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

Longtime Carson Swim Coach to Step Down After 23 years

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 16:25:30 +0000

By Ryan Barbarigos

For many students at Carson High, Monica Weaver serves as a counselor who is dedicated to helping students navigate the challenges that could alter one’s four years of high school. But in the spring, Weaver also stands poolside, coaching the Senators swim team.

Since 2001, Weaver held this position. After 23 years of endless success and feel-good stories, she has decided she will step down from the head coaching position. Although she will remain a counselor at CHS, she felt it was her time to step away from swimming. Weaver’s passion for the sport is what she believed kept her coaching for years.

“I would say my greatest accomplishment as a coach is to give these kids an opportunity to swim later in life.”

Weaver also noted how proud she was of the many Senators students who entered the program as beginners, whom she developed into regional champions. Weaver led the Girls swim team to a state title in 2001, as well as countless league championships. She also led the boys to regional championships in 2009 and most recently in 2021.

Through the years, Weaver has led more than a dozen swimmers to league and state championships, two of which were winners of two events, and more than ten have won individual events, most of which were in a three year span. One of those years included the school’s state championship on the girls team in 2001.

When being asked what colleges look for in student-athletes, she expressed that “they [colleges] look for character, they want to have students with a positive attitude and a desire to always improve, not just having good grades and gifted athleticism.”

While Weaver has been at the helm for the Senators swim team, she has seen many changes take place, but believes it made a stronger connection with her swimmers.

“I think one of the biggest challenges that came along with swimming was having the mental strength to keep going [swimming]. You know, you come to practice in the pool without having anyone to talk to, and so you are the only person to talk to within that amount of time.”

While Weaver leaves a legacy as one of Carson’s longest-tenured coaches for any sport, she looks back and has advice for high school swimmers.

“Just have fun. Swimming is supposed to be fun. You train your hardest on weekdays so you can enjoy winning on the weekend.”

While the 2024 season winds down for the Senators, two girls from the team signed to NCAA Division 1 schools on April 24. Seniors Katarina Klatt, to Northern Arizona University and Brynn Russell to Vermont. While on her way out, Weaver adds two more names to the immaculate list of swimmers that took their talents to the next level.

Lastly, Weaver credited her mother as inspiration, as she recalled the intense training it took for her to earn a chance to run at the U.S Olympic Trials, specializing in the marathon.

Weaver and the Carson Swim team look ahead to Regionals, May 10th and 11th at the Carson Aquatic Center, with the opportunity to compete for a Regional Championship.

Carson City's Catmandu introduces their Cats of the Week: Ricky and Reba

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 14:27:27 +0000

Linda Buchanan, Catmandu

Meet Ricky and Reba, a sweet bonded pair who are waiting for their forever home. Sometimes bad things happen to good cats. Nobody knows this better than Ricky and Reba. Approximately 3 years old, they were abandoned when their owner moved, leaving them to fend for themselves on the streets of Reno. It wasn’t easy.

They were indoor cats that had no clue how to survive on their own. For several months, they struggled to eat and stay alive. All they had were each other, and some dry food that a kind neighbor put out for them. Fortunately, the neighbor contacted a Catmandu volunteer who was able to trap and foster them while they recovered from their ordeal. It took many months for them to recover from the trauma and begin to trust people again.

Ricky is a very big and handsome short-haired black and white tuxedo. He is a sweet boy who likes attention, and once he gets to know someone, he enjoys being pet. With a little time to adjust to a new place and people, he is friendly, social and outgoing.

His beautiful friend Reba, a long-haired blue-eyed ragdoll Siamese, takes longer to trust. She buries herself in blankets to hide from the scary, scary world of a new situation. However, once you gain her trust she is a sweet girl that appreciates pets and ear scratches. Reba is very dependent on Ricky, relying on him for comfort and to check out new situations. She would be lost without him. Consequently, they must be adopted together.

Ricky and Reba get along fine with other cats, as long as the cats are nice to them. We do not know if they have ever been around dogs. They would do best in a quiet home with no small children and need to be indoor only cats. They are both fixed and up-to-date on their shots.

If you have room in your heart and home to welcome these two special kitties and show them that good things can happen to good cats, please complete a pre-adoption application on our website at CatmanduCC.org/adoptions and schedule a time to meet them this weekend at 1829 Brown Street. We are open Friday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm

Catmandu is a cage-free cat sanctuary and rescue that is celebrating a decade of lifesaving in 2024. Since March of 2014, more than 2700 cats have passed through our doors and into a better life. Many, many other cats and kittens have been helped over the years through our various programs and efforts.

Catmandu is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding or assistance from national organizations. We rely on donations and the generosity of the community to continue our lifesaving efforts. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please visit our website at CatmanduCC.org

Over 120 pounds of trash collected in inaugural Shoreline Sweep of Sand Harbor

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:55:01 +0000

Paula Peterson, South Tahoe Now

The 120 pounds of litter collected during the inaugural Shoreline Sweep Volunteer Cleanup at Sand Harbor State Park will be used in an innovative art installation in the park's visitor center.

Over 80 dedicated volunteers joined forces to comb the park's picturesque shores on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Expressing her gratitude, Park Supervisor Makaila Erdody, applauded the effort, stating, "Our volunteers embody the spirit of stewardship, ensuring our beloved park remains pristine for all to enjoy. With their invaluable support, Sand Harbor is slated for a vibrant summer season."

The trash retrieved included an abandoned cooler, discarded umbrella gear, wrappers, and wedding confetti. Notably, a significant portion comprised abandoned clothing and microplastics, underscoring the importance of responsible waste disposal.

As custodians of the natural treasure, their message to visitors is to uphold, "leave no trace."
"While our diligent staff strive to maintain cleanliness, the task is made considerably easier when visitors manage their own waste," said park officials.

The collected refuse will undergo sorting by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) before being used in the art installation.

This display will serve as an educational tool, compelling visitors to adopt sustainable habits and preserve our pristine beach.

Registration now open for ComputerCorps Tech Camp in Carson City

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:44:06 +0000

ComputerCorps

Warmer weather is upon us – finally – which also means so is the ever popular and very educational ComputerCorps TechCamp Summer Series! Yes, summer is just a few months off and ComputerCorps TechCamp 2K24 is now accepting applicants. 

For the last 24 years, Students Ages 9-15 have fun, and learn about computer recycling, testing, assembly and operation. At the end of the TechCamp, they take home their very own computer system.  
There are 3 separate TechCamps, each lasting for 2 weeks, and are held at 4630 US Highway 50 East, in Carson City, NV. They tend to fill up quickly, so time is of the essence!
 
Open for Registration:  
 
TechCamp 2K23 Alpha: Jun 17th – Jun 28th
TechCamp 2K23 Bravo: Jul 8th -- Jul 19th
TechCamp 2K23 Charlie: July 29th – Aug 9th  

Days & Hours: Monday – Friday 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Space is limited to 16 students ages 9-15 in each camp.

Registration of $500 for a 2-week camp includes a computer system, camp shirt & hat, graduation ceremony, and a lifetime of learning. Some Partial Scholarships are available for families in need. 

“It is a “win-win" situation, by participating in the ComputerCorps ‘Every Home ‘A’ Classroom’ Summer TechCamp you help your community, learn about computers, and get to take home your very own basic computer system,” said Community Relations Director Ken Hamilton.
 
This system includes a Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, DVD/RW, Wireless and Wired Internet Ready, Microsoft Windows 10 Pro & Microsoft Office Suite. Each student enjoys Learning, Meeting New Friends, Games, Awards, Snacks & Fun!  

On Friday evening, the last day of the camp, computers and awards are given out at the graduation dinner. 
Sponsorships for students are available, ranging from $50 to $400. By providing a sponsorship for a child in the ComputerCorps “Every Home ‘A’ Classroom” Summer TechCamp Program, you can help your community by helping kids learn about computers, technology, and recycling.  

Volunteers Needed for Counselors and Team Leaders.

For Registration, Sponsorship Opportunities, and Volunteer Information please call ComputerCorpsTM at (775) 883-2323, go to https://www.computercorps.org, email admin@computercorps.org, or stop by. We are located at 4630 Hwy 50 East next to the Post Office.  

ComputerCorpsTM is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to computer technology and skills training for under-served families, while eliminating eScrap in our nation's landfills.

Nevada State Police provide update on fatal Carson City crash

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:19:27 +0000

Nevada State Police

On April 24, 2024, at approximately 4:48 a.m., the Nevada State Police responded to a crash at the location of IR580 southbound near mile marker CC01 in Carson City, Nevada. (Near the Snyder Ave. overpass).

The preliminary investigation indicates that a red 2021 Tesla Model S was traveling the wrong-way northbound in the number one southbound travel lane of IR580. A white 2004 GMC Sierra pickup was traveling southbound on IR580 in the number one travel lane.

The front of the Tesla struck the front of the GMC Sierra pickup. The Tesla rotated and came to rest in the center dirt median. The GMC Sierra pickup overturned and came to rest on its roof, against the sound wall on the west paved shoulder.

The driver of the GMC Sierra was removed from the truck by a Carson City Sherrif’s Deputy and the truck was then engulfed in flames.

Both the driver of the Tesla, Alejandra Hernandez-Valtierra, a 36-year-old-female from Carson City, Nevada, and the driver of the GMC Sierra pickup, Viola Santoyo, a 48-year-old-female from Carson City, Nevada, were pronounced deceased on-scene.

Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Northern Command West M.I.R.T (Multidisciplinary Investigation & Reconstruction Team) is investigating this crash.

2024 Year to date: The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Northern Command West has investigated 7 fatal crashes resulting in 8 fatalities.

2024 fatalities data is preliminary and may change/be updated based on final investigation and coroner reports.

Annual Cops and Kids Sheriff’s Office open house returns Saturday May 11

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:00:46 +0000

Event Date:

May 11, 2024 - 11:00am

by Kelsey Penrose

Each year, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts an open house event as a way to connect families, deputies, non-profits and more. This year the event takes place May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event provides a “fun and interactive environment for kids and their families to engage with law enforcement, while also promoting positive relationships between law enforcement and the community as a whole,” according to the sheriff’s office.

According to Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, the event each year is vital to the relationships between the sheriff’s office and the community.

“The relationship that our children have with our officers is critical to our environment, especially in our schools,” Furlong said. “That relationship is being built with our School Resource Officers but that extends to all the other officers along with the resources we have available through our partnerships with nonprofits such as Ron Wood, the Boys and Girls Club, and more. This is a single spot for parents to bring kids meet officers and meet the nonprofits that serve our community.”

Various law enforcement departments including the K9 Unit, SWAT, traffic, and detectives will be available and children will have the opportunity to engage with patrol cars, SWAT vehicles, patrol cars, and more.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is located at 911 E. Musser St.

Construction of Muller Parkway in Douglas County to begin soon, officials say

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:09:48 +0000

Douglas County Press Release

Douglas County officials have announced that construction will begin soon on the first phase of the Muller Parkway Project. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Minden and Gardnerville, offering an alternative route to the main U.S. Route 395 through town. The decision comes as the County moves to fill its requirement to construct 2.4 miles of two-lane road by 2025.

Click here to see a map of the Muller Parkway Project

In the coming days, we'll gather for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the launch of this much-awaited project, celebrating its commencement and honoring its significance.

Phase 1A
This first phase (Phase 1A) of construction will take place between Buckeye Road and the Ashland Park housing development border near Toler Lane. This portion of the proposed route does not impact the flood plains, allowing the County to begin construction immediately. The decision to construct the other phases is pending approval from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and private adjacent land owners.

For more information please visit https://douglas-county-nv.civilspace.io/en/projects/muller-parkway

Two Carson High Swimmers Sign Division 1 Scholarships

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:08:02 +0000

Carson City School District

Carson High School is pleased to announce Katarina Klatt and Brynn Russell will carry their academic and athletic talents on to the next level with Division 1 Scholarships. A short signing ceremony was held at the Carson Aquatic Center Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Katarina Klatt’s dedication to the sport of swimming has earned her a well-deserved place at Northern Arizona University, where she will continue to shine as a competitive swimmer. Her journey has taken her to Junior Olympics, Far Western Championships, Nevada State Championships and championship meets across the nation. Her commitment to Northern Arizona University speaks to her talent and hard work in the pool. Her passion for Environmental Science demonstrates her commitment to making a positive impact on the world. This choice of major is indicative of her desire to address critical environmental issues and contribute to a sustainable future.

Brynn Russell has always wanted to swim at the collegiate level. Her dedication to the sport has taken her to Junior Olympics, Nevada High School State meets, Nevada Age group state meets and other championship swim meets across the nation. Her dedication to her sport is undeniable, and she is determined to continue her journey as a competitive swimmer while pursuing a career in nursing with a special emphasis in pediatrics at the University of Vermont. Along with her swimming career, Brynn’s leadership experience is a testament to her passion for making a positive impact. As the vice president and an event planner for Carson High School's National Honor Society (NHS), Brynn has honed her organizational skills through planning and executing various events that benefit both NHS and the wider community. Her dedication to volunteer work has been unwavering, and she leads by example, actively participating in NHS events and community service projects.

Both Brynn and Katarina (along with Larkin Russell and Alexandra Llamas-Cruz) have the Carson High school record in the 200 Freestyle Relay, and Katarina has the fastest 50 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly swim recorded for Carson High School, winning state last year in the 100 Butterfly. They now are among some of the top swimmers that will have been a part of the Carson High School legacy.

Despite Nevada opposition, USPS to move key mail operations from Reno to Sacramento

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:48:29 +0000

Eric Neugeboren, The Nevada Independent

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is moving forward with its plan to transfer certain mail processing operations from Reno to Sacramento, a change that has drawn bipartisan opposition among Nevada elected officials over its potential impact on the region’s economy and fears that it would slow the processing of mail ballots.

The USPS said Tuesday that its Reno building will be converted into a local processing center — a facility that prepares mail before it is placed on carrier routes. The agency will also spend up to $13.4 million in Reno for new workplace amenities and expanded distribution capabilities, but said “the business case” supported moving other operations to California because most of the mail processed in Reno is destined for outside the region.

The change means that all mail sent from Northern Nevada will pass through Sacramento before reaching its destination. The proposal prompted fierce pushback from state and federal officials — including Gov. Joe Lombardo and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar — who argued that severe winter weather between the two cities could make it difficult for mail to be delivered efficiently (there is only one interstate route between Sacramento and Reno, and it is sometimes closed during snowy conditions over the Donner Pass) and that it could adversely affect people who use the Postal Service to receive necessary goods, such as medication.

The USPS also said Tuesday that the change would not result in any layoffs of career employees, though it is unknown how many pre-career employees — entry-level positions — might be affected. A document from a USPS employee obtained by The Nevada Independent shows that the USPS expects the change to affect up to 67 career positions, which could include employee reassignments.

Officials have also raised concerns that it could affect the processing of widely used mail ballots, which under state law can be counted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day and received up to four days after the election. In a statement Tuesday, Aguilar said the Postal Service is “negligently interfer[ing] with functions vital to the electoral process.”

“Representatives from across Nevada have laid out the many logistical issues this move will bring, and I hope the USPS will reconsider this decision and instead invest further into existing Northern Nevada operations,” the statement read.

The Postal Service’s statement on Tuesday did not mention mail-in ballots, but the agency had previously said that the change would have no impact on the timeliness of mail delivery.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) told reporters earlier this month that USPS officials said the implementation plan could begin in January, in which case mail ballots cast this year would not be affected.

Lombardo said in a statement that his administration “will continue to fight against mismanagement in Washington for timely and efficient mail services for Nevadans.”

Rosen said Tuesday that she “would explore all available options to prevent it from being implemented,” and said she is “outraged that out-of-touch Washington bureaucrats think they know what’s best for our state.” Rosen sits on the Senate committee that oversees the Postal Service.

In February, Rosen, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) wrote a letter to the Postal Service, requesting more information on a potential move’s impact on mail service reliability, mail-in ballots, the region’s economy and Postal Service jobs.

Weeks later, USPS officials held a briefing that Rosen panned as unhelpful. She told reporters that officials did not answer many questions directly and did not provide some of the data that the delegation asked for.

At a tense Senate hearing last week, Rosen accused Postmaster General Louis DeJoy of withholding information on how the agency determined that the proposal was necessary.

The USPS said Tuesday that the finalized plan came “following a thorough business review and solicitation of public feedback.”

— This story is used with permission of The Nevada Independent. Go here for updates to this and other Nevada Independent stories.

Lyon County Sheriff: Silver Springs resident charged in fatal 2023 fentanyl overdose

Jeff Munson — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:53:41 +0000

A 32-year-old Silver Springs man was arrested Wednesday and booked for charges associated to a fentanyl drug overdose in December 2023, according to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.

Joseph Rose Tyler Maciel V, also known as Joseph Tyler, was identified as the person who is alleged to have sold Michael Fernandez of Silver Springs the fentanyl that caused his death, according to a news release from LCSO.

On December 11, 2023, Lyon County Sheriff's deputies, were called a residence in the 3700 Block of Citrus Street in Silver Springs for a reported overdose. Upon arrival, Fernandez, 22, was located and ultimately died.

In early January, 2024 toxicology test results revealed Fernandez's cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication, which is an overdose. With this information, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office, Special Investigations Unit began an investigation into the source of the fentanyl that caused Fernandez's death, the news release states.

During the investigation, Joseph Rose Tyler Maciel V, aka Joseph Tyler, was identified as the individual who sold Fernandez the fentanyl that caused his death, according to LCSO.

On Wednesday, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office, Special Investigation Unit conducted a traffic stop on Maciel V and was found to be in possession of a small amount of fentanyl. Maciel V was arrested and during a subsequent interview, admitted to selling Fernandez the fentanyl that caused his death.

Joseph Rose Tyler Maciel V was booked into the Lyon County Jail on the following charges:

— Making Available Controlled Substance Which Causes Death

— Possession of a Controlled Substance Schedule I-IV (Fentanyl)

He's being held on $102,500 bail.

Anyone who has information regarding the above investigation is urged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division by email at detective@lyon-county.org or by phone at 775-463-6600, reference Case Number 23LY05042.