Carson City during the holidays always springs alive with a festive collection of entertainment, music, and traditional favorites for the whole family.

Winter arrives just in time for Thanksgiving as the Arlington Square Ice Skating Rink opens for the season with daily skate sessions from Nov. 24 - Jan. 22. Group rates and multi-use punch cards provide savings to ice enthusiasts.

With 300 jobs added to the labor force, the unemployment rate in Carson City fell to 12.5 percent in October from 13.3 percent in September, according to a report released today by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Carson City area employers added 300 jobs in October, and are down just 500 or 1.7 percent from the same month a year ago, the report states.

"We are delighted. It is always a good sign when new businesses come in such as Kohl's and Big Lots and hire people," said Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce. "The retail community has pulled us out of some of the hiring doldrums."

The Carson City Democratic Womens Club will actively support the Advocates Against Domestic Violence Annual Food Drive at the Governors Mansion. All registered Democratic Women are welcome to help. Please meet at Headquarters; 111 W. Telegraph Street at 11:30 AM to carpool to the mansion. Bring donations of food and help assist the workers until 2 PM. For information call Joan at 882-5704.

Family TIES of Nevada announced today that it has appointed Melanie Kauffman as its new Executive Director. Ms. Kauffman will oversee the organization’s operations, achievement of its mission, and strategic planning objectives.

Family TIES of Nevada is dedicated to increasing the hope, confidence and independence of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions through training, information, support and advocacy.

Most area highways have snow tire or chains required this morning, with chains/4WD required for the mountain passes west of Lake Tahoe.

Carson City schools are all open today on time. Sorry, kids, no snow day!

U.S. Highway 50 from east of Dayton to South Lake Tahoe, and U.S. Highway 395 from Bridgeport to Reno have chains or snow tires required. SR 341 to Virginia City and Mount Rose Highway are also chains or snow tires required.

Anyone else have pictures to share?

Kickoff for tonight's NIAA Northern 4A Region championship football game between the Carson Senators and the McQueen Lancers begins at 7 p.m. at Damonte Ranch High School. Go to CarsonSports.com for updates.

One man has been arrested and around two pounds of methamphetamine was seized on Thursday in Stateline on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, Douglas County Sheriff's Office officials report.

A multi-agency drug trafficking investigation culminated in the arrest of 45-year old Francisco Sandoval-Estrada, after a drug sting operation.

Investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Street Enforcement Team (DCSET), Western El Dorado Narcotic Enforcement Team (WENET) and the All Threats/All Crimes Unit (ATAC) from Reno conducted the investigation.

The Carson City Pop Warner Jr. Midget Team recently won the 2010 Snow Bowl and are going on to regionals in Santa Clara, CA Thanksgiving Weekend and then possible on to the national level. The team is currently trying to raise fund to be able to travel to compete at the higher levels. There will be a fundraiser Monday, November 22nd at the Dairy Queen on Highway 50 East in Carson from 6 pm-9pm. Also monetary donations can be made. Checks should be payable to CCPW/Jr. Midget Football, P.O.

12th Annual Charity Event known as the Boot Scootin' BBQ will be on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Fuji Park from 5 to 10 p.m. Music by Craig & Terri and Friends. Silent and live auction. Sponsored by Coldwell Bankers. Food by A Catered Affair. For tickets and more information call (775) 883-8500.

There's been a lot of hype to this upcoming winter storm that will begin its reaches through the Carson City region later today and tonight with anticipated gusty winds and rain turning to snow.

But with trust in the weather folks at the National Weather Service in Reno and Carsonweather.com, this storm could well be the real deal. In fact a winter storm warning goes into effect at 10 tonight and will last through 10 a.m. Sunday for the Carson City region.

Dear Editor:

On November 18th, the extension of unemployment benefits (H.R. 6419) was defeated in the House on a roll call vote. Why? Because Republicans voted against it by a 143 to 21 margin. Even though one of those 21 votes in favor was cast by our congressman, Dean Heller, it was not enough to prevent the cutoff of jobless benefits for five million workers in the dead of winter.

Jeff Moser over at bikecarson.com gives a report on the Ash Canyon Trail, including a scheduled night ride tonight, at 6:30. If you need a demo light for the ride, call (775) 265-5053. Meet at the Foothill Road Trailhead off of Winnie Lane.

A Carson City man faces multiple charges including child abuse and assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly kicking a two-year-old and threatening the toddler's mom with a knife.

Francisco Arryo, 42, is in jail on $83,564 bail after being arrested on Wednesday at his home in the 1700 block of Brown street.

According to statements by the woman, Arroyo had been fighting with her when he picked up a small pillow in the living room and chucked it into a small metal woven candle holder which then flew off the table and struck the woman's two-year-old son on the left side of his face.

The Mormon Emigrant Trail that links Highway 88 and Highway 50 will close for the season on Friday, the U.S. Forest Service announced.

The road will be gated closed near the Iron Mountain Snopark, which is at 7,000-foot elevation. The route will reopen in the spring, when conditions improve.

One of the largest classes of freshman lawmakers in recent history made their way to Carson City on Wednesday and prepared to learn the ropes of the Nevada Legislature, reports KRNV Reno. The session begins Feb. 7. Click here to read the story.

Nineteen employees from Greater Nevada Credit Union’s Carson City branches and offices were recognized for their outstanding contributions during the company’s annual employee training and recognition event last month.

If you place X's on a map of Nevada to mark areas used for nuclear testing and O's to mark areas examined as potential nuclear sites, you end up with a tic-tac-toe game board in the shape of the Silver State, says Western Nevada College Emeritus English Professor Michon Mackedon.

Strings in the Schools, Carson City Symphony's after school program, presents "This is Not A Christmas Concert" at the Plaza Conference Center, 211 E. 9th St. in Carson City at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9.
About 80 string players, including Carson City public, private and home schooled students and students from surrounding areas will perform several pieces from classics to folk and fiddle tunes. Admission is free. Call Sue Jesch at (775) 450-5584.

The 16th annual Carson High School Holiday Craft Faire will be on Friday, Nov. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carson High School. The cost is $2 on Friday or $1.50 on Saturday with a non-perishable food item. Children and high school students are free.
There will be more than 100 vendors and booths at the fair, selling an array of arts, crafts and gifts for the holidays.
Proceeds raised from the Santa photo shoot will go to the family of McKenna Mitchell, a 14-year-old Carson High School freshmen who has cancer.

The annual Silver and Snowflake Festival and Christmas tree lighting is tonight at the Nevada State Capitol grounds in Carson City beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The 300 voices of the Carson City Fifth Grade Music Students Singing Ensemble and the Carson Middle School Advanced Handbell Choir will contribute the music.

What would a Thanksgiving holiday be without a steam train ride? The V&T No. 25 will be chugging down the tracks on Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26-27. Come on down and enjoy the ride. Departures both days will be every 40 minutes from 10am to 4pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Wabuska Depot at the Nevada State Railroad Museum on the day of the ride. For more information, please call the Nevada State Railroad Museum at (775) 687-6953.

Join Instructor Cowboy Bob every Wednesday in the Eleventh Frame Winner's Lounge @ Carson Lanes. Cowboy Bob will teach you all the coolest Dance Moves. All skill levels welcome. No Cover & Smoke FREE. Happy Hour daily from 5-6pm!
Now serving complimentary Appetizers from Wally's Pizza and Alley's Diner. Check out the Watermelon Crawl: http://bit.ly/dCfgz4. Special Appearance by the "Out of Towners" from 8pm-10pm. This ultra talented duo plays your favorite Top 40 and Variety.