Emergency calls, park upgrades and post office drive top Crescent Valley board meeting

High emergency call volumes, public safety updates, park improvement discussions and a grassroots effort to establish a local post office highlighted the Sept. 2 meeting of the Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board. Vice Chair Jeremy Rice presided over the meeting alongside board member Laura Shivers and Eureka County Commissioner Mike Schoenwald, while Chairwoman Diana Kersey joined remotely.

Emergency services handle surge in August call volume

Crescent Valley emergency responders faced a busy August, according to Fire Chief Jeremy Rice. The department responded to three vehicle fires, five wildland fires, three vehicle accidents, a suspected HAZMAT leak and a false alarm during the month. Rice noted that high call activity extended county-wide throughout both northern and southern regions.

Addressing the false alarm, Rice explained that modern smartphone crash-detection technology triggered an automated emergency response after a driver likely dropped a phone onto the highway. Officer Hoagland added that law enforcement frequently receives automated 911 alerts from smartphones and smartwatches when devices suffer heavy impacts. Rice urged residents to secure devices during physical activities to prevent unintended emergency dispatch calls.

Public Works Director Jeb Rowley, attending remotely, confirmed the broader regional spike, noting that emergency services logged 86 total events across July and August. Rowley emphasized that county personnel have been actively managing mechanical maintenance to keep response vehicles operational amidst the heavy workload.

Sheriff’s office promotes 988 lifeline, details interdiction operations

Eureka County Sheriff Miles Umina and Sergeant Brian Shoaf joined the meeting via telelink from Eureka. Umina commended Shoaf, who was recently named Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Following up on mental health initiatives, the Sheriff’s Office plans to distribute promotional flyers for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline throughout the CV Town Hall and local businesses.

Umina reported that law enforcement activity matched the fire department’s rapid pace. The department currently has three individuals in custody in Lander County and one at the Department of Corrections. Deputies also conducted highway interdiction operations along Interstate 80 ahead of the Burning Man festival, deploying K9 units provided by West Wendover, Elko Police Department and White Pine County.

Additionally, Umina thanked Crescent Valley and Carlin responders for assisting with a reported HAZMAT call that was ultimately cleared. He also provided an update on the late August “swatting” incident at Eureka Elementary School, stating that investigators have identified a possible person of interest. Umina commended the Elko Police Department bomb squad for its assistance during the response. In ongoing administrative work, the Sheriff’s Office is revising the county’s nuisance ordinance with District Attorney Ted Beutel and drafting a job description for a nuisance officer alongside Rowley.

Park exercise equipment proposal

During the county commission update, Commissioner Schoenwald brought up a proposal being floated on where to install  new exercise equipment at Crescent Valley Town Park. Rowley confirmed a suggestion to place the equipment under the existing park gazebo to protect the apparatus from ultraviolet sun damage.

The location proposal drew mixed reactions from community members. Resident Dale Kersey argued that placing equipment inside the gazebo would render the structure unavailable for residents seeking shelter or gathering space. Conversely, Christina Tucker supported the idea, noting that shade would extend the equipment’s lifespan and that the gazebo is used infrequently. Vice Chair Rice voiced support for protecting the equipment and called for a follow-up meeting with Public Works Supervisor Lester Porter to evaluate the layout before placing the item on a future agenda.

Community petition seeks local post office

During public comment, resident Forest Anderson updated the board on a community-led petition to establish a dedicated post office in Crescent Valley. Anderson reported collecting signatures toward a 300-signature goal before submitting the request through the Carlin Post Office.

Anderson met with the Carlin postmistress to address longstanding record-keeping issues regarding local mailbox availability. Due to unrecorded population shifts over the years, official records falsely indicated a mailbox shortage, despite roughly 20 abandoned boxes existing in Anderson’s area. Anderson stated the postmaster expressed support for the effort and indicated the Postal Service plans to audit boxes. Anderson added that a local property owner has offered land and a building for a facility should the contract move forward.

In earlier comments, Anderson requested space on the fairground’s marquee to promote the upcoming Golden Oldies’ Harvest Festival scheduled for Oct. 3.