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Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 2:23 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: 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 Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster Comment author: Sheena Nash Comment text: After the trivia night is over, I would love for you to print the questions. I grew up in Fernley and would be interested to see how many answers I know. The coin is beautiful. Congrats on 25 years as a city! Comment publication date: 6/22/26, 1:38 PM Comment source: City of Fernley planning 25th anniversary celebration with three days of community events C Comment author: Carl C. Hagen Comment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion. Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AM Comment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-ramp