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It’s Your City with Kate Zook of Silver State Fair Housing Council

This week's guest on It's Your City is Kate Zook of the Silver State Fair Housing Council, a private non-profit agency based in Carson City that advocates for equal access to housing in Nevada.

As executive director of the council, Zook explains how the agency advocates for fair housing by providing a comprehensive program of outreach, education, and enforcement activities for consumers and housing providers.

“We welcome all calls from everyone involved in housing transactions, we are happy to talk to owners of property, property managers, real estate professionals as well as consumers who are looking for housing or housing situations where they may have questions,” she said of the council which formed in 1989.

By addressing the needs of housing consumers, housing providers, and local governments, the council works to break down barriers to equal housing opportunity and build opportunities for community members to relate to each other as neighbors, she said.

The agency provides six regular training sessions annually for housing providers.
The ABCs of Fair Housing for Real Estate and Property Management Professionals is a three hour continuing education course accredited by Nevada Real Estate Commission and the Commission on Common-Interest Communities and Hotel Condominiums.

The training is designed to provide real estate licensees, property managers, homeowners’ associations, office staff and maintenance employees with resources and tools to recognize and address potential fair housing issues.

Topics include basic fair housing information, families with children, advertising, and fair housing protections for persons with disabilities. All participants receive an comprehensive packet of information and resources, as well as a certificate of participation.

Silver State Fair Housing Council is not a state or federal agency. It doesn’t provide legal advice “but we will be giving you information based on years of working as components of legal housing opportunity,” said Zook.

Over the half of the work the agency does is with people with disabilities.

“Despite the fact that fair housing laws were passed in 1968 we see housing descrimination issues across the state and across the country every single day,” she said.

If you suspect housing discrimination or would like more information, call 775-324-0990, 888-585-8634 toll-free, Relay Nevada 711 or email fairhousing@ssfhc.org. You can also access the website here.

It's Your City is a weekly program aimed at keeping citizens informed about city government, organizations and happenings around Carson City, Nev. Go here to learn more about Access Carson City Television.

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Thursday evening, Carson City Supervisors approved the language for two ballot questions dealing with an increase in taxes for the specific purpose of fixing local roads.

Escape rooms are opening in Carson City this weekend. OwnersJennifer Smith and Tracey Hudson have worked to create unique escape room experiences that offer classic games alongside all-new puzzles to appeal to game lovers and problem solvers of all experience levels.

Conditions and weather permitting, a number of prescribed fires are in the works through spring to remove fuels that can feed unwanted wildland fires.

There are two prescribed burns around the Lake Tahoe area this week, and a number of fires across the Sierra and into the foothills in western Nevada.

Lanes reduced on U.S. 50 in west Dayton this Friday morning through Monday morning as we replace concrete barrier.

The Nevada State Museum and University of Nevada, Reno conducted archaeological excavations at Fort Churchill State Park in the mid-1970s. Museum staff and research associates are re-examining these collections reflecting U.S. Army and other military units’ occupation of the fort between 1860 and 1869.

Nevada’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points from February to March and now sits at 5.1 percent, according to the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s March 2024 economic report. The labor force in the state shrunk by 114 people.

The Nevada Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is honored to announce bipartisan approval of a statewide initiative to expand early learning centers and child care access for Nevada families.

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the state’s contentious “ghost gun” ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the law banning the sale of unfinished frames and receivers of a firearm was unconstitutionally vague.

By state law, once Carson City’s population reaches 60,000 residents, they will be mandated to create a new courtroom complete with a new judge and staff.

However, that comes with a price tag of at least $800,000 in staffing alone — and doesn’t include the price to expand the courthouse.

Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted a draft "Local Road Safety Plan" for public review and comment. A Local Road Safety Plan is a method for developing a locally tailored framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements.

While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is proud to announce the addition of two new K9 teams. Our latest additions have just completed K9 school and are now deployed to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The addition of these two K9s maintains our service of seven dog teams, as we continue toward our organizational goal of eight K9 teams to provide full-time coverage for the Carson City community.

Lane reductions will take place Fridays through Mondays on U.S. 50 in Dayton beginning Friday, April 19 as the Nevada Department of Transportation replaces concrete barrier rail in the highway median.

The four Douglas County School District board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting last Tuesday.

The 42nd annual Chili on the Comstock returns to heat up Virginia City on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. As a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Finals, guests can indulge in a diverse array of chili styles, from spicy to mild and chili verde, all expertly crafted by some of the finest chili cooks in the West.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.