Former state Sen. Pete Goicoechea was appointed to the Nevada Board of Regents by Gov. Joe Lombardo on Tuesday afternoon.

“Senator Goicoechea’s lifetime of public service is unparalleled,” Lombardo said in his announcement. “With his decades of leadership in representing Nevada’s rural communities, Senator Goicoechea will provide invaluable insight and perspective for our higher education system.”

The board oversees Nevada’s higher education system, which includes Nevada’s four community colleges, two universities, a research institute and a state college.

Goicoechea served as a Republican in the Nevada State Senate since 2012. Prior to his time in the Senate, he served in the Nevada Assembly for a decade, where he served as Minority Floor Leader from 2011-2012 and as Minority Whip from 2007-2010. He also served as a Eureka County Commissioner for 16 years.

As a regent, Goicoechea will represent the previously vacant District 8, which includes parts of Clark, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Lincoln, Nye and White Pine counties.

Contact Katie Futterman at kfutterman@reviewjournal.com.

Nevada parks officials will spend more than $8.5m addressing a boom in illegal roads at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the public lands around the sprawling man-made reservoir above the Hoover Dam.

Officials have documented at least 824 miles of illegal roads in the recreation area, but suspect the true amount could be double that. The unpermitted development prompted officials to close the popular campsite Government Wash in August.

“From an aerial platform, you see dozens and dozens of illegal roads that have been created… An incredible amount of damage that is occurring. We have an obligation to correct,” Trouper Snow, chief ranger of Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the time of the closure, told Fox 5 Vegas.

Snow said the roads have proliferated as the water level of Lake Mead has dropped in recent years, and people set up semi-permanent dwellings with mobile homes along the water.

“This area is not meant to house 300+ residents that are living here… Over the past five years, our enforcement has responded to well over 1,000 incidents,” Snow added speaking with the TV station.

In addition to taxing park resources policing illegal camping, the unauthorized roads damage local wildlife like the Las Vegas bearpoppy, a flowering plant with a rare ability to grow in the Mojave Desert’s gypsum-rich soil.

“In desert areas, off-road vehicles can be quite destructive,” Jeff Ruch, director of the Pacific Regional Office of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in September. “They rip up whatever vegetation is there and make the land uninhabitable for wildlife.”

The National Park Service announced a five-year, $8.66 million set of conservation funds for the project in November, funded by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, which devotes money from the sale of public lands around Las Vegas to conservation projects.

“This will be a heavily partnership and community-oriented project,” park superintendent Mike Gauthier said in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with the public, tribes, and conservation-focused partners to help protect cultural and natural resources in these key park locations. Together we will take the next steps for the park’s future, working to elevate the beauty and recreation that makes Lake Mead special.”

The water level in Lake Mead has been hovering around near-record lows for years, thanks to a combination of a megadrought, the climate crisis, and the overuse of the Colorado River.

In 2022, the water levels were so low human remains and artifacts began emerging on parts of the shoreline that were previously buried underwater.

Boulder City recently lost one of its longtime business owners and influencers in the revitalization of the historic downtown area, Milo Hurst.

Hurst opened Milo’s Cellar & Inn nearly three decades ago, when there were few places in town for people to meet with friends or have a drink after work.

A Nov. 23 post on the Milo’s Cellar Facebook page stated, “It is with sadness today that we share that our founder and namesake Milo Hurst passed away peacefully yesterday at 2 p.m. surrounded by a few friends and family. He was an icon in Boulder City and his vision, humor and dedication will be missed. Please join us today and raise a glass of cheers for our friend Milo! More details about a memorial to follow.”

As of Monday, no information had been shared about a memorial. Once a date is set, it will be announced on the restaurant’s website.

More than 110 people have responded to the Facebook post. Comments included:

— “Was an honor and good experience helping him open Milo’s. Best boss ever.”

— “Rest in peace, Milo. Thank you for your generosity to our community and friendship to many. Condolences to the family.”

— “Our heartfelt condolences to his immediate and Milo’s Cellar families, as well as all of who mourn his passing. May he rest in peace, knowing that his legacy will live long. A true legend of Southern Nevada.”

This year, Boulder City Mayor Joe Hardy proclaimed Sept. 17 Milo Hurst Day. In part, the proclamation stated, “Milo Hurst has played an instrumental role in the revitalization of the downtown historic business corridor of Boulder City, transforming it into a vibrant and flourishing area that has become a hub of activity for both locals and tourists alike.”

The proclamation further stated, “Through his vision and dedication, Milo has brought to life a restaurant and bar district that has not only become a local favorite but has also gained national recognition, attracting attention from television shows and media outlets across the country.”

Hurst made a “bold and visionary decision” 30 years ago to open Milo’s Cellar in the heart of Boulder City, according to the proclamation, and the establishment “quickly became the cornerstone of the downtown area, breathing new life into the community and attracting new businesses.”

The proclamation added that Hurst had been a staunch advocate for “small growth,” ensuring that Boulder City retained its distinct identity amid changing times, and “played a key role in the commissioning and installation of the boulders upon which the renowned art statues now stand throughout the historic district, adding to the cultural richness of the area.”

Boulder City Chamber of Commerce CEO Jill Rowland Lagan said Hurst “was a man with a plan to breathe life into the Historic District. He must be given credit for doing just that. Energy, esthetics and enthusiasm for business and tourism became the norm, and he was leading the way until his last breath.”

Bistro now closed

It was announced nearly a month ago that Milo’s would be closing its doors for good. It did so Saturday.

In a Facebook post Nov. 1, co-owners Christian and Kamille Clinton wrote, “This bittersweet decision was made as the Hurst and Clinton families shift focus to family well-being and new beginnings. For the Hurst family, this means prioritizing Milo’s health and dedicating time and resources to his care and quality of life. Meanwhile, the Clinton family is joyously anticipating the arrival of a new family member, embracing the opportunity to focus on bringing new life into this world.”

They went on to write, “We are incredibly grateful to Boulder City and all the friends we’ve made along the way. This journey has been filled with unforgettable memories, and it has been our privilege to be part of this remarkable community.”