Former Northern Nevada resident Alyson Meidell Jenkins reports that she and her family are safe but shaken after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan's eastern coast, causing a devastating tsunami that killed at least 10,000 and widespread damage.

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Follow it Live: Go to our Live Updates page for video feeds and coverage.

A Call to Readers: Let us know if you have friends or family living in Japan, Hawaii, or along the West Coast. E-mail jeff@carsonnow.org or post to our Facebook page.

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Japan's advanced earthquake early-warning system, with more than 1,000 seismographs scattered over the country alerted the public of an imminent earthquake via television, Internet and text-messages. At 2:46 local time, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake arrived, the largest that Japan has seen in one hundred years, just off the eastern coast of Sendai, Honshu.

Former Nevada Governor and RNC Committeeman Bob List said late this afternoon that he is not ready to either privately or publicly endorse a candidate to replace soon-to-be departed state GOP chairman Mark Amodei until Governor Sandoval chimes in with his preferred choice.
“Governor Sandoval is the leader of the state party,” said List. “I will wait to hear who he thinks can best fill Chairman Amodei’s shoes before saying anything more on this matter.”

The afternoon rain produced a rainbow over the eastern part of Carson City. Looks like the pot of gold is somewhere near Eagle Valley Golf Course.

According to Nevada News Bureau, Republican Mark Amodei will announce soon that he is running for the Congressional District 2 seat currently held by Rep. Dean Heller.

The speculation is that Heller will make a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Ensign, who announced earlier this week he would not seek reelection to avoid an ugly campaign after his well-publicized sex scandal.

The always fun game of political musical chairs has begun following this morning’s news (brought to you right here) that Congressman Dean Heller has told multiple sources he will indeed be running to become Nevada’s next junior Senator.
Two sources confirm that former state senator and current Republican state party chairman, Mark Amodei, will resign and announce a run for NV-2 once Dean Heller formally announces for Senate, which is expected to occur as early as next week.

(This article is from Around Carson, at http://aroundcarson.com/2011/03/10/olive_garden_construction/) Winter is normally not a huge construction season around Carson City, but we’ve been surprised by a pretty mild winter this year. ...

CARSON CITY – Lobbyists, legislators and journalists expected to hear about a bill that would increase energy bills for Nevadans when they arrived at a legislative hearing.
Assemblyman Randy Kirner, R-Reno, sat down before the committee, ready to present his bill that would levy a fee on anyone paying an electric bill. That fee would help new businesses pay their energy bills. He designed the bill to attract manufacturing businesses to Nevada with reduced energy costs.

Casinos in Carson City and Carson Valley saw a 10.57 percent increase in "win" revenue for the month of January, the Nevada Gaming Control Board reports this morning.

The Carson City region, which includes Gardnerville and Minden, took in revenues of just over $8 million, up from $7,016,253 from January 2010.

Casinos at South Shore Lake Tahoe saw a 7.85 percent decline in gaming "winnings" over January 2010. North Tahoe had an increase gaming win of slightly over 1 percent.

Sheriff Kenny Furlong talks about traffic, drugs and other challenges facing his department.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbTN8wzTl2M

For businesses looking for exposure with active domestic and international market audiences, the opportunity is the Amgen Tour of California and the time is now. The largest sporting event hosted in California includes 27 hours of national television coverage and live broadcasts outside the U.S. in more than 90 countries and billions of worldwide impressions from television, print and online sources.

By Erich Obermayr
Silver City, Nevada —population around 200 — is a small, unincorporated community in rural northwestern Nevada. It is located along State Route 342, in Gold Canyon, 3.5 miles from Virginia City. It lies within the Virginia City National Historic Landmark and the Comstock Historic District. The nearest large cities are Reno, 20 miles to the north, and Carson City, 9 miles to the southwest.

The week of Feb. 21, Sal and Catali Quilici of Dayton, together with Elaine, her mom (Mary) and I traveled by two vehicles from Carson City all the way south to La Quinta, California (about 500 miles).

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Click here for More Outdoor News and this Week's Fishing Report
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It was a stark contrast between two totally different worlds. In Carson City, we had been experiencing winter weather conditions, seemingly forever, which is typical for this time of the year: furnace running off and on, all day and all night; heavy frost on the car windows in the mornings, ominous-looking gray clouds filling the skies; cold, biting winds; snow-covered landscapes; trees without leaves; dead-looking flower gardens; having to wear winter jackets and gloves; all kinds of neighbors and friends with sniffles, coughs and colds.

Here is the Northern Nevada outdoor calendar for the month of March:

This is a final reminder that the Clear Creek Bowmen, an archery organization in Carson City, will host their annual “Hell or High Water” archery shoot this coming Sunday, March 13.

By the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on Sunday wrapped up its largest annual conservation fundraiser with gross revenues topping $2.5 million.
Those dollars will help support many RMEF initiatives to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. RMEF is a major supporter of new elk restoration efforts in Missouri and Virginia.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Democratic legislative leaders today questioned a comment from the Sandoval administration that two job creation bills they are pursuing will be vetoed for creating a hole in the governor’s recommended state general fund budget.

Join us every Friday @ 8pm for live music in our Fabulous Eleventh Frame Winner's Lounge. This week, classic rock band "Hired Gunnz" will be rocking the house. No Cover and Smoke FREE!! (Must be 21). See us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/hjUVPo

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Assemblyman Kelly Kite, R-Minden, learned he may have broken a law yesterday during a Commerce and Labor committee hearing.
The committee was debating a bill about the interstate sale of rifles and shotguns. Current law bans the interstate sale of those guns in states that do not have a border with Nevada.

Here's a chance to draw cards, win prizes and ski or ride while at Lake Tahoe's Diamond Peak this Saturday.

The Hyatt Regency is the sponsor of the fourth annual Poker Run at Diamond Peak Ski Resort set for Saturday, March 12. Skiers and boarders are urged to join in at Diamond Peak a day of fun on the mountain and and many a chance to win some great prizes.

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the Shredtacular Rail Jam event at the American Legion in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, March 11 from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, the Shredtacular will be held on a feature built by Rob Giustina of On Course Events. Entry is $20 and includes a goodie bag and a raffle ticket for a chance to win tons of prizes.

When walking in a mall or driving behind an older person with only the top of their head showing above the seat in their eighties or early nineties, could that person be a hero?

The Microsoft Encarta College Dictionary, 2001, defines a hero, “A conspicuous possessor of other admirable qualities.” I have known Phyllis Lorraine Anker Bendure for 33 years. After every conversation with her, I discover more of her admirable qualities.

RENO — While unemployment has been a frequent topic of discussion during the recession, underemployment and its effects have not, even though the number of underemployed workers has also increased.

A study published online last week in the Journal of Management, “‘I Have a Job, But…’ A Review of Underemployment,” by University of Nevada, Reno Assistant Professor Frances M. McKee-Ryan and University of Alabama Assistant Professor Jaron Harvey brings attention to the topic and its potentially detrimental effects to individuals, organizations and society.

CARSON CITY – A state lawmaker testified today that the federal government’s unfunded mandates on issues such as clean air, clean water and flood zones are imposing costs on Nevada taxpayers without authority or justification.

Bowling is just $1.50 per game and shoe rental is $1.00 per game. There are also dollar menu items in Alley's Diner. Children's Arcade and Billiards Room also available. The Eleventh Frame Winner's Lounge offers Beer Pong every Monday evening (must be 21). Carson Lanes is 100% Smoke FREE. Bring the whole family. See us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/f1mejp