75 Days to Local COVID-19 Management

Elko Area Chamber CEO Billie Crapo announced planning is underway for several special events to resume in response to the Governor’s easing of certain COVID-19 related restrictions on crowd size. The Chamber Home Show and Business Expo is set for May, the Elko Convention and Visitor’s Authority Elko Mining Expo is anticipated to resume in June. Crapo also introduced guests from the Chamber Business After Hours event, hosts from Iron Woman Mining Services, Susie Lanners and Carl

Elko County Commissioner Cliff Eklund discussed agenda items in advance of the regular meeting to include a proposal to enjoin neighboring rural counties in a lawsuit over lawmaker resolutions to increase mining taxes. Eklund also acknowledged governing board concern that rural counties could make up a China Springs Youth Detention facility budget shortfall after a 3-million-dollar state budget cut. Sheriff’s Sgt. Nick Czgledi was a guest of Eklund to talk about late developments in identifying Shafter Jane, a woman whose body was found near Wendover in 1993. Czgledi also described efforts to locate a missing Las Vegas man whose abandoned car was found in early

Elko City Mayor Reece Keener highlighted downtown improvements including enhanced street and parking lot lighting in collaboration with NV Energy. The mayor also discussed development plans for additional housing at the Tower Subdivision along Lamoille Highway near the Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital. Significant infrastructure is needed in the area including an additional water tank and road improvements. Mayor Keener also underscored the opening of the Nevada Youth Challenge facility at the site of the former UNR Fire Science

Friday, February 12, 2021 Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak outlined plans to loosen current restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Nevada plans to gradually loosen its current coronavirus restrictions over the next three months before delegating decisions about business closures to local governments on May 1. Gov. Steve Sisolak said Thursday that the state’s recent progress in containing the virus prompted him to loosen restrictions on businesses and people gathering. He applauded the state’s progress in containing the virus and administering vaccines. But he said Nevada still had to work to further contain the pandemic. Today’s Elko, Live broadcast features the governor’s remarks as well as reporter

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 GBC Professors Dr. Carrie Meisner and Dr. David Freistroffer hosted the program to promote science studies at GBC including a 4-year degree that can land a student access to many jobs and career opportunities. The Bachelor of Science in Biology is an in-person offering in Elko and Pahrump. The pair also discussed a variety of pre-med professions, use of Zoom lectures and quality online courses and classes offered by GBC. Local students can take the first two years of most science degrees from GBC then transfer to

Elko City Councilwoman Mandy Simons, who also serves as the City Vice Mayor, hosted today’s program in advance of the Thursday, February 11 regular meeting. The council will host an update from NNRH CEO Steve Simpson to include the latest information on local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city council will hear an update from the city planning commission, the annual report for 2020 detailing accomplishments. The city is also poised to approve spending $675K from the special revenue fund on downtown corridor improvements to include landscaping and

Elko County Fire Chief Matt Petersen talked about the development and expansion of the fire district using proceeds from the Infrastructure Tax. Petersen also described efforts to recruit additional volunteers from throughout the service area and plans to replace aging equipment and construct stations or buildings to house apparatus. Petersen is working as the Emergency Response Manager for Elko County and helping coordinate local COVID-19 response efforts including vaccination clinics that may continue into the summer

Commissioner Karr discussed the prospects of a mining tax grab by the state in advance of a closed-door session with county attorneys to discuss the future of litigation. A judge rejected claims by Elko and other rural counties that process was violated. Karr also discussed a proposal to set up a donation fund to pay the fines of local businesses fined for violating COVID-19 health directives aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly virus. The commissioner also announced he’s considering a bid for Assembly District #33 seat as the current lawmaker is nearing term limits.