USDA

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The public is invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and our partners at Nevada Beach Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Highway 395 and 108 continue to remain open for traffic as progress continues on the Boot Fire, which has burned 6,898 acres and is 39 percent contained as of Sunday morning.

Due to the Boot Fire, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has issued a closure order within and around the burned area on the Bridgeport Ranger District.

On International Overdose Awareness Day, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced Friday that USDA has formalized an innovative agreement in which a nonprofit organization will purchase homes from the Department and convert them to transitional housing for people recovering from opioid misuse.

It’s nice that the beginning of the school year is almost immediately rewarded with a three-day weekend. You’ll find annual events like Civil War Days in Virginia City and the Best in the West Rib Cook-off in Sparks, in addition to smaller happenings like the monthly Downtown Carson City Wine Walk and a roller derby double-header. If you haven’t made plans to head for the hills, take a look at your options and have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.

SATURDAY:

Fire officials on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest would like to remind the public the fire danger level is still extreme. Human-caused wildfires are still a major concern heading into the Labor Day weekend and hunting season.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Heading to Lake Tahoe this Labor Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial end of summer? Below are some tips and important information for residents and visitors to keep in mind for a safe and fun-filled holiday weekend.

The last weekend of August holds tight to summertime tradition. Get something fresh from the field at Farmers Markets in Carson City, Genoa, and Dayton. Celebrate the end of summer with La Chamba on the Brewery Arts Center outdoor stage – one more season of Levitt Amp Community Concerts successfully behind us. Whether you want something fun to do with your ‘grown-up’ friends or something for the whole family to enjoy, take a look! There’s a little bit for everyone.

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We are running out of summer weekends. I know that’s hard to believe right now, but hoodies and everything pumpkin is just beyond the horizon. Grab summer with both hands and go enjoy this beautiful city. The Brewery Arts Center brings Dennis Johnson and the Mississippi Ramblers to the stage for tonight’s free concert. Check out the Railroad Museum for your fill of music and antique motor cars. Car lovers have two shows to choose from today: spectators will be able to enjoy both, but you’ll have to pick one if you want to enter your ride. Keep reading for more summertime fun.

I’m not even going to speculate on the air quality, but please use your best judgement when choosing your activities and there may be some cancellations that I am not aware of. Downtown has a full day of options, but the back roads may be a little more difficult to navigate due to construction projects. The great music that awaits will be worth the hassle. Read on and you’ll find indoors and outdoors activities that will help alleviate the cabin fever.

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The annual Third and Curry Farmer’s Market, held seasonally every summer in downtown Carson City, was recognized as one of the ten markets across the country to be featured during National Farmer’s Market Week on Saturday.

Let’s get August off to a good start. The first Saturday of the month always plays host to the Downtown Carson City Wine Walk, but with the Jazz and Beyond Musical Festival in full swing, you’ll have even more reasons to meander around downtown. The afternoon ice cream social at the historic Foreman-Roberts House is a perfect family-friendly treat before heading to the Brewery Arts Center for tonight’s free concert. Keep reading, you’ll find a little bit of something for everyone in the Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton and Virginia City areas.

The annual "Feds Feed Families" Food drive begins today, Friday Aug. 3 and continues through Sept. 15. Donated food will benefit hungry families in Carson City through the Ron Wood Family Resource Center and Friends in Service Helping (FISH).

CARSON CITY — Increased fuels due to the wet winter and spring, drying vegetation, high fuel loading, and increasing daytime temperatures have prompted the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts on the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest to announce the implementation of fire restrictions beginning Saturday, August 4.

CARSON CITY — A total of 16 soldiers aboard two Nevada Army Guard helicopters are set to begin firefighting efforts Monday while based out of Lampson Field Airport in Lakeport, Calif.

Yeah, it’s hot out there, but it’s the area happenings that are sizzling. The Carson City Fair at Fuji Park offers a plethora of entertainment for all ages including tractor pulls, a carnival, and farm animals. Under the shade of the Mills Park cottonwoods, you’ll have all day to peruse the varied vehicles in the annual Run Whatcha Brung Car Show. The sun will come out tomorrow, but it’s the stars that are coming out tonight for the free Levitt Amp Concert at the Brewery Arts Center.

I have long found it impossible to decide which Carson City event is my favorite: forever waffling between Nevada Day and the Taste of Downtown. Seeing as the annual parade is still months away, I’m going to side with ‘The Taste’ purely for its timeliness. With over forty local eateries participating, multiple raffles at downtown shops, and seven bands rocking every corner of the event, it’s practically impossible to have a bad time. This might be the biggest happening in town, but it’s by no means the only good time: read on for all this weekend’s options.

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Summer fun is heating up! Let the kids burn off some energy at the Kids Triathlon at Mills Park. You’ll find all the colors of the rainbow, plus great music and fun times, at the Festival of Unity and Community: Sassabration. Get your grub on at the annual Nevada Honor Flight Chili Cook-off at Glen Eagles, and make sure to check out the craft vendors. The Brewery Arts Center free Concert Series continues tonight with Remember Jones on the stage; bring the family and your friends for a good time had by all. Read on for even more hot summer fun.

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PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Fire restrictions go into effect on the Eldorado National Forest beginning Saturday, July 14, announced Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree. Wood and charcoal fires will be restricted to designated recreation sites and other fire related activities will be prohibited until the end of fire season. Gas or propane fires are allowed with a free 2018 California campfire permit.

Time to get July off to a fun start. The downtown Wine Walk is a great way to spend the day exploring new shops, galleries, and restaurants. If you’re feeling competitive, head down to the Carson Mall for their watermelon and hot dog eating contests. The summer concerts at the Brewery Arts Center continue with a singer/songwriter showcase.

SATURDAY:

• — Sierra Chef Farmers Market at Genoa Town Park, on Nixon in Genoa (8am-1pm; An assortment of fresh produce, herbs, eggs and more, crafts, and local food items and specialties)

Carson City's Grocery Outlet is holding a food drive to benefit Friends in Service Helping, also known as FISH, now through July 31 as part of the companywide Independence from Hunger campaign.

Independence Day isn’t until Wednesday, but the red, white, and blue celebration starts now. For a complete listing of upcoming Independence Day events and fireworks displays in the area, you can go HERE. See the trains under steam at the Nevada State Railroad and ride the rails to your heart’s content.

The Fourth of July is one of America’s great landmark holidays, celebrating our nation's independence. It is also a perfect time to enjoy National Forest System lands. However, it is vitally important that all users be aware that possessing, igniting, discharging, or using any kind of fireworks is prohibited on public lands.

U.S. Representative Mark Amodei, serving Nevada's Second Congressional District, today released the following statement on House Resolution 4760, the Securing America’s Future Act:

The annual Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive was a big success in Dayton.

It’s a planes, trains, and automobiles kind of weekend. Add in bands, bikes and bar-be-ques and we’ve got most of this weekend’s list covered. The Carson City Airport is celebrating 90 years at this year’s open house and fly-in. One of the summer’s best events with balloon rides, cool old planes, and much more: you won’t want to miss it. Beat the heat at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada; all admission fees have been waived today thanks to Carson City Toyota. Summer concerts at the Brewery Arts Center begin tonight with the Original Wailers.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — This Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to noon, the Sugar Pine Foundation will co-host a Tahoe yellow cress planting with the Tahoe yellow cress Adaptive Management Working Group at Baldwin Beach, which is National Forest System land managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Though not known to carry disease, state agriculture officials are reminding northern Nevadans to report Mormon cricket infestations. In large numbers, Mormon crickets pose a safety threat because they can create unsafe road conditions.

This is going to be an epic Fathers’ Day weekend. Carson City Off-Road sponsored by Epic Rides has taken over downtown with everything mountain bike and plays host to a free Music Festival in McFadden Plaza. Don’t miss Arts and Culture Day at the Nevada State Railroad Museum with unlimited rides on the Steam Train, special vendors, and more. Stewart Indian School will be a hotspot of activity with the annual Fathers’ Day PowWow underway. This is just the tip of the iceberg, read on for more fun than you’ll know what to do with.

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The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Carson Ranger District Office, located at 1536 South Carson Street in Carson City, will be closed on Tuesday, June 5 for an All-Employee Training.