The 2011 Nevada Legislature got underway this morning, and here are some scenes from the opening ceremonies.

The Appeal is liveblogging the first day, and there is also coverage at SessionAccess.org.

A married couple from Lucerne, Calif. was arrested Saturday morning in 3800 block of South Carson Street for misdemeanor drug offenses, in an incident that began with the alleged theft of a jacket from a casino.

February is the time for eagles in the Carson Valley. I found these two along Genoa Lane. One was guarding the nest, and the other was patrolling the area.

See more at http://aroundcarson.com

A Gardnerville Ranchos man was seriously injured during a domestic dispute early this morning.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 1300 block of Wheeler Way at 3:30 a.m. on the report of a domestic battery in progress. While the deputies were responding to the call they were advised that shots had been fired.

According to the press release from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, responding deputies learned that a 24-year-old man had intervened in a violent domestic battery between his mother and his step father who is 41 years of age.

The following Carson City area road construction and improvement report applies to the period of Feb. 7-13:

By Andrew Barbano
The inaugural Big Bonanza Days Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 5, at Virginia City's newest hotel, the Silverland Inn & Suites.

The Silverland is the major sponsor of the event. Proprietor Hugh Roy Marshall is a longtime amateur Nevada historian. He involved two experienced Nevada business executives in the revival of one of Virginia City's most storied events.

June Joplin, as Sister Hubert from Meshuggah-Nuns!, talks about the wine walk & show at the Brewery Arts Center.

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

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – While there has been a lot of criticism directed at the details of Gov. Brian Sandoval’s proposed spending plan, there is acclaim for his development of a new budgeting process designed to ensure state agencies get results with taxpayer dollars.

Joe Conforte, the former owner of the Mustang Ranch brothel a few miles east of Reno, has produced his autobiography as an ebook, his publisher has announced.

Titled “Breaks, Brains & Balls: the story of Nevada’s fabulous Mustang Ranch” the 464-page book details Conforte's adventurous life from his birth into the poverty of a Sicilian fishing village to a life of luxury in Rio De Janeiro.

Catch the live video here. The agenda is here.

CARSON CITY – The logic of Gov. Brian Sandoval goes something like this: If you’re going to make me do it, let me do it my way.

Veronica Anne Rowe, 26, of Carson City, was arrested Tuesday night for allegedly shooting her boyfriend in the head and hand with a BB gun.

Lela Branstetter, a senior at Pioneer High School, is participating in the Miss Carson City Pageant this year. The pageant will be held on February 19, 2011. This pageant is a preliminary stage for the Miss America pageant system.

RENO — Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she is “taking the pulse” of Reno this week as she considers a bid for Republican Sen. John Ensign’s seat in the 2012 election.
She told Sam Shad and Ray Hagar on Nevada NewsMakers today that she is raising campaign money, but she said the money is for her re-election bid in Congress. For now.

Here's one of the more fun invites for the snowsport season from Diamond Peak in Incline Village. I've done this a couple of times and it is a great outing, with wine and snacks and one of the best views of Lake Tahoe around that lake. And the ski or ride down at the end of it all is exhilerating. I'll be there one of these weekends. See you at the Snowflake lodge!

Here's the skinny:

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Welcome to the "Year of the Rabbit"

10am-3pm February 12th & 13th.

Lion Dance Ceremony, Sierra Dojo-Okinawian Martial Arts, Little Swan Dancers.

Arts & Crafts - Dragon Head Puppets, Chinese Lanterns & More!

Calligraphy, Chinese jump rope, Origami, how to use Chop Sticks.

All Activities are free with paid membership or admission.

www.cmnn.org

For more information, call 775/884-2226 or email info@cmnn.org

A Carson City man faces multiple misdemeanor charges after he reportedly fled from authorities, tossing stolen credit cards and dropping a CO2 gun during a foot chase over several blocks.

The 24-year-old unemployed man with a history of trouble with the law was seen walking with another man and reportedly looking through homes at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of Walker Drive in Carson City.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – They have names like the Landscape Architecture Board, the Nevada Arts Council and the Commission on Mineral Resources, and there are more than 180 of them functioning within Nevada state government.

A Reno truck driver faces weapons and other charges after he was arrested Sunday in Carson City and found to be in illegal possession of a loaded short barrel shotgun and a fully-loaded and ready-to-fire .44 magnum pistol in his waistband.

John Thomas Aston, 67, was arrested in the 2100 block of Highway 50 East at about 9:20 a.m. Sunday after an officer initiated a stop when the plates on his vehicle didn't match those on record.

Carson City authorities are trying to determine how a man died after he was found in the middle of North Plaza and Telegraph streets early this morning. Foul play is not suspected, according to Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Deputies responded to the intersection at about 6:30 this morning after the man was reportedly found in the middle of the street and bleeding from the head. He apparently fell face first into the pavement which is what caused the bleeding, Furlong said.

An autopsy will be conducted on the man who had a Nevada identification card on him when he was found.

Gaming revenue for the Carson City and Carson Valley areas for fiscal year 2010 were among the state's best considering overall statewide declines, according data released today by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Gaming Revenue for the Carson City and Carson Valley area was down 4.3 percent for fiscal year 2010 over 2009 figures. The Las Vegas strip reported the best revenue figures, down 3.1 percent, according to the control board.

A hit and run accident sent a Carson City woman to the hospital by Care Flight Sunday night and authorities are now looking for the driver who hit her.

The 20-year-old Carson City woman was flown by Care Flight to Renown Medical Center in Reno. She is said to be slated for release later after suffering injuries from the accident, according to the Carson City Sheriff's Office.

The highly touted English film "The King's Speech" has finally made its way to the Fandango Galaxy multiplex in Carson City, in time the for the Academy Awards next month where it is a strong favorite to win an Oscar or two. It's nominated for 12 awards.

So it took its time to reach us, but the wait was worthwhile as this is clearly a superior historical drama with a fine cast.