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New Lake Tahoe professional hockey team chooses name - and local monster as mascot

The much-anticipated name for the new ECHL hockey team making its home at the Tahoe Blue Event Center was announced Thursday night in front of over 1,000 enthusiastic local fans. The Tahoe Knight Monsters will start playing at the new center in October 2024.

The team's colors are teal, gold, and black, and the event center was decorated in those colors and the Knight Monsters team name and logo are portrayed by a dragon-like creature that resides and rules Lake Tahoe.

"This is a big day," the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) President/CEO Carol Chaplin told the crowd.

The team is already becoming part of the community, finding homes, and being a connected partner. Chaplin said the team will be taking the "Awe and then Some" of Lake Tahoe around the league as they play, referring to the LTVA motto.

As the excitement was building, this film was displayed:

The inspiration for the name and logo originated from local input and nominations from over 1000 fans. The area has a long-standing folklore of a creature called “Tahoe Tessie,” a fictional creature that resides in Lake Tahoe. These logos also incorporate the amazing Lake Tahoe and the mountains that border it to pay homage to the area and its world-renowned natural beauty.

The Knight Monster is unique and iconic, blending the mystique and honor of a Knight with the ferocity of a lake monster creating a distinct visual identity for the team. This Knight Monster is majestic and fierce with a towering presence. The Knight Monster is a protector and fights for those who can’t fight for themselves.

The logos were designed by Nick Matarese, president and creative director for The Barn Creative, and his team. The Barn Creative is a marketing and design company that takes branding to the next level.

The Knight Monsters are owned by 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, and former National Football League quarterback, Tim Tebow, along with David Hodges, CEO of Hodges Management Group, LLC and 925 Partners LLC. The team will be managed and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment.

“We are so incredibly excited to introduce our team’s name for our fans and for the region,” said Knight Monsters co-owner Tim Tebow, “We look forward to bringing people together for fun family entertainment, as well as making a positive impact in this community.”

“It is an honor and privilege to steward the Tahoe Knight Monsters for this community,” said co-owner David Hodges, “Tim and I have an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in this community.”

Hodges was impressed with the gathered fans.

"I can tell this is going to be a passionate fan base," he said.

The team will begin play for the ECHL’s 2024-2025 season. A 36-home game schedule will take place at the new Tahoe Blue Event Center, a 4,200-seat arena. The multi-purpose arena is located in Stateline, Nevada, and is managed by OVG360, a division of Oak View Group which owns and operates two National Hockey League properties (Seattle, WA, and Belmont Park, NY), and manages two additional NHL arenas (Pittsburgh, PA, and Phoenix, AZ), as well as multiple AHL, ECHL and college hockey Arenas across North America. The excitement is just beginning for the Tahoe Knight Monsters.

In the coming months, the team will introduce the mascot, the team jerseys, and introduce an NHL/AHL affiliate which is expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2024. In the late spring and summer, the team will announce a head coach and the first player signings.

The team is currently accepting season ticket deposits to be placed on a priority list. Seating priority is based on when a deposit is placed. Visit the team’s website at KnightMonstersHockey.com for more information.

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On the morning of Saturday, May 11, volunteers will fan out across the Truckee River watershed to collect and test water samples from creeks, streams, smaller lakes, and Lake Tahoe itself to take a “snapshot” of water quality at a single moment in time for this important source of drinking water and outdoor recreation.

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting May 20 that will include the final adoption of the County Budget Fiscal Year 2024-25.

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The Nevada Artists Association Art Gallery in Carson City presents the "Just the Right Size" show with 130 entries by 31 local Nevada artists.

UPDATE 3:11 PM: The fire in the 1400 block of Monte Rosa Drive was contained to the garage and was knocked down quickly, according to CCFD Battalion Chief Jon Pedrini. The fire did not extend to the main structure. No one was home and there were no injuries. The cause is under investigation.
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UPDATE 12:37PM: Carson City firefighters knocked down the fire and are beginning to clear the scene.
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Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called late Monday morning to a structure fire in the 1400 block of Monte Rosa Drive.

For years, advocates have called upon presidential administrations to reclassify marijuana or deschedule it entirely from the DEA’s list of controlled substances.

UPDATE: The roadways have reopened.
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Firefighters in Yerington and the Lyon County Sheriff's Office are on scene Monday morning of a semi truck rollover on Aiazzi Lane and Miller Road in Yerington. The entire area is closed to all traffic.

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You will find something of interest or my name’s not Mark Twain, or used to be anyways. And this year Virginia City is joining in on the fun along with Carson City. Wow!

Nevada Division of Forestry state nursery is open for business beginning Thursday, May 9. When we first bought our home in 1988 with its 2.5 acres, there were some poplars, pines, blue spruce, willows, and grass, but little else. I soon discovered the state nursery and filled the yard with flowering shrubs and other plants. I added lilacs, sand cherries, golden and Nevada currants, sumacs, Apache plumes, and incense cedars.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kids ages 8-14: Join Skiing is Believing at Western Nevada college for our multidiscplinary sport & fitness camp! Every day of every week, Skiing is Believing staff will help provide a variety of sports for kids to develop their physical skills and promote emotional development through exercise and community service.