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Douglas County deputies arrest armed robbery suspect out of Los Angeles

On Friday, August 16, 2024, at approximately 12:36 a.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) was asked by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to be on the lookout for a black Mercedes GLC SUV believed to be travelling north on U.S. 395.

CHP advised the vehicle and its occupant(s) were suspect(s) in an armed robbery in Lancaster, CA on August 15, 2024 and considered armed and dangerous.

The vehicle was located by CHP in Walker Canyon, CA. CHP and Mono County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the vehicle, which refused to stop and a pursuit of the vehicle began reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, which continued into Douglas County crossing the Nevada state line at Topaz Lake.

DCSO deputies deployed spike strips on U.S. 395 near Pine Valley Road and successfully spiked all four tires. The vehicle continued south on Hwy 395, failing to yield. DCSO deputies then deployed the Grappler Police Bumper System and stopped the vehicle on U.S. 395 near the entrance to the fish hatchery.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as 27 year old Joseph Baird from Fresno, CA, refused to exit the vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes of negotiation, he agreed to exit the vehicle. Baird was arrested and booked in to the Douglas County Jail.

His charges include, eluding, reckless driving, resisting/obstructing a police officer, speeding, passing on a double yellow, driving left of center, driving with a revoked driver’s license, littering, and habitual criminal. His bail is set at $105,770.00. DCSO Investigators are working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office to assist in their investigation regarding the armed robbery.

“I am very proud of my deputies for stopping Baird before he got into town,” said Sheriff Dan Coverley. “The use of the Grappler is a game changer for us to keep the community safe. This tool gives us the ability to stop a vehicle safely when they try to run from us.”

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office serves as the County’s only local law enforcement agency. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, incorporated in 1861, has a long-standing motto of “A Tradition of Service,” which speaks to its commitment to protect and serve the citizens and visitors of Douglas County. The agency remains dedicated to maintaining the quality of life enjoyed throughout our community, and ensuring the county is a safe place to live, work and visit.

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Carson City Fire Department, sheriff's deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol responded Wednesday morning to a vehicle crash on Highway 50 East and Flint Drive.

While containment grew to 31 percent on the Davis Fire, gusty winds will be a factor, prompting the National Weather Service in Reno to issue a rare PDS Red Flag Warning, also known as "Potentially Dangerous Situation" Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the Sierra Front.

Based on extensive discussions with public safety officials and considering the erratic behavior seen from the Davis Fire and deteriorating conditions, all schools in the Washoe County School District will be canceled Wednesday, Sept. 11.

There will be a community meeting at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, that will provide Davis Fire updates. It will feature the Complex Incident Command team, including a meteorologist and fire behavior team. It will be at 7 p.m.

The allied command agencies working on the Davis Fire have ordered a Complex Incident Management Team for the fire that has been burning in the Washoe Valley since Sept. 7, 2024. The fire has burned 5,596 acres and is zero percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon. The command team was authorized by the National Interagency Coordination Center and National Incident Management System.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in Virginia City and Nevadaland Productions invite you to immerse yourself in the world of cinema and celebrate the art of filmmaking at the Comstock Film Festival.

More than 2,200 votes have been counted for the People's Choice winner of the Nevada Artists Association's judged "Summer Show," which ran from July 27 to Sept. 6.

A man was arrested for suspicion of conspiracy, extortion and exploitation of an elderly person following an elder scam investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Although the Davis Fire is still listed as 0 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, the wind switched to give a fairly clear view of some of the firefighting activities.

As the autumn leaves turn and the chill of October sets in, a different kind of chill is ready to sweep through Carson City. Prepare yourself for an evening where nightmares creep off the screen and into reality, with Silver State Storytellers' annual Carson Creepy Short Horror Film Competition. It’s time to mark your calendars — if you dare —for a ghoulish gathering that promises screams, scares, and cinematic surprises.

There will be a September 11 memorial observance at Mills Park on Wednesday. Public fellowship begins at 5 p.m. with refreshments. The program begins at 6 p.m.

Here's a video briefing Tuesday morning that further offers an update on the Davis Fire.

UPDATE 11:06 AM: The National Weather Service has not only issued a Red Flag Warning but has also issued at "Red Flag Warning, Particularly Dangerous Situation," for Wednesday. As NWS forecaster Edan Lindaman explained, the PDS is outside of the normal or typical Red Flag Warning. Due to the cold front moving in overnight into Wednesday, bringing 40 mph-plus winds, the level of measure is of critical concern elevated. Therefore, the Red Flag Warning PDS on Wednesday is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The standard Red Flag Warning is underway today.
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UPDATE 10:33AM: The Davis Fire was mapped at 5,596 acres with no containment as of Tuesday morning, according to a briefing from U.S. Forest Service-Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Fire crews continue to work on perimeter control today, especially in areas of high fire activity. All evacuations remain in place and areas under evacuation orders are closed to the public. There are no public escorts into the evacuated areas at this time due to fire activity.

Meet others from the community for conversation and real connection.

CONNECTIONS gatherings are starting Monday, Sept. 16 at the Douglas County Senior Center. CONNECTIONS brings people together from all walks of life and all ages to hear and share stories, engage in conversation, and learn from the experiences of one another.

Meet up with others from the community to hear and share stories and experiences

The September Carson City Connections story theme is "Aha! Moments that Change the Course of Life" Have you ever had an AHA! moment — an epiphany? Come hear Suzette’s story of how a single inspiration played into a life-changing decision. And, share your own.

The Carson City VFW (Kit Carson Post 3762) would like to invite local public, charter, private, or home-school students in high school and middle school to compete in the following essay contests for scholarship awards. The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation.

Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team forest thinning projects are underway and scheduled to continue for the next several weeks, conditions and weather permitting.

The 6th Annual Friends of Coach Blaver Alzheimer’s Fundraiser will take place Sunday, Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Home Grown Bowl, Bar, Grill and Billiards, a fundraiser to benefit Walk to End Alzheimers.

UPDATE 7PM: The Davis Fire is estimated at 5,000 acres, with no containment. Fourteen structures are currently known to be impacted, and damage assessments will continue in the impacted area of the Davis fire when it is safe to do so, according to a Monday evening briefing. Fire crews continue full suppression efforts, prioritizing the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructure.

Due to elevated fire weather conditions forecast for Northern Nevada, NV Energy is issuing a Public Safety Outage Management Watch, for approximately 322 NV Energy customers beginning at approximately noon on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and lasting through Thursday, Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. in areas of Genoa, South Carson City and Glenbrook.

For the 14,000 residents affected by the evacuations and as the situation related to the Davis Fire develops, the Nevada Division of Insurance recommends the following actions for those affected and potentially affected by this growing wildfire emergency.

Nevada Artists Association is pleased to announce the "Autumn Show" on exhibit through Oct. 18. This is a member show with entries by 24 local artists with work in all mediums.

GARDNERVILLE — Between Horses and Humans, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering children through the healing power of horses, invites the public to join forces in a unique, animated virtual fundraiser, the Horsing Around Fun-Raiser, designed to support the organization’s horses that make a difference in the lives of children in our community.

UPDATE: A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, advising of gusty winds and low humidity, which does not bode well for firefighting efforts on the Davis Fire, which has already scorched 4,703 acres as of Monday morning. The warning is from Tuesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday.

A new Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System station in Carson City gives uniformed service members in the Capital City region improved access to the Department of Defense’s database that includes information for each uniformed service member (including active duty, retired, and reserve component individuals), DOD civilians and other personnel as directed by the DOD.

National Alliance on Mental Illness – Nevada Executive Director Robin V Reedy will be the guest speaker at the next Rotary Club of Carson City meeting.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called early Monday afternoon to a crash involving three vehicles in the area of South Carson and Rhodes Street.

A man who was arrested in January 2023 at the Topsy Lane Walmart in north Douglas County had all charges dropped against him in an alleged armed robbery case.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Nevada is holding NAMIWalks 2024 on Oct. 19, 2024, on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, with walks also being held in Reno, Fernley, Elko and Las Vegas. It promises to be an event to remember, filled with meaningful moments as people come together to take a stand on the road to make community matter and see their commitment to “Mental Health for All.”

The next Carson City School Board meeting will take place Tuesday, Sept. 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Bob Crowell Board Room of the Community Center at 851 E. William St.