Dear Editor:

It's time to make it easier for millions of homeowners around the country to refinance their mortgages and save hundreds of dollars each month.

Cutting through the red tape will be good for families, good for communities, and good for the country at large. Interest rates are at historic lows, yet millions of homeowners have not taken advantage of these rates, either because it's too expensive, or because banks and regulations make it hard or impossible. This month, Congress has a chance to pass real home mortgage relief.

More than 2,000 hungry locals and visitors filled downtown Carson City Saturday night for the 19th annual Taste of Downtown, a culinary event over 20 blocks that featured 43 restaurants, seven bands and plenty of community bonding.
From tangy barbecue ribs to fresh made pizza and lasagna, authentic tacos, sushi rolls and decadent desserts, there was more than enough food and good times to go around for this Carson City culinary fundraiser that benefits Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

North Lake Tahoe announced today that it will host the first full-distance Ironman event in California since 2001. The competition is scheduled to take place September 22, 2013.

CARSON CITY — It’s not a typical summer road trip filled with beach visits and tourist traps. Instead it’s a community service road trip filled with good deeds.

Twenty‐two students from Portland, Oregon area High Schools will visit Carson City as part of a community service road trip called the Pay It Forward (PIF) Tour. The tour allows students the opportunity to serve, lead and learn. In just five days, these students will travel to and serve in four different communities; Carson City is their last stop.

The Nevada Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Reno Police are reminding motorists that handheld cellphone use while driving is illegal.

Private services for Anna Marie Kukus, 72 will be held at her request. A gathering of her friends will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Sidney Elks Lodge. Crematio...

Enjoy the first day of summer and Chamber Mixer with Southwest Gas and Butler Gourmet Meats June 20 at 5 P.M. Butler Gourmet Meats will be presenting a menu with some favorite summer barbeque meals and specialty items.
The cost is free for members, $20 for non-members. This event will be located at 400 Eagle Station Lane.

CARSON CITY – The Governor’s Workforce Investment Board today unanimously approved a plan to consolidate two local boards in an effort to free up $5 million in federal funds to train the unemployed.

The move, which requires approval from the U.S. Department of Labor, is opposed by Workforce Connections, the Southern Nevada workforce investment board.

The dam gates are open and the river is flowing, and rafting along North Lake Tahoe’s scenic Truckee River is now open.

Tahoe City-based Truckee River Rafting opened Tuesday, June 12. Truckee River Raft Company, also in Tahoe City, opens today, Thursday, June 14. The companies offer self-guided, five-mile floats down the Truckee River.

It’s that time of the year again!
The Davis Lake area, just north of Portola, California has some spectacular displays of colorful wildflowers blooming at the present time.

Carson City Airport "Capital Wings" Open House - 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. FREE to the public. The Open House takes place at the Carson City Airport, 2600 College Parkway. Activities include flybys, plane and helicopter demonstrations, plane and hot air balloon rides, food and beverages in a day filled with family activities.

Proceeds raised through raffle and t-shirt sales will be donated to local area non-profit organizations. The event kicks off at 8:00 A.M. with a pancake breakfast provided by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).

Internationally renowned soloists and a world-class orchestra of 38 instrumentalists will contribute to an exclusive series of classical concerts and performances during Lake Tahoe SummerFest, the first three weekends of August.

The Lake Tahoe region will celebrates Independence Day holiday with multiple fireworks displays from virtually all points, with the first show set to kick off July 3.

“North Lake Tahoe is unique in that we have a series of fireworks events held throughout the region,” said Chief Marketing Officer Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association. “Visitors to the area can take their pick in terms of when and where or enjoy more than one show during their stay.”

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is offering a two-day moving water beginning spin fishing clinic June 15 and 16.
The Friday evening session will take place at the Verdi Community Library and Wildlife Education Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This session will cover rod and reel selection, casting, line selection, basic knots and rigging for lure, bait and fly fishing with spinning gear.
The Saturday morning session will be on the water from 8 a.m. to noon.

A California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) warden cited a southern California man for an illegal take of giant (black) sea bass.
Scott Andrew Carlton, 30, of Corona Del Mar was spear fishing on Friday night at approximately 7:30 p.m. at Salt Creek Beach at Dana Point in Orange County when he harvested a state protected giant sea bass, commonly called a black sea bass.
A concerned citizen took a photo of the man and his catch, then notified a nearby CHP officer.

Carson City Sheriff's deputies have arrested the following people based on felony allegations:

• Georgann B. McPeters, 55, a Dayton woman, was transferred from Lyon County to the Carson City Detention Facility at 12:30 p.m. Monday. McPeters was transferred on a felony embezzlement warrant in her name. Bail has been set at $20,000.

Francis D. "Bill" Flamm, 88, passed away on June 3, 2012 from injuries sustained in a fall in the garden he so loved. Bill enlisted in the Navy at 17 and served aboard the USS Baltimore from th...

Thelma is survived by her sister, Dorothy; brothers, Kenneth (Corky) and Edsel of Minnesota and Ruth Stafford of CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lafayette & Regina U'Ren; sisters,...

Final results are in for Carson City races.

Brad Bonkowski and Dennis Johnson will face off in November for the Carson City Supervisor Ward 2 seat being vacated by Shelly Aldean. Bonkowski garnered one-third of the vote in the four-way race.

Current Ward 4 Supervisor Molly Walt pulled in 40 percent of the vote and will match up with challenger Jim Shirk in November.

Assemblyman Pete Livermore easily won the Republican primary to keep his seat, and will face off with Democrat Rich Dunn in the general election.

You can see the full results below:

Final results are in for two Carson City Supervisor election seats that will result in November runoffs.
In the Carson City Supervisor Ward 2 race Brad Bonkowski and Dennis Johnson will face off and in Ward 4, incumbent Molly Walt will take on Jim Shirk for the seat.

Developing ...

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Early voting and absentee votes for Carson City are in:
In the Supervisor Ward 2 Race, Brad Bonkowski is ahead 33.14 percent, followed by Dennis E. Johnson at 27.21 percent, followed by Stacie Wilkie McCullough, 23.41 percent, and Maurice White, 16.24 percent.

Carson City Supervisors Ward 4 Race has incumbent Molly Walt garnering 39.07 percent of the vote; Jim Shirk, 37.02; Amy Clemens, 23.91 percent.

The other races for Justice of the Peace (John Tatro); Mayor (Bob Crowell); School Trustee District 5 (Steven Reynolds) were uncontested.

We will have local election results posted as soon as they come in tonight. For those on mobile devices, we will also post results via Twitter. You can also check out the Carson City Clerk's elections page for results, or go here to see how many people voted early or by absentee ballot.

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s casinos returned to their winning ways in April, posting a statewide total win of $855.7 million for a 6.2 percent gain over April 2011, the Gaming Control Board reported today.

Clark County overall was up 8.9 percent in April to $743.7 million while the rest of the state did not fare as well. Washoe County was down 15.5 percent, South Lake Tahoe was down 4.4 percent and Elko County was down 2.3 percent.

History will come to life at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City during the five-day celebration of Independence Day. Visitors can ride a train pulled by steam locomotive No. 25 Saturday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 3, and photograph significant cars on special outdoor display including the fully restored McKeen motor car. On the Fourth of July, the rare McKeen motor car will operate on the rails offering passengers rides all day.

Today is primary election day, though with the advent of early voting, election day has been going on for two weeks. But today is your last chance the to cast your ballot and help determine who will face off in the general election. For Carson City residents, there are two polling locations, at the Community Center and Fuji Park. You can check out the city's Elections Department web page here for more details.