Storey County: 2025 Year In Review

A Year of Growth, Community, and Achievement

This year brought major milestones across public safety, community services, infrastructure, and partnerships. The County made steady progress on long-term projects, expanded support for residents, strengthened regional collaborations, and delivered important services across every department. Below is a snapshot of the work happening across Storey County in 2025.

  1. 1 VHS Wildfire Evacuation Drill
  2. 2 World Renowned Camel Races VCTC
  3. 3 The Grand Prix VCTC
  4. 4 Chili Cook Off VCTC
  5. 5 Storey County Ornaments
  6. 6 Officer Vargas with his K9
  7. 7 Coach Jason Alvear
  8. 8 Mock Elections
  9. 9 VHS Town Hall for Wildfire Evac Drill
  10. 10 Lockwood Town Hall for Flood Evacuation Drill
  11. 11 Sheriffs Night Out in VC
  12. 12 Sheriffs Night Out in VC (2)
  13. 13 Sheriffs Night Out in Lockwood
  14. 14 Storey County Recorder Dru McPherson at the VCHS Career Fair
  15. 15 Citizens Academy
  16. 16 Assessor Jana Seddon at the VCHS Mock Interviews
  17. 17 Local Historian Joe Curtis at the 150th Anniversary of the Great Memorial Fire
  18. 18 Morgen Wyman from the Recorders Office at the Resource Fair

Community Impact: Making a Difference for Residents

Storey County departments and residents came together in 2025 to support, educate, and engage our communities:

  • Health & Community Services hosted Sheriff’s Night Out events in Lockwood and Virginia City, and held resource fairs with participation from county departments, businesses, nonprofits, and community partners — including flu shots, local services, and on-site support. Staff continued assisting residents in crisis through the Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST) and Forensic Assessment Services Triage Team (FASTT).
  • County leaders, elected officials, department heads, and staff partnered with the Storey County School District to host high school mock interviews, giving high school seniors real-world practice and career preparation.
  • Emergency Preparedness efforts expanded countywide. Emergency Management, the Fire Protection District, the Sheriff’s Office, and other partners conducted full-scale evacuation drills in the Virginia City Highlands and Lockwood. Town halls were held before and after the drills to help residents prepare and to review what worked well and what could improve.
  • The Sheriff’s Office launched the 2025 Citizens Academy, offering hands-on education about law enforcement operations, and continued advancing specialized units:
    • MOST: Connecting residents in crisis to resources
    • Jeep Posse Search & Rescue: Responding in remote and rugged areas
    • K9 Unit: Helping remove dangerous substances and supporting investigations
    • STEER Unit: Improving roadway safety through traffic education and enforcement
  • Grants Program: Coach Jason Alvear and the Mighty Mites youth sports program received a $6,500 Community Project Grant for basketball and baseball equipment, ensuring all kids can participate regardless of financial barriers.
  • Virginia City Tourism & Events' overall event attendance increased by 12%, with several signature events reaching record numbers. Big events ran smoothly thanks to updated producer checklists, clearer deadlines, and stronger communication with merchants. Interest in filming in Virginia City locations also grew, with more walkthroughs, conversations, and applications.
  • The Fire Protection District continued the Virginia City Mucker’s Cadet Program, giving students hands-on Fire/EMS experience, and marked the 150th Anniversary of the Great Fire of 1875 with community education and commemorative events. A Fire District crew also entered Virginia City’s World Championship Outhouse Races, finishing just shy of the podium in their first year — and already committed to running again next year.
  • Storey County was proud to help decorate Nevada’s first-ever U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, coming from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest! Residents from the Senior Center, kids from Community Chest, and even some of our employees jumped right in to create ornaments that showcase Storey County and Nevada’s unique spirit. Additionally, thanks to communities across Nevada, with Storey County proudly represented, the tree is wrapped in a beautiful custom tree skirt highlighting all 17 counties. 
  1. 1 Clerk and Treasurer Vehicle Registration (DMV) Window
  2. 2 the New Lockwood Senior Community Center
  3. 3 B Street Road Rehab Project
  4. 4 TRI-Center Traffic Signals
  5. 5 B Street Road Rehab Project2
  6. 6 Lockwood Senior Community Center
  7. 7 Lockwood Senior Community Center2
  8. 8 Lockwood Senior Community Center Ribbon Cutting
  9. 9 Fiber Project
  10. 10 B Street Road Rehab (after)
  11. 11 B Street Road Rehab (before)
  12. 12 VHS Swing Set

Projects & Infrastructure: Building a Stronger, Connected Community

Key initiatives in 2025 expanded services, improved safety, and enhanced community spaces:

  • Lockwood Senior Community Center: Multi-generational space completed with support from The Porter Group, K7 Construction, Construction Materials Engineers (CME), Lumos & Associates, Paul Cavin Architecture, PK Engineering, Ainsworth Engineering, Senator Rosen, Senator Cortez Masto, and Public Works and Grants teams. $2.5M in federal funding helped turn this vision into reality.

  • Fire Protection District:

    • Purchased a four-acre TRI-Center parcel for Fire Station 75, which will house fire/EMS personnel, northern prevention offices, a fleet mechanic shop, and a premier training center.

    • Station 71 remodel and renovation underway through federal Build America, Buy American Act funding.

    • Fleet upgrades, including replacement of the 1982 Virginia City Ladder Truck with a 2011 model, expected mid-February 2026.

  • Emergency Management: Purchased the County’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center and vehicle barriers via a grant to improve special event safety.

  • Virginia City Road Rehab: B Street improvements enhanced safety and accessibility.

  • Swing Set in Virginia City Highlands: New play space for kids and families.

  • Countywide IT & Fiber upgrades: Expanded connectivity in Virginia City and Gold Hill; project moves to Virginia City Highlands in 2026. This effort earned a 2025 National Association of Counties Achievement Award.

  • Clerk & Treasurer: DMV services returned locally, processing ~300 transactions per month.

  • County Manager & County Commissioners – TRI-Center Traffic Signal Updates:

    • Sydney Drive: Lighted signals installed and operating.

    • Denmark Drive: Signal electrical installed and intersection being widened; lighted signals may take time due to overhead high-voltage lines.

    • Waltham Way: Discussions with property owner on in-kind matches are ongoing; equipment ready once agreements are finalized.

    • Electric Avenue: Signal timing adjusted to improve traffic flow on USA Parkway and at the I-80 interchange.

  • Storey County sponsored a new law that helps protect local services as major projects move into our region. Under this new law, companies applying for tax breaks in economic diversification districts must now work with local governments—like Storey County—to help cover the cost of public services those projects rely on, such as fire protection and infrastructure.
  1. 1 Swearing In Ceremony for New Storey County Fire Protection District Chief Bob Ryser
  2. 2 Emergency Management
  3. 3 Deputy Mike Simons Received the NAMI CIT Award
  4. 4 Community Health Workers Haylee Butler & Dani Brown
  5. 5 Deputies Buscay, Welch and O’Brien Received Life Saving Awards
  6. 6 Community Development
  7. 7 Storey County Fire Protection District at Chief Ryser's Swearing-In Ceremony
  8. 8 County Commissioner Clay Mitchell, Director of Business Development, Lara Mather, and Grants Manager
  9. 9 Director of Health & Community Services Stacy York with Community Resources Coordinator Bob Hastings
  10. 10 Health & Community Services Virginia City Site Coordinator Sara Cannon who has spearheaded Storey Co

Employee Spotlights: Our Team Makes It Happen

From lifesaving actions to community programs, Storey County employees made 2025 remarkable:

  • Emergency Management: Earned Certified Emergency Manager and Certified Emergency Manager Associate certifications.

  • Health & Community Services: Sara Cannon led the Dementia Friendly Nevada initiative, Robert “Bob” Hastings launched a high school class for career and college readiness, and the team welcomed community health workers Dani Brown and Haylee Butler, who partner with the Sheriff’s Office to assist residents in need of mental health support and resources.

  • Community Development: The department processed a record-breaking number of documents, permits, and business licenses in 2025, with month-after-month increases reflecting continued growth across the county. Staff also expanded their professional expertise through new certifications: Dave Nair earned Commercial Plumbing (June 2025) and Residential Plans Examiner (January 2025) certifications; Bryan Sandoval earned Residential Mechanical (July 2025) and Residential Combination Inspector (July 2025); Joseph Starnes earned Building Official, Building Code Specialist, and Fire Code Specialist certifications (June 2025); Scott Cunningham earned Residential Building Inspector (B1) in June 2025, Zoning Inspector, and Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certifications in March 2025; and Raymond Flagg earned a Commercial Building certification (B2) in November 2025 and Daniel Horton earned Daniel commercial plumbing (October 2025) and Commercial Building Inspector (B1) in March 2025.

  • Public Works & Lifeguards: Kept families safe and entertained throughout the season.

  • Sheriff’s Office: Deputies Matt O’Brien, Matt Buscay, and Sgt. Joe Welch rescued two people from a burning home; Deputy Mike Simons was recognized as NAMI Western Nevada CIT Officer of the Year.

  • Business Development: Director Lara Mather connected with local, regional, and international partners to support business growth.

  • Fire Protection District: Staff transitions included retirements of Chief Jeremy Loncar, Assistant Chief Jim Morgan, and Battalion Chief Shane Dixon; promotions for Chief Bob Ryser, Battalion Chief Fritz Klingler, and Captain Dante Licata; three new line staff positions; and the first in-house Fleet Manager/Mechanic, James Ihnat.

  1. 1 Community Chest NeoGov Award
  2. 2 EdgeCore Donation
  3. 3 EdgeCore Donation (2)
  4. 4 Redwood Materials Donation
  5. 5 Redwood Materials Donation2

Partnerships & Donations: Together, We Achieve More

Community and corporate partnerships strengthened services and expanded resources in 2025:

  • Emergency Management: Trained nearly all Storey County School District employees in Stop the Bleed, setting a statewide example as well as strengthened partnerships with mutual aid agreements. 

  • Sheriff’s Office: Donations helped expand public safety and community programs:

    • EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure contributed to both the Sheriff’s Office and Health & Community Services, including $30,000 for a Search & Rescue pickup truck.

    • LEATT donated four full sets of riding gear for the SOHO Team.

    • Six Mile Industries donated 60 pairs of goggles for youth through the SOHO Team.

    • Polaris Distribution Center provided motorcycle helmets and gloves for the STEER Unit for distribution to riders in need.

    • The Hayward Family donated a Dodge Challenger for traffic enforcement.

    • The Gilman Family donated two motorcycles for traffic enforcement.

  • Health & Community Services: EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure contributed to local programs including the Veterans Transportation Program, ADA-accessible outdoor tables at the Lockwood Senior & Community Center, and support for public safety (see above).

  • Human Resources & Community Chest, Inc.: Earned 3rd place in the NEOGOV Gives Back Award, taking home a $2,000 prize.

  • Redwood Materials & Mustang Ranch: Provided over 200 turkeys and 200 side dishes for Thanksgiving to help local families.

  • Fire Protection District & Switch Data Center: Supported the purchase of a new Ladder Truck for the TRI-Center and a specialized quick-attack foam truck for Lithium Ion and Class B fires

storey county staff

Thank You, Storey County!

2025 was a year of growth, collaboration, and achievement. From major projects to community programs, employee accomplishments and strong partnerships, every effort strengthened Storey County. 

Here's to building on this success in 2026!