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Virginia City aims to rise again: Historic Comstock mining town eager to welcome visitors back

Virginia City, Nev., once a boomtown responsible for producing more than $700 million in mined gold and silver ore from the Comstock Lode, is today primarily driven by tourism. Its main street is lined with mom and pop shops, restaurants and businesses with owners who’ve called this small mountain mining town their home for years.

The town has seen its share of ups and downs — from its boom as one of the most important industrial cities between Denver and San Francisco, to the days of being a near-ghost town and from being a thriving and bustling tourist destination to the ghostlike effects of COVID-19 shutdown and subsequent halt of tourism. The community has been hit hard.

It takes a lot for a Comstocker to back down. The community will rise again and is taking steps to ensure a healthy and vibrant recovery. Watch Virginia City’s new video, “Rise,” showing the community as it is today – with hearts filled for future plans. Go here to see the video.

“There are no chain stores, franchises or corporations in Virginia City,” Deny Dotson, tourism director for Virginia City Tourism Commission, said. “Every one of our businesses is owned by people in our community. These businesses are their livelihoods and, in many cases, their homes.

The mandated shutdowns, while necessary, have had a serious impact on our local merchants and our town’s vibrant economy. As we begin these early phases to open businesses again, our hope is the visitors who love us and those who live in surrounding communities, will help by visiting, eating and drinking, shopping, staying the night and enjoying everything we have to offer.”

Virginia City is ranked among the nation’s top 12 most distinctive destinations and with that typically welcomes more than a million visitors a year. Virginia City makes a perfect day trip from Reno and Lake Tahoe, or an overnight stay for a more robust experience.

Virginia City is located a short 30-minute scenic drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and about an hour drive from Incline Village, Nevada, and just under an hour from South Lake Tahoe. For more information on getting to Virginia City, visit online here.

For more information on Virginia City, Nevada, visit visitvirginiacitynv.com or call Visit Virginia City at 775-847-7500.

A short 30-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport takes visitors to one of the largest historic districts in the Unites States - Virginia City, Nevada. Come experience this mining “boomtown” as it was in the 1800’s. Step back in time while visiting the numerous historic buildings, saloons, churches and museums or take a mine tour or even ride a real steam train.

The Comstock Adventure Passes offer the best value with discounted attraction packages. For lodging, event calendar or Comstock Adventure Passes, visit online or call 775-847-7500. The Visitor Information Center is located at 86 South C Street, Virginia City.

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Carson City area casino gaming revenue was up slightly in March, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Statewide, revenue was down 1.65 percent compared to March 2023.

The Carson City School District is pleased to announce Empire Elementary School’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Teacher Adrienne Wiggins has been selected as a Nevada finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest honors for teachers of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science.

Nevada's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March 2024, which decreased by 0.1 percent from February 2024, according to the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s March 2024 economic report.

Carson High Debate continues its groundbreaking season. Competing at state for the first time since Covid the team advanced to final events in 4 separate events.

Clear Creek Bowmen Cancer Shoot is this Sunday April 28 at the Carson City Archery Range.

Carson Medical Group broke ground on their new 31,000 square foot facility off old Hot Springs Road in October 2022 and this June it will officially open its doors to patients.

The facility, located at 1946 Old Hot Springs Road, will house the primary care physicians, their Ear/Nose/Throat practice, as well as the CMG+ walk-in clinic.

The Division of Child and Family Services, Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services, invites the community to participate in the 2nd annual “Walk Us Home” 5K for Foster Homes on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Carson City.

The Nevada Artists Association is excited to announce two Featured Artist Shows beginning Saturday, May 4 by Carson City artists, Cynthia Brenneman and Bruce Nelson.

Dive into an ocean of adventure with Wild Horse Children's Theater as we embark on a journey under the sea in the upcoming production of Disney's "Finding Nemo, Jr." at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall in Carson City. This spectacular musical adaptation of the beloved Pixar movie promises to be a wave of fun, friendships, and heartwarming moments that the entire family will enjoy!

UPDATE 12:42PM: Southbound I-580 in Carson City was opened as of around 11 a.m., said a Nevada State Police spokeswoman, who provided more details of the fatal crash that happened early Wednesday morning.

Both the driver of a car and a truck involved in the crash died. Their names have not been released pending notification of family members. The car, which was going the wrong way — northbound in the southbound lane — struck the truck and caught on fire, according to a NSP preliminary investigation thus far. The vehicle makes are unknown at this time.

Dayton Elementary School in Lyon County was honored Wednesday along 13 other schools including Carson High in Carson City as a Nevada Purple Star School.

Schools receiving the designation have committed to supporting the educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children and their families.

Junior Park Ranger Day is back this Saturday, April 27 at Riverview Park in Carson City.

Junior Park Ranger Day is an annual event dedicated to help kids complete their Junior Ranger Adventure Guides and be sworn in all in one day.

Carson City School District hosted a ceremony Wednesday morning with local dignitaries from the Nevada Department of Education and officers from local military bases. Carson High School was honored with a Nevada Purple Star School designation for supporting military-connected students and their families.

A 37-year-old man was arrested for suspicion of obstruction, trespassing and felony sex offender failing to register, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

Laura Ricks, TOSA/Instructional Coach at Empire Elementary School, was honored as the Carson City School District’s Educator of the Year, at the Tuesday, April 23, school board meeting and annual event.

Additionally, Sandra Guzzetta, special education paraprofessional at Bordewich Bray Elementary School, was recognized as the Education Support Professional Employee of the Year, and Chelise Crookshanks, principal at Mark Twain Elementary School, was recognized as the district’s Administrator of the Year.

5th St View

Photos capturing the beautiful views in Carson City on Tuesday afternoon at 5th and Roop Street.

Tickets are now available for this summer’s Capital City Brewfest. This year’s event takes place June 22 on Curry Street at McFadden Plaza in Carson City. More than two dozen brewers, as well as several food trucks, will line the street from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Plus there will be live music on the McFadden Plaza stage.

The Carson City Planning Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, April 24 in the Bob Crowell Board Room of the Carson City Community Center located at 851 E. William St. at 5 p.m.

The agenda includes trail improvements, a therapeutic horse riding academy, a care facility and more.

Western Nevada College’s Veterans Resource Center and Wildcat Veterans Club invite the community to participate in a Walk for Hope on Wednesday, May 1, at 9 a.m.

It's an opportunity to bring awareness to the national and local issue of suicide and identify local resources and learning opportunities for prevention. Veterans and military personnel experience death by suicide at a rate that is about 1.5 times higher than civilian populations.

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 the capital city.

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space is looking for volunteers to help us clean up trash and other debris at the Carson Ridge Disc Golf Course on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register today using the link here to spend a sunny day volunteering with your community.

Parent night series hosted by Carson City Juvenile Services will examine school absenteeism and attendance this Thursday, April 25. Parents, families and students are encouraged to attend.

At noon Friday April 26 on Paul Esswein’s radio program "A Masterclass for Master Plans" on KNVC 95.1 FM Carson City Community Radio, Carson High School AP students Bebe Keil and Tanner McCune will be his guests.

Prepare for a phenomenal adventure as the Twain Train VIP Excursion makes its triumphant return to the second annual Mark Twain Days Festival. Departing from the Eastgate Depot in Carson City on Friday, May 10 at 2:30 p.m., passengers will embark on a remarkable 24-mile round trip ride to Virginia City where they can experience various Mark Twain events.

Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team members, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service, may burn piles this week at Lake Tahoe if conditions and weather are favorable. Smoke will be present.

The Nevada Department of Transportation will host a virtual meeting and in-person public meetings to gather public feedback on proposed options for improving US-395 between southern Carson City and the Nevada-California border at Topaz Lake.

ALAMO, Nev. — The Nevada Department of Wildlife is seeking the public’s help in identifying two individuals responsible for illegally releasing approximately 25 turkeys onto the Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area on April 9, 2024.

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BAYA is taking over the MAC in Carson City for an all out volleyball battle royal. With 4 courts in action, all skill levels are welcome and matched with players at the same level.

A 43-year-old man was arrested Friday for suspicion indecent exposure, a gross misdemeanor offense, and felony Department of Alternative Sentencing violation, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

It’s spawning day at the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex, and volunteers clad in rubber boots and jackets move quickly around the south Gardnerville building, fishing nets in hand.