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

 

7-29 News - Feds may give up on Yucca Mountain

 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 94 at Yellend Field yesterday.  Look for mostly fair skies today with the heat returning.  Look for today’s high around 93.

Tour Group entering Yucca Mountain

Federal officials are considering five states as potential sites for new nuclear waste facilities, a move welcomed by Nevada leaders who have long opposed storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Ricardo Torres-Cortez writes this morning in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the Department of Energy says Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho are initial candidates for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. Governor Joe Lombardo says the announcement could signal a move away from the decades-old Yucca Mountain proposal, calling it an opportunity to find a new national strategy for managing nuclear waste while respecting Nevada’s position.

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to a wide range of calls on Monday.

Deputies investigated three traffic accidents, including a collision involving a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk and a semi-truck that struck a telephone line in Ely.

Other cases included an ongoing investigation into bad checks connected to a commercial property sale, a reported parole violation involving contact through social media, and two domestic disturbance calls. In one case, the reporting party was provided information on obtaining a protection order.

Deputies also handled reports of a lost wallet, a public nuisance complaint, and juveniles riding a pocket bike without helmets. Several incidents, including an injured deer, a stranded motorist, and a runaway juvenile, were referred to other law enforcement agencies.

A Wildfire update now.  The South Fork Reservoir in Elko County is closed until further notice as multiple wildfires burn across northeastern Nevada. State officials say the closure allows firefighting aircraft to use the reservoir to refill with water. The surrounding recreation area remains open. The largest blaze, the Chimney Fire, has grown to about 21,000 acres with no containment. Other active fires include the Secret Pass, Boyd, Long Canyon, and Hoppie Basin fires, with firefighters continuing suppression efforts across the region.

To our west, the New Pass Fire in Lander County has grown to an estimated 17,714 acres with zero percent containment. The lightning-caused fire started Sunday in the Shoshone Mountain Range, about 30 miles northwest of Austin. The Bureau of Land Management says firefighters are battling intense conditions, with 220 personnel now assigned to the incident. The fire is burning through grass, brush and dry timber, and officials expect continued growth to the south and southeast due to hot, dry and windy weather.

And to our south, the Quail Springs Fire in Lincoln County has nearly doubled in size, now burning about 4,450 acres as of Monday morning. The fire was first reported Saturday near Bald Mountain on private land, and the cause remains under investigation. Fire officials say the blaze is showing extreme fire behavior, burning through timber, grass and understory fuels. About 26 personnel are assigned to the incident, which is being managed under a Type 3 incident command structure. The fire remains active with no containment reported.

A Reno woman has been indicted on federal charges accusing her of embezzling nearly $393,000 intended for a clean water project on tribal lands. Federal prosecutors say Blair Smith stole $392,582 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded to the Yomba Shoshone Tribe in 2024. Smith is charged with one count of federal program theft. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Her trial is scheduled to begin in September.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board says Kalshi has agreed to stop offering prohibited sports, election and entertainment prediction contracts in Nevada after investigators found the company was still allowing users to place them despite a court order. Kalshi must complete a new geofencing system by August 12 or face fines of $120,000 per day. State officials say the agreement is intended to ensure the company complies with Nevada gaming laws and protects the integrity of the state's regulated gaming industry.

Someone in Florida is waking up an instant multi-millionaire after hitting the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket from Tuesday night’s drawing matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball, with a cash option of about $344 million. It’s the third Mega Millions jackpot won this year and the 10th largest in the game’s history. The jackpot now resets to $50 million for Friday night’s drawing.

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

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.  

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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!