Rachel Dahl
The ever-popular Maine Street Spooktacular event is back this year and better than ever, thanks to a healthy contribution from the commissioners' community support fund of $2,070. Organizer Jessica Huckaby reported to the commission and asked for a $3,000 contribution to help meet the $9,700 target the group has set to fund the event this year. The event is scheduled to be held on Maine Street from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 31.
“We don’t have estimates yet for insurance and portable toilets,” Huckaby said.
The group estimated 2,500 children were at the Spooktacular last year, going door to door at the Maine Street businesses. “We’ve partnered with Search & Rescue and will have three blocks this year, from Williams to Stillwater,” Huckaby said. “We will have free candy, free entertainment with bounce houses and pumpkin painting, and of course, the ambulance, fire truck, Search & Rescue, and a cement truck.”
The goal is to provide safe Trick-or-treat activities for local youth.
Commissioner Myles Getto explained that because of budget cuts, Fiscal Year ’25 expenditures were reduced by 31%, so the final contribution was $2,070.
Commissioners appointed City Councilman Paul Harmon to fill the unexpired term of Sean Richardson on the Board of Directors for the Fallon Golf Course and approved an agreement with A & K Earth Movers for the demolition of the building at 60 West Richards Street to make room for parking behind the new Public Works Department that has moved into the 270 S. Maine building. Public Works director Randy Hines reported that the project will provide onsite parking for employees and county vehicles.
Sheriff Richard Hickox asked commissioners to approve the purchase of a K-9 replacement for $9,500. Funding will come from forfeiture funds and a contribution from the Community Coalition. Hickox reported that the department K-9 had recently died after a brief illness. “We have a large investment into training, a car, and the equipment,” Hickox said. “There is a strong need within our community for a narcotics-searching canine.”
Commissioners also recognized Pam Moore, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, for her work each year hosting and producing the Jim Regan Golf tournament and managing the scholarship program.
During the regular County Commission meeting, County Manager Jim Barbee reported that the county has been working closely with the library staff and the school district to address the issue of middle school students at the library after school every day who are preventing the public from using the library. There have been discussions with the district about helping to fund the costs of a security guard during the hours after school.
“We still haven’t gotten a firm answer yet, but will bring something back in two weeks, one way or another, it’s just gotten that bad, people can’t access a public building,” Barbee said. “We’ve got to do something.”
Congressman Mark Amodei also attended the meeting, speaking during public comment and giving a report of the latest activities in Washington, D.C. He talked about the cybersecurity efforts to protect public utilities and the lands bill he introduced that will convey federal lands to several communities, including Douglas, Pershing, Carson, Fernley, and Sparks, to promote economic development. If successful, Amodei said the bill would provide more industrial development on the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center scale in Storey County.
Amodei also reported on his office's efforts to implement the Fallon Range Training Complex modernization with the Department of the Navy and NAS Fallon, specifically mentioning the issue of grazing permits and land transfers.
The Commission meets on the first Thursday at 8:15 a.m. and the third Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. Meetings are recorded and can be viewed online at youtube.com/@churchillcounty
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