosecuted twice for the same offense.

Mary Ann Bruno’s lawsuit accuses officer Ian Knight of civil rights violations, elder abuse and malicious prosecution.

Court records show Knight first arrested Bruno in February of 2025 for allegedly illegally feeding feral horses near Reno. Prosecutors declined to pursue that charge.

Bruno was later arrested on another warrant for the same offense. That case was dismissed on double-jeopardy grounds.

The Agriculture Department has not commented on the lawsuit.

Nevada’s unemployment rate has fallen below five percent for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, but economists tell Tabitha Mueller at the Nevada Independent that the headline number doesn’t tell the whole story.

The August rate fell from five percent to 4.8 percent, although Nevada still ranked 44th among the states. The national rate was 4.1 percent.

The state has also added roughly 106,000 jobs since late 2022, with employment reaching a record high. But economists say Nevada’s growing population means more people are entering the workforce and looking for jobs, which can keep unemployment elevated even as employment grows.

They also point to Nevada’s tourism-heavy economy, where workers can move frequently between jobs, and to a cost of living that continues to put pressure on household budgets.

That creates two different economic stories heading into the 2026 election: stronger employment numbers on one hand, but concerns about affordability on the other.

Economists say unemployment, job growth and wages each measure different parts of the economy — and none, by itself, explains how Nevada workers are actually doing.

Nevadans apparently have a complicated relationship with the word “free.” A new survey from dimers.com finds 43 percent of Nevada residents admit they’ve fibbed about their birthday to score a freebie. And that’s just the beginning: 79 percent have stuffed extra items into an online cart just to get free shipping, while the same percentage have taken home extra condiment packets or napkins. Sixty-four percent signed up for a newsletter for the discount—then promptly unsubscribed. Apparently, in Nevada, free is a very serious business.

Only in Las Vegas do you train for a marathon… that’s shorter than your driveway.

A local theater hosted the .0005K "run" Saturday — exactly one parking lot long. Organizers said they were tired of traditional 5Ks and wanted "the easiest run you'll ever run."

Costumed racers sprinted about fifteen steps, then hit tacos, hot dogs, ice cream, and free beer at the finish line.

No blisters. No shin splints. No excuses to skip next year's charity race.

The best part? Every penny goes to local nonprofits — so this time, the only thing being winded is your wallet. And it's worth it.

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