Fire crews battled a fire near the Mustang exit on Interstate 80, which started just before 11:45 a.m. Sunday, September 8.
A large plume of smoke was visible from the scene, as captured by NDOT’s traffic cameras. There is no information on threats to any buildings or evacuation orders.
Emergency responders worked to contain the blaze.
Valley Electric is installing a 37-megawatt solar power generator and storage system to serve the communities of Pahrump and Fish Lake Valley as part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.
The project will produce enough electricity to power 3,500 homes, according to a USDA news release issued on Thursday, August 29. The initiative is part of the Biden Administration’s effort to invest over $80 million in taxpayer funding into clean energy projects across Nevada.
The goals of the Biden Administration include lowering household power bills, expanding access to clean energy, and creating more jobs. The PACE program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, is seen as a historic move by Congress to address climate change, reduce consumer costs, and drive the global clean energy economy forward.
“Nevada reached its hottest summer yet on record, and at times like that, it’s especially important to have affordable, clean energy that’s also reliable,” said Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
The region around Pahrump, known for its vulnerability to wildfires, is expected to benefit significantly from the new facility by providing an uninterrupted supply of solar-generated electricity. Torres Small noted that the USDA has received numerous reports of power outages in Pahrump and Fish Lake Valley, particularly during periods of excessive heat, which can be detrimental to the health and safety of residents.
She recounted stories from the area, including a woman who purchased a backup generator and extension cords to ensure she would not be the only one with power during an outage.
“That just reinforces that rural communities find ways to make things work, and the Biden-Harris administration is proud to invest in them so that they can have that reliable, affordable power they deserve,” Torres Small added.
The USDA emphasized that, before the funds are delivered, Valley Electric must develop a community benefit plan that addresses labor agreements, workforce composition, and the impact on the community and land. It is a requirement of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed into law in 2022 as a cornerstone of his climate policy.
Torres Small further explained that Valley Electric plans to update its electric grid and power generation systems but lacks the funds. The PACE program has enabled them to move forward with this critical project.
“They had this plan they had wanted to do and weren’t able to do it until the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program came up, and then they were able to apply for the funds and felt like they could take that leap,” she said.
Nye County is the site of some of the largest solar projects in the state, including the 2,250-megawatt Chill Sun Solar Project along U.S. 95 and the 700-megawatt Copper Rays Solar Project southwest of Pahrump.
On Tuesday, August 20, Nevada’s Supreme Court declined to intervene in a controversy surrounding election certification despite requests from the state’s top election officials.
The issue arose when the Washoe County Commission initially voted against certifying recount results from the June primary, leading to concerns from Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford. Aguilar and Ford sought a ruling from the court that counties do not have the legal authority to refuse to certify election results.
However, the high court ruled that the matter was moot since the Washoe County Commission later reversed its decision and certified the results in a subsequent vote. While the justices dismissed the request, they indicated the court has the authority to make such a declaration if the issue arises again.
Aguilar and Ford expressed disappointment with the court’s decision not to provide additional legal clarity before the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 5. They warned that the lack of clarity could contribute to distrust in the electoral process, particularly in Washoe County, a critical swing region in Nevada.
Republican commissioners Jeanne Herman and Mike Clark, along with Republican Clara Andriola, initially voted against certification. Andriola, who later reversed her vote, stated that after consulting with the county district attorney’s office, she recognized the commission’s legal obligation to certify election results.
Listening to old-tymie blues, and I swear I can hear the rythme and steel guitars and a slap-bass up front…
Verse 1
Well, I swear your perfume’s got that wild, spicy flair,
Every time you come close, it’s like a daring dare.
Even though you’re dressed up, in those heels so high,
I can tell from your moves, you’ve got that naughty eye.
Chorus
Ohhh, you’re so hot, babe, you set me on fire,
When you sway like that, girl, it’s pure desire,
With a look that’s fierce and a touch so bold,
You’re a sizzling dream, with a story untold.
Verse 2
We’ll hit the town tonight, where the night’s alive,
Every touch and every glance keeps the heat on high.
Your dress may be fancy, but your vibe’s so raw,
Every move you make, babe, I want more.
Chorus
Ohhh, you’re so hot, babe, you set me on fire,
When you sway like that, girl, it’s pure desire,
With a look that’s fierce and a touch so bold,
You’re a sizzling dream, with a story untold.
Bridge
I’m gonna fill a big tub, let’s both slip right in,
Watch the bubbles rise and feel the heat begin.
In the steamy embrace, where the wild things play,
We’ll make a memory, that’s here to stay.
Outro
Ohhh, you’re so hot, babe, with that burning flame,
Every moment with you, drives me insane,
In the night where the sparks ignite,
You’re my wild child, my down-home delight.
The hard part of being a good conversationalist is listening to hear, not listening to respond. A harder thing for a man is not casually touching a woman for fear of being considered a creep, while a woman can carelessly caress a man’s hand or arm, and no one bats an eye.
The hardest of all is to meet a woman, develop an instant connection with her, and realize you will never meet again. Beyond all of this is learning the hard way that woman is the rarest of breeds as you become the victim of a female serial killer.
On Tuesday, August 20, Charles Robert Williams, a 30-year-old resident of Dayton, was arrested by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and Special Investigations Unit on multiple felony weapons and drug charges.
Williams first came under scrutiny in February when he posted a video on social media showing himself being chased by Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies, making him a suspect in a felony eluding case. His involvement in another crime came to light when he shared a video featuring himself in possession of a stolen firearm.
As an ex-felon, it is illegal for Williams to own or possess firearms.
On Monday, August 19, authorities executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence. Although Williams was not present at the time, detectives uncovered a variety of dangerous items, including brass knuckles, a stun device, a stolen handgun, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
The following day, detectives located and arrested Williams. They booked Williams into the Lyon County Jail on several charges, including being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a stun device by an ex-felon, felony eluding a peace officer, possession of dangerous weapons, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information about the investigation should contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division by email at detective@lyon-county.org or 775-463-6600.
A missing and endangered Utah woman and her three children have been found safe in Humboldt County, authorities announced on Tuesday, August 20.
The woman, 27-year-old Brittany Etta Deal, and her children were seen last in St. George, Utah, on Monday, August 19, before reportedly being picked up by David Remley. There was a protective order in place that prohibited Remley from contacting Deal.
The circumstances raised concerns when Deal and her children went missing.
Around 3 a.m. on August 20, authorities issued an “endangered missing advisory” after a concerned family member or friend contacted the police. A welfare check at Deal’s residence showed no one was at home.
The search for Deal and her children came to a positive conclusion on Tuesday when they were located by troopers and detectives from the Nevada State Police, along with officers from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Winnemucca Police Department. Remley was taken into custody following the discovery.
Further details about the incident and Remley’s charges have yet to be released.
As election season approaches, concerns about voter registration practices have resurfaced in Nevada, echoing past controversies linked to organizations like ACORN, and disbanded in 2010 after being implicated in a voter fraud scandal.
ACORN was known for its efforts to register voters, particularly among low-income and minority communities. However, the group faced accusations of submitting fraudulent voter registrations, leading to a nationwide scandal, that began in 2009, in Las Vegas with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1107.
In recent years, a new network of voter registration organizations has drawn scrutiny, particularly those connected to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a political fundraising organization tied to Arabella Advisors. Critics argue that these groups have not only accepted donations from but have also adopted tactics reminiscent of ACORN’s, raising concerns about the integrity of voter registration efforts in states like Nevada.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund has become a significant player in national politics, supporting progressive causes and candidates. However, its reliance on “dark money”—funds raised for political campaigns without donor disclosure—has sparked debates about transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
It has caused concern in Nevada, given the state’s pivotal role in national elections. With memories of ACORN’s past controversies still fresh, some political observers are questioning whether the current landscape of voter registration efforts might lead to similar issues.
The controversy also focuses on a comment by President Joe Biden during the 2020 election campaign, where he referred to having “built the most extensive voter fraud operation” in history—a remark widely regarded as “misspeak” in the legacy media.
As Nevada prepares for upcoming elections, the scrutiny over voter registration practices is expected to intensify, with both sides of the political spectrum closely monitoring the situation. State officials have oft-repeated their commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process by claiming they will investigate voter fraud.
Once again, evidence of voter fraud is in the process of being overlooked by the legacy media, NGOs, and government agencies. Meanwhile, the legacy of ACORN and the current activities of groups connected to the Sixteen Thirty Fund continue to cast shadows on how Nevada conducts voter registration and the potential implications for elections.
A short distance from a now-viral TikTok capturing alleged racist harassment against a Black man stands a state historical marker that tells a lesser-known story—one of African American resilience and achievement in the heart of Virginia City.
The marker, “African Americans and the Boston Saloon,” commemorates William A.G. Brown, a freeborn Black man who owned and operated the Boston Saloon from 1866 to 1875. The establishment was more than just a bar; it was a symbol of the rich cultural and social contributions of Black Nevadans during the state’s early years.
The Boston Saloon, adorned with intricate gas lamps and crystal goblets, offered an upscale experience different from the typical rough-and-tumble saloon image of television and movies. Though the saloon burned in the Great Fire of 1875, the historical marker serves as a reminder of the significant role African Americans played in the development of Virginia City and Nevada.
Virginia City, fueled by the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode, was home to the state’s first sizable Black population. By 1860, all 44 Black Americans in the state resided in Virginia City and Storey County, which grew to around 100 by the 1870s, according to U.S. Census data.
These Black pioneers were not just laborers and service workers; Virginia City was also home to esteemed figures like W.H.C. Stephenson, Nevada’s first Black doctor, and civil rights leader George D. Cottle, who fought for Black equality.
Despite these achievements, the city was far from a racial utopia. Black residents faced systemic racism, including laws passed by the Nevada Territorial Legislature in 1861 that banned them from marrying white people, voting, or testifying in court. This racism earned Nevada the nickname “the Mississippi of the West.”
However, Virginia City’s boom was short-lived. By the 1880s, following the collapse of the mining industry, the city—and its Black population—dwindled. By 1900, census records showed only nine Black residents in the surrounding county. Today, the town’s Black population is 12.
Virginia City served as a small-scale representation of Nevada’s overall cultural and economic growth. The story of William A.G. Brown and the Boston Saloon serves as a reminder of the contributions of Black Nevadans in Virginia City.
As the November election approaches, Nevada emerges as a critical battleground state, with its six electoral votes poised to play a decisive role in determining the next occupant of the White House. Nevada’s electoral fate hinges on Washoe County, tipping the balance between Republican and Democratic contenders.
Nevada’s political landscape is a study in contrasts. While the rural counties lean Republican, their influence is countered by the Democratic stronghold of Reno and Las Vegas. The divide means that the final electoral outcome will largely depend on the voting behavior in Washoe County.
Historically, Nevada has mirrored national political trends over the past four decades. The state carried Donald Trump in 2016 but swung towards Joe Biden in 2020, with Biden securing a narrow victory by just 33,000 votes. With its population of about 500,000, Washoe represents 16 percent of Nevada’s electorate.
However, its political significance far outweighs its size due to its divided voter base. The county voter rolls reflect a near-even split between independents at 30.8 percent, Republicans at 31.4 percent, and Democrats at 29.8 percent.
Nevada voters also have the option to select “None of these candidates,” providing an alternative for those disillusioned with the mainstream choices.
Washoe County’s recent economic transformation also impacts its political landscape. The establishment of Tesla’s gigafactory in 2014, followed by investments from Panasonic and Google, has catalyzed a high-tech and manufacturing boom. This influx of tech workers, who often favor progressive policies, could shift the county’s political alignment.
However, this economic boom has also exacerbated housing affordability issues, with the average price of a single-family home in Washoe County now at $550,000, double the price from a decade ago. The rising cost of living has disproportionately affected lower-income residents, including many Latinos who have been hit hard by inflation. Traditionally, Latinos in the West have leaned Democratic, but growing disenchantment with the handling of economic issues by the party could shift support.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the Democratic Party benefits from the backing of the Culinary Union, representing casino and hotel workers. The union’s extensive door-to-door voter mobilization efforts have been a formidable force in past elections.
The Old Blog in the Desert 