On November 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time and 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. 

After they’ve been carved up for Halloween, the pumpkin has served its aesthetic purpose as the jack-o-lantern for all things spooky. Now that the trick or treaters are gone, the big orange gourd can serve its real purpose: all things tasty and delicious.

The Carson Valley Inn is serving a Free Spaghetti Lunch for all Veterans and Active Military – plus one guest – on Veteran's Day, Friday, November 11. The event will be held in the Valley Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Welcome readers! Now that the newspaper is forcing you to register and eventually pay to read the news, Carson Now will be expanding our coverage so that you don't miss what's going on in Carson City. Here is today's news summary:

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After losing money for the last three years, the Arlington Ice Rink in downtown Carson City is expected to pay for itself. Joel Dunn, operations manager for Carson City Parks and Recreation, told the Parks and Recreation Commission yesterday that the city's purchase of the rink equipment and rental skates will help close the $100,000 in red ink the operation has posted in previous years. He also expects to increase revenue by 29.2 percent by extending the season two weeks and adding new session packages.

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A contestant and former champion in the annual Single-Jack Rock Drilling World Championship that took place on Saturday is on the mend after a piece of metal cut an artery in his arm. Emmit Hoyl was pounding away when a piece of metal chipped off of his hammer and lodged in his arm, causing blood to spurt out. Hoyl kept hammering until another competitor - a doctor - stepped up to stop him before he lost too much blood.

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The number of children who qualify for Carson City School District's homeless program has more than doubled this year, to 359. With the weather turning colder, there is an immediate need for winter coats for these kids. People can donate coats at the Gleason Building, 604 W. Musser St., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays until Dec. 12. Monetary donations are also accepted.

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The future isn't so bright for two surviving bear cubs whose mother was accidentally killed by a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy. The deputy had intended to shoot the bear with a rubber bullet to scare it away from a garbage-clutter garage in Stateline. Meanwhile, public anger has been expressed against the resident responsible for the garbage, who is now facing eviction. More details here.