Tahoe Arts Project continues its 25th season with the comedy/juggler duo The Gizmo Guys on Friday, January 27th at the MontBleu Theater. The Gizmo Guys' rapid-fire act exhilarates and inspires sidesplitting laughter in audience members of all ages. The Gizmo Guys will bring their “Objects in Motion” show into the South Shore schools January 23-27 teaching children how juggling relates to science and math.

Rain is falling in the valley areas this morning, including the area burned by the Washoe Drive Fire. There is no official word yet on if the fire has been contained or extinguished, which should come later today.

Both lanes of Highway 395 reopened last night after 11 p.m., with National Guard troops standing guard at the entrances of neighborhoods where homes were damaged or destroyed.

More:

Photos showing the aftermath of the Washoe Drive Fire

Updated map of Washoe Drive Fire area

Video: Rainbow over fire area:

Would You Like to Give a Hand Up...Not a Handout?

Circles needs volunteers...there are various ways you can help!

Change the way that families and individuals in poverty in our community experience life. Join us to learn how you can make a positive change by simply volunteering a few hours a week.

For more information or to attend this event please call the Circles Coordinator, Brenda Silis at (775) 315-9469 or at (775) 883-6506.

Have you given any thought to building your body up and increasing your overall health? Would you like a few reasons why you should?

Let's start with a tremendous gain in cardiovascular endurance. When you chase your kids you’ll be able to catch them. Endurance means your heart rate will drop and your heart will beat less to supply your body with the needed oxygen. The proper terminology is "greater stroke volume". You will achieve better circulation, and during cold winter months your body will benefit greatly from that increase.

After all the stress of the last couple of days, maybe we need a little Diana Krall to help us relax:

Officials reported this morning that the Washoe Drive Fire destroyed 26 homes, and has currently consumed 3,900 acres.

At a 9 a.m. press conference, officials reported the blaze is 50 percent contained, and that 700 firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots in advance of the high wind that are forecast for this afternoon.

There were 20 homes reported lost last night, but in the light of day, personnel working the fire were able to get a better count of the structures that burned.

Regina M. Dickinson, 47, passed away January 16, 2012 in Carson City, Nevada. Capitol City Cremation & Burial. 775-882-1766John R. Olsen, 95, of Carson City, passed away January 17, 2012. Arrangeme...

10:00 p.m. update: Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said tonight the Washoe Drive Fire has consumed and estimated 3,700 acres, burned at least 20 structures and has resulted in one fatality.

Hernandez would not go into details of how the person died. He said the 250+ firefighters on the scene have stopped the forward progress of the fire. He said the fire started in the East Lake area, and then followed the Highway 395 corridor north, where it was stopped just south of Galena High School.

At a 9 a.m. press conference, officials reported the blaze is 50 percent contained, and that 700 firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots in advance of the high winds that are forecast for this afternoon.

See map of fire area

Here is the latest from Washoe County on evacuations. Go here as this list is being updated.

Warning: Strong language:

UPDATE 510PM: Fire burns more than 3,000 acres with zero containment; 4,000 evacuated; no count on home and structure losses.

At 4:40 pm this afternoon, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, under his constitutional and statutory authority, made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with this event. The National Guard is on standby at the request of Sandoval and Washoe County. California has also provided fire assistance as part of a Governor to Governor agreement with Jerry Brown. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been and are being affected by this fire,” Sandoval said. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist. The Nevada Division of Forestry and the Department of Public Safety have also engaged with local responders.” Additionally, Nevada has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). As a result, Nevada is eligible for up to 75 percent funding assistance for eligible costs. The request was made by the Nevada Division of Forestry on behalf of Washoe County at the onset of the fire.

More below the fold.

Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) recently named Linda Barker as Vice President of Information Technology. Barker is responsible for leading the credit union’s technology initiatives and supporting its internal team, business partners, and members.

Charles (Chuck) R. Wayne went home to be with his Lord Friday, January 13, 2012, at the age of 56. Chuck was born in Fort Bragg, N. Carolina, on May 28 1955, the eldest son of Charles R. Wayne Sr....

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s charter school law was strengthened in 2011, seeing its ranking among the states moving to 20th from 23rd as a result, a national group reported this week.

Nevada’s overall score improved from 97 points to 111 out of a potential of 208 points in the report issued Tuesday by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

The Carson City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Beauty, Health and Wellness fair at the Carson Mall, Jan. 18 from 1-5 p.m. The Chamber's monthly mixer will follow at 5 p.m.

Ann Louise Mertz, 84, of Dayton, passed away January 11, 2012. Autumn Funerals & Cremations. 775-888-6800James Dean Dutcher, 75, of Carson City, passed away January 12, 2012. Autumn Funerals & Crem...

This is almost a repeat of a story written back in November but with a different twist and some additional details.
Enjoy: Late January is a very special time of the year in the lives of about four thousand, hardy Alaskans.
They live in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost community in the U.S.
It is located in the Far North, on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, 725 airline miles north of Anchorage and 1,122 miles from the North Pole.

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds anglers they are required to return their 2011 Fishing Report and Restoration Cards by Jan. 31. Information collected from report cards provides DFG with data to monitor and manage California’s diverse recreational fisheries.
Report cards are due for sturgeon, abalone, spiny lobster and north coast salmon fisheries, as well as the steelhead fishery.
Information specific to the steelhead report cards can be found at http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/steelhead-report-cards-due-by-j....

The New Year has always been the perfect time to reflect and look ahead with a fresh perspective. As the primary wellness provider for the South Lake Tahoe area, I would like to address questions you may have about the future of healthcare and what Barton Health has planned for 2012 and beyond.

CARSON CITY – Nevada voters can now be better informed than ever before with the Wednesday launch of Aurora, a user-friendly, searchable database for all campaign and public officer finance disclosures, Secretary of State Ross Miller said today.

Aurora, which can be accessed directly through the Secretary of State’s homepage, will provide a new level of insight into who is funding campaigns, and how those funds are being spent, he said.

I spotted this eagle high up in a tree watching me during my walk...You'll be surprised what you see if you take the time to look.