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5/100 of an inch of precipitation fell when the rain finally got to Yellend Field last night between 8 and 9 last night. Look for fair skies over the next seven days with today’s high 67.
The White Pine County Commission meets in special session at 9:00 this morning, facing both a hollowed-out front office and a looming legal battle.
Commissioners will review efforts to fill four key roles: the Finance Director, Human Resources Director, Accounts Payable Clerk, and Golf Course Director. With the finance department currently reliant on interim support from a private consultant, the board is expected to approve a temporary contract with Eide Bailly LLP. That deal—capped at $18,000—would bill the county between $170 and $396 per hour just to keep up with accounts payable.
Today’s meeting is a prelude to Friday’s hearing in 7th District Court. Treasurer Catherine Bakaric and Recorder Christina Shady are suing Commission Chair Paula Carson. The lawsuit alleges Carson bypassed public meeting laws to fire the previous finance director, concealed a payroll study that showed county employees were paid well below market rates, and sought unauthorized access to county financial systems.
KELY will carry the meeting live from the Library Conference Room starting at 9:00 a.m. For a deep dive into the court documents and the controversial payroll study, visit KELY1230.com.
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a busy day of calls in Ely on May 4th, including thefts, domestic disturbances, and ongoing investigations.
Deputies are investigating an attempted burglary at a local business and vandalism at a vacant apartment. A report of stolen documents from a motel room was also taken, while another theft involving fuel was resolved as a civil matter.
Multiple domestic disturbance calls were handled, including one involving an alleged battery. Other incidents were resolved on scene without further action.
Authorities also responded to a death at a residence, identifying the individual as Jeanine M. Locke of Ely. The death is believed to be from natural causes.
One arrest was made—41-year-old Ronald J. Taylor Jr., on an Ely Justice Court warrant, with bail set at $5,000.
White Pine High School swimmer Livi Weiland is making a strong showing at the 3A Southern Region swim meet.
After qualifying in six events, Weiland competed in prelims in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly—advancing to finals in both. She heads into Friday’s championship heats seeded third in each race.
Coaches say the 50 freestyle field is extremely tight, with the top eight swimmers separated by just fractions of a second.
In the 100 butterfly, Weiland overcame a delayed start but still delivered a strong performance to secure her spot.
The top four finishers in finals will advance to the state meet.
White Pine High School turned in a strong showing at the Class 2A East Region Boys Golf Championship Tuesday at Fallon Golf Course.
As a team, White Pine finished second overall with a score of 373, trailing only Oasis and securing a spot at the state tournament.
Individually, Travis Peterson led the way for White Pine, earning medalist runner-up honors with a 78—just one stroke off the top spot. Teammate Zayden McClintock also placed in the top five with a 91, helping anchor the team’s performance.
Additional contributions came from Hunter Baldwin, Ryker Gardner, Matt Ellis, and Circhton Swetich, rounding out a solid team effort against regional competition.
With the top teams and qualifying individuals advancing, White Pine will now look ahead to the state championship, carrying strong momentum after a second-place regional finish.
Lehman Caves tours are returning to Great Basin National Park just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Park officials say ranger-guided tours will resume Friday, May 22nd at Lehman Caves, with up to 13 daily Gothic Palace Lantern Tours offered. The 30-minute tours will take visitors through the first two rooms of the cave system.
Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made up to 30 days in advance, as walk-up tickets at the visitor center are limited and often sell out quickly on busy days.
Officials say a full schedule of cave tours is expected to return later this summer once ongoing lighting upgrades are completed.
A federal election complaint is targeting Republican U.S. House candidate David Flippo, a leading contender in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District primary.
The filing, submitted by fellow GOP candidate and former Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts, alleges Flippo used campaign funds to pay rent on his personal residence—an apparent violation of federal election rules that prohibit personal use of campaign money.
Campaign finance records show the Flippo campaign paid more than $10,000 in March to Blue Sierra Realty, labeled as “rent.” The complaint claims those payments were tied to a Reno-area home where Flippo has hosted campaign events.
Flippo denies the allegation, saying the payments are for a separate rental property in Sparks and that his personal home in Reno’s Skyline area is paid for privately.
In a recent interview, Flippo said, “We’re renting a house right now… we just recently moved up here… we want to find that right place when we purchase.”
Campaign officials say lease agreements support their claim that campaign funds were used for a different property. The Federal Election Commission complaint is under review.
Two Democratic candidates in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District race have dropped out and thrown their support behind another contender ahead of the June 9 primary.
Josh Hebert and Sam White have ended their campaigns and endorsed Morgan Wadsworth, following a prior agreement among several candidates to unite behind a single contender if needed.
Wadsworth says the move is aimed at avoiding a split vote in the primary, strengthening the party’s chances in the general election.
In his withdrawal remarks, Hebert praised Wadsworth’s ability to connect with voters across the district, including rural communities, and highlighted her appeal to younger voters.
The consolidation comes as candidates position themselves in a competitive primary to represent Nevada’s sprawling northern district.
The last remaining resort in Primm is set to close, marking the end of casino operations along the Nevada-California border community.
According to reports, Primm Valley Casino Resorts will shut down its final property by July 4th, following earlier closures at Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino and Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino.
Employees have been notified they must vacate company housing at Desert Oasis Apartments by July 6th. The closure impacts multiple properties, including Primm Valley Resort, Primm Center, and Flying J.
Company officials acknowledged the hardship in a statement, while plans are underway to connect affected workers with assistance through the state’s Rapid Response program.
The shutdown raises new questions about the future of Primm, once a busy stop for travelers on Interstate 15.