62°F
weather icon Clear

Reba McEntire portrays Nye County judge in Lifetime movie

Following her election more than 10 years ago, Nye County Fifth District Court Judge Kim Wanker has tried countless cases in her courtroom. During that time, her no-nonsense approach toward defendants she’s convicted has earned her the moniker, “The Hammer.”

Wanker’s reputation caught the attention of a few Hollywood producers interested in making a movie based loosely on her tenure on the bench.

Hammer time

That movie, appropriately entitled “The Hammer,” recently aired on the Lifetime Movie Network, with internationally acclaimed country music and TV star Reba McEntire portraying the judge.

Wanker, who hosted a special screening of the movie before a packed house at Valley Electric Association’s Conference Center on Saturday, spoke about how it all came together. Attendees were also treated to free dinners from Pahrump’s Pete’s Meats, courtesy of Wanker.

The movie is best described as a biography, drama, thriller with a fair share of dark humor from an interesting cast of characters.

“Well, it’s actually fiction,” Wanker said. “The writers, Karen Wyscarver and Sanford Golden, followed me around on my travel rotation in 2014 and they wrote the movie, but I didn’t hear anything about it for a while. Then in January of 2022, they called and told me that the Lifetime Channel had bought their movie. Then in March, they called and told me that Reba McEntire would be playing me and that’s how this all came about.”

Tonopah featured in movie

The town of Tonopah and the historic Mizpah Hotel are featured prominently in the movie.

Both Wanker and Judge Robert Lane regularly travel to Tonopah and parts of northern Nye County to preside over cases.

Wanker spoke about why she was chosen to be the protagonist of the picture.

“We’re one of the last few traveling circuit judges in the country,” she said. “It all stemmed from an article that was on the front page of the LA Times on Jan. 1 of 2013. They saw that article and came out and followed me on the travel rotation, so they thought they could make a story out of it.”

Plot summary

In the movie, McEntire studiedWanker for her role as Kim Wheeler, an attorney who is appointed as a judge for Nevada’s Fifth District Court following the death of the former judge. As the investigation into the judge’s death intensifies, Wheeler’s sister, who runs the local brothel, becomes the prime suspect.

The opening scene of the movie has Wheeler, speeding to Pahrump from Las Vegas at more than 100 miles per hour, when she is pulled over by a state trooper at gunpoint.

Once the trooper learns she is the new judge, he lets her go but not before Wheeler issues a stern warning to him with a distinct southern drawl.

“If I ever hear that you pulled your weapon on a traffic stop again, you and I will have a problem,” she says.

In another scene, Wheeler clobbers with her gavel a handcuffed prisoner who charges the bench to attack her.

No nonsense

Wanker spoke about how she got the nickname, “The Hammer.”

“I think it’s because I was just stern with people in the courtroom,” she said. I also like to give out chocolate gavels or hammers because that’s my thing, so I think that’s how the hammer nickname stuck. Any event that I go to, I usually take them.”

Reba fan

Wanker said she was elated to learn that McEntire would portray her in the movie.

“I was thrilled,” she said. “I love Reba McEntire and I don’t know anybody who doesn’t. She is very down to earth and she’s just as nice as you see her on TV.”

What’s ahead for the judge

Wanker said that she plans to run again when the time comes.

“We’re not up again till 2026 and our current term ends Jan. 3, of 2027,” she said. “I’m hopeful that Judge Lane will also run again with me. We’ve had some fun working together and hopefully that will continue.”

“The Hammer” can be streamed on the Lifetime Movie Network.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.

Second Source donation for Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Nye County Sleep in Heavenly Peace is now better off thanks to a second donation from The Source dispensary’s Round Up program.

Beatty riled by sheriff’s substation closure

Lone staffer will be relocated to Pahrump to help with workload there; be onsite in Beatty just once a month.

Sales tax question headed to the ballot

Road conditions in the Pahrump Valley are a sore point for many drivers as well as a source of frustration for the crews dedicated to maintaining them but with only so many road dollars to go around, it can be hard to keep pace with the demand.