Last updated on February 22nd, 2026
Earthquakes felt in Sun Valley, NV
Alongside California and Alaska, Nevada ranks in the top three U.S. states subject to the most large earthquakes over the last 150 years. And within Nevada, Sun Valley sits in earthquake country, in a seismically active zone called the Walker Lane. Nevada hosts up to 15,000 earthquakes per year, although most are minor and not felt. However…
- In April 2008, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake centered in Mogul (just west of Reno) rattled the area, with many reports from Sun Valley residents having felt it.
- In August 2013, a 4.2 magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks were centered just north of Sun Valley and Spanish Springs, and were felt as far away as Sacramento, Susanville, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Fallon, and Douglas county.
- In January 2014, over 100 small earthquakes occurred near Virginia City, with four of them being larger than a 3.0 magnitude, and being felt in the greater Reno area.
- In January 2018, ninety small earthquakes centered in south Reno occurred, but most were not felt.
- In June 2019, sixty small earthquakes centered in the Sun Valley area—followed by a 3.7 magnitude earthquake in Washoe Valley—occurred, with approximately 1,200 people reporting having felt it.
- In March 2020, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake in Carson City rattled the region, with more than 200 aftershocks following.
- In December 2024, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered between Yerington and Silver Springs was felt in Sun Valley (by myself and many others).
To see information on today’s earthquakes, visit the Reno Earthquake Report, and the Nevada Seismological Lab at UNR for additional recent seismic events. To report feeling an earthquake, visit the USGS Did You Feel It? website. For additional earthquake history for our region, check out ShakeOut’s Nevada’s Earthquake History (PDF).
Sun Valley Firehouse Constructed
The Sun Valley fire station (Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue Station 45) was built in 2000, at the corner of Sun Valley Blvd and Quartz Ln. It was called the most modern fire station in the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD), and was the first station to house both TMFPD and City of Reno Firefighters.
A Brief History of the Sun Valley CAB
In July 2013, the new Washoe County CABs were launched as a way to “connect residents with County government to share ideas, solutions and identify concerns.” (CAB stands for Citizen Advisory Board.)
From a historical perspective, however, CABs in Washoe County didn’t happen all at once. Instead, they were established on a community-by-community basis starting in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In particular, the original Sun Valley CAB was officially formed on October 28, 1980.
Legal authority for Nevada counties to create these boards comes from Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 244.1945, and Washoe County began utilizing them to give unincorporated areas a voice in local planning and development.
In May 2013, however, the Board of County Commissioners voted to dissolve the existing 15 boards and replace them with a streamlined system of 9 boards. This was done to improve efficiency and address declining membership in smaller areas.
In August 2021, following concerns that the boards had become too “rigid” and focused only on late-stage development projects, the county overhauled the system again. This shift moved the CABs under the County Manager’s Office to focus more on early community engagement and “neighborhood meetings” before developers even apply for permits.
Fast forward to 2026, and the Sun Valley CAB is alive and well, meeting on the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Hobey’s Casino in the upstairs meeting room, and filling most of the seats in the room. If you wish to attend a meeting, please do! It’s a great way to learn about future plans for Sun Valley.
Highland Village Zoning Approved
On July 14, 2020, the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved zoning for the upcoming Highland Village neighborhood on Highland Ranch Parkway in Sun Valley, NV. (As of February 2026, Highland Village is still in the beginning stages of construction.)
Town Hall Meeting Introduces New Hug HS & Desert Skies Plans
On July 24, 2017, Washoe County School District (WCSD) held a town hall meeting at Esther Bennett Elementary School to introduce plans for what would eventually be known as the new Hug High School and Desert Skies Middle School.
Desert Skies Middle School Officially Named
On March 13, 2018, the new middle school being built at the north side of Sun Valley, Nevada (just north of the Highland Ranch Community) was officially named Desert Skies Middle School. The school was slated to open in Fall 2019. The name was chosen by the WCSD School Naming Committee from among 18 potential names submitted by the public.
Affordable Housing Complex Started near Lois Allen Elementary
On May 4, 2023, ground was broken for The Ridge at Sun Valley affordable housing project. Located near the top of the hill off of W 1st Ave and just below Lois Allen Elementary School, the new, 10-acre complex encompasses 195 apartments, consisting of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units. Final completion of all units and common areas, and the grand opening launch party, occurred on December 4, 2025.
Jonesy’s Sun Valley Club Becomes SH Corral, Then Reverts Back
Before Hobey’s Casino was a thing, there was Jonesy’s Sun Valley Club and the SH Corral. Jonesy’s was the first permanent gaming establishment in Sun Valley, Nevada, built in 1960—named after the founder, Milton A. “Jonesy” Jones. From 1960 until 1975, Jonesy’s was the social hub of Sun Valley, featuring a dedicated steakhouse, a neighborhood bar, and up to approximately 15 slot machines.
During the 3-year period from 1976 to 1979, Jonesy’s was rebranded as SH Corral, using the initials of Milton’s partner, Samuel H. “Skeet” Moore (and also possibly those of Scherry Harrah, the landlord). A full casino was the new focus, and the venue received a western theme makeover. The casino featured a dedicated gaming floor with custom-minted chips and table games. SH Corral closed after just 3 years, however, after Moore’s death.
From 1979 until 1984, Milton and his family took back full control of the business, and renamed it Jonesy’s Sun Valley Casino. In 1984, the operation was sold to Horace “Hobey” Hoehne, who renamed it. It then changed hands again to Pete Mandas and his family, who kept the Hobey’s Casino name and ran the business from 1990 to 2025, performing several major upgrades during that period. In December 2025, it was sold to partners Mike Pegram, Rick Murdock, the Carano family, et al.
Sun Valley’s “Big Blue Building” Gets New Tenant
Circa 2013, the structure located at 5360 Sun Valley Boulevard in Sun Valley, Nevada, was known to many residents as the big, blue building. Today, of course, it’s better known as the Super Carniceria, and features the beautiful mural we all enjoy today.
The building changed occupants in 2019, and was previously a hall available for rent (while being listed for sale), and it saw a number of church meetings, craft shows, flea markets, bake sales, Neighborhood Watch meetings, and bingo games. Before that, the building was used by the Sun Valley Landowner’s/Residents Association and Senior Center.
Video: Sun Valley Watch Meeting PSA (WCSO)
Sun Valley’s Post Office Almost Closes
Back in 2013, the Post Office branch in Sun Valley, NV was almost shuttered, due to USPS (United States Postal Service) financial woes. Were it not for then Senator Harry Reid stepping in to save it, mail services in Sun Valley might have been more difficult today than they were previously. — This Is Reno
Sun Valley Elementary School Alumna Has Book Signing
Former Sun Valley, NV resident and bookworm Tupelo Hassman finished writing her first novel and had it published in 2012, and returned to Reno for a book signing that same year. She graduated from Sun Valley Elementary School during her youth. — This Is Reno
Major Push for Abandoned Vehicles Removal in Sun Valley
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, WCSO (Washoe County Sheriff’s Office) and SVGID (Sun Valley General Improvement District) took to the streets in a concerted effort to remove abandoned cars along Sun Valley roadways. During the span of a few months, they successfully removed approximately 50 cars from Klondike Drive, Leon Drive, and more. — This Is Reno
Marijuana Dispensary Comes to Sun Valley
On January 26, 2016, the Washoe County BCC (Board of County Commissioners) approved the relocation of the Reef Dispensary from Crystal Bay, NV to Sun Valley, NV. The company behind the Reef Dispensary was acquired by Curaleaf in October 2022, and thus we see the current Curaleaf Dispensary in Sun Valley at 5105 Sun Valley Blvd. — This Is Reno
The Gravel Pit
“When I was five or six years old, before they built the Highland Ranch community, the only thing that was out past Virginia Palmer Elementary School, way out into the middle of nowhere, was a gravel pit. My dad took the little truck that we had, and we drove out there, turned around, and backed up to a pile and scooped in a bunch of gravel. That was all that was out there. There was no getting over to Pyramid Way or anything. It was just complete. That was the back end of the valley.” — Nat Phelps
The Sandlot
“I grew up across the street from what is now Sun Valley Community Park, so the dirt road right there behind the post office. That whole park used to be just a sandlot filled with sagebrush and Squaw Tea shrubs (also known as Mormon Tea or Brigham Tea, and popotillo or canutillo in Mexico). There was a baseball backstop there, nothing elaborate, but it hadn’t been used in years. There wasn’t even a fence, we just walked out of our driveway and into this lot.”
“We used to go over there and hunt lizards. I found a few horned toads that I’d catch and annoy and then set loose. The pit was there, too. Later, they refined it a bit to make it the drain off reservoir, but I always remember the BMX track being there. But, obviously, the skate park wasn’t there yet.” — Nat Phelps
The Runaway Cow
“My uncle told me a story about his milk cow that would get away and he’d see her at the top of a hill, and they’d both go down the hill and he’d only hope he was closer the next time to cow got to the top of a hill and was visible. Lots of people lived in tents and depended on that cow for whatever milk Uncle Earl’s family didn’t use, so they’d help him catch her and get her back.”
“I’d never thought about how many little hills there are here in Sun Valley. My cousin said, ‘Oh, yes! I even got to milk her occasionally.’ He and a neighbor, Mac, decided to make ‘real’ ice cream once so they used only cream. It was so rich they couldn’t eat it in one sitting.” — Valerie Keele Kortenber
If you have memories of Sun Valley from days past and would like to share them with the community, please contact us and we’ll publish your anecdotes!
