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

Lyon County Commissioners hear update from NDOT on Highway 50

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 03 May 2024 17:02:49 +0000

The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) on the current status of the Highway 50 Preservation Project in Dayton.

According to the presentation, NDOT’s project scope for East Dayton (between Fortune Drive and Chaves Road) includes the following preliminary project features:
· Signalized intersections at Cardelli Road/River Boat Road and Six Mile Canyon Road/Fort Churchill Road.
· Maintain 12’ travel lanes. No roadway widening or new travel lanes.
· Median installation at intersections for access control. Access controls will include high-T intersections, as appropriate.

NDOT also plans to reduce the posted speed limit to 55 MPH from east of Fortune Drive to east of Bryce Street/Chaves Road. The final design is anticipated to be completed in summer of 2025 and construction will begin in 2026. NDOT is looking ahead toward future long-term improvements, such as controlled access alternatives, frontage roads, and additional surface streets for local connections. A public information meeting will be held for the project design in the fall of 2024. The full presentation is available in the Agenda backup materials.

Clerk/Treasurer’s Office
The Lyon County Clerk/Treasurer provided a report on early voting and polling locations for the upcoming 2024 Primary Election.

Lyon County Sheriff’s Office
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office honors Peace Officer Memorial Week and participated in the memorial run that concluded in Carson City on Thursday afternoon for the 27th Annual Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony.

Other Board Action Items
· Declared the month of May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” in Lyon County.
· Approved an amendment to the Purchase Agreement for the Dayton Government Complex parcel in the Traditions area of Dayton to extend the time for closing and modify the provisions regarding site work and additional fill material for use by Lyon County.
· Commissioner Hendrix was approved to travel to Washington DC for the National Association of County Officials (NACo) County Leadership Institute June 9-13, 2024 for an estimated cost of $1,500.
· Approved cancelling the July 04, 2024 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
· Proposed an ordinance amending Lyon County Code Title 4, Chapter 14, Section 1, increasing fee from $3.00 to $6.00 per document on the recording of certain documents by the County Recorder with the proceeds used to provide legal services for abused and neglected children.

The complete agenda and back up materials are posted online at https://www.lyon-county.org/Agendacenter. Residents can view recordings of Board of County Commission meetings on the Lyon County YouTube Channel.

College for Kids: Skiing Is Believing Summer Sports Camp hosted by WNC begins July

Fri, 03 May 2024 15:33:16 +0000

By Western Nevada College

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.

Each week will include a combination of mountain biking, hiking, martial arts, community services & education, softball/baseball, archery, general fitness, flag football, inline skating and more! All sports are taught by sport-specific SIB staff and coaches. Kids in camp will go home tired after full days of truly enriching physical activity and social emotional learning. See you this summer!

Dates:
7/8-7/12
7/22-7/26
8/5-8/9
8/12-8/16

For more information or to register please visit https://www.campusce.net/wnc/course/course.aspx?C=1927&pc=13&mc=37&sc=0

Douglas County’s five year Strategic Plan unveiled

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:32:12 +0000

After months of thorough community engagement and meticulous deliberation, Douglas County has announced the completion of its new Strategic Plan. This document, which will guide the County's decisions and resource allocation for the next five years, is the result of extensive input from both internal and external stakeholders.

Click here to view the Strategic Plan.

The creation of the Strategic Plan involved multiple public workshops, focus groups, public meetings, and a successful community survey. The County received valuable feedback from residents and incorporated their priorities and concerns into the five-year planning document. This collaborative approach has resulted in a comprehensive strategic plan that reflects the needs and desires of the community.

"I want to thank our community, stakeholders, and County staff for their contributions, and especially the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners for its leadership and direction in shaping this strategic plan," said County Manager Jenifer Davidson. "Our residents made their voices heard, and I am excited that this final product reflects their vision as directed by the Board. I look forward to working with the Board to put this plan into action to make Douglas County an even better place to live, work, and play.”

The strategic plan identifies four key areas of focus for Douglas County: Balanced Growth & Infrastructure, Preserving Douglas County’s Natural Beauty and Rural Character, Serving Our Community with Quality County Services, and Enhancing Residents’ Quality of Life. Within these objectives, specific goals and draft initiatives have been outlined to guide the County's actions in each area.

This strategic plan is designed to evolve over time in response to the changing needs of both the organization and the community. It serves as a roadmap for county leadership to make informed decisions that will benefit all residents.

BACKGROUND

The Board of County Commissioners first approved a strategic plan to guide the direction of Douglas County in 2008. Since then, the plan has been updated from time to time as objectives and initiatives are modified and/or completed. The Fiscal Year 2018-2022 Strategic Plan adopted in 2017 can be viewed here.

Check out douglascountynv.gov/strategicplan for more details.

Carson City area weather: Saturday to bring gusty winds, valley rain and Sierra snow

Jeff Munson — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:55:07 +0000

The unpredictability of spring this first weekend of May continues with the threat of snow showers in the Sierra on Saturday, along with gusty winds and rain down to the valley floors for Carson City and surrounding areas. The storm system should moved out by Sunday morning.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 11 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday morning for the Lake Tahoe Basin, including Stateline, South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village and Tahoe City. The advisory also extends to Truckee to the north and Mammoth Lakes to the south.

The forecast calls for anywhere from 3 to 6 inches over higher Sierra passes, and up to 6 inches to a foot of snow across the Sierra Crest above 7,000 feet, plus winds with gusts as high as 55 mph in the mountains and gusts to 90 along the Sierra ridgetops.

Motorists headed up into the Sierra can expect slick road conditions and the potential for difficult travel conditions, according to forecasters. See NVroads.com for the latest travel information.

Down in the valleys, the National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for Carson City, Carson Valley, Lyon, Washoe and Storey counties. The weather service advises southwest winds will be anywhere from 25 mph to 35 mph with gusts anywhere from 50 mph to 60 mph. Forecasters also advise possible power outages are possible if winds really kick up.

According to the latest NWS area forecast discussion, there is a 40 to 60 percent probability for damaging winds from south of I-80 into Douglas, Lyon, Mineral and Mono counties. Blowing dust could be lofted by high winds near dry lake beds, creating reductions in visibility.

Winds will be followed closely by mountain snow showers and valley rains, although the Saturday night into Sunday timeframe will see snow levels crashing to 5,000 to 5,500 feet, forecasters said.

The best chances for snow accumulations will be above 7000 feet, during the overnight Saturday into Sunday hours. Higher end scenarios are indicating messy Sierra passes are possible before daybreak, with 8-10 inches possible along Donner Pass.

Forecasters note that the spring sun angle will work to compete with snow accumulations first thing Sunday morning, so accumulations on roadways should be short-lived.

Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton area
Friday will bring sunny skies and warm spring temperatures, with a high around 70. For Saturday, rain showers are likely, with highs near 60 and overnight lows near 30, which may give way to a chance of light snow, though little or no accumulation expected.

Forecasters note a chance of a hard freeze in colder valleys overnight Saturday into Sunday. Those with gardens and sprinkler systems should take note.

All told, most of the region will have at least a decent chance for wetting rains, with a 50-60 percent chance for at least 0.5 of an inch of liquid precipitation across the Tahoe Basin, forecasters said.

Carson High Culinary Arts & Early Childhood Education compete at state

Jeff Munson — Thu, 02 May 2024 23:32:21 +0000

Carson City School District

Carson High School Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education students competed at the three-day state conference last month for Nevada Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. This was the first time the school’s programs participated in the conference. A total of 25 students competed in eight events.

FCCLA is a Career and Technical Organization that supports and enhances the curriculum in Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education. Events at the three-day conference included several workshops, exhibits and the skilled competitions. Students competed in Professional Presentation, Focus on Children, Job Interview, Baking and Pastry, Culinary Arts, Cupcake Decorating, Food Safety and Sanitation and Knife Skills.

Medals were awarded based on specific criteria. Silver medalist met more than 70% of criteria and Gold Medalist met 90% or more of the criteria. Additionally, there were two levels of events: Proficiency Events Program (PEP) events that focus on a few skills and Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) events that encompassed many skill sets students work on during the course of their program.

Students from Carson High who were recognized are listed alphabetically (by last name) below.

Eilyn Angulo, Professional Presentation, STAR Event

Madi Baroni, Cupcake Decorating, PEP Event

Betsy Campbell, Cupcake Decorating, PEP Event, First Place

Hanna Kreizenbeck, Focus on the Children, STAR Event

El Loos, Professional Presentation, STAR Event

Gold Medalists: Zack Lopez, Job Interview, STAR Event, Second Place.

Kennedy Nolan, Professional Presentation, STAR Event

Silver Medalist: Aiko Ruelan, Baking and Pastry, STAR Event, First Place

Lindsey Smith, Baking and Pastry, STAR Event

Jordan Tabaracci, Food Safety and Sanitation, PEP Event, First Place

Rustam Thind, Culinary Arts, STAR Event, Third Place

Kailey Tierney, Knife Skills, PEP Event, Second Place

Ashlyn Wise, Cupcake Decorating, PEP Event

STAR Events participants may also qualify to attend the National FCCLA Conference in Seattle. The following students qualified for nationals: Zack Lopez, Aiko Ruelan and Rustam Thind.

Dangberg Historic Park kicks off 2024 summer festival with kites, concerts, talks and more

Thu, 02 May 2024 21:22:06 +0000

By Kim Harris - Events Manager

Family fun, lively bands and historical characters return to Dangberg Historic Park in Minden beginning in May. Favorite presenters, bands and Chautauquans will be joined by new ones as well.

A returning favorite event is the Kite Flying Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. both days. Cameron and Reina Kauffman of Coolkiter.com will bring their assortment of big and beautiful kites, kites for high wind, and kites for no wind.

The non-profit Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch will give free, small kites to children to decorate, while supplies last, and everyone is invited to bring their own kites. Children can also enjoy big bubble-making, as well.

Joining the event again this year is PBS Reno Kids Club on May 11 only, with additional activities planned for children. This event is free for everyone.

The 2024 Summer Festival will feature four concerts. The Sierra Sweethearts will kick off these concerts by performing a blend of bluegrass music spiced with humor. Also returning is Old West Trio. New this season will be Jakota Wass playing his own brand of country western music, and Moxy Ruckus will bring a Big Hair Eighties Review.

As we celebrate the 150th year of Chautauqua, new and favorite Chautauquans can be found throughout the Summer Festival performing national characters during this season's theme "Follow Us on an Adventure!" Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb Mount Everest, as performed by Bowen Lee; and Titanic survivor Violet Jessop, as performed by Kim Harris; are featured along with several others on select Wednesday evenings. Ticketed entry will apply.

On select Friday mornings, local heroes will make an appearance free to the public. These will include businessman and Comstock millionaire Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, as portrayed by David Woodruff; Nevada teacher and feminist Hannah Clapp, as portrayed by Cora Johnson; early woman miner in Alaska and Nevada Lillian Malcom, as portrayed by Guinevere Hobdy; and Comstock miner turned train robber Jack Davis, as portrayed by Ross Mortensen.

Both new and favorite speakers and authors return this season, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm. Mark McLaughlin will speak on Truckee's renaissance man Charles F. McGlashan, Dr. Michael Fischer will speak on America's most famous stagecoach ride, and David and Gayle Woodruff will speak on "Going for the Gold: the 1960 Winter Olympics."

New to the park this season will be historian Bob Stewart who will share "Backstories of Mark Twain's Friends," Tami Force who will speak on Nevada Ghost Towns, and Donna Inversin who will speak on the "Historic V&T Trail."

Local authors will share their popular work. Our first author, Gregory Crouch, will present his book The Bonanza King: John Mackay and the Battle over the Greatest Riches in the American West; Robert Max will share his Tahoe based murder mysteries No Forced Entry and When It's Personal; and Karen Dustman will speak on her third book in the series Forgotten Tales of Carson Valley and Nearby Settlements. Saturday speaker and author events are free for all.

Please bring your own seating and no pets allowed — service animals only. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy as no food or beverages will be sold at these events. All events are held outdoors. For more information on these events, or on visiting Dangberg Historic Park at 1450 NV-88, Minden, please visit Dangberg.org.

Carson City commission posthumously awards Historic Preservation Award to Stan Jones

Kelsey Penrose — Thu, 02 May 2024 19:10:19 +0000

by Kelsey Penrose

Carson City’s former Board of Supervisor and business owner Stan Jones was posthumously awarded Thursday the Historic Preservation Award for his long time work for downtown Carson City.

Each year, a Historic Preservation Award is awarded by the Historic Resources Commission to Carson City residents or organizations who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to historic preservation.

The award dedicated to Jones, who died Dec. 28, 2023, and was presented to his wife, Sue, who accepted it along with their family.

The award was presented by Mike Drews, Historic Resource Commission Chairman.

“We lost another good preservationist last year in Carson City’s Stan Jones, and we’d like to award posthumously the historic preservation award to Sue for all of Stan’s work downtown,” Drews said. “It looks the way it does because Stan had an interest in historic preservation.”

"The contributions Stan made on behalf of his community, on behalf of his friends and neighbors Stan really was a guiding light and continues to be a guiding light in Carson City for all who knew him and will continue to feel his presence," said Supervisor Lisa Schuette.

The second award was presented to Carson City resident Sarah Martin, who purchased the Rinckel Mansion three years ago. The historic mansion was was built in 1876, and Martin has worked to preserve the building and took on the challenge of restoring the exterior.

Café CONNECTIONS: Two gathering times every Saturday

Thu, 02 May 2024 18:17:31 +0000

CONNECTIONS social gatherings bring locals together weekly for story sharing, conversation and inspiration.

Join us every Saturday for Café CONNECTIONS from 10 to 11:30 am OR from noon to 1:30 p.m. at La Capital Cafe, 1795 E College Pkwy, Carson City.

Meet new people at any or all of the CONNECTIONS gatherings hosted throughout the month in Carson City .

Check out our events calendar at https://connectionscentral.org/events to find more CONNECTIONS opportunities.

All are welcome. There is no cost and no sign up required.

CONNECTIONS bring people together for face-to-face interaction and uses guided story-sharing and meaningful conversation to promote stronger relationships and a happier and healthier life. See story here.

Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial happening today in Carson City at state capitol

Jeff Munson — Thu, 02 May 2024 16:30:13 +0000

Event Date:

May 2, 2024 - 1:00pm

The Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is today, Thursday, May 2 at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City. The memorial brings hundreds to the capitol grounds. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

Each year in May, Nevada's law enforcement officers make a relay run from Las Vegas to the memorial in Carson City. Since the run began in Las Vegas on April 24, runners have been carrying a roll of names of all Nevada peace officers who have lost their lives. The run ends today, Thursday at the presentation where a baton will be placed at the memorial.

There are more than 150 names on the Nevada Fallen Officers Memorial. Five names will be added to the wall Thursday. They are Officer Anthony Francone, Sgt. Michael Abbate, Trooper Alberto Felix, Trooper Clifford Fontaine, and Corrections Officer Victor Hunter.

A police officer for 26 years and more than 2 years with they Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Police, Anthony Francone was killed on August 25, 2023. He died when he was struck by a vehicle that was being pursued.

Troopers, Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix both worked for Nevada State Police and were killed in the line of duty on Nov. 30, 2023 after both were struck by a drunk driver.

Trooper Clifford Fontaine worked for Nevada Highway Patrol and died on Nov. 27, 2021 from COVID-19.

Corrections Officer Victor Hunter died on Sept. 16, 2011 from a work-related incident. His death is classified as a historical line of duty death.

The memorial ceremony features presentation of the colors, bag pipes, 21-gun salute, laying of the wreath, speeches, prayer, reverent songs, rider less horse, finalized by families of the fallen laying carnations on the Memorial and Taps.

Each agency leader for the respective departments will be invited to speak at the ceremony. The keynote speaker is Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo.

The Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated on May 13, 1998. Governor Bob Miller, hundreds of state dignitaries and law enforcement officers from around the nation attended the first Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony.

Walk for Hope brings Western Nevada College, Carson City community together for suicide awareness

Jeff Munson — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:32:35 +0000

Western Nevada College

The national issue of suicide — particularly among veterans — touched many people who attended the Walk for Hope on Wednesday morning at Western Nevada College in Carson City.

Presented by WNC’s Veterans Resource Center and the Wildcat Veterans Club, the event was focused on not only raising suicide awareness but providing resources and empowering people to prevent suicide.

Prior to the 1-mile scenic walk behind WNC’s Carson City campus, attendees listened to heartfelt speeches from college representatives and from people working directly in the field of suicide prevention.

“Having been touched directly and indirectly by people in my circle who have contemplated or entertained suicide, this is a very important topic,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “It’s a difficult conversation, but these types of events make it an easier conversation. We are committed as an organization to providing resources and we are investing in mental health services for students. If it helps one person not make that decision, that helps us all and it’s worth the money we’ve spent.”

Amy Roby, the community program coordinator for the Suicide Prevention Network in Minden, and Emma White of the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention were also on hand to provide support for the event by sharing their experiences and how we all can contribute to preventing it.

Roby’s nonprofit organization focuses on advocacy and prevention, providing free services and programs to the public.

“We do this through trainings and education about recognizing signs that someone might be experiencing a mental health condition or possibly having thoughts of suicide,” she said. “Opening up the conversation of mental wellness and eliminating the stigma that prevents someone to seek the support that they need and deserve.

“No one should ever feel embarrassed or hesitant to reach out for help. We are whole beings and we don’t hesitate to seek support for an ear infection or broken limb; brain health is no different. This work is very precious to me.”
Roby has experienced the loss of someone close to her from suicide and is determined to help others prevent it from happening to their friends and family members.

“I didn’t know then what I know now, which is why I feel like it is so important that we all learn to be more alert that someone else might be having a moment of difficulty, a season of difficulty or possibly having thoughts about suicide,” Roby said. “When we know more, we can do more. Education is so important; it’s empowering. Suicide is something that impacts us all and we can all work together to create more robust suicide-aware and suicide-safe communities.”

White serves as the statewide youth suicide prevention coordinator.

“It’s such an important cause, such an important conversation,” she said. “I’m very passionate about suicide prevention because that comes from my own experience of surviving suicide when I was 15. Unfortunately, after that, I’ve lost people in my life to suicide as well.

“The only way we can decrease our suicide numbers is through events like this, through training, through preparing people to having these conversations, expanding access to resources. We can’t do it without all people being onboard. Suicide prevention is really everyone’s business.”

WNC Associated Students of Western Nevada President Suzanna Stankute and Wildcat Veterans Club President Leo Triglia also spoke to attendees.

“It’s apparent that in a world where we’ve never been more connected, that we have never felt more alone,” Triglia said. “The only cure for loneliness that causes suicide is humanity. If we truly wish to fight suicide, we have to take ownership within each of our lives and the lives around us. Ownership means we must stop putting the burden to single days of awareness and making it a constant burden that we carry daily.”

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call, text or chat 988 for help.

Following the walk, participants enjoyed refreshments and checked out a variety of resources available to help people considering suicide.