lahontanvalleynews.com | Fernley

Annual desert cleanup is Saturday

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-09-29T18:43:00-07:00

"Westward Ho the wagons!"
These were words echoed along the Truckee River Route of the California Trail during the mid-1840s through the 1860s when the pioneers traveled the Deep Sand Swales on the outskirts of what is now Fernley.
At that time, early day pioneers probably left less trash along the California-Nevada trail out of necessity than today's illegal dumpers do on purpose.
"The swales north of Fernley's Truck Inn are the best example of Deep Sand Swales on the California Trail," said Tom Fee.
Fee is the annual Fernley Swales Cleanup chairman. He visits the 130-area easement encompassing the Swales and the Central Pacific Railroad Bed that runs nearby frequently. He takes photos of illegal dump sites that crop up throughout the historic site. Fee maps out the locations to be assigned to volunteers for cleanup each year.
The cleanup is organized by members of the California-Nevada Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Associat

Round Table has grand opening in Fernley

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-09-20T00:05:00-07:00

Plaza Del Sol Shopping Center at 130 Shadow Lane along U.S. Highway 95A was the site for the newest Round Table Pizza's grand opening earlier this month.
A balloon arch, DJ music and bubbles wafting through the air greeted people at the ribbon cutting.
Locally owned and operated by Rick Arnaud and Scott Maynes, the new business hired 45 employees from the Fernley and Silver Springs area to staff the restaurant.
The opportunity to put so many people, from the surrounding area, to work pleased General Manager Debbie Brooks. Even during the Grand Opening ceremony local people were seeking applications.
Brooks, who lives in Carson City, commutes to Fernley to see that everything runs smoothly. She has over 25 years experience in the restaurant business. She has worked for Round Table Pizza for approximately two years as the area manager for the Reno/Carson area traveling to oversee the various stores which now includes the Fernley facility.
Plans are for Round Table Pizz

Friends say soldier wanted to make the world better

By F. T. Norton LVN News Service — 2009-09-15T19:35:00-07:00

FERNLEY - From a handle on the end of his flag-draped casket Tuesday hung the dogtag of newly promoted Spc. Thomas Lyons.
Around the neck of his 4-month-old son, Erik, dangled another set. As the infant reached out to touched the red, white and blue cloth presented to him by an Army general, his daddy's dog tags danced over it. All around a heartbroken family wept.
A military police officer with the 545th Military Police Co., at Fort Richardson, Alaska, Lyons was among three soldier killed Sept. 8 when an explosively formed projectile penetrated the vehicle in which he was riding in Northern Iraq.
"He was a joy and a blessing. As a young man he loved life, he loved people. He never really understood what a great person he was," said his stepfather John Flint at the afternoon service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. "We love you. We know where you're at. We know that we will be with you soon."
Through tears, friend Mich

Fernley's water treatment plant begins operation

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-09-10T18:43:00-07:00

Fernley's new Water Treatment Plant began a test run in late July, 22 months after its groundbreaking.
With cooperation between the city of Fernley, the contractor and the design engineer, the target date of two years was met with two months to spare.
Fernley's system came online five years after the city of Fallon's water treatment plant began delivering arsenic-free drinking water to its residents.
While Fernley has had some controversy over installing their system, at this time the Fallon system seems to be a nonissue. In fact, some people may not even notice or remember a difference in the water's drinkability.
"People tend to take the water for granted unless there is a problem. There's no problem now," said Jim Souba, Fallon's city engineer. "It is a service they expect in the city. It is a wonderful plant. We're proud of how it works and believe it has been immensely successful."
Currently in Fernley,

Farmers receive full water allotment

Staff report — 2009-08-13T18:04:00-07:00

Farmers will receive a full allocation of water for the remainder of the irrigation season.
The board of directors voted to increase the water allocation to 100 percent at its Aug. 7 meeting.
The allocation was initially set at 80 percent in March and increased to 90 percent in June. District officials monitored Carson River runoff since April and included flows in the Truckee Canal. Actual runoff was greater than was forecast, and projected releases from Lahontan are sufficient to allow a 100 percent allocation to water users in both Fallon and Fernley.
However, flows in the Truckee Canal have been reduced because of the 350 cubic feet per second cap issued by the BOR and low water flows in the Truckee River.
"At this time, there is not enough water in the river to sustain the diversion of 350 cfs into the Truckee Canal," states the water supply condition report posted on TCID's Web site.
Temporary transfers and a water claim require 157 cfs to pass below Derby

Goodman named Fernley mayor to replace Cutler

Staff report — 2009-08-06T17:33:00-07:00

The Fernley City Council appointed Leroy Goodman as mayor Wednesday to replace Todd Cutler who resigned July 31.
After an extensive public interview process by the City Council, Goodman was appointed to fill Cutler's remaining term.
Goodman, a resident of Fernley for 43 years, is retired from Nevada Cement Company and is a current commissioner on the Nevada Commission on Economic Development. Goodman experience includes 12 years as a Lyon County Commissioner, four years on the Fernley Town Board and a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. He has also served on the Northern Nevada Development Authority, board of directors for Job Opportunities in Nevada, board of directors for the Nevada Association of Counties, board of directors for the Western Nevada Homes Consortium and Western Nevada Development District.
"I am honored and appreciate the confidence placed in me by this appointment," Goodman said. "I would like to

Railway depot turns 95 years old

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-08-01T16:31:00-07:00

FERNLEY - The Fernley Preservation Society is celebrating the 1914 Fernley/Lassen Railway Museum Depot's 95th Birthday on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Birthday cake and punch will be served at noon on location at 675 E. Main St.
Starting out as a nonprofit organization formed to educate and preserve the history of Fernley and the surrounding area, the FPS took on the depot project a year prior to their official formation when locals formed a "Save the Depot Committee" in 1985.

The historic Fernley/Lassen Depot closed in 1985. Two groups of people, interested in saving the building merged to form the FPS and bought the depot for $1 from the Southern Pacific Railroad. The society relocated it to its current location on Sept. 3, 1986.

Gradually, the FPS has added rolling stock and received grant monies to refurbish the building. Exterior repairs have been made to protect the structure. Painting is in the process on the south and west exterior walls. A ma

Ethics complaints against city of Fernley dismissed

Staff report — 2009-08-01T16:22:00-07:00

The Nevada Commission on Ethics dismissed an ethics complaint filed against the city of Fernley by two residents.

This is the fourth ethics complaint filed against Mayor Todd Cutler and city staff that has been dismissed in its entirety, resolved with no findings of violations by the Nevada Commission on Ethics.

The complaints, filed by Fernley residents Sandra Mathewson and Joe Specchio Sr., alleged Cutler and city staff misused city credit cards and city funds to a personal benefit, totalling 51 separate allegations in the four complaints.

All 51 allegations filed against Cutler, City Attorney Jeff McGowan, Parks Director Keith Penner and Administrative Specialist Leslieann Hayden, were dismissed by the commission and found without merit.

"These complaints cost the City of Fernley taxpayers thousands of dollars to address in attorney fees and city staff time, city resources that could be put to better uses," said Cutler. "It is regrettable that the ethics pr

Studying horses from the ground up

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-06-28T11:16:00-07:00

The Fernley Silver Sage Riders 4-H Club is made up primarily of beginners. Because of that, leader Lisa Grey thought it best to start them off with a basic, from the ground up, understanding of what horses are all about. Thus the study of hippology (hippo is the Greek word for horse) is prominent for her group.

"I feel like I've got all the beginners. I'm pleased with that. I like all the confidence building that goes into it and introducing them to something new," Grey said.

The club also has a teen leader, Andi Bolstad, who is more experienced in horsemanship. The group recently added a co-leader, Sue Baltes, who has three children in the club. Besides the leaders, other members include Connor Siggins, Amanda Van Pelt, Brooke Adams, Hailey Cushman, Ophelia Arroyo, Kelly Lawyer, Daria Powell and Nicky, Tyler and Tommy Baltes.

The Silver Sage Riders 4-H Club meets every other Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fernley Intermediate School where they study the parts of both

Silver Springs presents a day of family events

By QUEST LAKES Special to the LVN — 2009-04-21T20:09:00-07:00

If you've never been to Silver Springs, Saturday will be a stellar day to get the family out for a road trip to the rural Nevada community with beautiful river views and state parks.
The town will have three free family friendly events - a health and wellness fair including free child immunizations in addition to dozens of other booths, a free tour of a local organic farm and an enormous annual used book sale to benefit the library summer reading program. A fuller description of each event and contact information follows:
Silver Springs Health Fair will be at Silver Stage Middle School.
Silver Stage Task Force members are offering their annual, free community health and wellness fair with dozens of booths covering the full spectrum of wellness,.
Booths include nutrition, local community gardens, exercise, continuing education, mental health, healthy recreation and hobbies, positive parenting, substance abuse prevention and recovery and preventative health care from 11a.m.-2p.m.

4-H dog club increases membership

By MARYJEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-04-18T16:52:00-07:00

The Fernley Paws and Claws 4-H Dog Club's three-year-term past-president, and teen leader, Andi Bolstad, active in many local 4-H clubs, recently became vice-president of the busy group.
Other new officers are Hailey Cushman, president; Levi Merlin, secretary; and Chelsea Wafler, reporter.
The Paws and Claws 4-H Dog Club meets every Thursday at 5:30 pm at Diamond F Park. Currently, Club members are concentrating on preparing their dogs for a May 16 fun match at the Out-of-Town Park.
The upcoming dog show is open to anyone including adults and youth, 4-H and non-4H members. The group invites everyone to come and have a good time. Entries are due by May 8.
During their weekly meetings, members are mainly focusing on working hard to be ready to show their canines at the Lyon County Fair in Yerington in August and the Nevada State Fair at the Reno Livestock Event Center after that.
In the meantime with 22 young people in the club, there is still room for new members if they wan

Longtime Fernley resident celebrates her 100th birthday

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-03-17T19:44:00-07:00

Fernley resident Maxine Waymire was recently honored at Calvary Chapel Church with a luncheon for her 100th birthday.

"It was a beautiful party. They made a scrapbook for me and had pictures all over the wall. It was so nice," Waymire said of her first party.

Waymire will again be honored on Friday when the Life Care Center of Reno, 445 Holcomb Ranch Lane, hosts a birthday bash for her at 3 p.m.

"I can't imagine another party," Maxine said, "but I'm looking forward to it. We had a great party the other night at the church."

According to a Life Care Center representative, they are expecting a large crowd including reporters from local television stations and newspapers. Friends and other well-wishers are invited to attend. Birthday cards can be mailed to Maxine at the Life Care Center.

Waymire was born Maxine Collins in Raven, Colo., on March 20, 1909. She grew up in Mamm Creek, Colo., on a ranch where she learned to ride horses and enjoyed doing so later in life even

Line-of-sight pilot flies balloons

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-03-10T14:59:00-07:00

In the quiet of a clear, calm Sunday morning, if you hear what might sound like a dragon puffing, you may see, instead, the brightly striped colors of a local man's hot air balloon.
Chuck Reynolds, who has both his private and commercial lighter-than-air pilot's licenses for his line-of-sight flying, says he first became interested in the sport when his daughter worked for The Great Reno Balloon Race.
"My daughter called and wanted to know if I'd sponsor a balloon," Reynolds, co-owner of B & C Pool Company (a business that sells and services video and arcade games throughout Northern Nevada including the Naval Air Station at Fallon) said.
He was hooked on the sport. That was the beginning of a long career and hobby he continues today. His first sponsorship was in 1986. By 1993 he was lifting off in his own craft from the Out-of-Town Park in Fernley.
"There are no road signs up there," Reynolds said of his maneuvering about northern Nevada. "We always know where we're goi

City of Fernley to lay off 14 employees

Submitted by the City of Fernley — 2009-03-04T16:09:00-07:00

Fernley - The City of Fernley continues to monitor and respond to the national financial meltdown and its impacts on city finances. Despite months of on-going belt tightening measures such as hiring freezes, reducing travel, eliminating annual cost of living increases for employees, across the board department and contract cuts, stagnant housing and declining revenues continue to underscore the need for the city to do more.

Facing what he called one of the toughest challenges of his professional career, Interim City Manager Greg Evangelatos said, "Fernley certainly didn't create the global economic crisis, but we have to deal with it, and we have to deal with it immediately and straightforwardly, in order to keep the city's finances in order and protect the people of Fernley."

"The mid-year building revenue deficit, which amounts to nearly $455,000, is so substantial that it can only be closed through workforce reductions after the city had trimmed every department to bare b

Swine Club makes plans, elects officers

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-02-18T00:05:00-07:00

The Fernley Fine Swine Club, a 4-H group whose members recently purchased wiener pigs at the Fallon Auction to raise as their projects, is underway for another year.
"The club is in full swing with the purchase of their pigs and are looking forward to the county and state shows in April and May," said Alixi Ceresola who is assisting the club leader Shana Rudd.
The group of nine club members elected their 2009 officers at a recent meeting. Dominic Ceresola, a three-year member, was voted president; Andi Bolstad, a first-year member, vice president; Kylie Hargett, a four-year member, secretary; and Danny Rudd, a three-year member, and Sydney Felton, a first-year member, sergeants at arms.
Other club members include Brittney Moreno, a six-year member, two-year member, Garret Bunyard, and two first-year members, Tyler Baltes and Sara Miller.
"All officers have taken an avid interest in helping the other club members have an exciting experience and in helping them to get their pigs r

Fernley drivers ed course offered in March

Submitted by WNC — 2009-02-11T16:48:00-07:00

FERNLEY- A required driver education course for teens age 15 and older will be offered by Western Nevada College at Fernley High School, Saturdays, March 7-28. The class meets 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost per session is $99.

Young drivers will learn safe driving techniques through lectures, class discussion, guest speakers, and films that cover Nevada driving regulations, basic vehicle control, and driving maneuvers in various situations and environments. Nevada law requires that new drivers under age 18 take a 30-hour New Driver Education course if one is offered within 30 miles of their home.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report from July shows that fatalities among drivers ages 15-20 rose 3 percent between 1996 and 2006. That age group is involved in more deadly crashes than any other.

The WNC New Driver Education program focuses on Nevada traffic laws as well as areas where young drivers lack skill - poor visual search habits; inattention; improper m

Fernley hosts multi-cultural festival May 30-31

Staff report — 2009-02-11T16:47:00-07:00

The Fernley Multi-cultural Festival will be held May 30-31 from noon to 7 p.m. each day at the Out of Town Park.

Some of the entertainers and displays include Fernley High School Band, Taj Children's Ballet, Latino music singer Suzette Gonzales, Scottish Dancers, FHS Dance Team, children's guitar group Acoustic Wolves, Aztec Dancers Grupo Tlaloc Danza Aztec, and art displays featuring artist, photographer and pottery maker Vivian Olds.

Vendor spaces are available for $25 for both days; $15 for Saturday only or $10 for Sunday only. To participate call Maria at 575-0717 or 376-0188.

Proceeds benefit the Fernley/Wadsworth Lions Club, our local food bank and the Fernley Multi-Cultural Festival. Bring your canned goods and receive raffle tickets for a free raffle especially for anyone bringing non-perishable food items. There will also be raffle tickets on sale for other great prizes. Tickets cost $1 each or six for $5.

Selling coffee with a different purpose

By MARY JEAN KELSO LVN Correspondent — 2009-02-04T00:05:00-07:00

Newly arrived residents, Nancy and Ken Clarke, officially moved to Fernley last month and immediately joined the Chamber of Commerce.
Not ready to totally retire, they sold their computer business in California and started another, different kind of business, which allows them to do things they enjoy. For Nancy, it's drink coffee. For both, it's being involved with people.
"Ken doesn't drink coffee, but I do," Nancy said, "so when we heard about these specialty coffees I went to a meeting and came back so excited Ken had to go, too. He attended a presentation to see what it was all about. He was on board as soon as he saw the children (10 perecent of the company's proceeds were being donated to children in Uganda) and the business potential."
The couple was looking for a way to supplement their retirement and liked what the Boresha company had to offer.
Nancy, a coffee aficionado anyway, not only liked the flavor of the coffee, but also the company donates portions of the p

Fernley Foundation revitalized for new year of activities

Staff Writer — 2009-01-27T17:45:00-07:00

By Pam Doerr
Special to the LVN
The Fernley Foundation will hold a fundraiser as well as a dinner and auction on Aug. 29. A pair of potential sites have been identified for the event whose theme will be "Over the Rainbow".
The Fernley Foundation's most current project is a fundraiser for the Kaylene Meyer Streumph Scholarship, administered by the group.
A coupon program, created through the cooperation of local businesses will contribute funds to the annual scholarship to college-bound seniors, either being home schooled or attending Fernley High School.
The first business to participate is Louie's China Bistro (Scolari's Shopping Square) with a coupon offer good Feb. 16-19. Enjoy a meal, or order menu items to go, from a fabulous selection of dishes and 10 percent of the total bill will be contributed by the owner to the scholarship fund.
A neighboring business, The Office Shipping & Mailboxes, operated by Ray Lacy, is also participating in the fundraiser by offering to donate

Fernley economic summit offered Feb. 18

Submitted by the city of Fernley — 2009-01-26T16:41:00-07:00

The Fernley Economic Development Summit bringing together city, commerce
and the community will be held Feb. 18 at Fernley City Hall.

The event is co-hosted by the Fernley Chamber of Commerce, Northern Nevada
Development Authority and the city.

Speakers will be Len Gilman from the Reno/Tahoe Industrial Center and Stan
Thomas from the Crossroads Commerce Center.

Local business owners and residents are encouraged to attend the informative
and valuable summit. Cost to attend is $20 with a pre-paid RSVP for Fernley
Chamber and NNDA members, and $30 for nonmembers or at the door.

Doors will open at 11 a.m. with a buffet luncheon served at 11:30 a.m. The
program will run from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Register online at www.nnda.org/events.aspx?eventID=162.