Holiday cheer and civic concerns: Crescent Valley Board charts course for community safety and celebration

The Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board convened on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the CV Town Center, marking a pivotal meeting that balanced the excitement of upcoming holiday festivities with serious discussions on public safety and essential town infrastructure. Chairwoman Diana Kersey, Vice Chair Jeremy Rice and member Laura Shivers guided the proceedings, which commenced promptly at 5:05 p.m.

Following the approval of the agenda and the Pledge of Allegiance, the board swiftly approved the minutes from their Nov. 19 meeting before dedicating the bulk of the evening to preparations for Crescent Valley’s signature holiday events: the Christmas dinner and the dazzling Parade of Lights, both scheduled for Dec. 13.

Prepping for a festive December

The Board is deep into planning to ensure the community center hall is transformed into a winter wonderland for the dinner. Chairwoman Kersey reported that preparations are well underway, confirming she has secured all table decorations, candy and the necessary items to fill the “Santa bags.”

Starting Sunday, Dec. 7, Kersey and the board members will spend time throughout the week personally decorating the community center hall — a hands-on effort underscoring their dedication to community engagement. Kersey sought input from attendees regarding suitable door prizes for children, demonstrating attention to the finer details of the celebration.

The spirit of competition is alive in Crescent Valley, with attractive prizes set for both the community’s best-decorated homes and the most impressive entries in the Parade of Lights.

• House Decoration Judging: Slated for Dec. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • 1st Place: $200
  • 2nd Place: $150
  • 3rd Place: $100
  • Registration forms are conveniently available at the town center, library or senior center.
• Parade of Lights: The illuminated procession will begin at the CV Fire House at 5 p.m. on Dec. 13.
  • Vehicles entered are eligible for prize money: 1st place $200, 2nd place $150 and 3rd place $100.

Prioritizing infrastructure and collaboration: A law enforcement update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a comprehensive law enforcement update delivered by Sheriff Miles Umina, accompanied by Undersheriff Charles Cobb. The sheriff began by acknowledging ongoing casework in the area.

He issued a stern warning to motorists, reiterating that vehicles parked at the pull-out near I-80 and Highway 306 continue to be targets for break-ins. Despite these incidents, Umina noted, “We’ve got some pretty good leads” on the cases.

The sheriff’s office is also preparing for a temporary staffing change, as Deputy Fleming is scheduled to attend the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy for 16 weeks starting in January.

In looking ahead to the next fiscal year budget, Sheriff Umina was unequivocal about his top priority: infrastructure. “It’s great to have fun new toys, but the priority is infrastructure. We’re going to continue growing throughout the county,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need for a new sheriff’s office building in Crescent Valley.

A “phenomenal” shift in prosecution

A key focus of the law enforcement report was the significant improvement in the working relationship between the sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s (DA) office. Umina described the change as “phenomenal” and “amazing,” noting the newfound ability to communicate and collaborate.

Board member Shivers asked the crucial question, “Are they prosecuting?”

Sheriff Umina responded by explaining that prosecution falls outside his direct purview, but acknowledged the positive shift: “Once it gets to them, they have to look at everything involved” and establish enough corpus delicti, or body of evidence. He likened the process to negotiation, where “nobody is happy afterward,” but confirmed that communication “has changed significantly,” leading to a noticeable increase in case prosecution.

Crucially, Umina announced that the DA’s office is committing budget resources to assist the sheriff’s office, most notably by funding and installing dash cameras in all control vehicles. While acknowledging the cost of $40,000 annually, Umina expressed gratitude that the DA’s office is assisting with the expense for the new system, which, while having fewer “bells and whistles” than a previous trial system, will effectively record traffic stops and interactions.

Undersheriff Cobb elaborated on the positive impact of this collaboration, explaining that the DA’s office has been “working with our deputies in pointing out key things to help them prosecute a case.” This newfound partnership has been a significant morale booster. Cobb noted that deputies were previously discouraged, feeling like, “I’m doing all this work and nothing’s getting done with it,” but it’s shifted. “We’re starting to see more results out of it, which in turn is making our guys try harder.”

Community vigilance: “See something, say something”

In a discussion about community safety, Shivers raised a specific concern, suggesting that deputies check on the property of residents who are transported to town by ambulance, citing her own experience where things seemed moved after a recent medical emergency.

Sheriff Umina confirmed that no recent burglaries have been reported in Crescent Valley, but stressed the vital role of community reporting. “We wouldn’t hear about issues on burglaries or stuff missing from yards” if residents don’t notify authorities. He emphasized the importance of citizens contacting the sheriff’s office to allow them to “proactively start working on it.”

The department is aggressively pushing the message: “See something; say something: please contact the sheriff’s office.”

Umina provided a compelling recent example. His wife reported a “sketchy guy” at a local establishment, the Urban Cowboy, claiming to be from ATF and ICE. Trusting her intuition, Sheriff Umina sent deputies to perform a bar check. The deputies made contact with the individual, who subsequently left town the next day. Umina highlighted this as a “prime example” of how small, timely reports allow law enforcement to get “ahead of the curve.”

Cobb added a practical measure for property protection, urging residents to document serial numbers of high-end items. “If it does happen,” he said, the sheriff’s office “wants to help you find your stuff,” but without detailed descriptions, recovery efforts become “almost impossible.” Umina concurred, promoting the use of the LeadsOnline system, which relies on accurate descriptions and serial numbers to recover property. “Help us help you. This is a partnership. We can’t do this just alone. This is a community: these are my citizens,” Umina concluded.

Traffic enforcement and road safety

Sheriff Umina has directed staff to refocus enforcement on Crescent Valley and Beowawe traffic, particularly targeting school zones during morning drop-off and afternoon release times.

The status of the delayed speed sensor sign was raised by Shivers. Both Umina and Cobb stated that the installation is in the hands of the Department of Transportation (DOT), noting, “They’ve had it since July.” Umina lamented, “We’ve done our part, now it’s waiting on the state.”

Dale Kersey inquired about speeding complaints on JD Ranch Road, proactively stating he has warned his contractors against “hot-footed” driving and vowed to fire any caught speeding. Cobb confirmed no recent complaints against Kersey’s drivers but mentioned that citations had been issued, only to be “fought and won because we’re missing speed signs.”

Emily Whittlesey shared a concerning observation, recounting how she followed a mine bus traveling from Elko and clocked its speed at 80 mph, with the driver failing to slow down through Beowawe. Suggestions were made to record license or truck numbers for ore haulers to report to companies like Capuro and Pilot Thomas, whose contractors are managed from their Carlin yard.

Kersey also provided a crucial safety tip for motorists: moving over to the rumble strip when oncoming mine trucks approach to avoid broken windshields from flying debris.

Fire updates and capital planning

Vice Chair and Fire Chief Jeremy Rice provided the fire department update, noting that November was “actually a busy month,” with a high volume of accidents expected to continue through the winter. He confirmed that membership numbers are strong and the department’s Self Contained Breathing Apparatus units are officially in service following a complete training session. The new compressors are also installed and running, capable of filling tanks ranging from 30 to 90 minutes.

Rice is also in contact with the BLM to secure permission for mowing around the Crescent Valley Town to create a vital fire break. Emily Whittlesey brought up the need for repairs to the county-maintained fence along Airport Road, which the Board will relay to Road Department supervisor Scooter Mentaberry.

Chairwoman Kersey pivoted the discussion to future planning, turning to a consideration of budget items for the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget. Current items under review include an electronic sign, cement pouring for the park and a retractable tennis net and backboard for community recreation.

The meeting concluded on a high note of personal achievement, with Kimberly Cage Sewell proudly relating that she completed EMT school at the end of August and successfully passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam the previous Tuesday, marking a significant personal contribution to the community’s emergency response capabilities.