Author: Amy Veloz

Families are invited to mark their calendars for the upcoming Back to School Fair 2026, scheduled for Saturday, July 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Pahrump Valley High School, located at 501 E. Calvada Blvd. The event will offer a variety of free resources for students as the community prepares for the start of the new school year. Available items and services will include backpacks and school supplies while supplies last, car seats while supplies last, and sports physicals for students. Families planning to participate in sports physicals are encouraged to bring any required paperwork. Organizers note that…

Tucked behind Tractor Supply, sits a bookstore unlike almost anything else in Southern Nevada. What appears from the outside to be a small used bookstore quickly opens into a maze of shelves, rooms, genres and decades of literary history inside Bookworm Haven, a longtime local business that has quietly served readers in the community since the 1980s. For manager Rachel Ross, the bookstore is much more than a place to buy books. It is a living piece of family history built from a love of reading that has continued for more than 40 years. Bookworm Haven was originally opened in…

The Pahrump Aztecs Silver 17U club baseball team battled throughout all seven innings Tuesday night in Pahrump, putting together a late comeback effort before ultimately falling 8-3 to EA Rattlers Legion Silver. Despite the final score, the Aztecs showed flashes on both sides of the ball, highlighted by defensive plays up the middle, timely pitching changes and a sixth-inning rally that erased a three-run deficit and tied the game heading into the final frame. Pahrump opened the game defensively with Keith Lawrence on the mound and quickly settled in after the visitors put runners aboard. After recording the first two…

For McKenna Cunningham, the path to collegiate athletics did not begin with scholarship offers or high-pressure recruiting calls. Instead, it was built through years of careful planning, honest self-reflection and a lifelong love of dance that ultimately led her to find the right fit at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she will continue her journey as a member of the university’s pom team. As Cunningham prepares to begin college this fall, the moment still feels surreal. After years spent balancing competition dance, school responsibilities, performances and planning for the future, she now finds herself stepping into a new chapter…

Pahrump Valley High School seniors were recognized Wednesday, May 27 during the school’s annual Senior Awards Night and Scholarship Ceremony, as students, families, staff members and community supporters gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. Throughout the evening, local organizations, businesses, clubs and scholarship donors honored graduating seniors for their academic achievements, leadership, athletic accomplishments, community involvement and future educational plans. The ceremony highlighted not only the hard work of the students themselves, but also the continued support of the Pahrump community, which annually contributes thousands of dollars in scholarships and opportunities for local graduates. Among the…

For PVHS distance runner Joaquin Flores, breaking a school record was never just a passing thought. It was a goal he carried with him throughout the entire season — one that became reality at the Richard Lewis Invitational in Moapa, on April 24, 2026, when he shattered a 21-year-old school record in the 3200-meter run. Flores clocked a time of 9:55.28 in the event, surpassing the previous record of 9:57.30 that had stood untouched for more than two decades. “It was definitely a long-term goal,” Flores said. “It’s really exciting when you figure out that you broke a record somebody…

The Pahrump Aztecs Silver 17U club baseball team put together a strong all-around performance Tuesday evening at home, sweeping a doubleheader against Liberty by scores of 15-2 and 11-0. The Aztecs combined timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and solid pitching throughout both games while showcasing depth across the lineup and defensive consistency behind multiple pitchers. In game one, the Aztecs served as the home team and quickly established control early on their way to the 15-2 victory. Liberty threatened briefly in the top of the first after opening with a single, but the Aztecs immediately responded defensively. Catcher Tristan Torres fired…

The Pahrump Valley Little League Major Division champion Aviators took the field in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 26, representing Pahrump in the Tournament of Champions against the MRLL Mets. Although the Aviators came up short on the scoreboard, the team continued to battle throughout the contest while gaining valuable postseason experience against strong competition. The Aviators opened the game with solid contact from Isaiah P, who singled in the top of the first inning after Sage O and Sebastian T both put the ball in play to begin the game. Nathan Z later battled through a lengthy at-bat before…

William “Bill” Hockstedler says his decision to run for Nye County Public Administrator comes from a lifetime shaped by service, accountability and a desire to help people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Hockstedler brings a background that spans military service, healthcare administration and years of leadership experience across several states before settling in Pahrump seven years ago. Originally from Hampton Roads, Virginia, Hockstedler grew up as the son of a World War II Marine veteran and newspaper editor. He said his upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of integrity and responsibility in public life.…

A new educational opportunity is preparing to make its way to Pahrump as organizers behind Pahrump Valley Academy (PVA) continue working toward the anticipated opening of the charter school in August 2027. School representatives say excitement surrounding the project has continued to grow as more families throughout Pahrump and the surrounding communities learn about the academy’s planned approach to education and the opportunities it hopes to bring to local students. Although organizers are still finalizing the permanent location for the school, they said updates will be shared publicly as soon as possible through the academy’s website and outreach efforts. In…