Before and after

Ancestry’s census images from 1790-1900 furnish a wealth of information about our ancestors. Ancestry has announced an enhancement of those images making them much easier to read as you can see from the before and after. [Ancestry]

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has opened a public comment period for a third solar project in Nevada: a 180-megawatt solar plant called the Crescent Dunes project, planned by Tonopah Solar Energy, a subsidiary of Solar Reserve. [Pahrump Valley Times]

Progress in solar energy is slowly inching ahead in Nye County.

“BLM will accept comments on the project until Dec. 24. Public hearings have been scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 17, at the Tonopah Convention Center and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 18, at the BLM Southern Nevada District Office at 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive in Las Vegas. Representatives from the BLM and Tonopah Solar Energy will be present to answer questions.

“Comments submitted in writing have to be postmarked before Dec. 24. They may be sent to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, attention Tom Seley, field manager, Tonopah Field Office, 1553 S. Main St., PO Box 911, Tonopah NV 89049. Comments will also be accepted by fax, at 1-775-482-7810 or by e-mail to crescent_dunes@blm.gov.

“A megawatt is roughly enough to power 200 to 250 homes, meaning the plant could supply power to almost 50,000 homes.”

“Tonopah Solar Energy will use an array of 17,350 mirrors called heliostats that follow the sun and reflect light onto the top of a 633-foot tower with a holding tank of molten salt. The salt liquid, heated to 1,000 degrees, is then routed to an insulated storage tank. When electricity is to be generated, the hot salt is routed to a heat exchanger to produce steam, which generates electricity.”

So, if you have questions or input now is your chance to speak up.

  Photo by Gina B. Good, Pahrump Valley Times

 Pahrump Valley League of Women Voters members celebrate receiving their organization’s charter with sparkling cider and a lively discussion at their November meeting with guest speaker Nye County Clerk Sam Merlino. From left, Elizabeth Fraser, Carolyn Endersby, Mary Balloqui, Laurayne Murray, Al Balloqui, Sam Merlino, Dina Williamson-Erdag, Terry Owens, Fran Rust and President Donald Rust. [Pahrump Valley Times]

Congratulations to the above members of the newly chartered Pahrump Valley League of Women Voters. Best of luck in the road ahead.