By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval will propose a change to the retirement system for new state employees that would reduce their current pension benefits by one half and cut the long-term liability for taxpayers by the same amount, his chief of staff said today.

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval today elaborated on the details of a bill he is proposing to establish a school voucher system in Nevada.
The proposal would allow parents to receive a state-funded, per pupil subsidy to opt out of public schools in favor of private schools, including religious schools.
The stipend, or voucher, would help families pay expenses at the private schools.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Based on the latest taxable sales results, Nevada will likely match national forecasts calling for 4 percent growth in retail sales for 2011, the Retail Association of Nevada said today.
Much of the growth will likely be in areas other than discretionary spending, however, the group noted in its release.

Never turn your back on a snowplow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTDj3TAIa7w

The U.S. Forest Service Region 5 has named Nancy Gibson as the new Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Gibson has been the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Six Rivers National Forest for nearly three years. Previously, she served as the Administrative Officer on the Klamath National Forest. She also served as Acting Forest Supervisor on the Mendocino National Forest in 2009. Gibson holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University.

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A new study shows support for Gov. Brian Sandoval’s plan to implement President Barack Obama’s national health care reform law.

A Carson City man, who was being booked into jail on a violation of his probation, faces felony drug charges after allegedly having a controlled substance taped to his penis.

Create a team for the American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life". Teams compete raising funds for research:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRW1a_QHG5U

Greater Nevada Credit Union employees recently had a pancake eating contest as part of their fundraising efforts for the 2011 Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Lake Tahoe. Watch the contest video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwYn3PVd3kI

To get your company or organization involved in the Polar Plunge on March 19, visit www.sonc.org/getinfo/info_newspolarplung­e.html

Space Shuttle Discovery's last launch, as seen from the air:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_USPTmYXM

Cold temps are keeping our area frozen for the time being. While most roads are clear, we have a report of an overturned car on State Route 28 between Spooner Junction and Sand Harbor. The car appeared to hit a frozen section of roadway and lost control. The road is open, but traffic may be blocked to remove the vehicle.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors this week will consider whether to hire a special deputy district attorney to represent the public works department after a construction firm contracted to do $1.9 million in work has claimed overriding costs of $1.7 million.

Here is the Carson City area road construction report for the week of Feb. 28 through March 6.

Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey counties will join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health, in taking action against HIV/AIDS.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A stunt pilot, Frank Hawks, unknowingly changed the direction of history for half the world’s population on Tuesday, December 28, 1920.

All he did was take a 23-year-old former tomboy who defied normal female behavior for a 10 minute ride in his plane. “By the time I had got two or three hundred feet off the ground, I knew I had to fly,” exclaimed Amelia Mary Earhart.

About 300 people came together today in front of the Nevada Legislature to rally in support of labor unions and in solidarity with protesters in Wisconsin.

The rally was a coordinated event that spawned protests in state capitals across the country.

Protesters braved the cold, chanting and waving signs as motorists driving by on Carson Street honked their horns.

More icy road mania:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM2gLjfE_3Y

Leslie Medieros and Bob Hansen discuss sustainable energy in Nevada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR24_2kyQ98

Highway 395 at Muller Lane in Minden has been reopened, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Muller Lane, however, is still closed as NV Energy crews continue their work. There is currently no estimated time of reopening Muller Lane.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevada residents bear the second lowest state and local tax burden of any state at 7.5 percent, behind only Alaska at 6.3 percent, according to a new report from the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation.

From the Douglas County Sheriff's Office: The closure of Highway 395 near Muller Lane in Minden will continue until approximately 6 p.m. It had originally been thought to be opened by 4 p.m. The repair is taking longer than initially expected.

Western Nevada College's campuses in Carson City, Douglas and Fallon will be close today at 2 p.m. due to weather.

The Carson City and Douglas campuses will remain closed through the weekend, but the Fallon campus will be open Saturday, weather permitting.

For more information, go to: http:/wnc.edu

This is from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office: It is advising that because of several downed power lines, it has closed off a portion of Highway 395 and Muller Lane in Minden.

For those who are sitting a a warm place, instead of driving in the snow today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dooKpdIwwR4

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Students who smoke may soon find it more difficult to do so. A proposal heard today would ban smoking on all Nevada’s university and college campuses.

The Carson City School District reports that its schools are open today, Friday, and will operate on a normal schedule.