Crescent Valley board addresses proposed rail line, sheriff staffing and fire restrictions

The Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board addressed regional infrastructure, law enforcement leadership, fire restrictions and postal challenges during its regular meeting on Oct. 7.

All board members were present alongside Eureka County Commissioner Mike Schoenwald, who urged residents to stay informed on regional developments affecting northern Eureka County.

Regional mining rail line promises highway traffic relief

Schoenwald voiced concern over the proposed Nevada Gold Mines rail corridor, identifying the project as a critical topic requiring community participation.

Schoenwald emphasized that county officials want to be at the table. “We want to be in on the discussion. It’s going to involve everybody. Pass the word around.”

Schoenwald urged residents to attend upcoming public hearings, while Board Vice Chair Jeremy Rice stated, “As soon as we know, we’ll plaster it.”

Schoenwald added that moving freight to rail would greatly improve highway conditions. “The railroad, in my opinion, would greatly alleviate the traffic on 306,” Schoenwald said. “You’re not going to have 240 haul trucks going up and down the road every day.”

Division of Forestry investigates elm tree disease

During public comment, resident Emily Whittlesey alerted board members to an apparent disease affecting local elms, noting that she enlisted help from state foresters.

“We could be losing some trees,” Whittlesey cautioned. “I’ll let you know what I find out so we get on the program to take care of it.”

Sheriff’s office establishes northern command, explores staffing solutions

Eureka County Sheriff Miles Umina delivered a department update, announcing that Brian Shoaf had been promoted to lieutenant to supervise northern operations.

“So, you guys have administration up here now. You have a lieutenant up here,” Umina said, noting that assigning dedicated command to the north represents positive organizational progress. “It was not fair to Crescent Valley and Pine Valley not to have an administrator.”

Umina addressed ongoing staffing shortages, expressing frustration with rural recruiting cycles. “It’s a little bit frustrating to send someone to the Academy and have them turn around seven months later, leave and go to a different agency,” Umina said. “We’re trying to think outside the box how we can get people here, how we can move forward. If we have to put a little man camp up here and seven days on, seven days off, let’s try to do that.”

Turning to unmanaged refuse, Umina noted that the county is updating its nuisance ordinance, though acknowledging “the wheels of government are extremely, extremely slow.”

“Do we want this as big government stepping in or do we want this more as an education: helping somebody through community service and then, if that doesn’t work, then do we move on to the ordinance?” Umina asked.

Schoenwald supported firmer enforcement, stating, “We’re not just going to sit back and let this go anymore. If you’re not going to be responsible, you’re going to be held responsible.”

Fire danger delays controlled burns as volunteers plan Halloween event

Rice delivered the monthly emergency services update as volunteer fire chief, noting that “September actually wasn’t bad” after crews responded to four service calls. Although fire danger had “come down from extreme to high,” officials agreed that conditions remain too dry for controlled burns.

Participating remotely, Eureka County Public Works Director Jeb Rowley reported that the county will maintain burn bans until cooler weather arrives. “Personally, mine’s not there yet,” Rowley said regarding his comfort level with private burns. “It’s still too active around the region, so we’re just going to sit back and wait for a little bit.” Rice concurred, stating conditions remain “way too dry still and not cool enough.”

Rice announced that the volunteer fire department will host its annual Halloween Trunk or Treat at the community center on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring refreshments and a community bonfire. Emergency medical technician Brent Jones joked about the event, remarking, “I can’t wait to see the fire truck out there lighting a fire.” Rice assured the board that public notices will clarify that the supervised bonfire is an authorized gathering.

Mail service limitations and emergency management shifts

The board examined postal challenges, with Rice detailing talks with the Carlin Post Office to secure additional post office boxes and parcel lockers in Crescent Valley, where package backlogs in Carlin frequently exceed 200 items.

“We definitely need the boxes,” Rice said. “We’re not going to get a post office. It’s not going to happen, but we have enough room to have the post office put in more mailboxes and space for big lockers.”

Rowley clarified that installing boxes is not a county capital project. “We can make the space available and do the coordination element with the post office for how this could come together, but not our project,” Rowley said. “Just want to get that out there so everybody knows who to look at when mailboxes don’t start showing up if the space is offered.”

Rowley also reported on an emergency management conference in Elko, noting that federal funding shifts will likely require rural counties to rely more heavily on local hazard mitigation rather than public disaster assistance.

In final announcements, Laura Shivers informed residents that Crescent Valley Town Hall will open on Nevada Day to allow voters to drop off general election ballots.