8-21 News - Lombardo, Ford both mum on missing $9 Million Uprise Internet project money

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One word you probably won’t hear much during Nevada’s gubernatorial campaign is “Uprise.”

As Governor Joe Lombardo and Attorney General Aaron Ford compete for your vote, neither is expected to focus on the nearly nine million dollars in state funds that disappeared during a failed Uprise fiber-optic project in 2024.

According to Joe Hart of KRNV-TV in Reno, Lombardo was newly elected when the NDOT Board of Directors approved the Uprise contract in early 2023. Lombardo’s staff says the deal was negotiated under former Governor Steve Sisolak.

Ford’s office also has ties to the case. His deputy attorney general signed the contract allowing Uprise to receive the nine-million-dollar payment up front. Ford’s office is now prosecuting one criminal case involving former Uprise owner Steven Kromer, while also defending NDOT in a civil lawsuit involving Kromer and the missing money.

Ford says there is no conflict because the criminal and civil divisions operate separately.

Both Lombardo and Ford have cited ongoing litigation when asked about the case.

Hart reports that nearly nine million taxpayer dollars remain unaccounted for, with questions still unanswered about how the money was allowed to disappear—and what the state will do to prevent a similar situation in the future.

But Hart says voters shouldn’t expect either candidate to make Uprise a major issue on the campaign trail.

The White Pine County Commissionwill meet next Wednesday, August 26th, at the White Pine County Library Conference Room in Ely.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m., with a number of issues up for discussion and possible action.

The commission is scheduled to consider accepting a five-thousand-dollar donation from Ampry Solar doing business as White Pine Solar Project for promotion of Yelland Field Airport.

The Road Commission will also provide an update on primary and secondary roads, county facilities, completed projects and future road work.

County commissioners are expected to consider appointments to several committees, including a Building Official Dispute Resolution Committee and the State Land Use Planning Advisory Council.

The commission will also consider submitting a report prepared with the White Pine Chamber of Commerce outlining the area's strengths and opportunities for state and federal support.

Other agenda items include a proposed public hearing on the Charters of Freedom project, and a bill draft request for the 2027 Nevada Legislature concerning quarterly investment reports from county treasurers.

County Clerk Nichole Stephey is asking commissioners to consider a ten-thousand-dollar grant application to help cover costs of upgrading or replacing election equipment to meet federal voting-system guidelines.

The commission will also consider changes to its November and December meeting schedules around the holidays and the 2026 general election canvass.

Other items include awarding the White Pine County Golf Course bar and grill contract to Perigo’s Corner Market and JT’s Steakhouse, changes to personnel policies, advertising for a district attorney's office investigator, and a proposal to spend up to twenty-five thousand dollars for an artificial intelligence program designed to identify grant opportunities.

The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live on KELY.

Nevada’s unemployment rate dipped slightly in July, while the state added about four thousand jobs.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reports the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point from June to five percent.

Nevada’s labor force declined by more than five thousand people, while total nonfarm employment reached one-point-six million jobs—up one-point-one percent from a year ago.

Las Vegas added about twenty-three-hundred jobs during the month, while Reno gained nine-hundred.

Carson City saw employment decline by about two-hundred jobs.

DETR Chief Economist David Schmidt says Nevada’s labor market remains steady, with professional services and health care leading year-over-year job growth.

The public has one month to comment on a Trump administration proposal to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which protects more than 44 million acres of national forest from new development, logging and mining.

The proposal could affect more than three million acres in Nevada, including areas of the Humboldt-Toiyabe, Inyo and Tahoe national forests and the Spring Mountains.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says removing the restrictions would improve access for wildfire prevention and forest management.

Wildlife advocates argue the roadless areas protect clean water and wildlife habitat, and say roads can actually increase wildfire risk.

Public comments are being accepted through the federal rulemaking process.

Fall High School Sports season gets underway tonight as the Bobcat Football team hosts the Battle Mountain Longhorns.  Kickoff is at 7 tonight.  That’ll wrap up a full day of sports with the winless Boys Soccer team hosting Moapa Valley at 7 this morning.  The Boys fell in earlier action this month to Elko, Virgin Valley, and West Wendover.  

Meanwhile, the Coronado boys soccer team has been stripped of its 2025 Class 5A state championship.

According to the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association record book, Coronado’s championship is now listed as “vacated.”

Coronado defeated Hug two-to-one last November to win its third consecutive state title. The Cougars finished the season 25-and-oh, and their championship-game victory was their 55th straight win—a Nevada record.

The NIAA has not said why the title was vacated or when the decision was made. A spokesperson says the organization does not comment on actions involving member schools.

Coronado coach Dustin Barton says the program has moved on and declined further comment.

The decision comes after Coronado’s baseball team was also removed from the 5A Southern Region tournament in May, although no reason was publicly given for that decision.

Coronado’s soccer team suffered its first on-field loss since 2023 this week, falling two-to-one to Palo Verde.

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 on Aultman Street in Ely.

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

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

 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 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

 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. 

 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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