10 Years Ago

  • Glen Inlow, the man who started the public campaign against an ordinance to change how Mineral County adopted building codes, said he’s looking for a lawyer to help him write a ballot referendum and petition to recall at least one of the Mineral County Commissioners.

20 Years Ago

  • The Serpents Tournament of Champions basketball games were held Dec. 4-6 with eight visiting teams playing basketball in Hawthorne. Leading scores were Bib Gazaway, Riley Fitzgerald, Marty Waggoner, Brad Johnson and Joe Cox. The Lady Serpents also were involved in the tournament. Leading scorers Tana Gurule, Jamie Convis, Marissa Dempster and Samantha Cook.
  • David Martin was selected Employee of the Month for the El Capitan Resort Casino. He was a bartender for almost four years at the time of his recognition.
  • A tourism grant was approved by Nevada Commission on Tourism to incorporate the Patriotic Home theme on the I-80 corridor.

30 Years Ago

  • Two Mineral County School District Buses, one which provided transportation for students on the Walker River Indian Reservation, and the other bus that transported high school students from Schurz to Hawthorne, were vandalized in Schurz. Damage included broken windows, headlights and mirrors.
  • Jean Justus, Chief deputy in the County Clerk and treasurer’s office was honored with a surprise luncheon at the courthouse in recognition of her 30 years of service with the clerk and treasurer office.
  • Numerous vehicle accidents were caused by a wind and snowstorm that struck this area. Two big truck turnovers were caused by high winds, and icy roads from snow caused several other vehicle accidents.

40 Years Ago

  • The single price of the Independent-News delivery and sold at business locations was increased to 25 cents. This was the first increase to the local paper in 55 years from the original 10 cents paper per copy changed when the paper started. The increase was made necessary to paper increase costs.
  • The Mineral County Chamber of Commerce elected new directors Gerald Baker, Vern Wenger and Pat Miller.
  • Effie Holmes and Greg Everett were awarded the popular Cabbage Patch Kids by Kurt Reno, local Sprouse Reitz Manager.
  • Star Wars “Return of the Jedi” was playing at the Cactus Theater.

50 Years Ago

  • Highway 95 at the north end of Hawthorne was blocked for most of the day when a large truck carrying beer failed to make the sharp turn entering town.
  • The Mineral County School District District Board of Trustees elected to seek $140,000 short term financing in order to award a contract to construct a new physical education facility for the high school.
  • Speed limit through the towns of Luning and Mina was changed from 25 to 35 miles per hour.

60 Years Ago

  • A new ambulance was received for the volunteer ambulance service in Hawthorne and a volunteer fire department was organized in Schurz.
  • Mental health committee was expanded to a county wide basis.

70 Years Ago

  • Hank Barlow again was chosen to serve as chairman of March of Dimes fund.
  • Mineral County High School announced that it would start a driver training course for students.
  • State President of the VFW Auxiliary, Mrs. Kenneth F. Johnson, made her official visit to the John Franklin Shain Auxiliary in Hawthorne.
  • Esmeralda Lodge No. 16 Knights of Pythias elected officers for the new year: Elected were: Luther Hurn, chancellor commander, Mike Kalember, vice chancellor, Larry Martin, prelate, Bill Schumann, master at works, Jack Hynd, secretary, Harlow Kiblinger, financial secretary, Felix DelPorto, treasurer, Charlie Hendel, master at arms, Otto Gerbig, outer guard and Mike Kalember trustee.

80 Years Ago

  • The Mineral County High School Serpents started the 1943-44 basketball season by playing Fernley on the home court. The Serpents won the game 29-25. Don Gruwell of the Serpents made 17 points in the game.
  • Southern California interests purchased mining property owned by Hy Werner, G. A. Peterson and Joe Malatesta, located 12 miles southwest of Hawthorne, near the old LaPanta Mine.

90 Years Ago

  • Possible reopening of the Nevada Historic Preservation- Massachusetts tungsten mine at Silver Dyke, 10 miles southwest of Mina, was discussed when Ott F. Heiset, general manager of, made a trip to inspect the condition of the mine and mill during time it had been closed because of low prices for tungsten. Charles Segerstrom, president of Nevada -Mass. had planned to make the trip from his home in Sonora, California, but was unable to do so. E. G. Emminger, mine /mill superintendent, had remained at Silver Dyke during the closure period.
  • Judge Edgar Eather of  Eureka, who presided in the place of Judge BJ Emmett Walsh in district court in Hawthorne to hear and decide the contest for a seat on the Mineral County Board of Commissioners, ruled in favor of T.O. McKinnon who defeated then incumbent Sol Summerfield by seven votes in the November 1942 general election election. Both men were Mina businessmen.
  • In the court action both sides had challenged some votes in every precinct in the county. Also at issue was the question of whether government employees living on federal reservations at the Naval Ammunition Depot and Schurz were eligible to vote in local elections. T.O. McKinnon had served almost a year in office before the case could be brought to trial.
  • While in Hawthorne, Judge Eather also heard another case and ruled in favor of District Attorney Fred Wood and approved his claim for $61.20 for mileage and expenses in making a trip to Reno on official business.