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UNR names Kerri Garcia Director of Communications at the University

Kerri Garcia, an award-winning public relations and communications professional, has been named Director of Communications at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Garcia will lead the University’s efforts in internal and external communications, media relations and will serve as the institution’s primary spokesperson.

Garcia, a 1992 graduate of the University who previously was Community Relations and Communications Manager with Microsoft in Reno, begins work on April 1.

“Kerri brings a strong combination of proven professional achievement, strategic sense and planning, and interpersonal skill to our communications efforts,” said Thomas White, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. “I’m confident she will be a crucial asset for us in capturing the University’s story and, just as importantly, in finding new and compelling ways to share our high-impact story with local, regional and international audiences. Throughout her more than two decades of experience in the northern Nevada market, Kerri has proven to be a deeply respected professional, as well as a person who has been actively involved in many of the important issues in our community.

“We are happy to welcome Kerri home to the University.”

Garcia said she was honored to be joining the University.

“It’s always a dream to work for one’s alma mater,” said Garcia, who grew up in Sparks and graduated from Bishop Manogue High School in Reno before coming to the University on a full-ride athletic scholarship in tennis. She received her degree from the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism. “Over the past several years, I’ve been very impressed with the trajectory of the University under the leadership of President Marc Johnson. It is a great honor for me to join the University and the Marketing and Communications team as we work together to ensure our city, our state and the nation understands how our University is the most important asset we have in establishing a modern, diversified, education-based economy and way of life.”

Garcia’s previous professional experience includes serving as Director of Public Relations for the Reno office of R&R Partners, Vice President/Director of Public Relations for the Rose/Glenn Group and Director of Entertainment and Public Relations for Harrah’s Northern Nevada. She also owned her own public relations and consulting business.

Garcia is active on several community boards and committees, including currently serving as president of the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, chair of the Renown Health Community Advisory Committee and as a board members for Western Industrial Nevada (WIN). She is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America Sierra Nevada Chapter, and is a recipient of the chapter’s prestigious Golden Spike Award for excellence in public relations and commitment to the community.

Garcia succeeds Jane Tors, who stepped down in December following more than a decade in the position.

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As part of Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday celebration, the Smokey Reading Challenge is underway. Launched this morning at the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records in Carson City, the program is designed to engage children across Nevada in an exciting reading journey to learn about wildfire prevention, forests, and careers in natural resources with Smokey Bear.

The Nevada Jeep Club held their first Washoe Valley Cleanup on Saturday, May 4 and collected more than 450 pounds of trash along Highway 395.

Partnership Carson City has launched “Rediscovering Your Mental Health Series,” a five-week program aimed at promoting mental wellness during Mental Health Awareness Month this May. Each week, participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques to enhance their mental well-being and foster a healthy community.

The Carson City Leisure Hour Club members continue celebrating the organization’s 127th year with a presentation on the upcoming Jazz and Beyond festival.

At the club’s dinner meeting on Thursday, May 16, Cherie Shipley, a member of the event planning committee, will talk about the annual Jazz and Beyond festival, how it formed, and the impact it has had on the community. Jazz and Beyond is scheduled for August 16 to August 25, 2024.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 6-12, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Organized by Carol Park, the Elks held an open to the public, two-day indoor garage sale at the lodge in March as a fundraiser for Holiday with a Hero. Lodge members donated all items sold and assisted at the event which received excellent support from the community.

An 18-year-old Carson City man was arrested at a local diner after allegedly stealing a car from a used car lot two days prior to test drive it.

Friday May 10 at 7:30PM, Valhalla Tahoe kicks off their season with a living history presentation, “The Reno Cure,” at the Boathouse Theater. Reno has long been known as “The Biggest Little City.”

The Carson City Symphony Association will present a concert, "Pleasures of Music," on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church, 3680 N. Hwy. 395, south of Best Buy, Carson City. The concert is a Mark Twain Days event. Admission is free, donations welcome,

Members of the Rotary Club of Carson City will learn how its annual Educational Grant has helped local students at the club’s next meeting. Carson School District K-12 Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator Brittany Witter received the club’s Carson City School District’s Professional Development Center Grant last year with the goal of funding the “Literacy and Love of Reading through Social Studies” project.

Western Nevada College hosted a ceremony to celebrate students succeeding in training to reestablish themselves in the workforce on Thursday.

Perfection in a fur coat is the best way to describe Cher, our cat of the week. Just 7 months old, she is a pretty little short-haired girl with a sweet and social personality.

Carson High School's Senior in the Spotlight this week is Parker Schmid, a remarkable young man whose sparkle radiates in every aspect of his life. From academics to extracurriculars, Parker's journey embodies excellence and compassion, traits that set him apart from his peers.

UPDATE 6 p.m.: Courtesy of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office: On May 3, 2024 at approximately 1430 hours, Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Central Lyon County, Carson City and Storey County Fire personnel to the area of 34 Newman Ln. for a report of motorhome on fire. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the fire had spread and multiple other abandoned vehicles caught fire as well. No one was hurt or injured during the incident. The incident is currently under investigation, which is being conducted by the Nevada State Fire Marshall’s Division.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Firefighters from Storey are also now responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Multiple vehicles on the property are engulfed in flame.

***

Around 2:15 p.m. a fire was reported at 34 Newman Lane in Mound House.

Firefighters from Carson City and Lyon County are enroute to the scene.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: According to Sheriff Ken Furlong, a student reported they saw a weapon. The incident was investigated and there was no weapon found. The lockdown has now been lifted and students are leaving the school.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Update 05-03-24 at 1:15 p.m.
One student has reported an alleged weapon sighting. It has not been corroborated, but school officials and the sheriff’s office are investigating out an abundance of caution.

***

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The following update was provided by the district:

Carson High School was put on lockdown this afternoon around 12:15 p.m. No person was injured. There is an active situation being investigated in cooperation with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. We will provide more information as it becomes known. The school is secure. Do not go to the school. No entrances will be permitted at time. The district will provide updates every 30 minutes. Expect the next update at 1:15 p.m.

***

Carson High School is currently on a lockdown as of 12:40 p.m. Friday, but there has been no incident reported according to Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Two School Resource Officers are on scene investigating why the alarm went off.

The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) on the current status of the Highway 50 Preservation Project in Dayton.

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