11-3 news - Election day is here!

 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 clouds to gather this afternoon, with a slight chance of showers, and a better chance overnight.  Look for a high today of 57.

Voters across White Pine County head to the polls today for the 2026 General Election. Ballots will determine outcomes in several federal, state, and local races, as well as decisions on ballot questions.

Before the polls opened this morning, more than 2000 White Pine County voters cast ballots either by mail or in person.  That’s nearly 43 percent of registered voters. 

White Pine County voters can cast their ballots at the Bristlecone Convention Center on Sixth Street in Ely, or the Ely Shoshone Tribal Education Center on Heritage Drive. Polling locations are open from 7 this morning until 7 tonight. 

Local contests include races for county clerk, county commissioner, and Seventh Judicial District Court judge, along with statewide and congressional races. Voters will also decide statewide ballot questions. 

Unofficial election results are expected to begin appearing after polls close tonight. KELY will keep you updated on the election results as they become available.

A 50-year-old Arizona woman is being held on 500-thousand-dollar bail following her arrest on attempted murder and several other serious felony charges.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports Tanya L. Gilbert of San Carlos, Arizona, was arrested Saturday after a deputy contacted her while she was walking along a state highway. Charges include attempted murder, two counts of battery with a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm, and open container.  The Sheriff’s office tells KELY that they can’t share additional information due to an active ongoing investigation. 

Other weekend calls included fights at local casinos, juveniles cited or detained for consuming alcohol, vehicles being egged, and a two-vehicle accident in Ely.

Deputies also recovered a firearm turned in at a local hotel and responded to several disturbances and suspicious-person calls.

The White Pine County Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday morning to address several issues involving the county’s Information Technology Department.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, November 5th, in the White Pine County Library Conference Room in Ely and will be broadcast on KELY.

Commissioners will consider selecting and appointing an interim IT director, along with setting a salary or stipend for that position.

The agenda also includes consideration of a proposed severance package for the county’s former IT director.  The Commission fired IT Director Jasen Hutchins at last Wednesday's meeting despite praise from the County Recorder, County Assessor, and the Ely Fire Chief.

In addition to the live broadcast, KELY will provide a podcast of the meeting following the conclusion of the meeting.  Just search KELY 1230 98.5 on all podcast platforms. 

A Washoe County woman is facing federal charges, accused of illegally voting in Nevada’s 2022 general election despite not being a U.S. citizen.

Mlebinge Riziki Ramadhani, a lawful permanent resident originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is charged with one count of voting by an alien.

Court documents allege she cast a ballot on November 8th, 2022, in an election that included races for president, U.S. Senate and Congress.

If convicted, Ramadhani faces up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 100-thousand dollars, or both.

She is among four foreign nationals living in Nevada who have been charged with illegally voting in federal elections, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The cases are among 63 nationwide announced Monday by the Justice Department. Those charged in Nevada include nationals from Argentina, Sudan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

All four are accused of voting in elections involving federal offices, despite not being U.S. citizens.

The Vegas Golden Knights dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Boston Bruins Monday night, extending their slump to five losses in their last six games.

Mark Stone scored a power-play goal, and rookie Trevor Connelly tied the game in the third period, but Vegas couldn't find the shootout winner. Boston scored in the third round to take the victory.

Carter Hart made 25 saves for the Knights, who continue to struggle on the penalty kill, allowing a power-play goal in seven of their last eight games.

Vegas looks to get back on track tonight at Pittsburgh.  Puck drop just after 4, pre-game at 6 here on KELY. 

Temporary closures are now in effect at the Kirch Wildlife Management Area as crews conduct a prescribed burn through November 5th.

The Nevada Division of Forestry is burning overgrown vegetation to improve wetland habitat and benefit wildlife.

Closures affect portions of Adams-McGill Reservoir, Upper Sunnyside Creek, Dacey Reservoir and Dacey Slough.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is asking hunters, anglers and other visitors to avoid the affected areas and check for updates before heading out.

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

11-2 News - Nearly 4 in 10 of White Pine voters have cast ballots

 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. 

⅓ of an inch of rainfall yesterday with nearly ⅔ of a inch over the weekend total.  Look for sunshine today with a high of 49.

Early voting wrapped up Friday for the November General Election. According to the Nevada Secretary of State's VIVID dashboard,  another 103 people cast early in-person ballots on Friday, the most for any single day of early voting.  On Friday, 10 registered Democrats, 74 Republicans, and 9 voters registered with other parties voted. During early voting, 645 voters cast in-person ballots. 

The county's mail-ballot pipeline as of Sunday showed 1251 mail ballots returned, with 1239 accepted for counting.  1884 voters have already cast ballots, nearly 40 percent of registered voters.

You can still return your ballot securely 24 hours a day at the dropbox at the rear entrance of the courthouse off Campton Street. You’re encouraged to return your ballot in person to the clerk's office or use the drop box, rather than mailing it, to ensure it is returned in time to be counted. 

White Pine County voters are reminded to sign their ballot return envelopes before mailing or submitting their mail ballots.  Twelve voters who returned their mail ballots failed to sign the ballot, and their ballots are being held until the voter cures the ballot. 

White Pine County deputies are investigating vandalism at a local cemetery, where family headstones were damaged. The investigation remains active.

The incident was among several calls handled Wednesday through Friday, including reports of trespassing, harassment, suspicious activity, traffic accidents, and a possible Social Security phone scam.

Deputies also investigated a vehicle striking a pedestrian in Ely, a deer collision on a state highway, and a welfare check involving a child walking along the highway shoulder. Several highway-related calls were referred to Nevada State Police.

Two people were booked into the White Pine County Jail. Trevor Anderson faces charges including drug possession and DUI, with bail set at 16-thousand-250 dollars. Mandy Davis was booked on an Ely Justice Court warrant, with bail set at five-thousand dollars.

White Pine’s football team was shut out Thursday night, falling to Lincoln County 32-nothing.

The Bobcats struggled against the Lynx defense, marking the first time White Pine has failed to score since August 28th.

The loss drops White Pine to 4-and-5 on the season, while Lincoln County remains unbeaten at 10-and-0. The Lynx have now won 13 of their last 14 games dating back to last season.

The Bobcats will host Lake Mead Christian Academy next Friday in the first round of the 2A state playoffs. 

While the first-ever State soccer tournament went well at White Pine High School this weekend, the teams didn’t get the result they wanted.  

The Bobcats lost in the first round to Dayton 5-1 on Friday.  Dayton lost to Yerington in the championship game 2-1 on Saturday

Meanwhile, the Ladycats fell to Dayton in the first round 2-0.  The Dayton girls then fell to Yerington 4-3 in the Championship game on Saturday.

And the Ladycats volleyball team lost their semifinal contest against Lincoln County in five sets 3-2.  Lincoln County then fell in the finals to host GV Christian 3-1.  Lincoln County and GV Christian move to the State 2A Finals next weekend at the Virginia Street Gym on the campus of the University of Nevada.

The Vegas Golden Knights are bringing a little Las Vegas flair to the ice with a new special-edition jersey.

The team unveiled a preview of its Hometown Remix design, featuring a roulette-inspired look with the traditional black and gold, along with unexpected touches of red and green representing a casino roulette wheel.

The jerseys are part of an NHL-wide partnership with Fanatics celebrating the culture and identity of all 32 hockey markets.

The collection officially launches Monday at 10 a.m. The Golden Knights have not yet announced when they’ll wear the new uniforms in a game.

An election watchdog says control of four key state legislatures this November could determine whether the National Popular Vote compact moves closer to taking effect, potentially changing how presidential elections are decided.

The agreement would award participating states’ electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, rather than their individual state results.

Eighteen states and Washington, D.C., have joined, representing 222 electoral votes. The compact needs 270 to take effect.

Nevada is among five battleground states that could help reach that threshold. The group opposing the agreement says it would undermine the Electoral College and could face a legal challenge.

Two Nevada residents are facing federal charges in separate cases involving immigration violations, including allegations of helping someone enter the country illegally and voting in a presidential election without U.S. citizenship.

A former Henderson police detective, Mitchell Lee Wilson, faces four federal charges involving allegations that he encouraged, transported and concealed an individual who entered the United States illegally. Prosecutors say the alleged activity occurred between October 2023 and December 2024. His trial is scheduled for late January.

In a separate case, Argentine national and Las Vegas resident Mariela Delia Mendoza is charged with illegally voting in the 2024 election. Prosecutors allege she cast ballots for president and congressional offices despite not being a U.S. citizen. If convicted, she faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to 100-thousand dollars.

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

10-30 News - Over a Third of White Pine County Voters have Cast Ballots

 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. 

It will be a dark and stormy night…well, not really, just cloudy with showers through Sunday.  Look for a high today of 56.

Today is the final day of Early Voting, and White Pine County voters continue to turn out to the polls for the November General Election. According to the Nevada Secretary of State's VIVID dashboard,  another 62 people cast early in-person ballots on Thursday, with 7 registered Democrats, 41 Republicans, and 14 voters registered with other parties. Over the first eleven days, 542 voters cast in-person ballots. 

The county's mail-ballot pipeline also shows 1150 mail ballots returned, with 1138 accepted for counting.  1680 voters have already cast ballots, roughly 35 percent of registered voters.

Early voting concludes at the Historic Courthouse in Ely today.  You can return your ballot securely 24 hours a day at the dropbox at the rear entrance of the courthouse off Campton Street. You’re encouraged to return your ballot in person to the clerk's office or use the drop box, rather than mailing it, to ensure it is returned in time to be counted. 

White Pine County voters are reminded to sign their ballot return envelopes before mailing or submitting their mail ballots.

The signature is required to verify the ballot and protect election security. Ballots submitted without a signature cannot be processed until the voter is contacted and corrects the problem.

Voters should also make sure their ballot is sealed inside the return envelope and that they sign in the designated signature box.

White Pine County election officials say checking these steps before returning a ballot can help ensure it is counted.

Nevada gas prices are heading lower ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections, but drivers in White Pine County are finding considerably cheaper fuel than the statewide average.

AAA reports Nevada’s average price for regular gasoline has fallen eight cents over the past week to $5.25 a gallon.

A local check of eight Ely-area stations found regular gas ranging from $4.39 to $4.49. Diesel prices ranged from $6.69 to $6.88.

AAA says crude oil prices above 100 dollars a barrel are limiting further declines at the pump.

White Pine’s football team was shut out Thursday night, falling to Lincoln County 32-nothing.

The Bobcats struggled against the Lynx defense, marking the first time White Pine has failed to score since August 28th.

The loss drops White Pine to 4-and-5 on the season, while Lincoln County remains unbeaten at 10-and-0. The Lynx have now won 13 of their last 14 games dating back to last season.

The Bobcats will host Lake Mead Christian Academy next Friday in the first round of the 2A state playoffs. 

White Pine High School will host its first-ever state soccer tournament this Friday and Saturday, with both the Ladycats and Bobcats competing for state championships on their home field.

Friday’s semifinal action begins at noon, with the Yerington and Pershing County girls. The White Pine Ladycats take on Dayton at two p.m.

On the boys’ side, Yerington faces Battle Mountain at four p.m., followed by the White Pine Bobcats against Dayton at six p.m.

The state championship games are Saturday, with the girls playing at ten a.m. and the boys at noon.

Tickets are available online only through GoFan. Daily admission, including fees, is 13 dollars and 60 cents for adults and six dollars and 25 cents for students. Children eight and under get in free.

White Pine High School is encouraging the community to fill the stands with blue and support both local teams during this historic weekend of soccer.

The Ladycats Volleyball team is at GV Christian Saturday for the 2A Southern Championships. 

LeAnna Joy Larsen Anderson, 92, passed away on October 28th, surrounded by the legacy of a life devoted to family and service.

Her family says she and her husband shared 73 years together. Throughout her life, Anderson served the communities where she lived and was an example to her children and grandchildren.

She taught her family the importance of hard work, kindness and serving others. Above all, she devoted her life to caring for her family, making sure her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always knew how much she loved them.

A woman from the Republic of Congo is facing federal charges after allegedly voting in the 2024 general election in Washoe County despite not being a U.S. citizen.

The U.S. Department of Justice says Mlebinge Riziki Ramadhani, a lawful permanent resident, voted on or around November 8th, 2024, in races for president, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Ramadhani is charged with one count of voting by an alien. If convicted, she faces up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 100-thousand dollars, or both.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Nevada Sigal Chattah says protecting the integrity of elections remains a priority, and that violations of federal election laws will be prosecuted.

The U.S. Department of Justice plans to send election observers to Nevada on November 3rd, including polling locations in Clark County.

Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar says the observers will be allowed to watch voting from designated areas but cannot interfere with the process. They must also follow state law and respect election workers.

Aguilar says there is no indication whether ICE or other federal law enforcement agencies will be present. He says any interference with voting would violate state law.

An Election Integrity Task Force, including state and local law enforcement, is prepared to respond to any verified incidents.

In Las Vegas, the house usually wins. But one casino is getting ready to give one lucky customer the house!

The Rio Hotel and Casino is launching a promotion offering a newly built Las Vegas-area home valued at 400 thousand dollars.

The giveaway begins November first, with eight preliminary drawings offering free play prizes. The grand-prize drawing is scheduled for March 6th.

Entrants must be at least 21, have a Rio Rewards account and activate their entry on drawing days.

Apparently, in this case, beating the house could mean getting a house!

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

Listen to KELY anytime, anywhere

 Wyatt recommends the Simple Radio app by Streema.  He's had it on his phone for years.  It's available for both Android and Apple.  Download it, search for KELY, and BOOM, we're there!

Android Users Click Here

 

Apple Users Click Here 

 

Desktop Users Click Here 

 

You have NO EXCUSE not to listen! 

And for heaven's sake, get a radio like this one!  

If it hit the fan like it did in Western North Carolina, would you be prepared?

 After a week, people in Western North Carolina have no power, internet, or reliable cell service.  What's keep them informed?  Radio.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/07/wnc-listeners-call-into-local-radio-station-seeking-solace-connection/75543836007/

Radio is a lifeline, but how can you be connected to the lifeline if you don't HAVE a radio?  Sadly, people think of radio as an antiquity, a relic of the past.  But when push comes to shove, radio will be here long after the other devices have failed.  

But how do you get a radio?  What little retail business we have in White Pine County doesn't even sell them.  Well, The Greek might, but the others?  Nope. 

Try this inexpensive radio.  Under $20, uses 2 AA batteries.   Add this to your next Amazon order. (I know you're shopping Amazon and not local.  It's no secret.) 

https://amzn.to/3Azpdg5

If nothing else, you might learn some truths that Facebook and TikTok won't tell you.  Because they don't give a damn about you.  You know that. 

Just a reminder

To those old-school intimidators who don't like our news reporting...

Better listening tips

 Originally published in 2025.  Facts remain relevant today. 

So.  I went out and drove our signal last night I had a clear and audible signal from Majors Place to Lages Junction.  The minor improvements in our audio processing have made a significant improvement in our signal.  

So, why are you not able to hear us better?  

1) Try turning your radio. Many radios have a ferrite antenna inside that runs the length of the radio. It is a very directional antenna.  Try rotating the radio to improve the signal.  No, I'm not going to move the 200 foot tower to help. 

2) Move the radio away from florescent or LED lighting, computers, or television sets.  The FCC knows these (mostly Chinese-made) devices interfere with AM (and in some cases FM) broadcast signals in violation of Part 15 of their rules and regulations and the FCC doesn't give a crap.  So listeners blame the stations instead of the FCC.  I'm used to it.  So, there you go.

3) Add a simple antenna.  Here are a couple of suggestions.

Unequal treatment for all?

Originally published in 2024.  You need to know how radio is treated differently from other media. 

Why are we treated differently than newspapers and social media?

 

Do you know that candidates for Federal office - President, Senate, and House - get the best advertising rate on radio and television stations that we give anyone? No newspaper or social media platform has their advertising rates dictated by federal law.

 Did you know that as a broadcast station licensed by the Federal Government, we cannot refuse to accept advertising for ANY candidate for Federal office? No newspaper or social media platform is required to accept advertising from anyone!

 Did you know that if a candidate for state or local office purchases advertising on a broadcast station, another candidate for the state office has to be granted equivalent time at the exact same rate. Again, No newspaper or social media platform is required to accept advertising from anyone nor have their rate dictated.

Did you know that broadcasters are required to identify who purchases advertising? No newspaper or social media platform is required to identify who bought advertising!

When you buy advertising on Social Media, the money goes out of your community and into a billionaire's pocket.

When you purchase advertising on KELY or KDSS, that money goes to keep these local resources on the air.  We aren't millionaires.  We're your neighbors. 

 

Think about it!

OPINION: Local Radio Isn’t Dead—It’s More Vital Than Ever

By Wyatt Cox

In an age when people scroll endlessly through social media feeds, it’s surprising how many folks right here in Ely have never tuned in to their local radio stations. Many assume that if it doesn’t show up on Facebook, it’s not worth knowing.

That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.

Social media may be quick, but it’s shallow. It can’t match the depth, context, or local commitment that radio offers—especially when it comes to accurate news and timely information.