Author: Amy Veloz
For more than six decades, Country Financial Insurance has been woven into the fabric of Pahrump’s history—long before the town began its steady transformation into the vibrant, growing community it is today. What started in the 1960s as the Northwest Farm Bureau, serving early agricultural families like the Hafen farmers, has evolved into one of the area’s most trusted and enduring insurance and financial service providers. Today, that legacy continues under the leadership of Lisa Marie Spahitz-Plassmeyer, whose passion for service and community echoes through every aspect of the business. The company’s journey mirrors the evolution of Pahrump itself. As…
The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans girls’ basketball team kicked off their 2025–26 season with heart, hustle, and a hard-earned 41–36 victory over the Needles Mustangs on Thursday, Dec. 4, inside a packed PVHS gym. With a roster made up entirely of underclassmen and just a few returning varsity players, the Trojans found ways to overcome turnovers, regain momentum, and finish strong in a game that demanded resilience from start to finish. The season opener began as a defensive battle, with both teams trading misses and turnovers before junior Riley Saldaña broke the silence. With 4:45 left in the first…
The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans boys’ basketball team opened their 2025–26 season at home on Thursday, December 4, showcasing grit, athleticism, and balanced scoring in a high-energy matchup against the Needles Mustangs. Though the Trojans came up short 77–69, the opener was filled with big moments, strong individual performances, and stretches of impressive team basketball. Needles struck quickly out of the gate, hitting two early baskets — first a short jumper, then a strong drive to the rim — to go up 4–0. But the Trojans responded with composure. At 5:48, Keir Sheppard knocked down PVHS’s first points of…
The holiday spirit was unmistakable outside Walmart on Saturday, December 6, as Something Positive, Positive Pahrump, Pahrump Valley Fire & Rescue, and the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program (PDOP) came together for the 15th annual community Toy Drive. Under a gorgeous, sunny sky, families stopped by to donate toys, enjoy the warm weather, and even climb into a parked fire engine for photos—an unexpected highlight that brought smiles to kids and adults alike. The relaxed, cheerful atmosphere set the perfect tone for a day focused on giving back and supporting local children. By the end of the day, the teams collected…
In a project that blends skill-building, creativity, and community service, students in Pahrump Valley High School’s Building Construction classes are putting the finishing touches on 250 handmade wooden toys for the preschool program at Mt. Charleston Elementary School. Under the guidance of teacher Doug Nelson—who is completing his first semester at PVHS after 27 years teaching in Clark County—the students have spent several weeks preparing gifts that will be delivered just in time for the holiday season. Nelson, who previously taught at Desert Rose High School, said the idea was inspired by a tradition he carried out for years. “We’d…
The community is invited to come out and show its support for local law enforcement during the very first fundraiser benefiting Friends of Nye County Sheriff’s Office, a newly formed nonprofit dedicated to assisting the Nye County Sheriff’s Office with community-focused programs and events. The event will be held during First Friday on December 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Artesian Cellars Winery, located at 1731 Highway 160 in Pahrump. Friends of Nye County Sheriff’s Office operates under the tagline “Backing the badge. Serving the community,” and works to support positive engagement between NCSO and residents. Proceeds from this…
A new era for youth volleyball has arrived in Pahrump with the formation of the Pahrump Valley Volleyball Club (PVVC), led by Pahrump Valley High School volleyball coach Amber Lugo. The newly established club will give local athletes access to highly competitive play without having to join a team outside of the community, marking a major step forward for volleyball development in the valley. PVVC is set to compete in both the V League and the Under Armour National Championships in Las Vegas, offering players the chance to face strong regional and national opponents. The season begins immediately and will…
Bella Salon is once again rallying the community this holiday season with its second annual food drive benefiting the VFW food bank, offering residents a meaningful way to support local veterans. Donations of non-perishable food and monetary contributions will be accepted from Friday, December 5 through noon on Friday, December 19, with all collected items delivered to the VFW that afternoon. After a successful first year, Bella Salon is expanding its effort and encouraging even more community participation. Donations can be dropped off directly at the salon, and for those who may not have time to shop—or would simply prefer…
The Thanksgiving morning tradition at Pahrump Valley High School reached an exciting milestone this year as dozens of former wrestlers packed into the practice room for the 2025 Alumni Practice — the first held under new Head Coach Antonio Sandoval. What began more than three decades ago as a small holiday workout has grown into one of the community’s most cherished athletic traditions, and this year’s turnout was one of the largest in program history. At 9am the PVHS wrestling room was buzzing with energy. Alumni ranging from recent graduates to former state champions who competed more than two decades…
Desert View Hospital is taking another step toward strengthening patient care by launching a new post-discharge phone support system powered by generative artificial intelligence. The hospital announced this week that, beginning in the coming weeks, some patients will receive follow-up calls from “Daisy,” a specially designed AI phone assistant created by Hippocratic AI. Hospital leaders emphasize that the goal is simple: to give patients timely, accurate support once they return home, without replacing the personal connection people have come to expect from the local healthcare team. As a rural hospital serving a large senior population and a tight-knit community, Desert…