Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said he isn't going anywhere.

"Straight from the horse's mouth, my term expires January 2011 and I'm here to stay," DeMeo said in a phone interview.

The sheriff wasn't available to meet in person because he was in the middle of painting his house, which he said only offered more proof of his intentions to stay.

"Why would I be painting my house if I was leaving?" he asked.

DeMeo said that he also has heard the rumors about his alleged planning to leave office and possibly leave Pahrump but made short order of them, unequivocally stating his intention to stay.

In recent weeks a number of sources, both within and outside of the sheriff's office, have told this paper the sheriff has been checking his retirement options, getting ready to pack his bags and leave office, and possibly town, as well.