• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Headed to Tahoe to ring in 2022? Douglas Sheriff’s Office says bundle up, make it a safe visit

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is preparing efforts to insure public safety for visitors and residences during the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations happening in Lake Tahoe. Public safety is the number one priority, and that is why DCSO is asking people to be aware of the following information:

Weather
The National Weather Service reports this New Year’s weekend will be frigid with wind chills likely ranging from near zero to 15 degrees on New Year’s Eve. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recommends persons planning to be outside to celebrate the holiday, dress accordingly and check weather updates at https://www.weather.gov/rev/.

Travel
Due to the high volume of celebrants within the Stateline casino area during this time, U.S. Highway 50 may be closed to vehicle traffic in the evening, if necessary. Should that occur, vehicle traffic will be diverted around the core Stateline casino area using upper and lower Lake Parkway Drive.

Drivers, allow yourself additional time to make it to your destination. Be cautious of wintertime travel, and anticipate poor road conditions caused by weather. Be prepared with snow tires or carry tire chains/cables.
For additional information regarding road conditions and closures, the public is strongly encouraged to check the Nevada Department of Transportation for updates at NVroads.com.

strong>Law Enforcement Presence
Throughout Carson Valley and the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will have a high presence, along with numerous other law enforcement agencies, including Nevada State Police, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, and California Highway Patrol. Supporting agencies include the Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Douglas County Communications Center, Tahoe-Douglas Fire Department, Cal-Trans and Nevada Department of Transportation.

Public Safety Reminders
The goal of the Sheriff’s Office is to protect life and property while at the same time allowing celebrants to enthusiastically ring in the New Year. However, behaviors that will not be tolerated by law enforcement are incidents that place celebrants or law enforcement officers in jeopardy; including acts of excessive rowdiness, fighting, throwing projectiles, vandalism, theft, narcotic violations, severe public drunkenness, possession of or discharge of fireworks, minors consuming or possessing alcohol, or any other act that disrupts the goal of achieving a safe environment for all.

Persons planning to be in the Stateline area on Dec. 31, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2022 are reminded glass or metal containers, regardless of contents, are prohibited in the casino area. Any containers, and their contents, will be confiscated for destruction by law enforcement. Alcohol or other liquids should be in a plastic or paper cup. Area casinos are aware of this requirement, and will serve alcoholic beverages in plastic cups throughout the evening.

Pedestrians should practice caution when walking in the Stateline area. If you choose to walk, avoid excessive drinking, wear bright colored clothing, stick to sidewalks, and only cross at designated crosswalks.

Deputies will be on high alert and make every effort to keep roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

Youth and Child Safety
Parents must be mindful of their children’s whereabouts and activities, especially during the New Year’s Eve celebration. The casino core is not intended for participation by minors. Douglas County curfew is midnight on Friday, December 31st, 2021. Persons under the age of eighteen are subject to citation for being in violation of this ordinance. Persons under the age of twenty-one who are in possession of alcohol, have consumed, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be subject to arrest.

“Call for a Ride. Stay Alive.”
Local agencies are continuing the anti-drunk driving campaign launched in 2020 aimed at helping our community stay safer by encouraging ride alternatives to those who are drinking and need to get home. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reminds you law enforcement will be out in full force on New Year’s Eve looking for impaired drivers. Don’t risk harming others, losing your license, your car and freedom. Plan before you start drinking. Safe alternatives to driving impaired include: designate a sober driver, take a cab or use a ride-share app, stay the night if you are somewhere safe, and if you see a drunk driver call 9-1-1. Remember, you can celebrate the holiday, but one poor decision to drink and drive could bring a devastating start to the new year you can’t take back. Call for a ride so you and others stay alive.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

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.

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.

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.

A 26-year-old man was arrested Sunday for suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

UPDATE 6:45PM: The Davis Fire is estimated at 6,500 acres with no containment as of Sunday evening. Details from Truckee Meadows Fire forthcoming.
***
UPDATE 5:46PM: All Washoe County School District schools, except for Gerlach K-12 School, are closed on Monday, Sept. 9. This includes before and after-school activities and athletic practices.
Also of note, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office reminds people to stay clear of all evacuated areas for the Davis Fire. Air support crews are dropping fire retardants close to residences in evacuated areas.
***
UPDATE 3:18PM: Kelsey Penrose was live from near the Davis Fire. See the video report here.
Also, Carson City is advising the Fuji animal shelter is full and the city has opened Silver Saddle Ranch to house more animals. For non-emergency inquiries call 775-887-2677. Also public works wants to remind people that the evacuation for Sunridge Drive is in Reno, not Carson City.
***
UPDATE 1:16PM: Truckee Meadows Fire reports that at around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, fire activity increased and evacuation has been reinstated north of Nevada State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) to include Arrow Creek, Sky Tavern, Mt. Rose Ski Resort, and Logan Meadows. For more detail evacuation locations visit perimetermap.com.

I-580 between Reno and Carson City as well as Old U.S. Highway 395 to Eastlake Boulevard have reopened. Old U.S. Highway 395 is still closed from East Lake Boulevard to Bowers Mansion Interchange. South and north bound exits to Mt Rose Highway are closed, so is the highway from Wedge Parkway to the summit. For updates on road closures go here.

The Carson High School Library just got a lot quieter and is helping students find peace with the addition of two new state-of-the-art soundproof study pods. The enhancement is designed to provide students with a focused, distraction-free environment to support their academic pursuits.

CARSON CITY — This Sunday afternoon, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency due to the Davis Fire, which has burned approximately 5,000 acres in northern Nevada and caused the evacuation of approximately 20,000 people from residential neighborhoods and businesses. The state declaration follows Washoe County’s local emergency proclamation.

On Sunday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a musician's swap meet and fundraiser. Proceeds go to the Mike Epps family via their Go Fund Me page.

Carson High School Future Business Leaders of America will hold a fundraiser Sept. 17 at Big Chicken in Carson City.

Make a bowl and have some fun. Volunteers are needed for Empty Bowls activities. The Empty Bowls fundraiser events are underway for 2024. We are looking for volunteers to make and paint bowls and/or volunteer at various events throughout the year.

Description and photos of Mark Vollmer and Jim Eaglesmith

Mark Vollmer and Jim Eaglesmith will share live music, storytelling, photography and the songwriting process for their elegant "StorySongs" DVD, which will be available for purchase at this program, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 12:30 p.m. at the Carson City Senior Center.

Come join CASI at our annual Pooch Plunge pool party happening Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Carson City Aquatic Facility outdoor pool.

UPDATE SUNDAY: The Davis Fire has picked up again, with wind an issue. Mandatory evacuation has been re-instated for ArrowCreek area. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect. Go here for updates via Truckee Meadows Fire.

UPDATE 11PM: The Davis fire that began Saturday afternoon is approximately 1,800 acres, with 12 structures damaged or destroyed, KOLO reports.
***
UPDATE 10:25PM: Old Highway 395 to Eastlake is open to assist with south bound traffic. I-580 to Mt. Rose Highway remains closed, according to Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue.
***
UPDATE 10:07PM: Washoe County has declared a state of emergency in order to draw on regional resources, according to Washoe Regional Emergency Information Center on Saturday evening. It also says the fire has destroyed at least 12 structures.

One of the structures lost to the fire was a park residence. The family was evacuated safely but the home and possessions are lost, and some pets are unaccounted for, according to the center in a news release.

The Office of the Governor, the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, Homeland Security, the Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Division of Forestry and the Nevada State Police are coordinating with local partners as they respond to the Davis Fire in northern Nevada.

UPDATE: Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong provided the photos above on the extent of damage caused by the ongoing Davis Fire which, as of 10:30 p.m., Saturday was already 1,800 acres and continues to grow. At least a dozen structures have been destroyed. That number may grow.

While Geiger Grade is currently open to traffic as of 7:40 p.m., Twitter users have reported that several large herds of wild horses have been spotted running in and around the Geiger Grade roadway as they escape from the Davis Fire.

While there were some rumors of the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory burning down, as of 7 p.m., it is still standing, but the fire came extremely close.

Not only was the building saved, but the quick actions of the crews on scene also saved the famous Chocolate Nugget Miner statute from being burned as well.

UPDATE SUNDAY: The Davis Fire remains active Sunday and fire crews are battling hotspots, according to Truckee Meadows Fire on Sunday morning. As of 9 a.m. Sunday, there's no containment.

"While there appears to be no fire activity, there are numerous hotspots. We anticipate flareups from a wind event expected later this morning that will last throughout the day. This is why evacuations remain in place in areas south of Mt. Rose Highway," according to Truckee Meadows Fire.

Fire crews are working aggressively to suppress this fire and we will lift evacuations as soon as it is safe. There is currently no containment and power remains off in areas south of Mt. Rose Highway.

Firefighters are working hot spots this morning, attempting to get better containment. Residents are being allowed to return home north of Mt. Rose Highway. Some areas may not have power restored.

The highway remains closed. Use alternate routes. Evacuations remain in effect in St. James Village, Galena and areas south of Mt. Rose Highway. Avoid unnecessary travel in the area.

See NVRoads.com before driving and for future updates regarding I-580 closures through Washoe Valley.
***
There are a number of road closures and evacuations currently underway due to the Davis Creek fire Saturday north of Carson City and south of Reno. Those evacuated should be prepared to stay elsewhere for 24-48 hours.

UPDATE 9:12PM: The Davis Fire is spreading rapidly and has grown to approximately 1,800 acres, according to NV Energy, which began de-energizing efforts at approximately 3 p.m., However, the evolving fire conditions have caused additional areas surrounding the fire to be de-energized for safety. There are 18,698 customers in the Davis Fire area without power due to the emergency de-energization and an additional 179 gas customers have also been affected.

Nevada voters will have the opportunity this November to vote on whether to exempt diapers from the state’s sales tax. If passed, how would it work?

Carson Tahoe Health is thrilled to announce its annual raffle giveaway, presented in partnership with Dick Campagni’s Carson City Toyota. This exciting event will culminate next week, celebrating Carson Tahoe Health’s 75th Anniversary.