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3.2 inches of snow yesterday here in Ely but look for much of it to be gone by Monday. Today we’re looking for a sunny sky and a high of 32.
The single digit overnight temperatures combined with the blowing snow yesterday has led to some icy conditions this morning on the roads. Be extra careful as you’re out this morning.
The Building Inspector position in Ely is still on hold. At last night’s Ely City Council meeting the City’s choice for Building Inspector Chris Flannery told councilmen that unexpected medical issues have pushed back his starting date again. Flannery, a former building official in Ely, was appointed by the city to return prior to unexpected medical issues coming up. The City is pushing back the starting date issue for another two weeks to give Flannery the chance to get the medical issues in order and see what is going to happen.
Meanwhile the City heard from representatives from White Pine High School on the upcoming HOPE Week, a special community initiative dedicated to spreading kindness, connection, and positivity throughout our schools and neighborhoods. HOPE Week will take place Feb 9-12th, 2026. We’re scheduled to be joined by White Pine High teacher Megan Peterson on Monday morning to tell us more about Hope week.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is backing a new effort to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports statewide.
Lombardo joined the political action committee Protect Girls’ Sports, which filed a petition to amend Nevada’s equal rights amendment to base athletic participation at state-funded institutions on sex assigned at birth. The proposal would prohibit anyone assigned male at birth from competing in female sports.
Supporters say the measure ensures fairness and safety in athletics, while LGBTQ advocacy groups oppose it, calling the issue discriminatory. Organizers hope to place the initiative on the 2026 ballot, with a second vote required in 2028 to amend the state constitution.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled several calls on Wednesday, according to its daily blotter.
Deputies assisted Animal Control after two dogs were found running at large and chasing cattle on a county roadway.
Investigators also looked into suspicious circumstances after a resident reported fear for their safety involving a family member and a life insurance policy.
In the city, a reckless driving complaint ended with deputies finding no issues. Deputies also responded to two harassment reports, including one involving an ex-roommate and another involving juveniles and an adult harassing a child. One investigation remains active.
A burglary was reported after a firearm was stolen from a vehicle outside a residence. No new bookings were reported.
Nevada ranks third in the nation for cybercrime risk, according to a new analysis of FBI data.
The study, based on 2024 figures from the Internet Crime Complaint Center, shows Nevada recorded 328 cybercrime complaints per 100,000 residents, with victims losing an average of more than 25,000 dollars each. Total losses in Nevada topped 268 million dollars.
Alaska ranked first, with by far the highest complaint rate, while Indiana placed second. Wyoming, though lower in total complaints, had the highest average losses per victim.
Researchers say scams involving credit cards, identity theft, phishing, and cryptocurrency are driving the numbers, highlighting the growing financial impact of cybercrime nationwide.
Governor Joe Lombardo has announced federal approval of Nevada’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, plan, unlocking more than 170 million dollars for high-speed internet projects statewide.
The approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will expand broadband access to more than 28-thousand homes, businesses, and community facilities, with an additional 65 million dollars coming from private-sector investment. State officials say the funding is part of Phase Three of the High-Speed Nevada Initiative.
Construction on BEAD-funded projects is expected to begin in mid-2026, using a mix of fiber, wireless, and satellite technology. Leaders say the effort represents the largest public broadband investment in Nevada history and is aimed at connecting every unserved and underserved community across the state.
A man accused of helping an international crime ring steal money from senior citizens has been sentenced to prison in Clark County.
Vladimir Pavlov, 51, took an Alford plea to a theft charge and was sentenced to 30 to 75 months behind bars. Prosecutors say Pavlov acted as a courier, traveling across the U.S. to collect cash from victims targeted in cyber and phone scams. One victim told the court she lost more than 63-thousand dollars she had planned to rely on later in life.
During sentencing, prosecutors said the crime ring focuses on frightening seniors with fake claims about compromised Social Security numbers. Pavlov told investigators the best way to stop the scams was public awareness, even suggesting a televised warning to grandparents.
Pavlov will be eligible for parole in about two years and is expected to be deported after serving his sentence. Police and the FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected scams and verify suspicious messages before taking action.
The Bobcats and Ladycats Basketball team head to Henderson this weekend to take on American Heritage Academy. The Ladycats tip off at Noon, and the Bobcats follow at 1:30.
Competitive eating star Joey Chestnut is returning to Las Vegas later this month to defend his world bagel-eating title.
Major League Eating says Chestnut will compete in the Siegel’s Bagelmania World Bagel Eating Championship on Saturday, January 31. Eaters will battle for a championship belt and a share of 10-thousand dollars in prize money.
Chestnut won last year’s contest by eating 15 bagels with cream cheese in eight minutes. He’ll be challenged by past runner-up Patrick Bertoletti and world-record holder Geoffrey Esper. The contest begins at 11 a.m. at Siegel’s Bagelmania near the Las Vegas Strip.
A man is walking 100 miles across Nevada’s Highway 50, known as the Loneliest Road in America, to raise money and awareness for long-term shelter dogs.
Kris Rotonda, founder of Jordan’s Way, is livestreaming the journey as he walks alongside Aria, a shelter dog available for adoption. Rotonda has spent nearly six years traveling the country, visiting shelters and advocating for animals that have spent months or even years in kennels.
He says the walk is meant to spotlight dogs that are often overlooked and raise funds to help with adoption and transport costs. Rotonda’s trek across central Nevada continues this week and can be followed online through jordanswaytour.com