The National Weather Service in Reno is tracking a band of strong thunderstorms heading toward Carson City and the Carson Range from the south this evening.
The west side of the Carson range can expect lightning, moderate rainfall amounts of around a half inch per hour, reducing visibility to less than three miles and strong gusty winds of around 40 to 50 mph, according to the weather service.
Areas mostly likely to be affected include Genoa, Spooner Summit, Lakeview and the Washoe Lake areas, as well as Glenbrook, Incline Village and the Mount Rose summit.

The National Weather Service reports that a low pressure system near the California coast could produce thunderstorms again in the Carson City and Tahoe region today similar to those on Saturday and Sunday. Lighting and gusty winds can be expected with the storms if they indeed generate.
The likelihood of the storms developing would be in the afternoon and, the weather service says, there may be hail and heavy rainfall associated with them.
Go to and bookmark www.carsonweather.com for the latest.

A 40-year-old California man who called himself "Jesus" before allegedly punching another man in the mouth and flashing a knife was arrested by Carson City authorities on Sunday.
Lary Robert Welch of Rio Dell, Calif., faces a felony assault charge and misdemeanor battery, obstruction and drunken pedestrian charges. Bail was set at $21,606.
According to the arrest report, Carson City Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the area of Idaho Street and Sheffield Manor at about 9:30 p.m. after a report of a fight that involved a knife.

In other news:
A Dayton man faces a misdemeanor assault charge after allegedly punching another man in the face at Costco on Saturday after the victim accidently bumped into a woman.
The assault was witnessed by an off-duty Douglas County Sheriff's officer. The victim said he had walked into Costco, forgot to get a cart, turned and accidently bumped into a woman. The woman began to verbally abuse the man, the arrest report said. The victim told authorities that he asked the woman not to cause a scene because his young son was with him and then walked away from her. A few minutes later, the male suspect walked up to the man, used profanities and then punched him in the mouth. The victim dropped to the ground and several customers came to his aid.
The off-duty Douglas officer followed the suspect out of the store and gave Carson City authorities a description. Other witnesses identified the suspect and the man was charged with misdemeanor battery. Bail was set at $1,132.

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Check out some of these great photographs of Locomotive #18 posted by Scott Schrantz at aroundcarson.com. The engine, bought in 2005 by the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway, was in service on Saturday.

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Victims by the dozens arrived at the Carson City Sheriff's Office this morning hoping to find what was stolen from them after authorities cracked a burglary ring earlier this month that is believed to have started a year ago.

Sifting through hundreds of items such as iPods, laptops, CDs, DVDs, guns, tools and guitars, many of the victims said they were hopeful they could place positive identifications on what had been taken from them.

In all, five people are believed to be involved in the five-county burglary ring, with three now in custody. The latest arrest was an 18-year-old Carson City man, Christopher Buttz, who faces charges of possession of stolen property.

Also charged are Bryan Gaudette, 27, and Heather Olea, 22. The three are being held in the Carson City Jail. Andrue Madden, 18, is still being sought by law enforcement.

According to investigators, contacts in Douglas and Washoe counties led to the recovery. It was the Carson City Sheriff’s Office that served a search warrant at one suspect’s residence, resulting in the recovery of hundreds of items linked to burglaries in all five jurisdictions, said Carson City detective Daniel Gonzales.

Detectives from Washoe County, Reno Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and Sparks Police Department have since developed information on additional suspects. Victims are now beginning to recover the goods. Depending on today's outcome, there could be more public displays Gonzales said.

Kurt Krug was one of the victims. The Stephanie Way resident had a briefcase and iPod — containing information on his contracting business, including credit card numbers — stolen from his unlocked vehicle.

The loss, valued $1,000, he said, doesn't even begin to shake out the value of what was inside, he said.

"This is like going to hell and back. They have no idea what kind of damage they've done," Krug said as he sifted through tables of stolen property. "The kind of information that was in the briefcase is something you don't want floating around. It's valuable to me and valuable to the names of the people inside the case."

Krug said he may have made a positive identification on the iPod and will know later today. Victims from Carson City, Douglas County, Reno and Sparks areas appeared for the showing, which lasted until 11 this morning.

Rhonda Abend had a suitcase and duffel bag stolen out of her car at her West Carson City apartment complex. Like Krug, it was the contents inside that mattered. In her case, it was her side greeting card business materials. She put the value loss of about $500.

Unfortunately the walk-through didn't produce her stolen property.
"The police told us that they're still finding items, so you never know. Maybe they'll find my stuff or maybe my stolen stuff isn't related" to the burglary ring, said Abend.

Steven Chambers of Johnson Lane had his vehicle broken into in May and taken from him was a large black case that held $6,000 worth of cosmetology material and equipment. As a cosmetology student, he had to suspend classes because of the theft, he said.

He filed insurance in which he got a "very small" portion of the loss back, he said.

"It wasn't even around the amount that it cost," he said. "And really, who would need sheers, makeup, flat irons and curling irons anyway? These are things that are specific to professional cosmetologists."

Chambers found the case on Monday but none of the equipment was inside.

"I can't fathom the reason why they would need this. Pawn shops wouldn't even take any of this stuff into their inventory so they either probably tossed it into the Dumpster or someone is using it. I just don't understand why this wasn't recovered," he said.

Johnson Lane resident Ken Jones was hoping to find his new, unopened Jimi Hendrix CD "Valley of Neptune", which was released in March and was stolen out of his vehicle in May.

"They got the Jimi Hendrix, and I was really looking forward to listening to it," he said.

Also stolen were a couple of Kansas CDs and a Them Crooked Vultures CD case.

"The CD was in the player. I just want the case back," said Jones.

CARSON CITY — A group seeking to mandate the use of secret ballots in all elections involving union representation has filed an initiative petition to make such a requirement the law in Nevada.
The proposal to amend Nevada state law was filed July 15 with the Secretary of State's office and lists Steve Wark of Las Vegas as the state chairman of the Save Our Secret Ballot effort.
The group had filed a similar initiative petition proposal in February seeking to amend the state Constitution to implement the secret ballot requirement, but no signatures of registered voters were turned in to qualify the measure by a June deadline.

No related posts.

Carson City DA Neil Robardo

Carson City District Attorney Neil Rombardo, in conjunction with the Carson City Sheriff's Office and other city agencies, kicked off an effort today to battle abuse of elderly and vulnerable citizens.

Speaking at the Carson City Senior Center, Rombardo related his own positive experiences with his grandmother as a motivation for the effort to make sure senior citizens in this community have access to help to escape abusive situations.

Dubbed the S.A.V.E. program, for Stop Abuse of Vulnerable and Elderly, the aim is to increase awareness of the problem of abuse, provide resources for victims, and increase prosecution of the abusers.

"The elderly shouldn't have to live in fear of someone taking their money, harming them physically, isolating them from loved ones or neglecting them," Rombardo said. "It's important that the city at large do what it can to ensure that the golden years of our seniors are truly golden, and that vulnerable people receive the respect they deserve."

The DA's office will provide training to law enforcement agencies, health care professionals, local businesses and community groups to help them recognize the signs of abuse and know what to do to help the victims.

Sheriff Ken Furlong related how Rombardo approached him about this idea a few months ago when both of them were involved in a charity fashion show.

"He said, 'Sheriff, we really have a problem here, and I have a plan that I want to put forward, and I want to fix it,'" Furlong said.

He said that the mostly young officers who are on the street often don't have the training to know how to help seniors in these situations. As part of this program, Furlong said these officers would be re-educated to deal with these problems, and provided the know-how to get these people the help the need.

Furlong also said they have re-assigned a detective to deal with elder abuse cases.

For more information about the S.A.V.E. program, contact the DA's office at (775) 887-2070.

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Pea and marble-sized hail fell on Carson City shortly before 5 this afternoon. The weather pattern should continue through this evening, according to www.carsonweather.com and the National Weather Service in Reno.
According to the weather service, thunderstorms will produce abundant dry lightning for the lower elevations of northeastern California and western Nevada. Thunderstorms may have some moderate to locally heavy rain in the cores but fast storm motions will provide abundant dry lightning strikes on storm peripheries and the threat of numerous new fire starts.
Meanwhile, a Red Flag warning is in effect through 8 p.m. tonight for dry thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds for lower elevations of northeastern California and western Nevada.

Photo: Mason Margolin, 12, holds up hail he collected in his Robinson Street yard from today's storm.

Watch the live meeting here beginning at 6 p.m.

Toni Van Cleave talks about this year's Senior Follies at the Carson City Senior Center:

CARSON CITY — The major funding gaps Nevada and other states have  been forced  to address in their current budgets will continue in the next cycle  even as tax  revenues finally begin to show signs of life, a national report released today says.
Signs of “delicate” revenue improvement will be offset by the loss of federal stimulus funds, posing ongoing challenges to  lawmakers in 2011 and beyond, says the report from the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL).
"State Budget Update: July 2010 (Preliminary Report)" presents the organization’s latest look at the state fiscal situation. Based on data collected from legislative fiscal directors in late June and early July, the report provides complete or partial information on 49 states, including Nevada.

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— Nevada News Bureau

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LAKE TAHOE — Get ready for jazz, Celtic, mystery, comedy, bluegrass, percussion and a whole lot more at the Lake Tahoe Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival. The Festival takes place at the historic Tahoe Tallac site, a 74-acre setting currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a 1800’s favorite getaway for Northern California’s elite members of society.  But you don’t have to be an elite member of society to enjoy the variety of affordable and sometimes even free events at the Valhalla Festival.

Here’s the line-up for August and for tickets, please call (530) 541-4975. You can also find the schedule at www.valhallatahoe.com.

August 4, 7:30 p.m.:

August 5, 7 p.m.:
Murder Mystery Dinner at the Grand Hall is an authentic Tahoe-based radio play celebrating the Roaring Twenties' South Shore
lifestyle. Wine and hors d'oeuvres are included in the ticket price of $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under.

August 10, 7:30 p.m.:
Tahoe Improv Players at the Boathouse Theatre will deliver spontaneous, hilarious, improvised comedy as they’ve been entertaining audiences for 15 years. Tickets are $10/$5.

August 11 at 7:30 p.m.:
Bison performs at the Boathouse Theatre as partof the "Locals Only" series. Bison is a five-piece bluegrass band that mixes original folk and american roots music with new takes on traditional bluegrass tunes and covers from all genres for some serious foot-stomping fun. Tickets are $10/$5.

August 12 at 7:30 p.m.:
Durga takes the stage at the Boathouse Theatre. Durga celebrates the story of the drum and acknowledges rhythm as a universal language. This multi-media show combines spirited performance, captivating film and thought provoking narration by Liz Broscoe. Reaching beyond the stereotypical boundaries of race and gender, Liz performs on Native American, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, African and American drums. Tickets are $15/$12/$5.

August 13-19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Kit Knight — Artist in Residence at the Twin Cabins and free of charge.

August 15, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.:
Gatsby Tea Party on the Valhalla Grand Hall Lawn is a Sunday afternoon hosted by the Tahoe Heritage Foundation serving tea, Gatsby era sweets and savories. The highlight of the afternoon is the fashion show of vintage clothing; themes have ranged from "pack for a cruise" and "summer at the lake" to "wedding trousseau." Tickets for the tea are available through the Tahoe Heritage Foundation and generally sell out early at $35 per person. Call (530) 544-7383.

August 17, 7 p.m.:
Bare Bones Open Mic at the Boathouse Theater with a variety of music, comedy, and spoken word. The Bare Bones Open Mic Nights is a series providing a creative stage for musicians, writers, comedians, and all other performing artists wanting to be seen and
heard. It’s a free event and there’s plenty of room in the audience too (for the non-performing types!).

August 18, 7:30 p.m.:
Gypsy Fire with Russel Ketenjian at the Boathouse Theatre. Experience the power of the earliest complex stringed instrument...the ancient Oud. Ride a Magic Carpet through time as Ketenjian's melodies of Greece, Armenia, Turkey, Persia and the Anatolian region weave a delicate thread that create a tapestry that shall live for eternity. Tickets are $10/$5.

August 19, 7:30 p.m.:
Men of Worth grab the stage at the Boathouse Theatre as James Keigher (Ireland) and Donnie Macdonald (Scotland), blend their voices with harmony and support their collection of songs with their varied selection of instruments. They have a very simple approach to their presentation, and in keeping with tradition, remain true to the Gaelic/Celtic music and stories. Their show is a unique combination of humor, exciting tunes, and soulful, heartfelt ballads. Tickets are $18/$15.

August 20 – 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Dee Manning - Fine Art Paintings at the Twin Cabins. Free of charge.

August 20, 7:30 p.m.:
Golden Bough at the Boathouse Theatre, a popular group and 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary for this internationally acclaimed Celtic trio. Margie, Paul and Kathy back their pristine vocals on an array of instruments; Celtic harp, violin, octave-mandolin, guitar, penny-whistle, accordion, viola and bodhran. Tickets are $15/$10.

August 22, 2 p.m:
Gordy Ohlinger - "The Banjo-ologist" at the Boathouse Theatre transcends the cartoon stereotype of the banjo to reveal an instrument of full emotional subtlety. As an internationally touring multi-instrumentalist, he’s recognized as the only musician accomplished in all the banjo styles from its 19th century African/Yankee roots to the present. A musical Mark Twain with a thread of happiness through the decades. From minstrel show to
vaudeville, Gordy shares a heritage you can hear, with his movable museum of vintage instruments. $15/$10.

August 23 – 29, Monday through Saturday. 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.:
’Talking With’ by Jane Martin at the Boathouse Theatre is a unique collection of 11 monologues by 11 marvelous characters who come together in an
unforgettable evening of theatre. Even when their challenges and crises appear larger than life, the characters embody universal issues: unbearable loneliness, crises of confidence, bereavement, loss of hope and struggles with faith. $18/$15.

August 26 at 6 p.m.:
Wine Tasting and ‘Talking With’ by Jane Martin at the Boathouse Theatre. The Wine Tasting is sponsored by Après Wine Bar and the cost is $50 per couple and $28 per person (includes play ticket). Tickets are also available without the wine tasting.

August 27 thru Sept. 5:
Jim Stamates — Artist in Residence at the Twin Cabins presents his images of award-winning wildlife. Free of charge,

This season, the Valhalla parking lot will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Parking will be limited to two hours to allow visitors to visit the cultural art store, view the Valhalla Grand Hall and the Boathouse Theater or to buy tickets for upcoming events. Limited parking is available for all scheduled events and we encourage car-pooling. There is no public beach access from the Tahoe Tallac site.

The Boathouse Theatre is a structure that dates back to the turn-of-the century distinguishing it as one of Tahoe’s earliest preserved buildings. For festival line up, visit http://www.valhallatahoe.com/ or call 530-541-4975. The annual Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre festival is in its 31st season with a summer through fall entertainment series including theatrical presentations, an entire series of Classical, Jazz, Celtic, ethnic, and popular music; the return of the Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival. Guests to the site will find visual arts exhibits; an artists-in-residence, children’s art workshops, youth theatre camps and a Cultural Arts Store.

— The Tahoe Tallac Association was formed in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of assisting the Forest Service in
restoring the three estates on the Tallac Historic Site, developing the site as a historic center, and sponsoring/producing the Valhalla
Arts & Music Festival held annually on the Heller Estate of the Tallac Historic Site.

A Carson City woman faces multiple drug charges after being stopped on a traffic warrant.
Geraldine May Guthrie-Dumas, 50, was booked on suspicion of felony possession of a methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance charges a well as allegedly holding prescription pills without a prescription and drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $9,581.
According to the arrest report, Carson City authorities were on Special Enforcement Team patrol on Saturday when they spotted the woman getting inside a white Cadillac. Gutherie-Dumas was wanted on a traffic warrant from the Carson City Justice Court.

In other news:

An El Cajon, Calif., man faces multiple drug charges after he was pulled over for not using his turn signal.
Steven Michael Lehrbaum, 29, faces felony drug and driving under the influence charges. His bail was set at $13,739.
According to the arrest report, a Special Enforcement Team was assigned to patrol on Saturday. Officers spotted an orange Honda that didn't use a turn signal. Officers stopped the Honda and conducted an interview.
Lehrbaum's behavior during the stop led police to believe he was under the influence of drugs, according to the arrest report. A deputy asked the man if he had any drugs in his car, and the man shook his head, according to the arrest report.
The man was wearing sunglasses and the officer asked him to take them off. When he removed his sunglasses the deputy observed his eyes were slightly red and watery, according to the report. The man was asked if he would participate in a field sobriety test and the man agreed, according to the arrest report.
The man failed numerous field tests. He was given a breath test which indicated he was not under the influence of alcohol, according to the arrest report.
The man was handcuffed for suspected driving under the influence of drugs. During the search of the car, officers found a plastic bag with approximately 2.4 grams of methamphetamine, according to the report. At the jail, a blood test was administered testing for drugs. Results of the drug test have not returned.
Meanwhile a criminal background check found Lehrbaum had two prior DUI convictions. He was booked on charges of third offense DUI, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to maintain a single lane of traffic.

The Carson City permit center will be closed Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 4 to Aug. 6, while the permit center facilities are being moved to 108 E. Proctor Street. The permit center will reopen at its new location on Monday, Aug. 9.

The permit center handles all permits relating to the Building, Business License, Engineering and Planning Divisions of the Public Works Department. The Building Division will continue to conduct scheduled building permit inspections during the office closure. The permit center is currently located at 2621 Northgate Lane.

The Nevada Highway Patrol reports today that it has booked a 21-year-old woman on charges related to a July 21 head-on accident on Highway 50 west of Dayton.
Occupants of both vehicles were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center for injuries sustained in the accident. The occupants of the Dodge van were all discharged from Renown, the NHP reports.
The driver of the at-fault vehicle, Heidi Shellenbarger, was released from Renown on Friday, July 23. A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper placed her under arrest and transported her to Lyon County jail where she was booked on the following charges: Felony DUI alcohol causing substantial bodily harm, felony reckless driving, felony posession of a cocaine, misdemeanor failure to maintain a single travel lane, misdemeanor driving on a suspended license, and misdemeanor warrant on failure to appear. Bail of the charges was set at more than $60,000, according to the NHP.

Have you been thinking of finally taking a great vacation in 2011? Join the Carson City Chamber of Commerce at Red's Old 395 Grill beginning at 5:30 today for a discussion on the 2011 Collette Vacations Chamber Trips.

For a preveiw of the intineries to be presented click on the links below.

RSVP so the Chamber can reserve a spot exclusively for you.


Tropical Costa Rica – April 9 -17, 2011

French Riviera – April 27 – May 4, 2011


British Landscapes - October 2011

CARSON CITY — Nevada failed to make the cut today in its quest to win as much as $175 million in competitive federal funds to improve student achievement, but the details of why won't be known until next month.
The failure to make the cut occurred even  though Gov. Jim Gibbons created a blue ribbon panel to oversee the application process and the state  hired a consultant to help finalize Nevada's grant application.
Nineteen of 36 states made the cut in this, the second round of a competition for a share of the Race to the Top funds. Nevada did not compete in the first round earlier this year.

• increasing the graduation rate to 85 percent;
• reducing the achievement gap for African American and Hispanic students;
• increasing the number of graduates enrolling in post-secondary institutions both in-state or out-of-state by 50 percent;
• increasing student achievement percentages of students proficient or advanced on the NAEP fourth-grade mathematics (from 32 percent to 50 percent) and eighth-grade mathematics (from 25 percent to 50 percent); and
• increasing student achievement percentages of students proficient or advanced on the NAEP fourth-grade reading (from 24 percent to 50 percent) and eighth-grade reading (from 22 percent to 50 percent).

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the finalists at an event today in Washington, DC.
"As you know, we have $3.4 billion to distribute under Race to the Top – which should be enough to fund up to about 12 states," he said. "But as I have said many times before, this isn’t just about the money. This is about working together and putting the needs of children ahead of everyone else.
"This entire process has moved the nation and advanced education reform," Duncan said. "Children are the big winners here because we have all learned so much more about how to find common ground around the things that we know will make a difference in the classroom."
In a letter to governors, Duncan congratulated the winners, and applauded others for applying for a share of the grant funds and encouraged the states to continue to work on education reform.
A total of 46 states and the District of Columbia applied for either the first or second rounds or both.
The 19 finalists in this second round are: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.
The award winners, as well as the complete scorecards for all applicants, will be made public later this year.
___
audio clips:
Ray Bacon says Nevada’s application was weak on existing reform efforts:
072710Bacon1 :21 of the doubt.”
Bacon says Nevada won’t know details of why the application did not make the cut until next month:
072710Bacon2 :15 that in detail.”
Bacon says the application can be used to pursue private foundation funding:
072710Bacon3 :23 on specific parts.”

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— Nevada News Bureau

CARSON CITY — Nevada's taxable sales fell 1.9 percent in May over May 2009, a decline following April which saw the first positive month for the economic indicator in 20 months, the state Department of Taxation reported today.
May statewide taxable sales totaled $3.1 billion compared to $3.2 billion in May 2009.
Taxable sales are down just over 11 percent so far for the 2010 fiscal year, which ended June 30. One more month of collections, from June, must still be reported for the year.

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— Nevada News Bureau

The letter was written July 21 by Lynn Hettrick, deputy chief of staff to Governor Jim Gibbons, and addressed to Mark Lewis, who was the consultant for the Hop & Mae Adams Foundation, brought onto the project by Nugget President Steve Neighbors.

"We are disappointed that the State of Nevada's support for and participation in this project appears to be overstated," the letter reads. "...Though the proposition of a more attractive downtown core which generates jobs and business is very appealing, our concerns regarding adequate parking and measurable cost savings remains unaddressed."

At issue is the feasibility study done by Meridian Business Advisors, to show that the state can save money by moving three state agencies to the new project.

One key point Hettrick tackles is claim in the study that the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services can reduce its current operations space from 234,596 square feet to 139,691 sq. ft. in the new development, while retaining 19,908 sq. ft. of its current space.

"I contacted the Director of DHHS and asked him if he agreed that his operations can be housed in 139,691 sq. ft.," the letter reads. "He told me that that was not possible and that his discussions regarding the possible relocation were conceptual in nature and did not include the reduction of 75,000 sq. ft. of operations space."

Hettrick goes on to question the lack of consideration for retaining the 19,908 sq. ft. for DHHS, the problems with renegotiating existing leases, and lack of savings in personnel and IT costs due to the retention of some of the existing space.

In related news, Carson City Manager Larry Werner sent out a media release this afternoon stating that the city, the foundation and P3 Development have agreed to extend the timeframe for the feasibility study.

When contacted for comment, Werner said they are experiencing delays in getting land appraisals finished, which are need to figure lease rates for the land. He said the appraisals should be done by mid-August.

Werner said the Hettrick letter did not factor into the delay, but that it will necessitate further discussions on the issues it raises.

Under the new timeframe, the Carson Nugget Development Advisory Committee will now meet on Aug. 30, and the presentation to Board of Supervisors will be on September 16.

Hettrick Letter:

The Carson City School District Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 East William Street.
District Superintendent Richard Stokes will be absent from the meeting because of a planned vacation, officials said.
Also absent from the agenda is a personnel matter regarding Carson Middle School principal Sam Santillo, who pled guilty in a Reno courtroom earlier this month to misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol.