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Steve Ranson

Stories by Steve

Fireworks, masquerade park, fun walk await county residents

The countdown is on for Churchill County residents to turn the last page on the calendar in a few days and ring in 2022.

Wishes turn to Christmas gifts

Community donates gifts, money to help local families in need

In less than 90 minutes, employees with Churchill County Social Services and CC Communications handed out on Dec. 22 large black plastic bags stuffed with toys, clothes and a blanket to 37 families as part of this year’s yearly Wishing Tree program.

Trustees discuss superintendent’s evaluation

Trustees expressed their satisfaction with the superintendent’s performance at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Churchill County School Board.

Services planned for former Churchill County sheriff candidate

Ray East died Dec. 19 after a short illness. A funeral is set for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Churchill County School District takes proactive stance

Nationwide TikTok challenge threatened gun violence

The superintendent of the Churchill County School District said she and the Fallon Police Department were being proactive in notifying parents and staff about social media posts on TikTok threatening gun violence.

Hundreds pay their respects at area cemeteries

Wreaths Across America honors veterans who served in both war and peacetime

FERNLEY — The frosty breath of a cold Saturday morning didn’t stop hundreds of volunteers from attending the annual Wreath Across America at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Greenwave boys split their games

The preseason especially against teams from the Northern 3A West division is definitely providing some insight to this year’s Greenwave boys basketball team.

Lady Wave sweep 3A West teams

The Lady Wave swept a pair of nonleague games at the Elmo Dericco Gym last week against North Valleys and Hug to improve to 9-2 overall.

Churchill County’s Democrat chair dies in crash

NSP investigating incident that occurred on U.S. 50 earlier this month

Friends are mourning the death of the chairman of the Churchill County Democrats, who died in a single-car crash on Dec. 3 on U.S. Highway 50 west of Silver Springs.

A date which will live in infamy

Ceremonies mark the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack

Every December, Americans commemorate the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other Hawaiian military installations that killed 2,388 service members and civilians and plunged the nation into World War II.

80 years later: War in the Pacific

Doris Howard volunteered as an Army nurse after Pearl Harbor attack

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago plunged the United States into a war on two fronts. On the following day, Dec. 8, 1942, Congress declared war on Japan.

Fallon’s Blue Light Special

First responders collect food for the community

Every year on the first Sunday of December, Fallon’s version of the “Blue Light Special” is a win-win for both the community and first-responders who serve Churchill County.

South Tahoe tops Fallon boys in season opener

Wave finishes 3-1 in Mineral County tournament

Longtime prep basketball coach Tom Maurer was happy to roam courtside Wednesday after an absence from pacing the sidelines.

Fallon girls pulls away late to beat South Tahoe

Lady Wave wins 3 in weekend tournament

Like two boxers who retreated to their corners for most of the match, the visiting South Lake Tahoe Vikings and Fallon Greenwave girls’ teams sized each other up for three quarters in their Northern 3A crossover basketball game Wednesday.

Local cemeteries prepare for Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is conducted around the world Dec. 18.

South Tahoe tops Fallon boys in season opener

The Vikings were ready to play in a solid win over the defending 3A champs.

Fallon girls pulls away late to beat South Tahoe

Fallon delivered a knockout blow in the fourth quarter by breaking open a one-point game for a 44-31 win.

Navy pins its newest chiefs

Nine sailors learn of camaraderie and importance of leadership

Fate and timeliness tied the past with the present when nine future chief petty officers from Naval Air Station Fallon were recently pinned during a 90-minute ceremony at Hangar 7.

Legion dishes out Thanksgiving meals

Veterans, community volunteers deliver dinners to area’s senior citizens

Before the sun peeked over the Stillwater Range east of Fallon, Lance McNeil and his volunteers at American Legion Post 16 were busily preparing food for Thanksgiving.

Small Business Saturday: Chamber, CEDA encourage residents to spend their shopping dollars in Fallon

Turkey, family and shopping. These are three traditions associated with the Thanksgiving holiday, especially the shopping season which extends four more weeks.

Council appoints police chief

Alexander brings more than two decades of experience to the position

A veteran police captain with more than 20 years of experience in community law enforcement has been appointed Fallon’s new police chief.

Solis resigns WNC post

College president accepts similar position in Texas

Western Nevada President Vincent Solis is returning to his native Texas after accepting a similar position at Brazosport College south of Houston.

Amodei uncertain if 2022 NDAA includes Fallon range modernization

Congressman said committee is addressing cultural and warfighting needs

Speaking before the Fallon Rotary Club on Nov. 9, Congressman Mark Amodei, R-Congressional Dist. 2, said he doesn’t know if the modernization proposal for the Fallon Range Training Complex will be included in discussion this week as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022.

PHOTOS: Virginia City Veterans Day Parade

Virginia City's annual Veterans Day Parade on C Street.

Virginia City dedicates veterans memorial

Veterans Memorial Monument was dedicated in Virginia City.

Local vets impressed with the nation’s memorials

Honor Flight Nevada made a 4-day trip to Washington, D.C.

NAS Fallon welcomes first female command master chief

Knight left the mountains, but now the mountains beckon her back

Her life was spent overseas and on ship, but as this sailor’s career begins to wind down, the mountains are beckoning her to return.

Gehman retires as Fallon’s police chief

City interviews candidates to replace popular lawman

Kevin Gehman said the 13 years he was Fallon’s police chief have gone by like the snap of a finger.

Serving on the funeral team

Nevada soldier says it’s an honor to serve the community

The soft breeze flapped the large U.S. flag overlooking the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery on an early autumn afternoon.

Korsmo leads VFW Post 1002

Navy veteran enjoys working with the community

The commander of Fallon’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 knows with hard work comes the rewards of leading a community-based organization.

Area events need community’s help

Toys for Tots, Wreaths Across America and Wishing Tree seek donations for Christmas programs

Area events are struggling this autumn with donations, and they seek the community’s support. Toys for Tots, Wreaths Across America and Wishing Tree said donations are slowly coming in to support their respective endeavors.

Fallon student debuts new movie

Strange extraterrestrial occurrences in ‘Monte Carlo’

Colton Urquhart is not quite a household name, but as the years progress for this Fallon 15-year-old, the world of the movie-making business will be easily at his fingertips.

Senate candidate makes stop in Fallon

Sam Brown meets with residents to discuss his vision

U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown has been making his rounds in rural Nevada as well as the metropolitan areas.

Fallon rolls to third consecutive win

Greenwave play at North Valleys in quarterfinal playoff game

A formidable wall has been controlling the line of scrimmage for the last half of the football season.

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is county’s largest water-right holder

In the middle of the Nevada desert lies a vast wetland covering almost 80,000 acres and designed as an important stop for migratory birds.

Fallon’s running game rolls over Lowry

Greenwave earns berth in Northern 3A playoffs

Fallon may be saving the best for last after dominating their second straight opponent to secure a berth in the postseason football playoffs.

World War II veteran Montanaro, 100, rejoins shipmates

Earlier this year, Charles “Charlie” Montanaro skydived to celebrate his 100th birthday. Today, the centurion flies with the angels.

Watershed depends on the Sierra Nevada

Groups promote the understanding of the Carson River through education

Like three other rivers in the Great Basin, the Carson River has been an invaluable tributary for the area’s ranchers and farmers and other users beginning in Alpine County near Markleville, Calif., to the Carson Sink.

A community mourn for coalition leader

Brett Palmer’s vision improved state veterans’ cemetery at Fernley

Brett Palmer not only touched the military family with his leadership and vision for the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, but he also was remembered for his years as a law enforcement officer who protected his community and county.

Sweet smell of success: Federal bills treat hemp industry as normal businesses

Adrienne Snow, co-owner of Western States Hemp Co., recognizes the sweet smell of success. The Fallon businesswoman recently gave an overview to the Churchill Entrepreneurial Development Association about the business and what it now offers to consumers.

Defense rattles Fernley in Northern 3A rivals’ game

Fallon takes advantage of 2 interceptions to post 45-14 win against longtime rival

Friday night under the lights ended with a milestone achieved by Greenwave football coach Brooke Hill. Not only did Fallon beat cross-valley rivals Fernley in a Friday night game at the Vaqueros’ field, but Hill also won his 100th game as Fallon’s head coach as the Wave walloped Fernley, 45-14.

Brett Palmer’s vision improved state veterans’ cemetery at Fernley

Brett Palmer, who died Aug. 23 at his Fernley home, was president of the Nevada Veterans Coalition.

Reclamation develops big river system

Building of dams, recent fish screens enhance the Truckee River

During the past 120 years, the development of dams and other systems have enhanced the delivery of water to farmers as well as providing additional water to Pyramid Lake and its fisheries.

October storms roars through valley

Rain a respite from summer’s record-setting temperatures

October has come in with a crack, snapple and pop with the area’s first major storm to begin a new water year.

DVI month brings awareness to abuse

Mayor says domestic violence hurts, destroys families

Domestic Violence Intervention Month kicked off Friday with the ceremonial purple dyeing of the Maine Street fountain and a relocation to downtown Fallon to better serve their clients.

Water: More precious than gold

Reclamation Act makes the desert bloom for ag producers

To ranchers and farmers in the Lahontan Valley, water is more precious than gold in providing an agricultural lifeline to the thousands of people who call this area home.

Laxalt makes first campaign stop in Fallon

Former attorney general hosts ‘greet and meet’

Former Nevada Attorney General Paul Laxalt, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Catherine Cortez Masto, made a meet and greet stop in Fallon on Sunday at a local pizza parlor to introduce himself and to talk about some of the issues.

Reid’s aide had hand in NAS Fallon improvements

Retired general killed last month in auto accident

A military service was conducted Saturday in Las Vegas for Robert Herbert, a former policy adviser to Sen. Harry Reid and retired major general in the Nevada Army National Guard.

Remembering one of Fallon’s greatest athletes

Val York played on championship teams and served in Vietnam

His shooting from the basketball court led to championships for both Fallon and the University of Nevada.

Newlands Project breathed life into agriculture

The Truckee Canal’s Derby Dam channeled water to Fernley and Hazen

A congressional act more than a century ago changed the Lahontan Valley from a desert to a blooming paradise for agriculture.