With ongoing uncertainty about the school year, families are prioritizing more technology in this year's back-to-school budgets to accommodate online and distance learning.

It is my honor and pleasure to offer this endorsement of Maurice White for Carson City Supervisor, Ward 2. It takes only a moment talking with him to realize that Mo has outstanding qualifications for this office. He is passionate about Carson City, and he is very knowledgeable of local issues, down to the minutest details. He has the patience and friendly disposition to discuss them to any depth of understanding that you would care to tolerate. And he’s equally able to discuss them at the policy and philosophical level, if that’s your preference.

Keith Alan Barnett is back at Bella Vita Bistro this Friday, July 31 starting at about 4:30 p.m. Your favorite Oklahoman, KAB will be playing his unique renditions of your favorite and original songs on the back patio.

Be sure and stop by for a cocktail (Ask Courtney to make you one of her specials) or stay and order dinner from the yummy selections. Always a fun time!

Bella Vita Bistro is located at the Carson Mall, 1304 S Stewart St, Carson City.

CARSON CITY — Last week, the Emergency Nurses Association announced that Carson Tahoe Health Emergency Department received the esteemed Lantern Award for 2020, which will span until 2023. The ENA recognizes just 25 emergency departments worldwide that exemplify exceptional practice and innovative performance in the core areas of leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research.

CARSON CITY — Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada and Girl Scouts of the USA announced Monday there are 24 new badges designed to help girls practice ambitious leadership in the crucial areas of automotive engineering, STEM career exploration, entrepreneurship, and civics, many of which remain male-dominated.

Get ahead. Receive a personalized academic plan. Expand your perspective. Challenge yourself. Form friendships that will last forever. Save money.

CARSON CITY — After the first week of the State of Nevada’s rental assistance program, significant funds remain available for renters who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the launch of the program last Monday, a total of 3,085 statewide applications had been submitted by tenants seeking assistance.

Hello, if I may introduce myself, my name is Ovi, I'm a Covid virus who has learned English and am about to publish a tell-all book about my life as a Covid virus who has gone to the other side. Humans think we don't have brains, but we do. We disguise our brains as effluent, and with the help of 20-200 vision, we can spot a impaired immune system from across a crowded room.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is accepting applications for hunting reservations from those who want to hunt during the first two days of the 2020 duck and goose seasons at the Overton Wildlife Management Area or opening day at the Key Pittman WMA.

Photo submitted by Carson Now reader Katie Farr on Sunday as she was walking her dogs near the Carson River.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Division of State Parks is currently seeking grant pre-applications in anticipation of the 2021 Federal Highway Administration funding of the Recreational Trails Program.

Retired Army Col. Alvin Bolton of Reno has been named the Nevada National Guard's first chief diversity officer and he will begin his new position in Carson City on July 28.

Just four months ago, Jamie Westbrook was on the brink of making the major leagues.

The 25-year-old outfielder received a Spring Training invitation from the San Francisco Giants at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. He spent the previous six seasons in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system and sensed his time in the big leagues was on the horizon.

Dawn's early light Saturday on the Carson River.

Hello fellow anglers. I finally got out to do some camping and fishing for a few days. We stayed at the Carson River Resort just south of Markleeville CA.

In the midst of COVID-19, several local non-profits, churches, homeless shelters and social services are helping those in need. Community food resources in the Carson City, Minden, Silver Springs, Yerington, Gardnerville and Dayton areas have put together plans and options during these unprecedented times.

Time to empty those piggy banks to help small businesses. Nevada banks are asking consumers to deposit their spare change at their local bank or coin-cashing machines as pandemic-related shutdowns have created a coin shortage.

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that a Sun Valley man has been sentenced to life in prison following convictions on child sexual abuse charges.

Patrick Ian Brymer, 27, was sentenced in District Court last week to life in prison with the possibility of parole after a minimum of 45 years has been served.

This week's Flat Bed Concert Series will be going through the middle of Carson City, featuring Spike McGuire from Loud as Folk along with two other musicians. The concert will be held Saturday, July 25 beginning at 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The route will begin at the Tanglewood Apartments near the CHS tech center, drive through Mills Park and then wherever people are safely gathering.

Finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 15,548 for the week ending July 18, up 882 claims, or 6.0 percent, compared to last week’s total of 14,666.

This is the fourth consecutive week of increases in regular initial claims. Through the week ending July 18, there have been 592,700 initial claims filed in 2020, 571,048 of which have been filed since the week ending March 14.

Heading into the weekend, there’s a bevy of activities around the Carson City region. New safety guidelines for the state of Nevada have been enforced, so please make sure to bring a mask and practice social distancing.

Fall high school sports are now temporarily postponed in Carson City, Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties as well as the rest of Nevada. State playoffs are not expected to take place this year, as well. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association announced Thursday that all fall sports in Nevada will be played in March of 2021 to lower the spread of COVID-19.

I am a desperate parent trying to find help. I’m a scared parent wanting to start an open & constructive conversation about our schools in the fall. My public comments have been silenced or not acknowledged. I’m not alone, I’m in the majority & we should have the choice to choose what’s right for our kids.

I think GOV SISOLAK should at least, give us, NEVADA parents & teachers, the CHOICE on whether we want our kids to return or not return to school full time. It should be OUR choice and decision.

UPDATE 5:57PM: Fire crews have knocked down the Topsy Fire and are mopping up hotspots, according to fire officials. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It was noted that there were a number of lightning strikes in the area shortly before the fire started.
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UPDATE 5:05PM: A Carson City Fire Department battalion chief noted the threat to structures has been reduced as the weather is cooperating, crews are hammering it and the helicopter water drops are working. Carson Now publisher Kirk Caraway, who is on scene of the fire, notes the choppers are circling the area, dumping water on hotspots.
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UPDATE 4:54 PM: Evacuations are happening for homes in the area north of Topsy Lane near the Carson City county line. While the larger column of smoke has been reduced some, firefighters on scene report the fire is continuing to move at a rapid clip, fueled by gusty winds.
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UPDATE 4:38PM: The Topsy Fire is moving in a northerly direction, being pushed by winds, near the Douglas County, Carson City line. It continues to burn out of control. Battalion chiefs on scene have requested immediate air tanker support to fly in to drop retardant on the fire.
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East Fork Fire and Carson City Fire Department were called Thursday afternoon to a fast moving brush fire south of Carson City near Indian Hills, Highway 395 north of Topsy Lane.