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Banks and Governmental offices, including the Post office, are closed today for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but skies will be sunny with a high of 47.
The Bureau of Land Management Nevada, has delivered new wildfire equipment to rural departments, including White Pine County, ahead of the 2026 fire season.
Through the Rural Fire Readiness program, the White Pine Volunteer Fire Department is among five agencies statewide to receive a Type 6 wildland fire engine at no cost, strengthening local response capabilities in remote areas. The engines represent a $125,000 investment in rural Nevada communities.
BLM officials say the program is designed to put frontline equipment directly into the hands of local firefighters, who are often the first to respond to wildfires threatening homes, grazing lands, and public resources.
The final engine was delivered earlier this month, completing the statewide distribution and boosting wildfire readiness across White Pine County and other rural areas.
Congressman Mark Amodei will have Democrat opposition this year.
Longtime political organizer Matthew Fonken has officially launched his campaign for Congress in Nevada’s 2nd District.
Fonken announced his bid Saturday at the Hunter Creek Trailhead, saying Northern Nevada needs a representative who understands working families and puts people ahead of politics. The Democrat is the son of U.S. Postal Service letter carriers and was raised on a horse farm in Arkansas.
Fonken’s platform focuses on protecting public lands and water, expanding access to healthcare, lowering housing costs while raising wages, and defending the Constitution. He brings experience as a grassroots organizer and has worked in the Nevada Legislature, including service as an Assembly attaché.
Fonken says his campaign will emphasize integrity, accountability, and transparency.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports a busy day on Thursday, January 15th.
Deputies assisted Nevada State Police with traffic control on a state highway and responded to multiple calls in Ely and across the county. Juvenile-related incidents included a child seen running in the roadway and another juvenile who became combative at a healthcare facility. Assistance was provided, and the case was referred to Juvenile Probation.
Deputies also investigated a reported online job scam, several parking complaints, domestic disturbances in the city, a reckless dirt bike rider, trespassing, and a public nuisance. One property owner was cited for maintaining an accumulation of garbage.
Emergency crews responded to smoke at a downtown casino, where a structure fire was quickly extinguished by Ely City Fire.
In bookings, Zachery B. Johnston was arrested by parole and probation officers on a probation violation and is being held without bail.
State Senator Edgar Flores appears to be moving ahead with plans to seek another four-year term, judging by his latest fundraising report.
Flores, a Las Vegas Democrat, raised more than 145-thousand dollars during 2025, his strongest pre-election year showing to date. The filing, posted January 15th, brings his campaign cash on hand to more than 161-thousand dollars.
The fundraising period includes time before and after Flores’ September arrest on a DUI charge, stemming from an incident in which he was found asleep in a vehicle at a traffic light. He is expected to enter a plea later this month.
Flores also recently lost the endorsement of Laborers Union Local 872 after voting against a film tax credit expansion, citing fiscal concerns. The bill ultimately failed.
Sources close to Senate Democrats say Flores’ re-election plans remain unchanged.
A Split weekend for the Bobcats Basketball team at home, beating Founders Classical Academy on Friday 42-40, but fell to Awaken Christian 47-40
The Bobcats Wrestling team finished 11th out of 28 teams at the Spring Creek Kiwanis Tournament.
Jacob Reynoso 106# 5th place
Jacob Hall 190# 5th place
Maddox Sedlacek 215# 3rd place
The Ladycats Wrestling team finished fifth out of 24 teams.
Livi Weiland 135# 2nd Place
Juliana Hughes 140# 3rd Place
Olivia Moskoff 140# 6th place
Addie Costello 145# 3rd place
Aubrie Sumrall 155# 4th place