Friday marked yet another deadline at the Legislature. Bills and resolutions had to be approved by the second house committees to which they were assigned after passing out of their respective houses of origin.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Rural Housing Authority staff, along with its Board of Commissioners, are mourning the death of Commission member, Tom Cook. Cook died at Carson Tahoe Hospital, while surrounded by loving family, on April 25, 2013.

Having fed and provided shelter for the poor and indigent for more than 30 years, the Carson City nonprofit agency FISH is asking Carson City residents, public officials and private citizens to a special dinner on Thursday, March 14.

Carson City's nonprofit agency that helps feed and provide shelter to those in need — FISH — will host its annual “Have A Heart” Banquet on Thursday, March 14. The Banquet will be at the Carson Nugget with cocktails and silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6:15 p.m. Ninety-five percent of FISH’s funding comes from local donations and the Have A Heart Banquet is an important part of our fundraising effort.

Mark your calendars for Feb. 19 in Carson City for Part II of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act and how it is being implemented in Nevada.

The free event will be at the Silver State Charter School Performance Arts Center, 900 Mallory Way in Carson City beginning at 5:30 p.m. Presented by Sierra Nevada Forums, learn how the Affordable Health Care Act is affecting the medical community in Nevada and how care providers are preparing to help their patients.

Carson Tahoe Health and Walmart announce the opening of the newest location for basic health care services – “The Carson Tahoe Clinic at Walmart.” This convenient care clinic is now open to patients and will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, inside the Walmart located at 1511 Grant Avenue, off Highway 395.

Carson City Health and Human Services and Douglas County Community Health have a large supply of flu vaccine for ages 6 months and older. No appointment needed from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. through January 25 (closed January 21).

Clinic locations are 900 E. Long Street in Carson City and 1538 US Highway 395 in the Stratton Center in Gardnerville. Flu rates are affordable; many insurances accepted, and low-cost options available. Call (775) 887-2190 or (775) 782-9038 for more information.

With widespread flu being reported around the nation, Carson City and Douglas County health officials say they have large supplies of flu vaccine.

Based on recent reports from the CDC, the flu has started to peak nearly 5 weeks early this year, with significant activity reported in over 41 states with 18 deaths reported in children thus far. The predominant current flu strain that is being reported with widespread activity, H3N2 (Influenza A), appears to have good match to the flu strains in this year’s vaccine, according to a news release.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval today released budget data that had been sought by state lawmakers after a weeks-long disagreement over whether the information was public.

CARSON CITY – State Senate Republican leaders today commended GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval’s decision to expand the state Medicaid program as a commitment to the health of all Nevadans and a boost for a critical sector of the state’s economy.

“Ensuring that poor Nevadans have access to primary health care through Medicaid is very simply the right thing to do, both for our citizens and our economy,” said Sen. Michael Roberson, R-Henderson. “It will reduce our rate of uninsured and provide individuals with greater economic security.”

CARSON CITY – The Nevada State Democratic Party today said Gov. Brian Sandoval should immediately disclose state agency budget requests to the Legislature and public.

Some state lawmakers expressed concern at an Interim Finance Committee meeting in October that the Sandoval administration had not provided them with information about state agency requests over and above their base budget requests, known as “items for special consideration.”

A traditional Lake Tahoe holiday stay at Granlibakken resort means skiing, snowplay, zipline, board games by the fireplace, spa treatments and relaxing. It’s also a sumptuous feast prepared by resort staff, a rollicking atmosphere of good cheer amid an authentic lodge setting with roaring fire and best of all, no dirty dishes or clean up, rather a take home box for any leftovers.

With all the latest news of widespread doping and cheating in professional bicycle racing, it really got me thinking of how much racing has influenced today’s cycling. Most of us have never even raced, or have only dabbled in competition.  Yet I find it interesting that we that call ourselves cyclists have probably at one time or another been influenced by racing, whether it be a bicycle purchase, new parts, a flashy jersey, or an uncontrollable urge to go tackle a mountain pass after watching a stage of the Tour de France.

A popular, new program offered by the Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA) is making home ownership even more affordable. Through the Home at Last™ Access program, qualified home buyers receive a generous 4 percent down payment grant, which does not have to be paid back.

Now, the program is offering even lower mortgage interest rates on a conventional, 30-year fixed rate loan. Through participating lenders, the interest rates on FHA, VA or USDA-RD home mortgages have dropped from 3.75 percent to the current rate of 3.5 percent, which is an historic low.

RENO – Gov. Mitt Romney fired up a crowd of about 2,000 enthusiastic Northern Nevada  voters today, urging them to get to the polls and help him take the battleground state that is Nevada 13 days from now.

Romney told the crowd that President Obama is out of ideas, out of excuses and will be out of office come Nov. 6.

The president, “doesn’t understand what it takes to get this economy going, he doesn’t have a plan to get jobs for Americans, I do and that’s why I’m going to win,” he said.

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s next two-year general fund budget would grow by $279 million to $6.46 billion based on the initial spending requests submitted by state agencies, information released today by the Budget Division shows.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval said today that there are a large number of variables in play as he prepares his 2013-15 budget, including who wins the presidential election on Nov. 6.

Sandoval said a decision on whether to expand Nevada’s Medicaid program to cover newly eligible residents under the Affordable Care Act will wait for that result, since Gov. Mitt Romney has said he wants to repeal the law.

CARSON CITY – The two candidates in the race for the state Senate District 5 seat in Henderson debated the issues today in a televised exchange, finding more agreement than division on the all important subject of education reform.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Division of Insurance (NVDOI) is seeking public input on what should be included in Nevada’s essential health benefits plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

It’s hard to find fun things that the entire family can do within a budget.

Come and enjoy a totally fun, totally free afternoon with us at
Tumbleweed Gymnastics, 2231 Meridian Blvd. #2, Minden;
Saturday, October 6th from 1-4pm.

Carson Valley Fit Kids Coalition, Tumbleweeds Gymnastics & Kaia F.I.T. are proud to announce their 3rd annual Fall Family Fun & Fit Day on Saturday, October 6th from 1-4pm at Tumbleweeds Gymnastics, 2231 Meridian Blvd. #2 Minden, NV 89423. This event is completely FREE to the community.

CARSON CITY – State Treasurer Kate Marshall today announced that her office has joined with USAA to expand the ability of Nevada military families to save for college through the USAA 529 College Savings Plan.

CARSON CITY – Several lawmakers raised questions today about a proposal put forth by Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to spend $33 million over three years on outreach, counseling and legal assistance to homeowners who are facing foreclosure.

A free public forum on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (AHCA) will be held at the Plaza Conference Center, 211 East 9th Street, Carson City, NV on Tuesday, August 28 at 5:30 P.M.

SPARKS – U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., showed up at a Sparks floral shop today to receive the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in his reelection bid against Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.

The national endorsement was made by former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, who said the choice was clear for the organization.