Public safety

CARSON CITY – A Nevada think tank investigation shows that Clark County taxpayers are contributing $4.6 million a year to fund union activities by local government workers.

Fire officials at a news conference this evening in Reno said the Washoe Drive Fire totally destroyed 29 dwellings and damaged five others, burning a total of 3,177 acres. The fire is 65 percent contained.

They also said that a person has come forward claiming he improperly disposed of fireplace ashes, which started the blaze.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety says that U.S. Highway 395 may reopen after 10 p.m. tonight after crews worked all days repairing damage to make the roads safe.

Officials reported this morning that the Washoe Drive Fire destroyed 26 homes, and has currently consumed 3,900 acres.

At a 9 a.m. press conference, officials reported the blaze is 50 percent contained, and that 700 firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots in advance of the high wind that are forecast for this afternoon.

There were 20 homes reported lost last night, but in the light of day, personnel working the fire were able to get a better count of the structures that burned.

View Washoe Drive Fire (1/19/2012) in a larger map

UPDATE 510PM: Fire burns more than 3,000 acres with zero containment; 4,000 evacuated; no count on home and structure losses.

At 4:40 pm this afternoon, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, under his constitutional and statutory authority, made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with this event. The National Guard is on standby at the request of Sandoval and Washoe County. California has also provided fire assistance as part of a Governor to Governor agreement with Jerry Brown. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been and are being affected by this fire,” Sandoval said. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist. The Nevada Division of Forestry and the Department of Public Safety have also engaged with local responders.” Additionally, Nevada has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). As a result, Nevada is eligible for up to 75 percent funding assistance for eligible costs. The request was made by the Nevada Division of Forestry on behalf of Washoe County at the onset of the fire.

More below the fold.

JAN 4 - (RENO, NV) – A four month investigation by the Northern Nevada Drug Task Force (NNDTF) has led to the arrest of 8 individuals accused of operating a drug trafficking organization responsible for the regular distribution of methamphetamine in Northern Nevada.

In August of 2011, NNDTF Task Force Officers and Agents initiated an investigation into a mid-level group of suspected methamphetamine dealers suspected of delivering and distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine throughout the Reno/Sparks area on a monthly basis.

Nevada traffic fatalities dropped in 2011 to 243.

Preliminary numbers show that 243 fatalities occurred on Nevada roads in 2011. This compares to 257 Nevada traffic deaths in 2010.

The reduced fatalities follow a general trend of traffic deaths dropping from an all-time high of 432 in 2006 to 243 in 2011.

Question: What do Santa, a clown, a platoon of police officers, and coffee have in common?

Answer: They were all at the Wal-Mart service center Friday morning.

The second day of the seventh-annual Holiday With a Hero shopping spree event kicked off at 9 a.m., with the volunteers being fed donuts and coffee. Santa and his Wal-Mart helpers stood prepped to welcome less-fortunate children and help pair them off with volunteers, who would help them spend their complimentary Wal-Mart gift cards.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Sierra Front Field Office (SFFO) has made available for public review and comment the Nevada Broadband Telemedicine Initiative Environmental Assessment (EA).
The fiber optic cable project would connect, maintain and operate a statewide telemedicine network and would serve a minimum of 36 hospitals and medical facilities, with additional capacity available to serve public safety entities, educational institutions, and Tribal governments.
The comment period will close January 4, 2012.

On November 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time and 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. 

A federal effort to pump affordable loan money into rural communities across the nation is bringing the city of Caliente a brand new pumper truck and a rescue vehicle with a mini-pumper, and not a moment too soon.

Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Department of Public Safety and Transportation are this weekend reminding Nevada drivers that handheld cellphone use while driving is now prohibited in the state.

Governor Brian Sandoval, the Nevada Departments of Public Safety and Transportation and other traffic safety partners held an event in Carson City to remind drivers that handheld cellphone use while driving is prohibited in the state as of Oct. 1.

As of Oct. 1, law enforcement is giving motorists a warning for driving while talking, typing or reading on a handheld cellphone or similar device. Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, fines of up to $250, depending on the number of offenses, will be imposed for any driver using a handheld phone or device to talk, type or read.

CARSON CITY – Speakers at the fifth and final public hearing to comment on a draft environmental statement that seeks to map the future of the former Nevada Test Site expressed a variety of concerns Wednesday, including a failure to adequately address contamination of groundwater at the site.
Another concern focused on an indication in the document for what is now called the Nevada National Security Site that a previous agreement with the state of Nevada to avoid metropolitan areas in the transportation of low-level radioactive waste to the site for burial will be abandoned.

CARSON CITY – Brian Sandoval has made it clear in his first eight months on the job that he is going to be a “hands on” chief executive, as evidenced by decisions he has made to be personally involved on issues ranging from economic development to homeland security.

Update 3:00 p.m.: There are now four people reported dead from the shooting this morning. Two victims were uniformed National Guardsmen. One of the dead is the shooter, who killed himself. The other deceased victim was a civilian female. Eight more persons were wounded, including three more National Guardsmen.

Shooter's name is Eduardo Sencion, of Carson City.

2 p.m. update
Four people are dead, including the gunman who shot himself and died later at the hospital. Two of the dead where a man and women in the National Guard, who were in uniform.

There is a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m.

A few minutes before 9 a.m., a lone gunman armed with automatic AK-47-type assault rifle drives up to the IHOP on South Carson Street, and begins shooting in the parking lot. Locals BBQ owner Ralph Swagler said he saw the man drive up, and then empty a clip of ammo outside the IHOP, then reloads and goes inside, where he fires more shots very rapidly and exits within a few seconds.

Swagler said the gunman then saw his son locking the door of their business and opened fire at them. He also allegedly fired shots at the H&R Block office next door. Sometime after, the gunman shot himself, and died later at the hospital.

Witnesses recount events

More photos of the scene

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is will be out in full force through Labor Day looking out for drunk drivers.

Each year nearly 11,000 people die on the road due to drunk driving. Every day alcohol related accidents contribute to 1,440 injuries and 29 deaths.

Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or some one else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant.

Overtime for this event is paid for by the Office of Traffic Safety, Department of Public Safety.

Thanks to a letter written by a concerned citizen, Nevada owners of a concealed weapons (CCW) permit may soon be able to purchase more firearms without further background checks and the associated $25 fee.

CARSON CITY – A Nevada activist group is criticizing a decision by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to terminate all of its agreements with states regarding the operation of its “Secure Communities” program.
The information sharing program identifies criminal aliens for prosecution and deportation.

 
A series of public meetings on the plan to transport water from rural Nevada to Las Vegas is expected to draw a diverse group of allies trying to stop the controversial project.

By Lisa Davis
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and the National Association of Town Watch will co-sponsor the 28th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Mills Park.
The theme for this year is “101 Days of Crime Prevention and Safety” which was envisioned by Sheriff Ken Furlong to promote safety throughout the summer which continues well after National Night Out. Festivities run from 5 to to 8 p.m.

By the California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds people enjoying the Lake Tahoe Basin to take precautions to avoid black bear encounters. This area is prime black bear habitat, and many of these wild animals are not afraid of humans.
Recently, a bear had to be killed after a man in his tent was injured as the bear tried to break in.
Bears are constantly searching for food, which humans inadvertently make obtainable to them.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval today announced he has appointed Jeff Mohlenkamp as director of the Department of Administration effective July 11.
“I am pleased to announce that Jeff has agreed to join the team and lead the Department of Administration,” Sandoval said. “With more than 20 years of experience in state government, Jeff’s depth and breadth of experience across several agencies will be a strong asset to both my office and the department as a whole.”

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association members agreed at a meeting last month to recognize the carry concealed weapon permits of 15 states as being valid in Nevada beginning July 1.

The states agreed to at the May 5 meeting are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to a news release submitted by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

By the California Department of Fish and Game
If you’re in the outdoors anywhere in California this spring, you might cross paths with one of the state’s most common predators – the coyote.

Clever, nimble and quick, the coyote may at first glance appear to be more of a nuisance than a direct threat. But don’t let your guard down, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) warns.

By Lisa Davis
Carson City Sheriff’s Office will host the 8th Annual Cops and Kids Sheriff’s Open House safety, crime and substance abuse awareness fair today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, 911 E. Musser Street. Cops and Kids Sheriff’s Open House was started by Sheriff Ken Furlong as part of the community policing efforts implemented by his administration.

Amgen Tour of California officials say they should have a decision by 9 a.m. as to what they intend to do about the Stage 1 kick-off set to begin at South Lake Tahoe given that snow is expected in the Sierra through the morning.

By the California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds campers, anglers and hikers enjoying the outdoors to take precautions to limit black bear encounters.

A key element to safe camping and recreating in bear country is to limit food odors that attract bears.

Carson City leaders today will review the 2012 fiscal year budget, with overall spending down about 1 percent from 2011 figures.

Looking ahead to 2012, the Board of Supervisors will see a budget that serves 21 government funds with estimated expenditures of $80.5 million and 10 proprietary funds at $39.2 million, City Manager Larry Werner reports.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Legislature finally took up the issue of reforms to the state’s public employee retirement system today, but the proposed changes from Democratic Assembly Speaker John Oceguera are modest.

A former student banned from the Western Nevada College campus has allegedly sent "disturbing" and "threatening" emails to WNC and Nevada System of Higher Education staff. The Carson City Sheriff's Office is investigating the matter.

A security alert was issued Monday on the WNC website. The former WNC student named in the alert is Eric Hodgdon. Online college records show there was a 2007 WNC graduate Eric Arthur Hodgdon.