Community news briefs for week of Oct. 23

Sand Mountain Recreation Area

Since 2020, Sand Mountain visitation during Halloween weekend has doubled from 4,000 to 8,000 visitors.

Capacity for the Halloween weekend is expected to be reached by Wednesday, Oct. 25. Reservations are not available and holding spots by leaving property is not allowed. Unattended property, including trailers, will be removed after 48 hours. Camping is only allowed in the designated and defined camping areas. When the camping area reaches capacity, entrance except for emergency vehicles, BLM staff, and contractors into Sand Mountain Recreation Area will not be allowed. No refunds will be issued to pass holders.

The increase in visitation has created human health and safety issues including loss of human life, burn injuries, property damage, fires, trash pollution, human waste pollution, and resource damage.

Because of public safety concerns recreationist should be aware helmets and seat belt/harness are recommended at all times.

Spooktacular

The Maine Street Spooktacular, Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m., features family-friendly activities during the spookiest night of the year.

Attendees can trick-or-treat in costume on Maine Street at the business booths and trunk-or-treat. The celebration will also include bounce houses, face painting, a cutest costume contest, cornhole, pumpkin painting, a DJ, the Bloodmobile, story time with the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office, activities from the Churchill County Library and Churchill County Museum a Fallon/Churchill Fire Department fire truck, the Domestic Violence Intervention bus and an obstacle course.

Churchill County Library

October is “Teentober Month” with several activities geared to teenagers. Come by the Churchill County Library on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. for an activity. Find out more about spine poetry, book reviews, Teen Library Club and more during “Teentober month.”

The library is closed Friday, Oct.27 for Nevada Day.

Special events:

• Drop-in 3D printing workshop takes place Oct. 25 from 3:30-5 p.m. Using the library’s 3D printer, make objects, both useful and pretty, and learn more about this popular technology.

• New book discussion groups for adults continues Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. To observe Halloween this month, bring your own book about ghosts to discuss.

• All Day Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 31. Come by the library on Halloween to show us your costume and get a goodie for your trick-or-treat bag.

Pennington Life Center

Stop by the Pennington Life Center in October for the many activities planned for the month.

Plenty of good eats at the Pennington Life Center: All are welcome to partake. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays. Cost is $6 for those under age 60 and a suggested donation of $3 for those 60 and older.

Rotary Club of Fallon

Rotary meets every Tuesday at noon at the Stockman’s Steakhouse. Each meeting usually has a speaker. Guests are welcome.

BLM oil and gas lease sale

The Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office has announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for Dec. 5 to offer four oil and gas parcels totaling 3,498.342 acres in Nevada.

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in June 2023 and held a public comment period in September 2023 on the parcels, potential deferrals, and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input opened today and will close Nov. 6.

The parcels the BLM has analyzed, as well as maps and instructions on how to protest the environmental assessment are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024783/510