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Look for scattered snow showers today under partly sunny skies, no real accumulation, the high today 50.
A power struggle in White Pine County is heading to the courtroom tomorrow, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Commission Chair Paula Carson is fighting to keep her seat as a legal bid to remove her from office reaches a fever pitch.
It’s a rare and intensifying legal battle that pits county official against county official. White Pine County Treasurer Catherine Bakaric and Recorder Christina Shady have filed a formal complaint against Commission Chair Paula Carson, alleging a pattern of malfeasance and "ongoing" violations of Nevada state law.
At the heart of the firestorm is the January firing of the county’s finance director. The plaintiffs argue the move wasn’t just a personnel change, but a calculated maneuver to bypass the state’s Open Meeting Law.
But the allegations don't stop there. The filing also claims Carson:
- Sought unauthorized access to sensitive financial systems.
- Rammed through a high-priced consulting contract using emergency meetings to dodge public scrutiny.
- And is currently "sitting on" a taxpayer-funded payroll study that reportedly shows county staff are significantly underpaid.
Carson has not vacated her seat and continues to serve as Chair while the case proceeds. Both sides are set to face off in the Seventh Judicial District Court on April 23rd.
Read the legal documents here.
It’s going to be a long morning at the Historic Courthouse in Ely as White Pine County commissioners buckle down for a marathon session with high-stakes hires and major transitions on the line.
Top of the agenda today is a high-pressure search for a new Finance Director. After a previous candidate turned down the job, the board is moving fast to fill the vacancy. They’ll be interviewing five hopefuls today: Alicia Berkbigler, Joann Musinski, Adam Thompson, Ettie Schwartz, and Koreen Hyde. Word from the courthouse is that we could see a formal offer extended by the end of the business day.
But the changing of the guard doesn’t stop there.
The county is saying goodbye to a local fixture as Roads Superintendent Martin Troutt prepares to retire after more than a quarter-century on the job. Commissioners are also expected to name an interim director for the county golf course to keep things running smoothly through the transition.
Rounding out a packed schedule, the board will take up:
- A proposed police protection pact with the City of Ely.
- And a crucial funding request to keep the August horse races on track.
The meeting kicks off at 9:00 a.m. If you can't make it down to the courthouse, you can catch the whole thing streaming live right here on KELY.
White Pine County’s unemployment rate is holding steady, according to the latest state data.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation reports the state’s unemployment rate at 5.3 percent in February, unchanged from January.
Here in White Pine County, the jobless rate sits at 4.6 percent, with about 167 people out of work in a labor force of just over 3,600. That’s a slight improvement from the previous month.
Statewide, unemployment rates vary by region — with Las Vegas at 5.8 percent, Reno at 4.6, and Carson City at 4.5 percent.
Looking at county-by-county numbers, Humboldt County posted the lowest unemployment rate at 3.8 percent, while Mineral County had the highest at 10.8 percent.
Additional data shows modest job growth in White Pine County, along with rising wages compared to this time last year.
Churchill County is preparing to say a final goodbye to one of its most dedicated public servants this weekend.
Funeral services for Sheriff Richard C. Hickox, Jr. are set for Saturday, May 2nd, at 1 p.m. To accommodate the expected crowd, the service will be held at the Rafter 3C Arena on Sheckler Road in Fallon.
Sheriff Hickox passed away on April 11th following a battle with cancer, ending a distinguished 28-year career serving the community he loved. The loss is being felt statewide; law enforcement agencies from across Nevada are sending representatives to pay their respects. In a moving show of solidarity, outside agencies will even cover local patrols so that every Churchill County deputy has the chance to attend.
For those who can’t make it in person, a live stream will be provided online.
In a final tribute to his legacy, the family asks that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the Richard Hickox Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Churchill County Federal Credit Union.
The primary election is less than 60 days away, but two Republican races are heating up.
In the race for Nevada’s Second Congressional District, a decade-old vote is sparking a fresh war of words on the airwaves and social media.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel David Flippo is turning up the heat on former State Senator James Settelmeyer. In a new Instagram ad, Flippo echoes an attack first leveled by former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, accusing Settelmeyer of voting to give "illegal immigrants" driver’s licenses.
The ad points to a 2013 bill that created "Driver Authorization Cards." While the attack is gaining traction among some conservative circles, the Settelmeyer campaign is punching back with a reality check on the history of the legislation.
A spokesperson for Settelmeyer told The Nevada Independent that the bill was actually signed into law by a Republican Governor as a public safety measure. They argue the cards were designed to ensure drivers were tested, insured, and "accounted for" at a time when the federal government lacked a clear plan for immigration enforcement.
This skirmish marks a significant shift in a race that has been relatively quiet on the airwaves. While Flippo has reported roughly 200 thousand dollars in media buys, his opponents—including Democratic investor Greg Kidd—have mostly stuck to billboards and smaller ad spends so far.
Meanwhile Nevada’s Republican primary for attorney general is heating up, with a sharp exchange between candidates highlighting an increasingly personal race.
Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian and attorney Adriana Guzmán Fralick are competing for the open seat, and recently traded barbs over a campaign poll and outreach between the two.
The race comes as the position opens for the first time in eight years, with current Attorney General Aaron Ford running for governor.
Both Republican candidates are emphasizing election integrity, immigration enforcement, and potential legal challenges involving federal policies, while also questioning each other’s experience and electability.
While their policy positions show some overlap, the contest has so far focused heavily on background, campaign messaging, and alignment with President Donald Trump.
The primary election is set for June 9th.