Gold Hill Hotel presents March Beer Fest beginning at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (775) 847-0111.

CARSON CITY – Secretary of State Ross Miller made his pitch for campaign finance reform before an Assembly committee today, saying that while his two bills are extensive and complex at 155 pages combined, the many provisions are necessary because, “we are behind the curve.”
Miller, in testimony before the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee, said Nevada should provide increased transparency to voters about the campaign contributions and expenses of the candidates for public office.

Recent indicators show tourism at Lake Tahoe South Shore is improving, according to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

December occupancy was up three percent compared to last year (Smith Travel Research). The No. 1 ski destination in the U.S. (Rand McNally 2011; TripAdvisor 2010) has seen a rise of 1.7 percent through Reno-Tahoe International Airport since July; 14 percent more skiers and snowboarders on the slopes, increased bookings over holiday weekends, and advance reservations for summer.

A transient who was kicked out of a downtown casino ended up in jail after Carson City deputies allegedly found prescription pills and marijuana on his person.

Deputies arrested Thomas Alan Dias, 42, Monday night in the 400 block of North Carson Street for felony possession of a prescription medication without a prescription, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor warrant for petit larceny.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval said today he had productive meetings in Washington, DC, including talks with federal officials about clearing the way for permits to be approved so mining companies can expand and hire more workers.
Sandoval said there are several permits awaiting action that mining officials have told him could lead to the creation of 1,000 high-paying jobs in rural Nevada.
Creating jobs in Nevada is Sandoval’s top priority as governor. Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the nation and ranks first in home foreclosures as well.

(Press release) Thunder Canyon, a private golf and country club located in Washoe Valley, has been named the 2011 Nevada Golf Course of the Year by the Nevada Golf Course Owners Association (NvGCOA). In addition to this honor, Thunder Canyon was chosen as one of three finalists for the Golf Course of the Year Award by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA).

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval today elaborated on the details of a bill he is proposing to establish a school voucher system in Nevada.
The proposal would allow parents to receive a state-funded, per pupil subsidy to opt out of public schools in favor of private schools, including religious schools.
The stipend, or voucher, would help families pay expenses at the private schools.

Never turn your back on a snowplow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTDj3TAIa7w

The future is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct1_r_61sk8

A Carson City man, who was being booked into jail on a violation of his probation, faces felony drug charges after allegedly having a controlled substance taped to his penis.

Greater Nevada Credit Union employees recently had a pancake eating contest as part of their fundraising efforts for the 2011 Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Lake Tahoe. Watch the contest video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwYn3PVd3kI

To get your company or organization involved in the Polar Plunge on March 19, visit www.sonc.org/getinfo/info_newspolarplung­e.html

Cold temps are keeping our area frozen for the time being. While most roads are clear, we have a report of an overturned car on State Route 28 between Spooner Junction and Sand Harbor. The car appeared to hit a frozen section of roadway and lost control. The road is open, but traffic may be blocked to remove the vehicle.

Here is the Carson City area road construction report for the week of Feb. 28 through March 6.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A stunt pilot, Frank Hawks, unknowingly changed the direction of history for half the world’s population on Tuesday, December 28, 1920.

All he did was take a 23-year-old former tomboy who defied normal female behavior for a 10 minute ride in his plane. “By the time I had got two or three hundred feet off the ground, I knew I had to fly,” exclaimed Amelia Mary Earhart.

More icy road mania:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM2gLjfE_3Y

Join us this Friday for live music with the "Road Dawgs", Northern Nevada's favorite party band. They play classic rock, blues, motown, and new rock standards. No Cover and Smoke FREE. See us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/f1mejp

Highway 395 at Muller Lane in Minden has been reopened, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Muller Lane, however, is still closed as NV Energy crews continue their work. There is currently no estimated time of reopening Muller Lane.

From the Douglas County Sheriff's Office: The closure of Highway 395 near Muller Lane in Minden will continue until approximately 6 p.m. It had originally been thought to be opened by 4 p.m. The repair is taking longer than initially expected.

(This article is from Around Carson, at http://aroundcarson.com/2011/02/25/winter_chaos/)

For those who are sitting a a warm place, instead of driving in the snow today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dooKpdIwwR4

The Jack C. Davis Observatory at the Western Nevada College campus will host its Saturday Star Party. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Host Mike Thomas's popular slide-show lecture begins at 7:30 PM. This week's features is called "The Legend of King Arthur: The Once and Future King."
The presentation, which is filled with beautiful images, takes you on a journey through this classic historical tale of myth and fact, and addresses the question: how much of the Authurian Legend is true?

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is opening up night skiing on the weekend and it's free with a day lift pass. Otherwise it's $22, but free for season pass holders on Fridays.

The area is on both sides of the Ponderosa lift and there are two new terrain parks with all the bells and whistles. Night sporting there is to last into March. Mt. Rose joins Squaw Valley and Boreal with night skiing and riding.

— Sam Bauman

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the top concern for Nevadans age 50 and older, according to a survey released Thursday.

AARP released its statewide survey that looks at the challenges, concerns and dreams of older adults in the state. The telephone survey was made up of 401 random Nevada residents aged 50 and over was conducted between Jan. 2 and Jan. 31. It has sampling error of plus or minus five percent.

For all of you muscle-powered enthusiasts, Jeff Moser at bikecarson.com spells out in words and photos the weather dynamics of February, which made for some great spring-like riding and hiking. That is until Mother Nature reminded us that even Punxsutawney Phil is prone to judgement lapses. Welcome to déjà vu all over again. Click here for the story and photos.