The wonder of an unconfirmed sighting of a gray wolf pack that could have marked the return of the species to Nevada was cut short when genetic testing revealed they weren’t wolves at all.
Rather, the animals that wildlife officials spotted near Merritt Mountain in Elko County were coyotes, a common sight across the Silver State in both rural and urban settings.
Two independent genetic labs found that the hair, fecal and urine samples collected from the scene in early March were a 99.9 percent match for coyotes, the Nevada Department of Wildlife said.
The last time a wolf was seen in Nevada was 2017. Prior to that, one hadn’t been spotted in the state since 1922.
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“We understand the significance of such sightings and the importance of accurate identification,” NDOW director Alan Jenne said in a statement.
Scientists spotted the coyotes when taking stock of Nevada’s moose population, and the state agency was working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make a plan to ensure the wolf pack’s safety if the animals turned out to be wolves and stayed within state borders.
Federally, gray wolves became endangered in 1974, when only about 600 of them still roamed the lower 48 states. Though Nevada wildlife officials said the state isn’t known to be historic wolf habitat, the Center for Biological Diversity estimates there could have been upward of 2 million of them when European settlers arrived in North America.
“We appreciate the diligence of our biologists, assisting laboratory personnel and the public’s cooperation throughout this process and we will continue to monitor the area for any indication of wolf presence,” Jenne said in a statement.
Contact Alan at ahalaly@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlanHalaly on X.
Nevada has always been a land of discovery, and this October, Nevadans and visitors alike are encouraged to explore the state like never before.
Gov. Joe Lombardo has officially declared October as “Get a Little Out There” Month to shine a spotlight on the Silver State’s hidden treasures, natural beauty and pioneering spirit.
“Tourism remains a key driver of Nevada’s economy and plays a major role in enhancing the quality of life for all Nevadans,” Lombardo said. “This official proclamation serves to reinforce and celebrate the Silver State as a destination brimming with extraordinary experiences. We encourage all travelers to discover the multiple facets of the Silver State that they have yet to explore.
Whether it’s stargazing at some of the country’s darkest skies at Great Basin National Park, hiking through the Black Rock Desert or visiting ghost towns dotted throughout the state, “Get a Little Out There” Month encourages everyone to go off the beaten path.
Now that paycheck games are largely behind the Group of Five teams, it’s time to identify a few schools flying under the national radar in college football.
This week I’m setting my sights on star passers who are primed to tear up the Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences.
Nevada at San Jose State (7:30 p.m. ET, truTV/Max)
Non-public teams have a better chance of ending a season as a gambling darling, compared to, say, an Alabama or Notre Dame.
You’re not paying a premium for the helmet, so to speak, when you back a team like San Jose State.
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The Spartans are 4-0 ATS this season, easily covering by an average margin of 10.8 points per game.
So why are sportsbooks still hanging generous numbers when SJSU plays?
Well, there was reasonable skepticism surrounding the SJSU program just a month ago.
Brent Brennan was one of the last coaches to nab a major job during the offseason, leaving SJSU in the lurch late in the process.
AD Jeff Konya turned to Ken Niumatalolo, a proven winner at the Naval Academy (109 wins, 10 bowl bids).
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But a big question remained: What kind of offense would the option-centric Niumatalolo implement in the Bay Area?
He quickly put that concern to rest by hiring Craig Stutzmann as his coordinator.
Stutzmann’s “Spread n’ Shred” offense has been a revelation.
Nick Nash, SJSU’s go-to receiver, leads the nation in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
And you’d never know that Niumatalolo coached up triple-option quarterbacks for two decades in Annapolis when you watch Emmett Brown spin it.
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The undersized sophomore is thriving, averaging more than 320 passing yards per game with a stellar 13-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
This might be the last week to play the Spartans before the secret is out on this MWC contender.
Nevada will put up a good fight, but Brendon Lewis will likely wilt in a shootout when facing SJSU’s pressure defense.
The Spartans rank 30th in both pass-rushing grade and defensive havoc.
I expect a few costly turnovers from Lewis in a comfortable win for the Spartans.
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Recommendation: San Jose State -6.5 (-115, FanDuel).Wolf Pack quarterback Brendon Lewis throws a pass during Nevada’s 27-0 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 14, 2024. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Arkansas State at South Alabama (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
This game features two up-tempo offenses with dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks who are facing defenses ranked in the bottom 20 of the FBS.
Casual observers might see two inconsistent offenses, but there are simple explanations for that.
In the case of Arkansas State, it has drawn two elite Power Four defenses in the past two weeks (Michigan, Iowa State).
South Alabama, likewise, played on the road in Death Valley last week and was manhandled by LSU.
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Additionally, USA played a game earlier in the season with star quarterback Gio Lopez sidelined with turf toe.
Betting on College Football?
When Lopez and Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor are operating against lousy G5 defenses, they fill up the stat sheet.
In games against Central Arkansas and Tulsa, Raynor performed like an all-SBC quarterback, racking up 694 total yards and five total touchdowns.
With the exception of the LSU game, Lopez has accounted for three or more touchdowns in each of his starts this season, guiding South Alabama to a scoring average of 57.6 points per game across those three games.
He’s flanked in the backfield by Fluff Bothwell, one of the best-kept secrets in college football.
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The breakout freshman is averaging more than 8 yards per carry and will be running into a lifeless ASU defense that ranks 130th in tackling, per Pro Football Focus.
Recommendation: Over 61 total points (-110, Caesars).
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Mike Calabrese is a handicapper for the New York Post, with a sharp focus on college sports. His betting advice often centers around situational spots, including travel, rest and altitude disparities.
Following a successful inaugural year in 2023, the Nevada County Health Fair will return Wednesday, October 9, to offer a one-stop shop for health care resources for the elderly, those with disabilities, and the caregivers who aid them.
“Last year we had over 350 people come,” said co-organizer Barbara Larsen. “It was really something. For a lot of us, what was so sacred about it is that coming out of COVID the vendors and the people who attended were feeling like, ‘Oh, here’s our community back again. We’re back with each other again.’ Everyone was very elated and very positive.”
With around 40 vendors being represented, guests will receive a goodie bag upon entry, which will include the updated Nevada County Elderly Care Provider Coalition’s Guide, a resource listing providers of different facets of health care.
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“You could say on some level it is for everybody but really it’s for elders and people with a disability,” explained Larsen. “If someone is a younger person and is taking care of their mother or their father, anyone like that, of course they’re invited. And we have resources for them and for their loved ones as well.”
Larsen said that Nevada County is one of the rare counties in California that has Senior Outreach Nurses, a free service that provides Comprehensive health and safety assessments, continued in home follow up, fall prevention education, health screenings, and medication education/management resources.
“Placer County doesn’t have this; we have this,” Larsen said. “So if a person is 60 or older and is isolated and needs someone to come in, a nurse to do an evaluation, that’s all free of charge.”
Booths will be presented by vendors like Sierra Services for the Blind, FREED, and Foothills Compassionate Care (formerly Hospice of the Foothills).
“We are going to have the county nurses giving flu shots and Dokimos will be there to schedule COVID vaccinations,” said Larsen. “We’re going to have Gold Country Audiology there too, checking hearing and checking balance. It’s just going to be all these services and blood pressure checks. The only thing we ask is that if you want a flu shot to call 211 and schedule your time to get your flu shot.”
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Preventative care is something Larsen said is generally lacking in the American model of health care, and just one goal of the health Fair is to raise awareness on how critical steps can be made throughout one’s life.
“We are not a nation that is preventative by nature, and especially our health care,” she said. “We’re spending more money toward the end of our lives than we do in preventing. I think this (fair) is another way to say ‘Oh, maybe I don’t need this now, but maybe I will in the future. Maybe my loved one is showing a little memory loss right now. Why am I waiting? What am I waiting for?’ (The fair is a chance) to see, what are the resources now that I can use for the future so that I will not be working out of crisis?”
Entry to the Nevada County Health Fair is free, and there will be snacks to enjoy. The Fair will take place Wednesday, October 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Gold Miner’s Inn, 122 Bank Street in Grass Valley. Nevada County Connects will be offering free rides to the event.
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