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Look for Sunny skies ahead for the next several days, today’s high 42, warming to the mid 60’s by Monday
A challenger has filed for White Pine Sheriff. Robert D Whiteside has filed to challenge Captain Todd Fincher. And in the race for County Commission seat 5, Jose Noriega filed as a Republican yesterday. Sources tell us that Governor Lombardo has or will appoint Noriega to fill the remaining unexpired term of Janet Van Camp for Seat 5, but the Governor’s office has not responded to our inquiries. Incumbent Catherine Bakaric has filed for reelection as County Treasurer, and Rebecca Murdock has filed for reelection to the School Board. Six days remain for filing, ending next Friday at 5pm.
Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian has officially filed to run for Nevada attorney general, putting to rest speculation that he might instead seek the open 2nd Congressional District seat.
Tarkanian confirmed Thursday he has no interest in running for Congress, even though the seat is opening with the retirement of Republican Congressman Mark Amodei.
The 64-year-old said he believes he could accomplish more as attorney general than starting a career in Washington.
Tarkanian will face attorney Adriana Guzmán Fralick in the Republican primary. He predicts he’ll win the nomination, but says the general election could be tougher in what he expects to be a strong year for Democrats. State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro also filed yesterday as a Democrat to run for Attorney General.
Nevada State Controller Andy Matthews, thought to move to Congressional District 2, has officially filed to run for re-election.
Matthews, a Republican elected to the office in 2022, says he’s seeking a second term to continue pushing government transparency and accountability.
During his first term, Matthews launched Nevada’s online checkbook website, giving taxpayers real-time access to state spending data. His office has also worked with local governments to create similar transparency tools.
Matthews says if re-elected, he plans to continue modernizing the state’s financial systems and will again push for the creation of a Nevada Office of Inspector General to audit how taxpayer dollars are spent.
The White Pine County Commission is moving its meetings to the second-floor courtroom in the old courthouse on Wednesday, and commissioners will receive updates on several major issues, including a proposed groundwater pipeline and the county’s financial outlook.
During the 9:30 a.m. natural resources agenda, officials will hear an update from the Bureau of Land Management on the Greenlink North transmission project and discuss ongoing public lands and water issues. Commissioners may also consider sending a letter to the BLM regarding the Pine Valley Water Supply Project, urging federal officials to consider a “no action” alternative or prepare a new environmental review.
Later in the meeting, commissioners are scheduled to consider grant approvals for county social services programs totaling more than 75-thousand dollars.
The board will also discuss reassigning commissioner liaison roles and may authorize outside consulting help for the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget following the commission’s firing of the Finance Director.
In addition, the commission could notify the Nevada Department of Taxation that the county anticipates difficulty meeting certain financial obligations beginning March 16th, citing staffing shortages and limited administrative capacity.
KELY will broadcast the meeting live on Wednesday beginning at 9am.
Another resignation in the White Pine County Finance Department. County Sources pointed out a new posting on the county website for a finance clerk. That listing in addition to the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director positions.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a wide range of calls this week, including an arrest, threats, and several welfare checks.
Deputies arrested 33-year-old Juan C. Gonzalez Lona of Indio, California during a traffic stop on a state highway after discovering he had an active warrant out of Nebraska. He was booked into custody with no bail.
Deputies also investigated reports of threatening text messages and advised the reporting parties on how to obtain protection orders.
Other calls included a domestic disturbance where deputies separated family members, a welfare check in Ely where the individual was found safe, and a report of possible drug activity at a local motel that remains under investigation.
Additional incidents included a suspected fraud attempt involving a cellphone payment link, a juvenile marijuana issue, and a suspicious person reported near a local school. Deputies say no problems were found in that case.
The White Pine baseball team came up just short Thursday, falling to Parker 3 to 2.
White Pine took an early lead but couldn’t hold off the Broncs. Maddox Sedlacek led the effort, going one-for-three with a home run, two runs scored, and a stolen base.
The loss drops White Pine to 0 and 2 on the season, while Parker improves to 4 and 2.
White Pine returns to the field this afternoon against Pinecrest Academy Cadence.
The Girls Softball team heads to Alamo for a tournament there for two games today, the Track Team heads to Spring Creek for a meet today, and tomorrow the Swim team will be in Las Vegas.
A reminder for listeners — Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend.
Clocks will “spring forward” one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, meaning we’ll lose an hour of sleep but gain more daylight in the evening. Be sure to set your clocks ahead before heading to bed Saturday night.
It’s also a good time to check smoke detector batteries and review emergency plans.
A Bill to eliminate the clock switching failed in the Nevada Legislature last session.
Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday.
Time for your KELY Gas Price Check — and White Pine County drivers, heads up: The Iran war has prices are on the move.
Regular 85 octane climbed at every station in Ely between Thursday and Friday. Shell Great Basin and Sinclair jumped from two-fifty-seven to two-eighty-five. Shell and Chevron on East Aultman rose from two-fifty-nine to two-ninety-five. Golden Gate remains the highest in town at two-eighty-nine — up from two-eighty-nine on Thursday.
Diesel also climbed across the board — Love's and Shell Downtown now sit at four-sixty-eight and four-seventy-four respectively.
Still, local prices remain well below the Nevada state average of three-eighty-seven and the national average of three-twenty-five for regular 85 octane.