Fallon publisher to appear in court on DUI charge

The publisher of the Lahontan Valley News in Fallon will be arraigned in Fernley Municipal Court on Nov. 25 on a charge of drunken driving.

Publisher Keven Todd said he was arrested in early October on suspicion of drunken driving and failure to dim his headlights.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, Todd, 50, was eastbound on Highway 50 Alternate when he was stopped by Trooper R. Gemmel on Oct. 9 at 9 p.m.

"He was stopped for failing to dim his headlights, and the trooper smelled an odor of alcohol. He administered the standard field sobriety tests, which (Todd) failed," said Trooper Blair Harkleroad.

Todd was booked into the Lyon County Jail and released after posting bail.

The publisher explained Thursday that he was at a fundraising event prior to being stopped and said he had a few drinks.

"There was not a feeling on my part or my wife's part that I was impaired," he said. "I obviously regret that anything of this nature would have happened at all. I absolutely apologize. If I could go back and redo things I would."

Because the trooper did not have the equipment needed to administer a breath test, Todd submitted to a blood draw, he said. The results of that test were not available.

If the test confirms the trooper's suspicion that Todd was intoxicated, the publisher said he would not fight the charge.

"I am taking responsibility for what happened and not trying to shake out of it," said Todd. "Ideally, I would like to be able to use my position and my ability to reach out to the public to hopefully help other folks avoid a similar situation."

The Lahontan Valley News is owned by Swift Communications, the parent company of the Nevada Appeal.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.