On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at approximately 12:05 AM, NHP Troopers were dispatched to a serious injury crash on US-6 and Mineral County mile marker 4, near Montgomery Pass, involving two commercial vehicles.
Preliminary investigation shows that a red 2010 Volvo tractor-trailer was traveling east on US-6, approaching Mineral County mile marker 4, in the single eastbound travel lane. For an unknown reason, the commercial vehicle left the roadway, re-entered the roadway, and overturned. The commercial vehicle came to rest across all travel lanes on its right side.
Approximately three minutes later, a red 2017 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on US-6, approaching the overturned Volvo tractor-trailer. The Peterbilt struck the Volvo, splitting the Volvo into two. The driver of the Peterbilt (Dario Baez, a 53-year-old Madera resident) succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Due to the extent of the debris, US-6 was closed for an extended period of time. Traffic was rerouted to the outside shoulder until all travel lanes were reopened at 2:50 PM.
The Nevada Highway Patrol is seeking additional witnesses to this crash. If you were a witness to this incident or have any information regarding this collision, please contact the Nevada Highway Patrol Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) at ncwmirt@dps.state.nv.us and reference NHP Case #190700180.
The Tonopah Wrestling team has been on a bit of a roll this season with multiple wrestlers placing high and winning tournaments. Head coach, Duffy Otteson has helped turn this team into one of the premier wrestling programs in the state of Nevada.
One of the standout wrestlers this season has been Kevin Pope, who has been dominating opponents in the 220 lbs weight class. Pope currently has a 24-2 record and is one of the most highly touted individuals in the state pertaining to wrestling. One would expect nothing less from the standout wrestler, who won the Nevada State Championship last year at 220 lbs.
The good times continue to roll for Pope this year. Kevin Pope’s most recent success came at the Spring Creek Tournament last week when he won the tournament. Head Coach, Duffy Otteson said the Spring Creek Tournament is the biggest tournament the team attends, which shows just how good of a season Pope is having.
Kevin Pope is not the only wrestler having a great season this year. Duffy Otteson’s son, Dillan is one of the team’s most talented wrestlers. Dillan Otteson is currently 25-8 in the 145 lbs division and placed 4th in state last year.
Vance Day has also been having himself a fruitful season, placing 6th place in the Spring Creek Tournament this past weekend at 160 lbs. His record is currently 7-3, and he is looking to improve that mark when Day and his ten teammates travel to Fernley this weekend.
The National Weather Service Winter Briefing hosted by CalTrans took place yesterday with representatives from Las Vegas and Reno in attendance. NWS representative, Chris Smallcomb gave a lecture which reviewed last year’s weather for winter, spring, and summer.
During the lecture, Smallcomb said that the a dry January and February followed by a precipitous March, helped provide optimal conditions for a scorched summer, because vegetation dried out later than usual. The Reno NWS representative also told attendees that July and August were the warmest months ever recorded in the Eastern Sierra, and that led to optimal conditions for fires.
ARkstorms were additionally discussed. An ARkstorm is a super-storm that brings copious amounts of water to a region causing severe flooding. To compare the effects of an ARkstorm verses a normal storm, Smallcomb said that the the entirety of effects of the 2016-2017 winter season in the Eastern Sierra would take place in just 22 days.
Smallcomb said that with the effects of climate change, there are studies and models which indicate there is a good possibility of an ARkstorm occurring in the next 40 years.
Other topics at the briefing include steps that the NWS are taking to increase radar coverage in the areas of Tonopah and Bishop by lowering the altitude on radar. This measure would possibly allow for increased range of radar and in turn, provide South Central Nevada and the Owens Valley with more accurate weather predictions.
The meeting then opened for discussion between citizens and the National Weather Service. One attendee brought up the issue of altitude weather predictions, saying that although weather forecasts are accurate at lower elevations, they often fail to foretell temperatures and wind in the higher areas of mountainous regions, which can leave hikers and campers unprepared for the shifting climate.
Who is Jim Butler and how the heck did he end up on the rocky ridge where Tonopah stands today?
In May of 1900, Jim Butler picked up the first rock of silver in Tonopah, Nevada. This marked the discovery of the ore that built the town.
Historians accept three main theories circling Jim Butler and Tonopah. In order of what is said to be “most likely” they are; the Burro Legend, the theory that Jim acted on a tip from local natives, and the theory that Belle and Jim actually knew what they were looking for.
The History of Tonopah, Mizpah in the background – Early 1900’s
Allow us to introduce you to “The Burro Legend.”
The Burro Legend
The story goes that Jim was traveling from his ranch to the Klondike field when a bad storm blew up. Not wanting to continue in the cold wind and rain, he moved to the shelter of a ridge to camp. Sometime during the night, one of his two burros wandered off and he had to go looking for it. When he found it, the burro took off over the ridge, at which point Jim picked up a stone to throw at the fool beast. Feeling the weight of the stone, he took a closer look and saw enough silver to make him take the sample for appraisal.
Given the likelihood that many prospectors had to chase their burros, this story became very popular. It has since been passed on as the truth. However, there was no mention of a burro in Jim’s original letter to the land registry on November 19, 1902.
The Burro Legend is the oldest and most widely propagated story of the discovery of Tonopah.
The Otteson’s World Famous Turquoise, The Royston Turquoise Mine, & a Must-Do in the Silver State of Nevada…
Travel Nevada recently experienced what they refer to as “one of the most authentic Nevada experiences you could ask for.” And, they know exactly what they’re talking about.
Turquoise at the Otteson’s Royston Turquoise Mine
Turquoise Mining
Royston Turquoise is known for its distinction of endless hues world wide. A wide range of Turquoise colors from beautiful soft blues to emerald greens often run together in the same rock, creating some of the most spectacular Turquoise stones on Earth.
Royston Turquoise
The Royston Mine is one of the last American mines in operation today.
After relocating their family to the Tonopah area in 1958, the Otteson family has been running a gamut on the turquoise industry since. The Royston Turquoise Mine separates itself with distinction, as it is known worldwide for having a wide range of colors. While the deeper aquamarine hues are considered to be the most valuable, visitors can find just about every hue of blue greens at the Royston Turquoise Mine. From emerald greens to soft baby blues, the beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder and visitors will have the luxury of collection whatever they please. – See more at: http://travelnevada.com/discover/immersive-experiences/ottesons-turquoise-royston-mine#sthash.6ljqPjLn.dpuf
Best yet, Tonopah lies just in between Reno and Las Vegas, which means it’s a manageable escape from the big city. Tours begin at the Otteson Turquoise Jewelry shop, where visitors will carpool out to the Royston Turquoise Mine, a short 30 minute drive from the Mizpah. – See more at: http://travelnevada.com/discover/immersive-experiences/ottesons-turquoise-royston-mine#sthash.6ljqPjLn.dpuf
HISTORY: The Otteson Family & The Royston Turquoise Mine
The Otteson family has been running a gamut on the Turquoise industry since they relocated to the Tonopah area in 1958.
Controlling the majority of the Royston Turquoise mining district, most of their days are spent excavating this beautiful gemstone. Visitors have the opportunity to dig and sort through Turquoise-laden mounds with hands-on-tours with the Ottesons themselves.
Tractor over Turquoise vein at Royston Mine
Tours
$100 per person Ages 18 +
$50 Ages 13-18
Kids Under 12 are Free with Paying Adult
Tours are held Wednesday – Saturday from April to October and run from 10 AM until 2 PM.
The tours begin and end at the Otteson’s Showroom in the vault of Tonopah’s historic Mizpah Hotel. Visitors may each fill one large bag for collection during their mining experience. After three hours of getting their hands dirty at the mine, the group is brought back to the Showroom at the Mizpah. Here, the Otteson’s personally help sort, cut, and polish your most valuable finds.
The Otteson’s World Famous Turquoise Showroom at the Mizpah HotelTurquoise Mining at Royston Mine with the Ottesons
Guests also have the option of having their turquoise transformed into handmade jewelry.
In fact, the Discovery Channel’s Kirsten Gum of “Where to Find Cash & Treasures” and “Treasure Hunter” featured her turquoise mining experience with the Ottesons on TV. One of her finds is displayed in the Showroom at the Mizpah.
Mining with The Ottesons at the Royston Turquoise Mine; A Must See and Do in the Silver State
100 N. Main Street
Tonopah, NV 89049
Phone:(775) 482-9889
The Otteson’s World Famous Turquoise, The Royston Turquoise Mine, & a Must-Do in the Silver State of Nevada…
Tonopah / Nevada / Turquoise / Royston / Authentic / Mining / Mine / Ottesons / Travel / Tourism / Tours / Experience / Travel Channel / Travel Nevada / Silver State / West Central Nevada / Mizpah Hotel
“The highlight of our trip to Death Valley!” -Heidi P., Waukesha, Wisconsin
You wouldn’t know it, but the hills in the Tonopah area are riddled with unimaginable amounts of turquoise. With a retail store and tour office located in the alluring Mizpah Hotel in downtown Tonopah, plan ahead for one of the most authentic Nevada experiences you could ask for: turquoise mining. Best yet, Tonopah lies just in between Reno and Las Vegas, which means it’s a manageable escape from the big city. Tours begin at the Otteson Turquoise Jewelry shop, where visitors will carpool out to the Royston Turquoise Mine, a short 30 minute drive from the Mizpah.
After relocating their family to the Tonopah area in 1958, the Otteson family has been running a gamut on the turquoise industry since. The Royston Turquoise Mine separates itself with distinction, as it is known worldwide for having a wide range of colors. While the deeper aquamarine hues are considered to be the most valuable, visitors can find just about every hue of blue greens at the Royston Turquoise Mine. From emerald greens to soft baby blues, the beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder and visitors will have the luxury of collection whatever they please.
As the Otteson’s control the majority of the Royston Turquoise mining district, they spend most of their days excavating this beautiful gemstone which is then processed, sorted and then sold to silversmiths around the world. Just like the Otteson’s, visitors will have the chance to dig and sort through turquoise-laden mounds, almost as far as the eye can see.
With each guest allotted one large bag for collection, they will spend three unforgettable hours prospecting their own finds. Afterward, visitors will be brought back to the Mizpah where the Otteson’s sort through your best pieces, ultimately cutting and polishing your most valuable stones. One thing is for certain, each guest will most definitely walk away with many stones. The question isn’t if you’ll find it, but how much of it and what grade you will uncover! The experience really comes full circle when guests are presented the option of having their turquoise transformed into jewelry, having the resident silversmith create your favorite bauble.
Before you secure your spot, be sure you’re prepped for the elements and remember to bring sunscreen, gloves, closed toed shoes, proper clothing [as weather may rapidly change], and lots of drinking water. Tours and held on Wednesday and Saturday during the warmer months of April through October. These four hour tours typically last from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and take you into the mine where several generations of the family owned operation reworking to excavate their own findings. As it is a modern operable mine, visitors are presented with a multitude of digging tools and a safety schpeel.
It doesnt get much more authentic with a Nevada experience like this. Definitely a must-see and do in the Silver State!
Features
$100 Per Person
$50 Children 14-18
Kids under 8 Free
Tours held Weds and Sat April-Oct
Tours run from 10am-2pm
– See more at: http://travelnevada.com/discover/immersive-experiences/ottesons-turquoise-royston-mine#sthash.6ljqPjLn.dpuf
Prizes are grab bags for each win and big CASH prizes for the big games. The cost is $10 for 1 card and $25 for 3 cards. Proceeds from BINGO and food will help support local and international Rotary projects.
Don’t miss out on an exciting night out with friends!
Anyone who needs a ride to the event on Sept. 20 can contact Lisa Westerlund at 702-328-7583. BINGO!
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You’re Invited to the Tonopah Rotary BINGO Fundraiser on September 20th
CHILI COOK-OFF THIS MONDAY, SEPT. 15th AT THE TONOPAH FARMERS MARKET
Get excited! Tonopah is hosting a Chili Cook-Off…
DINNER MONDAY AT THE CHILI COOK-OFF
This Monday is the Chili Cook-Off at the Tonopah Farmers Market from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to come for a taste of the action!
Awards:
While there will be judges who select the Judges’ Choice Award and present the $200 cash prize, the coveted People’s Choice Award is presented to the entry receiving the most votes from the public. Everyone can sample chili for a quarter and vote for their favorite from 4 to 6:15 pm. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announces around 6:30 and presented with $100 cash.
The Proceeds Will Benefit…
This year, proceeds from the entry fees and sample cups and other donations will go to support Tonopah No To Abuse. Competitors will also be selling bowls of chili, so everyone is welcome to come Monday night for dinner.
Approximately three minutes later, a red 2017 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on US-6, approaching the overturned Volvo tractor-trailer. The Peterbilt struck the Volvo, splitting the Volvo into two. The driver of the Peterbilt (Dario Baez, a 53-year-old Madera resident) succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
