Crescent Valley focuses on safety and fiscal realities

The Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board (CVTAB) met on Feb. 4 and discussed concerns over an exotic animal sanctuary, the high cost of student safety and a reality check on park renovations.

Tiger facility

The most startling revelation of the evening came during public comment when resident Gibb Tucker raised concerns about a “tiger facility” appearing in Crescent Valley. Tucker noted that wolves and at least one big cat are already on-site, a fact confirmed by board member Laura Shivers.

The facility, operated by Bob and Bonni Ringo of the Tiger Preservation Center of Nevada, is reportedly a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary for exotic animals, including big cats, wolves and lemurs. However, the news was met with immediate pushback from residents who felt left in the dark.

“The community should know that they have a big cat facility within a quarter-mile of their house,” Tucker argued, citing safety concerns.

Board members and residents noted that because Eureka County lacks building codes and zoning ordinances, there was little the county could do to prevent the facility’s arrival, provided the owners maintained USDA approval. “The cool part is we don’t have zoning; the bad part is we don’t have zoning,” said resident Marcial Evertsen. “We have to accept the fact that there may be people doing things we don’t necessarily like.”

Vice Chair Jeremy Rice noted that the USDA remains the primary oversight body. “They will be out here regularly to see what the facility’s doing,” Rice said, following conversations with federal representatives.

The $30,000 streetlight dilemma

The board’s focus then shifted to the safety of Crescent Valley’s students. Chairwoman Diana Kersey presented a quote from NV Energy for several overhead streetlights at school bus stops, including 4th and Tenabo and 6th and Cortez.

The price tag was $30,000 per light — largely because the town lacks the necessary transformers and poles. “Our kids are leaving in the dark and coming home in the dark,” Shivers noted, advocating for the lights despite the cost.

The proposal sparked a debate between safety and the town’s “dark sky” character. Resident Emily Whittlesley urged the board to protect the beauty of the night sky.

“I like to go to my door and see the sky,” Vice Chair Rice agreed. “But it’s the safety of our kids; that’s the whole thing behind this.”

Ultimately, the board looked toward more modern solutions. Resident Dale Kersey pointed out that solar-powered LED lights could be installed for a fraction of the cost — between $300 and $900 per unit — and would not require an expensive hook-up to the grid. The board voted to table the NV Energy quote to allow for more research into solar options for the 2028 budget.

Highway 306 safety

The safety discussion extended to the junction of Hwy 306 and 4th Street, a crossing point for elementary-aged children. Residents described a harrowing scene where mine-bound traffic frequently speeds through town.

“Minimum every day, people hit my house at 70 mph,” said Evertsen. Darcey Winkelkotter added that children as young as four are crossing the highway unsupervised.

The CVTAB approved a letter to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) requesting a stoplight or official crosswalk. Public Works Director Jeb Rowley promised to bring the issue directly to an upcoming workshop with NDOT District 3, noting that while deputies monitor the area when possible, a permanent infrastructure solution is needed.

A “maintenance first” approach to the park

The plans for the Crescent Valley Park received a significant trim during the meeting. Initial quotes for a walking track and “poured-in-place” rubber flooring for the playground and exercise areas came in at staggering $540,000.

Assistant Public Works Director Lester Porter presented an alternative. Standing before a large map of the park, Porter proposed a $200,000 project focused on maintenance and utilizing existing resources.

“Our commissioners are getting beat up this year with the cost of everything,” Porter admitted. His plan involves:

Placing new exercise equipment near the gazebo for shade.
Installing a gravel and binder walking path.

The board expressed disappointment over the playground flooring but agreed that a “maintenance first” approach was the only fiscally responsible path forward. “Let’s make do with what we have and get a walking path out of it,” Porter urged.

Public safety and town operations

Sheriff Miles Umina announced that the hiring of Kim Sewell would allow the town center to remain open Monday through Thursday, starting in the next few weeks.

Umina also signaled a push to revitalize the Search and Rescue team and the potential for a “Community Watch” program. While past attempts at a formal Neighborhood Watch failed due to lack of volunteers, Umina is working on a “See Something, Say Something” campaign with new signage to deter crime.

Fire Chief Jeremy Rice reported a “peaceful” month for the fire department with only four runs, emphasizing that the biggest challenge currently is ensuring residents pay attention to their surroundings.