News

Carson City Transportation Manager Patrick Pittenger talks about current and future road projects around the city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdO379sFOZ0

A natural gas line that ruptured in the area of Corbett and Roop streets has been clamped and fire officials say the area is now safe.

Carson City emergency crews and Southwest Gas responded to the ruptured natural gas line this morning at around 8:35 in the area of Roop and Corbett streets.

Two nearby day care centers were notified of the leak and told to be prepared to evacuate.

With public transit ridership in the Capital City continuing to climb because of the recession, money for Carson City's Jump Around Carson bus program has been promised as part of a $2.1 million transportation improvements plan secured by Sen. Harry Reid.

Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey is featured in a new book that focuses on eight communities throughout the U.S. which have been especially creative in supporting the unique strengths and needs of each community’s youth.

More than $1 million in federal funding grants is available through the Nevada Division of Environmental protection for projects that prevent or control non-point water pollution, the leading cause of poor water quality in Nevada.

Nonpoint source water pollution occurs when rain, snowmelt and irrigation water flows over developed or disturbed land, carrying with it contaminants including oil, sediment, pesticides, bacteria and nutrients. This contaminated water makes its way into Nevada’s waterways either directly or through storm drains.

Saturday, Oct. 16 has been designated Carson City Community Flu Vaccination Day, with vaccines offered to the community at no cost.

It is the seventh year for the program, and by all measures it keeps on growing and has been tremendously successful, health officials said at a press conference this morning.

Last year, there were 8,000 seasonal flu shots given and 21,000 H1N1 shots administered, health officials said.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea said today Nevada voters should be asked to expand the state sales tax to include food purchases as a way to raise revenue and broaden the tax base.
But any such revenue hike should be accompanied by a reduction in the state’s regressive business taxes, he said.

CARSON CITY – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle said in an interview last week that her opponent is trying to make her Christian religion an issue to divert voters from the real problems facing the U.S. and Nevada, including the economy and jobs.

Douglas County authorities are investigating arson attempts at two Carson Valley elementary schools.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the acts of arson that were discovered at both Minden and Gardnerville elementary schools on the mornings of Wednesday, Aug. 18 and Thursday, Aug. 19, according to a press statement. In each of the cases, school custodians discovered evidence the fires were intentionally set.

The FBI and the Carson City Sheriff's Office are working jointly on the investigation into Friday's robbery at the Mutual of Omaha Bank.

A plan to put up some new signs to spruce up a revitalized and remodeled Carson Mall is on the Carson City Planning Commission agenda on Wednesday.
The Carrington Company, which owns the mall, is asking the city to allow for more signs on the front and back ends of the mall, at the 1313 South Carson Street and the 1457 South Carson Street entrances.

Two men were arrested by Carson City authorities on Saturday after officers discovered heroin and methamphetamine in a car they pulled over because of erratic driving.

Andrew Woodburn, 31, of Carson City, faces charges of felony drug possession for sale; possession of hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $15,000 cash bondable.

Joseph Alex Kendall, 23, of Dayton, faces a felony charge of possession controlled substances — methamphetamine and heroin. Bail was set at $2,500 cash, plus Kendall has an outstanding warrant out of Lyon County.

Here is the Carson City area road construction report for August 23-29. It will be a busy week for road crews. As always, expect minor delays. When you come across a project, give the crew "a brake" by slowing down within any adjusted speed limit zone.

As a result of the next phase of the Nevada Department of Transportation project on the freeway, Koontz Lane will be closed between Raglan Circle and Edmonds Drive until January 2011.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Friday that $1.2 million in funding through the Economic Recovery Act will go to improve cyber network speeds, connectivity and capacity within the state's public schools.

“Strong connectivity is essential for our educational institutions to cooperate and stay competitive,” said Reid. “By improving connectivity we can link Nevada universities and K-12 schools and improve research and education. Broadband access will also provide Nevadans with other important opportunities such as distance education, telemedicine instruction, and economic development.”

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevada’s worst in the nation 14.3 percent unemployment rate for July does not even begin to tell the real story of the state’s dismal job situation, a state agency reported today.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A state lawmaker is having a bill drafted for the 2011 legislative session to make English the official language of Nevada, saying his intent is to unify rather than divide the state’s diverse residents.

by Scott Schrantz Source: http://aroundcarson.com/2010/08/20/halloween_already

Carson City authorities continue to investigate this afternoon's Mutual of Omaha Bank robbery. Whether it is related to the robbery or not, a man who apparently fit the description of the robber is being questioned this afternoon at a Curry Street antique shop.

The man entered the store with a female, at about 3:20 this afternoon.

A robbery at the Mutual of Omaha bank on North Carson Street in Carson City this afternoon has authorities searching for the suspect, described as wearing a red AC/DC t-shirt and jeans.

The robbery happened at about 12:35 this afternoon, at the bank, located at 1101 North Carson Street. No weapons were seen. The suspect has been described as a white male, approximately 30 years old, wearing blue jeans, a red shirt with AC/DC on it, and a black ball cap.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley Thursday defended the right of mosque supporters to build their facility near Ground Zero in New York City, saying she supports religious freedom for all.

A Carson City man, who may have been involved in a gang-related shooting last week, faces drug and weapons charges after a search of his home on Thursday night.

A Red Flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service ahead of a low pressure system moving into Northern Nevada and the eastern Sierra on Saturday which will cause gusty winds and low humidity.
The combination will make for critical fire conditions for Carson City and the surrounding areas, according to carsonweather.com and the weather service.

While Nevada's unemployment rose to 14.3 percent in July, Carson City's unemployment figures improved slightly, dropping to 13.2 percent from 13.3 percent in June. Click here to read about the state's new unemployment figures.

The Nevada Highway Patrol has identified the man who died in a two-vehicle accident on Wednesday on Highway 50 in Mound House.
Thomas G. Froysa, 66, of Silver City, died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the automobile accident, according to the coroner's office of the Washoe County Medical Examiner, who performed an autopsy this morning.

Carson City leaders agreed this morning to apply for a $240,000 HUD grant that would help in preliminary design work for narrowing Carson Street between John and Stewart streets from four to two lanes.

If the city were to get the grant, it would have to kick down about $60,000 in matching grants which would come from the city's redevelopment agency and the regional transportation commission. Money for the matching grants would be available because it has already been set aside in their budgets.

The Nevada Appeal has a story about Brewery Arts Center Executive Director John Procaccini stepping down. Procaccini also figures prominently in the Curry Street Promenade issue. We'll have more on this change in leadership at BAC in the coming days.

You can catch the live video of the Carson City Board of Supervisors here. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. Click here to read the agenda.

One person who may have suffered life-threatening injuries after a two-vehicle accident tonight at Highway 50 and Empire Ranch is being transported by Care Flight air ambulance.

The accident, which happened at about 8:30 tonight, was reportedly a t-bone collision. One person may have suffered neck injuries. The other driver reportedly declined medical attention, according to dispatchers.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevada state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford announced today he has selected David Byerman to serve as the secretary of the Senate beginning Aug. 30.

CARSON CITY – Half a dozen former employees of a Las Vegas-based gaming company laid off last year say they are still owed about $500,000 in severance pay and other compensation even as the firm continues to receive financial support from high profile investors, including the brother of President Obama’s chief of staff.
One of the former TableMAX Gaming employees, Tyson Wrensch, said efforts to contact current company officials to resolve the compensation issue have not produced any results so far.