CARSON CITY – Republican candidates have big leads in fundraising in four of five seats considered critical to control of the state Senate in the 2013 legislative session, with a slight monetary advantage in the fifth, according to campaign contribution reports filed this week.

Both Democrat and Republican caucus leaders are fighting hard to win the seats to control the 21-member house where Democrats now lead 11-10.

Douglas County sent out an update this morning on the TRE Fire, which they say is now 6,600 acres. They also believe the fire was caused by a private residential open burn.

Press release:

The fire has grown to 6,600 acres burned. 2 homes and 17 outbuildings have been reported damaged or burned from the fire. No personnel injuries have been reported or discovered.

According to the morning update from Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center, the TRE Fire burning south of Gardnerville has consumed 4,500 acres, including two homes and 17 outbuildings.

The fire is 10 percent contained, and continues to burn to the northeast. Approximately 120 residences and 300 outbuildings are threatened.

Go here for more info.

Below is video of one of the homes destroyed in the blaze:

Summer officially kicks off in North Lake Tahoe Memorial Day Weekend with the 6th Annual Opening Day at the Lake.
This four-day special event is Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28, and is comprised of celebrations and festivities along the West Shore and the North Tahoe region. This event is produced by Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Association.

Memorial Day weekend will make for near-perfect conditions for fishing in Nevada, Northern California, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams now through the holiday weekend.

Here are the most recent fish plants in Western Nevada by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. For information, call NDOW headquarters in Reno at (775) 688-1500 during regular business hours.

Apr. 09: Wall Canyon in Northern Washoe County: 2,000 rainbow trout: 9.2 inches in length.
Apr. 10: Squaw Creek Reservoir in Northern Washoe County: 4,001 brown trout: 10.2 inches.
Apr. 10: Squaw Creek Reservoir: 1,500 rainbows: 10.3 inches.
Apr. 11: Topaz Lake in Douglas County: 4,010 tiger trout: 10.1 inches.

Memorial Day At Evergreen Gene's Inc.
Monday May 28, 2012
11:00 to 3:00
Complimentary Hot Dogs & Hamburgers
25% off store items for Veterans
!! Psychics Available !!
Sandie's Psychic Stones - Stone Reading by Sandie
Angel Answers - Angel Card Readings by Loretta

In The Parking Lot At 1811 N. Carson Street Carson City, NV
For More Information Contact Gene or Rowena at: 882 - 1807

The students of Grace Christian Academy (GCA) in Minden recently visited various local community service agencies and organizations to volunteer their time as part of the school’s Second Annual Serve-a-thon. GCA dedicates a week each school year to serve agencies and organizations within the area. Local businesses, corporations as well as private donors pledge money donations to the school in the fundraising effort that has the added benefit of developing character within the students.

Wine, Art & Music: Summer "Kick Off" Art Sale & Open House
Date Saturday, June 02, 2012
Time 10:00 am – 5:00 pm PDT
Where Brewery Arts Center
449 W. King St.
Carson City, NV 89703
Event description Put it on your calendars!
Join us for a fun and entertaining day of great art, gift ideas, music, song and food at the Brewery Arts Center Summer “Kick Off” Art Sale and Open House. Held in conjunction with the Carson City Wine Walk.

CARSON CITY – A proposal by Assemblyman Pat Hickey, R-Reno, to move Nevada’s primary election back to September to shorten the campaign season didn’t get out of the starting gate in 2011.

The Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee held one hearing on Assembly Bill 157, which had cosponsors from both major political parties. But it also saw serious opposition from state election officials and never came up for a vote.

The Carson City Chamber of Commerce has two events going today. First, you can hear from the publisher and editor of the Nevada Appeal at the Gold Dust West at 11:30 a.m., part of the Chamber's Soup's On luncheon series.

CARSON CITY – Three of the Republicans seeking the right to challenge state Democratic Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford for Nevada’s new 4^th Congressional District seat sought to establish their conservative credentials in a televised debate today.

CARSON CITY – The leader of the Assembly Republican Caucus today used a Tuesday reporting deadline for candidates running for election this year to announce several proposals to require more accountability and transparency in the financing of campaigns in Nevada.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting today to consider the budget for the coming year, and also to consider raising the city's property tax rate. You can see the full agenda here. The live video is here.

The Carson Valley Trails Association (CVTA) is making plans for the Fundraiser for the Carson Valley Discovery Trail on Tuesday, June 19, 5 to 8 p.m., at the C.V.I.C. Hall in Minden. The event will feature live and silent auctions, games, live music performed by Foothill Road, complimentary refreshments and no-host bar. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 775-265-3736 or online at www.carsonvalleytrails.org.

In a classic see-saw battle, the CarsonNow.org Pink Diamonds edged the Affordable Paralegal Services Dayton Little Devils 7-6 in softball action on Thursday night.

The pitchers for the Little Devils were: Amanda Woitas - 6 runs, 7 hits, 7 walks, 4 strike outs; and, Marissa Hein – 1 run, 2 hits, 5 walks, 2 strike outs. Pitching for the Pink Diamonds: Kelley Barr – 4 runs, 4 hits, 3 walks, 9 strike outs; and, Tezia Boice – 2 runs, 4 hits, 1 walks, 5 strike outs.

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad launches its 2012 summer season with round trip trains between Carson City and Virginia City this Memorial Day Weekend. The real deal and real feel of a clickety-clack, gentle-gallop departs from today and goes back in time to robber barons, miners, dance halls and saloon girls.

There are a couple cruiser events happening in Reno this weekend that you may be interested in.
On Saturday, May 19th, the Fat Boy Biking club is doing a poker run with lots of raffle prizes. Details here: http://www.fatboybiking.com/

Donna Jean Sunderland, 75, passed away at her home in Dayton, NV, on May 7, 2012 with her family at her side. Donna's greatest passion was helping her family. Donna will be interred at Monument Hil...

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s jobless rate dropped below 12 percent for the first time in nearly three years in April, a state agency reported today. The statewide seasonally adjusted rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 11.7 percent.

The unemployment rate in Carson City dropped to 11.8 percent in April, one point above the statewide rate of 11.7 percent, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

March unemployment in Carson City was 12.4 percent.

It is the first time in three years unemployment statewide has been less than 12 percent.

Gov. Brian Sandoval will speak at a decommissioning ceremony at Nevada State Prison at 11 a.m. today.

The Nevada State Prison operated for 150 years until the last inmates were moved out in January due to the state's budget constraints.

The public is invited to the event, and urged to bring cameras.

CARSON CITY – Two Republican members of the Assembly who both want to move into the Senate in District 18 faced off today in a televised debate that focused primarily on a controversial 2011 tax vote.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is encouraging local residents and part-time homeowners to become “wildfire aware” by taking advantage of public education activities during Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Week happening May 26 to June 3.

“With the fifth anniversary of the Angora fire coming up, this is a good opportunity for our community to discuss the importance of wildfire awareness,” said Joanne Marchetta, Executive Director of TRPA.