Beginning in 1991, the Coalition for Senior Citizens operated the senior center, which was then located on Court and South East Streets in Fallon. When the new William N. Pennington Life Center opened on South Maine Street in 2017, the coalition continued to operate as the center’s governing body. In 2021, Churchill County Social Services fully took over governance of the Life Center when commissioners unanimously voted to restructure operations.

Buster Pierce, program services director at the time, said the decision felt rushed and punitive, driven by political motivation.

Some Life Center seniors and former staff, who asked that their names not be used, are expressing similar sentiments today.

Concerns over Social Services’ management of staff have been raised, with some seniors pointing to the loss of former Aging and Disability Services Director Jill Manha, who resigned in late February. Additional staff departures have added to uncertainty about the center’s future, even though an interim manager was assigned to oversee the Life Center.

According to Spross, the county assigned Carlie Cushing as interim manager for the Life Center. He emphasized this was an interim position and the county is actively recruiting for a new Aging and Disability Services Director.

Additionally, Spross explained that this assignment was not something that needed to go before the Board of County Commissioners for approval. “Unless a step increase is requested, we can place someone in such a position,” he said.

At the time Manha resigned, Cushing was filling in with Meals on Wheels. The decision to place Cushing, who was officially working with grants, was made by Ernst, Spross, and human resources. “Based on time that was spent at the Life Center, she was the best choice,” said Spross. “The other option is worse—to have no one.”

Former Social Services Director Shannon Ernst was recently hired as the administrator for the Central Nevada Health District and is now serving only in an interim capacity with Social Services, a role the county is also working to fill.

Other concerns include the loss or reduction of certain programs, such as the pet program, which assists seniors with veterinary care, pet food, and grooming, due to funding limitations. Seniors have also raised questions about the quality of meals and the future of the beauty shop. Spross confirmed, despite speculation of major renovations, the only project beyond routine maintenance is planned upgrades to the salon, which is currently out for bid.

Construction of the Life Center was made possible through joint funding provided by the City of Fallon and Churchill County, along with $2 million in grant funds from the William N. Pennington Foundation. The William N. Pennington Life Center name has been replaced with Churchill County Social Services William N. Pennington Life Center – down to the letterhead and on the county’s website. Some seniors worry that the name is not the only thing that has changed, but that the identity and sense of community connection tied to the Life Center may also be shifting.

Churchill County Manager Chris Spross said he had not been made aware of these concerns, nor, to his knowledge, had the county received any specific complaints.

“We are trying to do the best we can for seniors and people that utilize CART and Meals on Wheels,” said Spross, who hopes the county will find a new director for the Life Center soon.

One senior wasn’t so sure, stating, “It's not a senior center. That's what we are told all the time; it’s a life center… but if you look outside underneath the big flag out there, it says the senior center… and if we don't have something for the seniors, where are the seniors going to go?”
 

Coalition for Senior Citizens

The Fallon Theatre

Every third Friday at 1 p.m.

Nevada Cheer Free Clinic

CCHS and UNR

Churchill County High School

April 10 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Nevada Football Spring Showcase

Silver and Blue Scrimmage Game

Churchill County High School

April 10 at 5 p.m.

Home and Garden Show

Soroptimist International of Fallon

Fallon Convention Center

April 11 from 9 to 3 p.m. and April 12 from 9 to 2 p.m.

Car Show

Soroptimist International of Fallon

100 Campus Way

April 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bad Art: Blackout Poetry

Churchill County Library

553 S. Maine St. 

April 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Author Talks: Jacci Turner

Churchill County Library

553 S. Maine St. 

April 14 at 6 p.m.

The Art of Storytelling 

Churchill County Museum

April 14 at 6 p.m.

Pickleball Beginner Class

Churchill County Parks and Recreation

City/County Gym

April 14–16 from 5:45 to 9 p.m.

Meet The Director

Churchill County Library

553 S. Maine St.

April 16 at 6 p.m.

Nature Journal Workshop

The Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance

The Churchill Arts Center

April 17–18 

No Flea Flea Market

Churchill Animal Protection Society

Oasis Community Church

April 17–18

Pancake Breakfast Fly-In

Flyin’Tiz Aviation

Fallon Municipal Airport

April 18 at 8 a.m.

Grand Opening Celebration

Clear Path Healthcare

50 Commercial Way

April 18 from noon to 1 p.m.

Blue Pig Call-In

Fallon Elks Club

93 W. Center St.

April 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Family Carnival

Life Center

952 S. Maine St.

April 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Fallon Spring Fling

Rustoration Garage

3C Event Center

April 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wellness 2026

Churchill Community Coalition 

Rafter 3C Arena

May 5 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Inaugural Spring Clinic

Reining & Ranch Horse Association

Fifty Horse Ranch

May 16 at 8 a.m.

Bark in the Park 5K

Churchill Animal Protection Society

Churchill County Fairgrounds

May 16

Plant Bingo

Churchill County Parks and Recreation

255 E. Stillwater Ave.

May 22

The sale features healthy, locally grown plants cultivated by students in the Plant Systems Class. Quantities are limited and available on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

In addition to supplying plants to the community, the project gives students hands‑on experience in every stage of the process, from growing and organizing inventory to designing order forms and completing sales.

Funds raised through the sale go directly back to support the program.

Recent public outcry in Fallon and across Northern Nevada asserts that New River Township Justice Court Judge Benjamin Trotter is not adequately weighing public safety concerns. In the past year, Trotter has granted own recognizance (OR) releases, or release without bail, in several high-level cases, including child sexual assault or gross lewdness cases and drug-related cases, and most recently a case in which a local woman was charged with 29 counts of promoting Child Sexual Assault Material (CSAM), involving children as young as newborns. This case, in particular, has intensified public concern over how release decisions are being made in serious offenses.

Opposition to OR releases is escalating as states implement expanded release policies and the public grapples with the potential risk posed by defendants released pretrial.

The 2020 Nevada Supreme Court’s decision in Valdez-Jimenez v. Eighth Judicial District Court significantly changed how bail is applied in Nevada courts. Trotter, who said he is governed by the Rules of Judicial Conduct, stated that the ruling flipped the tables on consideration of bail versus own-recognizance (OR) release.

A significant issue with the ruling is the scope of judicial discretion and how it is interpreted. Whether an OR release is granted can vary by courtroom, leading to different outcomes for similar cases and fueling ongoing debate over how to balance constitutional protections with public safety.

In response to concerns over OR releases in high-level cases, Trotter explained that prior to the decision, requiring bail was expected, and “good cause” was all that was needed to set bail at any amount. “Bail was often used as a mechanism for keeping a defendant in jail,” said Trotter.

Judges are now required to consider multiple factors when determining bail or release, including ties to the community, ability to post bail, financial resources, criminal history, history of failing to appear, and employment status. “Most of the factors to consider are provided to the judge via a pretrial release assessment done in our community by our pretrial supervision department, Court Services,” Trotter explained.

While judges must also weigh the nature of the charges, that is only one factor in the determination. “After Valdez-Jimenez, it became incumbent upon the prosecution to justify requiring bail of any sort,” Trotter said. “This decision was not a request of the lower courts but a mandate.”

That interpretation, however, is not universally shared, and has become a central point of disagreement in Churchill and surrounding counties.

Many in the community are questioning how charges involving the sexual assault of a child do not constitute a significant risk to the community, and how cases involving dozens of counts of child exploitation would not weigh more heavily in a bail decision.

According to Trotter, “Without notable justification a judge cannot set bail that is unachievable by the defendant except for murder, where bail is not required at all.” Most defendants in Churchill County courts have limited financial resources and qualify for a public defender, meaning they cannot afford high bail and are often granted OR release in Justice Court.

“If bail must be set at a reachable amount in most cases, its community protection features become limited,” Trotter explained. “In order to do otherwise a judge must state the reason he/she is not following Valdez-Jimenez… Whether a judge agrees with the decision is irrelevant; the judge must comply.” 

Another area of criticism involves the conditions placed on defendants released on OR. In some cases, supervision through Court Services is not included. In the CSAM case, the defendant was ordered to have no contact with children and was prohibited from accessing pornographic or fetish websites. Critics argue that those conditions are difficult, if not impossible, to effectively monitor, raising questions about how violations would be detected before additional harm occurs.

In Churchill County, the perceived impact of the Valdez-Jimenez ruling is playing out both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion. Critics argue that, regardless of due process protections, including the presumption of innocence, individuals accused of high-level crimes should be subject to bail, often at higher amounts.

Former Justice of the Peace candidate and Court Services Director Brenda Ingram, said during her campaign that Trotter was too loosely interpreting the ruling. “He has interpreted the law to mean he has to release these people, and that is absolutely not the case.” 

Still, many argue the severity of the alleged crime should carry greater weight in bail decisions.

The result is an ongoing divide over how Valdez-Jimenez should be applied, and whether its interpretation is being carried out as intended, or stretched in ways that leave critical decisions dependent on the courtroom rather than the case.

Confident in his interpretation of the ruling, Trotter said he welcomes the public into his courtroom. “I would love it if people came in or jumped on zoom to watch their court.”

Then my dad was in the hospital for a few days with pneumonia, and Sloanie’s baby is taking his sweet time getting here. 

It’s all added up to a lot of thinking about life here on earth, time, and our physical bodies. 

What a blessing they are, and how we should really be attentive to taking care of them. How in the end they fail us, in spite of all the care. We come in to diapers, and we go out in diapers. Things just don’t work right forever. 

My friends and I often remark and try to laugh about the phenomenon that has brought us to this stage in life, where we pause as we get up from the table or our desks, waiting for all the muscles and bones to situate and prime for movement. Gone are the days when we leap up and bolt across the room. 

But it's not just physical – our emotional being ages and changes too. Some of us soften with time, and some find age an excuse for bad manners. How many people do we all know who, just by making it to 84, think they’ve somehow earned the right to “say it like it is” or disregard the social niceties? And worse, when we start to lose our marbles, whatever inner way of being we’ve practiced in our youth very often becomes our outward expressions. 

We all know people who’ve been the sweetest humans and, in their dementia, remain sweet and lovely. But we also know people who’ve been crass and harsh, and that behavior seems to magnify, a habit of bad behavior manifested in their mindlessness.

Life is instructive if we let it be – I’m reminded to practice always being kind and thoughtful. To soften the rough edges, to cease with the sailor language. Just in case I’m not able to get all the marbles back in the bag before I get to 84, I want to be in the habit of using good manners and being easy to be around. 

So while we ditch the swearing around the office and break for more physical activity through the day, we’ll always be right here…

…Keeping you Posted.

Rach

Held indoors at the Rafter 3C Arena, the livestock show provides an opportunity for Fallon’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) students, 4-H, Youth Grange, Battle Born Keystones, and independent youth members to exhibit their livestock projects before the public.

This year, Churchill County continued its annual support with $7,500 for the event. According to Karen Bogdanowicz, CCJLS Foundation Vice President, the 2025 show included 94 exhibitors, 69 animals sold, nearly 30,000 pounds of meat produced, and a total sale revenue of about $203,591. Approximately $142,964 of that benefitted youth exhibitors. This year’s event promises great livestock, an excellent sale, and fun for both competitors and attendees.

Events include several livestock categories, including sheep, dairy goats, hogs, steers, poultry, and rabbits, as well as other classes like Ag Mechanics, Poster Contest, Best Dressed, Breeding, and Showmanship, which is a required entry this year. The Record Book Contest is due May 11, with the Interview Contest May 15.

For nearly nine decades, raising and showing livestock has been a defining experience for many youth in Churchill County. Since 1939, when the first 4-H livestock contest was held at Chester Lima’s ranch, the community has continued to show up in support of its young agriculturalists. Let’s continue the tradition and support our 2026 Junior Livestock Show participants and donors.

Reflecting on the team’s journey, Holt shared, “My administrator, Tim Spencer, has been so supportive of Greenwave Games. He never says no, so I pass that on to my students. Even if I do not know a program or know the answer, the students, when passionate about their goals, find a way which leads to beautiful, fun and amazing creations.”

Things kicked into high gear for Greenwave Games this year when Holt brought his student developers to the University of Nevada, Reno’s Break the Internet esports event on March 14. At the 2026 gathering, Holt seized the opportunity to spotlight his team’s work, drawing attention to their innovative games and giving his students a platform to be recognized by industry peers, professional game developers, and event organizers.

One such game was Ruff Day, an imaginative, Mario-style platform game crafted by CCHS senior and fourth-year Greenwave Games student Keoni Burrow. In the game, players guide the charming main character, Cinnamon – a bread aficionado, on an engaging quest to collect a variety of delicious loaves of bread from clever enemies while navigating intricately designed mazes that challenge and delight. The game’s lively atmosphere is elevated by an original soundtrack composed by CCHS senior Santiago Begazo, whose music brings energy and personality to every level, making the gameplay experience truly memorable. 

During the Break the Internet event, Ruff Day was a popular choice among gamers. The atmosphere changed significantly when independent game developer Joriel Alves started playing. His involvement energized the crowd. An enthusiastic audience cheered him on. This excitement drew Holt's attention.

Alves said Ruff Day immediately stood out. “It looks like a simple platform anyone can pick up, but there’s a lot more happening under the surface,” he said. “The movement feels rewarding as you master it, the level design lets you choose your pace, and the challenging sections feel earned. You can tell the developer made a game that’s fun for both new players and those who want to push its limits.”

After finishing his session with Ruff Day, Joriel Alves, a University of Nevada, Reno graduate, and independent game developer engaged in conversation with Holt. According to Holt, Joriel Alves expressed a strong interest in purchasing the game and was eager to know where to purchase the game. Holt noted that Burrow did not yet have an online presence or social media accounts. Nonetheless, Joriel Alves’ enthusiasm underscored the accomplishments of Holt, Burrow, Begazo, and the Greenwave Games team.

When asked about the interest in Ruff Day and the prospect of selling the game, Burrow said, “I think it is impressive how everyone who plays the game enjoys it in their own way.” He added, “I might make it cheap, like $2, or even free so it is accessible to everyone. The game itself will make a good edition to my portfolio for college.” Burrow intends to attend the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall.

Keoni Burrow will debut a free demo of Ruff Day at LVL UP EXPO 2026, a three-day gaming and pop culture convention taking place April 24–26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where attendees can also access a link to purchase the game. The expo is open to all videogame developers—both commercial and independent—as well as artists and fans from the general public. To secure a booth at the event, participants must apply through the official application process. This marks a significant achievement for Holt, who will showcase his students’ games and digital art at the expo.

Holt said the primary goal of attending is to give these emerging creators the opportunity to network and highlight their portfolios.

Meanwhile, Ruff Day and several other games in development entered Beta testing in Holt’s design classroom on April 1 and 2. During the two-day period, high school students played the games and provided feedback to the creators, helping to identify bugs and prepare the games for the release party scheduled for some time in May. Up for grabs at the release party is $2500 in prize money contributed to the program by an anonymous donor. Student winners who will return to high school the following year will reinvest the prize money in their projects, and those graduating will keep the cash. 

Stay tuned for updates on LVL UP EXPO, the release party results, and the latest news about Greenwave Games (GG).

Eight contestants competed for the titles of King and Queen, along with $500 scholarships. The competition was open to students from eighth grade through college and vocational programs. Community members were also encouraged to attend and take part in a patriotic theme celebrating America 250.

Reigning King and Queen Anabelle Forshee and Elijah Southfield returned to pass on their titles and reflect on their experiences from last year’s festival season. The event was emceed by Festival Board Vice Chairman Todd Moretto, who posed a series of questions prepared by the board. Topics ranged from what participants enjoy most about Fallon to how they would represent the community as King or Queen.

Contestants included Sophie Bake, Joshua Enriquez, Kaena Williams, Adriel Davis, Emily Dunkin, Vincenzo Torres May, Faith Marie Torres, and Phoenyx Mathes.

Following deliberation, judges crowned Joshua Enriquez and Kaena Williams as the 2026 Cantaloupe King and Queen. The pair was crowned by Forshee and Southfield and will serve as ambassadors for both the festival and the Fallon community in the months leading up to the annual event.

Joshua Vernon Patrick Feddern-Wiles, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a Category C Felony of attempting to possess a firearm as an ex-felon and Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Feddern-Wiles also failed to appear for a sentencing hearing in July 2025.

Brenda Ingram with Court Services said Feddern-Wiles was admitted to New Frontier Treatment Center in May 2025, left, was readmitted, and left again. She said he violated Court Services on July 10, 2025, and a sentencing hearing was set for July 13. On that date, Feddern-Wiles was outside the courthouse but refused to enter, could not provide a test, and fled when deputies attempted to bring him inside. He was later taken into custody in March 2026 and again refused to test.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills argued Feddern-Wiles had been given multiple opportunities, including drug court, but failed to comply and was not amenable to probation. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the state agreed to concurrent sentences.

Defense attorney Charles Woodman asked the court to follow the recommendation for concurrent sentences. Woodman said the firearm involved was not used or brandished, but was a long gun in a case in the back of a truck Feddern-Wiles was driving while helping his employer move.

Woodman also addressed the failure to appear, saying, “We were here for sentencing. He was here for sentencing. I remember the day. He panicked,” noting his client’s child was about to be born. Woodman said Feddern-Wiles is now working, raising his child, and has a job waiting for him.

The defense asked for a sentence at the low end.

Feddern-Wiles told the court, “I'm a drug addict,” and said he did not begin to address his addiction until his child was born. He acknowledged his actions and said, “I gotta sit down, and I gotta take this … I just want to do my time and get out if that's what it is.” He added he is trying to change and wants to be present in his children’s lives.

Judge Stockard sentenced Feddern-Wiles to 19–48 months in prison on the Category C felony and 12–48 months on the Category E felony, to run concurrently. Judge Stockard said he considered probation but declined to grant it based on the defendant’s history of noncompliance.

At 6 p.m. both nights, families are invited to enjoy “Night at the Museum” (2006), the adventure comedy starring Ben Stiller as a night guard who discovers that the exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History come to life after dark. Dinosaurs, Roman soldiers, and cavemen all join the fun in a film filled with joyful chaos. Rated PG, it runs 1 hour and 48 minutes.

At 7 p.m., thanks to the sponsorship of Josh Berney of Berney Realty Ltd., the theatre will present “Gettysburg” (1993), Ronald F. Maxwell’s sweeping retelling of one of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War. Because of its length and scope, the film will be shown in two parts over the weekend. Part One screens Friday and runs 2 hours and 22 minutes, covering the days leading up to the battle and the fierce fighting of the first two days. Part Two screens Saturday and runs 1 hour and 52 minutes, bringing the story to its powerful conclusion. Rated PG, the full film runs 4 hours and 14 minutes.

Looking ahead, the Coalition for Senior Citizens will host its Third Friday Matinee on Friday, April 17 at 1 p.m., featuring “The Intern” (2015), starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Seniors 60 and older will receive a free small popcorn and a small drink, and the free showing is open to the entire community.

One of the theatre’s most anticipated spring events arrives on Saturday, May 16 at 7 p.m., when the Toiyabe Chamber Music Society returns with its Loneliest Road Chamber Music Project. The Berkelium String Quartet from Berkeley, California, will open its Nevada tour on the Fallon Theatre stage with a program featuring Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden,” a new composition by Daniel Darmesin Flanagan, and a Beethoven quartet, accompanied by projected images. Admission is by donation, and children are welcome.

Summer programming continues with Ventura Highway – The Music of America on Saturday, July 18, at 8 p.m. The concert features the rich harmonies and classic sound of America, with tickets priced at $10.

The Fallon Theatre remains committed to keeping its doors open and screens lit for the community, offering free moviegoing whenever possible. Concessions, including fresh popcorn and classic treats, are available. For information about hosting celebrations or placing a message on the marquee, call 775‑423‑6210 or email thefallontheatre@gmail.com.

First, there was Democratic state Sen. Mary Gojack, who once half-joked state legislators in Carson City should take a breathalyzer test before each vote.

In 1982, Gojack pulled in 41.3 percent of the vote in her loss to Republican Barbara Vucanovich.

Gojack's loss started a string of victories for the GOP in the 2nd U.S. House District as Republicans have held the seat ever since -- for 44 years.

Then there was Democrat Jill Derby in 2006, getting 44.9 percent of the vote in a 5-point loss to Dean Heller. Derby, member of the University System Board of Regents, got almost 42 percent in her 2008 rematch with Heller.

Democrat Kate Marshall, who later won elections for Nevada state treasurer and lieutenant governor, got 36.7 percent of the vote in the 2011 special-election loss to Mark Amodei. She is running for Reno mayor in 2026.

Now, another politically-savvy Democratic woman will run for the 2nd U.S. House District seat this year -- former three-term Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson of Reno.

Benitez-Thompson, who won the title of Miss Nevada 24 years ago and was the third runner-up in the Miss America pageant in 2003, has the advantage of not running against an incumbent.

However, so did Gojack in '82, Derby in '06 and Marshall in 2011.

Current CD-2 Rep. Mark Amodei surprised many by announcing his retirement last month, saying 15 years on Capitol Hill was enough.

His decision unleashed a frenzy that saw 27 candidates file to take his place.

Benitez-Thompson sees 2026 as the year to break the GOP win streak, she said Tuesday on Nevada Newsmakers.

"When the Congressman (Amodei) announced his surprise retirement, I looked at the numbers and I thought, 'You know, what is happening out there in the landscape that is changing, changing the calculus for him to not run again?" Benitez-Thompson told host Sam Shad.

"So looking at the numbers, there's a couple of different things, and the reasons why I believe that a good Democrat can win the seat," she said.

"So first it is in the midterms," Benitez-Thompson said. "The district tends to under-perform (in midterm races).

"And so we know we can get closer than what people actually think in a midterm election," she continued. "And what's happening right now in the world and in the country makes me think that we're going to see a good Democrat be able to over-perform as well."

Benitez-Thompson did not need to mention what the War with Iran, higher gas/grocery prices, tariffs and the over-aggressive actions of federal ICE agents have done to the Trump Administration's popularity.

"We're going to see some real challenges on the Republican side and perhaps an uninspired electorate that's really frustrated with this President and frustrated with this administration and that they're going to under-perform.

"So that's the simple math that I'm looking at," Benitez-Thompson said.

Open to debate her opponents

Benitez-Thompson sees the campaign as a chance to debate her opponents and put her ideas of governance into the public conversation.

"Regardless of even winning the race, this is a chance to shape the conversation for our communities," Benitez-Thompson said.

"This is a chance to say, 'You know, there's certain topics that ought to be talked about," she continued. "There ought to be public debates between the candidates. When you have a good Democrat and a good Republican, a good Democrat can force that Republican to show up."

Benitez-Thompson was critical of Amodei for not holding a public forum since April of 2017.

"We haven't had our Republican representative in Congress at town halls in a number of years," Benitez-Thompson said. "So there's 100 percent of an opportunity to make sure that important conversation and (other) dialogs are happening in this campaign. "

Amodei, however, has continued with smaller meetings with specific constituency groups, according to reports.

Recent town-hall meetings across the nation with Republicans in Congress have become loud and abusive, perhaps prompting Amodei's decision, Shad said to Benitez-Thompson.

"And I don't necessarily disagree," Benitez-Thompson countered. "But that doesn't mean that you stop being responsive to the public and engaged with the public.

"I've been elected for a long time," said Benitez-Thompson, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2010. "I kind of know that sometimes people are going to call you names and they're going to be mad at you. And they're going to be angry with you. That doesn't mean that you stop the conversation or the dialog. In fact, that is the time to lean in.

"You have to be responsive to dissenting voices," Benitez-Thompson continued. "You have to be able to have the conversations, because as a policymaker, you have to make tough decisions. You've got to be able to explain what those decisions are and talk about your reasoning and logic for getting there. I believe there's a receptive audience who will hear you out if you do so."

Restoring cuts to federal programs

One of Benitez-Thompson's top priorities, if elected, is to restore funding for federal programs in Nevada that have been cut during the Trump administration.

Several federal programs in Nevada have faced significant funding freezes, cuts, or proposed eliminations across health, education, and environmental sectors, according to reports.

For example:
* In early 2025, billions in federal mental health grants were canceled nationwide, directly impacting Nevada's ability to support behavioral health systems.

* Funding for food-bank deliveries and programs like Home Feeds Nevada -- which allowed local producers to sell directly to food banks—was canceled in April 2025, as reported by ThisIsReno.

* More than $61 million in federal education funds for Nevada were frozen in July 2025, affecting K-12 and higher education, according to the Nevada State Education Association.

* Proposed cuts to Medicaid expansion could force Nevada to either provide $2.92 billion in additional state funding over seven years or risk 132,000 residents losing coverage, according to the Nevada Current.

"It's hit us exponentially hard," Benitez-Thompson said about Trump-era cuts to programs fostered under the Biden Administration. "So one of the things that I'm committed to as a candidate is advocating for the restoration of those dollars, especially federal-grant dollars, because those are our tax dollars that we send to Washington, D.C., that get reinvested in our own backyard.

"And when this administration cuts those dollars, that means we're not getting our own tax dollars back to work for us," she added.

One of Benitez-Thompson major concerns deals with Medicaid, a critical health-care program for those at the near- or at poverty levels.

"One of the biggest investments was on that Medicaid expansion," she said. "And that was the expansion of adults, who were typically chronically ill people, typically people who were very much in need and utilizing our emergency rooms for mental and behavioral health.

"When we expanded coverage to that population, we thought it was a great investment of our Nevada dollars and bringing in and leveraging more federal dollars to meet the needs throughout our communities," she said.

No Kidding

Shad mention Greg Kidd, the billionaire from Crystal Bay, Nv., who is also running in the Democratic primary in CD-2.

Benitez-Thompson did not take the bait.

"I'm busy focusing on talking about my experience here in the state of Nevada," she said. "I have long roots in this community, and I've been with this community through good times and bad times."

Kidd ran as No Political Party in the 2024 general election against Amodei in CD-2. He gained 36.1 percent of the vote.

He recently donated $3,500 to the Democratic Party of Washoe County.

"I love having new members in our community, and I love having new
members of our party," Benitez-Thompson said. "I just want to make sure that people know the difference in candidates between someone who's been here doing the work for a long time and then someone who's coming in more recently and ... might be talking prospectively about what they might do versus showing a good body of work and a commitment to the community."

Miss Nevada title helps build future

Benitez-Thompson's experience as Miss Nevada and her Top-4 finish at the Miss America Pageant introduced her to many female role models who helped form her later careers in social work and politics.

"So, with the program that I was in, we referred to it famously -- and Sandra Bullock has a line that a lot of us refer to -- It's a scholarship program," she said.

She was referring to Bullock's hit movie in 2000, "Miss Congeniality." It came with a 2005 sequel, "Miss Congeniality, Armed and Fabulous."

"So the idea was, how do you mentor young women, introduce them into leadership and what leadership looks like in their community," Benitez-Thompson said. "And then, get them involved in community service and provide scholarship opportunities.

"So for me, it was beneficial in many ways, not only because it paid for most
of my undergraduate education and my graduate education at the University of Michigan, but it also introduced me to people who were supporting youth and mentoring youth and sharing their leadership skills."

Benitez-Thompson earned a master's degree in social work at Michigan. She became a licensed social worker in Nevada afterwards.

"And so I worked on low-income issues affecting women," Benitez-Thompson said. "My mom was a single-mom waitress in this town. So if you had dinner back then at the Comstock or at Fitzgerald's or even Rapscallion, chances are my mom might have served you.

"And the tip that you left on the table was what she used to raise us," Benitez-Thompson said.

Board Secretary Robert Oakden read the election results for Division 6, announcing that incumbent Abram Schank received 297 votes and challenger Denver Nygren received 165 votes. Schank, who has served on the TCID Board since 2018, was reelected and will continue his service through 2030..

Board members unanimously approved the resolution affirming the election results, which also included the election of Wade Workman, Eric Olsen, and Lester deBraga, who all ran unopposed and are currently serving on the Board of Directors.

Mike Olsen, representing Division 4, was initially appointed to the Board last month to fill the vacancy left by retired Director Joe Gomes. Olsen ran unopposed in the election and will serve the remainder of Gomes’s term through 2028. 

The TCID Board of Directors helps oversee district operations from a policy standpoint, provides direction to staff as needed, represents water users in the district’s six divisions, and votes on decisions regarding contracts, land sales, water policy, budgets, and other operational matters.

Board members serve on various committees, which include the Carson Lake Advisory, Employee Relations, Finance, Negotiations, O&M (Operations & Maintenance), Policy, Public Relations, Revenue/IT, and Safety Committees.

Also on the agenda was the appointment of officers for Board Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer. The board unanimously voted to keep all current officer appointments in place.

• President – Eric Olsen, Division 5, serving from 2026 to 2030
• Vice President – David Stix Jr., Division 1, serving from 2024 to 2028
• Secretary – Robert Oakden, Division 3, serving from 2024 to 2028
• Treasurer – Lester deBraga, Division 7, serving from 2026 to 2030

The seven-member TCID board also includes:

• Abram Schank, Division 6, serving from 2026 to 2030
• Wade Workman, Division 2, serving from 2026 to 2030
• Mike Olsen, Division 4, serving from 2026 to 2028

All board members were sworn in and took the oath of office. TCID Clerical Assistant Ariel Tomb will continue to serve as Assistant Secretary to the Board.

Also attending the meeting were TCID General Manager Ben Shawcroft, Construction & Maintenance Manager Cody Biggs, and Finance Manager Helen-Marie Fowkes.

These are the kinds of formative experiences that make Logos Christian Academy such a special place to grow academically and spiritually.

In addition, we recently enjoyed another wonderful Bingo Night, raising funds for our eighth-grade trip. The evening was filled with laughter, exciting Bingo play, and plenty of popcorn. We are so grateful for our UPLIFT volunteers and our fantastic Bingo callers who helped make the night such a fun and successful event.

If you would like more information about Logos Christian Academy or are interested in joining us for the 2026–2027 school year, please call 775-428-1825.

Leroy was born on May 17, 1944, in Boulder, Colorado, during World War II while his father was stationed at Flixton Airfield, England. He was the son of Lewis and Dorene Getchell, who ensured he was taught in the ways of Jesus Christ, a faith he clung to throughout his life. A 1962 graduate of Churchill County High School in Fallon, Nevada, and the University of Nevada, Reno, Leroy went on to build a successful and diverse career. He worked as a CPA at Kafoury, Armstrong, Turner and Co. in Fallon, Nevada; served as City Clerk and Treasurer in Fallon, Nevada; was Financial Controller at Newman’s Department Stores in Joplin, Missouri; Internal Auditor at St. John’s Hospital in Joplin, Missouri; and an insurance agent for American National Insurance in Joplin, Missouri. He later worked for Roper Auto Group, where he was known for his dedication, perseverance, and kindness.

Holyoke, Colorado was always Leroy’s “home.”  He treasured his childhood and school memories there.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Leroy was elected to two terms on the Pierce City (Missouri) School Board, where he served in various roles, including Board Chair, contributing his time and leadership to the local community. The Pierce City Eagle-ettes named him “Fan of the Year,” an award he always cherished.

On October 29, 1995, Leroy married Lyla Oliver in Joplin, Missouri. Together, they shared many years of love, companionship, and cherished memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Dorene Getchell.  

He is survived by his loving wife, Lyla Getchell; his sister, Patricia Getchell of Elkins, West Virginia; his sons, Roy Getchell (Tracy) of Palmer Lake, Colorado, and John Getchell (Marie) of Nassau, Bahamas; his daughters, Tess Watson (Rod) of Weir, Kansas, and Jamie Myers (Terry) of Carl Junction, Missouri; and his son, Nick Lucian (Denise) of Columbus, Kansas. He also leaves behind deeply loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly. Leroy never met a stranger.

A celebration of Leroy’s life will be held at Wellspring Church in Webb City, Missouri, on Tuesday, April 7 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service.

Memorial contributions in Leroy’s name may be made to Dream Big, Little One in Columbus, Kansas, or to Wellspring Church in support of the building fund.

Sharon E. Walter — FPD, 3/30/26 — New River Township Justice Court

Louis S. Afraidofhawk — FPD, 4/1/26 — Fallon Municipal Court 

John Herrera — CHSO, 4/2/26 — Fallon Municipal Court x2, New River Justice Court

Lucretia C. Allen — FPD, 4/3/26 — Fallon Municipal Court

Brandon T. Gonzalez — CHSO, 4/3/26 — Wadsworth Township Justice Court

Non-Warrant Bookings

Aleashia L. Elizarraraz — FPD, 3/30/26 — Resist Public Officer

Riley Carr — NHP, 4/1/26 — DUI 1st, Basic Speed 31–40 mph over, Reckless Driving

Joshua D. Elderton — CHSO, 4/2/26 — Drive w/ Revoked DL, No Proof of Insurance, Operate Vehicle w/ Expired Registration or Plates

Arianah J. Rattling Leaf — CHSO, 4/3/26 — Felony Arrest for Violation of Condition of Release

Brianne K. Hansen — CHSO, 4/3/26 — Felony Arrest for Violation of Condition of Release

Brandon L. Keeney — CHSO, 4/3/26 — DUI 1st, Due Care

Jesus Perez-Tapia — NHP, 4/3/26 — Drive w/ Revoked License for DUI/Controlled Substance, Fail to Change DL

Chad A. Jenkins — CHSO, 4/3/26 — Felony Arrest for Violation of Condition of Release

Mark W. Loyd — CHSO, 4/3/26 — DUI 1st, Open Container in a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving

Gabriel M. Fiddler — CHSO, 4/5/26 — Yield Right of Way Stop/Yield, Drive w/ Revoked DL

Sasha J. Crocker — CHSO, 4/5/26 — DUI 1st, Driving Left of Center, Drive w/ Suspended DL

Inmate Count: 33, Males – 28, Females – 5

All information for the arrest reports is provided by the New River Township Justice Court and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Those honored included:

Five years of service: Jason Santiago, Sheriff’s Office; Trevor Fulham, Juvenile Probation Office. \

10 years of service: Christipher Burton, Sheriff’s Office.

15 years of service: Benjamin Trotter, Justice Court; Michael Hardin, Sheriff’s Office; Amy Lawry, Recorder’s Office.

20 years of service: Brenda Mahan, District Attorney’s Office.

25 years of service: Jorge Guerrero, Community Activities/Parks & Recreation.

Photos courtesy of Churchill County.

Below left, from left: Commissioners Eric Blakey and Matt Hyde, Trevor Fulham, and Commissioner Myles Getto.  

Below right: Commissioners Eric Blakey and Matt Hyde, Brenda Mahan, and Commissioner Myles Getto. 

Below left: Commissioners Eric Blakey and Matt Hyde, Amy Lowry, and Commissioner Myles Getto. 

Below right: Commissioners Eric Blakey and Matt Hyde, Deputy Jason Santiago, Sheriff Richard Hickox, and Commissioner Myles Getto. 

Ron was born on April 16, 1951 to Donald and Beverly Gooden Leon in Susanville, California.

At the age of enlistment, Ron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. As part of his service in the USMC he received a Purple Heart. He really enjoyed being a Marine and was true to the Marines motto “Once a marine always a Marine” all through his lifetime.

After completing his military service he met the love of his life Margaret Jones. They were married on March 13, 1976 in Fallon, Nevada. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary 16 days before he was called to Heaven.

Ron had a very caring, kind and generous heart. He enjoyed being with his family as they meant the world to him. Ron found his greatest happiness in being outdoors: fishing, camping, woodworking, fixing and tinkering with things. He was a true outdoorsman and avid sportsman.

Ron is preceded in death by his daughter Michelle Leon, his parents, and brother Don Leon .

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Margaret Leon, son Jonathan(Lara)Leon, son Bobby(Eileen)Fish, daughter Wanda(Andrew)Smith, brother Sam(Kathi)Leon, brother David (Shannon) Leon, brother Eddie Schorzmann; 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.    

A memorial and military honors ceremony will be held at a later date.

I've finished life's chores assigned to me,       
So put me on a boat headed out to sea. 
Please send along my fishing pole 
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole. 

Where every day is a day to fish, 
To fill your heart with every wish. 
Don't worry, or feel sad for me, 
I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea. 

We will miss each other for awhile, 
But you will come and bring your smile. 
That won't be long you will see, 
Till we're together you and me. 

To all of those that think of me, 
Be happy as I go out to sea. 
If others wonder why I'm missin' 
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin                      

 ----Delmar Pepper

The Lady Greenwave (10-4) surged to a 19-3 victory in Friday’s opener, extending their road winning streak to nine games dating back to last season. The team improved to 10-2 with the win and continued a season-long trend of lopsided victories, having already recorded eight wins by 15 runs or more.

Hayden Dooley set the tone on both sides of the ball, throwing six innings while allowing just one earned run on six hits. It marked her fourth straight appearance, giving up no more than one earned run. She also added a double and an RBI at the plate.

Kanani Mauga delivered a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with a home run, four runs, and five RBIs — a new career-high in runs scored. Miley Pimentel added two hits, four runs, and a stolen base as Lady Greenwave finished with a .395 team batting average, their eighth straight game hitting .381 or better.

The Lady Greenwave carried that momentum into Saturday’s first game, rallying late before falling 9-7. Mauga stayed hot with a triple, a double, and two runs scored, while Kalaya Downs drove in two runs. The loss ended the CCHS six-game winning streak.

In the series finale, the Lady Greenwave again pushed Spring Creek to the final innings before coming up short, 16-14. Nine different Lady Greenwave players recorded hits, including another strong outing from Mauga, who reached base four times with a home run, three runs, and three RBIs. Pimentel added a 3-for-5 performance with three runs and a stolen base.

Despite the two-run setbacks, the Lady Greenwave’s offense remained one of the most consistent elements of the weekend, producing 40 runs across the three-game series.

The CCHS varsity girls softball team returns to action on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 31 and April 1, when they travel to face the Dayton Dust Devils. Then, they will host Spanish Springs at home on Friday, April 3.

The Churchill County High School boys and girls track and field teams turned in a strong collective performance at the Reed Reno Running Company Invitational on March 27–28, combining for more than a dozen top‑10 finishes across sprints, distance races, relays, and field events. Against a deep Northern Nevada field, both squads showed early‑season momentum and depth, particularly in the relays and technical events.

Boys

The Greenwave boys produced several standout results, led by a fast showing in the 4x100 relay. The quartet—Braydon Coldwell, Wyatt Dixon, Nate Bianchi, and Bransyn Wright—clocked a 45.88 to place fourth, marking the team’s highest finish of the meet. CCHS also impressed in the longer relays, with the 4x800 squad of Jarrett Ugalde, Lars Rasmussen, Leo Arcoraci, and James Lofthouse taking fifth in 9:09.37 and the 4x400 relay team of Boyd Phipps, Wyatt Dixon, Nate Bianchi, and Bransyn Wright placing seventh in 3:44.26.

Individually, Nathaniel Bianchi broke into the top 10 in the 300‑meter hurdles, finishing ninth in 43.19. Distance runner Lars Rasmussen added two more scoring performances, placing seventh in the 3,200 with a time of 12:03.96 and finishing 10th in the 1,600 at 5:23.72.

The boys also excelled in the field events, where the Greenwave earned three top‑seven finishes. Bransyn Wright cleared 6‑2 in the high jump to take third, one of the team’s strongest overall results of the weekend. Dequan Wallace tied for seventh in the same event at 5‑2, giving CCHS two scorers in the discipline. In the pole vault, Tejae Edie delivered a fifth‑place finish after clearing 10 feet.

Girls

The CCHS girls matched the boys’ momentum with several top‑10 performances of their own. Distance runner Casandra Hooper led the way with an eighth‑place finish in the 3,200 meters, clocking 14:09.67. She also competed in the 1,600, placing 23rd.

In the throws, Kinsley Viera continued her strong start to the season with two top‑six finishes. She placed fifth in the discus with a throw of 98‑3 and added a sixth‑place mark in the shot put at 30‑8.75, giving the Greenwave valuable points in both events.

The girls also excelled in the relays. The 4x800 team of Casandra Hooper, Keily Ugalde, Aubrey Strickland, and Tommie Fitzer earned a fourth‑place finish in 11:21.14, the highest relay result for the girls’ squad. The 4x200 relay team—Karmen Alcantar, Lily Souza, Alexa Hessey, and Monse Medina—rounded out the team’s top‑10 performances with a 10th‑place finish in 2:01.39.

Looking ahead

Both CCHS varsity track and field teams will return to action Tuesday, March 31, at the 3A Western League #2 meet hosted by Wooster High School in Reno. Later in the week, the varsity boys and girls will travel to Las Vegas for another invitational, giving athletes on both squads a fresh opportunity to test themselves against a competitive field. With strong early‑season results already on the board, the Greenwave will look to build consistency, sharpen event groups, and continue measuring their progress as the spring schedule intensifies.

BY THE NUMBERS: Greenwave at the Reed Invitational

Top relay finishes

• 4th – Boys 4x100 (45.88)
• 5th – Boys 4x800 (9:09.37)
• 7th – Boys 4x400 (3:44.26)
• 4th – Girls 4x800 (11:21.14)
• 10th – Girls 4x200 (2:01.39)

Distance highlights

• 7th – Lars Rasmussen, boys 3,200 (12:03.96)
• 10th – Rasmussen, boys 1,600 (5:23.72)
• 8th – Casandra Hooper, girls 3,200 (14:09.67)

Field event standouts

• 3rd – Bransyn Wright, boys high jump (6‑2)
• 7th (tie) – Dequan Wallace, boys high jump (5‑2)
• 5th – Tejae Edie, boys pole vault (10‑0)
• 5th – Kinsley Viera, girls discus (98‑3)
• 6th – Viera, girls shot put (30‑8.75)

Total top‑10 finishes: 15 combined