Around the State

Associated Press

4 Wildfires in North-Central Nevada all Human Caused

RENO — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says four separate wildfires that broke out in north-central Nevada this week all were caused by humans.

The fires that began on Tuesday near Interstate 80 between Lovelock and Winnemucca are all now either out or under control.

The largest, the Union Fire, reported Tuesday south of Mill City about 130 miles (209 kilometers) northeast of Reno burned about 2 square miles (5 sq. kilometers) before fire crews controlled it Wednesday.

No one was hurt but two structures and an RV were destroyed.

Three other fires reported Tuesday and Wednesday in the same vicinity burned between 1 acre (0.4 hectare) and 237 acres (96 hectares).

No structures were damaged.

The BLM said Friday the causes of all four are believed to be human-related and are being investigated by the state fire marshal.

Nevada Trooper Pulls Over Hearse Traveling in HOV Lane

LAS VEGAS — Nevada Highway Patrol says passengers must be alive in order to be counted as occupants in cars using the high occupancy vehicle lane.

The reminder was prompted by a traffic stop Monday involving a hearse traveling on the carpool lane on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas.

A trooper pulled over the hearse that was transporting a dead body.

The agency says the hearse driver assumed the body in the back counted toward the two or more occupant requirement for the lane.

The trooper let the driver off with a warning and advised him to move out of the lane.

The agency says only living, breathing people can be counted for the HOV lane.

Washoe County School Superintendent Fired for Misconduct

RENO — The Washoe County School Board has fired the superintendent of the largest school district in northern Nevada for misconduct.

At a special meeting in Reno on Monday, the board voted 6-1 to terminate Traci Davis for cause after an internal investigation found substantial evidence she played a role in the leaking of documents related to a lawsuit involving special education department leaders.

Davis, who became the first African American named district superintendent in 2015, denied any wrongdoing and said she was the victim of a “witch hunt.”

Board President Katy Simon Holland said that while it “grieves” her, she concluded the evidence was compelling that Davis acted dishonestly and either provided or allowed or failed to prevent distribution of confidential information in violation of district policy.

Both sides say they expect the dispute to end up in court.