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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.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office blotter report for Monday March 16.
Authorities in the city responded to a variety of calls today. A school resource officer investigated a report of a student behaving inappropriately at school, and the matter has been referred to Juvenile Probation.
Deputies also addressed a report of a vagrant living in a tent on tribal land; the incident was referred to the Ely Shoshone Tribal Police. A civil dispute was reported when an ex-partner allegedly threatened to involve police while property was being collected; deputies determined the matter to be civil.
Concerns were raised about individuals causing disturbances with motorcycles, both in the city and on county roads. City deputies found the rider had left the scene, while juveniles on county roads received warnings.
Elsewhere, a report of a reckless driver on a state route has been forwarded to the Nevada State Police. Search and Rescue assisted a motorist whose vehicle became stuck in the snow on a county roadway.
Finally, a reported fight at a local convenience store was investigated, but the alleged victim chose not to pursue criminal charges.
Nevada wildlife officials say 13 horses have died during ongoing wild horse roundup operations across the state. The Bureau of Land Management reports only one death is directly linked to the gathers, with the others blamed on pre-existing conditions or unrelated causes.
Still, the deaths are raising concerns among wild horse advocates, who are calling for greater transparency and oversight.
The roundups are part of a broader effort to remove more than 2,300 horses and 400 burros from public lands. Several operations are underway near Ely and across central and eastern Nevada in efforts to save horses in a time of minimal food and water for the horses and burros in the region.
Captured animals are transported to holding facilities and prepared for adoption through the federal Wild Horse and Burro Program.
A Nevada prison doctor has had his medical license suspended after testing positive for methamphetamine and other drugs. State medical board documents say Dana Marks posed an “imminent risk” to public safety if allowed to continue practicing.
Marks has faced discipline from the board multiple times since 2008, including prior cases involving intoxication on the job and improper prescriptions. He had agreed in 2023 to remain in treatment and avoid drugs and alcohol.
Marks worked at Lovelock Correctional Center until last year and most recently earned about 220-thousand dollars annually.
He says the situation involves a personal medical issue and remains under investigation.