8-20 News - Post-Prison CEO accused of sexual exploitation

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 Look for a mostly fair sky today, with the high around 95.   

A major scandal at a prominent non-profit. Jon Ponder, the CEO of "Hope For Prisoners," is in custody after four women came forward accusing him of using his position to sexually exploit inmates under his care.

According to a new arrest declaration, Ponder allegedly solicited oral sex, engaged in phone sex, and made graphic advances against women at the Jean Conservation Camp and Casa Grande transition housing. The victims report they felt coerced, fearing he would sabotage their chances for release or reunification with their children if they refused.

One victim told investigators Ponder threatened that "things were going to get bad" if she didn't comply, while others said they were afraid to refuse because he controlled their parole recommendations.

The investigation escalated when police executed a search warrant on Ponder's home and office on Monday, discovering methamphetamine on the premises. Ponder, who was pardoned by President Trump in 2020 after serving time for bank robbery, ignored seven calls from police before being arrested.

He now faces multiple felony charges, including sexual assault and custodial contact, and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled several calls Tuesday, including child welfare concerns, theft, fraud and reckless driving.

A report of possible child abuse at an Ely business was investigated and forwarded to the Division of Child and Family Services.

Two reports of smoke near the Ward Mountain fire area were referred to the Bureau of Land Management.

Deputies also investigated a theft at a local business. The suspect was trespassed from the business at management’s request.

A reported online rental scam involved money and cryptocurrency sent through social media.

Other calls included reckless driving, a juvenile throwing rocks at motorists on a state highway, and a report involving an individual living in a vehicle with a child.

A harassment complaint was also investigated and determined to be unfounded.

A Lincoln County man died after being arrested Tuesday in Caliente.

Lincoln County deputies executed a search warrant Tuesday afternoon and arrested Bryan Teal. He was transported without incident to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

After arriving at the detention center, staff observed Teal exhibiting concerning behavior and called for an ambulance.

Teal was transported to a medical facility, where he was later pronounced dead.

Because the death occurred following an arrest, the Nevada Department of Investigation is conducting an investigation, as is standard procedure for an in-custody death.

Authorities say Teal’s next of kin has been notified.

The White Pine County Horse Races and County Fair returns to Ely this weekend, with three days of rodeo action, horse racing, live music, food and family entertainment.

Things get underway Friday, with exhibit registration at nine a.m. and the Ranch Rodeo at nine. Livestock activities begin at two, followed by horse racing at three and team roping afterward. Friday night features a volunteer firemen’s barbecue and live music from “Most Wanted.”

Saturday, the fair opens at nine, with four-H, vendors, livestock shows and kids’ activities. Horse racing begins at one, including the Governor’s Quarterhorse Stakes, followed by team roping and live music Saturday night.

Sunday features a livestock sale, dinosaur mascot races, barrel racing and more horse racing.

The White Pine County Fair runs Friday through Sunday at the White Pine County Horse Races grounds in Ely.

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

8/19 News - County Commission addresses Ward Fire in Special Meeting

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 Look for a mostly fair sky today, the high around 94.   

The White Pine County Commission has ratified a memorandum of understanding between the County Fire District and Road Department following the Ward Fire at a special meeting yesterday.

The agreement outlines how county road crews and equipment can be used to support wildland firefighting.

Commissioners stressed the need for proper training, equipment inspections and clearer responsibilities for employees operating heavy equipment during fires.

The Commission also approved standardized billing rates for fire district equipment, while tabling a broader wildland fire policy for further review.

Officials praised county personnel for their work during the Ward Fire and for documenting the costs and equipment used.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled several calls over the weekend, including welfare checks, disturbances, traffic complaints and a sex crime investigation.

On Sunday, deputies conducted a welfare check on a person slumped over in a vehicle. The person was contacted and found to be okay. Deputies also investigated harassment, disturbances, a possible intoxicated driver and reports of smoke.

A sex crime reported in Ely remains under investigation.

On Monday, deputies conducted two more welfare checks, with both individuals found to be okay.

Other calls included reckless driving, abandoned and improperly parked vehicles, a custody dispute and a report of someone screaming for help along a county roadway.

A brush fire near a county road was referred to the Bureau of Land Management.

Drivers traveling U.S. 50 in Nevada and Utah can expect to see a dozen massive superloads heading to the Thacker Pass lithium project.

The oversized shipments, carrying crystallizer components manufactured in Utah, will travel nearly 600 miles over the next several weeks.

The loads may be accompanied by law enforcement escorts, staging trucks and temporary traffic pauses as they move across the Nevada desert.

The Nevada Department of Transportation will post specific travel times at NVRoads.com ahead of each shipment.

The deliveries mark another step forward in construction at Thacker Pass.

Details online at lithiumamericas dot com 

The Nevada Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect massive superloads carrying mining equipment across northeastern Nevada this summer.

The oversized shipments will travel several major routes, including State Route 233, Interstate 80 near Wells and Winnemucca, U.S. 93 between Wells and Ely, and U.S. 50 from Ely to Austin.

Travelers may encounter law enforcement escorts and temporary traffic stops as the wide loads move through.

NDOT says drivers should plan ahead and allow extra time when traveling these routes.

A packed Nye County Commission meeting in Pahrump drew hours of public comment Tuesday over proposed data centers and changes to solar farm applications.

Residents raised concerns about water use, noise, light pollution and impacts on land.

After lengthy discussion, commissioners approved a ban on data centers in Pahrump Water Basin 162.

The commission also heard hours of public comment on proposed changes to county planning and zoning rules for solar projects. Opponents cited concerns over land and water, while supporters said solar development could create jobs for local workers.

The data center proposal had originally called for letting voters decide the issue, but the county missed the deadline to place the question on the November ballot.

With a little more than two months until the general election, two election forecasting models show Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo with an advantage over Democratic challenger Aaron Ford in the Nevada governor’s race.

Statistician Nate Silver’s FLIPR model shows Lombardo leading Ford by about four percentage points among voters surveyed, based largely on five July polls.

Meanwhile, the Race to the White House forecasting model has increased Lombardo’s estimated chance of winning from about 68 percent at the beginning of August to nearly 79 percent.

The model gives Ford about a 21 percent chance of winning.

Other national election forecasters also show the race close, but with Lombardo holding an advantage.

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

8/18 News - One death on Sheriff's Office Blotter

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 Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine, look for a high today around 90.  

The Ward Fire response is winding down, holding at 8683 acres and is 99% contained, with crews continuing to extinguish remaining hot spots.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death reported Saturday in Ely. Deputies conducting a welfare check at a residence found an individual deceased inside. The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies also investigated a reported temporary protection order violation, but determined the order had not been served.

Two animal bite reports were received, including a child reportedly bitten by a dog in White Pine County.

Smoke reported in the Ward Mountain area was referred to the Bureau of Land Management.

The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating a reported battery at the county jail.

A reckless driver complaint was referred to Nevada State Police.

And several juveniles reportedly riding electric bikes recklessly on a city street were contacted and issued warnings.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has signed an executive order launching another review of state regulations.

Lombardo says the goal is to eliminate unnecessary rules, cut red tape, and make it easier to do business in Nevada.

The order builds on a 2023 effort that resulted in more than 900 regulatory changes.

State agencies, boards and commissions will work with businesses and other stakeholders to identify additional regulations that could be repealed, streamlined or clarified.

Stakeholder meetings must be held by October 29th, with recommendations due to the Governor’s Office by December 31st. Further regulatory action could begin in 2027.

As residents return home following the Bug, Stallion and Freds Mountain fires, questions are emerging about wildfire insurance coverage in Nevada.

A state law that took effect in January allows insurance companies to seek approval to exclude wildfire damage from homeowners policies.

Reno attorney Matthew Sharp says that could create problems for homeowners in high-risk areas, including questions about whether lenders will finance homes without comprehensive fire coverage.

However, Sharp says the new law is not expected to affect claims from the current fires.

He says, as of August, no Northern Nevada insurance companies had requested exemptions from the state Division of Insurance.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Sigal Chattah was unlawfully serving as Nevada’s top federal prosecutor.

Chattah was appointed interim U.S. Attorney in March 2025. After her temporary term expired, the Trump administration appointed her first assistant U.S. Attorney, arguing that allowed her to continue leading the office.

A federal judge previously ruled Chattah was not legally serving as U.S. Attorney and barred her from overseeing prosecutions.

A unanimous three-judge Ninth Circuit panel has now upheld that decision, ruling her continued leadership violated federal law.

The Trump administration can appeal. Meanwhile, the White House has nominated George Kelesis to permanently lead the Nevada U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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

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8/17 News - Ward Fire 98% contained

 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 sunny skies with today’s high around 88.

The Ward Fire response is winding down, holding at 8683 acres and is 98% contained, with crews continuing to extinguish remaining hot spots.

Fire suppression repairs are beginning along the 443 Road and dozer lines, with crews removing berms and stabilizing disturbed areas to reduce erosion.

A Burned Area Emergency Response team is assessing safety and natural resource concerns and identify areas needing additional stabilization.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a variety of calls Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday including domestic disturbances, threats, thefts and traffic incidents.

On Wednesday, deputies investigated two domestic disturbances, a juvenile fight, a missing elderly person, a reported bicycle theft and possible email fraud. Natalie P. Zaren was arrested by the Eastern Nevada Narcotics Task Force for allegedly selling a controlled substance. She was also held on an Ely Justice Court warrant, with bail set at 20-thousand dollars.

On Thursday, deputies responded to reports of threats, a prowler, a stolen air-conditioning unit and a suspicious vehicle. Deputies also investigated several traffic incidents, including a deer collision.

On Friday, deputies helped recover a stolen vehicle in Ely and investigated a hit-and-run, which remains active. Tera Eisenmenger was cited for failure to yield following a crash at Great Basin Boulevard and Aultman Street.

Nevada State Police also arrested Evelyn Vandernick and Nathaniel Jasper on possession-of-a-stolen-vehicle charges. Both were held on 10-thousand-dollar bail.

The Elko County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide following a deadly incident Thursday night.

Deputies received a 911 call around nine-oh-six, reporting a man had reportedly been thrown from a vehicle and was bleeding heavily.

Witnesses and surveillance video showed a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed. However, investigators later determined the victim was not thrown from the vehicle or run over.

Detectives say the man suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck and died at the scene.

His identity is being withheld until family members are notified. The investigation remains ongoing.

An Elko man has pleaded guilty to buying 140 firearms for drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, laundering money from the sales, and harboring people who were illegally in the U.S.

Federal prosecutors say Luis Alberto Osorio and others purchased firearms, ammunition and magazines between 2020 and 2025, including several .50-caliber rifles and other high-powered weapons, for resale in Mexico.

Osorio pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking, straw purchasing, harboring illegal aliens and conspiracy to launder money.

He faces a maximum of 70 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for February 11th, 2027.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has ordered flags lowered to half-staff Monday, August 17th, honoring U.S. Forest Service-contracted firefighting pilot Christopher V. Andersen.

Andersen died August 7th while supporting aerial firefighting operations on the Widemouth Two Fire near Three Creeks Reservoir in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest.

Andersen spent more than four decades in aviation and public service, including service as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. He later worked as a chief pilot and mentor near Lake Tahoe.

The flags will be lowered from sunrise to sunset Monday at the Nevada State Capitol and all state public buildings and grounds, at the request of Andersen’s family.

A 78-year-old woman injured in the Bug Fire has died.

Shari Floyd died Saturday at UC Davis Medical Center from serious burn injuries and smoke inhalation. She and her husband, radio personality Eddie Floyd, were the only two people seriously injured when the fire flared up August 12th near their Wynema Ranch in Lassen County.

Eddie Floyd remains in critical but stable condition.

The ranch is a wild horse sanctuary and home to numerous animals. Family members say Shari Floyd was deeply devoted to horses and animals and was a beloved mother.

The Bug Fire has burned nine homes and forced thousands of evacuations along the Nevada-California border.

A new report says protecting public lands is a top concern for a large majority of Nevada voters.

The Center for Western Priorities says polling shows most Nevada voters oppose selling public lands or rolling back environmental protections.

One survey found 82 percent oppose funding cuts to agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service.

The report comes as conservation groups raise concerns about efforts to use public lands for development, including data centers, and potential changes to national monument boundaries.

Advocates say public lands could become an important issue in the upcoming election.

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