By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Based on the latest taxable sales results, Nevada will likely match national forecasts calling for 4 percent growth in retail sales for 2011, the Retail Association of Nevada said today.
Much of the growth will likely be in areas other than discretionary spending, however, the group noted in its release.

The U.S. Forest Service Region 5 has named Nancy Gibson as the new Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Gibson has been the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Six Rivers National Forest for nearly three years. Previously, she served as the Administrative Officer on the Klamath National Forest. She also served as Acting Forest Supervisor on the Mendocino National Forest in 2009. Gibson holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University.

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A new study shows support for Gov. Brian Sandoval’s plan to implement President Barack Obama’s national health care reform law.

Create a team for the American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life". Teams compete raising funds for research:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRW1a_QHG5U

Space Shuttle Discovery's last launch, as seen from the air:

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

The Carson City Board of Supervisors this week will consider whether to hire a special deputy district attorney to represent the public works department after a construction firm contracted to do $1.9 million in work has claimed overriding costs of $1.7 million.

Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey counties will join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health, in taking action against HIV/AIDS.

About 300 people came together today in front of the Nevada Legislature to rally in support of labor unions and in solidarity with protesters in Wisconsin.

The rally was a coordinated event that spawned protests in state capitals across the country.

Protesters braved the cold, chanting and waving signs as motorists driving by on Carson Street honked their horns.

Leslie Medieros and Bob Hansen discuss sustainable energy in Nevada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR24_2kyQ98

Join us every Sunday evening for Open Mic/ Jam Night with Host Dean Brownell. Use our equipment or bring your own. All ages welcome. No Cover and Smoke FREE. See us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/f1mejp

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevada residents bear the second lowest state and local tax burden of any state at 7.5 percent, behind only Alaska at 6.3 percent, according to a new report from the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation.

Western Nevada College's campuses in Carson City, Douglas and Fallon will be close today at 2 p.m. due to weather.

The Carson City and Douglas campuses will remain closed through the weekend, but the Fallon campus will be open Saturday, weather permitting.

For more information, go to: http:/wnc.edu

This is from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office: It is advising that because of several downed power lines, it has closed off a portion of Highway 395 and Muller Lane in Minden.

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Students who smoke may soon find it more difficult to do so. A proposal heard today would ban smoking on all Nevada’s university and college campuses.

The Carson City School District reports that its schools are open today, Friday, and will operate on a normal schedule.

Zeb Hogan swims with the fishes and lives to write about it. In the March 2011 issue of National Geographic, the University of Nevada, Reno researcher and assistant professor is pictured swimming with a man-eating catfish and describes swimming underwater with a 400-pound Mekong giant catfish in one of his many adventures in the rivers of a dozen countries around the world.

A rally in support of American workers will be held in front of the Legislative Building in Carson City on Saturday, Feb. 26. The event is sponsored by the Carson City Democratic Central Committee and the Nevada Rural Democratic Caucus.
It is part of a nationwide event by Move-On and People for the American Way in an event called "50-State Mobilization to Save the American Dream." Rallies will be held at state legislative buildings across the country.

Join the Carson City Chamber of Commerce on March 1 for a home cooked breakfast like no other.
Brush up on your Shakespeare, for it is the Ides of March (almost!). The Chamber Breakfast Club will be at Sierra Place, located at 1111 West College Parkway in Carson City. Serving begins at 7:30 a.m.

Please join us for the 2011 Carson River Watershed Forum. This forum will feature a full day of inspiring presentations on the topic of "growing a healthy watershed". The forum is free, including lunch, but you must pre-register. To register for the forum, please send your name, phone number and email to: genie@cwsd.org or kathi@cwsd.org, or call 775-887-9005. Register today!

The UC Davis’s Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) in partnership with the Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) will host the sixth annual Science Expo on March 16.

The fair features interactive experiments and demonstrations for children from the third to sixth grade, ages 8 to 12 and their families. The event is free and will run from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village. Ice cream will be provided by Susie Scoops of Incline Village and UC Davis TERC.

Join us every Sunday afternoon 3-6pm for Kids Karaoke with hosts Cathy & Robert in our fabulous Eleventh Frame Winner's Lounge. All ages welcome. (kids must remain 6 feet from the bar except when ordering soft drinks). 100% Smoke FREE. Bring the whole Family!! See us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/hjUVPo

In 2010, McCall Realty of South Lake Tahoe pledged to donate $20,000 of annual profits to five non-profit organizations benefitting the youth of South Shore. Owner Thane McCall is fulfilling that promise by delivering final contributions to the South Lake Tahoe Police Activities League (PAL), which will use the funds for after-school programs including a boxing club, bike club, recreation outing group and various sports teams.

Here is the Northern Nevada, Northern California and Sierra Fishing Report For the week of Feb. 23:

BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reported:
The road is closed for the winter.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reported: Low and clear. Steelhead are throughout the system. Anglers fishing smaller baits and lighter line are doing the best.  Boat and bank angling pressure is light.

By the California Department of Fish and Game
A bear poaching conviction has landed a Novato, California man in state prison for two years. Wayne Richard Barsch, 49, was already a two-strike felon when sentenced on Feb. 4 by Glenn County Judge John Tiernan.
Barch will also face an as-yet-undermined fine, and his hunting and fishing privileges have been revoked for life.