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Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 12:11 PM

Sheriff says education, not enforcement, of mask directive

Sheriff says education, not enforcement, of mask directive
Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Frank Hunewill


The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office will support the Governor’s directive on the wearing of masks in public through education, not enforcement, Sheriff Hunewill said in a statement Thursday.

Hunewill addressed several aspects of the directive in his statement, also asking that residents not call 911 to report violations of the directive, and adding that it is not illegal to carry a concealed weapon while wearing a mask.

The following is the text of Hunewill’s statement:

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office recommends that everyone continues to exercise common sense, be aware of the CDC guidelines, and the recent directive from the Governor’s Office regarding the wearing of masks, especially high-risk groups.

Due to the minor nature of the possible offense, the potential for negative enforcement encounters, and anticipating the various ways in which the directive could be violated, it would be inappropriate for our deputies to take a direct enforcement approach and go after someone criminally. Instead we will continue to assist the Lyon County Board of Health and other members of county government in an educational capacity.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that 911 is for emergencies only. The reporting of potential mask violations would not fall into this category and we ask that you not use the 911 system to report violations of the Governors Directives.

Several citizens have inquired if it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon and wear a mask. It is not illegal to wear a mask and carry concealed per NRS 202.365.3.

-Stay Safe

Sheriff Frank Hunewill

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Comment author: Jack & Nancy CookComment text: Wonderful man. Created a precious family with Linda. Will always respect and admire his contribution to teaching at FHS.Comment publication date: 4/18/26, 10:27 AMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: JeffDickersonComment text: Very well reported, even though our motion was denied.Comment publication date: 4/15/26, 11:05 AMComment source: Judge allows Fernley City Council to proceed with corrective agenda item in Lau expulsion caseComment author: Todd fossumComment text: Hi my name is todd fossum i'm clarence's stepson, I was wondering if he had any siblings. I think he said he had a sister that just survived cancer. If she can get ahold of me or any buddy, my number is 916. 3 4 3 1 1 7 7.Thank you have a blessed dayComment publication date: 1/16/26, 4:33 PMComment source: Clarence L Shields C Comment author: Carl HagenComment text: So just curious, what is the point of a franchise agreement if it is not exclusive?Comment publication date: 12/15/25, 4:18 PMComment source: Council approves non-exclusive franchise agreement for waste collection C Comment author: Christine S GleasonComment text: In the first photo, the woman in the middle, wearing the black shirt, is SaraH Jean Gleason. She is not an FHS Leadership Student but is the person who is responsible (with the help of her father) for starting the Fernley Community Thanksgiving Dinner in 2011. She attended this year's dinner while home from Arizona State University, where she is working on her PhD.Comment publication date: 12/8/25, 8:52 PMComment source: About 400 meals served at Community Thanksgiving DinnerComment author: SusanComment text: RIP Sean. Prayers to the family, sorry for your loss.Comment publication date: 9/25/25, 1:11 PMComment source: Sean Everett Turner
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