News
Report Suggests Economic Growth May Soon Be Under Way In Nevada
Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 1:04pmCARSON CITY – While much of the economic news about Nevada is gloom and doom, a new report prepared for Secretary of State Ross Miller shows new business filings in the last quarter of 2010 turned positive for the first time since mid-2006.
The turnaround suggests the worst of the economic slowdown may be behind us, according to the report.
Carson City trio face felony charges in scrap metal thefts
Submitted by editor on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 10:58amA trio who allegedly stole scrap copper from a Washoe County construction site and brought it to Carson City to strip and burn it of its insulation, face felony theft charges.
Aaron Clack, Melissa Clack, and Josh Stevens, all from Carson City, were arrested Thursday in the Deer Run Road area after black smoke was reported coming from inside a brick structure. The case is being handled by the Department of Alternative Sentencing. Aaron Clack also faces an additional drug charge, authorities said.
Tsunami warning issued for Hawaii, Northern and Central California and the Oregon Coast
Submitted by editor on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 2:52amThe Oregon Coast is now under a tsunami warning, according to David Morgan, former News Carson City website publisher and now owner/publisher of News Lincoln County along the Oregon Coast. David is updating his site and following the latest developments. Click here for the latest from Oregon.
Here's the latest from the Los Angeles Times on the aftermath of Japan's 8.9 magnitude earthquake which has sent tsunami warnings from Hawaii to the California and Oregon Coast.
Updated: Former Northern Nevada resident, Galena grad describes devastating earthquake
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 2:20amFormer Northern Nevada resident Alyson Meidell Jenkins reports that she and her family are safe but shaken after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan's eastern coast, causing a devastating tsunami that killed at least 10,000 and widespread damage.
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Follow it Live: Go to our Live Updates page for video feeds and coverage.
A Call to Readers: Let us know if you have friends or family living in Japan, Hawaii, or along the West Coast. E-mail jeff@carsonnow.org or post to our Facebook page.
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Japan's advanced earthquake early-warning system, with more than 1,000 seismographs scattered over the country alerted the public of an imminent earthquake via television, Internet and text-messages. At 2:46 local time, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake arrived, the largest that Japan has seen in one hundred years, just off the eastern coast of Sendai, Honshu.
8.9 earthquake, tsunami hits Japan, major damage
Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 12:30amCheck out the live video and coverage on our Live Updates page.
Former Governor Bob List Says Governor Sandoval Should Decide Next State GOP Chairman
Submitted by Nevada News Bureau on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 6:49pmFormer Nevada Governor and RNC Committeeman Bob List said late this afternoon that he is not ready to either privately or publicly endorse a candidate to replace soon-to-be departed state GOP chairman Mark Amodei until Governor Sandoval chimes in with his preferred choice.
“Governor Sandoval is the leader of the state party,” said List. “I will wait to hear who he thinks can best fill Chairman Amodei’s shoes before saying anything more on this matter.”
Lieutenant Governor Criticized At Board of Regents Meeting
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 5:26pmCARSON CITY – It was not a friendly crowd for Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki as he spoke of economic development at Western Nevada College.
The bleachers in Sarah Winnemucca Hall were packed with students and staff concerned about Gov. Brian Sandoval’s proposed $162 million reduction in state support for Nevada’s colleges and universities.
Three in custody after Carson City authorities called to fire off Deer Run Road
Submitted by editor on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 4:54pmTwo men and a woman are reportedly in custody after Carson City authorities were called to a fire in the hills above Deer Run Road. The fire, said to involve copper wiring, was doused at about 3:30 this afternoon.
An investigation is underway and NV Energy has been contacted. One of those in custody was reportedly injured in the fire and was treated by paramedics. Investigators have reportedly found gasoline and bolt cutters near the origin of the fire, according to police scanner reports.
Report: Mark Amodei to run for Congress
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 4:26pmAccording to Nevada News Bureau, Republican Mark Amodei will announce soon that he is running for the Congressional District 2 seat currently held by Rep. Dean Heller.
The speculation is that Heller will make a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Ensign, who announced earlier this week he would not seek reelection to avoid an ugly campaign after his well-publicized sex scandal.
Republican Assemblyman Accuses Democratic Senator Of Hijacking His Bill
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:20pmCARSON CITY – Freshman Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, watched as one of his first bills was introduced on the floor of the Assembly Tuesday.
Hansen’s bill would establish a state grants coordinator to help Nevada apply for and win more federal grants.
A few hours later, Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, stood at a lectern flanked by the American flag and the flag of the State of Nevada, and told a gathering of reporters about his bill.
Nevada State GOP Chairman to Resign, Announce for CD-2
Submitted by Nevada News Bureau on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:37pmThe always fun game of political musical chairs has begun following this morning’s news (brought to you right here) that Congressman Dean Heller has told multiple sources he will indeed be running to become Nevada’s next junior Senator.
Two sources confirm that former state senator and current Republican state party chairman, Mark Amodei, will resign and announce a run for NV-2 once Dean Heller formally announces for Senate, which is expected to occur as early as next week.
U.S. Chamber Study Highlights National, Nevada Economic Losses Due To Stalled Energy Projects
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 12:29pmCARSON CITY – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a first-of-its-kind economic study today identifying stalled energy projects – including 10 in Nevada – that are costing billions of dollars in lost gross domestic product.
The study says the delays are costing the state’s economy $66.9 billion in GDP and that 86,700 jobs a year could be created in Nevada during the construction phase of the projects.
Olive Garden Construction
Submitted by on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 12:06pm(This article is from Around Carson, at http://aroundcarson.com/2011/03/10/olive_garden_construction/) Winter is normally not a huge construction season around Carson City, but we’ve been surprised by a pretty mild winter this year. ...
Heller Is In for U.S. Senate
Submitted by Nevada News Bureau on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 8:13amTwo reliable sources have confirmed that Congressman Dean Heller said this week he is definitely committed to running in the U.S. Senate race. Heller’s office would not confirm the news this morning when contacted.
Freshman Lawmaker Thinks Twice, Guts Own Bill
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 8:03amCARSON CITY – Lobbyists, legislators and journalists expected to hear about a bill that would increase energy bills for Nevadans when they arrived at a legislative hearing.
Assemblyman Randy Kirner, R-Reno, sat down before the committee, ready to present his bill that would levy a fee on anyone paying an electric bill. That fee would help new businesses pay their energy bills. He designed the bill to attract manufacturing businesses to Nevada with reduced energy costs.
Carson City jobless rate drops to 13.6 percent
Submitted by editor on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 8:29amNevada unemployment figures released today for January show the state at 14.2 percent, dropping from a December 2010 high of 14.9 percent. Unemployment figures show Carson City fell to 13.6 percent from 14 percent in December, reports KTVN Channel 2 Reno.
Carson City area casinos see nearly 10.6 percent revenue increase in January
Submitted by editor on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 8:10amCasinos in Carson City and Carson Valley saw a 10.57 percent increase in "win" revenue for the month of January, the Nevada Gaming Control Board reports this morning.
The Carson City region, which includes Gardnerville and Minden, took in revenues of just over $8 million, up from $7,016,253 from January 2010.
Casinos at South Shore Lake Tahoe saw a 7.85 percent decline in gaming "winnings" over January 2010. North Tahoe had an increase gaming win of slightly over 1 percent.
School Superintendents Ask Legislature to Address Collective Bargaining
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 6:30amCARSON CITY – Superintendents have asked legislators to open up collective bargaining laws.
They asked for more flexibility with the money the state gives them. Currently, school districts bargain with teachers and teachers’ unions for funds.
That means that the governor’s proposal to cut teacher pay 5 percent is not a foregone conclusion.
Districts still have to negotiate with teachers to ensure a 5 percent cut happens.
OurTown: Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:00amSheriff Kenny Furlong talks about traffic, drugs and other challenges facing his department.
State Controller Wants Access To Bank Accounts, Licenses, In Debt Collection Effort
Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 4:58pmBy Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – State Controller Kim Wallin is seeking new authority from the Nevada Legislature to collect from those who owe the state money.
Sheriff: Reported crimes drop throughout Carson City
Submitted by editor on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 3:40pmBy Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong
Reported crimes in Carson City hit its lowest point during February since the Sheriff’s Office began collecting and analyzing the trends. There were 112 incidences of major crimes, such as homicide, rape, robbery, burglary and theft. There were 122 less severe crimes reported in the community for the same period. In total, the 234 reported crimes is 22 percent less than any monthly rate previously reported since collection began. The previous low for any month was 294 incidences.
Sandoval Confirms Veto Threat Of Two Democratic Jobs Bills
Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 7:01pmBy Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Democratic legislative leaders today questioned a comment from the Sandoval administration that two job creation bills they are pursuing will be vetoed for creating a hole in the governor’s recommended state general fund budget.
Audit Revealing “Double Dipping” Employees Spurs Legislation
Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 6:19pmCARSON CITY – Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, wants better reporting on state contracts with consultants.
She said an audit last December proved that lax reporting requirements had allowed many consultants to profit from taxpayers as they escaped legislative scrutiny.
She asked the auditing staff how she could improve oversight of consultants. They recommended removing references to consultants in favor of defining “contract” broadly. So that is what Smith wrote into her bill.
Carson City-registered aircraft crashes in Georgia, two dead
Submitted by editor on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 4:24pmThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports today that two people are dead in an airplane crash near Hampton, Georgia. The plane, used for skydiving, was registered to Desert Sand Aircraft Leasing out of Carson City. The victims have not yet been identified. Click here to read the story.
It appears the airplane is not based out of Carson City but rather the corporation is, and is registered to a South Carson Street address.
Assemblyman Almost Incriminates Himself For Breaking Gun Law
Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 10:46amBy Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Assemblyman Kelly Kite, R-Minden, learned he may have broken a law yesterday during a Commerce and Labor committee hearing.
The committee was debating a bill about the interstate sale of rifles and shotguns. Current law bans the interstate sale of those guns in states that do not have a border with Nevada.
Assembly Republican Suggests Tax Reform Debate
Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 10:46amBy Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Assemblyman Pat Hickey, R-Reno, says he is interested in changing the state’s tax structure.
He wrote in a weekly newsletter he might consider broadening the state’s tax base, an idea that he has talked about with UNR economics professor Elliott Parker.
Is Nevada’s Higher Education Retirement Plan A Pension Reform Model?
Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 9:33amBy Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval is seeking significant changes to Nevada’s public employee pension plan in the 2011 legislative session to reduce the ongoing and long-term financial cost of the benefit to the state and taxpayers.
But if he wants fundamental change, he might look to the state university system’s retirement plan for faculty.
School board to consider resolution opposing Sandoval plan to take emergency repair funds
Submitted by editor on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 9:04amThe Carson City School District board tonight will take up proposed traditional and non-traditional calendars for next year, as well as consider a resolution that would oppose Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval's plan to take debt service from school district emergency repair funds.
Carson City authorities investigate shooting; man airlifted to hospital
Submitted by editor on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 8:14pmCarson City authorities responded tonight to a shooting where a 31-year-old man took a gunshot wound to the knee. The shooting happened at around 7 this evening near Mills Park and there are apparently no suspects.
Authorities have confiscated a 45-caliber semi-automatic gun that was found inside the man's vehicle, said Sheriff Ken Furlong.
The victim, whose name has not being released, was apparently having a problem with someone else and felt it was necessary to carry a gun. No one else was inside the vehicle. The man was discovered by friends, Furlong said.
Underemployed is subject of University of Nevada Reno study
Submitted by editor on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 3:52pmRENO — While unemployment has been a frequent topic of discussion during the recession, underemployment and its effects have not, even though the number of underemployed workers has also increased.
A study published online last week in the Journal of Management, “‘I Have a Job, But…’ A Review of Underemployment,” by University of Nevada, Reno Assistant Professor Frances M. McKee-Ryan and University of Alabama Assistant Professor Jaron Harvey brings attention to the topic and its potentially detrimental effects to individuals, organizations and society.