6-22 News - County Commission meets Wednesday

 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 a hot week ahead with highs in the 90’s.  Today’s high should be 92.

The White Pine County Commission has a busy agenda this week, including insurance renewals, road updates, personnel matters, and several grant and funding requests.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider renewing the county's coverage through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool. They will receive an update on county roads and infrastructure projects from Road Superintendent Martin Troutt.

The board will also consider recognizing employees for additional service, including Payroll Specialist Terri Martinez and Social Services Director Desiree Barnson. Treasurer Catherine Bakaric is expected to present the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 property tax rates, while commissioners will consider appointing Lloyd Eugene Phillips Jr. to a vacant seat on the Airport Advisory Board.

Other agenda items include adopting a regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, accepting a $10,000 library grant for ADA improvements, ratifying more than $90,000 in senior meal program grant applications, advertising a Building Inspector position, approving a relocation incentive for the county's new Golf Director, and authorizing the closure of Clark Street for the annual Arts in the Park Festival July 31st through August 2nd.

KELY will broadcast Wednesday’s meeting live at 9am. 

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of incidents on Thursday and Friday, including a four-wheeler rollover that sent one person to a medical facility for treatment. Deputies are also actively investigating a report of possible child abuse.

In Ely, 19-year-old Emmamarie Parmley was arrested on an Ely Municipal Court warrant. Authorities also investigated the death of Robert Ream of Ruth and determined he died of natural causes.

Other calls included a hit-and-run accident, vandalism, domestic disturbances, traffic hazards, and reports involving suspected intoxicated drivers. New jail bookings included Parmley and Kodie Herring, who was arrested on charges including DUI, possession of a controlled substance, and reckless driving.

Wildfires south of Caliente continue to challenge firefighters in Lincoln County. The Kane Springs Fire has grown to more than 12,400 acres and is now 10 percent contained, while the nearby Grapevine Fire has burned more than 11,600 acres and remains zero percent contained. Fire crews are battling steep terrain, dry fuels, and windy conditions, with aircraft supporting operations on both fires. Despite continued fire growth, no evacuations are currently in place. Officials are urging the public to avoid activities that could spark new wildfires and to give firefighting crews plenty of room to work safely.

A proposed Nevada ballot measure limiting participation in girls’ school sports to biological females will not appear on the November 2026 ballot. Governor Joe Lombardo says legal delays and uncertainty made it impossible to complete the initiative process in time, despite a recent Nevada Supreme Court ruling allowing the measure to move forward. Advocacy group Silver State Equality praised the decision, saying opponents worked to prevent discrimination from being added to the state constitution. Lombardo says he plans to ask lawmakers to consider the proposal during the 2027 legislative session and, if unsuccessful, seek voter approval in 2028.

6-19 News - Primary Election Results official

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. 

A Red Flag Warning has been posted from 11am until 11pm today with winds up to 35 mph, but today, hot with a high near 91. 

Local government offices and most banks are closed today in observance of Juneteenth.  That includes the Ely Landfill. 

Services including county offices, post offices, and financial institutions will remain closed throughout the holiday, with normal business hours set to resume on Monday.

At yesterday’s White Pine County Commission special meeting commissioners voted unanimously to certify the results of last week’s Primary Election.

According to White Pine County Clerk Nichole Stephey, over 35% of registered voters turned out, an even 1900 ballots cast.  She credited her staff and poll workers for their hard work, which made for a smooth process.  And though over a thousand of those 1900 votes were cast by mail, there was a downside in that.  Of the 4300 mail ballots distributed, over 3021 were not returned.  Commissioners Hank Vogler and Tim Pauley did not attend, citing work obligations. 

Stephy clarified for us that since Todd Fincher received more that 50 percent of the vote in the primary election for Sheriff, state law says he is declared elected, while Dr. David Pratt and Burton Hilton will both appear unopposed on the General Election ballot for County Commission Seat One and Assessor, respectively 

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to a variety of incidents on June 17th, including a vehicle fire on a state route that remains under investigation. Deputies were assisted by White Pine County Fire, Nevada State Police, and Search and Rescue in extinguishing the blaze.

Other calls included a domestic disturbance, a child bitten by a family member's dog, and a harassment complaint that resulted in a citation being issued.

Deputies also recovered a scooter reported stolen by a juvenile at a city park and issued a warning to an underage side-by-side driver operating on a city street.

Additional calls involved welfare checks, traffic hazards, reckless drivers, and reports of smoke in a mountain range, which was referred to the Bureau of Land Management.

Fire crews are continuing to battle two lightning-sparked wildfires burning south of Caliente in Lincoln County along the Nevada–Utah border.

The Bureau of Land Management says the Kane Springs Fire is now estimated at about 6,000 acres with zero percent containment, while the Grapevine Fire has grown to roughly 3,949 acres, also uncontained.

Officials report extreme fire behavior on both incidents, including wind-driven runs, torching, and spotting in steep, rugged terrain. Gusty southwest winds, low humidity, and critically dry fuels are making suppression efforts difficult.

Interagency crews have been working through the night, using road systems and previous burn scars as containment lines where possible, while aircraft drop water and retardant when conditions allow.

No evacuations are currently in place.

U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen have introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the life and legacy of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch.

The resolution was introduced alongside North Carolina Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis.

Busch, a native of Las Vegas and one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history, died in May after being hospitalized with a serious illness.

The senators say the resolution recognizes Busch’s impact on motorsports and honors his contributions both on and off the track. The measure highlights his Nevada roots and celebrates a racing career that inspired fans across the country.

And over the past two weeks Regular 85 unleaded gasoline in Ely has dropped roughly 40 cents a gallon, from $4.39 to $3.99 per gallon. That price at one outlet will drop tomorrow.  The Golden Gate next to the White Pine Golf Course will be offering free food and prizes tomorrow from 11am until 4pm, but the most anticipated prize will be discounted gasoline.  Representatives of Golden Gate aren’t being precise on what the discount will be…

Los Angeles County prosecutors have announced 12 felony counts of tax fraud against Las Vegas comedian Carlos Mencia.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman says the charges include six counts tied to alleged unfiled personal tax returns and six more related to corporate filings. Prosecutors allege Mencia failed to report about $8.7 million in income between 2019 and 2024, resulting in more than $300,000 in unpaid state taxes.

Officials say the case is the first brought by a new Business Tax Fraud Unit created to target complex financial crimes. If convicted on all counts, Mencia could face more than 10 years in prison.

Mencia, who performs in Las Vegas and is known for his stand-up career and former Comedy Central show “Mind of Mencia,” has not commented on the charges.

And for Sahara Motors, that’s your morning news from the state of Nevada

 

6-18 News - County Commission set to certify election results today

 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. 

A Fire Weather Watch is posted for tomorrow with winds up to 35 mph, but today, hot with a high near 93. 

The White Pine County Commission is scheduled to certify the results of last week’s Primary Election during a special meeting Thursday morning.

According to White Pine County Clerk Nichole Stephey, eleven mail ballots will not be counted after the voters failed to respond to requests to verify signatures that did not match those on file. Nevada law allows voters an opportunity to cure signature issues before ballots can be counted.

No changes in the outcomes of local races based on the mail-in ballots.  Burton Hilton won the Assessors race by a wide margin over Jane Murdock, 941-403, and Dr. David Pratt won the County Commission Seat One race by a wide margin over four challengers, including the incumbent Hank Vogler.  Pratt’s 585 votes were more than Mike Simon’s 265 votes and Mike Coster's 255 votes.  Vogler was fourth with 148 votes, and Gina Cavanaugh finished with 102 votes. In the Sheriff’s race, Todd Fincher made good use of his over $10,000 in campaign donations by getting more votes than his two challengers combined.  Fincher received 1458 votes to Roy Allen’s 259 and Robert Whiteside’s 116. 

The commission is expected to canvass and certify the election results during its 9 a.m. meeting in the White Pine County Library Conference Room.

The White Pine County Sheriff's Office responded to several incidents on Tuesday, including a theft investigation, welfare checks, and a DUI arrest.

Deputies are investigating the reported theft of property from a mine site in White Pine County. Several welfare checks were also conducted, including one involving a resident who missed an out-of-state medical appointment and another where a subject could not be located.

A report of harassment through social media resulted in deputies providing information about obtaining a protection order.

In Ely, deputies arrested 63-year-old Calvin K. Kennedy on suspicion of driving under the influence after receiving a report of an intoxicated driver at a local business. Bail was set at 890 dollars.

Deputies also investigated a reported battery at a local business but determined no battery had occurred. The reporting party was trespassed from the property at management's request.

Nevada Secretary of State candidate Jim Marchant is heading into a general election rematch after pulling off a surprise primary win despite almost no campaign spending.

Marchant, a former state lawmaker known for questioning Nevada’s election system, entered the race late after initially filing for Congress and raised little to no money in the early months of 2026. Still, he defeated better-funded opponents, with strong support in Clark County and rural areas pushing him over the top.

Marchant will now face Democratic incumbent Cisco Aguilar, who beat him in the 2022 general election by more than 20,000 votes and enters the race with a large fundraising advantage. Marchant says his victory shows voter support for his message, while political observers say name recognition played a major role.

Nevada's unemployment rate improved slightly in May, according to the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.2 percent, while employers added 800 jobs during the month. Nevada now has more than 1.6 million nonfarm jobs, up 1.8 percent from a year ago.

Las Vegas led the state's job growth, adding 1,000 jobs in May and nearly 20,000 over the past year. Reno lost 600 jobs during the month but remains up more than 4,000 jobs year-over-year, while Carson City saw a slight decline.

State economists say gains in professional and business services helped offset transportation-related job losses following the closure of Spirit Airlines operations in Las Vegas.

A North Las Vegas man will serve 30 days in jail after admitting he posed as an attorney using another lawyer’s bar number. Forty-year-old Jerrell Roberts pleaded guilty to a felony count of obtaining and using personal identifying information after authorities said he filed legal documents and appeared in court under false credentials.

At sentencing, District Judge Ron Israel called the punishment “a slap on the wrist,” but imposed 30 days with no early release, followed by three years of probation. If Roberts completes probation, he could withdraw the felony plea and instead plead to a misdemeanor. Roberts apologized in court and previously worked for Clark County Juvenile Justice Services.

Legendary stand-up comedian Tom Dreesen has died at the age of 86, according to *People* magazine. His family confirmed his passing in a statement, remembering him as a performer who brought “laughter, heart, and humanity” to audiences for more than five decades.

Dreesen built a long entertainment career after serving in the U.S. Navy, going on to make more than 500 television appearances on shows including *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*, *Late Show with David Letterman*, and *The Tonight Show with Jay Leno*. He also toured as an opening act for stars like Frank Sinatra, Gladys Knight, and Liza Minnelli, and appeared in TV shows such as *Columbo* and *Murder, She Wrote*.

Actor Gary Sinise called Dreesen “one of America’s great comedians,” praising his humor and long career.

That’s your morning news from the state of Nevada

6-17 News - County Commission set to certify election results 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. 

Another scorcher today with sunny skies and a high near 94 degrees. 

The White Pine County Commission is scheduled to certify the results of last week’s Primary Election during a special meeting Thursday morning.

According to White Pine County Clerk Nichole Stephey, eleven mail ballots will not be counted after the voters failed to respond to requests to verify signatures that did not match those on file. Nevada law allows voters an opportunity to cure signature issues before ballots can be counted.

The commission is expected to canvass and certify the election results during its 9 a.m. meeting in the White Pine County Library Conference Room.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of calls on June 15th, including domestic disturbances, trespassing complaints, accidents, and motorist assists.

Deputies investigated a domestic disturbance in Ely, suspicious activity near a county trailhead, and a report of someone entering a residence unannounced before leaving. A disturbance at a local apartment complex resulted in a warning for disturbing the peace.

Deputies also responded to reports of trespassing at a commercial property and an alleged break-in at a county mine site. The mine trespassing investigation remains active.

Other incidents included two vehicle accidents, assistance to stranded motorists, and several civil disputes involving money and vehicle payments.

In booking activity, Jeremy D. Tebeau was arrested by Nevada State Police on charges of driving under the influence and open container. Bail was set at $1,350.

Nevada drivers are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to ease across the state.

According to statewide averages, prices have been gradually trending downward heading into mid-June, with several markets now dipping below the five-dollar mark for regular fuel.

Here in Ely, one of the most notable drops is at Golden Gate Petroleum, where prices have fallen to $3.99 per gallon—one of the lowest posted rates in the state right now.  The County average of $4.41remains the lowest average in the state.  Meanwhile on the West side of the state Mineral County is feeling the California effect as prices are stil sky-high at $5.58.   The cheapest gas at the moment is in Pahrump at the Rebel where Regular 85 is down to $3.64.  Oil prices remain near three-month lows as the International Energy Agency warned of a supply ‌overhang next year.  That could drive fuel prices down as well.  

A major new radio astronomy project is planned for Nevada that scientists say could become the world’s most sensitive radio telescope.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported this morning on the project coming to Spring Valley, the Deep Synoptic Array that will include 1,650 radio dishes spread across a remote desert site. The system is designed to “listen” to signals from deep space and rapidly scan the sky for distant galaxies, black holes, and other cosmic events.

Researchers say the project could be 100 times faster than existing radio telescopes and will generate massive real-time data for scientists around the world.

We spoke with Dr Katie Jameson from the California Institute of Technology about the project back in October, and you can hear the podcast of our interview by clicking here.

Construction timelines have not yet been finalized.

Authorities in Winnemucca are investigating what appears to be a murder-suicide that left two people dead early Sunday morning.

According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on Middle Way just before 1 a.m. and found a 59-year-old man armed with a rifle. The man collapsed as deputies approached and was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A 53-year-old woman was found nearby with multiple gunshot wounds and was also deceased. Investigators say the two were husband and wife but had been living separately. Detectives believe the man ambushed the woman as she arrived home.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

The Vegas Golden Knights are looking for a new head coach.

The team announced Tuesday that John Tortorella will not return for the 2026-27 season. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon thanked Tortorella for providing an immediate boost after taking over behind the bench in March.

Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy with just eight games remaining in the regular season and led Vegas to a 7-0-and-1 finish. The Golden Knights then advanced to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.

The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly considering internal candidate Ryan Craig as a potential replacement behind the bench.

According to Danny Webster at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Craig, who currently coaches the team’s AHL affiliate in Henderson and previously served as a long-time assistant with the Golden Knights, is being mentioned as a possible successor following John Tortorella’s departure after leading Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final.

Craig has been part of the organization since its inaugural season and was part of the coaching staff during the team’s 2023 Stanley Cup championship run.

No official decision has been announced, and the team is expected to review options during the offseason.

A classic downtown Las Vegas casino favorite is getting a new home.

The iconic mechanical horse racing game known as Sigma Derby is being moved from The D Las Vegas to the Golden Gate Casino. A farewell celebration and Fremont Street procession marked the relocation this week.

The vintage 1980s-era game features miniature horses racing around a mechanical track and has developed a cult following among players.

The game is scheduled to reopen at its new location on June 19th at 4 p.m.

6-16 News - Shellraiser Campground folds the tent

 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. 

Sunny skies and about 15 degrees above normal today, look for the high around 92.   

A well-known rural Nevada campground is shutting down operations for good.

Rudy Herndon, formerly of Schellraiser and now with Humboldt Hideaway, announced the permanent closure of the Schellraiser campground following what he called “The Last Hurrah” — a large private gathering held at the site last weekend.

Herndon says the decision comes after six-and-a-half years of work developing the campground near Ely. Since opening to guests in 2022, Schellraiser was recognized as Nevada’s top campground and among the best in the nation in both 2023 and 2024.

In a social media post, Herndon credited former campground host Brian Luker for helping guests enjoy their stay despite harsh weather conditions that included high winds, blizzards, and flooding in the area.

Herndon also thanked the Ely Shoshone Tribe and tribal council for their partnership. He says plans are now shifting toward the Humboldt Hideaway project in Wells, while the tribe develops its future vision for the Schellraiser property.

A going-out-of-business sale at the campground is expected to be announced in the coming days.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a variety of calls over the weekend across Ely and rural White Pine County.

Deputies investigated several vehicle accidents, including multiple crashes involving deer on state highways. Nevada State Police assisted with several highway-related incidents, including a stranded motorist and a report of a juvenile soliciting rides along a highway.

Other calls included a fight between co-workers at a local motel, two domestic disturbances where the parties agreed to separate, and a hit-and-run crash involving a parked vehicle outside a local business.

Deputies also handled reports of fireworks in Ely, an ATV being operated on a city street, a propane leak at a residence, and a suspicious online shopping complaint.

Authorities say an alleged sex crime reported Sunday remains under investigation.

Authorities remind residents to use caution on area highways due to increased wildlife activity and to report suspicious or emergency situations immediately.

White Pine County Commission will meet on Thursday to certify the results of last week’s election, but eleven people who voted by mail won’t have their votes counted.  According to White Pine County Clerk Nichole Stephey, those eleven voters signatures didn’t match the signatures on file and didn’t respond to requests to verify their identity.  As a result their votes won’t be counted in the Primary election.  A similar situation exists in Washoe County with nearly a thousand votes there awaiting curing.  The meeting will be held Thursday morning at 9am in the Library Conference Room.  

A giant American flag is once again flying across Hoover Dam after surviving high winds and undergoing repairs for a tear discovered last week.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says the massive flag measures 300 feet wide by 150 feet tall and was first unveiled on Memorial Day. Officials briefly lowered the display because of windy conditions before removing it for repairs Wednesday.

The flag is now back on display and will remain illuminated nightly through July Fourth, lighting the dam and canyon walls at dusk. Officials say the display could still be lowered again if strong winds return.

A new federal study shows Lake Mead’s water levels could fall even faster than previously expected, raising new concerns about the future of the Colorado River system.

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Mead could drop to just over 1,015 feet above sea level by July of next year — far lower than any level seen since the reservoir filled in the 1930s. Federal officials say historically dry conditions and poor runoff into Lake Powell are worsening the outlook.

The latest report also warns Hoover Dam’s hydropower capacity could be affected as lake levels continue to decline. Southern Nevada officials say conservation efforts remain critical as new long-term Colorado River operating rules are negotiated.

Suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore has officially lost her bid for re-election, but she’s still receiving her judicial salary while remaining suspended from the bench.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Fiore conceded after finishing behind two challengers in the Nye County primary race. Fiore had been suspended following her federal fraud conviction tied to funds raised for a fallen police officer memorial, though she later received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump.

Despite losing the race, Fiore reportedly continues to receive pay while disciplinary proceedings remain ongoing before the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. 

A British Airways flight from London landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport Monday afternoon after a cellphone fire onboard triggered an emergency response.

Clark County firefighters responded after the crew reported smoke from the device during the flight. Airport officials say the fire was quickly extinguished, and the plane safely taxied to the gate with passengers exiting normally.

The FAA says it will investigate the incident involving British Airways Flight 271. Aviation safety experts say lithium battery fires on planes, while still uncommon, have been increasing in recent years. Officials remind travelers to monitor electronic devices closely and report overheating batteries immediately.