Here are the local news headlines for the morning of Monday, Aug. 9, 2021.
Realtors Mark Inventory Increase In Reno-Sparks, Prices Hold Steady
By Paul Boger
The median price for a house in the Truckee Meadows remained at $530,000 in July. That's according to the latest data from the Reno-Sparks Association of Realtors.
The latest data show a notable increase in the number of houses on the market last month, helping to keep the median price unchanged from June; however, the competition over housing remains strong, with the average home only on the market for about 15 days.
Most Nevadans Support Primary Over Caucus
By Sean Golonka, The Nevada Independent
A recent poll found a majority of registered voters in Nevada favor moving to a party primary to select their preferred presidential nominee.
The results of the Nevada Public Opinion Pulse poll conducted by OH Predictive Insights comes fewer than two months after state lawmakers passed AB 126. The bill transitions the state to a presidential primary system and possibly positions Nevada as the first state in the presidential primary calendar, pending approval from the national parties.
The poll surveyed roughly 800 registered voters in early July. More than half of the respondents voiced support for primary elections over the state's current caucus system. Only 16% voiced support for the caucuses.
Read the full story at thenevadaindependent.com.
Nevada County Lawmakers Vote To Resist COVID-19 Mask Mandate
By The Associated Press
Lawmakers in a rural northeast Nevada county have voted not to comply with a mask mandate the governor reimposed to stem the spread of an aggressive coronavirus variant. The Elko Daily Free Press reports that a crowded audience applauded the Elko County Commission vote on Wednesday to resist face coverings. The move applies to unincorporated areas and not to the cities of Elko, Carlin, Wells and West Wendover. Commissioners also directed county officials to craft a law refusing to allow door-to-door efforts to encourage vaccinations. One commissioner accused Democrats of pretending the pandemic is worsening. The delta variant of the virus has led to a surge in infections and hospitalizations in Nevada.
Carson Schools To Forego Masks For Students This Fall
By Paul Boger
School leaders in Carson City will not require students to wear face masks as the upcoming school year gets underway next week, though they can choose to do so if desired. That's according to a press release issued by the district Friday.
The Carson City School Board voted last month to allow students to forego face masks. That was before Governor Steve Sisolak issued a directive ordering masks be worn in schools located in the Reno and Las Vegas metro areas. That directive gave the state's 15 small districts the ability to decide the best course of action pertaining to mitigation efforts.
Carson City will require all staff, faculty and volunteers to wear a face covering. Students will also have to wear masks on buses.
Forest Service Changing How It Manages Wildfires
By Robyn Vincent, Mountain West News Bureau
The Forest Service is changing the way it manages wildfires after Western governors criticized the agency’s approach. Wildfires play a key ecological role and the Forest Service’s approach has reflected that — firefighters often monitor small fires rather than suppress them. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore recently told his staff the country is facing a national crisis and firefighters will focus on snuffing out the flames.
This comes on the heels of a call President Biden held with Western governors in which California Governor Gavin Newsom referenced the Tamarack Fire. It started small, near the California-Nevada border. Newsom said it spread to Nevada because firefighters waited too long.
"There’s a culture that is too often 'wait and see.' We can’t afford that any longer," Newsom said.
The Forest Service is at its highest preparedness level as it tackles dozens of large-scale fires across the region. Resources have been further strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and a historic drought gripping more than 70% of the West.
Mourner: Nevada Trooper Killed In Chase Had 'Warrior Spirit'
By The Associated Press
A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who died in the line of duty last week was remembered as a soft-spoken family man with a warrior spirit growing up in rural Massachusetts and living since 2008 in the Las Vegas area. Trooper Micah David May specialized in identifying and arresting impaired drivers and won a Medal of Valor in 2014. He was posthumously awarded another on Friday. His best friend called him a true silent guardian who loved his wife and son and daughter. May died July 29 from injuries he received when he was struck by a fleeing vehicle two days earlier on busy Interstate 15 in Las Vegas.
