Nevada

Health, sanitation violations found in state prisons, memo says

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

Health, sanitation violations found in state prisons, memo says

A memo sharing the results of regular health and sanitation inspections of Nevada’s state prisons revealed several “critical” violations in multiple facilities.

In advance of next week’s meeting of the State Board of Prison Commissioners, the Nevada Department of Corrections shared a memo detailing the results of these inspections by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health from the office division’s chief medical officer, Ihsan Azzam.

Six state prisons had critical dietary and sanitary violations, and the two prisons inspected for medical and dental services both had deficiencies.

These inspections must be conducted regularly under state law, but only two prisons per year have to be inspected for medical and dental compliance.

Sanitary violations

High temperature dishwashers were found in disrepair at three prisons: High Desert State Prison, Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center and Northern Nevada Correctional Center, according to the memo.

At High Desert State Prison, some sinks were found without sanitizer. Cockroaches — both alive and dead — were found in food storage areas.

Chemical containers were found without labels to prevent misuse at Southern Desert Correctional Center.

According to the memo, Northern Nevada Correctional Center was “operating under unsafe conditions which involved the culinary wastewater plumbing system,” with floods of wastewater found in a crawl space under the culinary from a broken pipe that had been left in disrepair.

Also at the facility, signs of rodents were found in the warehouse though not in the culinary or bakery. The memo said that the prison is making efforts to “eliminate the ongoing infestation.”

Medical deficiencies

This year, Northern Nevada Correctional Center and Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center were up for inspection.

Only one deficiency — damage to the vinyl material of an examination table and dental chair — was found at the woman’s prison. This type of damage presents an infection control risk, according to the memo.

Six deficiencies were found at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, including an exposed electrical hazard, obstructed fire sprinklers and damaged vinyl.

Inspectors found that the facility had not been following its policy on the sterilization of medical and dental instruments, the memo said. Several drugs and biological supplies were also found to be outdated or expired.

The Nevada Department of Corrections did not respond to requests for comment on the violations and deficiencies.

The State Board of Prison Commissioners is scheduled to meet in Carson City on Dec. 19, with a remote viewing site available in Las Vegas at the Nevada State Business Center.

Contact Estelle Atkinson at eatkinson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @estellelilym on X and @estelleatkinson.bsky.social on Bluesky.

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Nevada

A snowmobiler dies after an avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada

Published

10 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

A snowmobiler dies after an avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada

TRUCKEE, Calif. — An avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada on Monday buried a snowmobiler in snow and killed him, authorities said.

Rescuers responded after a 911 call around 2:20 p.m. reported a possible avalanche near Johnson Peak and Castle Peak in Truckee.

The snowmobiler was initially reported missing but then was found under the snow several minutes later, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Fellow recreationists found him but he didn’t survive despite lifesaving efforts, according to the statement.

Emergency personnel were working to safely extract the victim late Monday and to confirm no others were buried.

The sheriff’s office said more avalanches could occur and recommended that people avoid the area.

Each winter, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches in the U.S., according to the National Avalanche Center. The center’s current map shows high risk spots in Utah and Washington and areas of considerable risk in California, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

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Nevada

Who is No. 1 in the 1st Nevada Preps winter sports rankings?

Published

22 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Nevada Preps Winter Sports Rankings

Records through Sunday

Boys basketball

Class 5A

1. Liberty (10-5)

2. Democracy Prep (9-6)

3. Coronado (5-6)

4. Bishop Gorman (9-7)

5. Desert Pines (11-4)

Class 4A

1. Clark (8-5)

2. Las Vegas High (10-4)

3. Losee (7-5)

4. Faith Lutheran (11-5)

5. Shadow Ridge (11-4)

Class 3A

1. Virgin Valley (9-2)

2. The Meadows (9-5)

3. Boulder City (9-5)

4. GV Christian (8-6)

5. Pahrump Valley (5-7)

Games to watch

All games at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Tuesday

Losee at Las Vegas

Faith Lutheran at Liberty

Wednesday

Bishop Gorman at Desert Pines

Virgin Valley at The Meadows

Thursday

Coronado at Mojave

Clark at Durango

Friday

Desert Pines at Las Vegas

Virgin Valley at Boulder City

Saturday

Big City Showdown at Coronado

Liberty vs. Desert Pines, 4:30 p.m.

Bishop Gorman vs. Coronado, 8 p.m.

Girls basketball

Class 5A

1. Bishop Gorman (11-1)

2. Democracy Prep (7-4)

3. Centennial (6-3)

4. Liberty (10-7)

5. Shadow Ridge (3-4)

Class 4A

1. Mojave (9-4)

2. Mater East (10-4)

3. Losee (14-5)

4. Del Sol (13-3)

5. Cimarron-Memorial (9-2)

Class 3A

1. Virgin Valley (6-5)

2. Boulder City (8-6)

3. Moapa Valley (8-4)

4. Coral Academy (7-4)

5. Pahrump Valley (4-7)

Games to watch

All games at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Wednesday

Faith Lutheran at Shadow Ridge

Centennial at Liberty

Mojave at Desert Oasis

Thursday

Sierra Vista at Cimarron-Memorial, 5 p.m.

Friday

Mater East at Desert Oasis

Virgin Valley at Boulder City

Saturday

Big City Showdown at Coronado

Bishop Gorman vs. Centennial, 6:15 p.m.

Flag football

Class 5A

1. Desert Oasis (8-0)

2. Shadow Ridge (10-1)

3. Arbor View (10-1)

4. Palo Verde (10-3)

5. Liberty (6-2)

Class 4A

1. Virgin Valley (5-3)

2. Sierra Vista (5-2)

3. Mater East (6-3)

4. Clark (7-4)

5. Spring Valley (5-2)

Games to watch

All games at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Palo Verde at Desert Oasis

Coronado at Bishop Gorman

SECTA at Arbor View

Friday

Shadow Ridge at Palo Verde

Canyon Springs at Arbor View

Alex Wright Review-Journal

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Nevada

Westbound I-80 closed at Nevada Stateline and Truckee due to spin-outs

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Westbound I-80 closed at Nevada Stateline and Truckee due to spin-outs

Both directions of Interstate 80 are being redirected over Donner Summit due to slick roads and multiple spin-outs. Authorities have not provided an estimated time for reopening the highway.

This is a developing story. Please check back with us for updates.

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