Economy

Cecilia Gonzalez made her first call to Nevada’s unemployment office last Friday at 7:59 a.m., hoping that she might snag an open line the minute the agency opened to resolve a sticking point in her claim about her work history and eligibility.

“It’s hard to believe that there could actually be a silver lining with everything that is happening around us but there is ... for me at least. The camaraderie happening between all of us on our roster has been productive and uplifting!” – Linda McRae, Singer-songwriter

Evangeline Elston is an artist manager and booking professional who works with a small roster of eight touring Americana, roots, folks, country and jazz musicians and songwriters living all over the country, Nashville, Baltimore, Austin, Los Angeles, northern California and Lake Tahoe.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisor’s meeting will be held Thursday, April 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center.

On the docket for discussion include zoning changes, a hemp moratorium, budget amendments, and more.

A virtual town hall meeting was held Wednesday evening where local leaders spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, how it affects Carson City and what city departments, schools and Carson Tahoe Hospital are doing to mitigate the issues.

In the latest measure of the devastating and unprecedented economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, weekly unemployment claims in Nevada last week continued to surge by the tens of thousands with 79,865 new initial claims, according to preliminary statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor released Thursday.

As holy week approaches — Passover Wednesday night and Easter on Sunday — the celebration of those holidays will look different this year.

Gov. Steve Sisolak has already limited public gatherings of 10 or more people, but as the holidays near, his latest emergency directive makes it clear places of worship should not be planning in-person services. Drive-in and pop-up services also are prohibited during the duration of the state’s emergency declaration.

Even with the stay-at-home order in place, businesses, families and youth can engage in a number of educational activities online to enhance their daily lives and help themselves, and others, through these challenging days. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, University of Nevada, Reno Extension faculty, staff and volunteers have been hard at work to bring educational workshops, programs and resources useful during this time, into Nevadans’ homes.


I’ve been watching the apple buds, waiting to see swelling begin, waiting for color to start showing. Last week I was excited to finally see a bit of color. Then, snow and overnight lows in the low twenties hit, which is just like last year, when we had no apples. I hope the cold doesn’t kill the blossoms and my apple crop again this year.

The arrival and departure boards at the Reno Tahoe International Airport (RNO) were a light mix of on-time and cancelled flights. Walking through the main terminal at 2:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, the number of people travelling could be counted on one hand, literally.

The terminals were quiet and looked and smelled meticulously clean. Rental car agents played with their phones. Slot machines were dark and quiet. Custodians pushed carts with blue, latex-covered hands, spray bottles at the ready to disinfect anything anybody touches.

Carson City experienced both the fastest job growth rate in February and the highest unemployment rate among the state's three metropolitan areas, according to a report released Tuesday by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

It’s a difficult time for everybody, especially those whose health has been affected by the pandemic. It’s difficult for the brave healthcare workers putting their lives at risk trying to heal the sick, and it’s difficult for the men and women spending their days and nights keeping people fed, keeping shelves stocked, making sure supplies are delivered, floors are cleaned, and everything in between.
And, it’s probably a difficult time for you too.

Rob Hooper, CEO of the Northern Nevada Development Authority — which services Carson City and Douglas, Lyon, Mineral and Storey counties ...

Gov. Steve Sisolak made Nevada one of the first states to enter a state of partial lockdown last Tuesday as an emergency step meant to stem the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, enforcing a closure of the state’s casinos and urging other non-essential businesses to close their doors for 30 days.

The National Restaurant Association and the Carson City Chamber encourage residents to join them today, Tuesday, in celebrating Great American Take Out Day to support local restaurants.

CARSON CITY — The Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, Nevada Medicaid, announced steps taken to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanded access to telehealth.

Earlier this month, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation issued a press release with a jubilant headline: “Nevada’s Unemployment Rate Hits an All-Time Low.”

UPDATE: The University of Nevada, Reno reversed their decision and is now offering refunds. You can read the updated story here.

Switchboards at the University of Nevada, Reno lit up Thursday after the university issued an unusual directive: all students living in on-campus residence halls who have the ability to move back home should be packed up and gone within the next six days.

CARSON CITY — According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s February 2020 economic report, employment in Nevada is down 1,000 jobs over the month but up 18,300 over the year, a growth rate of 1.3 percent. This marks the first time since July 2012 that Nevada has grown at a slower rate than the national average.

By noon Wednesday, all "non-essential" businesses in Nevada were required to shut down by state decree in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, some local business owners were confused as to the procedure for the shut down, which businesses in fact are required to close and in what ways can they remain open.

UPDATE: The press conference is available by going here.
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Gov. Steve Sisolak on Tuesday ordered a sweeping shutdown of nonessential businesses, including casinos and retail stores, for 30 days, a move that would have been unthinkable weeks ago before the novel coronavirus wreaked its havoc around the world.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Empty casinos and shrinking hotel occupancy rates caused by fears of the spreading novel coronavirus will have ripple effects ...

Today, Ronni Hannaman has filed for the Carson City Supervisor seat in Ward 2 to be vacated by Supervisor Brad Bonkowski who has elected not to run for reelection.

SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation:

The January 2020 unemployment rate in the Silver State was 3.6 percent, making the month an all-time low, according to figures released Wednesday by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Carson City Attorney Day Williams has announced that he will run for Assembly District 40, which includes Carson City and a portion of southeast Washoe County. He supports constitutional rights, measures to improve the economy and create jobs, and education that meets today’s needs.

Clint Koble, a Democratic primary candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, will be the featured speaker at the next Democratic luncheon. Koble was also the CD2 Democratic candidate in 2018.

Looking ahead into the midweek we can expect cooler temperatures to go along with sunny skies and daytime highs near 50. Wednesday events include a yoga class, the first of what will become monthly "Welcome Wednesday" luncheons at the Carson City Senior Center, a new shift of hours and days at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Salsa dancing at Yaple's Ballroom, country and pop dancing at Carson Lanes, a safety workshop for women and more.

Beginning this Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City is expanding its days of operation.

Join Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, LLC for our 9th Annual Jewelry and Chocolate show this Saturday, Feb. 8. This year more than 8 jewelers are creating one-of-a-kind creations for you. Many, many new pieces will be on hand for you to try on and take home. the artists will be here through out the day to meet our community and talk about their creations.

Tribal members, conservationists and students, bundled up in thick coats and beanies, gathered in two rows fanning out from transport trailers to watch the release into tribal land, an area usually closed to the public. Bighorn sheep, separated into two trailers, rushed out in waves.