Nevada

Safety committee discusses lithium battery dangers in Nevada schools

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2024

Safety committee discusses lithium battery dangers in Nevada schools

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Lithium battery fires are extremely hard to put out and can last for hours, even days. Two in the last few months have shutdown major interstates in and around Nevada. The lithium battery fires on Interstate 15 and Interstate 95 ignited conversation on battery transport and regulations.

Lithium batteries power everything from electric vehicles to cell phones and batteries of all sizes have led to fires. FOX5 has reported on an e-bike starting an Arizona housefire, a vape pen exploding in a New Jersey mall, and a lithium-ion battery blamed for an e-bike repair shop fire that killed four people in New York City.

“Here at NDEP we are actually doing new regulations regarding lithium-ion batteries,” shared Cierra Peters with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, a guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Nevada Department of Education Statewide School Safety Committee during a discussion on lithium-ion batteries.

“How big is this issue that we are facing within schools?,” Peters questioned.

Back in December, a fire at a CCSD storage building near Flamingo and McLeod was caused by an exothermic reaction from lithium batteries.

For Nevada schools, one major safety issue is vape pens.

“Vape pens do have lithium-ion batteries…they are considered a hazardous waste,” Peters explained.

In 2019, Austin Adams, then 17, was using an e-cigarette at his Ely home when it exploded, fracturing his jaw and causing him to lose several teeth. Educators say they are constantly taking the devices away from children.

“If at Elko High School where we only have 1,400 kids and I’m taking away four, five, six in a day, God only knows at a school 3,500…I think the most recent young age one I saw was a fifth grader,” shared CJ Anderson, Superintendent of Schools for the Elko County School District.

“I did speak with a couple of schools…they called up here and said they had a whole draw full of like 30-40 vape pens,” Peters reported.

While having a large number of the devices is a danger for schools, it’s also against state regulations.

“It is difficult because if you guys were to collect over 2.2 pounds, you would have to be held liable as a large generator,” Peters revealed. Educators asked how to dispose of their unwanted waste, one even suggesting schools should be given special containers. Throwing lithium batteries in the trash is not an option but something many people do anyway.

“When they go into a trash truck, it compacts it, so we have had several landfill fires and trash truck fires that way. That has been a big issue as well,” Peters described.

A fire broke out at Republic’s recycling plant on the northside of the Vegas Valley in September 2021. The cause is believed to be a lithium battery. How to best dispose of unwanted batteries is a question not just for Nevada schools but anyone who no longer wants one.

“How are we recycling these batteries? Is it correct? Is it incorrect? In the industry as a whole, not just in Nevada but the whole world there isn’t really a great way to recycle lithium-ion batteries,” Peters asserted.

According to Peters, NDEP has proposing changes to Nevada’s hazardous waste regulations. It will be up to the State Environmental Commission to approve them November 19th.

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Nevada

Nevada gets thrilling overtime win against Wyoming at home 70-60

Published

12 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Nevada gets thrilling overtime win against Wyoming at home 70-60

RENO, Nev. (Nevada Athletics) – Nevada Women’s Basketball won its second straight game Wednesday night, getting a thrilling 70-60 overtime win against Wyoming at Lawlor Events Center.

Reigning Old Trapper Mountain West Freshman of the Week Skylar Durley led the Pack (6-9, 2-3 MW) in scoring with 18 points and led both teams in rebounds with a career high 14, recording her first double-double of her career.

Ahrray Young went 5-for-10 from the field for 11 points to go with eight boards.

Nevada’s resilience in the latter part of the fourth, which was punctuated by a key block from Young, forced the game into overtime.

The Pack’s shutdown defense held Wyoming (4-10, 1-4 MW) at bay in the final five, only allowing one point off of a free throw.

On the other end, the offense of Nevada went on a 6-0 run and shot 83.3 percent from the field.

Nevada outscored Wyoming 11-1 and held the Cowgirls without a field goal in OT.

The Pack opened regulation in perfect fashion, shooting a 7-for-7 from the field, 2-for-2 from three and 2-for-2 from the line in the first five minutes of action.

Nevada had a 10-0 run that was capitalized by holding Wyoming to a two-and-a-half minute scoring drought.

Through the first quarter, Nevada shot 64.3 percent and remained perfect from both deep and free throws.

Nevada’s hot start simmered in the second, only getting six points and closing the quarter on a field goal drought of just under four minutes.

Meanwhile, Wyoming’s shooting improved from the first, closing the gap to two.

Despite the slower quarter, Nevada carried its lead into the second half, 45-41.

The third quarter was nearly even, Nevada only shooting slightly better and outscoring Wyoming, 15-14.

The game stayed close through the fourth with three ties and four lead changes, leading to extra time.

As a team, the Pack outrebounded the Cowgirls, 40-28, and had 24 bench points to their six.

Nevada will hit the road and look to even its conference record as it faces New Mexico Saturday at 12 p.m.

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Nevada

Centennial vs. Liberty: Watch Nevada girls high school basketball showdown live

Published

24 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Centennial vs. Liberty: Watch Nevada girls high school basketball showdown live

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The defending 5A state champion Centennial Bulldogs (7-3) open conference play with a challenging road test Wednesday night when they travel to Henderson to face the Liberty Patriots (10-7) in a Nevada 5A Southern basketball clash.

Coach Karen Weitz’s Bulldogs, seeking their second consecutive state title, will rely on their formidable frontcourt duo of forwards Nation Williams and Inieye Oruh, complemented by standout guard Sanai Branch. They will face a Patriots squad that has shown marked improvement under head coach Lorenzo Jarvis, powered by senior leaders Samantha Chesnut and Kiana Harworth alongside junior standout Neviah Nick.

With Liberty’s home court advantage potentially neutralizing Centennial’s championship pedigree, this early conference matchup could set the tone for both teams’ title aspirations in the competitive 5A Southern division.

Opening tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, January 7 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.

• WATCH: Centennial vs. Liberty basketball is livestreaming on NFHS Network

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How to watch Centennial vs. Liberty basketball livestream

What: Defending champ Centennial faces resurgent Liberty in 5A Southern showdown

When: Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, January 7

Where: Liberty High School | Henderson, Nevada

Watch live: Watch Centennial vs. Liberty live on the NFHS Network

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Nevada

Tahoe man loses $20K at Nevada casino and threatens to bomb facility before arrest, police say

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Tahoe man loses K at Nevada casino and threatens to bomb facility before arrest, police say

(FOX40.COM) — A man who lost $20,000 at a Nevada casino was arrested after he threatened to bomb the facility, according to law enforcement. • Video Above: History of Gambling in the U.S. Around 9:50 p.m. on Monday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to Harrah’s Casino after reports of a bomb threat. Deputies were […]

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