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USDA awards energy grants to Mound House RV garage, Washoe Valley ranch

A Mound House RV repair outfit, a community agriculture ranch in Washoe Valley and a motel in Fallon are among the recipients of energy grants awarded Tuesday by USDA Rural Development Nevada.

Ed’s RV Repair, McCleary Ranch and Pranav Morar’s Comfort Inn each received grants to to make energy efficiency improvements. The Rural Energy for America Program grants, amounting to nearly $60,000, were awarded to rural businesses so they can replace liquid propane with solar thermal water heaters, save therms of natural gas per year through efficiency upgrades and produce 83,422 kWh of green energy per year with solar photovoltaic systems.

“We made a big push to get the word out about REAP with workshops across Nevada, and I am pleased with the number of grants going to small businesses and agricultural producers,” said USDA RD Nevada State Director Sarah Adler. “With many REAP grants approved and more in the works our goal now is to work with rural lenders to get additional large REAP guaranteed loans approved.”

Edward Sensibaugh of Ed’s RV Repair in Mound House received a $4,775 REAP grant to purchase and construct a 5.4 kW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system. The solar photovoltaic system will generate an estimated 9,094 kWh of renewable energy annually.

Elizabeth McCleary’s community supported agriculture business, McCleary Ranch, in Washoe Valley received a $10,066 REAP grant to make energy efficiency improvements to her farm’s irrigation system. The updated irrigation system will save an estimated 5,884 kWh of energy annually. This is McCleary’s second REAP grant, the first of which was used to install a solar photovoltaic system.

Pranav Morar’s Fallon Comfort Inn received a $10,299 REAP grant to make energy efficiency improvements to its hot water system. The efficiency improvements will save an estimated 3,115 therms of natural gas annually. Contracted through Mike’s Plumbing in Fallon, this project will replace old boilers and steel tanks with a modern efficiency hot water system.

Reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) helps enhance renewable energy use and energy efficiency with grants covering 25 percent of a total project cost and guarantee loans covering up to 75 percent of the total project cost. The latest round of Nevada grants helped seven rural businesses which included hotels, agricultural producers and an automotive repair shop.

Others to receive grants are: Jadish Desai’s Monarch Motel in Hawthorne. Briggs Electric located in Carson City is contracted for the installation of $20,000 in REAP grant money to purchase and construct a 22.7 kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system. The solar photovoltaic system will generate an estimated 45,528 kWh of renewable energy annually. This marks the second REAP grant Desai has received for a solar photovoltaic system.

The Miles End Lodge Bed and Breakfast owned by John and Ann Miles in Kingston, received a $2,604 REAP grant to purchase and construct a solar thermal system for generating hot water. The solar thermal system will replace an estimated 565 gallons of liquid propane gas annually. The project is contracted to Sunvelope Solar located in Sparks.

James Gatzke’s small farming operation, Canyon Gardens, near Elgin, Nev. will use a $3,100 REAP grant to purchase and construct a 1.7 kW off-grid solar photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic system will generate an estimated 1,645 kWh of renewable energy annually.

Marilyn Yamamoto’s Organic Edibles Las Vegas received an $8,969 REAP grant to purchase and construct a 10.8 kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system. The solar photovoltaic system will generate an estimated 21,271 kWh of renewable energy annually for the farming operation. The solar photovoltaic cells will be installed through Sol-Up USA located in Las Vegas.

REAP applications are accepted continuously, and the next funding opportunity for grants of $20,000 and less will be October 31. To learn more about the program go to the USDA website at www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable... or contact Mark Williams, Energy Coordinator for USDA Rural Development, at (775) 887-1222, Ext. 116.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $211 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

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The Nevada Jeep Club held their first Washoe Valley Cleanup on Saturday, May 4 and collected more than 450 pounds of trash along Highway 395.

Partnership Carson City has launched “Rediscovering Your Mental Health Series,” a five-week program aimed at promoting mental wellness during Mental Health Awareness Month this May. Each week, participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques to enhance their mental well-being and foster a healthy community.

The Carson City Leisure Hour Club members continue celebrating the organization’s 127th year with a presentation on the upcoming Jazz and Beyond festival.

At the club’s dinner meeting on Thursday, May 16, Cherie Shipley, a member of the event planning committee, will talk about the annual Jazz and Beyond festival, how it formed, and the impact it has had on the community. Jazz and Beyond is scheduled for August 16 to August 25, 2024.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 6-12, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Organized by Carol Park, the Elks held an open to the public, two-day indoor garage sale at the lodge in March as a fundraiser for Holiday with a Hero. Lodge members donated all items sold and assisted at the event which received excellent support from the community.

An 18-year-old Carson City man was arrested at a local diner after allegedly stealing a car from a used car lot two days prior to test drive it.

Friday May 10 at 7:30PM, Valhalla Tahoe kicks off their season with a living history presentation, “The Reno Cure,” at the Boathouse Theater. Reno has long been known as “The Biggest Little City.”

The Carson City Symphony Association will present a concert, "Pleasures of Music," on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church, 3680 N. Hwy. 395, south of Best Buy, Carson City. The concert is a Mark Twain Days event. Admission is free, donations welcome,

Members of the Rotary Club of Carson City will learn how its annual Educational Grant has helped local students at the club’s next meeting. Carson School District K-12 Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator Brittany Witter received the club’s Carson City School District’s Professional Development Center Grant last year with the goal of funding the “Literacy and Love of Reading through Social Studies” project.

Western Nevada College hosted a ceremony to celebrate students succeeding in training to reestablish themselves in the workforce on Thursday.

Perfection in a fur coat is the best way to describe Cher, our cat of the week. Just 7 months old, she is a pretty little short-haired girl with a sweet and social personality.

Carson High School's Senior in the Spotlight this week is Parker Schmid, a remarkable young man whose sparkle radiates in every aspect of his life. From academics to extracurriculars, Parker's journey embodies excellence and compassion, traits that set him apart from his peers.

UPDATE 6 p.m.: Courtesy of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office: On May 3, 2024 at approximately 1430 hours, Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Central Lyon County, Carson City and Storey County Fire personnel to the area of 34 Newman Ln. for a report of motorhome on fire. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the fire had spread and multiple other abandoned vehicles caught fire as well. No one was hurt or injured during the incident. The incident is currently under investigation, which is being conducted by the Nevada State Fire Marshall’s Division.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Firefighters from Storey are also now responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Multiple vehicles on the property are engulfed in flame.

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Around 2:15 p.m. a fire was reported at 34 Newman Lane in Mound House.

Firefighters from Carson City and Lyon County are enroute to the scene.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: According to Sheriff Ken Furlong, a student reported they saw a weapon. The incident was investigated and there was no weapon found. The lockdown has now been lifted and students are leaving the school.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Update 05-03-24 at 1:15 p.m.
One student has reported an alleged weapon sighting. It has not been corroborated, but school officials and the sheriff’s office are investigating out an abundance of caution.

***

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The following update was provided by the district:

Carson High School was put on lockdown this afternoon around 12:15 p.m. No person was injured. There is an active situation being investigated in cooperation with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. We will provide more information as it becomes known. The school is secure. Do not go to the school. No entrances will be permitted at time. The district will provide updates every 30 minutes. Expect the next update at 1:15 p.m.

***

Carson High School is currently on a lockdown as of 12:40 p.m. Friday, but there has been no incident reported according to Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Two School Resource Officers are on scene investigating why the alarm went off.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office arrested three for their alleged involvement in business thefts last month on Topsy Lane south of Carson City.

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.

The new renovations at the Carson City Senior Center opened the opportunity to host art shows to extend enrichment to the senior community. Carson City Senior Center presents “Geographical Divides: Finding Common Ground,” featuring 16 artists who were asked to explore the geographical and cultural differences in Nevada, if such differences truly exist.

Meet Nash, Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week Nash. He's a striking 2-year-old German Shepherd who entered our shelter a couple of weeks ago due to his previous owner's moving. With Nash's handsome appearance and endearing personality, this young man captures the hearts of all who meet him.

Time to dust off those ten-speeds Carson City, because May is Bike Month in the capital city!

Carson City’s Muscle Powered hosts bike month each year in addition to their year-round volunteerism.

More than 48 Carson High School Future Business Leaders of America students attended the state conference in Sparks, Nev. this past week. In total, 38 of those students earned 74 “Top-10” placements in 30 separate events. Additionally, three CHS FBLA students took state with first-place finishes and 15 of them qualified for the National Business Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. this coming June.

Carson Animal Services Initiative (CASI) would like to thank everyone who attended or contributed to our annual Bark Whine & Dine, held on April 27. What a wonderful event it was!

The inaugural Carson City Cinco de Mayo 2024 festival this Friday through Sunday will be a 3-day celebration of Mexican culture for all the Northern Nevada region to enjoy.