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Sun and clouds on tap today but not much warmth. Look for the high today only 31.
Don't get in a hurry to call any State offices in Carson City. Governor Lombardo has put a two hour delay on opening again today due to road conditions there. That followed all offices in Western Nevada closing at noon yesterday. It’s the fourth straight day of delays and closures in Northwestern Nevada as snow totals there over the past three days have ranged from a foot of snow in Reno, over 18 inches in Carson city, with some mountain areas getting as much as 40 inches since Sunday.
The University of Nevada, Reno is delaying non-essential campus operations Friday morning due to weather and road conditions.
University operations in Reno will begin at 10 a.m. Web classes and remote work will continue as scheduled, but all in-person classes before 10 a.m. are canceled.
The Redfield campus and the University’s Lake Tahoe campus will also open at 10 a.m.
University officials say conditions will continue to be monitored and are urging students and staff to use caution, allow extra travel time, and watch for snow and ice on walkways. Updates will be posted on the university’s website and social media channels.
The White Pine County Commission has a full agenda for its upcoming meeting on Wednesday.
Among items on the agenda is a ratification of correspondence with the Department of Taxation that the county will maintain the same tax rates for the next fiscal year as this year. This follows multiple meetings last year when the commissioners insisted that taxes had to be reduced.
Commissioners will consider appointing Social Services Director Desiree Barnson as interim grant manager with additional compensation. They’ll also review a corrective action plan tied to a fiscal year 2025 audit violation and take action related to upcoming ad valorem tax rates.
Other items include approving a resolution to assign signatories for county SNPLMA projects, and recognizing Payroll Specialist Terri Martinez as interim human resources officer.
District Attorney Melissa Brown is seeking approval to grant temporary, read-only email access to a financial consultant to ensure continuity of county financial operations.
Much of the agenda is fallout following the dismissal of Finance Director Kathy Workman, the resignation of Deputy Finance Director Courtney Thornal, and the resignation of the County Human Resources Director.
Nevada’s prison system is facing renewed scrutiny after new data shows a spike in overtime costs tied to ongoing staffing shortages.
Figures presented to the Interim Finance Committee show the Nevada Department of Corrections paid more than $18 million in overtime from July through September 2025 — the highest quarterly total in at least two years and a $7 million jump from the previous quarter.
Leaders with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 21 say the surge is driven by severe staffing shortages, with a third-party review calling for more than 700 additional positions. They also point to rising hospital transports and inmate deaths as contributing factors.
Union leaders criticized agency leadership, lawmakers, and Governor Joe Lombardo, warning that without more staff and resources, safety inside state prisons could be at risk.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a wide range of calls Wednesday, February 18th.
Deputies handled two motorist assists on state highways, both referred to Nevada State Police, and investigated reports of shots fired in a township, where no problems were found.
In Ely, deputies responded to multiple incidents, including harassment complaints, two vehicle accidents, a welfare check at a local motel that proved unfounded, and a report of a family member contemplating self-harm, where assistance was provided.
A sex crime is also under investigation.
In a separate incident, 25-year-old Anthony D. Garcia of Ely was arrested following a domestic disturbance and booked on a charge of domestic battery. Bail was set at $3,000.
Parents across the Washoe County School District voiced frustration Thursday after the district announced a two-hour delay around 5 a.m. as snow moved through the region, rather than canceling classes.
Some parents questioned why schools were closed the previous day during lighter snowfall but remained open during heavier conditions.
District leaders say they begin monitoring weather as early as 3 a.m., working with NDOT and the National Weather Service to review forecasts, road temperatures, and plowing efforts.
Chief Operating Officer Adam Searcy said Thursday’s decision was based on early conditions and projected snowfall of one to four inches, depending on elevation. He noted the district must balance safety across areas ranging from below 4,500 feet to above 5,500 feet, calling weather calls “always a really difficult decision.”
This morning most Western Nevada schools are either on a delay, remote learning, or cancelled altogether.
And while the big Las Vegas Strip casinos are pulling back, an off-Strip favorite is continuing its big makeover.
Ellis Island Casino & Hotel has unveiled phase two of its $35 million expansion and renovation project.
The latest phase builds on earlier upgrades that doubled the casino floor, added a high-limit gaming area, a new sportsbook, rooftop bar, and a massive LED exterior display.
Now, crews are working to bring the rest of the casino floor fully online, along with updates to the Karaoke Lounge, Ellis Island BBQ, and its bargain-priced Village Pub and Café.
The multi-phase transformation marks a major milestone for the longtime Las Vegas property, thriving while its neighbors are slumping.