Spending

County managers representing Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, Churchill and Mineral counties gathered Wednesday in Carson City as a part of Northern Nevada Development Authority's annual “State of the Counties” meeting.

The US Census defines cost-burdened households as a household that spends at least 35 percent of their monthly income on household costs (including their mortgage, utility bills, property taxes, and other costs associated with homeownership). In other words, cost-burdened households are households that may feel a significant financial strain (or burden) as a result of owning their home.

United States Marine Corps Captain (retired), Robert Paul Pier (Bob) left this life for eternity on Jan. 8, 2020 to be reunited with his Creator and his waiting wife, Ruth Jane Pier. Bob was born on August 10, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana as the youngest of nine children, Bob was 88 years old.

Not only did the nonprofit organization Fellowship of Christian Athletes open their Christmas tree lot Nov. 24 to raise funds for their organization’s events and outreaches, they also supported other organizations and individuals by giving away 350 Angel Tree Christmas stockings and Christmas trees to Carson City children and families in need, and they also partnered with Sierra Lutheran High School to donate 75 trees to the US Marines at the Warfare Training Center in Coleville, Calif.

Today, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 is the beginning of a new year, a new decade and also a new set of laws. More than 70 laws enacted by the Nevada Legislature last year take effect either in whole or in part today.

They include several major health care initiatives — including a ban on surprise emergency room bills, a tax on vaping products and a requirement that hospitals use patients’ preferred names and pronouns — as well as laws that will benefit employees, including paid sick leave.

I ask you, how many of us lucky ducks have fallen back on the fine art of keeping bar when our life's calling falls a little short? I'm confident I do not stand alone in the oasis. There are thousands of us grateful "one time cocktologists" who succeeded in their life's work thanks to the glorious and oh so enjoyable salvation of, "Yo-barkeep!"

Carson City's The Basil momentarily changed hands while undergoing a corporation change, but now, original owners Bob and Nan Watanar, who also serves as head chef, are back in the kitchen of the beloved Thai restaurant.

After spending thirty years creating delicious traditional Thai food on Carson Street, Bob and Nan wanted to pay forward their hard work and good fortune to those in need.

Bob and Nan set off for Bangkok, where they funded a school for abused children who were being looked after by Nuns. They helped create a commercial kitchen at the school, where the children are now learning how to run their own restaurants.

Happy Thursday Carson City! Are we busy getting ready for the holidays, maybe spending our evenings by the fire, drinking cocoa, snuggling under blankets? You know what this scene is missing? A dog of course! It just so happens I have the perfect addition.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Amodei, NV-02, released the following statement Tuesday after voting in favor of two legislative packages that include all 12 Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bills.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is pleased to announce the arrival of our new Forest Fire Management Officer, Carrie Thaler. Thaler comes to the Lake Tahoe Basin from the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area in Las Vegas, where she held the position of District FMO for the last four years.

Jean Marie Hamilton
September 11, 1937 – December 3, 2019

Jean Hamilton passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Tuesday Dec. 3rd.
Jean married Bud Hamilton on December 22, 1956 in Lindsey, California. They moved to Carson City, Nevada in 1972. Jean always wanted to be a nurse and went to nursing school as soon as all her kids were in school. She enjoyed a 37 year career as a Registered Nurse, with the majority of it spent at Carson Tahoe Hospital. Everyone who worked with her, or were under her care, said she was truly the best nurse.

If there has ever been a court case involving a hamburger, attorney Mark Beguelin probably knows about it.

The child advocacy lawyer for Washoe Legal Services in Reno defends his cases with the sort of vigor that he relishes great burgers.

Once the dishes were done from Thanksgiving dinner, shoppers kicked off the shopping weekend immediately and headed to stores and online retailers to take advantage of deals and discounts over the long weekend and Cyber Monday. In the Silver State, the Retail Association of Nevada estimates that more than 1.7 million people spent a total of $638.9 million on gifts, decorations and other merchandise over the five-day period.

During the cold winter months in a pocket of the capital city, a bit of magic is sprinkled about on the historic rail that once transported gold from Virginia City to the mint in Carson City, but now transports elves, hot cocoa, and silver bells for a few special weeks each year.

The Polar Express rolled into town on Nov. 15 with the help of the historic V&T Railway Commission, and with it, a certain jolly old man and his magical helpers.

Students, families, staff, and neighbors descended on the Carson Middle School Wetlands Habitat Saturday morning prepared to rake leaves, pull weeds, remove unwanted vegetation, and prepare the habitat for winter.

With Halloween next Thursday, Silver State retailers who have stocked up on spooky goods say consumers are projected to spend an estimated $139.4 million on ghostly decorations, costumes and sweets to celebrate, according to estimates by the Retail Association of Nevada.

It’s official. On Thursday, Nevada joined the “Confluence of States,” a coalition of 16 bipartisan states centered on a set of shared principles, common values, and best practices surrounding outdoor recreation and conservation.

DAYTON, Nev. — Fredrik Nilehn, Lubbock, Tex., fired a final round 9-under par 63 to finish as low qualifier at 16-under 272 for the tournament and lead a group of 21 qualifiers who advance from Stage One Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying at Dayton Valley Golf Club.

Imagine the experience of children who are removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse or neglect. These children find themselves in a world filled with social workers, lawyers, judges and courtrooms where life-altering decisions are made on their behalf.

CARSON CITY — A convoy of vintage military vehicles, making its way cross country to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first U.S. Army Transcontinental Convoy from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, will make a pit stop for lunch at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Many folks have had enough of the anger, condescension, dishonesty, hate, bitterness, aggression, etc. that are so plentiful these days. So, despite my inclination to answer so much of it (and it needs to be answered), I write today about some reasons to be grateful for the world we inhabit -- and hopeful about the future.

UPDATE: 7:24 AM: Carson City Sheriff's Office SAR reports the missing elderly woman has been located. She is safe and will be evaluated by Carson City Fire Department. She was found, outside, north of the Carson Plaza Senior Independent Living residence off of East Long Street.
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Carson City Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue have issued a Silver Alert for a missing 89-year-old woman who suffers from dementia and was last seen Monday afternoon.

The Carson City region and much of western and northern Nevada may experience the hottest days of the year over the next couple days, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Heat Advisory from Sunday afternoon to Monday night.

“Job growth was about 227,000 in June but 46 percent of the people surveyed say they are not better off. Democrats claim the 50 percent growth of the stock market does not help the common people because most do not invest in stocks, except those with 401(k) plans. But the stock market indicates companies are willing to invest, which leads to job growth. Please explain.”

A thoughtful reader’s good points.

On Thanksgiving Day almost forty years ago, a mentally ill woman carried out what would today be considered a terrorist attack on the streets of Reno.

Lake Street Dive tours the US this summer in support of its critically acclaimed 2018 album, Free Yourself Up. The band has new headlining shows, several of which find them co-headlining with The Wood Brothers, as well as in support of the The Avett Brothers. The new dates continue in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 25 and include shows across the country, in North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and more (full schedule below).

If you grew up here in the capital of Carson City there’s a 99 percent chance you at one point said “there’s just nothing to do here.”

But the truth is, Carson City as both a historic state capital and an outdoor recreational hub, has a lot to offer — especially so for visitors.

Prescription drug costs have skyrocketed at an alarming rate, rising faster than other goods and services in the U.S. since 2014. The increase in prices has left consumers with higher health care costs forcing them to make difficult decisions regarding their health. It has specifically hurt some of our most vulnerable populations – including our older generations on fixed incomes. This is especially concerning in my district, Assembly District 22, given its large aging population.

This is my final column on the sad legacy we Boomers are leaving our children.

The first one defined the public interest as mainly maximizing economic growth. That piece and the next showed that the economic policies, practices and institutions that maximize growth also promote fairness among individuals. They also debunked obsessions with income inequality. The third part focused on the 21st Century revival of progressivism and statist liberalism, plus the addition of political correctness (PC).

Here I offer directions for some solutions.

From May through November each year, Pure Prairie League hits the road, bringing music to communities big and small.

The Greenhouse Project welcomes them as they play the 11th annual Concert Under the Stars on July 10 at Eagle Valley Golf Course in Carson City, for a hit-driven evening that also includes bands Poco and Firefall.