3-20 News - NV Energy to address County Commission on Greenlink North project

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Yesterday’s high of 82 shattered the old record set in 1997 of 79 degrees.  It’ll be even warmer today with a high of 83 degrees expected. 

The White Pine County Commission will meet Wednesday, March 25th at 9 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse in Ely.  KELY will broadcast the meeting live.

Commissioners will hear a major update from NV Energy on local projects, including the Greenlink North Transmission Project. They’ll also consider possible legal action tied to the Pine Valley Water Supply Project, including an appeal to federal land authorities.

In other business, the board will interview candidates for Golf Course Director and may approve a salary range and extend a job offer.

Elected officials are also set to bring forward several items, including an agreement involving the Seventh Judicial District Court, staffing support for the county finance department, and appointments to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Commissioners may also approve sending representatives to the Nevada State Fair this June and consider a proclamation recognizing April as Donate Life Month.

White Pine County deputies responded to several incidents Wednesday.

In Ely, a hit-and-run involving a parked car led to a citation for a McGill man for leaving the scene and drug paraphernalia.

Vandalism was reported in the downtown construction zone after two individuals walked through wet cement.

A jackknifed semi and a reckless driver on state highways were referred to Nevada State Police.

Deputies also handled a dog bite, multiple disturbances, and a reported juvenile battery.

An arrest was made outside a local casino—31-year-old Jesse Griffin of Las Vegas—on an active warrant.

Bail is set at just over 13 hundred dollars.

Chaos Continues in 4A and 5A football in Nevada…

A major shake-up is coming to high school football in Southern Nevada, as 30 Las Vegas-area public schools are opting out of league play to avoid powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

NIAA Vice President Rollins Stallworth says the move violates the state’s realignment policy and comes with consequences. Those schools will now play independent schedules and be ineligible for state championships over the next two seasons.

The change impacts only Class 5A and 4A football, forcing the NIAA to restructure its playoff format. Northern Nevada teams in those divisions will instead face private or charter school opponents from the South.

Stallworth says smaller northern programs continue to improve by competing against strong teams, adding the move may not change who ultimately reaches the championship.

3-19 News - No Contested Races on Ely City Council

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Yesterday’s high of 80 shattered the old record set in 2007 of 71 degrees, and broke the record March high temperature for the whole month of 76 back in 2004.  It’ll be even warmer today with a high of 81 degrees expected. 

A public notice confirms there will be no contested races for several seats on the Ely City Council.

According to Ely City Clerk Jennifer Lee, only one candidate filed for each of three council positions by the March 13th deadline.

As a result, Janet Walker, Michelle Yeoman, and Jerri L. Williams Harper have all been declared elected to four-year terms, representing seats one, three, and five.

Under Nevada law, no election will be held for those positions.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office has released its latest blotter report for March 17th.

Deputies responded to a report of a reckless driver in the city, but the vehicle had left the area before officers arrived. At local schools, a juvenile incident and a separate student fight were investigated, with the fight case forwarded to juvenile probation.

In other calls, deputies looked into a reported court order violation but found the order had expired, and a vandalism case involving a vehicle was documented.

Authorities also responded to a domestic disturbance involving a family member and a child in the home. That case has been referred to child and family services.

No new bookings were reported for the day.

A quiet week in High School Sports.  The Golf Team is in Elko for a tournament today and the Track Team heads to Spring Creek to take on Wells Tomorrow.  Junior Varsity Baseball and Softball are in Yerington for a tournament there Friday and Saturday. 

3-18 News - Commissioner Indicted on Federal Arson Charges

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Yesterday’s high of 74 broke the old record set in 2007 of 73 degrees, and we might see another today.  Look for Sunny skies with a high of 80 today.

A White Pine County man is facing federal charges for allegedly starting two wildfires on public land in northern Nevada.

A grand jury indictment unsealed in Reno accuses Henry Conrad Vogler of setting the Lookout Springs Fire in Spring Valley in June of 2022, and the North Creek Fire in the same area in July of 2024. Authorities say both fires were intentionally set on public land without authorization.  Henry Conrad Vogler is the legal name of White Pine County Commissioner Hank Vogler, who has filed for re-election.  

According to the Justice Department Vogler is charged with two counts of timber set afire, each carrying a possible penalty of up to five years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Land Management and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.  Vogler is innocent until convicted in a court of law.

In addition to his visit to the Lincoln Day brunch on Sunday, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo visited Mt. Wheeler Power Cooperative in Ely this weekend, meeting with leadership to discuss the importance of reliable electricity in rural communities.

During the visit, Lombardo toured facilities and praised the cooperative’s decades-long role in delivering power to families, ranchers, and businesses across eastern Nevada and western Utah.

The governor emphasized that dependable energy is key to economic growth in remote areas.

His administration is also backing rural infrastructure, recently awarding over 8 million dollars in grants through the Nevada Rural Electric Association to improve grid resilience, support wildfire prevention, and keep electricity affordable.

3-17 News - Settlemeyer resigns from Department of Conservation to run for Congress

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Look for Sunny skies with a high of 74 today, heading to the low 80’s by Wednesday.

The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Director James Settelmeyer will step down March 27th.

During his tenure, Settelmeyer oversaw improvements in wildfire preparedness, water management, and outdoor recreation, while working to balance conservation with economic growth across the state.

Joe Lombardo praised his leadership, calling him a dedicated public servant committed to protecting Nevada’s natural resources.

Settelmeyer is now running for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, a seat currently held by Mark Amodei. The largely rural district covers much of northern and central Nevada and is expected to draw significant attention in the upcoming election cycle.

Settelmeyer says he’s proud of his time at DCNR and confident the agency will continue its work.

Nevada’s 2026 election cycle is taking shape, with the most crowded race in the state unfolding in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District.

A total of 27 candidates have filed to run for the open seat, including 15 Republicans, as longtime Congressman Mark Amodei prepares to retire.

Former state senator James Settelmeyer is widely seen as a frontrunner and is expected to receive support from Amodei. Other Republican contenders include businessman David Flippo, who has secured backing from several prominent conservative figures.

On the Democratic side, the race includes 11 candidates. Former Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson is emphasizing opposition to President Donald Trump, while investor Greg Kidd is campaigning as a political outsider with strong financial backing.

Meanwhile, Nevada’s statewide races are coming into focus as Joe Lombardo seeks a second term, facing a crowded field of 20 candidates.

Top Democratic challengers include Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill.

Lombardo is also weighing in on other key races, backing Adriana Guzmán Fralick for attorney general and Shirley Folkins-Roberts for secretary of state.

Meanwhile, competitive primaries are shaping up across multiple offices, including treasurer and lieutenant governor, where incumbent Stavros Anthony is the lone Republican in that race.

Nevada’s 2026 election cycle is expected to draw significant statewide attention.

3-16 News - Three local races on the Primary Election Ballot

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Look for Sunny skies with a high of 66 today, heading to the low 80’s by Wednesday.

A number of last-minute filings for office before Friday’s 5pm deadline mean there will be a busy local ballot for June’s Primary Election.  

As we told you on Friday, five Candidates filed for the White Pine County Commission seat one.    Incumbent Commissioner Hank Vogler will face challengers Gina Cavanaugh, David Pratt, Robert M. “Mike” Simon, and former commissioner Mike Coster.  County Assessor Burton Hilton will be challenged for reelection by Jane Murdock.  Three candidates have filed for White Pine County Sheriff as Captain Todd Fincher is being challenged by Robert D. Whiteside and Roy Allen.  

Other races will move directly to the General Election.  Newly appointed County Commissioner,  Republican Jose Noriega is unchallenged in the primary election but will face Democrat George Chachas in the General Election.  Republican County Clerk Nichole Stephy will face Democrat Ray Rivera in the General Election.  No other races in White Pine County or the City of Ely were contested.  

The primary election is set for Tuesday, June 9 with early voting to begin on May 23. 

Just two days after filings closed, around 90 people heard the first political stump speeches at Sunday’s Lincoln Day Brunch.  Republican candidates for office, led by Governor Joe Lombardo, Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, and Controller Andy Mathews, touted their accomplishments in their first terms and sought reelection.  Also seeking votes were Sharron Angle for Secretary of State, Drew Johnson and Jeff Carter for State Treasurer, Danny Tarkanian and Adriana Guzman Fralick for Attorney General, and four of the fifteen Republican Candidates for Congressional District 2.  Former Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts was joined by David Flippo, Michael Smith, and James Settlemeier.  Also addressing the assembled Republicans were County Commission Seat One candidate Gina Cavenaugh, Sheriff candidate Todd Fincher, and Dan Gibbs of Repair the Vote, seeking support for Question 7.   Question 7 would enshrine Voter ID in the Nevada Constitution, and Woody Johnson of the Nevada Young Republicans is appealing to local Republicans 18 to 40 to form a County Young Republican chapter.