3-31 News - Morning Fire at Gonder Substation on US-93 snarls traffic

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After yesterday’s 71-degree high, cooler weather is settling in. Expect cloudy skies today with a strong chance of showers and a possible afternoon thunderstorm. High temperatures will top out around 59 degrees.

Photo:  Kirstan Lee Van Horn on Facebook

A Fire at the Gonder Substation on US-93 between McGill and Ely just after 6am is now out, but for much of the morning commute had traffic on US-93 down to one lane.  

Mt Wheeler Power advises that the fire involves an NV Energy Transformer and that they anticipate no service outages related to the fire.  

Photo: Ginger May Jensen on Facebook

The Ely City Council will have a special meeting on Thursday at 5pm in the Volunteer Fire Hall to approve a City Gaming License for a William Hill Race and Sports Book kiosk in the Hotel Nevada.  The matter was on last weeks meeting agenda but had to be tabled to correct the Hotel’s address.  The kiosk has already been approved by the state Gaming commission.  

White Pine County Sheriff’s deputies handled a variety of calls across Ely and the county on Sunday.

In the city, officers responded to reports of suspicious activity, alarms, and two separate vehicle crashes, with no major issues reported. Several domestic disturbance calls were also investigated.

One incident led to the arrest of 28-year-old Rodney Lesher Junior of Ely on charges including domestic battery, battery on a protected person, and resisting and obstructing a public officer. His bail is set at 85-hundred dollars.

In a separate case, 43-year-old Deleah Kaamasee was arrested following a traffic stop for driving on a suspended license, with bail set at 740 dollars.

Deputies also handled a theft report, a barking dog complaint, and a welfare check on a juvenile, who was reported safe.

3-30 News - Special City Council meeting to address bad address

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Yesterday’s 75 degree high will be the warmest temperature for a while as a cooler and wetter weather pattern is on the way, look for gathering clouds today with the high expected around 71 with showers and 58 expected for tomorrow’s high. 

The Ely City Council will have a special meeting on Thursday at 5pm in the Volunteer Fire Hall to approve a City Gaming License for a William Hill Race and Sports Book kiosk in the Hotel Nevada.  The matter was on last weeks meeting agenda but had to be tabled to correct the Hotel’s address.  The kiosk has already been approved by the state Gaming commission.  

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports multiple incidents across Ely and the county Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, including two felony arrests.

On Friday, deputies arrested 40-year-old Joseph Creaghe of Ely on charges including burglary, elder abuse, battery on a public officer, and resisting arrest. Bail was set at 25-thousand dollars.

On Saturday, 42-year-old Walter Kennedy was taken into custody after a reported stabbing in Ely. He faces charges of domestic battery and elder abuse with a deadly weapon, with bail set at 35-thousand.  Both are innocent until convicted in a court of law. 

Other calls included a structure fire at an apartment complex that was quickly extinguished, thefts under investigation, and a report of threats against a public official that remains active.

Deputies also handled welfare checks, a missing juvenile who was safely located, and several domestic disturbances, most resolved without further incident.

Authorities say several investigations are ongoing.

3-26 News - New Golf Course Manager Hired

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Another record high temperature yesterday as Ely surpassed  the 2022 record of 74 by climbing to 81 degrees.  Look for much cooler temperatures today with a high of just 70 degrees.  

The White Pine County Commission voted to hire Bruce Towle as the new Golf Course Director.  Towle is a Reno area native who graduated from Reed High School and the PGA Business School and was formerly the Assistant Golf Pro at the Tahoe Donner Golf and Country Club in Truckee.  

The Commission agreed to join other communities in fighting the Pine Valley Water Supply Project and committed up to $20,000 toward legal fees should the appeal go to court.  The Commission appointed Thomas Cox and April Bath to the Local Emergency Planning Committee with Bath replacing Bodie Golla who resigned.  

The County Clerks office is moving as well.  The Commission approved the moving of the Clerk’s office back to the previous office in the Historic Courthouse.  No date has been set for the relocation. 

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports a busy day of mostly minor calls in its Tuesday blotter.

Deputies handled multiple parking complaints, along with reports of trespassing, vandalism, and reckless driving—one case referred to the Nevada State Police.

A reported theft involving a vehicle title and several harassment complaints were also investigated.

More serious incidents include an active sex crime investigation and a custody dispute.

In other calls, a runaway juvenile was safely reunited with family.

3-24 news - County Commission meets tomorrow

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We beat the old 2004 high yesterday of 71 by climbing to 77 degrees.  Look for another Record Breaking temperature with today’s high around 79 degrees.  (72 in 1908)

The White Pine County Commission meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse in Ely, with the meeting to be carried live on KELY.

Commissioners are set to receive an update from NV Energy on local projects, including the Greenlink North Transmission Project. The board will also consider possible legal action related to the Pine Valley Water Supply Project, including a potential appeal involving federal land agencies.

In other business, commissioners will interview candidates for Golf Course Director and could approve a salary range and extend a job offer.

Additional agenda items include an agreement involving the Seventh Judicial District Court, possible staffing support for the county finance department, and appointments to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

The board may also approve sending representatives to the Nevada State Fair in June and consider a proclamation recognizing April as Donate Life Month.

White Pine County Sheriff’s deputies handled multiple calls on March 22nd, many involving disturbances in Ely.

Deputies investigated a report of a vehicle following a family member around town, and threats at an apartment complex, where both parties were advised to keep the peace.

Several disturbance calls were reported at apartment complexes, including loud music that resulted in a warning, and another incident involving property being thrown down stairs. A separate fight led to one person being trespassed from the property.

Other calls included juveniles riding motorcycles at the city corrals who left before deputies arrived, an alarm call with no issues found, and a harassment complaint in the county.

Deputies also assisted Nevada State Police with a traffic stop, and referred a stranded motorist to state authorities. A report of threats outside a county home was investigated and found to be unfounded.

3-18 News - Commissioner Indicted on Federal Arson Charges

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Yesterday’s high of 74 broke the old record set in 2007 of 73 degrees, and we might see another today.  Look for Sunny skies with a high of 80 today.

A White Pine County man is facing federal charges for allegedly starting two wildfires on public land in northern Nevada.

A grand jury indictment unsealed in Reno accuses Henry Conrad Vogler of setting the Lookout Springs Fire in Spring Valley in June of 2022, and the North Creek Fire in the same area in July of 2024. Authorities say both fires were intentionally set on public land without authorization.  Henry Conrad Vogler is the legal name of White Pine County Commissioner Hank Vogler, who has filed for re-election.  

According to the Justice Department Vogler is charged with two counts of timber set afire, each carrying a possible penalty of up to five years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Land Management and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.  Vogler is innocent until convicted in a court of law.

In addition to his visit to the Lincoln Day brunch on Sunday, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo visited Mt. Wheeler Power Cooperative in Ely this weekend, meeting with leadership to discuss the importance of reliable electricity in rural communities.

During the visit, Lombardo toured facilities and praised the cooperative’s decades-long role in delivering power to families, ranchers, and businesses across eastern Nevada and western Utah.

The governor emphasized that dependable energy is key to economic growth in remote areas.

His administration is also backing rural infrastructure, recently awarding over 8 million dollars in grants through the Nevada Rural Electric Association to improve grid resilience, support wildfire prevention, and keep electricity affordable.