Mitigation efforts began early in the year as a precaution for any flooding in Churchill County due to the heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada and subsequent runoff.
LVN file
It doesn’t seem like one year ago the LVN took a walk down memory lane to highlight the previous year’s news, but here we are again to look at the key events from each month of the past year.
In today’s edition, we’re looking at the earliest part of 2023 as seen in the pages of your Lahontan Valley News.
JANUARY
• Summer Stephens, who was hired as the Churchill County School District’s superintendent in 2018, resigned effective June 30. In her letter, Stephens said her family would return to Nebraska where she grew up. Stephens had guided the school district through some difficult times, especially COVID-19.
• Both the city of Fallon and Churchill County Commission swore in new office holders. Commissioners Greg Koenig, who was elected to Assembly District 38, and Pete Olsen, who couldn’t run again because of term limits, issued farewells.
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Fallon recognized its District 4 teacher of the year, Heather Benjamin, and also students who placed in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests.
• Churchill County School District trustees lay out their strategy for hiring a new superintendent.
• The city begins its road improvement work, specifically on A Street.
• Churchill County approves housing developments on Casey and Birch Roads and along Coleman Road north of the city.
• Trustees select Tricia Strasdin to continue in her role as president of the Churchill County School Board.
• The annual University of Nevada, Reno’s Cattlemen’s Update brought its annual program to Fallon, and a related concern is beef prices could increase within the coming months.
FEBRUARY
• The Frey Ranch Distillery of Fallon won the 2022 Nevada Agriculture, Food and Beverage Small Business of the Year award.
• Budget reductions were restored at Western Nevada College.
• Gov. Joe Lombardo announced he would attend the annual Lincoln Day Dinner presented by the Churchill County Republican Central Committee in mid-March.
• Veterans’ groups express their priorities for the 82nd Legislature.
• The Great Basin Bull sale made its home at Churchill County’s Rafter 3C Arena. The three-day sale opened with the Great Basin Cow Dog Trial on Feb. 16 followed by team branding and a dance later in the day on Feb. 17, and the sale beginning at 1 p.m. on Feb. 18.
• In an article profiling new Churchill County Commissioner Myles Getto, the Fallon native said he’s eager to serve.
• Naval Air Station Fallon conducted its annual readiness exercise.
• First-term Assemblyman Greg Koenig brings his rural voice from Fallon to the Legislature.
• Churchill County School District assessed its swatting response to a call purportedly reporting the threat of a possible shooter at the high school.
• The city of Fallon approved two projects for a block grant.
• Veterans Affairs announced its intent to build a new medical center in Reno. The facility will benefit thousands of area veterans.
• A Fallon man died in a U.S. Highway 50 crash west of Fallon.
• The Future Farmers of America chapters from Oasis Academy and Churchill County High School had a successful trip to Zone.
MARCH
• Fallon Navy veteran Ernest “Ernie” Heying, who previously traveled on an Honor Flight Nevada to Washington, D.C., recounted his service during World War II and also during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
• Care Flight, which services Banner Churchill Hospital, had one of its planes crash after taking off from Reno. All five onboard died.
• The Bureau of Land Management said questions remain on the Fallon Range Training Complex expansion, which passed in December 2022.
• Local students said they look forward to job education opportunities.
• Organizers deemed this year’s Great Basin Bull Sale a success.
• Fallon City Council approved Ron Wenger as police chief.
• Regents officially name J. Kyle Dalpe as Western Nevada College president.
• Nevada Department of Transportation began a project on U.S. 95 North from the city limits to Interstate 80.
• Local veterans attended Vietnam War Remembrance ceremonies.
• Government officials warned county residents of spring flooding.
• Trustees set future dates for inviting candidates to be interviewed.
• Lincoln Day Dinner held at the Fallon Convention Center.
APRIL
• Greenwave Hall of Fame began accepting applications.
• Geothermal developer threatened to sue government over endangered toad.
• The annual Soroptimists Home and Garden Show opened for the weekend.
• Trustees limited number of superintendent candidate interviews to four.
• High Desert Grange visited the Legislature.
• Flood plans updated by county, Truckee Canal Irrigation District and Bureau of Reclamation.
• Actor and musician Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band played at Naval Air Station Fallon.
• Trustees discussed background checks on superintendent candidates.
• It was announced this year’s Churchill County Junior Livestock Shows will be held in the Rafter 3C Arena.
• Construction began on the second weir on the V Line Canal west of Fallon.
• Earth Day observed in Churchill County and Fallon.