9-30 News - 39 Days Away from Election Day

 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 mostly sunny skies with a high near 78. 

With 34 days until the November 3rd general election, White Pine County voters are entering the final stretch of the 2026 election season. The general election includes local, state and federal offices, making turnout a key part of the process.

Early voting runs October 17th through October 30th at the Historic Courthouse, 801 Clark Street in Ely.

County Clerk Nichole Stephey is also encouraging voters who receive mail ballots to use the county’s secure drop box rather than the U.S. Postal Service. The drop box is available 24/7 on the west side of the Historic Courthouse, near Campton Street.   Voters should have already received their sample ballot by mail.  If not, contact the County Clerk’s office at 775-293-6509. 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled several arrests and investigations over the weekend.

On Friday, Anthony Apodaca-Buckner of Ely was arrested on a municipal court warrant, while Robert Taliaferro Junior of McGill was arrested for allegedly violating a temporary protection order.

Deputies also recovered a stolen vehicle in Ruth and detained a juvenile accused of DUI, minor consumption and leaving the scene of an accident.

Saturday, Robert Kanavel of Ely was arrested after a report of a person with a knife at a local casino. He faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon.

Deputies also investigated the death of Mary Moore of Ely. That investigation remains ongoing.

Sunday, Emily Edmonds of Ruth was arrested for trespassing at a local casino.

Monday’s calls included theft, child neglect, a stolen vehicle involving a juvenile and a semi-truck blocking both lanes of a state highway.

A 21-year-old Elko man is facing multiple charges following a traffic stop on Silver Street.

The Elko County Sheriff’s Office says Aaron Kienenberger was stopped after deputies spotted a vehicle with suspended Nevada plates. Kienenberger was also found to have a suspended driver’s license, and a 15-year-old girl was in the vehicle.

Deputies say the girl’s parent later reported that Kienenberger and the girl had been involved in a sexual relationship.

Kienenberger was booked into the Elko County Jail on charges including statutory sexual seduction, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and driving with a suspended license and registration.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and state and federal agencies have renewed an agreement aimed at improving outdoor recreation and stewardship of public lands.

The Nevada Agreement for Recreation Shared Stewardship coordinates recreation planning, public-land access and responsible use across state and federal agencies.

State officials say outdoor recreation generates 13-point-seven billion dollars in annual economic activity, supports more than 75-thousand jobs, and nearly 40 percent of its economic benefits go to rural Nevada counties.

More than 80 percent of Nevada is federally managed.

A Las Vegas-area senior was allegedly scammed out of roughly three million dollars in gold, and police say two California men were arrested during an attempted follow-up theft.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say the victim was contacted in July by someone claiming there was a problem with his bank account. He was then convinced to buy millions of dollars in gold and hand it over to couriers for safekeeping.

Police say 26-year-old Rajesh Kumar of Ontario and 20-year-old Deepak Sharma of Fontana were arrested during a staged delivery at Boca Park Plaza.

Both face charges including exploiting an older or vulnerable person and theft of more than one-hundred-thousand dollars. Each was being held on one-million-dollar bail.

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

Just a reminder

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

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!  

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.  

----

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!

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. 

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.

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!

9-29 News - Flippo releases financials

 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 tenth of an inch of rainfall yesterday at Yellend Field.  We might get a sprinkle today, look for mostly sunny skies with a high near 72. 

Republican congressional candidate David Flippo has released his personal financial disclosure after months of delay.

The Nevada Independent reports Flippo lists a net worth between 3-point-2 and 14-point-5 million dollars, with two investments each valued between 1 and 5 million dollars.

He reports between 580-thousand and 1-point-2 million dollars in debt.

Flippo has also loaned his campaign at least 1-point-6 million dollars this year, following a 785-thousand-dollar campaign loan in 2024.

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two deaths reported Wednesday and Thursday.

On Wednesday, deputies investigated the death of 48-year-old Brandon McKinney at a state correctional facility. Thursday, deputies responded to a residence and identified the deceased as 45-year-old Clinton Breitrick of Lund. Both deaths remain under investigation.

Other calls included threats involving a campsite in a National Park, thefts, a domestic disturbance, and traffic accidents. Deputies also located a missing juvenile in Ely.

On Thursday, a juvenile was detained for allegedly violating a temporary protection order and taken to the White Pine County Detention Center. Deputies also investigated a report of a juvenile following another vehicle and throwing objects at it. That case was forwarded to Juvenile Probation.

Several welfare checks involved concerns about possible self-harm. Deputies reported two subjects were fine, while another was not located.

A report of threats involving a public official was investigated and determined to be unfounded.

Another federal appeals court has ruled against prediction-market company Kalshi in its fight over sports betting regulation.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Kalshi’s sports-event contracts are subject to state gaming laws, siding with Nevada and other states that regulate sports wagering.

The ruling follows a Ninth Circuit decision last month that also upheld Nevada’s authority to regulate sports betting.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford says companies should not be able to avoid state gaming laws simply by calling sports wagers something else.

Kalshi has argued its contracts are financial products regulated by federal law rather than sports bets regulated by the states.

Plans for Brightline West’s high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California are moving forward, despite the bankruptcy of a separate Brightline operation in Florida.

A company spokesperson says Brightline West is a separate entity and the Florida bankruptcy will not affect the project.

The 218-mile rail line is now targeting service in late 2029, after construction costs jumped from about 9 billion dollars to more than 20 billion.

Brightline West has 3 billion dollars in federal funding and 2-point-5 billion in private activity bonds, and is awaiting a decision on a proposed 6-billion-dollar federal loan.

A Las Vegas Valley pharmacy that collected nearly 100 million dollars in Medicaid and Medicare payments since 2014 is at the center of a criminal investigation.

Nevada Attorney General investigators allege First Class RX Pharmacy was secretly owned by a couple with previous healthcare fraud convictions and federal bans from participating in government healthcare programs.

Investigators say the pharmacy collected more than 37 million dollars from Medicaid and about 60 million from Medicare.

Abel Serbera-Armas is facing 15 felony charges, including allegedly submitting false Medicaid claims, perjury, theft of more than 100-thousand dollars and conducting financial transactions involving illegally obtained money.

His wife, Zulema Serbera, faces eight felony charges. Two other people are also charged.

The allegations stem from an FBI investigation. The defendants have not been convicted of the new charges.

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