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

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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.

New Program Schedule effective April 18

 

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

4/22 News - Commission Meeting today; Commission Chair in Court 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 scattered snow showers today under partly sunny skies, no real accumulation, the high today 50. 

A power struggle in White Pine County is heading to the courtroom tomorrow, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Commission Chair Paula Carson is fighting to keep her seat as a legal bid to remove her from office reaches a fever pitch.

It’s a rare and intensifying legal battle that pits county official against county official. White Pine County Treasurer Catherine Bakaric and Recorder Christina Shady have filed a formal complaint against Commission Chair Paula Carson, alleging a pattern of malfeasance and "ongoing" violations of Nevada state law.

At the heart of the firestorm is the January firing of the county’s finance director. The plaintiffs argue the move wasn’t just a personnel change, but a calculated maneuver to bypass the state’s Open Meeting Law.

But the allegations don't stop there. The filing also claims Carson:

• Sought unauthorized access to sensitive financial systems.
• Rammed through a high-priced consulting contract using emergency meetings to dodge public scrutiny.
• And is currently "sitting on" a taxpayer-funded payroll study that reportedly shows county staff are significantly underpaid.

Carson has not vacated her seat and continues to serve as Chair while the case proceeds. Both sides are set to face off in the Seventh Judicial District Court on April 23rd.

Read the legal documents here.

It’s going to be a long morning at the Historic Courthouse in Ely as White Pine County commissioners buckle down for a marathon session with high-stakes hires and major transitions on the line.

Top of the agenda today is a high-pressure search for a new Finance Director. After a previous candidate turned down the job, the board is moving fast to fill the vacancy. They’ll be interviewing five hopefuls today: Alicia Berkbigler, Joann Musinski, Adam Thompson, Ettie Schwartz, and Koreen Hyde. Word from the courthouse is that we could see a formal offer extended by the end of the business day.

But the changing of the guard doesn’t stop there.

The county is saying goodbye to a local fixture as Roads Superintendent Martin Troutt prepares to retire after more than a quarter-century on the job. Commissioners are also expected to name an interim director for the county golf course to keep things running smoothly through the transition.

Rounding out a packed schedule, the board will take up:

• A proposed police protection pact with the City of Ely.
• And a crucial funding request to keep the August horse races on track.

The meeting kicks off at 9:00 a.m. If you can't make it down to the courthouse, you can catch the whole thing streaming live right here on KELY.

Read the agenda here.

4-21 News - Historic Courthouse reopens after weekend flooding

 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. 

High Wind Warning has been issued today with wind gusts up to 50 MPH, look for isolated showers and a high of 69.

White Pine County says normal operations have resumed at the Historic Courthouse in Ely following last week’s flooding incident.

Officials now clarify the issue involved the building’s fire alarm system—not the fire suppression system as initially reported. After an inspection, the courthouse at 801 Clark Street has been cleared to reopen during regular business hours.

The building had been temporarily closed after a plumbing failure caused significant flooding, prompting safety concerns.

County leaders thanked staff, contractors, and the public for their patience as cleanup and inspections were completed.

A legal battle is intensifying in White Pine County, where Commission Chair Paula Carson is facing a court challenge that could remove her from office.

The complaint, filed by County Treasurer Catherine Bakaric and County Recorder Christina Shady, alleges malfeasance and ongoing violations of state law.

Central to the case is the January firing of the county’s finance director, which the complaint claims was used to bypass Nevada’s Open Meeting Law. It also alleges Carson sought unauthorized access to financial systems and pushed through a costly consulting contract using emergency meetings.

The filing further claims a taxpayer-funded payroll study showing underpaid county employees has been withheld.

Carson is scheduled to appear in Seventh Judicial District Court on April 23rd. She remains in her position as the case proceeds.

Here's a link to the lawsuit.

White Pine County commissioners face a pivotal and potentially lengthy meeting tomorrow, with several major decisions on the agenda.

At the top of the list is hiring a new finance director after a previous candidate turned down the job. The board plans to interview five applicants—Alicia Berkbigler, Joann Musinski, Adam Thompson, Ettie Schwartz, and Koreen Hyde—and could make an offer by the end of the day.

The meeting also marks a period of transition, as longtime Roads Superintendent Martin Troutt prepares to retire after 26 years, and commissioners consider naming an interim golf course director.

Other key items include a proposed police protection agreement with the City of Ely and a funding request for the August horse races.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse and will be broadcast live on KELY.

Here's a link to the meeting agenda.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a range of calls in its April 18th and 19th blotter.

Deputies responded to several disturbances and family-related incidents, including a domestic situation where a resident was advised on a protection order and another where a subject was trespassed from a home. A reported poisoning case was investigated and found to be unfounded.

Child welfare calls included one case where a child was briefly left unattended and later reunited with a parent, with the case referred to state services.

Other activity included reckless driving, suspicious behavior, and a report of a death in Ruth. Authorities identified the man as Michael Stolk, who died of natural causes.

Two arrests were made: Tyler Jackson on child neglect and probation violation charges, and Carl Lutze of Ely for trespassing.