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$1.50 | TheEurekaCountyStar.com | Vol. 4 No. 11 | e Week of September 10, 2026
Shining a light on all of Eureka County. Our Mission: Inform, enlighten, educate and entertain—Enjoy the journey.
Is this you?
Big wide load rough downtown eureka Highway 50’s Big Boy Shipments
e Secrets of Watermelons By Trina Machacek Watermelons were on sale at the grocery store last weekend. I thumped and looked at two full bins of the green-eyed summer happy face makers. I don’t know why the store puts some of them outside on the sidewalk in bins? I know the melons grow in fields, but aer they are picked, I can’t see my way to buy one that has sat in the sun. No, I buy from the bins inside. ey are cooler and I figure that makes them better. But. Yes, a green and yellow lined “but.” No matter where the melon comes from, at this time of the year they are all heavier than early summer melons. Why, and what’s the secret?
Photos courtesy Robin Blanco. By Trina Machacek
I found my perfect choice that sounded as hollow as the promise I make to not have a second twinkie when there is an entire box in front of me. I knew it was ripe because of the lines that met at the stem in a slight swirl. Picking a melon is a whole thing with me. Color, thump, and checked the spot on what was the bottom as it sat and grew in the field. Making sure it wasn’t so. Everything has to be considered. Aer scrutinizing I do my best farmwife choosing. en I bent to grab my smallish choice to put it in my cart. UMPH! It didn’t look as heavy as it actually was. It should have been a snap to roll it up the side of the bin. Slide my hand under it and li it to the cart. Somehow it was hiding a few pounds. HAHA, but aren’t we all!? When I buy a new watermelon I let it sit in the fridge for a day or two to get as cold as it can get all the way through. en the feasting can begin. What amazed me about this late August piece of fruit was, again, how remarkably heavy it was. It reminded me of the short story Mark Twain wrote in 1865, e Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. How the little boys poured lead shot into the competing frogs so they could not out-jump their frogs. I would have sworn that someone had put lead shot in this melon. It should have weighed maybe six or seven pounds, but it came in at over near fieen! I know. I weighed the thing. When I cut the rind the cut ran ahead of the knife, a very good sign of ripeness. en the juice ran out onto the counter like a red sticky river of goodness. e meaty fruit was as sweet as any melon could be. You’re licking your lips at the thought of a cool bite, right? Of course I could not just let it go—that weight. It was a good thing that melons were on sale by the piece at $4.99 each. Shoot if it had been sold by the pound at even fiy cents a pound it would have been near $7.50. Oh, worth every penny, but I am a girl that loves a sale. Not wanting to let it go, of course I Googled my weighted quandary. One thing I learned is that I am not imagining that my late August melon weighs more than the one of approximately the same size I bought in May. I know they were about the same size in measuring because I have learned over time that my eyes can sometimes be bigger than my tummy. at will always lead to a melon that gets mushy and mealy before I can gobble up that last end piece. But, why is this thing so heavy? Here’s the short answer. “Because.” Isn’t that the ultimate answer to questions. at and this one, “Because I said so,” is also an ultimate answer. Moving on. Actually the answer is quite remarkable and undeniably easy to understand. It’s because the days are longer. Making the melons grow and become fuller of water as they grow in the heat of the summer. It stands to reason that things in gardens and in farmer’s fields would grow and grow as the season grows in length too. I mean have you ever seen the pictures of what grows in Alaska in the summer? Where they have the land of the midnight sun. e gardeners happily post pictures of forty-pound heads of cabbage and huge carrots. Bugs Bunny would be in 7th Heaven living in Alaska in the summer. Probably not so much in the winter. Even though a bunny has an attached rabbit coat, there are limits. Even for bunnies. Enjoy the extra pounds of your summer delights. Trina lives in Diamond Valley, north of Eureka, Nevada. She loves to hear from readers. Email her at itybytrina@yahoo. Really!
e Star reported the coming attraction of a line of wide HUGE loads coming through our town and across Nevada. e move as outlined below has begun. “Starting Monday, Aug. 17, drivers across Nevada and Utah may spot a series of a dozen massive superloads carrying crystallizer components bound for acker Pass on U.S. Route 50. the arrival of these crystallizers are another marker of construction progress at acker Pass.” On August 29, the first of the crystallizers came through Eureka and the move was captured by Robin Blanco as she was working at Champs service stationconvenience store on Main Street in Eureka. FYI: e empty truck was seen going back to Utah on the morning of August 31. e load was hauled with one semi in front and one pushing in back. e load is carried on the tires of 15 duel-tired axels and two single axled drivers on each truck. at is 124 tires keeping the load going on down the road. Each of the massive crystallizer components (specifically the brine concentrator heater bodies)
To put the size in perspective, the Owl club sign is approximately 42 feet high and the Opera House is approx. 62 feet high, both are dwarfed by the load as it passed by on Main Street in Eureka, Nevada August 29.
being moved from Great Basin Industrial in Plymouth, Utah to the acker Pass lithium project in Nevada has a combined transport weight exceeding 800,000 lbs., (400 tons) including the truck and trailer. e absolute record for the heaviest highway load in Nevada history was a 2.4-million-pound decommissioned nuclear reactor pressure vessel moved in 2020, that massive convoy bypassed U.S. Route 50 in favor of U.S. Route 93 and State Route 318 through Lund and down through e Narrows. Travelers along the route may see law enforcement escorts, staging trucks overnight in designated areas, and temporary traffic pauses as loads move through. (Editor’s note: In Eureka we call the route on highway 318, the Lund cutoff going to Las Vegas which saves us 42 miles— ‘bout 40 minutes, which translates into one pit stop a bag of Cheetos and one soda!) Lithium Americas reported, “Superload shipment timeframes will be posted by Nevada Department of Transportation to NVRoads.com before transportation day. Lithium Americas will also share shipment updates in our weekly community newsletter so Nevada residents and travelers can plan ahead. To read more about the superloads scan the QR-code.”
The 600 mile route the loads will be taking from Plymouth, Utah to Thacker Pass, Nevada.
TIDDLES-N-BITTLES are you this old? If you are that old or just want to learn about what it was that made a car go VAROOOOM, the Eureka VFW car show wants to see and show your car. Fill out the form (see page 5 in this edition of e Star) and enter your baby in the upcoming September Car Show & Burn Out Contest in Eureka! Prizes, food and bragging rights galore. semi trailer fire On Aug. 21 Crescent Valley Fire, Beowawe Fire, Eureka County Sheriff's, and Battle Mtn. Fire responded to a semi trailer fire with small wildland extension on I-80 MM267. Wildland fire was contained quickly and the trailer fire was contained shortly aer there were several areas of the trailer that took some time to cool down.
what day will we get our first freeze? e ‘Ber’ months have arrived. Septem-ber, October-ber, Novem-ber and Decem-ber. A cooling off time has arrived in the high mountain desert of Eureka County. Morning temperatures have already dipped into the mid-40’s. Have you a guess as to what day we will get our first freeze? If so, let us know and we will report as it happens. Send your guesstimation date and temperature to trina@theeurekacountystar.com with “freeze guess” in the subject line.
IN THIS EDITION Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Worship Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Johnny’s Tech Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Market Prices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Ask A Doc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Tried & True . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 From our Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Commissioners News & Notes . . . . . .5
Senior Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Courts & Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Page 2 | Vol. 4 No. 11
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
wool at it’s finest By the UNR Nevada Today Pubication About 200 Raer 7 rams, internationally known for the quality of their wool and developed and raised by the University of Nevada, Reno, will be sold as part of an annual event that attracts livestock producers from around the country.
Photo Credit Robert Moore/ UNR Nevada Today Publication. e Raer 7 Ram Sale begins at 1 p.m., Sept. 12, at the Eureka County Fairgrounds in Eureka, Nevada, off U.S. Highway 50, about 250 miles east of Reno. Animals will be available for inspection there beginning at 8 a.m., and there will be a welcome luncheon featuring lamb at noon. At 1 p.m., the Raer 7 line of Merino X Rambouillet and purebred Merino rams will be sold. Buyers may choose yearlings for greater potential productive lifespan or two-year-olds for a clearer view of mature size and wool characteristics. e Raer 7 are grown under range conditions in the high‐desert mountain ranges of Nevada and based out of the University’s Great Basin Research & Extension Center, a 644-acre ranch where research is conducted. e Raer 7 were initially developed over 30 years ago by the University’s Experiment Station, which is a unit of the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, under the direction of Hudson Glimp, professor emeritus, and Tom Filbin, herd manager from which the original Rambouillet seed stock was purchased. “Our goal is to provide high-quality rams for the sheep industry that are adapted to rangeland conditions,” said Scott Huber, senior assistant director with the Experiment Station and leader of the Raer 7 Merino Sheep Program.
“With the Raer 7 Program, we strive to constantly provide profit-building genetics for the sheep industry, not only for top-notch wool, but also for quality meat. Refining of management practices and breeding strategies are continuing to make improvements in the flock.” Huber says the results from the shearing this April were very impressive. e quantity of wool increased 4.5% over last spring, but more importantly, the quality of the wool jumped significantly. is spring, 9,737 lbs. of wool were graded at the highest level, Superfine, compared to 4,421 lbs. receiving this grade last year. Huber said that through research, artificial insemination, data analysis and constant focus, the modern-day, dual‐purpose bloodlines have proven to enhance sheep industry profits. Emphasis is on quality wool production, lambing rates, hardiness, longevity and herding instinct, among others, as profitable production traits. Proceeds from the sale will benefit continuing research on the Raer 7, as well as other research conducted at the Center focusing on sustainable grazing management of rangelands, livestock production, water-limited crop production and alternative irrigation strategies. At this year’s sale, Eureka veterinarian Dr. Darla Baumann will be in attendance to provide health certificates, if needed, at the buyer’s expense. Catalogs with the latest information on the animals for sale will be mailed and available on the Ram & Ewe Sheep Sale webpage in late August. e information in the catalog will provide pertinent data to aid in selection choice for conception, mothering, weaning weights and wool. ose who can’t attend in person may arrange to participate in the sale via telephone bidding. For more information, email Huber or call him at 775-544-1163. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information. is sale is open to the public to come out and watch and enjoy.
Wool of university-bred Rafter 7 sheep getting even finer: Annual Ram Sale Set for Sept. 12, in Eureka, Nevada
e Week of September 10, 2026
Ask A Doc! With Dr. Ty B. Erickson, M.D. FPMRS “Ask A Doc” is written by Ty Erikson M.D. FPMRS. Besides his practice in Las Vegas, Ty travels the world helping women with medical needs. He and his family have been Nevadan’s developing mining enterprises. His son also has a farm in Diamond Valley. We are over the moon excited to have him be part of our family. Dr. Ty is straight forward with a smile.
EYE! Of course, as school starts, I know, Q PINK I just know there will be things my 4th grader will bring home. I am ready for the colds and easy things. But twice in the past year he came home with Pink Eye. It may sound unkind, but I know which child he gets it from. So, I ask my kid to try to stay away, but as little kids do, they play together and pink eye comes home. My question is this: Is there something other than keeping my son away from this other boy (which isn't really an easy option) to protect him and Pink Eye this year? ank you, A Frustrated Mom eye is a common infection of the mucous membrane in A Pink the eye. e medical term is conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is most oen caused by a virus – adenovirus which is extremely contagious. Occasionally bacteria, allergies and chemicals that reach the eye may present with the same appearance. It transmits via touch including hands, towels or other frequently shared items including eye make up kits. For little kids there is almost no way to “isolate” them. As you said, kids are kids. If children have pink eye they should not go to school until resolved. e CDC states: “Most cases of acute, infectious conjunctivitis are viral and self-limited; these cases do not require antimicrobial treatment. Antiviral medication may be used to treat more serious forms of conjunctivitis. is can include conjunctivitis caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus.” e last two - herpes and shingles are fairly rare and have other obvious symptoms. It is good to teach kids to try and wash hands frequently and not to share towels. Since it generally is not serious and more of a nuisance I suggest just chalk it up as childhood living!
Please send in your questions to Ask A Doc! Send questions to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com
e Week of September 10, 2026
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
smart glasses Part 1: A New Look at Privacy
Johnny’s Tech Corner For years, it has been pretty obvious when someone was recording you. ey had to pull out a phone, point the camera in your direction, and usually stare at the screen while doing it. You might not like being recorded, but at least you knew it was happening. Smart glasses are changing that. Today’s models can look remarkably similar to ordinary sunglasses while hiding cameras, microphones, speakers, and artificial intelligence inside the frames. ey can take photographs, record video, make calls, and interact with AI while the person wearing them appears to simply be looking around. at’s impressive technology, but it also raises some interesting questions about privacy. are they reCordiNg? Current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses feature an LED that lights up when the camera is recording. Meta specifically describes that light as a way of letting people nearby know that a recording is taking place. But an indicator on the corner of someone’s glasses isn’t nearly as obvious as a phone pointed directly at you. From across a room or outside in bright Nevada sunlight, would you even notice it?
ere’s another concern. Any visible indicator could potentially be covered or obscured. Manufacturers have developed safeguards intended to discourage tampering with recording indicators, but no little light should be considered a guarantee that everyone nearby will know when a wearable camera is operating. We’re entering a world where a camera may be present without looking like a camera, and our social rules haven’t really caught up to that yet. puBliC doesN’t always meaN private We already encounter cameras constantly. Security systems, video doorbells, dash cams, and smartphones record an enormous amount of daily life. Generally, walking through a public place doesn’t carry the same expectation of privacy as sitting inside your home. Smart glasses are different because the camera travels with the person wearing it. Someone could potentially record while walking through a store, eating in a restaurant, attending an event, or simply having a conversation with you. Nevada law also makes this more complicated than simply saying recording is legal because one person knows about it. State law treats telephone communications and private in-person conversations differently, and secretly recording a private conversation between other people can create legal problems. In other words, don’t assume wearing the camera automatically gives you permission to record everything around you.
TRIED AND TRUE Eureka Cooks By Trina Macahcek Fair time is Nevada has come and gone for the 2026 year and if you didn’t get your “fair-share” for all the yummy and tummy expanding fair food let us give you a reason to extend your taste buds a little bit—and bite longer. e funnel cake has been a staple of fair food for as long as I can remember. Sadly our Eureka County Fair is too small to entice the funnel cake lady to come here. But of course that will not stop the funnel cake madness that has become, over the years, something that I have wanted to create in my kitchen. So recently when I ran across a “give it a try” recipe? Well the results were such that I wanted to share with anyone who loves them as much as I do. And to introduce them to those who have not ever experienced the sweet taste of success of waiting year aer year for this sweet toothy prize. Enjoy! Start small—this is for two cakes. Get the hang of
Vol. 4 No. 11 | Page 3
we may Need some New maNNers e bigger question may not be what’s legal, but what’s courteous. Imagine sitting across from someone at lunch who is wearing smart glasses. Are they recording? What if you’re inside someone’s home, at a doctor’s appointment, in a business meeting, or talking with a neighbor about something personal? We already understand that pointing a phone camera at someone during a private conversation without asking is rude. Smart glasses may require a similar rule: if you’re going to record someone, tell them. Businesses, schools, workplaces, and private property owners will likely develop their own rules as these devices become more common. a New teChNology aNd a New QuestioN None of this means smart glasses are bad technology. Next week we’ll look at the other side because their potential benefits are genuinely impressive, particularly for accessibility, navigation, and hands-free assistance. Every new technology forces us to reconsider some old assumptions. For decades, we could usually tell when a camera was pointed at us. Smart glasses are changing that. e question isn’t whether the technology should exist. It’s how we use it without forgetting that the people on the other side of the lens deserve some consideration too. Stay sharp, Eureka!
fairly good funnel Cakes
making then go up from there. It will take a few “pours” to make them the happy mouth bites you will come to love. YES! Only two ingredients.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Sprite 1/2 cup Pancake mix (I use Krusteaz buttermilk mix) direCtioNs Mix these two in a pitcher with a spout to pour from. You might need to add a bit more sprite to make the batter the consistency of pancake batter—maybe a titch thinner than you are used to. (It will take practice and of course you and your family will have to endure eating a few practice tries!) Heat a scant 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a small skillet. I found what works best is my 6-inch “two-friedegg” sized skillet. at size will corral the batter into the round design that Funnel Cakes are famous for being.
When the oil is hot start to pour the batter in a nice pencil sized flow in a swirly or circular motion and then crisscross design, using about half the batter of this small batch will make one cake. Slow and steady. Fry until you see it has browned, maybe a minute, turn the cake with a tong or slotted utensil. Fry the second side maybe another 45 seconds or so, and then turn once more, let it fry for a few more seconds and then remove to drain on a paper plate or towel. toppiNgs Next step is personal preference. I have always bought mine with powdered sugar sprinkled on them, so that is what I do at home. Other toppings are cinnamon sugar, chocolate or maple syrup. Whipped cream. Carmel sauce, raspberry chipotle or strawberry jam. e sky is the limit. DELICIOUSNESS is what you like.
Page 4 | Vol. 4 No. 11
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
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Are you a person who is interested in what is new and what is cutting edge? Ste aside Friday September 7 and participate in one of the newest ways to adopt a wild horse: a competitive bid, televised wild horse adoption. e Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is offering qualified individual the chance to adopt mares or geldings gathered from rangelands in Nevada. Or you may choose a saddle-ready wild horse trained in Wyoming at the Riverton honor camp. To participate you must be pre-approved and have a bidder’s number. Call BLM’s toll free number for that information at 1-800-633-6094. Nevada horses may be picked up at the National Wild Horse and Burro center at Palomino valley just 20 miles north of Reno-Sparks, or they will be transported to one of the other BLM-managed facilities… …Bidding on each animal starts at $125…
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4 Eureka at Champs Station 4 e Phoenix Convenience Store 4 Red Barn General Store 4 Urban Cowboy Bar and Grill 4 Country Cottage
25 Years Ago On Cutting Edge
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Eureka has a varied and long history. e snippets we offer here are drawn from the Eureka Sentinels of our past. Enjoy!
September 6, 2001
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e Week of September 10, 2026
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Crossword Sponsored by Eureka Tourism and Recreation Board
Eureka Restoration’s Art, Wine & Music Fest
50 Years Ago
Saturday, Sept. 19 | Art, Wine Trail Run & Food | Eureka Main Street
September 11, 1976
CROSSWORD
by Mark McClain
Across 1. Cried 5. Seat of Florida’s most populous county 10. TV forensic series 2000-15 13. Bar between wheels 14. Fall bloomer 15. Chow for dobbin 16. Doe or buck 17. Serious play 18. Little bottle 19. Mischievous tot 21. Little flap 22. Oddly frightening 23. Retail transaction 25. Muzzler-loader accessories 27. Surprised exclamation 30. Symphonic bow-wielders 32. Atomic centers 34. Parisian water 35. Bacon go-with 39. "For ___ us a child is born" 40. Closes securely 42. Carrier to Tel Aviv (2 wds.) 43. Injure with a knife 44. Baseball official, informally 45. Switch from medium to large 47. Espresso servers 50. Place for flowers 51. Socks with diamonds 54. Too 56. Curie or Tussaud 57. Cry 59. Rising and falling waters 63. Señoras, in France (abbr.) 64. How a romantic restaurant may be lit 66. Unclothed 67. Support a crook 68. Recipient of a charitable gift 69. Joint in a pants leg 70. Negative prefix 71. Catty 72. Mail
Down 1. Crumples (up) 2. Corporate biggie (abbr.)
EUREKA COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Austin Ringler
Bible Study 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Each Sunday NEW ADDRESS: 121 Buel Street, Eureka
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Court statement Details of a deal Insane Where Tel Aviv is Slightly (2 wds.) Lincoln ___ (MLK speech site) George Gershwin’s lyricist brother 10. Capital of Egypt 11. Dignified 12. Cruise stops 15. Supervises 20. Walk the floor 22. Rescue squad pro (abbr.) 24. Free time 26. Not unexpectedly (2 wds.) 27. Burden 28. Search 29. Eight (prefix) 31. Skater’s feats 33. One trying to influence public policy 36. Smooth-talking 37. Stare 38. Winter conveyance 41. Stuff coming out the exhaust pipe 46. "Hey, you!"
48. Lager alternative 49. Set aside for now 51. Capital of Jordan 52. Warrior played by Sylvester Stallone 53. Earth-friendly 55. Calls from a pigpen 58. Luxury hotel name 60. Sand hill near a beach 61. Biblical garden spot 62. Gardener’s purchase 64. Degree for an orthodontist (abbr.) 65. "___ haw!" (cowpoke’s "Hurrah!")
(Editor’s note: Senator Cannon served 4 terms in Congress for Nevada. He was decisive and well liked and backed well in Rural Nevada.)
100 Years Ago September 11, 1926 (Editor’s note: Busy railroad week in Eureka in 1926.)
DIAMOND VALLEY MENNONITE CHURCH Pastor Curvin Martin
Bible Study 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Monthly Singing First Sunday at 6 p.m.
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e Week of September 10, 2026
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
Vol. 4 No. 11 | Page 5
Eureka County Commissioners News & Notes Market Prices and Notes Sponsored by your Commissioners: Rich McKay, Marty Plaskett and Mike Schoenwald
We Need Every Eureka County Business Listed on the Eureka County Website Eureka County is a hardworking and self-made community made up of some of the toughest local business owners who have decided that being their own boss is something they desire. at desire is coupled with wanting to offer JOBS, services and goods to our communities. at is one reason the county father’s (not sexist-just the way the saying goes!) have added a Business Listing Directory on the county website. It’s there. It’s a free worldwide advertising opportunity for every open for business having Eureka’s needs and future in their site to take advantage of. Over the years since the new website has been in place, Michael Mears, Eureka County Assessor and County Webmaster, has diligently taken on the job of keeping this business listing clean of numerous sly businesses that have wanted to “corrupt” the listing. He has weeded out those dime a dozen shady and somewhat dubious internet businesses that have tried to fill the pages of our locally offered services. Each of the the delicate and dedicated listings of what is available and first class is looked at and then added. is assures any customers looking for reliable information will always get just that: good reliable goods and services.
Businesses are not all centered in Eureka however. As we are a huge part of the mining industry and the farming industry, the business directory is open to secondary businesses that may be located elsewhere, but would be helpful to those and other industries within our county and nearby too. Many of our local businesses are the only game in town and it is and has been the mindset of many that advertising is not as necessary as one would think. at is up for debate today as it has been in the past and will be into the far, far future. But today, today with all the new people in town who don’t know that cousin Bob does chimney sweeping or this and that, and Aunt Mary cares for children, or animals when pets need to be cared for. Yes, if you have a business in Eureka County you can “advertise” on the county’s dime. Have you wanted to know or tell people who in our area sells propane, wholesale fuels ad products, parts, accessories, plants, has baked goods for sale, can help with computer repairs… Or who in the area carries DEF or makes great breakfast burritos? Or who can fix a flat, has hay for sale locally or internationally, hosts a car show, has a movie night, works on wells… Advertising is not for just your family and friends it works for your future customers who are the future of your business. e form is as easy as falling down in the winter. YIKES! See a sample of the form and a listing below:
Well of course e Eureka County Star is listed on the County Web site! It is a growing business and wants to let people know they are here and are the BEST Local Newspaper that covers all of Eureka County—and as a plus, other businesses advertise in their pages too. To list your business go to Home | Eureka County, click on Business & Development and Add Your Business. It’s a free service today and always.
WHO DOESN’T LOVE FREE?!
OUR MARKET AND PRICES Eureka produces some important products that are delivered world wide. Here we will endeavor to report up-to-date market prices for Eureka County produced products. Let us know how we are doing or if we need to adjust our list. These are spot prices as of our Friday Deadlines. Prices: September 4, 2026
First Crop 2026 Dairy Quality
Alfalfa Tested Big Bales $220 - $240 per ton Alfalfa Tested Sm Bales $250 - $320 per ton Timothy Hay
$17.00 - $21.00 per bale
Live Top Cows
$1.756 per pound
Gold
$4,502.80 per ounce
Silver
$67.76 per ounce
Copper
$6.65 per pound
Vanadium (FeV)
$5.36 per pound EU
Brent Crude Oil
$89.26 per barrel
eureKa seNior CeNter meNu 20 W GOLD STREET, EUREKA, NV | 775-237-5597 Lunch Served Monday - Friday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Non-seniors lunch is $7, Suggested seniors donation is $3. Monday, Sept. 14 Corn Dog Corn French Fries Tropical Fruit Rice Krispies Treat
Tuesday, Sept. 15 Night Dinner @ 4:30 p.m. Beef Brisket Pork & Beans Baked Potato Garlic Bread Ice Cream Sandwich
Wednesday, Sept. 16 Beef & Cheese Burrito Spanish Rice Mexican Coleslaw Applesauce Cookie
Thursday, Sept. 17 Turkey w/ Gravy Over White Rice Broccoli Fruited Jell-O
Friday, Sept. 18 Breakfast 9 a.m. Ham & Eggs Benedict Hashbrowns Fruited Yogurt
fa N N i e Kom p se N ior C e N t e r 28 7TH STREET, CRESCENT VALLEY, NV | 775-468-0466 | Non-seniors lunch is $7, Suggested seniors donation is $3. Monday, Sept. 14 Night Dinner @ 4:30 p.m. Huli Huli Chicken Luau Rice Hawaiian Mac Salad WW Dinner roll Pineapple Cake
Tuesday, Sept. 15 Cheeseburger Skillet Tossed Salad w/w Dinner Roll Fruit Cocktail
Wednesday, Sept. 16 Tortilla Crusted Tilapia Rice Pilaf Asparagus 3 Bean Salad Apple w/ Peanut Butter
Thursday, Sept. 17 Baked Chicken Butternut Squash Peas & Carrots Garden Salad Orange Mango Cup Cracked Wheat Bread
Friday, Sept. 18 Breakfast 9 a.m. Biscuits & Gravy Scrambled Eggs Country Potatoes w/ Peppers & Onions Fresh Honeydew
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
Page 6 | Vol. 4 No. 11
Eureka Meetings, Courts and Arrest Recaps Aug. 20 – Sept. 1, 2026 Editor’s note from Trina Machacek, Publisher-Editor of e Eureka County Star Dear Residents and Readers, It is our intent to bring you local government information in a timely manner. We obtain local news as it comes to us from local individuals and our staff. If you take anything away from this note, as you read our reports of meetings and gatherings, remember this. When reading the recaps we publish: “Two people can hear the same things at a meeting or gathering and come away with two very different points of view. Just ask your family what you heard and what was said at your last family gathering. YIKERS! I am trying to report as best I can in our little community. If you ever feel the need to say something, have questions about things in e Star, please contact me about the content of our lovely and much-loved newspaper. I welcome your notes to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com.” Submitted Articles
Arrest Recaps For the dates of August 20, 2026 – September 1, 2026, there were two arrests reported. Friday, August 28, 2026, Toni Michelle Cannon was arrested by Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Trooper Uribe on suspicion of driving under the influence and use of a cellphone while driving. Ms. Cannon subsequently bailed out of jail. Monday, August 31, 2026, Tyson Eugene Steve was arrested by Eureka County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Hoggard and Undersheriff Hicks on suspicion of intimidating a public employee, assault on a protected person, and a probation hold. A pretrial custody hearing was set for Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Justice Court News Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Eureka County Justice Court, Justice of the Peace Dorothy Rowley presiding, conducted an arraignment hearing in the matter of the State of Nevada v. Jarrod Christifer Benavidez, Case Number 26 CR 00032 7D. Present in person was Defendant Benavidez without counsel. The State of Nevada was excused from appearing. Defendant Benavidez entered pleas of not guilty to failure to maintain lane, a misdemeanor in violation of NRS 484B.200 and NRS 484A.705; open container, a misdemeanor in violation of NRS 484B.150; and first offense driving under the influence, a misdemeanor in violation of NRS 484C.110 and NRS 484C.400. Mr. Benavidez requested the appointment of the public defender and the request was granted. A misde-
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF NEVADA NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO REVISE TARIFF On August 21, 2026, Citizens Telecommunications Company of Nevada d/b/a Frontier Communications of Nevada (“Citizens”) filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (“Commission”) an application under Advice Letter No. NV-26-01, designated as Docket No. 26-08008, for the Elko Division to revise Tariff No. 1-B to grandfather select non-Lifeline services provided over copper facilities for new customers. This notice serves only to notify the public that the Commission has received the abovereferenced filing. It is the responsibility of interested persons to review the filing and monitor the proceedings to determine their desired levels of involvement based on how this matter may affect their unique situations. The details provided within this notice are for informational purposes only and are not meant to be an all-inclusive overview of the filing. The Commission may consider and adopt alternative proposals not contained within the filing but which are related to the subject matter of the filing and supported by substantial evidence. Citizens’ filed the application in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) and the Nevada Administrative Code (“NAC”) Chapters 703 and 704, including, but not limited to, NRS 704.100 and NAC 703.400. Interested and affected persons may file comments or petitions for leave to intervene pursuant to NAC 703.578 through 703.600 on or before WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026. A person who wishes to participate as a commenter may file written comments pursuant to NAC 703.491. A commenter is not a party of record and shall not take any action that only a party of record may take. Pursuant to NAC 703.500, only parties of record are entitled to enter an appearance, introduce relevant evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, make arguments, make and argue motions and generally participate in the proceeding. The application is available for public viewing at the Commission’s website at: https://puc.nv.gov; and at the offices of the Commission: 1150 East William Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701 and 9075 West Diablo Drive, Suite 250, Las Vegas, Nevada 89148. A person must make a written request to be placed on the service list for this proceeding to receive any further notices in this matter. By the Commission,
e Week of September 10, 2026
meanor bench trial was set for Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Eureka County Justice Court, Justice of the Peace Dorothy Rowley presiding, conducted a hearing in the matter of State of Nevada v. Caleb Mckinley Spurlock in Case Number 26 CR 00040 7D. Present in person was Defendant Spurlock without counsel. The State previously informed the parties he was unavailable to appear. The Court appointed the public defender to represent Mr. Spurlock in future proceedings. The Court then set a preliminary hearing September 3, 2026 for unlawful and intentional killing of pronghorn antelope, a category E felony / gross misdemeanor in violation of NRS 501.376(1); and unlawful possession of pronghorn antelope, a gross misdemeanor in violation of NRS 501.376(4). Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Eureka County Justice Court, Justice of the Peace Dorothy Rowley presiding, was present to conduct an arraignment hearing in the matter of the State of Nevada v. Evan Ballard, Case Number 26 CR 00027 7D. Present via audiovisual Zoom connection was Defendant Ballard with his court appointed counsel Jane Eberhard, Esq. The State of Nevada was excused from appearing. The State previously submitted a motion to the Court to continue the arraignment because the evidentiary test results from the Washoe County Crime Lab were not complete, and a criminal complaint could not be appropriately filed prior to the arraignment hearing without knowing the blood test results. After considering argument against the continuance from defense counsel, the Court granted the State’s motion to continue the arraignment hearing. The Court reset the arraignment hearing to September 22, 2026. Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Eureka County Justice Court, Justice of the Peace Dorothy Rowley presiding, conducted an arraignment hearing in the matter of the State of Nevada v. Jacob Dodson, Case Number 26 CR 00034 7D. Present in person was Defendant Dodson without counsel. The State of Nevada was excused from appearing. Defendant Dodson entered not guilty to failure to maintain lane, a misdemeanor in violation of NRS 484B.200 and NRS 484A.705; and first offense driving under the influence, a misdemeanor in violation of NRS 484C.110 and NRS 484C.400. Mr. Dodson requested the appointment of the public defender and the request was granted. A misdemeanor bench trial was set for Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
The Devil’s Gate General Improvement District and County Commission News for the September 1, 2026 Meetings The Devil’s Gate General Improvement District (GID) meeting began at 9:15 a.m. Chair Marty Plaskett, Vice Chair Rich McKay, and member Mike Schoenwald were all present in person or via audiovisual connection. The GID Board approved the April 21, 2026 minutes. The Board also approved a ¾-inch residential water meter and service application to serve APN 007-380-46 located in Devil’s Gate GID. After a short time, this meeting adjourned. During the Devil’s Gate GID and Commission meeting, a speaker phone was activated for those who wish to phone in and listen to the meetings. The Board of Eureka County Commissioners also met at the County Courthouse at 10 South Main Street in Eureka, Nevada beginning at 9:30 a.m., on September 1, 2026 following the GID meeting for their regular meeting to conduct County business. The Crescent Valley Town Hall was connected to the meeting via videoconference, and a “dial in” and listen option was also activated for the meeting. Present for the meeting were Deputy Clerk Recorder Katelyn Ziemann, later joined by Clerk Recorder Kathy Bowling, Chair Rich McKay, Vice Chair Marty Plaskett, Member Mike Schoenwald via the AV link, and District Attorney Ted Beutel. This meeting was sparsely attended. The public is reminded to come and watch government in action! The agenda was approved with no modification. The Board called for and received no public comments. The Board approved the July 21, 2026, August 4, 2026 and August 18, 2026 Commission meeting minutes. Kim Todd, Eureka County Comptroller, presented bills to the Board for approval and payment. Expenditures in the total amount of $2,420,890.90 were approved by the Board, with accounts payable adding up to $1,820,953.52 and payroll totaling $599,937.38. Questions were posed by the Board about paying White Pine County for inmates, an EMS housing rental, the retiree health insurance subsidy, and an old voucher from the Sheriff’s Office. The Board also reviewed the fund balance report. [ Continued on page 7 ]
Please Join Us For
YOUTH GROUP Every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the Month 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Drop off at Old Elementary Gym Pickup at the Eureka Community Church Pastor Austin Ringler
TRISHA OSBORNE, Assistant Commission Secretary Dated: Carson City, Nevada 8/26/26 Published in The Eureka County Star September 10, 2026
Games, Worship, Food, Activities, Life Lessons NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE FILE NO 25-12-030-FCL | DATED: August 26, 2026
Sponsored by Eureka Community Church Contact Galen Byler at 775-318-0059 for a ride.
On September 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM, Nevada Trust Deed Services, as duly appointed or substituted Trustee under and pursuant to the Deed of Trust (the “Deed of Trust”) recorded as Instrument No. 2021-245531, and as modified or amended, if applicable, in the Office of the County Recorder of EUREKA County, Nevada executed by LOCE Enterprises, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (as to Parcel 1) and Leslie Trevino, an unmarried woman (as to Parcel 2) by reason of now continuing default in the payment or performance of obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, including the Notice of Breach and Election to Sell Under Deed of Trust which was recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of EUREKA County, Nevada, by the beneficiary and the undersigned more than three months prior to the date thereof, WILL CAUSE TO BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at the time of sale in lawful money of the United States of America) at the front entrance to Eureka County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street, Eureka, NV 89316, all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: LOT D OF PARCEL NO. 3 AS SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN PARCEL MAP FOR MARION AND LENA VAN VLIET, FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA ON APRIL 6, 1989, AS FILE NO. 126926, LOCATED IN A PORTION OF LOT 11, SECTION 28, TOWNSHIP 20 NORTH, RANGE 53 EAST, M.D.B.&M. EXCEPTING THEREFROM ALL THE OIL AND GAS LYING IN AND UNDER SAID LAND, AS RESERVED BY THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA, IN PATENT RECORDED DECEMBER 30, 1965, IN BOOK 9, PAGE 422, OFFICIAL RECORDS OF EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA. FURTHER EXCEPTING THEREFROM 1/2 OF ALL MINERAL RIGHTS, OIL OR GAS LYING IN AND UNDER SAID LAND AS RESERVED BY EDWIN C. BISHOP AND LETA B. BISHOP, HIS WIFE, IN DEED RECORDED AUGUST 23, 1978, IN BOOK 65, PAGE 317, OFFICIAL RECORDS, EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA. EXCEPTING THEREFROM THE MOBILE HOME OR MANUFACTURED HOUSING UNIT AND APPURTENANCES, IF ANY, LOCATED ON SAID LAND. Together with any and all improvements, personal property and fixtures located thereon or otherwise described in the Deed of Trust and in any other instruments in favor of the Beneficiary, and all singular tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining, rents, issues and profits thereof. Commonly known as: 617 Sharrow Circle Drive, Eureka, NV 89316, APN: 007-380-55 If a street address or common designation of property is shown, no warranty is given as to its completeness or correctness. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal balance of the obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, to wit: $170,322.89 together with interest, fees, premiums and charges thereon, as provided in said Promissory Note and related loan documents, advances, if any, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of Trustee and of the Trusts created by said Deed of Trust. NEVADA TRUST DEED SERVICES By: Michele Dobar, Foreclosure Officer.
On September 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM, Nevada Trust Deed Services, as duly appointed or substituted Trustee under and pursuant to the Deed of Trust (the “Deed of Trust”) recorded as Instrument No. 2022-247908, and as modified or amended, if applicable, in the Office of the County Recorder of EUREKA County, Nevada executed by LOCE Enterprises, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company by reason of now continuing default in the payment or performance of obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, including the Notice of Breach and Election to Sell Under Deed of Trust which was recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of EUREKA County, Nevada, by the beneficiary and the undersigned more than three months prior to the date thereof, WILL CAUSE TO BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at the time of sale in lawful money of the United States of America) at the front entrance to Eureka County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street, Eureka, NV 89316, all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: LOTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 AND 8 IN BLOCK 28 OF THE TOWN OF EUREKA, COUNTY OF EUREKA, STATE OF NEVADA, AS THE SAME APPEAR ON THE OFFICIAL MAP ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER, EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA. EXCEPTING THEREFROM ALL URANIUM, THORIUM OR OTHER MATERIAL WHICH IS OR MAY BE PARTICULARLY ESSENTIAL TO THE PRODUCTION OF FISSIONABLE MATERIALS LYING IN AND UNDER SAID LAND AS RESERVED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN PATENT RECORDED DECEMBER 9, 1947, IN BOOK 23, PAGE 226, DEED RECORDS OF EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA. Together with any and all improvements, personal property and fixtures located thereon or otherwise described in the Deed of Trust and in any other instruments in favor of the Beneficiary, and all singular tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining, rents, issues and profits thereof. Commonly known as: 501 S Main Street, Eureka, NV 89316, APN: 001-167-01 If a street address or common designation of property is shown, no warranty is given as to its completeness or correctness. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal balance of the obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, to wit: $49,260.29 together with interest, fees, premiums and charges thereon, as provided in said Promissory Note and related loan documents, advances, if any, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of Trustee and of the Trusts created by said Deed of Trust. NEVADA TRUST DEED SERVICES By: Michele Dobar, Foreclosure Officer.
Published in The Eureka County Star September 3, 10, and 17, 2026
Published in The Eureka County Star September 3, 10, and 17, 2026
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE FILE NO 25-12-032-FCL | DATED: August 26, 2026
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
e Week of September 10, 2026
[ Continued from page 6 ] The Board heard from Cindy Beutel of Healthy Paws of Eureka. The Board approved a donation of $5,000.00 to Healthy Paws of Eureka for spay, neuter or well-being of animals in Eureka County. The Board indicated it is willing to entertain a spay and neuter clinic for Eureka and Crescent Valley sometime in the late Fall if it can be arranged. Pernecia Johnson, Eureka County Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report for July 2026. Ms. Johnson answered questions from the Board. Misty Rowley, CIO, presented a report on IT projects and activities. Chair Rich McKay opened the public hearing at about 10:00 a.m. and invited comments on a proposed Bill Draft Request (BDR) for the Nevada Legislature to consider regarding the de minimis use of water for road maintenance. After hearing no comments from the public, the Board approved a re-submittal of the proposed BDR. Next up was Cristina Lopez, Human Resource Director, presented a report on human resource projects and activities. The Board approved a request to authorize the double fill of a currently occupied position within the Clerk Recorder’s Office, and approved the corresponding position justification form. With an election coming up the Clerk Recorder needs all the help she can get. Nichole Cooley, EMS Director presented a report on EMS projects, activities, and services provided. The two other full time EMS employees who usually accompany the EMS Director at meetings were reported to be attending class to become paramedics. The Board approved a proposal from the company known as 2862 in the amount of $50,430.00 for the purchase of 4-P25 stationary radios and 4portable radios. The Board also approved a “Silver” sponsorship of the 2027 Rural Nevada Trauma Symposium conference in Elko for $1,500.00. Sheriff Miles Umina presented a report on Sheriff’s Office projects and activities, including the response to the recent swotting call. “Swotting” is a dangerous and illegal prank and harassment tactic
where someone makes a fake emergency call to trick law enforcement into sending a heavily armed response to an area. The Board then heard from Scooter Mentaberry, Road Department Supervisor. He presented a report on Road Department projects and activities. Jake Tibbitts, Natural Resource Manager presented an item for the Nevada Division of Water Resources. The Board took no action regarding the State Engineer under the provisions of NRS 533.563 and mining water right applications 95291 and 95292 proposing to change the point of diversion and place of use of permits 57755 and 57883 within Eureka County. In accordance with NRS 533.563, notice of consideration of these water rights applications were in the Eureka County Star for three consecutive weeks. Jeb Rowley, Eureka County Public Works Director, presented an update on Public Works projects and activities. The County Pool remains closed while work continues. Mr. Rowley answered questions from the Board. The Board approved ratifying a 3/4-inch residential water meter and service application to serve APN 007-380-46 located in Devil’s Gate GID District 1 following the water well to that residence drying up. The Board approved accepting the proposal from Lumos and Associates, for an amount not to exceed $38,500.00, for the Eureka Airport – valley gutter replacement, and pavement maintenance project proposal for engineering and construction. The Board approved ratification of expenses paid to Day Engineering for engineering services for the evaluation of the Airport and SR 278 area near the Devil's Gate GID water system, including water modeling and mapping, in the amount of $7,000.00. The Board also approved ratification of Work Change Directives No. 3 and No. 4 issued under Contract PWP #: EU-2025-272 with Parsons Drilling, Inc. for the Kobeh Valley Well and Transmission Main Project, in the combined estimated amount of $1,931,375.00, pursuant to authority granted by the Board May 5, 2026. The Board approved ratification of the Memorandum of Under-
Vol. 4 No. 11 | Page 7
standing between Eureka County and Nevada Gold Mines LLC for road maintenance on Eureka County roads heavily used by NGM, for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029, with Nevada Gold Mines LLC funding an annual amount not to exceed $410,131.00. The Board approved accepting a proposal from Yesco Sign in the amount of $4,378.00, for replacement of wall signs at the Eureka Senior Center and the Fannie Comp Senior Center. The Board also approved accepting proposal from Yesco in the amount of $11,632.00, for replacement of the double-sided monument sign at the Eureka Medical Clinic. The Board also approved entering into a contract with Custom Painting & Decorating Inc., in an amount not to exceed $99,760.00, for the Eureka County Courthouse – Exterior Repaint Project. While some of the expenditures approved through Public Works include federal and state grants, the total approved here added up to $2,502,776.00. Jake Tibbitts, Eureka County Natural Resource Manager, presented a report on current and emerging natural resource issues affecting Eureka County. Mr. Tibbitts answered questions from the Board. The Board reviewed a list of correspondence read out loud by the Deputy Clerk. Public comments were called for. No comments were received in Crescent Valley or Eureka. The Board stated it plans to see some medical providers at their next meeting, and may consider what public lands it may wish to see available for municipal and private use in the near future. The Board meeting September 1, 2026 then adjourned. The next meeting of the Board is September 15, 2026. On that date in 1789 American author James Fenimore Cooper was born in Burlington, New Jersey. In 1835 the HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin on board, reached the Galapagos Islands. In 1973 Secretariat won the Marlboro Cup in a world record time of 1:45 2/5 for 1.25 miles. In 1981 the US Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor to the US Supreme Court.
APPLICATION FOR WATER NO. 95341
APPLICATION FOR WATER NO. 95079
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nevada Gold Mines LLC made application on July 16, 2026, to change the place of use of 0.0234 c.f.s. and 16.8 a.f.a. of water from Permit 89863 from an underground source in Pine Valley (053) for stockwatering purposes. Diversion is to be made within the NE1/4 NW1/4 of Section 11, T.26N., R.48E., M.D.B.&M., approximately 19 miles SSE of Crescent Valley, NV. Joe Cacioppo, P.E., State Engineer, Nevada Division of Water Resources
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nevada Gold Mines LLC (60% UDI) and Goldcorp Dee LLC (40% UDI) made application on March 6, 2026, to change the point of diversion and place of use of 1 c.f.s. and 645.2 a.f.a. of water from Permit 57757 from an underground source in Boulder Flat (061) for mining and milling purposes. Diversion is to be made within the SE1/4 SW1/4 of Section 14, T.36N., R.49E., M.D.B.&M., approximately 24 miles NW of Carlin, NV. Joe Cacioppo, P.E., State Engineer, Nevada Division of Water Resources
Published in The Eureka County Star August 20, 27, September 3, and 10, 2026
Published in The Eureka County Star August 20, 27, September 3, and 10, 2026
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6 a.m. - Midnight 775-237-5774
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Page 8 | Vol. 4 No. 11
The Eureka County Star H An Award Winning Paper
e Week of September 10, 2026
September 2026 Events Calendar Sponsored by: William Bee Ririe Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinics SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Senior Medical & Shopping Sept. 3 Crescent Valley Sept. 8 Elko Trip - Eureka Sept. 8 Mens Elko Medical Trip CV Sept. 18 Medical Trip CV Sept. 29 Medical Trip CV
3 6 Eureka Community Church 10 am Bible Study 11 am Worship Every Sunday
Vandal Sports
Sept. 12 Sept. 18 Sept. 19 Sept. 24 Sept. 25
Sept. 26
Saint Brendan’s Catholic Church 11 am
HS Volleyball @ Eureka Jr. High Volleyball @ Eureka HS Football @ Coleville HS Volleyball @ Carlin HS Football @ Carlin Jr. High Volleyball @ Battle Mt. Jr. High Football @ Battle Mt. HS Volleyball @ Eureka HS Volleyball @ Eureka Jr. High Football @ Eureka HS Volleyball @ Eureka Jr. High Volleyball @ Tonopah HS Volleyball @ Eureka Jr. High Volleyball @ Eureka Jr. High Football @ Eureka HS Volleyball @ Round Mt. HS Volleyball @ Lund
CV Baptist Bible Study 5pm
5
Eureka County Commissioner’s meeting
CV Town Board Meeting
TV Board Meeting Eureka
Eureka Farmers Market
Crescent Valley Farmers Market
Eureka TV Boad Meeting
Happy Birthday! Jacqueline Bullard, John Wear
Food Bank Eureka
Perdiz Firemen’s Picnic & Shoot
Golden Oldies Movie Night Crescent Valley
Happy Birthday! Nany Minoletti
11 8
12 9
Happy Birthday! Remembering ™Wally Cuchine, David Morrison
5 8
6 9
Labor Day
Food Bank Crescent Valley
Happy Birthday! Lisa Jones, Raymond Hodson
Happy Birthday! Peter Goicoechea
10 7
SATURDAY
Golden Groceries Patriot Day Suicide Prevention Eureka 1-2 pm Eureka Farmers walk for LIFE Market School Board Annual Ram Meeting Sale Happy Birthday! Kathy Klatt, Larry Tindal
14 Night Dinner CV Sr. Ctr. Happy Birthday! Mary Frey, Teri Hedegaard
20
21
CV & Diamond Valley Baptist Church 10 am Bible Study 11 am Worship
Happy Birthday! Joy Snowden, Larry Ballows
15
16
17
18
Eureka County Commissioner’s Meeting
CV Town Board Meeting
Community Cabinet Catholic Charities
Eureka Farmers Market
Food Bank CV
Golden Groceries CV
Night Dinner Eureka Sr. Ctr.
Food Bank Eureka SS Medicare Counselor Eureka Senior Center Happy Birthday! Imogene Cooper, Ron Archuleta
First Day of Fall
Garden Club @ Joy Snowdens 6:30pm Happy Birthday! Jimmy Davids
CV Clinic Open 7 am - 7 pm
22
28
Spay / Neuter Eureka Vet Clinic 775-237-5100
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Services start 10 am
Happy Birthday! Chris Freeman
Juvenile Probation Programs for Kids 775-237-5450
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO WILLIAM BEE RIRIE FOR SPONSORING OUR CALENDAR!
Eureka Restoration Music-Wine Walk Fest Crescent Valley Farmers Marker
Golden Oldies Movie Night Crescent Valley Happy Birthday! Jeannie Mae Ellcey
Happy Birthday! Tina Rebaleati, Mike Caldwell
24
25
26
Happy Birthday! Pamela Redgate
Happy Birthday! Phillip Brown
Eureka Farmers Market
Perdiz Bird Hunters Challenge Shoot
Happy Birthday! Cheri Sestanovich
CV Clinic Open 7 am - 7 pm
27
19
23
Happy Birthday! Kevin Dooley
Happy Birthday! Sharon Riddle, Rick Maza, Rich McKay
New Cardiac provider, Rocky Bybee, APRN at Eureka Clinic 775-237-5624
Send in a birthday for us to add to our community calendar. We would love to share your special day!
4
Kids Craft Day Sentinel Museum
Domestic Violence Help? Call 888-738-6524
Send Us Your Birthday!
3
Happy Birthday! Glinda Wertenberger, Barbara Todd
Tidbits Around Town
Sherriff’s Office Information 775-237-5330
2
Happy Birthday! Deborh Schweble
FRIDAY
CV Clinic Open 7 am - 7 pm
13
Sept. 11
1
Happy Birthday! Sherry Henry, Louise Moulton
Send with events in the subject line to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com
Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept. 10
THURSDAY
4 7
Singing & Praise 6pm Mennonite Church
Share your community events
WEDNESDAY
29
VFW Car Show, Burnout & Concert
30
Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! David Eastwood, Rhonda Gonzales, Siri Porovich George Fernandes Jr., Donald (Chug) Palmore, Beverly Stroup, Rebecca Clouse
CV Clinic Open 7 am - 7 pm
Farmers Market Friday’s in Eureka Crescent Valley Sept. 5 & 19
Eureka Library Mon. 10-4, Tue 10-4, Wed. 12-6, Thurs. 2-8, Fri. 12-6 Adult Craft Program: Thursdays 4-8 p.m. Sewing machines are available for use. Story time Mondays at 2 p.m.
Swim Team is back! Join us Monday - Thursday from 3:30-4:30 pm All ages welome! $40 per month.
Crescent Valley Library Thurs. 2:30-7, Fri. 10-2:30 Story time Fridays 10:30
EUREKA COUNTY POOL HOURS
Carlin Library Tues. 9-12,12:30-3:30, Wed-Thurs 1-4, 4:30-7:30, Fri & Sat 11-2, 2:30-5
Send to: trina@theeurekacountystar.com
Chair Aerobics
Eureka Senior Center Mon. & Wed. 1-2pm, Fri. 10-11am
Monday through Thursday 6 - 8 a.m. Open Swim 2-6 p.m. Open Swim Friday - Saturday Aquacise Monday, Wednesday & Friday 7 - 8 a.m. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Swim Team Monday through Thursday
*Some events may have changed. Please be sure to verify meeting dates.
Our Family Taking Care of Yours • 24 Hour Emergency Department • Primary Care • Internal Medicine • General Surgery • OB/GYN • Radiology • Pediatrics • Sleep Study Program • Dermatology • Pain Management
Eureka Clinic 250 S. Main Street, Eureka 775-237-5642 Non-emergent on call medical services available weekends call Sheriff's office if services required.
Crescent Valley Health Clinic 5043 Tenabo Ave., Crescent Valley 775-468-0250 William Bee Ririe Hospital and Clinic 1500 Avenue H, Ely 775-289-3001
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GreatBasinSu n.com
SECTION B
Inside Thacker Pass
The Week of September 4, 2026
Massive Lithium Project Takes Shape in Northern Humboldt County By Rachel Dahl Even on a Sunday, when activity was reduced to a fraction of a normal workday, roughly 350 people were at work building what is expected to become one of the largest sources of lithium in the United States. During the week, that number is more than 1,600 workers, traveling nearly an hour north of Winnemucca to the mine site every morning and back every night. A media tour of Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project in northern Humboldt County offered a groundlevel look at the scale of construction underway as the company moves toward mechanical completion of the first phase of the mine and processing facility in late 2027. Joining the tour was Audrey Robertson, assistant secretary of energy and head of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, which focuses on strengthening domestic mineral supply chains, processing, manufacturing, and energy technology. From the entrance, the size of the undertaking becomes apparent quickly. White tents positioned throughout the site serve as lunch areas, cooling shelters, and locations where workers badge in and out. A medical center serves the construction workforce. Beyond them, tanks, structural steel, pipe racks, processing buildings, and massive pieces of industrial equipment stretch across the site. Lithium Americas reported in August that more than $1.8 billion in construction and other project costs had been capitalized through June 30, with Phase 1 carrying an estimated total capital cost of $2.93 billion. More than 95% of detailed engineering has been completed, and procurement has passed 80%. The company expects the workforce to exceed 2,000 later this year. Construction is being managed with dozens of contractors, suppliers, and specialty companies involved in everything from concrete and steel fabrication to transportation and process equipment. During the tour, workers pointed out prefabricated pipe racks assembled with piping and cable trays before being lifted into place. Large crystallizers have begun arriving and are being installed in the processing plant, along with tanks, compressors, heat exchangers and other equipment. Lithium Americas Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Tim Crowley, said approximately
100 prefabricated pipe rack modules manufactured in Winnemucca have been delivered to the project, while major equipment continues arriving at a rate of more than 60 truckloads a day. Unlike a conventional mine where ore may be hauled elsewhere for processing, Thacker Pass is being developed as an integrated mine and chemical processing operation designed to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate on site. That requires an industrial complex substantially different from the image most people have of a Nevada mine. Among the largest components visible during the tour were tanks associated with the sulfuric acid plant. Sulfur will ultimately be transported to the area and converted into sulfuric acid used in processing the lithiumbearing clay. During startup, Crowley said purchased sulfuric acid will initially be used. The first phase is designed to produce 40,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually. Lithium Americas has laid out plans for additional phases that could eventually increase production substantially, although those expansions would require additional permitting. The federal government has a significant stake in the project. According to Jon Evans, President and CEO, Lithium Americas has received more than $1.2 billion in advances under a U.S. Department of Energy loan supporting construction. General Motors is also a joint venture partner in Thacker Pass. Secretary Robertson’s presence underscored why the project has attracted attention far beyond Humboldt County. Lithium is used in rechargeable batteries found in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, military systems, and large-scale energy storage. Federal officials increasingly view domestic production and processing of critical minerals as a national security and supply-chain issue, particularly because much of the world’s mineral processing capacity is located outside the United States. Thacker Pass is intended to do both: mine the mineral and process it into a finished lithium product in Nevada. The project has also faced years of opposition and litigation over environmental impacts and the cultural significance of the area to Native American tribes. Lithium Americas has reached a Community Benefits Agreement with the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe and says it continues tribal employment, training and culturalresource programs. Whatever the debate surrounding
From Left to Right: Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson, Vice President of Project Construction Tim Abel, President and CEO Jon Evans, Photo Courtesy Rachel Dahl
the mine, however, its physical transition from proposal to industrial project is now difficult to miss. Concrete foundations that were being poured only last year now hold multistory steel structures. Crystallizers and other specialized equipment are being set into place. High-voltage electrical equipment is being installed, and the company says modifications connecting the site to the regional power grid are complete.
On weekdays, buses carry workers from Winnemucca to Thacker Pass by the dozens, while oversized equipment and fabricated components continue making their way north. Evans said mechanical completion of Phase 1 remains targeted for late 2027, followed by commissioning and ramp-up. For now, Thacker Pass remains a construction site, but increasingly looks like a modern mining and processing plant.
Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson (right) with three of the workers at Thacker Pass and Jon Evans on the left, Photo Courtesy Rachel Dahl
A Town Within a Town
Thacker Pass Workforce Hub Houses Hundreds of Construction Workers Outside Winnemucca
By Rachel Dahl
Building a multibillion-dollar lithium project in a rural county creates a problem long before the mine begins producing anything: where do you put the workers? At Thacker Pass, the answer has been to build what amounts to a temporary community of its own. The workforce housing complex outside Winnemucca was developed to accommodate construction workers traveling to northern Humboldt County for the Lithium Americas project, where the workforce has climbed to more than 1,600 and is expected to grow further as construction continues. During a recent media tour, the housing complex looked less like the rough “man camps” associated with some remote energy projects and more like a compact hotel campus. Workers live in individual rooms equipped with televisions, storage, and basic furnishings. A central dining facility provides meals, while a small store offers snacks, drinks, and graband-go items. Recreation areas include a gym, game room, and common spaces, and company representatives said organized activities and contests are used to give workers something to do during their off-hours. The dining area is also designed around round-the-clock shift work, with food and basic items available outside normal mealtimes. For Lithium Americas, the housing complex serves a purpose beyond convenience. Company representatives said concentrating the temporary workforce in one managed location reduces the pressure that hundreds or thousands of additional workers could otherwise place on Winnemucca’s housing market, hotels, and neighborhoods. That concern is not theoretical in rural communities where large construction projects can quickly consume available hotel rooms and rental housing, driving up costs for local residents and creating additional demands on law enforcement, roads, and other services. Company officials said the alternative would have been to simply tell contractors to find housing for their own employees and leave the
surrounding community to absorb the impact. Instead, workers are housed together and are transported to the Thacker Pass construction site by bus. About 45 buses are used during peak morning and evening transportation periods, according to company representatives, with individual buses capable of carrying roughly 55 passengers. The arrangement also gives project managers more control over transportation, worker schedules and off-site activity. Security is maintained at the complex, and company officials said workers are subject to background checks. They acknowledged that problems can occur anytime a large population is concentrated in one place, but said centralized housing allows those issues to be addressed more quickly than if workers were scattered throughout the community. The complex is operated by Target Hospitality, a company that specializes in workforce accommodations for large industrial projects. Tim Crowley, Vice President of Government Affairs, said the facility has become popular enough with some employees that people who initially preferred staying in Winnemucca hotels now choose to stay at the hub instead. During the tour, one company representative said he had stayed there roughly 20 times and preferred it because he could maintain the same room and routine while working on the project. The complex is currently operating near capacity. While it was developed around the needs of Thacker Pass construction, representatives said the investment may have a life beyond the lithium project. Northern Nevada continues to see interest in mining, energy, and other large industrial developments that can require temporary workforces far larger than nearby communities can easily accommodate. That could turn what began as project housing into a longer-term regional asset. For now, however, the housing hub has one primary job: absorb the human side of one of the largest construction projects underway in rural Nevada.
The Week of September 4, 2026
The Great Basin Sun COMMENTARY
As Healthcare Shifts in Northern Nevada, We Must Protect Patient Choice
By Traci Biondi, MD
I have spent many years working in Northern Nevada healthcare as a physician and a clinical administrator. When you spend that much time in our region, you learn that large-scale structural changes in health systems are rarely just about corporate business. They shape the everyday choices families make when someone gets sick. Lately our local healthcare landscape has been undergoing a major transition. The joint venture between Renown Health and Kaiser Permanente, and broader shifts across local health plans reflect a national trend toward larger, integrated care systems. On paper, these changes are framed around streamlining care and expanding options. But as open enrollment approaches, our community needs to look carefully at what this evolution means for real patients in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and our surrounding rural counties. When health systems and insurance plans shift toward closed, highly restricted models, the natural result is a narrower path for patients. We are already seeing local seniors and families navigate new administrative rules about where they can see a primary care doctor or access specialized care. In a growing region like ours, narrowing access creates real friction for everyone involved. Consider pediatric and specialty care. Northern Nevada relies on a limited number of subspecialists, particularly in pediatric subspecialties. When rigid network boundaries make it difficult for local families to access these specialists, children and
parents end up caught in the middle of administrative rules. The same challenge applies to complex care for adults. When a patient requires a specialized procedure, the primary goal should always be to keep them close to home. If routine singlecase coverage agreements between regional health systems break down, local patients risk being directed out of state for specialized procedures that skilled local surgeons could perform right here in town. For local seniors, continuity of care is paramount. Thousands of Nevadans rely on Medicare Advantage plans to maintain long-standing relationships with doctors and hospital systems they have trusted for decades. Sudden administrative exclusions or abrupt shifts in plan participation disrupt care for the very people who need stability the most. From an economic perspective, healthcare thrives on healthy competition, not consolidation. When a single closed system dominates a market, it eliminates competition. This is when healthcare costs inevitably rise for local employers and families while patients lose options. Broad, competitive networks keep healthcare affordable and responsive to the community. Healthcare works best when it functions as an open ecosystem rather than a locked system. Prominence Health, as part of Universal Health Services, works alongside Sierra Medical Center, Northern Nevada Health System, regional community partners like Carson Tahoe Health, and hundreds of independent physicians across our region. Our objective is to build a collaborative model where health plans and medical providers
work across organizational lines, ensuring that patients retain genuine freedom of choice. Large health systems and regional insurers carry a shared responsibility to the public. As contract negotiations occur and new corporate alliances take shape, the primary benchmark for success must remain patient access, affordability, and local continuity of care. As open enrollment season arrives, I encourage local employers, families, and seniors to look closely at network details. Ask which doctors and hospitals are included, where you can go for specialty care, and whether your plan gives you the freedom to choose your providers. Northern Nevada’s healthcare future should be defined by open doors, strong doctor-patient relationships, and real choices for every resident. Traci Biondi, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer for Prominence Health in Reno. She is a board-certified anesthesiologist and received her medical degree from University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
Data Centers Are Coming. The Question Is What Communities Get in Return
By Rachel Dahl
The debate over data centers in Nevada is becoming increasingly polarized. To hear one side tell it, they are economic salvation: billions of dollars in investment, badly needed tax revenue, and infrastructure development. To hear the other, they are resourcehungry industrial projects that consume enormous amounts of power and water while leaving communities to deal with the consequences. Boulder City Mayor Joe Hardy offered a more useful way to look at the question during a recent appearance on Nevada Newsmakers. Don’t start with whether data centers are good or bad. Start with the deal. Boulder City finds itself in an unusual position. According to Hardy, roughly one-third of the city’s budget is supported by revenue from solarfield leases. The city has historically preferred leasing land rather than selling it, using those payments to fund municipal operations.
And now data centers have entered the conversation. Hardy said a company associated with Townsite Solar 2 originally held an option to lease Boulder City land for additional solar generation and battery storage. As interest in data centers grew, the company began exploring whether one could be developed there instead. At the same time, the company had separately sought federal approval for a data center on Bureau of Land Management property within Boulder City’s boundaries. That is where things became complicated. Hardy said the BLM ultimately approved the use based on an environmental review originally conducted for solar generation and battery storage. Boulder City is now suing the agency, arguing that a data center requires a different environmental review. Hardy’s objection is also financial: because the land is federally owned, Boulder City could be responsible for police, fire, and other services without receiving the lease
File Photo
revenue it would collect from a project built on city land. Hardy is not arguing that Boulder City should reject data centers. In fact, he believes a properly structured project could help solve looming city budget shortfalls. His position is essentially this: if a community is going to accommodate a major industrial development, the community should receive a measurable benefit in return. Hardy said a November ballot question will ask residents whether the city should consider energy-related development in Eldorado Valley, potentially including a data center. The interview also addressed the three concerns now following nearly every Nevada data center proposal: power, water, and noise. On power, Hardy said Boulder City’s municipal utility gives the city leverage other jurisdictions may not have. Any data center would need a power purchase agreement establishing where its electricity will come from. More importantly, Hardy said the city could structure an agreement so some of the revenue generated by the project helps offset residents’ power costs. That is a much different proposition than simply adding a massive new electrical customer and hoping existing ratepayers are not affected. On water, Hardy was equally direct: a closed-loop cooling system would be mandatory from his perspective. On noise, he dismissed much of the concern surrounding newer facilities, arguing that modern data centers are different from earlier generations.
Continue reading on Section B-Page 4.
Section B- Page 2
Military Briefings
Liberty Dogs
Staff Report
Photo Courtesy Liberty Dogs
Liberty Dogs is currently seeking dedicated individuals interested in becoming puppy raisers to help raise, socialize and prepare future service dogs for our veterans. They look forward to partnering with our community to help raise and prepare our future service dogs. Together, we’re not just training dogs; we’re building life-changing relationships that will bring independence, hope, and healing to our Veterans. Call (775) 499-0000 ext. 200, email PuppyDepartment@LibertyDogs.org, or visit www.LibertyDogs.org
Blue Star Mothers Care Packages
Staff Report
Blue Star Mothers of Spanish Springs NV5 are reaching out to advise that they are sending care packages to deployed and/or stateside military service members. If you have a deployed service member or a service member serving stateside and would like them to receive a care package, send an email with the service member’s address to finsec.nv5@bluestarmothers.us or treas.nv5@bluestarmothers.us. Ensure that you have the service member’s correct address and that they are able to receive care packages at this time. Some service members serving in the Middle East are unable to receive care packages. Include your name and email address so we may contact you when we send the care package and/or have questions. This program permits AUSA members to purchase these titles at a discounted rate. Graphic novels about Medal of Honor awardees and military history subjects are also available to read online or download at no cost. For information, go to ausa.org/ book-program.
Veterans Job Club
Staff Report
The Veterans Job Club is held at the Ioannis A. Lougaris Veterans’ Medical Center, Tahoe Room C5330, 975 Kirman Ave. in Reno. The meeting is held on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m. Many local, state, and regional organizations will be on hand to answer questions. For more information, contact Joseph Henle at (775) 297-9637 or Theo Thompson at (775) 625-6790.
The Week of September 4, 2026
The Great Basin Sun
Section B- Page 3
EVENTS
The Rural Roar: Labor Day Unleashed By Doris Rodriguez Listen — Nevada’s towns are trading quiet for country rodeo bells, carnival lights, and a whole lot of local pride. Follow the laughter, the music, and the smell of barbecue, and you’ll land right where you belong: smack dab in the middle of the friendliest shindigs in the state. Winnemucca is buzzing this Labor Day stretch. The Tri-County Fair & Stampede runs through Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds. The event opens Thursday from 4-10 p.m. and continues Friday from 2-10 p.m. Over the weekend, the fair runs from 12-10 p.m. The Junior livestock show runs Friday through Sunday. While you’re there, don’t miss the Western Art Roundup and the Buckaroo Hall of Fame, which can both be found at the convention center. Circle Saturday, Sept. 5, on your calendar for the Great Basin
Where Quiet Takes a Holiday
Challenge. Later, catch the 105th annual Labor Day Rodeo at 6 p.m. in the main arena, outside this year. On Sept. 6, truck pulls will begin at 6 p.m. Elko also isn’t ready to stop the sound of fun just yet! East of town, the Elko County Fair goes all the way through Labor Day, Sept. 7, at 13 Fairgrounds Road. They’re racing Sept. 4 through 7, with Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses hitting the track. The fair offers over $300,000 in purse money, including the Intermountain Quarter Horse Futurity and Elko County Quarter Horse Derby, if you like a number with your dust. The Home Arts Exhibit Hall flings its doors open Friday at 1 p.m. and stays open through Monday. Grab a program, pick a horse, and check the post times before you leave the house. Lovelock cranks up the volume after dark, with two nights of action at Lovelock Speedway. Visit the track Sept. 4 and 5; pits open at 4 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m., and the green flag waves at 7 p.m. Live it up and join the
crowd by cheering on and shouting from the stands! Fallon keeps the party going right down Maine Street. Sept. 4, grab some fried fish at the American Legion. Saturday, Sept. 5, lace up for the Tristan Redmond Memorial 5K. On Labor Day, start with Rotary Club pancakes from 7-10 a.m. in the lot next to the Churchill County Library on South Maine Street. Then catch the Lions parade at 10 a.m., kicking off on Taylor Street at the middle school. Hungry Valley infuses Labor Day with its own Indigenous spirit as the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony hosts the Numaga Indian Days Powwow & Handgames from Sept. 4 through 6. The event takes place on the powwow grounds off Eagle Canyon Road, about 18 miles north of Reno, on the last stretch of highway before entering colony land. Admission is free and open to everyone, featuring drums, grand entries, handgames, vendors, and food. It is the largest powwow in our state. Grand entries are typically
held on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at noon and 7 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Then there’s Pioche. Climb into the mountains of Lincoln County, and the whole town is already mid-celebration: old brick, steep streets, and a main drag that looks like it never stopped being 1904. The 121st annual Labor Day Celebration runs Sept. 4 through 7 at Pioche Town Park, 117 Highway 93. You’ll find shiny cars, costumed pets, and roaring lawn-mower races down steep streets. ATVs, mining games, water fights, and a parade all pack the weekend, plus music, minibikes, and fireworks echoing in the canyon. If you’re in an adventurous mood, Burning Man is still rolling out on the Black Rock through Sept. 7. Give it a shot if you’re up for something wild. Check the websites before you head out; times can change in a wink. So don’t miss the last of the summer. Come take part in the festivities and chase the fun of Labor Day!
offers visitors an opportunity to dig for turquoise at the family’s mines in the Royston Mining District. Through guided mine tours, participants can learn about the mining process and dig for pieces of turquoise to take home. Tours are offered year-round, Monday through Saturday, weather permitting and excluding holidays. Morning tours begin at 8 a.m., while afternoon tours start at 1 p.m. The company offers both half-day and fullday tours. To get to the mine, visitors will have to travel on about 5 miles of dirt roads. The company recommends driving a vehicle with all-wheel drive or fourwheel drive or using a high-clearance vehicle. The Otteson family has mined and
processed natural turquoise for three generations, supplying some of the world’s most sought-after turquoise. The whole operation started with Lynn Otteson, who began mining as a teenager in Colorado. Eventually, he leased his first mine near his hometown of Sanford: the Lick Skillet Mine, also known as the Manassa King Mine. In 1944, he entered Nevada’s turquoise industry after leasing a Royston claim from miner Lee F. Hand. Hand discovered Royston turquoise in 1902, according to the Otteson family. He eventually controlled more than 30 claims in the district, which originally included the Bunker Hill, Easter Blue, Oscar Wehrend, and Royal Blue claims. The district contains some of Nevada’s oldest turquoise mines and
remains an active mining area. After traveling between Colorado and Nevada, Otteson moved his family to Tonopah in 1960. The family has carried on his legacy and continued mining in the area ever since. The Otteson family now controls much of the Royston Mining District and has worked on a number of its claims at different points over the decades. Family members have also partnered with friends and relatives to mine and prospect for additional turquoise deposits. The operation continues to add claims while carrying on the mining practices begun by earlier generations. For more information about tour reservations and history, visit ottesonbrothersturquoise.com.
Otteson Brothers Turquoise Offers Mine Tours
Photo Courtesy Otteson Brothers Turquoise
By Sydney Trainor
Roughly 26 miles outside Tonopah, Nevada, Otteson Brothers Turquoise
The Week of September 4, 2026
The Great Basin Sun
Section B- Page 4
LEGISLATIVE
Federal Resources and Partnership Forum Sept. 9
Staff Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency and other federal partners will host a forum Sept. 9 to connect Northern Nevada communities, businesses, and organizations with federal programs and development resources. The Advancing Rural and Regional Opportunity Through Federal Partnerships forum will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way. The forum will focus on ways federal programs and partnerships can support economic growth and community development across rural Nevada. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA; U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and other invited federal agencies are expected to participate. Attendees will also include regional leaders, lenders, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, industry associations, manufacturers, agricultural producers, ranchers, and other community stakeholders. One panel will discuss capital access and financing opportunities. The discussion will cover federal funding and investment resources, capitalstacking strategies, Opportunity Zones, the HUBZone program, and public-private partnerships. Participants will also address coordinating federal, state, tribal, county, and local resources to support community investment. A second panel will highlight federal resources and partnership opportunities. Topics will include
Continued from Section B- Page 2Data Centers Hardy’s larger point was that the debate does not have to be reduced to simply supporting or opposing data centers. He pointed to criteria developed by the Sierra Club as an example of how communities could set conditions for acceptable projects. In Boulder City, Hardy said that would mean requiring a closed-loop water system, requiring the developer to secure its own power through a power purchase agreement, and structuring the deal so the city receives a direct financial benefit. For Boulder City, the financial piece is especially important. Hardy said the city is anticipating budget shortfalls within the next five to 10 years, and revenue from a properly structured land lease could help fill those gaps while allowing the city to maintain current services. His argument was not that every data center is a good deal, but that one meeting strict requirements on water, power, and environmental impacts could be.
agency-specific programs, technical assistance, and other resources available for small businesses and community development. Infrastructure, housing, agriculture, food systems, regional development, and coordination among government agencies and local partners will also be discussed. Anyone involved in business, agriculture, community development, lending, economic development, housing, or infrastructure is encouraged to attend. The forum is designed for participants to collaborate and create meaningful discussions between federal leaders and local communities. The schedule includes: 8:30 a.m. — Coffee and networking 9 a.m. — Welcome and opening remarks 9:15 a.m. — Federal leadership introductions 9:20-10:10 a.m. — Capital Access and Financing Opportunities panel, followed by audience questions 10:10-10:25 a.m. — Break 10:25-11:15 a.m. — Federal Resources and Partnership Opportunities panel, followed by audience questions Noon — Networking engagement The forum is free, but advance registration is requested. Additional information and registration are available through the event webpage. Questions may be directed to the SBA Nevada District Office at NVDO@sba. gov. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities may be requested by contacting the district office at least two weeks before the forum. Event details were confirmed through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
That is a useful distinction as more Nevada communities are asked to consider these projects. Large industrial developments can transform a tax base, but they can also strain infrastructure and consume scarce resources if agreements are poorly structured. The real question is not simply whether a data center is coming, but what conditions a community puts in place before it says yes and whether the benefits are substantial enough to justify the demands the project will place on local resources and services. Hardy’s approach offers a useful framework: require a project to prove its value. Protect the water. Protect existing ratepayers. Account for public-service costs. Require environmental review appropriate to the project being built. That puts communities in a stronger position to negotiate with a clear understanding of the value of their land, water, power and infrastructure. State leaders may welcome data centers, but it will fall largely to local officials to make sure their communities, and ultimately Nevada, benefit from them.
Lehman Creek Water System Breaks Ground
Photo Courtesy White Pine Chamber of Commerce
By Sydney Trainor The Lehman Creek community broke ground Aug. 22 on its first public water system. The new system will serve 30 homes in the Lehman Creek Residential Area in Baker, Nevada, the gateway community to Great Basin National Park. According to the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, those homes have never had access to public water service. The project is designed to include two wells, storage tanks, distribution lines, and service connections. Water is expected to reach residents as soon as spring 2027. Previously, residents relied on private wells and water drawn straight from Lehman Creek. This created issues such as private wells running low or dry, while residents pulling water from the creek had to boil it before use. “This has been a long, hard road with a lot of twists and turns. Projects of this type are complex with many moving parts,” said Terry Steadman, treasurer of the Baker Water and Sewer General Improvement District. “Working through the regulatory compliance issues and the endless red tape can be a daunting task.” After years of community work and support from organizations, the project finally reached the construction phase. Community members began advocating for a
community water system in 2006. Sixteen years later, in 2022, the Baker Water and Sewer General Improvement District partnered with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation to advance the project, as requested by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The Rural Community Assistance Corporation helped with funding applications, board governance, environmental reviews, easement acquisition, and service line mapping, with support through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law drinking water program. “Small rural communities can face significant challenges when it comes to developing and funding critical drinking water infrastructure,” said Jennifer Carr, administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. “Our team has helped the Baker community navigate those challenges throughout this process, and it is incredibly rewarding to see construction finally begin.” The new water system is fully funded through state and federal grants, meaning no debt for the community to repay. Funding sources include $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding administered by Conserve Nevada, $2.5 million through Nevada’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, $438,480 through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act’s Small, Rural, and Tribal Drinking Water Assistance Grant Program, and $3.8 million in congressionally directed spending. “Access to drinking water is a basic necessity for every Nevadan, and I’ll keep working tirelessly to make sure all communities have access to safe, clean water,” said U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen. “I am proud to have helped secure millions of dollars in federal funding for the first public drinking water system for Lehman Creek Residential Area, bringing a muchneeded resource to a community that had been waiting for years.”
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The Road to Recovery
Gerhard shares story of heartbreak, darkness after scary concussion playing soccer By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
Editor’s note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988. All Nevaeh Gerhard ever wanted to do was to play soccer. It was going to be her way out of Winnemucca and into college. Her hope was securing a scholarship and she had played soccer since she was a little kid. When she made her way to Lowry High School, she played two years on the junior varsity team, scoring five goals her sophomore year. Gerhard was ready to make the jump to the varsity squad in 2025 during her junior year, where a lot of her friends were. She made the varsity team and hit the field for the opening tournament in South Lake Tahoe. Little did she know at the time, that would be her final weekend playing competitive soccer. In the last match of the weekend against the South Tahoe JV, Gerhard took a forearm to the back of the head and would never play again. “My memory from that is very blurred for sure,” Gerhard said, now a senior. “I remember everything leading up to it, where we were playing and who we were playing. Of course, it took me a while to piece things together. After I got hit, I don’t remember anything and it was just was told to me from people that were there. It was definitely in a blur.” After getting knocked down, Gerhard got back up to play but quickly stopped and went down again, as her teammates yelled to the bench for help to get her off the field. Players told head coach Chris Entwistle she had a concussion and they thought she lost consciousness the first time she went down. Despite her pleas to go back in to the match, Entwistle kept her on the bench. “She wanted to go back in,” the coach added, but said he noticed she wasn’t acting like herself.. “Usually, we can kid with each other when we are talking and jab back-and-forth. I knew there was something really wrong. She was out in space and not responding to anything. I knew it was serious. I knew it wasn’t good.” High school girls’ soccer has one of the highest concussion rates among youth sports —ranking second only to football — and is number one among girls’ sports. National data show about 6.11 concussions per 10,000 athlete-exposures at the high school level, meaning at least one or two players on a team will likely experience a concussion during a season. “Nevaeh and my daughter (Adalyn) have become really close friends, Entwistle said. “I see Naveah as my daughter and every other girl on the team. We had some pretty tough and dark discussions. As a father of high school senior and a coach, I could not live with myself if she went back on the field and something happened to her. As a coach, it’s my responsibility to take care of them.” The NIAA handbook states that any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. Under no circumstances can an athlete return to play on the same day occurring a concussion. “I wanted to keep playing, that’s who
I am,” Gerhard said. “I got back up, kept playing, until everyone saw I was in trouble. If I kept playing, it could have been a lot worse. I got to the bench and everything went blank. I had no idea where I was. Of course, I know now but, in the moments, I was lost and scared. Everything went dark and I didn’t know what was going on.” Gerhard said a slow fear came over, knowing something was not OK. She wanted to keep pushing but knew something was very wrong. Before each sports season every athlete at Lowry has to take a baseline concussion test before they can play. Testing is a pre‑season assessment of an athlete’s normal brain function — covering memory, balance, reaction time, concentration, and symptoms — so clinicians can compare post‑injury results to the athlete’s own healthy baseline rather than population averages. It is widely used in youth, high school, college and professional sports. Once an athlete in is concussion protocol, they must go through a number of tests and get cleared by a doctor. During the interview, Gerhard added she was confident she would pass and get back on the field. However — she failed test after test — and was never able to pass one to get back on the field, leaving her in a situation she had never been in before. “I thought no problem, I will get back on the field in no time,” she added. I was trying to push hard as I can. I got frustrated and mad at myself because soccer was my dream goal. I had played soccer since I was four years old. Not knowing in the moment but to have it ripped from me was crushing. Everything I did, all the work I did was gone. In the moment, I could never imagine that being the outcome. All it did was get worse.” Gerhard said she realized she probably wouldn’t play again after getting tired after working out, passing out at times and just not having any energy. It was tough for her to brush her hair, brush her teeth, and do the littlest and easiest things at home. If there is one silver lining about the concussion, it led to doctors finding other neurological problems that may not have been detected otherwise. Gone undetected, the outcome could have fatal. “It was a blessing in disguise,” Gerhard said. “Originally, we thought it was just a concussion. We prayed it was just a concussion. With me getting worse, we took further steps. I did get a diagnosis on my concussion but (also a) diagnosis from other things that were not caused by the concussion. That was really heartbreaking to learn that what was wrong with me is not getting any better.” After realizing she would never play soccer again and with the new diagnosis, Gerhard said sadness and darkness set in. Once a straight A student with perfect attendance, she missed nearly the first two months of school last year. Once jovial and happy, she wanted nothing to do with anyone. “It wasn’t my fault but it was draining just to wake up every day,” she added. “I had headaches every day and I actually had breaks in between my classes so I could rest my eyes or lay my head on a table. I did the ‘why me’ thing but it was a test for me to get better. I wanted to push through. It’s was heartbreaking for me. The biggest heartbreak I have experienced.” As her senior year started, Gerhard
Nevaeh Gerhard
“I should be out there, those are my girls. It breaks my heart that I am not out there. Last year, all I thought was that I am going to get better; I am going to get better. But after doctor appointments, I knew I wasn’t getting better. The biggest guilt I carry to this day, is that I am not out there on the field with my girls. I feel like I am letting my team down. When it came down from wanting me to be on the sideline as a manager, it was huge mental strain on me. If you never experience it, you don’t know what it was like. I was like, I can’t mentally and physically do it.”
— Nevaeh Gerhard
knew it was going to be hard to watch her teammates play. She still blames herself for not being on the field and contributing for her teammates. “I should be out there, those are my girls,” Gerhard said. “It breaks my heart that I am not out there. Last year, all I thought was that I am going to get better; I am going to get better. But after doctor appointments, I knew I wasn’t getting better. The biggest guilt I carry to this day, is that I am not out there on the field with my girls. I feel like I am letting my team down. When it came down from wanting me to be on the sideline as a manager, it was huge mental strain on me. If you never experience it, you don’t know what it was like. I was like, I can’t mentally and physically do it.” Depression set in, and although at times she felt she had nowhere to turn to, she said suicide was never an option. She said she tried to find other ways to escape the pain she was in, but that was never the answer for her. She was extremely forthcoming during the interview, noting that suicide is in the family and they experienced a loss in her family four years ago. “It can get to that point but I have seen what it has done to other people,” Gerhard said. “There were times where I just wanted to say what the—... Soccer was my purpose for so long and just sat there and asked ‘what is my purpose’?” Gerhard said she has found that purpose and is getting better, noting it’s a slow
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. An athlete does not have to lose consciousness (be “knocked out”) to have suffered a concussion. Common Symptoms of Concussion Include: • Headache • Fogginess • Difficulty concentrating • Easily confused • Slowed thought processes • Difficulty with memory • Nausea • Lack of energy, tiredness • Dizziness, poor balance • Blurred vision • Sensitive to light and sounds • Mood changes- irritable, anxious or tearful
progress, but progress. She is happier but said watching games is challenging. “I don’t choose to sit in the negative of things anymore,” Gerhard concluded. “As much as I hate what happened, it was a blessing in disguise. I do not wish this upon anyone. I tell others going through this that we do get stuck in life and this is the most challenging thing that you will ever experience. You have the choice to be stuck even when you can’t get unstuck. I have control now of what happens to me.”
C 2 - Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026
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Lowry cross country team races at Oakmont Invitational Reed Invitational up next for Buckaroos
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Greenwave continues early-season roll with shutout of South Tahoe Fallon makes home debust against Truckee
By Tony Erquiaga
By Robert Perea
Range Media
Range Media
The Lowry High School cross country team took an early trip out of Nevada and into California for the Oakmont Cross Country Invitational in Rocklin. The races were 4,000 meters, just short of the usual 5,000-meter course, where the girls varsity race included 246 runners. Lowry senior Alyla Thomas finished 41st in a time of 15 minutes, 6.78 seconds. Thomas was the lone Buckaroo runner in the race. St. Francis’ Alyssa Gutierrez won the race at 13:13.76 and Galena junior Gioia Coudriet placed second at 13:21.01. St. Francis won the team title with 43 points, followed by Oak Ridge (126), Oak Ridge (126), Golden Valley (165), Galena (178) and Pleasant Grove (192). Truckee, the reigning 3A state champion, finished six with 191 points. Lowry featured three runners in the girls junior varsity race, with Taylor Soderstrom placing eighth in a time of 16:31.81. Azure Sagers (18:00.06) and Adel Hall (20:18.04) were 26th and 62nd, respectfully. St. Francis had the first four runners across the finish line, with Emily Colonello winning in a time of 15:00.87. St. Francis won the team title with 16 points and Lodi (82) was second. Lowry had two runners in the freshman/ sophomore race, with Makaylah Thomas finishing 34rd in a time of 16:58.39 and Ajerra Thomas was 44th at 17:15.87. Both
runners are freshmen. Oakmont’s Sofia Sierra won the race with a time of 14:43.14. On the boys side, Lowry’s Cooper Hoagland and Patrick Moses ran in the 4,000-meter junior varsity race. Hoagland placed 18th with a time of 13:53.87 and Moses was 21st at 13:57.11. Tameem Al-Radaei from Merrill West won the race with a time of 13:19.87. Ben Bayles led the three Buckaroo runners in the sophomore race, placing 63rd in a time of 15:07.46. Josia Merki (15:31.72) and Edward Moyer (15:49.46) were 88th and 106th, respectfully. Folsom’s Davi Peres won the race, stopping the clock at 12:59.97. Lowry took three freshmen runners as well, with Francisco Renteria pacing the Buckaroos. He finished 42nd in a time of 15:12.78. Sebastian Fuchslin (17:23.20) and Quincy Hall (17:56.54) rounded out the finishers. Lowry is in Sparks on Friday for the Reed Invitational at Shadow Mountain Park.
Fallon needed only 10 minutes to take complete control of its game at South Tahoe last Friday, scoring four touchdowns in less than a quarter on the way to a 38-0 win in its Northern 3A opener. The Greenwave led 26-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter and added two scores in the second quarter to win its third straight game to start the season. Coach Calvin Connors said the fast start was a result of his team correcting early-season issues and responding to a challenge to establish the run early. “Our boys did a great job of being able to handle the travel up to Tahoe and taking the first two games as learning experiences heading into our league schedule,” Connors said. “We challenged our offense to put a full game together and they were able to do that.” Connors said the Greenwave didn’t necessarily establish the run in the first half of the two previous games, wins at Bishop Manogue and Reed. He said that was the ambition against the Vikings, and establishing the run set up the pass. Quarterback Camden Richardson completed all seven of his pass attempts for 231 yards and four touchdowns. His first pass was an 81-yard touchdown strike to Maxton Richardson to open the scoring. Moments later, Camden Richardson hit Calin Anderson for a 35-yard touchdown and it was 12-0 four minutes into the game. Nathaniel Bianchi added two more touchdowns in the quarter, on a 21-yard reception and a 21-yard run to make it 26-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter. With an early lead, Connors took the opportunity to get his backups plenty of playing time. “We let those other kids come in and put some drives together for us and put them in situations to see where they were and where we need to be as a coaching staff and get our whole team right as a unit,” he said. “It was good to see where they’re at and how we can develop them further.” Rylan Clark added an 8-yard touch-
down run early in the second, then Alijah Juarez took a reception 62 yards for a touchdown that made it 38-0 before the half and ensured the rest of the game was played with a running clock. The Greenwave defense did the rest, forcing four turnovers, including an interception with about three minutes left in the game to preserve the shutout. “Kudos to South Tahoe, they drove down the field in the fourth quarter and they’re in the red zone, and our defense went ahead and bowed their neck and was able to show that we can hold offenses out from getting in the end zone,” Connors said. “So it was fun to see the energy that our kids had throughout the whole entire game.” Connors said the Greenwave are looking forward to carrying that energy into this week’s game against Truckee. He said Truckee coach Josh Ivins has held the standard set by legendary Truckee coach Bob Shaffer. “We always get hyped up for this game, and they’re always a program that is going to be on point with all three phases, their offense, defense and special teams,” Connors said. Among the challenges Truckee poses are a unique offensive system that they garnish by lining up quickly out of the huddle and using motions to confuse defenses. “We’ve got some keys that we key on from the defensive perspective and based on their personnel and formations that they run,” Connors said. “So you know, our guys have to have strong and high football IQ, which they have shown, week in and week out dating back to the first season we were here in ‘24, but really started to come on strong last season.”
Fernley cross country runs at Oakmont Invitational in California By Robert Perea Range Media
The Fernley High School cross country team competed in the Oakmont Cross Country Invitational in Rocklin, Calif., last Saturday, which featured more than 1,000 boys competing in four races and 620 girls in three races. All races were 4,000 meters. Cael Wilson in the boys varsity and Zachary Petersen in the sophomore boys race ran the fastest times for the Vaqueros, while all five Fernley girls competed in the varsity girls race and finished 30th as a team. Coach Kristian Slater said all of the runners who ran in the opening meet at Douglas ran a faster time at Oakmont. “We also had bigger fields than we usually race against, so it was a great opportunity to reflect on staying mentally focused on ourselves and not getting caught up in the race and how everyone else is running,” he said. Wilson posted a time of 13:37.14 to place 127th in the varsity boys race, which had 338 runners. Daniel Hiles placed 277th in 15:55.12. In the varsity girls race, which featured 246 runners, Fernley finished 30th as a team with 837 points. Regan Scott placed 182nd with a time of 18:27.26 to lead the Vaqueros. JoJo Cardinal finished 189th in 18:35.97; Corbyn Gillespie came in 205th with a time of 19:16.22; Wynter Angus ran in 20:20.71 to place 221st; and Kaylee Nicolas was 229th with her time of 21:12.74. Petersen finished 34th in the sophomore boys race with Fernley’s second-fastest time of the day at 14:31.22. Mason Varner placed 143rd in 16:17.21; Addison Davis finished 190th in 17:14.43; and Cameron
Courtesy Photo
The Fernley High School cross country took part in the Oakmont Invitational last Saturday in Rocklin, Calif.
Farr was 222nd in 18:21.19. In the freshman boys race, Parker Johnson placed 165th in 18:47.75 and Kirkland Mix finished 201st in 22:10.99. “I’m really happy with how the team performed today, especially with the challenges of it being some people’s first race, the rough start, and even waking up at 3 a.m. after a school day just to go run for maybe 20 minutes,” Wilson said. “I’m super excited to see what we can all do at the home meet this Friday here in Fernley.” The Vaqueros will host the Fernley 4K this Friday, with the girls scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and the boys at 3:30 p.m.
Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026 - C 3
Miscues doom Buckaroos in Northern 3A opener at Dayton
The Lowry High School football team makes its home debut Friday against Elko. TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
The Lowry High School football captains during the coin toss against North Valleys at Mackay Stadium.
Dust Devils take advantage of four turnovers in first win over Lowry since 2007 By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
The Lowry High School football roadshow continued this past Friday, as the Buckaroos opened Northern 3A play at Dayton and concluding a three-game road trip to begin the season. The Buckaroos caught a break on the night, as the Dust Devils’ Duje Evans who rushed for over 2,000 yards last year, did
not play after suffering an injury the week before against Hug. That did not matter, as Boston Moon took over, as Dayton pulled away in the second half to beat Lowry 26-7, for its first win over the Buckaroos since 2007. If you don’t have the ball, you can’t score and Dayton did a good job of that in the first quarter. The Dust Devils opening possession last nearly eight minutes but ended with a Buckaroos’ interception at the 1-yard line. When Lowry had the ball in the first half, it did not end well with the possessions ending in a punt, interception, fumble and interception. Midway through the second quarter, the Lowry defense held once against and kept Dayton out of the end zone and keep the
contest scoreless. The Buckaroos’ third turnover of the first half, led to the first points of the night, as Abel Russell connected with River Aiten for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left in the half. The Dust Devils missed the extra point to lead 6-0 at halftime. Lowry looked to shake off the slow start, getting the ball first in the third quarter, but after a big loss of yards, followed by a bad snap over the head of quarterback Ben Marvel, Dayton recovered a fumble at th3 2-yard line. The Dust Devils scored moments later to go up 12-0. Lowry punted on its next possession and moments later Moon put the contest out of reach with an 80-yard touchdown run. The Dust Devils added the 2-point
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
conversion to lead 20-0. On the play, Moon was given a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration, leading Lowry into excellent field position when they got the ball back. Teyo Gomez ripped off a long run on the first play and as time expired in the third quarter, Marvel scored after the pile he was in moved into the end zone to cut the gap to 20-7. Midway through the fourth quarter, Russell and Aten connected for the second time on the night, ending any comeback hope. Lowry makes its home debut at Jerry Tobin Field on Friday, taking on Elko. Elko beat Fernley this past Friday to begin Northern 3A action.
Missed opportunities cost Vaqueros in loss to Elko
By Robert Perea Range Media
A week after missed opportunities cost the Fernley High School football team a chance to win in Bishop, last Saturday’s trip to Elko turned into another verse of the same song. The Vaqueros scored on just two of the of five possessions on which they drove inside the Elko 20-yard line, turned the ball over twice and wound up on the short end of a 28-15 scoreboard despite. “There’s several opportunities that we had that we could have taken advantage of, but we should have put the hammer in the door and kind of walked away with it,” coach Anfernee Sloan said. Like they did at Bishop, the Vaqueros controlled the ball for long stretches, running 51 offensive plays, not counting penalties. But unlike in Bishop, Elko matched the Vaqueros in that category, and then some. Elko ran the ball 59 times for 297 yards and also attempted 14 passes, accounting for another 105 yards. Counting special teams and plays that were nullified by penalties, the teams played more than 160 plays in the game. “That’s a lot of snaps to play in a high school football game, considering that we only play technically 48 minutes of football,” Sloan said. “You know, the average high school football game is about 110, 120 plays.” Sloan said both teams seemed to wear down late in the game, but by then Elko had a two-touchdown advantage. “You can totally see the shift and not
“There’s just a little bit of inconsistency with being able to execute the little things, which is stuff that we can control,” Sloan said. “I think we’re good at sustaining drives and making drives happen, which is huge. Now we gotta be able to finish them.” — Fernley coach Anfernee Sloan just our guys, but even their guys, everybody’s kind of losing a step, and now it’s kind of coming down to who can make the big play and make the big stop, who can continue to finish the game while the other ones start to run out of gas a little bit,” he said. The Vaqueros seemed to be getting the better of things in the early going. After stopping the first two Elko drives, Fernley took its second possession 78 yards in seven plays to score first on a 5-yard run by quarterback Elijah Devold. Alko’s answer was an 11-play drive for 68 yards and a 4-yard touchdown run by Hagen Robinson, But the Vaqueros blocked the extra point, and led 7-6. Fernley fumbled and punted on its next two drives, and Elko threatened to take the lead before halftime, but on the 14th play of the Indians’ drive, Fernley’s Kaenan Foster sacked Elko quarterback Adan De Jesus to preserve the lead. Refreshed by the halftime break, the Vaqueros marched to the Elko 4-yard line on their first drive of the second half,
Mustangs’ football games with Reno’s Coral Academy postponed PCHS takes on GV Christian at North/South Challenge in Beatty By Peggy Jones Range Media
Pershing County’s football games against Coral Academy have been postponed because of the Hawk Fire. PCHS coach Mike Brooks said many Coral Academy athletes have been displaced or unable to practice because of the fire. “We wish them the best in this difficult time,” Brooks said. The Mustangs will next play Saturday, when they travel to Beatty to face Green Valley Christian as part of the North/South Challenge. Pershing County will play its first home game of the season Friday, Sept. 11, when the Mustangs host Quincy, Calif., in a nonconference match-up. The postponed varsity game against Coral Academy has been rescheduled for
Friday, Sept. 18, in Lovelock. The junior varsity game against Coral Academy will also be played in Lovelock the following week, although details have not yet been finalized.
but were stuffed three plays in a row and turned the ball over on downs. Elko drove 80 yards in 14 plays to the Fernley 16-yard line, but a touchdown run by De Jesus was called back because of a penalty, and the Indians had to settle for a field goal to take the lead 9-7. Things then began to snowball on the Vaqueros. Elko capitalized on a Fernley fumble with a 13-yard touchdown by Riott Duke to extend its lead to 21-7. Fernley answered quickly, aided by a 15-yard penalty on Elko and a 28-yard pass from Devold to Vance Swindlehurst leading to a 1-yard touchdown by Jayden Esparza, but after an onside kick was unsuccessful, Duke ran in from 6-yards to
make it 28-13. Fernley got the ball back twice, reaching the Elko 11-yard line and the Elko 15-yard line, but couldn’t score either time. “There’s just a little bit of inconsistency with being able to execute the little things, which is stuff that we can control,” Sloan said. “I think we’re good at sustaining drives and making drives happen, which is huge. Now we gotta be able to finish them.” The Vaqueros will try to get back on track this week at Sparks, the last of four consecutive road games to start the season. A win would even their overall and league record with their first home game, and Homecoming, against South Tahoe on tap next week. Sloan said the Vaqueros’ focus is to get back in the win column, and to do that he said they have to eliminated missed tackles, missed opportunities and turnovers. “We can tackle better. We can win earlier downs. We gotta be able to protect the football. We gotta score the football,” he said. “That’s a football game in a nutshell, but there’s things that we also do to ourselves that we’ve got to be able to control.”
C 4 - Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026
Battle Mountain boys and girls soccer fall to Dayton, Yerington Girls play host to Whittell on Friday; boys host Sage Ridge on Saturday By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
The Battle Mountain High School boys and girls soccer teams were on its home field for the first time this season, hosting Dayton and Yerington at Tim Knight Field. The Lady Longhorns dropped an 8-0 decision to Dayton on Friday night and suffered a 9-0 loss to Yerington on Saturday. Battle Mountain is back home on Friday to play Whittell at 3 p.m.
The Battle Mountain boys were handed 8-0 losses by Dayton and Yerington, dropping to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the Northern 2A. The Longhorns’ Saturday match versus Sage Ridge was postponed.
ROBERT PEREA • Range Media
Fernley’s Lilliana Perez controls the ball in the middle of the field during the Vaqueros’ game last Thursday at Sparks.
Fernley girls soccer evens record Lowry girls soccer team splits with shutout win at Sparks
with Incline, South Tahoe Buckaroos return home to play Sparks
Range Media
The Fernley High School girls soccer team won its second consecutive crossover match against the Northern 3A West with a 9-0 shutout at Sparks on Aug. 27. Eight different players scored goals for the Vaqueros, led by Sabrina Portillo and Blessing Mhondo with two goals each. Melissa Yokoi, Bronwynn Garrett, Tillie Gillespie, Lilliana Perez, Faith Mhondo and Angel Pochop each had one goal, while Garrett added two assists and Judisa
By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
Perhaps, the Lowry High School girls soccer team can look into buying some property in the Lake Tahoe area. The Buckaroos opened their season in South Lake Tahoe for a two-day tournament and were back up in Tahoe last week twice in three days. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Lowry notched its first victory of the season, beating Incline 8-0, in a match that was shortened by 10 minutes due the NIAA mercy rule. The Buckaroos scored four goals in each half, with the senior duo of Yareli Garcia and Ava Swensen each recording a hat trick, with three goals apiece. Allyson Barajas and Nayeli Andrade netted a goal apiece. Freshman Natalie Renteria dished out three assists and Adalyn Entwistle and Julie Chavez each added an assist.
By Robert Perea
Gonzalez had one. “They played really well,” coach Tammie Valentine said. “They moved the ball really well, very well passing.” The Vqqueros scheduled game against Wooster on Aug. 24 was canceled because Washoe County schools were closed that day due to the Hawk Fire. The Vaqueros are now 3-3 overall and were scheduled to play two more crossover games against the West Division this week, at Incline on Tuesday and at home against South Tahoe at 4:45 p.m. Thursday. They also host Truckee at 4:45 p.m. next Wednesday.
Lowry returned to South Tahoe on Thursday, Aug. 27, and lost 8-0 to the Vikings. Riley Ball had eight saves for the Buckaroos. The Buckaroos host Sparks on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and travel to Reno on Monday to face Debbie Smith CTE Academy at 4:45 p.m. Crossover play concludes Friday, Sept. 11, against Wooster in Reno.
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Lowry’s Cruz Flores fights for control of the ball along with an Incline player during Friday’s match in Winnemucca.
Arriola’s four goals help Lowry beat Incline in wild, high-scoring affair Most of match played in rainstorm By Tony Erquiaga Range Media TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
The Lowry High School girls soccer team hosts Sparks on Saturday at 11:45 a.m.
It had been a while since the skies opened up in Winnemucca and it was much-needed with a number of wildfires in the Orovada, Paradise Valley and McDermitt areas. While the rain was coming down, the goals were coming just as quick this past Friday afternoon, as the Lowry High School boys soccer team defeated Incline 7-5 in a Northern 3A crossover. The Buckaroos scored in the opening minute of the match on a breakaway from Cris Arriola and the senior would add three more for good measure in the 9th minute to give Lowry a 2-0 advantage Incline netted a goal moments later, in the fast-paced match and the Buckaroos and Highlanders traded goals three more times in the first half, with Edward Jones giving Lowry a 4-2 lead in the 40th minute, as his shot from about 25 yards from the right side of the goal found the top of the net. The two teams added six more goals in the second half, with the Buckaroos holding for the win to improve to 3-3-1 on the season. Arriola finished with four goals, with
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Lowry’s Jonathan Leon passes the ball into the box. one each from Jones, Giovanni Diaz and Josue Barajas. Barajas, a junior, also added an assist. Damian Guillon and Jovani Garcia also added assists. That was Lowry’s only match of the week, as the schedule was tweaked and the Buckaroos hosted South Tahoe on Wednesday. Results were not available at press time. Lowry closes out crossover play on Saturday, Sept. 12, in Reno against Debbie Smith CTE Academy at 11:45 a.m.
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Lowry’s Ava Swensen fends off a Truckee defender from a match earlier in the year in Winnemucca..
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Lowry’s Caedon Entwistle fights off an Incline player during Friday’s match in Winnemucca.
Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026 - C 5
Lowry volleyball sweeps Sparks, Wooster in crossover play By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
After a wild ride in the first three weeks of the season, the Lowry High School volleyball team got a chance to settle down and, in that time, picked up two road wins this past weekend. Lowry swept Sparks 25-18, 25-17 and 26-24 to collect important crossover points. The Buckaroos found their hitting attack, recording 23, including a team high six from Josie Jenkins and five by Tessa Jenkis. Ragen Terry and Peyton Anguiano each had three kills and Hazen Root contributed two.
Lowry added 16 aces, led by Tessa Jenkins’ four, three each by Yarelli Ojendiz and Root and two by Emma Deputy. Emelia Mentaberry reached double figures in digs with 14, Tessa Jenkins had five and Terry and Root four each. Tessa Jenkins ended with a team-high 10 assists, with Root adding eight. Lowry made the short trip across the Reno/Sparks valley to Wooster High School on Saturday. After going into a little extra time in the first set, where the Buckaroos won 27-25, Lowry cruised in the final two sets 25-13 and 25-19 to complete the sweep. Lowry hosted Incline on Thursday in its home debut and is back on Pat Hart Court on Friday at noon to play South Tahoe.
Northern 3A Football Power Rankings — Does anyone have anything for Fallon? By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
As the calendar turns to September, we are already entering the fourth week of play in high school football. The Northern 3A began league play — sans Truckee — who played Galena last Friday. There are nine teams in the league, so one is not playing on a weekly basis. We are starting to find out a little or a lot in some cases about this league. 1. Fallon (3-0, 1-0): You could probably put the Greenwave No. 1 in the Northern 4A or 5A. After wins over Bishop Manogue and Reed, Fallon has shown it is one of the best teams in northern Nevada. Third-year coach Calvin Connors has something brewing in the alfalfa fields in Churchill County. The Greenwave defeated South Tahoe 38-0 last Friday. It was 38-0 at halftime. Coach Connors has a kind heart. He will not be as kind to others the rest of the way.
This week vs. Truckee
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Battle Mountain’s Paitynn Johns looks to finish off a kill against Silver Stage.
2. Spring Creek (2-0, 1-0): This could be your sneaky good team of the Northern 3A. Are they Fallon good, probably not. After a 42-41 win over Weiser, Idaho, to start the year, the Spartans made the long trip to Sparks and rolled past Sparks with ease. The contest will go nowhere in the long term of the Northern 3A but the Spartans will be tough to deal with this year. We get an early game of the year on Friday with Spring Creek taking on Virgin Valley.
Battle Mountain splits home matches with Silver Stage, Sierra This week vs. Virgin Valley Lutheran in Northern 2A action Longhorns begin stretch four straight matches on the road By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
It was one of those weekends where the Battle Mountain High School volleyball dipped its hands into a mixed bag of M&M’s and Skittles and got some mixed results. Battle Mountain cruised to a 25-13, 25-16, 25-12 victory over Silver Stage on Friday night. Kamilia Farias paced the 20-kill attack with seven, with Paitynn Johns adding six, Ella Matheus five and Keona Colver two. Matheus and Farias helped the Lady Longhorns with three aces apiece and Colver, Matheus and Miranda Lomeli had two aces. Sofia Andrade finished with a teamhigh nine digs, Farias eight, Johns seven, Matheus four and Colver two. Lomeli added 18 assists.
It was a different outcome on Saturday afternoon, as Carson City’s Sierra Lutheran claimed the first two sets 25-15 and 25-20. Battle Mountain kept the match going, winning the third set 25-20 but the Falcons finished off the match with a 25-16 victory in the fourth set. The loss evened Battle Mountain’s record at 1-1 in the Northern 2A. Mathues finished the day with six kills and two aces, with Farias adding four kills and two aces and Johns with three kills and two aces as well. Lomeli served five aces, to go with 12 assists. The defense was busy with 56 digs, including 14 each from Andrade and Matheus, 12 from Farias and 10 by Johns. Battle Mountain begins a four-match road trip this weekend, starting Friday in Reno against Coral Academy at 5 p.m. The Longhorns make their way to Tahoe City, Calif., on Saturday to play North Tahoe at noon. Battle Mountain is back home on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to play Lowry at 6 p.m.
3. Elko (1-1, 1-0): New coach, new players, same Elko? Time will tell with that one. After a slow start in a sloppy mess at Warrior Field this past Friday, Elko rallied for a 28-15 win over Fernley. The Vaqueros led 7-6 at halftime, as both teams had trouble with the wet ball and slow field. The Indians scored three, fourth-quarter touchdowns.
This week @ Lowry 4. Truckee (1-1, 0-0): Truckee at No. 4? Yeah, I know. However, these are not the same Wolverines as in the past. We haven’t got a good grasp on Truckee, with a 24-0 loss to Hawaii’s Konawaena and a 26-11 win over Galena. The biggest problem for Truckee, was getting to Galena because of an accident on Interstate 80.
This week @ Fallon.
5. Fernley (1-2, 0-1): Like Fallon and Lowry, Fernley has not played on its home field yet and we are still learning about them. The Vaqueros routed Coral Academy in week 0 but that was expected. Two straight road trips to Bishop, Calif., and Elko, have Fernley dealing with back-toback losses. The Vaqueros held at halftime lead over the Indians but could not finish it off.
This week: @ Sparks
6. Dayton (2-1, 1-0): Dayton, a program once on life support, has risen from the ashes to become a decent team. The Dust Devils will have to deal with the loss of running back Duke Evans, who rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2025. He suffered an arm injury in a 54-0 win over Hug. That didn’t stop the Dust Devils from dominating Lowry in a 26-7 victory, the first over the Buckaroos since 2007.
This week: vs. South Tahoe 7. South Tahoe (2-1, 0-1): South Tahoe gets this spot, with its win over North Valleys in its season opener. They blew away Wooster but everyone does. The Vikings drew the unfortunate small straw to open with Churchill County. Friday’s game at Dayton could be for a playoff spot.
This week: @ Dayton
8. Lowry (1-2, 0-1): After a big win over Wooster, Lowry had many chances to beat North Valleys at Mackay Stadium. However, miscues and penalties cost the Buckaroos in a 13-7 loss. This past Friday in Dayton, Lowry had hopes of stopping the Dust Devils, who were without one of the best running backs in the state. All the Buckaroos did, was stop themselves. Their first half possessions included a punt, interception, fumble, interception.
This week vs. Elko
9. Sparks (0-3, 0-1): Sparks has scored seven points in three games this year and it didn’t get much better in the Northern 3A opener versus Spring Creek. The Railroaders struggles continue. Could they be the next team to go independent?
This week vs. Fernley
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Pregame: 6:45 PM • Kickoff: 7 PM Fernley Vaqueros at Sparks Railroaders TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Battle Mountain celebrates after winning a point against Silver Stage.
The Fernley Reporter — Sports Home of the Vaqueros
C 6 - Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026
Silver Stage begins Northern 2A slate with pair of road matches Nighthawks travel to Yerington on Friday; host Pershing County on Saturday By Tony Erquiaga Range Media
The Silver Stage High School volleyball team headed out this past weekend for one of its longest road trips on its Northern 2A schedule. The Nighthawks’ first stop was on Friday night in Battle Mountain, with the Longhorns winning in a sweep 25-13, 25-16 and 25-12. Silver Stage is 1-8 overall and 0-2 in the Northern 2A. Sophomore Priscilla Hesselguesser finished off six of Silver Stage’s 13 kills, with Aliyah Diaz, Samantha Sell and Brooke Lehman each recording two kills apiece. Lauren Broughton and Hesselguesser had one block apiece, with Joselyn Fayaud earning a team-high 13 digs. Robin Smith added seven digs and Morgyn Phoenix, Lehman and Broughton with four digs each. Smith contributed four assists as well. Silver Stage made its way to the Nevada/Utah border on Saturday to take on West Wendover. The Wolverines swept the match 25-14, 25-22, 25-16. The Nighthawks’ Annabelle Glass picked up two kills, with one each from Lehman and Hesselguesser. Broughton, Hesselguesser and Diaz were busy at the net with four, three and two blocks, respectfully, and Diaz added two aces. Fayaud had a team-high 12 digs, Leh-
TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Above left: Silver Stage’s Morgyn Phoenix finishes off a kill against Battle Mountain. Right: Priscilla Hesselguesser tips the ball over the net. man eight and Smith and Hesselguesser six digs apiece. Silver Stage hosted Sierra Lutheran on Wednesday and results were not available at press time. The Nighthawks make the short trip to Yerington Friday for a 5 p.m. start and host Pershing County on Saturday at 11 a.m. TONY ERQUIAGA • Range Media
Silver Stage’s Joselyn Fayaud sets the ball for a teammate..
Lady Mustangs open league play with three-set sweep over Bighorns By Peggy Jones Range Media
The Pershing County High School volleyball team opened Northern 2A league play on a high note Wednesday, Aug. 26, sweeping Oasis Academy before running into a tough North Tahoe squad two days later. Although Pershing County fell to the Lakers in three sets Friday, the Mustangs gained ground with each set and gave Coach Monica Halverson plenty to like about the direction her team is headed. Pershing County opened league play on the road against Oasis, sweeping the Bighorns 25-16, 25-17 and 25-18. The JV
team fell in two sets. Halverson said the season opener was an encouraging start for both squads. “It was an amazing way to officially kickstart the 2A season,” she said. Khloe Montes had a strong opening match with six aces, three kills and five digs. Katelynn Elerick added four aces, four kills, four assists and two digs. Halverson also praised Jerzie Jones, who finished with three aces and three digs. “She had an incredible game with a newfound confidence,” Halverson said. “She is one of our best passers on the court and has worked super hard to get where she is.” Avani Rosas contributed five assists and two digs, while Arya Garland recorded three back-row kills, eight digs and an assist. Whitlee Diaz added two aces and two digs. The JV Mustangs lost in two sets, but Halverson said the young team kept its composure despite some opening-match nerves. “Seeing the progress they have made since tryouts is so exciting,” she said. “Our future for volleyball is bright and tough.”
Mustangs Battle North Tahoe
Marti Nolan • Provided to Range Media
Arya Garland, Khloe Montes and Jerzie Jones prepare to defend the back row during Pershing County’s league match against North Tahoe.
Pershing County continued league play Friday at North Tahoe, where the varsity Mustangs fell to the Lakers 12-25, 16-25 and 18-25. The scores showed steady improvement as the match progressed, and Halverson said the Mustangs became increasingly competitive against a strong North Tahoe team. “We had a ton of exciting rallies, better
Marti Nolan • Provided to Range Media
Cami Watson goes up for a block as teammates Khloe Montes and Magdalena Ramirez cover during Pershing County’s league match at North Tahoe. coverage and action at the net, and we were really playing strategically,” she said. Montes recorded three aces, two kills and two blocks. Cami Watson finished with four kills and three blocks, while Elerick had four kills, four assists and three digs. Garland contributed two backrow kills and a team-high 12 digs. Halverson singled out Montes, Watson and Elerick for their consistent performances. “North Tahoe always brings the heat, but we held our own,” she said. “When we play them again, it will be a fantastic game.” The JV team also fell in two sets. Halverson said the players are continuing to find their groove as they learn their rotations and how to compete together.
League Schedule Continues
The Mustangs were scheduled to continue league play at Yerington on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Results were not available by press time. Pershing County travels to Silver Stage on Saturday for another league match-up, with the Nighthawks hosting JV and varsity matches. The Mustangs will make their home debut Friday, Sept. 11, against Coral Academy. The match times have been changed to 10 and 11 a.m. because of transportation issues for Coral Academy. Halverson said the team is looking forward to its first opportunity to play at home this season.
Marti Nolan • Provided to Range Media
Jerzie Jones sends the ball over the net during Pershing County’s three-set victory over Oasis Academy in the Mustangs’ 2A league opener.
Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026 - C 7
Opening season win —
Nevada set to face Saint Mary’s Gaels at inaugural Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic Four games to be featured on the day University of Nevada Athletics
RENO — Total Sports Consulting, in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, are hosting the inaugural Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic, a premier opening-week college basketball showcase taking place Sunday, Nov. 8, at Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe. Nevada will face Saint Mary’s at 1:30 pm at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Tickets for the 2026 Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic are on sale through Ticketmaster and The Avari Box Office at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. The event will
feature two separate sessions, and fans can purchase tickets to either session or take advantage of a discounted two-session package providing access to all four games. Premium court side seating, suites, hospitality experiences and group ticket packages will also be available.
Session 1
Game 1: 11 AM: Cal-W vs. San Francisco-W Game 2: 1:30 PM: Nevada vs. Saint Mary’s
Session 2
Game 3: 5:30 PM: Houston vs. California Game 4: 8 PM: USC vs. Wichita State
Patriotic UNLV helmet design unveiled for Oct. 10 homecoming game UNLV Athletics UNLV football on Monday unveiled a special helmet design it will wear for its Homecoming game vs. North Dakota State on Oct. 10. The white helmet with a red facemask will feature a red decal using the same distinct mid-1970s font spelling out UNLV REBELS flanked by an image of the famous Minute Man Statue located in Concord, Massachusetts. The patriotic look is in honor of the UNLV helmet that was worn only during the 1976 season while the nation celebrated its Bicentennial. The 1976 Rebels were quarterbacked by UNLV Hall of Famer Glenn Carano, who
led his team to a 9-3 record that included a NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Dan Mullen’s squad will wear the helmet for one game to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that 1976 team while also celebrating our nation’s semiquincentennial. Carano, who remains UNLV’s alltime winningest quarterback, served as the keynote speaker at Monday’s Inaugural Governor’s Dinner at Allegiant Stadium and was presented the prototype of the helmet by UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper in appreciation. UNLV opens Mountain West play this Saturday by traveling to Hawai’i. The game will be televised nationally by The CW starting at 7 p.m. PT.
Courtesy Photo
The Battle Mountain High School girls golf team started its season off on a hight, claiming first place at the Spring Creek tournament on Thursday, Aug. 27. Senior Jaylee Jorgensen was the individual champion as well.
Bighorns to take on Sierra Lutheran, Yerington this weekend By Robert Perea Range Media
Coming off a pair of losses in their first two Northern 2A matches of the season, the Oasis Academy volleyball team will be back in action twice this weekend taking on Sierra Lutheran and Yerington. On Aug. 26, the Bighorns lost to Lovelock 25-16, 25-17, 25-18. On Aug. 28, North Tahoe handed them a 25-16, 25-12, 25-13 loss. Coach Jalana Bell said her team has improved since last season. “We have a couple of adjustments we want to make this week, but overall, I’m really proud of the progress the team has made since last year,” Bell said. “The girls have been working hard, and we’re excited to get back in the gym this week to continue to build as a team and prepare for our upcoming matches against Yerington and Sierra Lutheran.” The Bighorns are scheduled to play at Sierra Lutheran at 5 p.m. Friday and at Yerington at noon Saturday.
Fallon soccer — Staff Report The Fallon girls soccer team split its weekend matches, beating Incline 80 on Friday before losing 30 at South Tahoe on Saturday. No statistics were reported for either match. The Greenwave host Sparks at 4:45
Fallon volleyball sweeps Wooster Greenwave set to play in High Sierra Invitational this weekend By Robert Perea Range Media
The Churchill County High School volleyball team dominated Wooster at the net to sweep its second match of the season last Thursday, 25-15, 25-16, 25-9. With a balanced frontline attack, the Greenwave tallied 27 kills in the match to just six for the Colts. Senior Audrey Fruzza had nine of the kills for the Greenwave, while Kadence Wiessmer had five and both Hayden Dooley and Sutton Yost
Courtesy UNLV
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p.m. this Friday, then play at Wooster at 3:30 p.m. next Wednesday and at Debbie Smith at 4:45 p.m. next Thursday. The Fallon boys soccer team was scheduled to play this week at South Tahoe on Tuesday at Incline at 4 p.m. Thursday and at Truckee at 4:45 p.m. Friday. Next week they are scheduled to host Dayton at 6 p.m. Sept. 10.
added four. Kalaya Downs dished out 19 assists and added three kills, while Dooley also served five aces among her 14 service points. This week the Greenwave is scheduled to host South Tahoe at 6 p.m. Thursday, then play Friday and Saturday in the High Sierra Volleyball Invitational at the Swift Sportsdome in Reno. The Greenwave is scheduled to play Ripon (CA) at 1 p.m. Friday and Nevada Union (Grass Valley, CA) at 2 p.m. and would play at either 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. depending on the pool results. There are 27 teams entered in the tournament and each team is guaranteed six matches in a best-of-3 format.
C 8 - Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026 Fernley Women’s Golf Club Results, Aug. 25 Game: 3 Clubs and a Putter Red Tees
1st Gross: Patty Liljeberg, 99 1st Net: Paula Reed, 71 2nd Net: Linda Garrett, 73
Purple Tees
1st Gross: Verl Ely, 99
1st Net: Val Montgomery, 88 Low Putts: Rita Hanifen, 30 Birdies: Jana Garner, #11; Maria Garrett, #16 Closest to Pin #7: Kathy Kennedy, 21’ 11” Chip-Ins: Kathy Kennedy, #3; Jana Garner, #11; Patty Liljeberg, #15; Maria Garrett, #16
Cousins looks set to lead the Raiders even as Kubiak keeps QB decision quiet
Courtesy Photo
Lisa Carlson (right) won the 2026 Winnemucca Ladies Club Championship with a two-day total of 185. The low net champion was Bryn Echevarria with a score of 149.
Winnemucca Ladies Golf Results — The nine-hole gross/net tournament saw August coming to an end and the school year began. The low gross winner for Aug. 17-18, was Lisa Carlson with a score of 41. Laurie Pickett was the second low gross winner with a score of 48. The first low net winner was Tina Wilson with a score of 33. The second low net winner was Robyn Dunckhorst with a score of 35. The low gross winner for Aug. 24-25, was Anne Sample with a score of 49. The low net winner was Alyssa Jones with a score of 41. The nine-hole tournament will come to a close on Sept 29. Hard to believe summer is almost over. The Club Championship was scheduled for over two weeks on August 18 and 25. The hotly contested tournament was based on low gross and low net. After week 1, the ladies were fairly close in their low gross and low net scores. It came down to Tuesday, Aug. 25, to determine the club champions.
The overall low gross winner was Lisa Carlson with a two-day score of 185. The first low gross winner was Laurie Pickett with a score of 202. She also has the fewest putts on day 2 with 32. The low net champion was Bryn Echevarria with a score of 149. She also had 32 putts on day 2, closest to hole 2 with a distance of 15 feet on day 1, and closest to hole 5 with a distance of 8 feet 9 inches on day 2. Congratulations, Bryn, on such a successful tournament! The second low net winners for the tournament were Marlea Pointer and Lori Woodland who tied with a two-day score of 157. Marlea also had the fewest putts on day 2 with 32 tying with Bryn Echevarria and Laurie Pickett. The third low net winner was Kailani Rodriguez with a score of 161. She was also closest to hole 2 on day 2 with a distance of 11 feet, 2 inches. Pam Hope had the fewest putts on day 1 with 33 and was closest to hole 5 on the same day with a distance of 5 feet 6 inches. She went on to birdie the hole. Congratulations to all of the winners.
HENDERSON (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak still hasn’t announced a starting quarterback with the regular season two weeks away. However all indications are Kirk Cousins likely will be behind center when the Raiders open their season Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins. Cousins received the lion’s share of first-team snaps in training camp and was the starter in the two Las Vegas preseason games he played. He carries the experience of what will be his 15th NFL season as the Raiders bring along rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. All three drives Cousins quarterbacked this preseason ended in points — a touchdown and two field goals. “I just think he’s taking practice to the field,” Kubiak said Friday. “He’s led scoring drives. We would have loved to lead three touchdown scoring drives, so we’re not satisfied with field goals, and that’s an area that we need to improve at. But I see a guy that’s leading the offense.” Kubiak and general manager John Spytek have to decide whether to keep three quarterbacks when they cut the roster to 53 players on Sunday. Aidan O’Connell is in his fourth season, all with the Raiders, and he could be the first one onto the field should Cousins get injured or struggle. That would give Mendoza even more time to develop — if the coaches go that route. “We have three guys that are ready to play,” Kubiak said. “It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s (No.) 1, who’s (No.) 2, and that’s not a decision that we have to make today. But those are discussions that are ongoing.” Mendoza ended his preseason by leading one of five drives to a field goal in Thursday night’s 18-12 loss to San Francisco. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 57
yards against a fierce 49ers pass rush in which Mendoza also was sacked twice and intercepted once. The interception was a high throw to Jalen Nailor that bounced off his hands. “I thought it was an excellent throw,” Kubiak said. “(Mendoza) ripped it just like we asked him to on time. Yeah, it was a little bit high. Jalen’s got to make the play.” Now Mendoza could watch games from the sideline if Cousins enters the season as the starter, though Kubiak could pull a surprise and go with the rookie. It seems, either way, a matter of time before Mendoza takes over. If this is Cousins’ offense, he said he took inspiration from what Tom Brady told the team early in camp. The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback and Raiders minority owner told the players they couldn’t simply go to practice and think that would be enough. “You’ve got to find your edge within those practices, or post practice, or in the way you relate to one another,” Cousins said. “So there’s ways you’ve got to find edges, but it’s not just showing up to practice and doing your job because everybody’s doing that.”
Jeanty closer to return
Kubiak didn’t say whether running back Ashton Jeanty would return soon after getting hurt in practice Sunday, but was optimistic overall. Jeanty couldn’t put weight on his right leg as he was helped off the field. “He’s still on the mend and we’re still working to get him back,” Kubiak said. “We got another week to assess how he’s going to look going into this first game, but we’re counting on him.” The running game won’t rest entirely on Jeanty. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. had a productive camp and averaged 7.3 yards in rushing for 168 yards in the preseason.
Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026 - C 9
Pyramid Lake opens football season, volleyball falls to Owyhee in four sets Staff Report The Pyramid Lake High School football team opened its season with a 53-6 loss at Indian Springs last Friday. Sophomore Max Padilla led the Lakers with 72 yards rushing on eight carries and a touchdown. The Lakers are off this week and return to action Sept. 10 at Hawthorne. They are scheduled to host Carlin on Sept. 17 for
their home opener. On Aug. 27, the Pyramid Lake volleyball team lost a non-league match to Owyhee 20-25, 22-25, 25-15, 19-25. The Lakers were 1-4 before heading to Smith Valley on Tuesday for their 1A Western League match. They are schedule to host Sage Ridge next Tuesday and play at Hawthorne next Thursday.
JOHN BAKER • Provided to Range Media
Tonopah’s Dustin Otteson leaps over Round Mountain’s Travis Tranah in the Muckaers 8-20 win Friday night in Tonopah.
Round Mountain volleyball beats Tonopah; Muckers take football game Courtesy of John Baker On Friday night, the Knights of Round Mountain traveled to Tonopah to renew their rivalry with the Muckers. The night began with the ladies on the volleyball court. All sets went back and forth with each team leading at different points, but the Lady Knights ultimately won in straight sets: 25-21, 25-20, 25-19. The night concluded with 8-man football. Round Mountain started with a good drive down the field until Wyatt Miller intercepted the ball in the end zone. The Muckers also drove down the field but fumbled the ball and the Knights recovered it on the 3-yard line. On the ensuing play, Gunner Olsen took the ball to the house and after the twopoint conversion, the Knights were up 8-0. From there, the Muckers took control of the game, led by Dustin Otteson and went into halftime with a 66-8 lead. The game finished with Tonopah winning the game 80-20 and Otteson with 445 yards and eight touchdowns.
PEGGY JONES • Range Media
Nayeli Acosta, Desaray Vidrio and Fatima Arteaga move the ball up the field during the Mustangs’ match against Yerington.
PCHS soccer battles through tough week Mustangs head to Ely for two games on Sept. 11-12, against White Pine By Peggy Jones Range Media
JOHN BAKER • Provided to Range Media
Tonopah’s Wyatt Miller hauls in a pass during Friday’s game with Round Mountain.
The Pershing County High School girls soccer team faced two of its toughest opponents of the season last week, falling to Yerington 8-1 and Dayton 6-0. Despite the lopsided scores, Coach Kelly Brooks said Pershing County continued to play hard throughout both matches and saw strong performances from its defense, midfield and goalkeeper Lily Reynolds. “The girls played really hard and fought until the bitter end of both games,” Brooks said. Camila Garcia scored the Mustangs’ lone goal of the week against Yerington. Nayeli Acosta took a corner kick that was deflected by the Yerington goalkeeper, and Garcia was in position to put the loose ball into the net for an unassisted goal. Brooks praised the work of midfielders Mary McBride, Josie Brooks, Acosta, Garcia and Aaliyah Lora. “Our midfield outdid themselves with the work they put in,” Brooks said. She said the Mustangs need to improve on moving the ball up the field and maintaining possession in their attacking end. The defense of Desaray Vidrio, Elanie DeLosReyes, Mili Gonzales and Fatima Arteaga also worked throughout the two difficult matches, while Reynolds turned in strong performances in goal. “Despite the goal differentials, we played really well with strong performances from our defense and keeper Lily Reynolds,” Brooks said. The match against Dayton was particularly physical, with each team receiving
PEGGY JONES • Range Media
Pershing senior Alejandra Piñeda battles for the ball during the Mustangs’ match against Yerington. one red card and one yellow card. A yellow card serves as a warning for a serious foul or misconduct, while a red card removes a player from the game. The Mustangs also had some extra support from their fellow Pershing County athletes during the Yerington match. Members of the volleyball team came to the soccer field after practice to cheer on the soccer team. Pershing County travels to Quincy, California, on Friday, Sept. 4, before returning home Saturday, Sept. 5, to host Whittell at 9 a.m. The Mustangs then travel to Ely for games Sept. 11 and 12 against White Pine before returning home Sept. 15 to host Battle Mountain at 6 p.m.
JOHN BAKER • Provided to Range Media
Above: Tonopah’s Jessie Mendoza dives to the floor for a dig.
PEGGY JONES • Range Media
Members of the PCHS volleyball team cheer on the Mustangs soccer team during its home match against Yerington.
C 10 - Great Basin Sports, September 4, 2026
Scouting for Fall Hunts
Into the Wild Commentary by Tom Claycomb A lot of hunters think they don’t have time to scout but the fact of the matter is that you’re going to scout. You either scout preseason or you waste the first 2-3 days of your hunt scouting. I understand the dilemma that you’re in. Most hunters are lucky to have 2-weeks of vacation. You can’t justify hunting for a week and using the other week scouting thereby leaving no time for family vacations. So, what do you do? What if you use family camping trips for scouting? Wake up before daylight Saturday morning and go scout until 10:00. Then run back to camp and wake up everyone and cook them breakfast and spend the rest of the day with them. Or run out a few Saturdays and scout. Use summer flyfishing trips to scout. You get my drift. Do the most you can with what precious little free time you have. It may not be perfect but do the best you can with what you have. I’m convinced, the hunters that year after year get big bucks/bulls scout. A lot. If you scout real early before season realize, a lot can change by the time hunting season rolls around. Fires can totally change things. If a pack of wolves move in, they can scatter everything. If you scout early, it’s smart to re-scout one last time right before season. Due to all of the factors that can change things it’s smart to have 2-3 areas scouted out. What if on opening day a pile of hunters are camped in your spot. Decades ago, we black powder hunted over in Colorado. Unbeknownst to us the Rainbow People were having some kind of convention in our hotspot. I guess I can’t exactly say they were walking around naked since the one my buddy saw did have on socks and boots. Needless to say, we had to move. Morale to the story-have 2-3 spots scouted out. I remember on my first elk we moved camp three times.
A straight spotting scope is a pain to glass out of. You have to be a contortionist to use one. I discovered long ago it’s smart to buy the best glass you can afford. Everyone’s on a budget but buy the best you can afford and you’ll never regret it. Thirty years ago, to get the best glass you had to buy from one of the big three European optic companies. Now? There are a lot of American companies that have jumped up for a lot less of the cost. The last 5-7 years I’ve been using Vortex optics and can’t tell a nickels worth of difference in them and some of the European optics. I don’t want to say that scouting is easy but it’s easier than hunting. You can set on a high ridge and glass. If you see a big buck/bull 1-mile off you don’t have to hike over and get up close and personal. Just mark the canyon where he’s feeding/bedding and then come back and hunt it. To really glass, you’ve got to have a spotting scope. If not, then you’re going to miss a lot of game. I ’m in the process of getting onX Hunt. With it you can mark your spots and find them in the dark or coming in from a new direction. onX Hunt is a cool tool.
Buy a spotting scope with an angled eyepiece.
Provided to Range Media
Provided to Range Media
Provided to Range Media
Why drive 20 miles to get around a canyon when you can glass it from where you are? Glassing works best early/late when animals are moving but I’ve spotted plenty of animals that were bedded down. This is especially true when mule deer are bedded down under sagebrush. Look for horns sticking up above the brush/grass. Even though you may be glassing far distances, don’t set on top where they can skyline you. Set-up down off the ridge a bit. The ground is rocky. Carry a pad or else you just won’t glass as much as you should. Better yet, carry a small backpacking chair. That way you’ll be slightly elevated above the brush/grass and able to see over the top. It goes without saying, use a tripod with a spotting scope. Otherwise, you won’t be able to hold steady enough to see. Buy a spotting scope with an angled eyepiece or you’ll have to be a contortionist to be able to use it. I was coming down from backpacking a few days ago. Near sundown, an ok buck nonchalantly crossed the road. I’ll probably go back up there archery hunting and try to get him. Always be scouting.
Scouting is fresh on my mind. I drew a bull tag down in the Owyhee’s. By the time you read this article I’ll already be scouting. I’m going to scout for a month before season and hopefully get the bull of a lifetime. Get to scouting and get a big one! I was about to submit this article and just thought of another angle. Scouting is best early and late in the day. I’m going to camp out and scout a good bit but I’m also going to do some day runs. I think I’ll take an awning and a chair and set it up noon-5:00 and read some books and relax. I just received two books by Graham Mott titled HOOKED BY FLY FISHING and MORE BIG GAME HUNTING TALES. The hunting book is a compilation of articles his granddad wrote decades ago. I love old stories like these. Also offers them in audio version. I also have a book by Mia Sheppard titled THE OUTFITTERS CAMP COOKBOOK).
Tom Claycomb is an outdoor enthusiast that writes a bi-monthly column for Range Media.
NIL-fueled parity shakes up title odds, with 7 teams at 11-1 or better to win title LAS VEGAS (AP) — There was a time not long ago when maybe four and possibly five schools had a realistic shot at the national championship — and Indiana certainly wasn’t one of them. But name, image and likeness has changed the landscape of college football, bringing more teams into the mix. And the odds reflect that. Seven teams are, depending on the sportsbook, 11-1 odds or greater to win the national title when it’s played Jan. 25 in Las Vegas. No. 1 Ohio State, No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 5 Texas are each +650 or better to win it all at the major sportsbooks, with No. 6 Indiana, No. 2 Oregon and No. 3 Georgia not far behind. No. 7 Miami is 10-1 at DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook and 11-1 at BetMGM Sportsbook. “I think it was kind of evident even last year where it was more parity,” said Joey Feazel, Caesars’ head of football. “I don’t think going in that everybody thought Miami and Indiana were going to be playing for the national championship, and that’s spilled over into this season as well, where it’s a little bit more wide open.” Sportsbooks have to keep up on player movement thanks to the transfer portal, which can seriously affect odds. There also have been a handful of court cases that have determined if some players are eligible to play and others are not. “It’s harder in this offseason,” BetMGM sports trader Seamus Magee said. “If you’re up to date on the news faster
sports for DraftKings, pushed back some on the notion Notre Dame has an easy path, pointing out the Irish two years ago lost to Northern Illinois. “Their path’s not bad,” Avello said. “If you’re in the SEC, certainly you’ve got a tough game almost each and every week. You’re in the Big Ten, you’ve got a tough game each and every week. Being an independent, they have a schedule with a couple of decent teams. They should win at least 10 this year.”
Longhorns and Ducks in similar situations
than — forget just us — anywhere else on the market, you can find a really good number before the season. But then a lot of variance comes into play.”
Easier path for the Irish
One reason Notre Dame is +650 at BetMGM and 6-1 at DraftKings and Caesars is because the independent doesn’t have the gauntlet of a schedule Big Ten and Southeastern Conference schools tend to face. The Fighting Irish don’t play a ranked team until they visit No. 14 BYU on Oct. 17. No. 7 Miami on Nov. 7 and No. 19 SMU on Nov. 21, both at home, are the other ranked opponents. Johnny Avello, director of race and
If Ohio State or Notre Dame don’t win the national championship, Texas is the team most likely to capture the title, if the odds are to be believed. The Longhorns are +650 at three major sportsbooks. Oregon is close behind at +750 at DraftKings and Caesars and 8-1 at BetMGM. Both programs have been among the nation’s best, but haven’t been able to close the deal in recent seasons. Magee, however, said a credible case can be made this season is different, saying both rosters are championship level. Bettors agree. “I think they’re No. 3 and 4 in mostbet teams to win the title,” Magee said. “I don’t think a lot of bettors are looking at what’s happened in the past at these schools.”
Is there another Hoosiers team out there?
Gamblers often like to look for big payoffs in futures bets, and Avello said a good amount of money has come in on Oklahoma State (400-1), Kentucky (4501) and UCLA (750-1), the hope being they will be the next Indiana. The Hoosiers were 100-1 at one point last season winning the title. “We all overlooked them,” Avello said. “They had better players than we thought. You’re not going to get a team like an Illinois or a Kansas State to win it all ... because you’ve got to have the horses to get it done. The playoff, it’s not a onegame affair. Once you make it, you have to win (three or) four games and that’s not easy.”
Carr and Manning favorites for the Heisman
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is slightly favored over Texas QB Arch Manning to win the Heisman Trophy. Bettors might remember last season, however, when then-Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza seemed to come out of nowhere to win the Heisman, defying preseason odds where he was as high as 60-1. “We’ll see a lot of action those first couple of weeks as that market starts to shape up and you start to see one candidate start to pull away a little bit more,” Feazel said. “Right now, 7-1 being the favorite, that’s still pretty high until the first couple of weeks where we’ll start to see a 3- or 4-1.”