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Steve Ranson

Stories by Steve

Battle of the Badges: Law enforcement agencies engage in friendly blood drive

The newest round of Battle of the Badges is rapidly approaching with the winner to reclaim — or perhaps keep — bragging rights in a community blood drive. The annual Battle of the Badges encourages residents to donate blood and then designate the receiving agency, either the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office or the Fallon Police Department, last year’s champion. This year’s blood drive has been expanded to two days, July 20 and 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Church of Latter-day Saints, 450 N. Taylor St.

PHOTOS: Fallon July 4 parade results

Parade held in Fallon to celebrate July 4, 2022.

Tony Yarbrough, Nevada veterans’ advocate, dies at 73

For thousands of Nevada’s veterans, Anthony “Tony” Yarbrough has been synonymous with their causes for decades.

Lords accepts principal’s job in Battle Mountain

Winnemucca native leaves Fallon after spending 17 years with CCSD

After 17 years of living in Fallon and working with the Churchill County School District, Kevin Lords couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return home … sort of.

Sevon retires as court administrator

District Court Judge Thomas Stockard knew the day was inevitable when his court administrator would retire. Sue Sevon, who had been with the Churchill County courts for 30 years — most recently as the court administrator for 20 years — recently retired.

Carson City Guard unit deploying to Romania

The first deployment of a Nevada Army National Guard unit to Europe since early 2020 is involving about 40 soldiers from a Carson City-based police unit.

Getto wins commission race

Koenig, Titus lead their respective races for the state Legislature

Myles Getto, a newcomer to Churchill County politics, defeated Tom Riggins for the commission’s District 2 seat. The Fallon native received 1,592 votes (40.38%) to Riggins 1,322 (33.53%). Rounding out the four-candidate field were Kenneth Harmon with 715 votes and Tanya Freeman, 314. Since all the candidates were Republicans, no voting in the general election will occur.

R-C, Appeal sports editor Dave Price joins NIAA Hall of Fame

Dave Price represented the best of the best when pacing the sidelines while covering a high school game.

Virginia City’s Rollie Hess joins NIAA Hall of Fame

Rollie Hess is synonymous with Virginia City’s dominance of high school basketball in the 1960s.

Erquiaga named interim NSHE chancellor

Fallon native takes over on a temporary basis

A Fallon native has been approved as the acting chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education for 18 months while the Board of Regents search for a permanent chancellor. “Dale Erquiaga is a gifted innovator and strategist with over 35 years of successful experience in both the private and public sectors,” said Cathy McAdoo, Board of Regents chair. “I have full confidence in his abilities to be a true asset for NSHE and the many communities we serve.”

B-29 Superfortress flies over Nevada

Bombers made a big impact in last year of WWII

The B-29 Superfortress lends much of its early history to the Wendover Army Air Base on the Utah-Nevada border that trained crews to fly the military’s largest plane in the waning days of World War II. Wendover became an independent air base from Fort Douglas in March 1942 where the B-17 and B-24 bomber groups trained

Rafter 3C: A vision comes to fruition

Grand opening gushers in new era of events, tourism for Churchill County

A vision. A plan. And now a state-of-the art venue. Local government officials and guests attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 1 for the Rafter 3C Arena, which is expected to provide a boon to the Churchill County economy.

Valedictorians said CCHS students endured challenges of pandemic, online learning

Speakers at Friday night’s Churchill County High School graduation told seniors to look forward to the next chapter in their lives after the Class of 2022 persevered during one of the bleakest times in U.S. history.

Nevada League of Cities: Americana is found here in Churchill County

What’s red, white and blue with an added color of green? Churchill County residents who support their country, the Navy … and we can’t forget the iconic Greenwave, a symbol of the wind-blown waves of alfalfa and other crops that cover the Lahontan Valley.

Capt. Tanner speaks at FPST’s Memorial Day ceremony

Area cemeteries also conduct observances for fallen veterans

Members of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe who are currently serving or have served in the nation’s military were honored on Memorial Day when Capt. Shane Tanner, commander of Naval Air Station Fallon, recognized their service and sacrifice.

Adult ed students balance life in their hands, including education

Graduates of the Churchill County School District’s Adult Education Diploma Program were told by several speakers at their May 26 ceremony not to stop believing in themselves both now and in the future.

Top Gun: Maverick shows off weapons school at Naval Air Station Fallon

Independent and unorthodox, a maverick tests his boundary to the extreme ends. Likewise, Tom Cruise’s character in the latest Top Gun movie not only pushes his boundaries to Mach 10 and beyond, but he also improvises the tasks at hand in being the best of the best with an escape scene at the end.

Veterans rank issues for Nevada Legislature

A veterans council organization has rated its most important issues for the Nevada Legislature to consider for the next session in Carson City that begins in early 2023.

Fallon celebrates Armed Forces Day

Annual event features guest speakers to a poker run

Fallon’s Essie Burriss is as red, blue and white as anyone in the Lahontan Valley.

Nevada vet services Director Kat Miller honored at retirement

Katherine “Kat” Miller officially retired April 30 after spending 10 years as the Nevada Department of Veterans Services director.

Museum director leaves Fallon for NYC

Teri Hedgpeth accepts position with Madison Square Garden Entertainment

After a year of tragedy and the coronavirus pandemic, Churchill County needed a director to move the museum forward.

The forgotten soldiers: Tribute honors Fort Churchill’s Civil War veterans

More than 160 years ago, the Nevada territory began attracting more settlers to a barren, yet pristine land. The California Gold Rush of 1849 beckoned thousands of opportunists to travel across the Great Basin to California looking for riches. Ten years later, the discovery of the Comstock Silver Lode enticed more people to come Virginia City’s Comstock with the dreams of striking it rich and building that mansion on the hill.

Churchill County’s rural way of life

Commissioners vote to update building codes

After listening to county residents voice their opposition for almost 90 minutes to a new coding chart affecting residential areas, the Churchill County commissioners unanimously voted April 20 to accept the new code structure that will streamline the current residential districts and a third code for intensive multi-family residential units.

Awards cap off Military Child Month

Community recognizes school district for Purple Star award

Although he had a tour in Fallon almost 20 years ago, the naval air station’s new commanding officer arrived at right time during the Month of the Military Child.

Fire department hosts street dance

The Churchill County Volunteer Fire Department, along with the federal fire department at Naval Air Station Fallon, is hosting a street fare on Carson Street, said firefighter Chris Henning.

Texas' Cruz stumps for Laxalt at area rallies

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz praised former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt’s campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Former Nevada Army Guard’s commander ends military career

Fallon native Michael Hanifan steps down after 36 years

After nearly four decades in the active-duty U.S. Army and Nevada Army Guard, Fallon native Brig. Gen. Michael Hanifan retired from military service at the end of February.

Rafter center hosts junior livestock show

4-H and FFA students show their animals at the long-running county event

One of the premier junior livestock shows in Nevada opens today and with the youth from the county’s 4-H groups and the FFA will present their animals at the fairground’s new Rafter 3C Center.

Gubernatorial candidates Heller, Nohra visit Fallon

Senate candidate Adam Laxalt comes to Fallon Thursday with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

Gubernatorial candidates Dean Heller and Guy Nohra spoke to the Churchill County Republicans at their recent monthly luncheon, and Heller attended a greet-and-meet later that day hosted by local residents.

Civil War veterans interred in Carson City honored

The Nevada State Society Daughters of the American Revolution along with other service organizations gathered at Carson City’s Lone Mountain Cemetery to pay their respects.

DAR recognizes Reno couple with highest award

Medal of Honor awards were presented to Dawn and Jim Forbus at the Nevada state convention dinner in Carson City.

Wade Cushing says he will attend Texas A&M University to study chemical engineering

CCHS senior awarded $100K scholarship

A Churchill County High School student has been granted the opportunity to attend the engineering school his parents attended.

CARES program moves to Cottage Schools

Historic Churchill County campus serves students again

For generations Cottage Schools with its three buildings stood out among the other buildings in Churchill County that provided quaint classrooms for educating the community’s students.

Community recognizes April as Child Abuse Awareness Prevention Month

Both Churchill County and the City of Fallon have declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and used the opportunity on Friday at Millennium Park for speakers to say a few words about a problem that plagues every community and county in the United States.

Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day honors sacrifice, service

The annual Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony bridged the strength of camaraderie and understanding across generations.

Vietnam vets memorial unveiled in Carson City

The Vietnam Veterans of America Carson City Chapter 388 unveiled a memorial at Mills Park containing the names of 25 deceased members.

Memorial to fallen Navy crew members re-dedicated

Antisubmarine helicopter crashed west of Sand Mountain in 1978

On a cool, early spring day east of Fallon, a Navy helicopter hovered over the barren desert conducting a routine combat search and rescue exercise.

Tanner assumes command of NAS Fallon

Morrison retied after 36 years in both the Air National Guard and Navy

Capt. Shane Tanner, a 24-year military veteran, became Naval Air Station Fallon’s 34th commander during a change of command ceremony Friday.

Prices remain consistent at Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale

Cattlemen from a five-state area attended the 56th Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale in February to either sell or purchase featured range-ready bulls ranging in age from 16 to 24 months.

Dream come true: Carson's Boldry joined Guard in deal with daughters

With March being Women’s History Month, Lt. Col. Laura Boldry looked back at her service in the Nevada Army National Guard.

Local GOP holds county convention

The week culminates with the annual Lincoln Day dinner

The Churchill County Republican Central Committee acted on a number of bylaws during the 2022 county convention at the Rafter 3C Center.

Commissioners approve election agreement with city

Churchill County commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with the city of Fallon at their March 3 meeting to enter into a cooperative agreement for elections services by holding joint elections cooperatively.

Naval Air Station Fallon skipper retiring after 36 years

The next chapter in Capt. Evan Morrison’s life begins Friday when he relinquishes command to Capt. Shane Tanner.

Business construction up in Fallon

City Engineer Derek Zimney gave a rundown Friday on the latest construction projects. He said Arby’s is being constructed east of U.S. Bank and near Walmart off Casey Road and U.S. Highway 50. John Anderson Construction said Arby’s is scheduled to open sometime after the Memorial Day weekend.

Candidate filing open until March 18

City races to coincide with county, state elections

Incumbent Fallon Councilwoman Kelly Frost made history Monday morning during her filing for re-election.

Fallon woman to appear in Justice Court

Torri Anne Gibbs charged with 2020 murder

A Fallon woman charged with first-degree murder will appear in the New River Township Justice Court on Thursday.

Just in Time Tux Studio opens in Fallon

Kathleen Hanley and Lee Quint know what it takes for a man – young or old – to look sharp at the prom or other formal events.

Recent storms add little moisture

Water situation in western Nevada parallels totals from 2021

The recent snowstorms in the Sierra Nevada did little to improve the water situation in western Nevada.

Nurse felt a duty to serve: Montoya tended to soldiers during World War II

“Through Our Eyes: The Women Veterans Experience,” is an exhibit featuring portraits and stories of 16 veterans. The women interviewed for the exhibit were in the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System. Since its creation, the exhibit has been displayed at the Nevada Legislature, the National Judicial College on the University of Nevada, Reno campus and other locations around the state.

Free legal clinic relaunched for veterans

With restriction being lifted to combat the coronavirus, the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System and the Nevada Attorney General’s office are relaunching the veteran free legal clinic.