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Dayton area man suspected of being a serial arsonist, arrested by state fire marshal

CARSON CITY — On June 14, 2021, the Nevada Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division, in conjunction with the Central Lyon Fire Protection District, investigated a vehicle arson fire that occurred in the area of Cash Drive and Carry Way. The investigation led to the discovery of several other arson fires in the Mound House industrial area and burglaries in fire stations located in Douglas, Washoe, and Lyon counties.

State Fire Marshal investigators and Lyon County Sheriff Deputies conducted surveillance operations, and on Monday, June 21, 2021, they arrested Kevin Matthew Critor while he was attempting to set another arson fire in the area of Cash Drive and Carry Way. Critor was in possession of a firefighter badge and a firearm during the incident. Critor is 29 years of age and from the Dayton area.

A search warrant was executed on Critor’s property, where investigators found over $50,000 in firefighter equipment, fire department uniforms, firefighter identification cards, and public safety radios. Critor was also in possession of a retired fire engine with operating emergency lights and siren and two other vehicles with aftermarket emergency lights. Additionally, Critor reportedly would identify himself as a firefighter while having no ties to any fire agency.

“Arson is a serious crime that affects an entire community and can quickly drain emergency resources. We are glad that we were able to apprehend this individual before he caused further damage to the community or injured someone,” said Acting Lieutenant Joseph Rodriguez.

Critor was booked into the Lyon County Detention Facility on the following charges:
3 Counts of 3rd Degree Arson
15 Counts of Possession of Stolen Property
3 Counts of Tampering with a Fire Hydrant
2 Counts of Impersonating a Public Officer
2 Count of Possession of Control Substance
1 Count of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Nevada Department of Public State Fire Marshal Division, Central Lyon Fire Protection, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety Parole and Probation and Investigations Divisions.

The State Fire Marshal encourages anyone with information about arson fires to contact the Arson Hotline at 844-NV ARSON (682-7766). Callers may remain anonymous.

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YERINGTON — Lyon County Code Enforcement held a meeting last week to address the problem of illegal dumping countywide. The Illegal Dumping Work Group, which represents a number of agencies and nonprofit organizations, will meet on a quarterly basis to continue collaboration and cooperation in its efforts to clean up areas where illegal dumping frequently happens.

Registration is now open for the the 2019 Carson City Turkey Trot, a local holiday tradition where hundreds of runners and walkers, some dressed in Thanksgiving costumes, get in a good fitness workout ahead of their respective family afternoon holiday feasts.

CARSON CITY — Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching and leading, is pleased to announce it has selected Rachel Croft, fourth grade teacher at Bordewich Bray Elementary School in the Carson City School District, as a 2019 Emerging Leader.

Heading into first day of the work week and halfway into the month, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 will be quite a cool-down from the weekend, with gusty winds, a chance for showers and daytime high in the mid-60s. Activities include a presentation of the green dining district now being developed in Carson City, art showings, West Coast swing dancing, and more. Enjoy your day.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called Sunday evening to a vehicle crash east of College Parkway near Airport Road.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called Sunday evening to a small brush fire in the area of Roop Street and Northridge Drive.

The Carson Chamber Singers, a performing group of the Carson City Symphony Association, will begin rehearsals on Tuesday, September 17, for their 35th season. Rehearsals are Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. under the direction of William Belcher at the Choral Room in Carson High School, 1111 N. Saliman Road in Carson City.

The newly established Women Veteran's Support Group will meet at Mills Park in Carson City near the Marv Teixeira Pavilion on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information please contact Lyndia at 775-431-0534.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m., the final event of the 2019 Festival season features members of the 1962 graduating class of Douglas High School sharing their memories of Carson Valley in the 1950s and 1960s.

Carson Valley has always been a unique, close-knit community. Of the original thirty-five graduating students, twenty-one are still living, many of whom have remained in Carson Valley.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of Sept. 16-22, 2019. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Gardeners ask me if it’s time to prune. Late summer and early fall pruning can encourage new growth, which will not have time to harden off before freezes occur. If freeze damage happens, the health of the plant can be adversely affected. This is particularly true for roses, which should not get pruned until April.

On the heels of widespread Democratic victories in Nevada last year, conservative speakers at the fifth annual Basque Fry event that’s affiliated with former Attorney General Adam Laxalt painted a picture of a more unified Republican Party and a state turning red in the 2020 election.

Deal hunters and bargain shoppers will be there, and now Carson City organizers want to secure those sellers ahead of time before the big Saturday event later this month.

Carson City TRIAD will host 911 System: How to Prepare for First Responders, a Smart911 presentation, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Carson City Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive. The event is free and open to the public.

With a strong cold front pushing into the region that will bring gusty winds and low humidity over the next two days, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for northern and western Nevada and Lake Tahoe region. Weather conditions will be especially dangerous along the 395 corridor from Susanville to Mammoth Lakes.

Good morning and happy Sunday Carson City. Today is Sept. 15, 2019. Activities include the Silver State Art Festival at Fuji Park, a Charters of Freedom presentation in the Ormsby Room of the Carson City Sheriff's Office, bike rides, train rides, a film viewing at Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City and more. Enjoy the day.

Friday Sept. 13, no bad luck on this day, beginning at 1:18 p.m. was an assembly in the Big Gym during the last class of the day as an introduction to CHS’ Happiest Homecoming on Earth. Leadership students led the assembly with the first activity being the introduction of the Homecoming King and Queen candidates who made their grand entrance onto the floor.

Clay Lacy, Carson City Airport

Aviation Legend Clay Lacy takes time out from the Reno Air Races to visit a life long friend George Byard. Lacy and Byard met in the mid 50s while Byard worked for Gulf Stream. Friday they got to meet and tell old stories. Both men have spent their lives expanding aviation.

A Care Flight air ambulance was dispatched Saturday night to the area of Race Track Road and Center Drive in south Carson City for a single vehicle rollover.

Happy Wednesday Carson City! It’s a nice chilly almost-fall day and you know what would make it better? A snuggly fur-bud to curl up on the couch with!

Meet Buscemi. Buscemi is a nine year old Chihuahua who is looking for his "furever" home and yours seems like the perfect place.

Annual 4-H fundraiser - The 4 Paws Dog Club of Carson City will be selling homemade dog biscuits in various sizes on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 to noon, at Benson’s Feed, 2750 Highway 50 East. All proceeds from the bake sale will support this outstanding youth club.

With help from smothering defense and a potent run game, Nevada football held on to a 19-13 win over the Weber State Wildcats on Saturday at Mackay Stadium.

The North Tahoe Invitational was held in Tahoe City, California on Friday, and the Sierra Lutheran Cross Country team ran their hearts out. The times are as follows:

Three cars, one on top of another, have been dumped illegally along East 6th Avenue in Sun Valley and deputies investigating the dumping are asking the public for any information that will help identify and locate the person or persons responsible.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: the fire appears to be located at the base of the water tower in Mound House in the northern foothills.

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Around 10:30 a.m. a bloom of smoke could be seen coming from Lyon County.

Just after 11 a.m. Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon confirmed Carson City firefighters were assisting in controlling the fire.

It’s exact location is unknown at this time. Updates to follow.

A 26-year-old Carson City woman was arrested in the 800 block of N. Carson Street for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child endangerment.

The Carson City Parks and Recreation department will host an interpretive hike tonight, September 14 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

This is the third annual Full Moon Sunset Hike. Hikers will be starting from the Koontz Lane Trailhead at Prison Hill and will be hiking up to the top to watch the Sunset over Carson.

A break will be had to rest and take photos and appreciate the sunset. Later, attendees will hike back down under the full moon.

Hikers will need to bring layers, close-toed shoes, a flashlight or headlamp, and plenty of water.

Nevada Highway Patrol reported a fatal head-on crash Saturday morning on Highway 95A and Lyon County MM 27 (Wabuska). Two fatalities were confirmed, and both lanes were shut down while the fatal team was enroute.

As of 9:05 a.m., all travel lanes opened.

The names of the deceased and circumstances of the deaths have not been released as of yet.

Help drive out hunger at the inaugural Fall Harvest Golf Classic! The tournament takes place Saturday, October 19th at the Dayton Valley Golf Course.

Hosted by Js’ Old Town Bistro and Duncan Golf Management, all proceeds benefit the Dayton Food Pantry, part of the Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties.

The Dayton Food Pantry provides food to more than 500 people a month, more than half of which are children and seniors. The Pantry also provides weekend meals to more than 200 school children through its Backpack Program.

Good morning Carson City and happy Saturday! It’s going to get hot again today with a high of 93, but don’t worry, as we get out further into the week the weather will turn more autumnal with highs in the 70s. It could be the last hot day for a while, at least until a freak 90s+ hot day in November followed by a week long blizzard, so enjoy it while it’s here!

Today on the docket we have the farmers market, a Celtic fair at Dangberg Ranch, craft shows, and more! Check below to see the events throughout the weekend:

Saturday, September 14