March 4, 2020

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID OVERTON, NV PERMIT NO. 11 Your Hometown Newspaper Since 1987 Wednesday, March 4, 2020 www.mvprogress.com Meeting Seniors shake, rattle and roll revisits MBOP Reservation solar project By VERNON ROBISON Moapa Valley Progress A public scoping meeting was held in the Moapa Band Of Pai- utes (MBOP) Tribal Center of the Moapa River Indian Reservation on Tuesday night, Feb. 25 in con- nection with a solar power gener- ation project that has been in the works on the reservation for near- ly a decade. The project, which began in 2012 under the name of Moapa Solar Energy Center, has now been renamed as the Arrow Can- yon Solar Project. The new applicant is proposing a major expansion of the original plans. Chip Lewis of the federal Bu- reau of Indian Affairs (BIA) explained that the proposed expansion would increase the size of the solar field from the original NICK YAMASHITA/ Moapa Valley Progress 850 acres to a total of 2200 acres. Elvis impersonator Michael Cullipher shared the stage at the Overton Senior Center last week with his toddler son who has some pretty impres- The original site was located sive Elvis impersonating talent of his own. on tribal lands at the far southwest corner of the Reservation, just to By NICK YAMASHITA Tribute artist Michael Culli- formed for the residents. actly like him,” he said. the northwest of the Crystal Sub- pher performed as Elvis Presley “It was a great crowd!” he said. Cullipher is coming up on his station owned by NV Energy. The Moapa Valley Progress for a crowd of more than 100 Especially when I am connecting 30th birthday and has been doing additional 1,350 acres being pro- people in attendance. They were with them.” this performance for a long time. posed are adjacent to the north of The United Senior Center in there to see the infamous moves Cullipher has been performing “I love it!” he said. “I get to do that originally approved acreage. Overton had a special guest in and listen to the golden hits of the since he was four years old when what I love doing. I thank God for Lewis explained that the new the building on Friday, Feb. 28. King of Rock. he saw another Elvis imperson- that every single day.” applicant had determined a need And this visitor really knew how Cullipher, an Elvis Imperson- ator perform. Cullipher is from Sallisaw, to expand the project in order to to groove and move in his blue ator, visited Overton last year “I thought it was the coolest meet its revised goals. But the suede shoes. when he stopped by and per- thing and I wanted sideburns ex- See Elvis on page A3 change in acreage has reset the project into a Supplemental En- vironmental Impact Statement (SEIS) process, Lewis said. “This project has been through Taking a plunge for Special Olympics all of this before,” Lewis said. “We completed a full EIS be- By NICK YAMASHITA combined the Polar Plunge with fore, but because there are new the groups from Las Vegas and acres proposed, with new areas Moapa Valley Progress here in Mesquite. It was the third of vegetation and wildlife being The annual Special Olympics year we have done this event in impacted, we have to start at the Polar Plunge was hosted by the Mesquite and at least five years beginning again with this Public Rising Star Sports Ranch on Sat- the groups in Vegas have done it,” Scoping meeting.” urday, Feb. 29 as supporters of the Dorn said. Randy Schroeder, a BIA con- Special Olympics leaped into the After registration and the tractor hired to coordinate the water of the outdoor pool to help games, the Special Olympics ath- SEIS project, went through the raise funds for the organization. letes, and those who participated timeline of the project. He re- While participants were regis- in the plunge, paraded in their viewed that the previous EIS had tering for the event, there was a costumes to the outdoor pool. been completed in Feb. 2014 and reception of special games and There were aliens, leprechauns, a Record of Decision had been fun going on. The favorite seemed superheroes, a chicken and much signed by BIA and the BLM on to be the doughnut eating contest more. the original project in May of that where doughnuts were threaded Once at the edge of the pool, year. onto a pole and participants had the 65 plunge participants wait- In March of 2017, however, the to eat them without hands. ed for the go-ahead, then they project was purchased by EDF all jumped into the waters with Debbie Dorn, local director of Photo courtesy of Mike Allen Renewables Development, Inc. Mesquite Special Olympics, said Participants, many of whom were in costume, jump into the water at feathers, extraterrestrial slime, (EDFR), Schroeder said. In May that the event was a great success. the annual Polar Plunge held at the Rising Star Sports Ranch on Sat- of 2018, the new owner agreed to “This was the first year we urday. See Plunge on page A3 expand the project to 2200 acres to accommodate a 200 megawatt generating capacity at the plant. Included in the expansion plans CD 4 candidate to visit Jack and the Beanstalk was the addition of a battery stor- age system at the plant, Schroed- Moapa Valley comes to town Saturday er added. This would allow energy generated at the facility to be By NICK YAMASHITA gressional him to take her to stored and used later on during District 4,” the market to be the peak usage evening hours of Moapa Valley Progress Peters said. sold. On the way, the day, Schroeder explained. Republican US Congressional “I am here Jack meets a bean The revision also includes a Candidate Sam Peters will be to make dealer who of- change in the height of the ar- making a stop in Moapa Valley sure they fers magic beans rays of photovoltaic panels from tonight, Wednesday, March 4, at are heard in exchange for the original 6-10 feet in height to the Old Logandale School. This and that we the cow, and Jack around 18 feet high. meet and greet event with Peters will not ig- makes the trade. In addition, plans for fencing will go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nore them.” When he arrives had also been changed. Instead of Peters, along with his wife, Sam Peters Some of Get a new look at this classic home without any money, his a single perimeter fence around Melissa, and some of his team the issues story “Jack and the Beanstalk” mother becomes angry, throws the entire project, fencing would members will be present to dis- Peters hopes to discuss and an- this Saturday, March 7, when the the beans out of the window, and be around each grouping of solar cuss issues concerning the state swer questions about are things Missoula Children’s Theatre and sends Jack to bed without dinner. panels. Also the fencing would of the nation and also answer any like immigration, health care, more than 50 local kids present During the night, the magic have a 6-8 inch gap at ground lev- questions local voters have. veteran support, 2nd Amendment an original musical adaptation of beans cause a gigantic beanstalk el to allow for endangered desert In an interview last week, Pe- rights, public lands and the feder- this children’s favorite. to grow outside Jack’s window. tortoises and other wildlife to mi- ters expressed how excited he is al budget. Jack is a young, poor boy living That is the just the beginning of grate through the solar field areas to be coming to meet people in Peters is a retired Air Force with his widowed mother and a a story that takes Jack on the ad- at will. the Moapa Valley. Major, having also served as a dairy cow on a farm cottage. The venture of a lifetime! The original project had in- “I am excited to meet the vot- Military Police K-9 Officer. He cow’s milk was their only source All MCT shows are original cluded three right of way ele- ers and let them know they can of income. When the cow stops ments essential to the project, have representation in the Con- See Candidate on page A3 giving milk, Jack’s mother tells See Jack on page A7 See Solar on page A6 Follow us on Classified B7 | CC Fair Puzzle B2 | Opinion A4 | Real Estate Listings B2-3 | Service Directory B6 Find Us Online Facebook Sports & Recreation B1 © 2020, JZR Communications, LLC | Vol. 33, No. 29 www.mvprogress.com A2 • Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Moapa Valley PROGRESS 2020 Pirate Motion Revue Boy Scout Troop 31 holds first meeting Can I Have This Dance NICK YAMASHITA/ Moapa Valley Progress Boy Scout Troop 31 members l to r Jessie Evans, Levi Nelson and Gary Batchelor Gym, MVHS Grant Conger all give the Scout salute at the troop’s first meeting held on Tuesday last week at the VFW Post Home in Overton. March 6, 6pm By NICK YAMASHITA lawsuits against the Boy Scouts of America, the format for youth Students $3 Adult $5 Family Pass $20 Moapa Valley Progress safety policies and procedures has changed. The new community Boy Scout “At all times, there must be Troop 31 hosted an informational at least two leaders present and meeting, the first of its kind, at the other changes which means we VFW Elwood Perkins Post 8336 will need more leaders and more on Tuesday evening, Feb.

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