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Friday, November 13, 2026 at 4:51 AM

Three-year old with leukemia honored as Grand Marshal of Christmas Parade

Three-year old with leukemia honored as Grand Marshal of Christmas Parade
Lucas Walker and his family visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the Christmas Parade Saturday night at City Hall. (Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter)

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Like many kids his age, Lucas Walker is fascinated by garbage trucks.

Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia in September, loves them so much that he wanted to be a garbage man for Halloween.

Dressed in his waste management costume, his parents, Tyler and Veronica, took him to a trunk or treat event, where he happened to meet Waste Management construction services account manager Shannon Murphy. Murphy hooked him up with two toy garbage trucks, and got the ball rolling that eventually led to the Fernley Chamber of Commerce nominating him as the grand marshal for Saturday’s Christmas Day parade.

Lucas began chemotherapy the same day he was diagnosed, and has had weekly treatments since. He is scheduled for a total of 27 months of chemo.

“The first month was really hard, because the first month they had him on a steroid and it just sucked a lot of his energy out,” Tyler Walker said. “But since after that first month he’s been a little bit back to normal, a lot more energy, running around.”

Best of all, after four weeks of chemo, a bone marrow biopsy showed that Lucas is in remission.

“Still, it’s a long way to go,” Veronica said.

But Saturday, Lucas was riding shotgun in a Jeep for the Christmas Parade, and was first in line for the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“He was very excited and he had a lot of fun tonight,” Veronica said.

Lucas’ family has shared his story and set up a donation page where you can go to help them out. You can check it out it here.


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Comment author: Donald DeVold Comment text: Great article It’s actually spelled DeVold Thank you Comment publication date: 10/29/26, 4:58 PM Comment source: The great robbery: Strip-6 by Solis helps Vaqueros punch playoff ticket Comment author: CH Comment text: I want to start a betting 'pool' for the October, November, and December closures: 1. A dent in the pool slide. 2. A failed breaker. 3. A pebble loose in the water part (replacing all concrete) 4. Hurricane Polo makes a sudden turn and blows off the roof (again). With soft muscles after 7 months of no swimming, the only health left is my sense of humor :) Comment publication date: 10/1/26, 11:18 AM Comment source: Fernley Pool Renovation Moves Forward, One Test at a Time Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry