📋 The Briefs

COMMUNITY – Healthcare Expansion 📌 THE GIST: In a significant boost for local healthcare access, Vitality Unlimited has opened its primary care services to the general public. …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Avalanche Warning 📌 THE GIST: Police have issued an urgent warning regarding extreme avalanche danger in the Ruby Mountains. The combination of recent heavy …

MINING & ECONOMY – Operations Update 📌 THE GIST: In recent corporate updates, both Kinross and First Majestic have issued positive outlooks on their Nevada operations. Notably, …

COMMUNITY – School Policy Update 📌 THE GIST: Early results from the Elko County School District’s newly implemented cellphone policy are highly favorable, offering a bright …

GOVERNMENT – Infrastructure Planning 📌 THE GIST: The long-debated future of the Elko County Courthouse is changing course again. HA Architects is now proposing a comprehensive …

📌 THE GIST: Newmont has filed a formal notice of default against Barrick regarding their Nevada Gold Mines joint venture, alleging mismanagement and diversion of resources to …

📌 THE GIST: Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) reported a massive 25% production jump at Carlin in Q4 2025, but they aren’t hiring a huge new workforce to do it. Instead, they are going …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Digital Burn Permits 📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Fire Protection District has officially transitioned to a mandatory online burn permit system for the 2026 season. …

MINING & ECONOMY – Gold Output Surge 📌 THE GIST: Elko County is poised to maintain its dominance in the global gold market with a projected 15% increase in output by 2026. This …

COMMUNITY – Airport Board Cancellation 📌 THE GIST: The City of Elko announced the cancellation of the Airport Advisory Board meeting that was originally scheduled for today, …

COMMUNITY – The Great Elko Burger Wars: Your Top 5, Ranked by the Community 📌 THE GIST: We asked Elko County one simple question: Who serves the best burger? Over 100 of you showed …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Runaway Juvenile Taken Into Custody in Carlin After Multi-Agency Effort 📌 THE GIST: A juvenile who ran away from a Washoe County facility Sunday morning — taking …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Sheriff Recovers Stolen Vehicle and Firearm in Spring Creek 📌 THE GIST: Elko County Sheriff’s deputies, with assistance from local police and emergency services, …

Editor's Note: This is the first piece in The Elko Brief's new Opinion section. Opinion pieces reflect the views of their authors, not this publication. We believe a healthy …

GOVERNANCE – The ‘Use-It-Or-Lose-It’ Era Ends with Hard Base-Budget Reset 📌 THE GIST: Elko County is moving past the era of ARPA-inflated cushions and …

GOVERNMENT – City Council Advances 2026 Strategic Goals 📌 THE GIST: The Elko City Council and Redevelopment Agency convened on Tuesday, February 10, to advance key initiatives for …

📌 THE GIST: Anthem Broadband’s recent “Half Court Shot Challenge” in Spring Creek has successfully raised significant support for local athletics. The event, which …

HEALTH – Kaiser-Renown Partnership Finalized 📌 THE GIST: Kaiser Permanente has officially entered the Northern Nevada healthcare market through a joint venture with Renown Health, …

COMMUNITY – Elko Valentine’s Weekend Guide 📌 THE GIST: From a “Million Dreams” adult prom to speed dating for strays, Elko is packed with ways to celebrate love …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Earthquake North of Battle Mountain 📌 THE GIST: A 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck northern Elko County near Battle Mountain early Saturday morning, February 8, …

EDUCATION – Middle School Intramural Sports Canceled 📌 THE GIST: Middle school intramural sports across the Elko County School District have been canceled for the remainder of the …

COMMUNITY – Housing Assistance Boost 📌 THE GIST: New relief is on the way for Elko County residents struggling with housing costs. The Rural Nevada Development Corporation (RNDC) …

GOVERNANCE – Sheriff Re-election Bid 📌 THE GIST: Elko County Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza has officially signaled his intent to seek a third term. Following the filing of his financial …

COMMUNITY – TOMORROW: Half-Court Shot Challenge at Spring Creek High 📌 THE GIST: Tomorrow night (Friday, February 6) is your chance to win a year of free internet from Anthem …

MINING – Western Exploration Begins Environmental Studies for Major Gold Project 📌 THE GIST: Western Exploration has kicked off a 14-month comprehensive baseline study for its Doby …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Fentanyl Overdose Claims Life of 31-Year-Old Woman 📌 THE GIST: A 31-year-old woman died from a suspected fentanyl overdose Wednesday afternoon in Elko, marking …

The Deficit Machine: How Elko’s Budget Went Sideways By Scott Ingram I want you to picture a bathtub. Not a fancy one—just a standard, American, seen-better-days bathtub with …

ELKO — Patriot Resources Corp. announced Monday that it has entered into a binding letter of intent (LOI) to acquire the Liberty Ridge tungsten property in Elko County, marking a …

ELKO — The Elko County School District (ECSD) has officially declared a “fiscal emergency,” grappling with a projected $15 million budget deficit that threatens to …

Elko County witnessed a transformative moment of community unity this past Saturday, January 31, as the Narcan distribution box dedication ceremony drew a resounding turnout at …

SAFETY – Safe Streets Act (AB4) Now in Effect Across Nevada 📌 THE GIST: Nevada’s legal landscape has shifted significantly with the full implementation of Assembly Bill 4 (AB4), …

MINING – ICG Silver & Gold to Launch Phase 1 Exploration at Tuscarora 📌 THE GIST: ICG Silver & Gold Ltd. is officially moving forward with its Phase 1 exploration program …

MINING – Registration Opens for 40th Annual Elko Mining Expo 📌 THE GIST: The Elko Mining Expo is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades as a premier US …

The Gold Paradox: Inside Elko’s High-Stakes Financial Freefall By Scott Ingram The sunlight in Elko has a specific, expensive quality these days. It glints off the casino windows …

The Garlic and the Ghost: Midnight at The Star By Scott Ingram There is a specific frequency of silence that only exists in buildings over a hundred years old. In Elko, that …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Elko SWAT Arrest 📌 THE GIST: A 45-year-old Elko man is in custody following a high-stakes SWAT operation late Tuesday night. Officers deployed a distractionary …

GOVERNANCE – Commission Vacancy 📌 THE GIST: Elko County officials are looking for community-minded residents to fill a vacancy on the Natural Resources Management Advisory …

📌 THE GIST: Three individuals, including two adults and one juvenile, are in custody following a violent sequence of events late Thursday night that involved an alleged home …

COMMUNITY – Anthem Broadband Hosts Half-Court Shot Challenge at SCHS 📌 THE GIST: Anthem Broadband is bringing a high-energy Half Court Shot Challenge to Spring Creek High …

MINING – Peloton Confirms Lithium Discovery at North Elko Project 📌 THE GIST: Peloton Minerals Corporation announced successful results from its maiden drilling program at the …

ECONOMY – Elko County Gaming Revenue Rises as Vegas Strip Declines 📌 THE GIST: Elko County casinos reported $34.9 million in gaming revenue for December 2025, marking a 2% increase …

MINING – Gold Futures Surge Past $5,000 as Nevada Mines Reap Historic Windfall 📌 THE GIST: Gold futures surpassed $5,000 per ounce for the first time in late January 2026, reaching …

Elko County is on the front lines of a major expansion in public health access. On Saturday, January 31, the county will receive its first two publicly accessible Narcan …

ECONOMY – NV Energy to Issue $63M in Refunds Amid Mandatory Billing Shift 📌 THE GIST: In a major victory for consumer advocacy, NV Energy has committed to refunding $63 million to …

SAFETY – Rancher-Liaison Program Praised at 2026 Cattlemen’s Update 📌 THE GIST: A specialized rancher-liaison program in Elko County is receiving high praise at the 2026 …

GOVERNMENT – County Commission Approves $540K in Water Infrastructure Investments 📌 THE GIST: At their January 21, 2026 meeting, Elko County Commissioners approved over $540,000 in …

MINING & ECONOMY – Nevada Organic Phosphate Achieves DTC Eligibility for Electronic Trading 📌 THE GIST: Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. announced on January 22, 2026, that its …

COMMUNITY – Elko’s Warmest December on Record Threatens 2026 Water Supply 📌 THE GIST: Elko County experienced its warmest December on record in 2025, leading to below-normal …

MINING – Eminent Gold Announces ‘First Standalone Carlin-Type Discovery in 20 Years’ 📌 THE GIST: Canadian junior miner Eminent Gold Corp announced what it calls the …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Two Elko-Based Helicopters Collide During Wyoming Wildlife Operation—No Injuries 📌 THE GIST: Two helicopters registered to Elko-based aviation companies collided on …

COMMUNITY – Human-Built Beaver Dams Help Restore Fire-Damaged Land in Elko Region 📌 THE GIST: The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition is deploying “beaver dam …

MINING – Dynasty Gold Confirms Near-Surface Gold at Midas Property in Elko County 📌 THE GIST: Vancouver-based Dynasty Gold Corp announced on January 14th that exploration at its …

MINING – Peloton Minerals Awaits North Elko Lithium Drill Results 📌 THE GIST: Peloton Minerals Corporation is awaiting multi-element analysis results from its November 2025 maiden …

GOVERNMENT – Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Elko County Offices Closed Monday 📌 THE GIST: Elko County government offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of …

MINING – i-80 Gold Targets 600,000 Ounces by 2032 from Nevada Projects 📌 THE GIST: Canadian mining company i-80 Gold Corp is targeting a substantial increase in gold production …

[COMMUNITY] – Attorney General Cites Elko in Statewide Housing Affordability Push 📌 THE GIST: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has officially unveiled a comprehensive housing …

[COMMUNITY] – Spring Creek High School Opens New State-of-the-Art Agriscience Center 📌 THE GIST: Spring Creek High School has officially unveiled its new 4,800-square-foot …

[GOVERNMENT] – Federal Lending Bill Set to Expand Credit Options for Elko Residents 📌 THE GIST: A new bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Kevin …

[GOVERNMENT] – BLM Reopens Greenlink North Environmental Review 📌 THE GIST: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially reopened the environmental review for the Greenlink …

WEATHER – The Rubies Are Nearly Bare: Record Low Snowpack Raises Summer Water Concerns 📌 THE GIST: The Ruby Mountains are experiencing “record low snow water amounts” …

MINING – Exploration Company Eyes 8.5-Kilometer Gold-Silver Strike Near Tuscarora 📌 THE GIST: Gold Runner Exploration Inc. made an option payment for its Falcon Project in Elko …

MINING – NGM Miner Files Lawsuit After Equipment Accident 📌 THE GIST: Keith Boswell, an underground miner at Nevada Gold Mines’ Cortez Hills operation, has filed a lawsuit …

SAFETY – Did You Feel It? Two Earthquakes Shake Elko County This Week 📌 THE GIST: Elko County experienced minor seismic activity this week with a magnitude 3.2 earthquake Tuesday …

GOVERNMENT – County Seeks Proposals for Lamoille Grove Rehabilitation Project 📌 THE GIST: Elko County commissioners will discuss issuing a Request for Proposals for the …

GOVERNMENT – County Commission to Vote on Sheriff’s Office Union Contracts 📌 THE GIST: Elko County commissioners will vote Tuesday on new collective bargaining agreements for …

GOVERNMENT – County Commission to Consider $513K Grant for Tuscarora Water Tank Replacement 📌 THE GIST: Elko County commissioners will vote Tuesday on applying for a $513,120 grant …

GOVERNMENT – Planning Commission Reviews Fuel Storage Facility Permit for Wendover Area 📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Planning Commission is reviewing a conditional use permit …

GOVERNMENT – Planning Commission Holds Public Hearing on Short-Term Rental Regulations 📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Planning Commission is holding a public hearing today on proposed …

GOVERNMENT – New Fire Station Proposed for Lamoille Area 📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Fire Protection District is seeking approval for a new fire station in Lamoille, with the …

GOVERNMENT – County Reviews Code Changes for Renewable Energy Facilities 📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Planning Commission is holding a public hearing today on proposed amendments to …

[MINING] – NGM Miner Files Lawsuit After Equipment Accident 📌 THE GIST: Keith Boswell, an underground miner at Nevada Gold Mines’ (NGM) Cortez Hills operation, has filed a …

GOVERNMENT – Elko National Cemetery Construction Progresses, Senator Pushes for Updated Timeline 📌 THE GIST: Construction on Nevada’s first national cemetery is actively …

COMMUNITY – Fifth Annual Mimosa Fundraiser Raises Awareness for Suicide Prevention 📌 THE GIST: Zero Suicides Elko County held its 5th Annual Brunch & Bottomless Mimosa …

COMMUNITY – LASSO Pushes Forward on Shelter Expansion as Adoptions Surge 📌 THE GIST: LASSO (Local Animal Shelter Support Organization) is actively working on a shelter building …

MINING – Lithium Price Surge Sparks Project Restart Near Elko 📌 THE GIST: Citing a dramatic 150% rebound in lithium prices since mid-2025, Sienna Resources Inc. has announced it is …

MINING – Maverick Springs Silver Project Sees Massive Resource Boost 📌 THE GIST: Sun Silver Ltd. has announced a major upgrade to its Maverick Springs Silver-Gold Project, located …

MINING – Major ‘Critical Metals’ Discovery Announced South of Carlin 📌 THE GIST: Phenom Resources Corp. has identified a large-scale Rare Earth Element (REE) and …

CRIME & SAFETY – Investigation Underway After Body Found Near Errecart Bridge 📌 THE GIST: Elko Police Department detectives are investigating the death of an individual whose …

📌 THE GIST: The University of Nevada, Reno is hosting its annual Cattlemen’s Update in Elko County from January 13-16, bringing together industry experts to discuss the …

MINING – Western Exploration Reports Positive Gold-Silver Drilling at Aura Project Near Elko 📌 THE GIST: Western Exploration Inc. has released drilling results from its Aura …

POLITICS – Elko Secures $2 Million for New Water Storage Tank 📌 THE GIST: The City of Elko will receive $2 million in federal funding to build a new water storage tank, part of a …

HEALTH – Elko Gets Behavioral Health Center as SilverSummit Expands Medicaid to Rural Nevada 📌 THE GIST: Starting today, approximately 75,000 rural Nevadans—including nearly 30,000 …

COMMUNITY – GBC Welding Students to Build Steel ‘Portal to Democracy’ for America’s 250th Birthday 📌 THE GIST: When America celebrates its 250th birthday on July …

MINING – WATCHDOG: Patriot Minerals Technical Report Ruled Non-Compliant 📌 THE GIST: Investors are being advised to “not rely” on the most recent technical data for the …

Governor Joe Lombardo officially stepped into the center of a national cultural debate today, announcing his leadership role in a new ballot initiative aimed at amending the Nevada …

ECONOMY – Elko County Gaming Win Up 5.3% in November 📌 THE GIST: Local casinos had a strong November. Elko County gaming establishments reported $35.6 million in total gaming win, …

📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Board of Commissioners met today (January 5) for their annual organizational session, electing new leadership and setting the procedural tone for what …

📌 THE GIST: While gold usually dominates the Elko headlines, American Tungsten & Antimony (ATA) has officially commenced its maiden diamond drilling program at the Tennessee …

📌 THE GIST: While gold usually dominates the Elko headlines, American Tungsten & Antimony (ATA) has officially commenced its maiden diamond drilling program at the Tennessee …

📌 THE GIST: The Elko County Board of Commissioners met today (January 5) for their annual organizational session, electing new leadership and setting the procedural tone for what …

With Natascha Viljoen officially taking the helm as Newmont’s CEO, the industry is buzzing with rumors that the world’s largest gold miner may finally seek to consolidate the …

COMMUNITY – DEADLINE: Youth Basketball Registration Ends Tomorrow, Jan 5 📌 THE GIST: Parents of children in 2nd through 8th Grade have less than 24 hours to secure a spot for the …

📌 THE GIST: As spot gold prices shatter records and eye the $5,000 mark, Elko County faces a familiar paradox: unprecedented mining wealth colliding with a strained local …

COMMUNITY – The Cowboy Poetry Boom: Why Elko’s 41st Gathering is Seeing a 53% Surge 📌 THE GIST: Elko’s National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is no longer just a local tradition—it’s a …

WEATHER – Monday Commute Alert: Rain-to-Snow Transition May Slick Elko Roads 📌 THE GIST: Northern Nevada is bracing for a weather shift tonight. An 80% chance of rain today will …

GOVERNMENT – 50+ New Nevada Laws Now in Effect: What Elko County Residents Need to Know 📌 THE GIST: Over 50 new laws took effect in Nevada on January 1, 2026—including tougher DUI …

HEALTH – Long COVID Leaves Rural Nevada Patients Stranded: Limited Care Options for Elko County Residents 📌 THE GIST: As Nevada grapples with what experts call a “silent …

GOVERNMENT – Weekend Public Notice Roundup: Assessment Rolls and Carlin Service Bids 📌 THE GIST: Local government agencies have released several important notices this weekend …

ECONOMY – Nevada to Receive $180 Million for Rural Healthcare Transformation 📌 THE GIST: Nevada has been awarded nearly $180 million in the first year of a new federal Rural Health …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Pedestrian Killed on I-80 Near Carlin After Exiting Disabled Vehicle 📌 THE GIST: A pedestrian was struck and killed on the eastbound lanes of I-80 near Carlin on …

PUBLIC SAFETY – Minor 2.7 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Northwest of Elko 📌 THE GIST: A small earthquake occurred Friday afternoon northwest of Elko. While recorded by seismic …

COMMUNITY – New Nevada Law Lets Parents Choose Public School Regardless of Zip Code 📌 THE GIST: Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, Nevada parents can apply to enroll their …

WEATHER – Winter Storm System Bringing Showers to Elko County Through Monday 📌 THE GIST: A series of storm systems will impact Elko County from Saturday through early next week, …

COMMUNITY – New Nevada Law Allows Insurers to Exclude Wildfire Coverage 📌 THE GIST: As of January 1, 2026, Nevada insurers can now offer homeowner policies that do not …

POLITICS – Lombardo Administration Releases 2025 Year-End Report 📌 THE GIST: Governor Joe Lombardo’s administration released its 2025 year-end report highlighting approved …

MINING – BLM Greenlight Opens Swift Exploration Project Near Battle Mountain 📌 THE GIST: The Bureau of Land Management has completed its environmental assessment and approved the …

COMMUNITY – Billionaire Investor Takes Control of Elko Daily Parent Company 📌 THE GIST: Florida-based billionaire David Hoffmann is investing $35 million into Lee Enterprises and …

SAFETY – 1-Year-Old Rescued After Fentanyl Exposure in Winnemucca 📌 THE GIST: A 1-year-old child stopped breathing after ingesting fentanyl in a Winnemucca apartment on December …

COMMUNITY – Nevada Ranks Dead Last in Youth Sports — And Elko Families Know Why 📌 THE GIST: Nevada has the lowest youth sports participation rate in the nation — dead last every …

THE GIST: Barrick Gold Corporation, the 61.5% owner and operator of Nevada Gold Mines (NGM), has authorized its board to explore an Initial Public Offering (IPO) that would spin …

If you are planning to ring in 2026 in Elko, bring a coat. The forecast is calling for a frigid night with highs hovering near freezing and lows dipping into the teens (17°F). But …

THE GIST: Western Exploration Inc. has officially kicked off its 2025 exploration campaign in Elko County. The company is launching a fully funded, 4,000-meter reverse circulation …

THE GIST: The University of Nevada, Reno is bringing the annual Cattlemen’s Update to Elko on January 15, 2026. This isn’t just a meet-and-greet; it’s a critical …

📌 THE GIST: Hycroft Mining (Nasdaq: HYMC) just dropped their latest drill results from the historic Hycroft mine (the old ghost city of Sulphur, NV), and the numbers are turning …

While Nevada gas prices averaged $3.42, a Sinclair station at 2500 Alta Vista offered holiday relief at $1.94 per gallon for a six-hour window. Here’s why this local gesture …

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to wish everyone in Elko County a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Whether you’re celebrating in Elko, …

🎨 Visual Asset (Strategy 2.0: Headline-First) barrick_ipo_full_v2.png HEADLINE: SIGNAL > NOISE: What Barrick’s Proposed IPO Actually Means for Elko County THE FACT LEDGER The …

ECONOMY – The Elko ‘Miner Tax’: Statistical Reality or Rural Legend? It is the most common grievance in the lunchroom of every mine in the Carlin Trend: …

MINING – Gold Pierces $4,500: A Historic Surge for Elko’s Mining Bedrock 📌 THE GIST: Gold prices shattered records this morning, surging past the $4,500 mark as global demand and …

HEADLINE: ECONOMY – Barrick Exploring IPO for Nevada Gold Assets ✍️ Social Copy (Ready to Post) 💼 GIST: Barrick exploring IPO to “unlock value” for Nevada gold mines. …

ECONOMY – Barrick Exploring IPO for Nevada Gold Assets 📌 THE GIST: Barrick Gold Corporation has announced it is exploring an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for its North American …

PUBLIC SAFETY – 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Near Elko 📌 THE GIST: A moderate 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Western Elko County today, centered approximately 55 miles east of …

The failure of Nevada SB 10 during the November 2025 special session has left the state’s housing market without proposed caps on corporate homebuying, a decision that carries …

ENVIRONMENT – Lawsuit Challenges Expedited Review for South Railroad 📌 THE GIST: Conservation groups filed a lawsuit on December 18, 2025, challenging the expedited environmental …

The Elko County Sheriff’s Office has launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of skeletal human remains in a shallow grave north of Interstate 80. The …

As Christmas weekend approaches, travelers moving through Northern Nevada are facing a dramatic shift in weather conditions. While record-breaking warmth has defined the early part …

COMMUNITY – Christmas Warmth Record Expected 📌 THE GIST: Elko is experiencing record-breaking warmth this weekend with temperatures 16-18 degrees above normal. However, a major …

FLASH – Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for Northern Elko County 📌 THE GIST: A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Northern Elko County as a major storm system moves through …

ECONOMY – NevGold Expands “Limousine Butte” Project Footprint 📌 THE GIST: NevGold has expanded its Limousine Butte Project by 6 square kilometers, identifying new …

The sudden termination of Nevada’s top water regulator has sent ripples through the state’s agricultural and mining sectors, signalizing a potential shift in how the Humboldt …