WASHINGTON (AP) — As part of the Trump administration's push to expand U.S. energy production, federal officials will review and consider redrawing the boundaries of national monuments created under previous presidents to protect unique landscapes and cultural resources. The review — laid out in a Monday order from new Interior Secretary Doug Burgum — is raising alarms among conservation groups concerned that President Donald Trump will shrink or eliminate monuments established by his predecessors, including Democrat Joe Biden. Burgum gave agency officials until Feb. 18 to submit plans on how to comply with his order.
One of the nearly three dozen executive orders issued by President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration last month is designed to halt the development of wind turbines. On Trump’s behalf and as part of carrying out that order, the Department of Interior’s acting secretary issued an order the same day to all Interior’s bureaus and departments temporarily suspending their authority “to take any of the following actions…” One of the paused actions listed in the order was approving any “plans of operation, or to amend existing plans of operation under the General Mining Law of 1872.”
SPARKS — The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has been selected to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in 2025. This will mark the first time the United States Forest Service will harvest the tree from the Humboldt-Toiyabe and the state of Nevada. “Nevada’s rugged, wide-open landscapes are a hallmark of our culture and a cornerstone of our economy,” said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. “In the spirit of shared stewardship, the state of Nevada looks forward to partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and showcase what’s special about the Silver State.”
A silver pickup towing a white horse trailer rumbled along Interstate 80 before turning north on State Route 447 toward Gerlach. Without stopping in town, it bumps its way down rough dirt roads past some of Northern Nevada’s most fantastical and imposing formations — the Black Rock Desert, Fly Geyser, the Calico Mountains, King Lear Peak. Nearly two hours later at the edge of the Black Rock Desert, the trailer hooked a sharp left onto an even more rugged road leading into Box Canyon. As the slopes looming over the canyon grew steeper and closer together, the trailer came to a stop.
Lander County residents will soon have a new transportation option, as Greyhound announces the launch of its service to Battle Mountain. Beginning on Feb. 15, Greyhound buses will make regular stops at Golden Gate in Battle Mountain.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — What was once the world's largest solar power plant of its type appears headed for closure just 11 years after opening, under pressure from cheaper green energy sources. Meanwhile, environmentalists continue to blame the Mojave Desert plant for killing thousands of birds and tortoises. The Ivanpah solar power plant formally opened in 2014 on roughly 5 square miles of federal land near the California-Nevada border. Though it was hailed at the time as a breakthrough moment for clean energy, its power has been struggling to compete with cheaper solar technologies.
RENO — The Nevada Mining Association (NVMA) proudly announces the return of Drew McGregor to the organization as its Communications Manager. In this position, McGregor will oversee the organization’s communication strategy, relationships with media, community organizations, and educational institutions.
Last week the Pershing County High School boys basketball team avenged league losses against Yerington and North Tahoe and beat Wells in a non-conference matchup. The Mustangs’ week began with a 63-50 win against the visiting Yerington Lions. Earlier this month, PCHS lost 60-52 to the Lions on the road.
The Pershing County High School wrestling team hosted the Northern 2A Regional Tournament this past Saturday. The Mustangs placed second out of eight teams, with Battle Mountain winning with 235 points. Pershing County placed second with 219.5 points and Eureka (108), Yerington (96), Wells (95.5), Coral Academy (69), Incline (42.5) and Owyhee (11) rounded out the team standings.
This year, The Pershing County High School girls basketball team has won or lost eight of its regular season games by five points or less. Last week was no exception for the cardiac kids from Lovelock. The Mustangs suffered a heartbreaking 39-37 overtime loss to Yerington and beat Wells 33-28 and North Tahoe 32-29.
After going undefeated the week before at the Northern 3A duals, the Lowry High School wrestling team had a mixed bag of results this past weekend at the Northern 3A Regional Championships at Wooster High School in Reno. The Buckaroos crowned four individual champions but will send just six grapplers to Fallon and the Rafter 3C Arena this weekend in Fallon.
For most of the year, the Northern 2A girls basketball league has avoided chaos — however, as the regular season comes to a close, it’s now in full force in the conference. North Tahoe came in undefeated in the Northern 2A, but lost twice (Pershing County and Yerington) opening the race for Yerington, Battle Mountain and Pershing County.
It was fitting that its was Hall of Fame night on Friday in Winnemucca, as the Lowry High School girls basketball team and Churchill County turned back the clocks. In what resembled a Marvin Hagler versus Tommy Hearns heavyweight boxing match from the 1980s, as both teams traded jabs and uppercuts throughout the night. It was the Greenwave that provided the knockout punch in the fourth quarter to win 47-36 and split the season-series with the Lady Bucks.
After seeing the Northern 2A dual championship go to Pershing County High School the week before, the Battle Mountain High School wrestling team bounced back win the Northern 2A Regional Championship this past Saturday in Lovelock and the Mustangs’ home floor. The Longhorns defeated the Mustangs 235-219.50, with Eureka (108), Yerington (96) and Wells (95.5) completing the top five.
With the regular season coming to an end this week, the Battle Mountain High School boys basketball team did its best to stay within the top three in the Northern 2A standings. The Longhorns did that, winning two of its three games to improve to 12-4 in league play. The only loss was to West Wendover on Thursday night in Battle Mountain, with the Wolverines winning 54-40. West Wendover paces the Northern 2A at 15-1, followed by Incline at 13-1.