Local robotics team wins state, advances to regional championships

A first-year robotics team made up of youth from Carson City and Reno has been crowned state champions following its victory at FIRST Robotics Tech Challenge Nevada State Championships held in Reno.

The rookie tech team, which goes by the name Fantom 234 as a nod to the Phantom supersonic jet aircraft and core values of the competitive organization, is comprised of three seventh-graders and a ninth grader.

"Like a ghost in the background, Fantom 234 was nearly undetected during the FIRST Tech Challenge season," team spokesperson Dee Frewert, Ed.D. said, "but when it came to the state championships, they made the right moves, prayed for miracles, and tapped into a lucky selection of their alliance partners, the Sonic Screwdrivers and the Sage Ridge Scorpions."

Fantom 234 was victorious as the Winning Alliance Captains for the Relic Recovery Game crowned at the state championship competition in Reno.

And, in just three weeks, the local team will represent Nevada at the FIRST Western Super Regional Championships, held March 9-11 in Spokane, WA.

​Fantom 234 is also a Junior Optimist Club, as enthusiastic as it is optimistic about representing Nevada at regionals. Its members include Miles Frewert, Christopher Hall, Dravid Chitturi and Niko Chitturi.

The greatest challenge facing the team now is affording the trip to regional competition.

"Please consider donating to Fantom 234 GoFundMe campaign for their registration and travel to Spokane," Dr. Frewert said. "Please spread the word of their need, like their [Facebook] page Fb.me/Fantom234 and share their FB post."

With skills, luck, and their phantom secret team building recipe, Fantom 234 could advance further to the World Championships in Houston, Texas.

"Their goal is $6,000 and if they advance to the World Championships, [they] will need an additional $10,000," Dr. Frewert said.

To help the team get there visit Gofundme.com/Fantom-234.

For questions, in-kind donations of any materials, service or provisions, contact the team via email at Fantom234@gmail.com.

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On Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, the Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City will host its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot on the Trap fields beginning at 9 a.m.

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Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies responded Tuesday morning to a gas leak in the area of North Carson Street and William Street.

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Only three days remaining to fill all volunteer shifts needed for the Carson High Holiday Craft Fair this weekend. Please click the link below to sign up.

Carson City Aglow meeting Friday, Nov. 22 at 3pm. The House of Prayer, 112 Telegraph St. Carson City.

Carson Fly Fishing Club's Monthly Meeting is Tuesday, November 19, 7 p.m. in the Ormsby Room of the Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 East Musser Street.

This month speaker is James Mortimer, Game Warden for Nevada Department of Wildlife.  His presentation will be on Operation Game Thief program and local issues our area. The public is welcome to attend.

The next Carson City School Board meeting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Bob Crowell Board Room of the Community Center locate at 851 E. William St.

Saltwater Tavern, the city’s newest pirate and mermaid themed bar, is thrilled to announce its ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, Nov. 14. Join us at 5:30 p.m. for the official ceremony led by Carson City’s very own Mayor Lori Bagwell. This exciting new venue promises a unique experience with its lively atmosphere, creative cocktails, and a dedication to community gatherings.

Eden Health of Northern Nevada dba Eden Hospice has acquired A Plus Hospice Care effective Nov. 1, 2024. Eden Health is committed to providing the same great quality of hospice care to A Plus Hospice Care’s current patients as well as continuing employment for their employees to ensure continuity of care.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City.

Sierra Nevada Realtors released its October 2024 report Monday on existing home sales in Carson City along with Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe, excluding Incline Village, counties. The report includes the median sales price and number of home sales in the region. SNR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service.

UPDATE: Power has been restored in Carson City and in the area of the Callahan Fire.
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UPDATE: NV Energy has de-activated approximately 5,500 electricity customers in Washoe County in the area of the fire at Callahan Ranch.
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NV Energy reports 2,636 customers without power Monday morning in Carson City. The outage was reported at 9:46 a.m. At this time there is not an estimated time of restoration. The cause is under investigation.

UPDATE 5PM: Fire crews will be mopping up the Callahan Fire overnight and into tomorrow. One primary residential structure was lost along with multiple outbuildings. The cause is under investigation at this time. Some fire evacuations remain in place at Callahan Rd and Fawn Lane as crews mop up hot spots. See Perimetermap.com here for evacuation updates.
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UPDATE 2:20PM: Rain supporting firefighting efforts on the Callahan Fire, according to Truckee Meadows Fire in a social media post.
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UPDATE 12:55PM: The fire is estimated at approximately 100 acres; approximately 3,000 people have been impacted by evacuations. Rain is falling on the fire scene. Additional Strike Teams totaling 10-15 engines have begun arriving to assist on the fire, according to Eastern Sierra Fire and Ice, which tracks fires in the region.
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Just before 11 a.m. on Monday, the Washoe County Alert system sent out an evacuation notice to residents in the Callahan Ranch area stating they should evacuate immediately.

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