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.

DUANE EARL SKIDMORE passed away peacefully in his sleep January 13, 2012. He was born April 13, 1924 in Montrose, Colorado to Rowena Mae and William F. Skidmore. He was preceded in death by his ...

Charles E. Smith, 57, of Carson City passed away January 14, 2012. Funeral services will be at 12pm, Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Calvary Chapel in Carson City. Visitation will be from 10am-12pm ...

Ducks down at the Carson River enjoying the water and apparently practicing their synchronized swimming routine...One of 'em is off his mark a bit though.

CARSON CITY – A conservative Nevada think tank today announced the second case taken on by its Center for Justice and Constitutional Litigation (CJCL), this one aimed at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for allegedly flooding a Pahrump church camp through negligent and illegal work on two streams.

Freshly fallen snow and cold temperatures made for challenging driving conditions this morning and caused several fender benders on Interstate 80 between the E. McCarran Blvd and Waltham Way interchanges, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.