Carson City Nevada News - Carson Now - Your one stop for Carson City news

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City’s Featured Eligible Foster: Snacks

Kelsey Penrose — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:10:16 +0000

Nevada Humane Society

Introducing Snacks, the exuberant and lovable 5-month-old pit bull terrier mix who's ready to bring boundless energy and joy into your life!

Snacks is in need of a foster home that can help him refine his manners through dedicated training sessions and a calm and loving home environment.

With your support, he will be on his way to becoming a well-mannered puppy, ready for his forever home.

Here's what Snacks has to say:

Hi there! I'm Snacks, your soon-to-be favorite cuddle companion! At just five months old, I'm all about fun and playfulness. I might get a little too mouthy during my excitement, especially when I want some love and attention, but that's where you come in. With a bit of training and a calm learning space, I'm sure to learn my manners in no time.

Joining our foster program means you'll get to experience first-hand how fast I can learn and grow. Plus, with an adoption fee of just $250, you can take me home forever.
I promise to fill your days with snuggles, tail wags, and lots of goofy antics. If you're ready to help me blossom into the best pup I can be, I can't wait to meet you!

Snacks is residing at our Carson City campus located at 549 Airport Road in Carson City. We’re open Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come meet him today! To foster Snacks or any other eligible foster pets in our care, please email our Foster Coordinator Chris Tokarz at ctokarz@nevadahumanesociety.org or call 775-856-2000 ext. 321 to learn more. If interested in becoming a foster parent, please fill out the foster interest form at Nevada Humane Society | Apply for Foster

NDOT announces lane closures for drainage improvements on U.S. 95A in Yerington

Jeff Munson — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:08:22 +0000

NDOT news release

Lane closures and travel delays will begin Wednesday, Nov. 13 on U.S. 95 Alternate in Yerington as the Nevada Department of Transportation makes roadway drainage improvements.

Beginning Nov. 13 through early December, intermittent single lane and shoulder closures will be in place from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays on U.S. 95A between Burch Drive and the State Route 339 intersection. Traffic flaggers will alternate directions of traffic through the work zone as roadway drainage pipe is installed, with moderate travel delays.

The road work schedule is subject to change without notice.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible.

A drainage drop inlet and new drainage pipe will be installed. The drainage improvements will help reduce roadway ponding during wet weather and preserve the roadway for the traveling public.

Additional state highway information is available at dot.nv.gov or by calling (775) 888-7000. For the latest state highway conditions, visit nvroads.com or call 511 before driving. Also follow @NevadaDOTReno on X for traffic and project updates in northern Nevada, and @nevadadot on X, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from across the state.

Carson City hosts Morgan Mill high-water mark unveiling Thursday

Jeff Munson — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 23:32:02 +0000

Event Date:

November 14, 2024 - 2:00pm

By Lyndsey Boyer, Open Space Manager

The Morgan Mill High-Water Mark unveiling will be held on Nov. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Morgan Mill River Access Area, 5597 Morgan Mill Road. This high-water mark project is an outreach tool designed to let people know their flood risk and to underscore how floodplains and open spaces work together to reduce their flood risk.

Open floodplain lands reduce flood damage by allowing water to slow down, spread out, and sink in. These lands also recharge groundwater and filter pollutants.

FEMA funded this project through its High-Water Mark Initiative to help improve the public’s awareness of flood risk and encourage communities to take long-term action to address it. With this FEMA funding, Carson City has been able to systematically plan the best approach to reduce flooding from rain, flash floods, and riverine floods. That information has been utilized in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan, which includes a drainage manual and an update on the floodplain ordinance.

“Floods happen everywhere — not only around oceans, lakes, and rivers. That’s what makes them the most common, widespread, and costliest of all weather-related natural disasters. The annual damage from floods exceeds hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. Just six inches of water in a home will cost more than $25,000 to repair,” said Carlos Rendo, Nevada Division of Water Resources, Floodplain Management.

Approximately 11 miles along the banks of the Carson River are dedicated as open space to not only preserve the floodplain but also protect wildlife habitat for migratory birds, aquatic life, and mammals, as well as pollinators! Additionally, these lands provide passive recreation opportunities for residents and visitors, including 5 miles of continuous river trail system and 13 miles of Aquatic Trail that links Carson and Lyon County and allows for rafting and kayaking. Access to trails and recreation opportunities increases the quality of life for Carson City residents and lends to a happier, healthier community.

Carson City residents can prepare for emergencies with Carson City’s Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Guide. Residents can obtain this guide by contacting the Fire Department or Public Works.

For additional information or questions, contact lboyer@carson.org or 775-283-7341.

Carson City School District student winners announced for American Citizen Essay Contest

Jeff Munson — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 22:00:54 +0000

Carson City School District

The Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce nine student winners of the 23rd Annual American Citizen Essay Contest. Each winner was recognized at the school board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12, and received the following cash prizes: First Place: $100, Second Place: $50 and Third Place: $30. Grade level winners include the following.

Elementary School Level:
First Place - Joy Ponczoch, fifth grade, Fritsch Elementary School
Second Place - Navneet Gill, fifth grade, Fristch Elementary School
Third Place - Jacklyn Sullivan, fifth grade, Mark Twain Elementary School

Middle School Level:
First Place - Fiori Maiello, Seventh grade, Carson Middle School
Second Place - Poppy Hebb, Seventh grade, Carson Middle School
Third Place - Savanna Jones, Seventh grade, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic School

High School Level:
First Place - Neva Mellow, 12th grade, Carson High School
Second Place - Noah Smit, 10th grade, Sierra Lutheran High School
Third Place - Alexis La Fountain-Olney, 10th grade, Carson High School

The annual contest began in 2002 to honor the memory and events of September 11, 2001. There were 154 total entries (53 Elementary, 95 Middle School and 6 High School). Essays were judged within each grade level as they followed adherence to the topic, their quality of writing and their originality of thought. The topic this year was the following:

“The Pledge of Allegiance mentions that our nation is indivisible. Considering divisions within our society today, what steps can you take to create unity?”

Any public, charter, private or home-schooled student in Carson City was able to participate in the contest. Essays were no longer than five (5) pages but could be as short as the student desired. The essay could also have been handwritten or typed.

The contest was announced Thursday, Sept. 4, and completed essays were due Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. The first page of the essay included the student’s name (first and last), his or her age, grade, telephone number, teacher’s name and school.

Not pictured: Alexis La Fountain-Olney of Carson High School.

Helping Carson City's food insecure: Chef Charlie Abowd Memorial Turkey Drop Food Drive to become annual event

Jeff Munson — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 19:34:32 +0000

By Karel C. Ancona

UPDATE: For those wanting to make monetary donations please may checks payable to Food for Thought, which provides food for local children. The mailing address (also physical address) is 3246 North Carson Street, Suite 118, Carson City, 89706 or go online here at Food For Thought to donate in his name if this option works best for you.
***
With the passing of Chef Charlie Abowd, Saturday, the food drive he and Steve Funk, KNVC 95.1 FM Radio's general manager, kicked off Nov. 9, has been renamed the KNVC and Chef Charlie Abowd Memorial Turkey Drop Food Drive. The event will take place annually.

"Charlie left us with work to do with the intention that he had to show his love through food," said Funk. "Charlie came to me and said, 'I really want to do something to help the food insecure, will you help me,' and as a community radio station, this is right in the heart of our mission to take care of our own."

The drive began Nov. 8 and continues through Nov. 26. Donations can be dropped any time at KNVC, 990 N. Minnesota St. If you are adding a turkey or chicken, donate 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., today through 14, Nov. 20 through Nov. 22 and Nov. 25 and Nov 26, only. Please leave non-perishables in the box and birds in the cooler.

Instant and fresh potatoes, canned green beans, corn and fruit, dried onions, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry sauce, chicken broth, stuffing and gravy mix are needed.

"Charlie had a deep commitment to service and believed it was up to us to serve those who couldn't serve themselves," said Charlie's sister, Colette Burau. "He spent his life giving until it hurt and often to his own disadvantage, but he told me that was how it should be, that it was easy to give when you didn't feel it.

"I can't think of a better way to honor him than by making this an annual memorial event."

Rapid registration now available to all Northern Nevada DMV customers

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 19:16:05 +0000

By Hailey Foster

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) newest transformation product is now available in all Northern Nevada offices. Customers can now register their vehicle online through Rapid Registration by going here.

“We are so proud of this release,” stated Director Tonya Laney. “This is the largest public launch of a product from the DMV’s Transformation Effort (DTE) to date, and I am overjoyed to see our customers using this service with ease, just like we hoped they would.”

In the first three months since its release, there have been over 16,000 DriveNV portal creations and over 1,000 successful registration transactions. With the DTE, the DMV will move most of its services online to DriveNV (which will eventually replace the existing MyDMV portal) in the next couple of years so customers will not need to visit an office in-person.

“I am very excited for the future of Rapid Registration,” Laney said. “We were able to successfully move a huge service online, eliminating the need for some of our customers to come into an office. Seeing this win not only makes me hopeful for future product rollouts, but it also proves that we can and will continue to provide what our customers have been requesting for many years.”

Rapid Registration is available to new residents who have not yet registered their vehicle in Nevada and customers who have purchased a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, private party with a title in their name, or vehicles that are gifted from someone else.

Rapid Registration first launched in the Elko and Sahara DMV offices on August 12, rolled out to Carson City and Reno on October 14, and today is being made available to all Northern Nevada offices.

For more information regarding Rapid Registration, go here.

Gusty winds prompt power cut warning Wednesday for southwestern Carson City to Genoa and VC Highlands

Jeff Munson — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 17:32:39 +0000

UPDATE: Due to increased fire weather conditions, NV Energy has upgraded a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) Watch to Warning status in Genoa, southwestern Carson City and Virginia City Highlands in northern Nevada for today, Nov. 13 and into tomorrow morning.
A PSOM warning means a de-energization is likely to prevent the possibility of sparking a wildfire.
***
A storm expected to move into the region Wednesday has prompted NV Energy to issue a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) warning for southwest Carson City to Genoa and the Virginia City Highlands.

The power shut-off is possible Wednesday, Nov. 13 from approximately 10 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m.

A watch means that weather criteria indicate NV Energy may need to proactively shut off power to prevent wildfires in your community. The utility requests customers prepare for the possibility of a PSOM event.

NV Energy will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as they are available.

If you are currently experiencing an outage, please visit the Outage Center.

A Wind Advisory was also upgraded to a Red Flag Warning issued until 7 p.m. Wednesday night for Carson City and surrounding counties.

Winds will be from the southwest, 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Wind prone locations may experience 60+ mph wind gusts. Humidity will be between 14-25% increasing later this evening.

The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.

People are advised to avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires. Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for updates

There is a Winter Weather Advisory for the greater Lake Tahoe Basin area about 6,500 feet from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Wet snow above 6, 500 feet is expected with accumulations 1 to 4 inches on the west side of Tahoe and up to 2 inches on the east side of Tahoe, according to NWS forecasters. Winds are expected to gust up to 50 mph.

Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions may impact the Wednesday evening commute, especially across Donner and Echo summits. Very strong winds and snow will significantly reduce visibility as times, forecasters note. For the latest travel updates see NVRoads.com.

Meanwhile, for the Carson City area, it will be gusty Wednesday with some some scattered showers. Thursday will bring a chance of showers, with rain and snow likely Thursday night and snow showers Friday, with highs in the low 40s, according to the National Weather Service.

Check back for updates.

International conference spotlights Nevada’s innovative career mapping research

Jeff Munson — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:45:37 +0000

Governor’s Office of Economic Development

CARSON CITY — A new paper co-authored by Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) team members showcases pioneering research into the integration of technology and workforce training in Nevada.

The paper, “Revolutionizing Career Exploration: How Simulation and Immersive Technologies Are Boosting Labor Market Literacy Rates in Nevada’s Individual Career Mapping Framework,” was published in the 17th Annual International Conference of Education, Research, and Innovation (iCERi) proceedings, contributing to an influential body of research for workforce development and career technical education activities across the globe. It was written by GOED’s Karsten Heise and Tammy Westergard; contractors Jahairy Rivera and Michelle Rebaleati; Lifeliqe’s Co-Founder Mark Andersen and Michal Mizerak; and Grantcycle’s Ansley Fender.

Andersen joined Westergard, GOED’s senior workforce librarian in residence, to present findings at the conference. The paper defined the problem of "low labor market literacy" – recognizing that many people struggle to understand the complexities of the job market, much like they do with other forms of literacy – and introduced the Individual Career Mapping (ICM) process as an innovative solution. This process leverages advanced educational technology, including virtual reality content for immersive career exploration, and a powerful assessment tool that measures individuals' computational thinking capacity, which is essential for today's workforce. By approaching labor market literacy like digital or financial literacy, the ICM provides a clear, step-by-step path to understanding the labor market, a complex problem now made solvable through this innovative model.

“Ultimately, economic growth does to a large extent depend on how efficaciously industry's labor demand is matched with the skills and interests of job seekers and that in turn depends on increasing labor market literacy, which however remains a major gap in today’s tech-driven world,” said Westergard. “Through Nevada's innovative Individual Career Mapping process, which integrates tools like virtual reality and a computational thinking assessment, we are equipping people with a clear path to making sense of the job market and accessing meaningful careers.”

“Navigating all the career options and possibilities is like a maze, so over the past three years our team has developed a unique methodology to provide each job seeker – especially those from traditionally underserved communities – with job market information in a user-friendly and engaging way,” said Heise, GOED’s senior director of strategic programs and innovation. “Not only are we able to provide the necessary information in such a way that it gives rise to individual agency but also so that its effectiveness can be rigorously tested by our academic partners.”

The iCERi Conference, whose audience included professionals in workforce training and education, provided an ideal forum for evaluating ICM’s impact on career-readiness skills. The study, published on Nov. 10, presented compelling evidence that advanced technologies such as virtual reality can substantially enhance education and labor market literacy.

ICM is already integrated into Nevada’s public libraries and workforce development centers, offering accessible labor market information and training bootcamps developed by GOED. This program not only delivers virtual reality simulations but also includes a career-readiness assessment measuring computational thinking, developed from Nevada's NCLab. This equips participants with essential skills for career decision-making.

“ICM's virtual reality simulations are revolutionizing career exploration across Nevada,” said Joy Holt, Carson City Library director.

“These immersive tools are helping our community gain valuable, practical insights and get into good, quality jobs,” said Forrest Lewis, North Las Vegas Library District executive director.

The ICM program is already proving to be an asset in education. In May, nine students from Elko County School District successfully completed an ICM process, leading to a 100% pass rate on the National Career Readiness Certificate exams.

Under GOED’s leadership, ICM is expanding to serve more Nevadans and will support federally funded initiatives under the CHIPS and Science Act. In partnership with Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, additional testing is underway to further validate ICM’s effectiveness.

"As a researcher, I believe that framing the challenge as improving individuals' labor market literacy is crucial, and approaching the solution in a way similar to how we teach basic literacy – the ability to read, write, and think critically – is key, as the world of work is equally, if not more, complex,” said Dr. Xue (Cher) Xing, associate professor and program coordinator of career-technical and postsecondary education at UNLV. “Leveraging virtual reality technology with precision offers broad-reaching implications, allowing us to empower individuals, especially vulnerable populations, to navigate this complexity, increase their labor market literacy, and build specific STEM skills needed for meaningful careers. This tailored guidance and strategic focus, delivered through the trust of libraries, not only provides technical skills but also fosters career-readiness, propelling individuals toward their career aspirations for free while equipping them to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce.”

Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.

Prescribed fires continue at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting

Jeff Munson — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:16:54 +0000

U.S. Forest Service

The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team Fall Prescribed Fire Program continues for the next two weeks on Lake Tahoe’s eastern and southern shores, conditions and weather permitting.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District will burn piles around Incline Village, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District will burn piles near Glenbrook, Logan Creek and on Kingsbury Grade, and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will burn piles off Luther Pass near the campground, near Columbine Trail off Pioneer Trail, near Fallen Leaf and Spring Creek roads.

Smoke will be present and is expected to travel in a north, northeast direction. View helpful Smoke Management Tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/USDA Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, email us at sm.fs.paltbmu@usda.gov.

Prescribed fires are a vital forest management tool used by land managers to help protect communities by removing fuels that can feed unwanted wildland fires. Burning excess vegetation also benefits forest health by making room for new growth which provides forage for wildlife, recycling nutrients back into the soil and reducing the spread of insects and disease.

Prescribed fire managers use different methods to remove excess vegetation (fuels) and reintroduce low-intensity fire into forests through pile, broadcast, and understory burning. Pile burning involves burning slash piles that are constructed by hand or mechanical equipment. Broadcast and understory burning use low-intensity fire to remove fuels under specific environmental conditions with fire confined to a predetermined area.

Historically, low-intensity wildfires ignited by lightning or native peoples routinely burned through fire-adapted ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada. These low-intensity fires burned at low temperatures and moved slowly across the ground removing forest debris such as pinecones, needles, limbs, dead and downed trees, and ladder fuels. Watch the Forest Service video for an in-depth explanation of low-intensity fire. Prescribed fires are intended to mimic these naturally occurring low-intensity fires that are essential to fire-adapted ecosystems.

Prescribed fires may take place any time of year when conditions are favorable. Fall typically brings cooler temperatures and precipitation, which are ideal for conducting prescribed fire operations. Each operation follows a specialized burn plan, which considers smoke dispersal conditions, temperature, humidity, wind, and vegetation moisture. All this information is used to decide when and where to burn.

The TFFT strongly supports the use of prescribed fire under appropriate conditions and works closely with air quality districts to avert smoke impacts on the public. Smoke from prescribed fires is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size, conditions, and weather. Prescribed fire smoke is generally less intense and of much shorter duration than smoke produced by unwanted wildfires. Smoke from prescribed burns, wildfire or wood burning stoves may hang low to the ground at night and in the early morning due to a phenomenon known as a temperature inversion. A temperature inversion is when warm air “caps” cooler air, causing smoke to become trapped in valley bottoms at night and in the early morning.

Prior to prescribed fire ignitions, agencies coordinate closely with local and state air quality agencies to monitor weather for favorable conditions that will disperse smoke, conduct test burns before igniting larger areas. This is done to verify how well vegetation is consumed and how smoke rises and disperses before proceeding, post signs on roadways in areas affected by prescribed fire operations, email notifications to the prescribed fire notification list, and update the local fire information line at 530-543-2816. The TFFT gives as much advance notice as possible before burning, but some operations may be conducted on short notice due to the small window of opportunity for implementing these projects.

Learn more about living in fire-adapted ecosystems, prescribed fire and fuels reduction at Tahoe Living With Fire and get prepared, get informed, and get involved.

Could we finally see our first snow soon? Outlook for this winter’s potential conditions

Kelsey Penrose — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:05:12 +0000

by Kelsey Penrose

Western Nevada is currently experiencing an above-average warm fall, as many are aware given the high temperatures we saw through September and October.

It wasn’t the warmest October though, at least; that distinction goes to 2015. However, according to the team at the National Weather Service, Reno station, it was the 8th warmest October, with an average temperature of 58.1 degrees.

Those who may have been hoping for the first valley snow of the year Monday were out of luck barring a not-quite-Christmas miracle. With the system having moved through the area, there was a 10% chance of seeing any snow.

However, there is a slightly increased chance we could see some snow at the end of the week, but chances are still slim.

According to Tim Bardsley, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service, there is unfortunately “not a lot of skill on long range forecasts in our area, as seasonal weather forecasting in Northern Nevada is extremely difficult and historically not very skillful.”

While large climate patterns such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can provide some seasonal forecasting for other parts of the country, it provides very little information for our region.

“That said, this is expected to be a weak La Niña or neutral year, with slightly cooler than usual sea surface temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific,” Bardsley said.

Carson City specifically sits in an area that is typically unaffected by La Niña conditions, and the NOAA seasonal forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center are calling for equal chances of a wet, dry, or normal winter.

“In other words, anything is possible for our winter, and we have indeed seen incredibly wet and dry La Niña winters in our area,” Bardsley said. “The state of the science is not there yet, and seasonal predictability is limited in our area.”

Wet or dry episodes will depend on the location and strength of high pressures in the northern Pacific Ocean, which will either push moisture up and around our area, or open the storm door to Pacific moisture sources.

“Winters here are defined by individual storms, and the presence or absence of just a few major storms can be the difference between a normal to above normal winter and the return of drought conditions,” Bardsley said. “These storms and more active weather patterns are often apparent one to two weeks out.”

While area streamflows are currently below normal, he went on, a series of wet and warm storms could generate flooding concerns even in an otherwise dry winter, and our area has seen a disproportionate number of floods in weak La Niña to neutral ENSO conditions, but additional research is needed to understand these observations.

“We have also noted that in years that have rapidly transitioned from El Niño to La Niña (like last winter to this winter), have been wet more often than dry, but again more research is needed to understand this relationship. Best to be prepared for any outcome this winter, and don’t rule out the potential for flooding.”

Keep up to date with all your weather information with NWS Reno at https://www.weather.gov/rev/.