CV town board addresses traffic safety

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The Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board met on Wednesday, June 3, to discuss public safety concerns, upcoming infrastructure projects and local community events.

The meeting was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Chair Diana Kersey. In attendance were Vice Chair Jeremy Rice and Commissioner Mike Schoenwald, with member Laura Shivers participating via telephone.

Public safety and traffic concerns

Eureka County Sheriff Miles Umina provided an update on recent traffic hazards and public safety challenges affecting the area. Umina reported a spike in motor vehicle accidents, noting two fatal crashes within the past 30 days, including one just days prior to the meeting.

Particular concern was raised regarding State Route 278, where motorists are frequently reported traveling at speeds exceeding 90 mph, as well as State Route 306. Umina stated he has requested the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) to monitor State Route 278 once a week. However, he noted that NHP is currently facing severe staffing constraints, operating with only 42 of its 84 positions filled.

Mental health and crisis resources

In addition to the two traffic fatalities, Umina addressed a third recent local death involving a former resident by suicide.

Umina urged residents to look out for one another and highlighted available mental health resources, reminding the public that individuals in distress can call or text the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. He also detailed the department’s protocol for mental health calls:

“If we show up on scene and somebody’s having a mental health crisis, we can put them in touch with a nurse; they do an assessment, and then we meet afterward and decide, ‘Okay, do we do a safety plan with them? Or do we take them for an assessment?'”

Infrastructure and grant funding

Following his attendance at the Grant Summit in Eureka from June 1-3, Umina reported establishing valuable state and federal contacts to help secure funding for essential local developments. Moving forward, the sheriff plans to coordinate with Vice Chair Jeremy Rice regarding an emergency building project in the area.

Community updates and board actions

The board reviewed several upcoming community events and utility updates:

  • Planned power outage: NV Energy scheduled a planned power outage for Thursday, June 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents were advised that the senior center would be available as a resource, utilizing its backup generator.
  • Cops ‘N Kids: The annual youth event was scheduled to take place in Crescent Valley on June 9 and in Eureka on June 11.

The board officially voted to approve:

  • The finalization of plans for the upcoming Crescent Valley Fun Days.
  • The meeting agenda.
  • The minutes from the prior May 20, 2026, meeting.