The Old Blog in the Desert

In his first address since assuming the role of Superintendent in July, Tim Logan outlined his strategic priorities for Lyon County School District, emphasizing a commitment to advancing student achievement and addressing critical district challenges.

Logan, who has been with the district in various capacities since 2018, including as deputy superintendent, highlighted the importance of differentiated instruction and the support available to teachers.

“We have the tools and professional development to enhance the way we reach our students,” Logan told the Nevada Appeal. “Every student should see growth in every classroom, and I believe we are making strides toward that goal.”

Logan’s immediate focus will be on improving reading proficiency across the district, with the implementation of five new curricula set to begin this year. Despite recent progress, current proficiency ratings for English language arts—33.5 percent in high school, 26.6 percent in middle school, and 30.8 percent in elementary school—indicate a need for continued efforts.

Addressing staffing challenges is also a priority. As of early August, the district had approximately 21 open certified teaching positions, 19 special-education positions, and one school psychologist vacancy. Logan stressed the importance of recruiting qualified staff to ensure effective classroom instruction.

“We’re committed to filling these positions and ensuring we have the necessary staff in front of our students,” Logan said. “This remains a significant challenge, but we are actively working to attract and retain talent.”

Logan also plans to tackle issues related to mental health support for students and the modernization of the district’s aging facilities. Many schools still utilize outdated technology, and there is a need for improvements to meet current educational standards.

“Our buildings must be upgraded to support modern education needs,” he noted. “This includes essential updates to infrastructure like air conditioning and doors.”

Chronic absenteeism is a concern, with Lyon County at 38.1 percent, compared to the state average of 34.9 percent. Logan aims to address this issue as part of his vision for the district.

Logan plans to seek additional funding for rural schools during the upcoming Nevada Legislature session.

“I am dedicated to using my understanding of Nevada’s unique needs to advance our schools,” Logan said. “I look forward to collaborating with other superintendents and engaging with legislators to address our most pressing concerns.”

As the new school year approaches, Logan is enthusiastic about the return of students, staff, and families on Tuesday, September 3, and he is eager to continue the district’s progress in the coming year.

The Washoe County CARES Campus (WCCC), the public agency tasked with addressing the growing homelessness crisis, has been criticized as a fraudulent and ineffective institution that has exacerbated the problem it claims to solve. Despite its mission, WCCC has not only failed to reduce homelessness but has also contributed to its exponential increase, raising serious concerns about the future of Reno.

From 2017 to 2024, the general population of Reno grew by 14 percent, while the homeless population surged by over 2,000 percent, from 80 to 1,800 individuals. If the trend continues, the homeless population of the city could skyrocket to 36,000 by 2031.

Since its inception in 2021, WCCC has consistently spent more money on its programs with diminishing results. In a recent phone call, the City of Reno Budget and Finance Department admitted that it is impossible to determine the total annual expenditure on homelessness, stating, “No one really knows what the total amount is.”

The blame for this ongoing disaster extends to every employee of WCCC who has remained silent, every nonprofit organization that benefits from its funding, and every politician who has supported its ineffective programs. Local law enforcement, firefighters, church leaders, sources within WCCC, and even a member of the judiciary echo the sentiments. Homeless individuals who utilize WCCC services have also expressed dissatisfaction, unanimously stating that these programs have done nothing to improve their lives.

The agency’s failure lies in the federal regulations that govern its programs. These regulations prevent the agency from requiring clients to be drug-free, maintain steady employment, avoid criminal behavior, or seek mental health treatment. As a result, many residents of the WCCC Homeless Tent and Safe Camp program remain trapped in cycles of addiction, crime, and violence, all while benefiting from free services like food, shelter, and transportation.

WCCC clients, who receive long-term rent vouchers with minimal behavioral requirements, often continue their destructive lifestyles in taxpayer-funded housing. Some have even turned their apartments into drug dens, refusing to work and engaging in illegal activities, but are the very individuals WCCC touts as success stories in its public reports.

The situation is made worse by the fact that WCCC does not allow unplanned tours, making it difficult for the community to see the reality of the homeless crisis in Reno. As a result, the county homeless problem has spiraled out of control, with potentially dire consequences on the horizon.

If not reversed, Reno could face a catastrophic influx of homeless individuals from cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. The cost to send every one of these 20,000 homeless individuals to Reno would be approximately $500,000—a fraction of the $1.1 billion annual homeless budget San Francisco has.

With a combined homeless population of 20,000, the three California cities offer one-way bus tickets to other cities, including Reno, where WCCC provides lifetime subsidies without requiring lifestyle changes. Should this scenario materialize, the homeless population could swell to 22,000 in a matter of weeks, overwhelming law enforcement, social resources, and emergency services, leading to bankruptcy.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has filed a disciplinary complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, one of the largest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, alleging that the casino was involved in illegal bookmaking, permitting individuals with gambling-related felony convictions and connections to organized crime to gamble on its premises.

The complaint, filed on Thursday, August 15, focuses on several significant violations, particularly involving Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker who recently pleaded guilty in federal court to running an illegal gambling operation. According to the complaint, Bowyer was allowed to gamble at Resorts World on 80 separate days over approximately 15 months despite losing more than $6.6 million.

The casino reportedly extended gifts, discounts, and even private jet flights to Bowyer without verifying the source of his funds. The NGCB 31-page complaint outlines 12 counts against Resorts World, with six directly related to Bowyer, including failing to distance itself from suspected illegal bookmakers, not reporting illegal bookings, and referring potential customers to these bookmakers.

Additional counts involve the casino providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit to individuals with histories of illegal gambling or organized crime. The complaint also alleges that Resorts World employees failed to report unusual activities and violations of the casino anti-money laundering program.

The NGCB, which has the authority to impose penalties, could consider actions ranging from fines to the revocation of the casino’s gaming license. The commission has yet to respond to the complaint.

Resorts World stated that it is working with the NGCB to address the issues.

The Nevada Supreme Court has overturned a lower court ruling that had deemed the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I Controlled Substance unconstitutional. This decision came in response to a legal challenge from the ACLU of Nevada, which argued Schedule I status should be for substances deemed to have no medical use and high potential for abuse.

The ACLU of Nevada had taken the Board of Pharmacy to court, arguing that cannabis’s inclusion in Schedule I contradicted its recognized medicinal value, as established by Nevada voters in previous referendums. Although the Supreme Court’s procedural decision indicates that constitutional matters should be addressed in criminal cases, the controversy remains unresolved.

Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nevada, criticized the decision, stating, “The Nevada Supreme Court’s procedural decision that unconstitutional criminal policies like the one here can only be raised during a criminal case doesn’t actually resolve this constitutional controversy and doesn’t advance justice for all.”

Haseebullah pointed to the disparity between the profitable cannabis industry and the potential legal risks faced by individuals for cannabis possession.

The classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance, alongside drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine, continues to conflict with the state’s recognition of its medicinal value. The scheduling discrepancy allows for felony prosecution despite the clear intent of voter-approved measures.

The ACLU of Nevada remains hopeful that the U.S. government will act to shift cannabis out of the federal Schedule I list following requests from a majority of Nevada legislators. They plan to challenge the scheduling loophole in criminal cases and seek a definitive ruling from the Supreme Court on this critical issue.

Legal Director Christopher Peterson of the ACLU of Nevada said there needs to be a consistent classification across state laws. He noted that the court is expected to issue a formal order regarding the classification change in the coming weeks. Additionally, Peterson advocates removing cannabis regulation authority from the Board of Pharmacy, suggesting that other executive agencies, like the Cannabis Compliance Board, are better suited for this role.

Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico will continue to face water reductions from the Colorado River, as the U.S. government announced existing water cuts will remain in place.

The measures are part of ongoing efforts to address long-term challenges for the 40 million people who depend on the water. Spanning 1,450 miles, the Colorado River is a crucial resource for the U.S. West, supplying water to cities and farms across the region and in northern Mexico.

The river supports seven Western states and 24 Native American tribes and irrigates millions of acres of farmland. Additionally, it produces hydropower throughout the region.

Each year, the Interior Department announces water availability months in advance to allow cities, farmers, and others to plan accordingly. The announcement on water levels at Lake Mead, one of the two main reservoirs, are chief indicators.

Arizona will again experience an 18 percent reduction in its total Colorado River allocation, while Mexico will face a Five percent cut in the coming year. Nevada, which receives significantly less water than Arizona, California, or Mexico, will continue with a seven percent reduction. The cuts are part of the “Tier 1” category that went into effect in 2022.

Despite the challenges, heavier rains and various water-saving efforts by Nevada, Arizona, and California have improved Lake Mead and Lake Powell’s water levels, located upstream on the Utah-Arizona border. Officials reported that both reservoirs are currently at 37 percent capacity.

Water officials praised the ongoing conservation efforts, which will continue until 2026, with much of it funded by the federal government. While measures remain in place, states, tribes, and others are negotiating to determine how they will share the river’s water after 2026, when many of the current guidelines governing the river expire.

Ahead of the 2024 general election, Nevada has initiated a significant update to its voter rolls, resulting in some voters moved to ‘inactive’ status, following a statewide effort by all 17 counties to clean up voter registration lists.

The process began after election officials sent postcards to over 150,000 voters whose previous election mail had been returned as ‘undeliverable’ during the primary elections earlier this year. The group represents nearly 8 percent of Nevada active registered voters.

Voters who did not return the postcard by the Tuesday, August 6 deadline were placed on ‘inactive’ status. While the status does not preclude them from voting, they will not automatically receive a mail-in ballot unless they update their registration information before the election.

Voters are encouraged to verify and update their registration at registertovote.nv.gov.

“It is the responsibility of the Secretary of State’s office to maintain accurate voter rolls, but we need the help of voters to ensure that every person receiving a mail ballot is correctly registered,” said Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar.

The maintenance initiative aligns with the National Voter Registration Act, which mandates that states regularly update their voter rolls. Federal law restricts voter roll changes within 90 days of an election, which is why the deadline for this maintenance was Tuesday, August 6.

Aguilar is also leading the transition to a new state-led Voter Registration and Election Management System. This system, scheduled to launch this month, aims to enhance the speed and accuracy of voter roll management by consolidating data reporting from the 17 counties into a centralized state database.

The update comes amid broader scrutiny and controversy over voter registration and election integrity. Conservative groups, including the Republican National Committee, have challenged voter registration data through door-knocking campaigns and lawsuits.

Nevada Copper Corp. and Southwest Critical Materials have agreed to a $128 million price tag for much of Nevada Copper’s assets.

The agreement comes after Nevada Copper filed for Chapter 11 on Monday, June 10, initiating a sales process managed by Moelis & Company LLC. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario have approved the bidding procedures.

As part of the approved procedures, the Stalking Horse APA will serve as the initial bidder, setting a minimum purchase price for Nevada Copper’s assets. The process will maximize the proceeds from the sale, with other interested bidders still actively participating.

The deadline for binding offers is Friday, September 6, with a potential auction to follow if higher or better bids are received. If there is an alternative transaction, Nevada Copper must pay a fee to Stalking Horse APA. If the agreement ends under other conditions, the company may also need to reimburse the buyer’s transaction expenses.

The bid’s completion depends on meeting the closing conditions outlined in Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, including following the bidding procedures and obtaining court approval. However, there are no guarantees that the transaction will be completed, even if no better offer is received.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has ordered the company’s shares to be delisted by Wednesday, August 21.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is under fire for how he has handled public records requests related to the Nevada opioid litigation settlements.

The issue revolves around allegations of substantial legal fees paid to a firm connected to Ford and delays in providing requested documents to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In July 2023, the newspaper submitted a public records request seeking details about the settlements and associated costs after Ford announced a $1.1 billion opioid settlement deal.

Ford had publicly praised the settlements as a significant achievement. However, there are new concerns about how his office spent the funds and the involvement of his former law firm, Eglet Prince.

Ford hired Eglet Prince to manage the opioid litigation after taking office. The contract, signed in 2019, stated that if the state recovered between $1 billion and $1.25 billion, the fees to the firm would be $240 million.

Critics argue that the fee is excessive, especially considering the 2015 law capping outside legal fees at $10 million, which is lower than the sum Eglet Prince will receive. The cap was lifted in 2017, a year after Ford, a state senator at the time, settled his own IRS debts.

The timing of these events has raised questions. In 2015, Ford had substantial back taxes, and shortly after settling his debts, he held a role in passing legislation to remove the $10 million fee cap, replacing it with a 25 percent limit.

While Ford did not involve himself in the selection process for the outside counsel, the committee, which consisted of individuals from his office, reportedly gave Eglet Prince the highest score, while external panelists favored another firm. Despite his assertion that hiring outside counsel led to higher recovery amounts, the process and financial arrangements remain suspect.

The LVRJ public records request, submitted in July 2023, has experienced repeated delays. While Ford’s office has stated an opioid settlement website would be launched, the delay in providing records has intensified suspicions of transparency issues.

A spokesperson has acknowledged the delays but has not provided a clear explanation as to why. The lack of timely access to documents has amplified scrutiny of Ford’s handling of the opioid settlements and the associated fees.

A Yerington teenager reported missing and endangered since late June has been located, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).

Natalie Mays, who had been missing since Sunday, June 23, was found in the Reno area on Wednesday, August 7. The LCSO’s Major Crimes Unit in the Investigations Division searched for Mays since her disappearance.

The Regional Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit (HEAT) played a crucial role in locating her. Following her recovery, authorities took Mays to the Jan Evans Juvenile Justice Center in Reno. The case now goes to the Juvenile Division of the Lyon County District Attorney’s Office for further legal action.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Regional HEAT Unit, the United States Marshals Service, Special Operations Finding Kids (www.findingkids.org), and Elite Investigations for their assistance in the case.

Allegedly, Mays was in the company of 19-year-old Matthew Bishop, whom authorities believed may have helped her run away. Authorities have not released additional details at this time.

Perhaps he was still tight from the bender he partook of the night before. Whatever the case, he stumbled into the restaurant and sat at a table nearest the wall.

With a sudden jerk of realization, he saw the man seated to his left and apologized, “So sorry, I didn’t see you sitting here, please excuse me.”

The other man quickly said, “You are fine. Sit and stay. It’s nice to have the company.”

The pair sat quietly, waiting for the waitress to see them and bring a menu to their table.

“What are you having?” the new arrival said.

“I think I have the two eggs over easy with a piece of toast and a cup of coffee.”

“Ah, a light breakfast,” the other responded. “Great idea. I hope you don’t mind.”

The waitress came and took the order.

“Please don’t mind me if you don’t want to talk,” the second man said. “I have a problem and could use some sound advice.”

“Sure, if I can help.”

“I want to quit.”

“Quit? I don’t understand. Quit what?”

“Everything. Just quit it all.”

“Odd that you’d say such a thing, I have had the same thought.”

“Yeah, what makes you wanna quit?”

“People. People and society. It isn’t like it used to be.”

“I know what you are saying. I find it hard to fight back against all the negative that seems to be swirling around the bottom of the toilet bowl of life…”

“…and you’re afraid if you keep at it, you might get sucked down with it.”

“Exactly! And I’m tired of fighting against it.”

Just then, their meal arrived, and they ate in silence. Meager as it was, the two enjoyed every morsel, even sliding the toast around the plate to collect the last bit of yellow egg yolk.

“I must be going,” the first man said as he reached for his wallet.

“I do too,” the later arrival said. “Let me get your breakfast. It’s the least I can do for your hospitality.”

“Thank you. As for giving up, neither of us can, you know. We are the last bastions of desency in this depraved world.”

“You’re right. Again, thank you for the company, the conversation and your advice.”

“My pleasure,” the man said as he stood up.

After paying for the meal and the one man had gone, the man who had stumbled in left the way he came.

With window cleaner and rag in hand, the waitress shook her head and chuckled as she wiped down the mirror the drunk man was talking to.