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Another record high temperature yesterday as Ely surpassed the 2022 record of 74 by climbing to 81 degrees. Look for much cooler temperatures today with a high of just 70 degrees.
The White Pine County Commission voted to hire Bruce Towle as the new Golf Course Director. Towle is a Reno area native who graduated from Reed High School and the PGA Business School and was formerly the Assistant Golf Pro at the Tahoe Donner Golf and Country Club in Truckee.
The Commission agreed to join other communities in fighting the Pine Valley Water Supply Project and committed up to $20,000 toward legal fees should the appeal go to court. The Commission appointed Thomas Cox and April Bath to the Local Emergency Planning Committee with Bath replacing Bodie Golla who resigned.
The County Clerks office is moving as well. The Commission approved the moving of the Clerk’s office back to the previous office in the Historic Courthouse. No date has been set for the relocation.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports a busy day of mostly minor calls in its Tuesday blotter.
Deputies handled multiple parking complaints, along with reports of trespassing, vandalism, and reckless driving—one case referred to the Nevada State Police.
A reported theft involving a vehicle title and several harassment complaints were also investigated.
More serious incidents include an active sex crime investigation and a custody dispute.
In other calls, a runaway juvenile was safely reunited with family.
City leaders head to the Volunteer Fire Hall this evening at 5 p.m. for an Ely City Council session heavy on public safety and local licensing.
Public safety dominates the docket as the Council weighs a critical three-year police protection agreement with White Pine County. The move aims to solidify law enforcement coverage for city residents through 2029. On the judicial front, officials are set to appoint a substitute municipal judge, finalize pay for pro-tem judges, and launch a search for a new conflict prosecutor.
The meeting will also pivot to local business oversight:
The Liquor Board will convene to vote on a Class Four license for the Music Box Bar on Aultman Street.
The Gaming Board will review licensing for a William Hill Race and Sports Book location at the Hotel Nevada.
Looking toward the downtown landscape, the Tree Board is proposing updates to the city's street tree plan. The Council is also expected to officially proclaim May 7th as Arbor Day, signaling a community-wide planting event.
The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association has unveiled a new high school football playoff format following major changes in Southern Nevada.
The move comes after 30 Clark County School District programs shifted to independent status as a protest against dominant Catholic school Bishop Gorman, leaving just seven eligible teams in Class 5A and 4A.
In 5A, the top two Southern teams will meet in a state semifinal, with the winner advancing to the Open Division championship. The loser will play the Northern champion for the 5A title.
In 4A, four Southern teams will hold a regional playoff, with the winner advancing to face the Northern champion for the state title.
Officials say the new format ensures remaining teams can still compete for state championships this fall.
And the hot-tub judge remains cooling her heels on the sidelines…
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline says District Judge Erika Ballou will stay suspended without pay after failing to complete required remedial training.
Ballou was disciplined after defying the Nevada Supreme Court—releasing a prisoner and refusing to return them to custody after her ruling was overturned.
She has also faced censure for inappropriate courtroom remarks and social media posts, including images of her in a hot tub with defense attorneys, and was removed from criminal cases amid allegations of making unfounded claims against an attorney.
Ballou did not seek reelection and has since reactivated her law license, taking a legal job out of state.
She will remain suspended until her term expires.
The NBA is taking the next step toward expansion, with plans targeting Las Vegas and Seattle.
According to reporting from Shams Charania at ESPN, the league’s Board of Governors has approved exploring bids for new franchises in both cities.
Commissioner Adam Silver called Las Vegas and Seattle strong markets with deep ties to basketball, as the league prepares to review proposals that could reach between 7 and 10 billion dollars per team.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo welcomed the move, while local leaders and resort operators—including MGM Resorts International—are already pitching potential arena sites.
If approved, the new teams could begin play as early as 2028.
A group of elementary students may soon help name Nevada’s official state fruit.
A bill proposed for the 2027 session by Assemblyman Bert Gurr would designate the blue elderberry as the state fruit—an idea sparked by students at Sage Elementary in Spring Creek.
Gurr says the students’ research and initiative inspired him to bring the proposal forward, calling it a strong example of civic engagement.
The blue elderberry grows naturally across Nevada, including in the Ruby Mountains and Sierra.
If approved, it would become the state’s newest official symbol—thanks to a classroom idea turned into legislation.