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Tasters go for the bold and zesty during first day of Carson City chili cook-off

Lots of shady trees, a nice gentle breeze and plenty of ice cold beer were enough to keep the heat down a notch Saturday at the High Sierra Regional Chili Cook-Off and Craft Fair in Carson City.

The two-day event at Glen Eagles Restaurant, which continues through Sunday, has brought dozens of the best chili cookers from around the region hoping for a chance to win prize money, bragging rights and a trip to Las Vegas for the World Chili Cook-off Championship. The public is invited to Sunday's event and sampling costs next to nothing, organizers said.

“If you like it hot, we’ve got it hot. If you like it with a kick, we’ve got that too,” said Big John Konvicka, organizer of this year’s event, who says nothing is more patriotric than a summer day with families, sipping on suds, eating ice cream and sampling the greatest chilis of the Wild West.

This year all proceeds collected at the chili competition will go to Honor Flight Nevada, the charity that takes veterans to Washington, D.C. several times a year as a way of showing gratitude to those who were in the service during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars.

“We’re so appreciative to all the venders, the chili cookers and the people taking time today to come out here and pay tribute to the Honor Flight heroes,” said Konvicka. “None of us would be here today if it wasn’t for these veterans.”

With temperatures in the upper 90s Saturday, there was just enough breeze through the shady trees to keep the event cool, even among those dishing up the hottest chilis and homeade salsas. Hundreds had come through the fair on Saturday, paying $3 for a sample kit that lets tasters try some of the boldest, spiciest and zestiest concoctions around.

Festivities finished Saturday at 3 p.m. with a first day judging. The cookoff will fire up again Sunday morning at 11 a.m. The public is welcomed and encouraged to join in on the tasting.

the bragging began early Saturday. Goldfield chili cooker Bob Scott’s said his “End of the Line” chili is a subtle heat, always good with a cold beer straight out of an ice chest. While Scott was stirring the pot, Jim and Karen Watson of Napa, Idaho brought their specialty red chili and green chili verde, also packing a medium heat: ideal for chili tasters.

Speaking of those who enjoy all the flavors, Bill and Linda Robotham of Carson City and pitmasters of Y’alls BBQ, a catering outfit that serves up Texas barbecue Nevada style, said they were getting a good heat going sampling the goods. Next weekend the couple will be competing in a Northern California Barbecue Association event in Boomtown and always like to try what those in the regional chili world are dishing up.

International Chili Society chefs are competing this weekend for a chance to go to the World Cook-Off in Las Vegas. Each day cooks are submitting red chili, chile verde, and salsa for judging, the winners of each category, each day, qualify for the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff in October. Chili tasters are also voting for the best concoctions in a people’s choice award.

Saturday's event is the ICS High Sierra Regional competition. Red and Verde winners also qualify for the November World Food Championship in Las Vegas. Sunday's is the ICS Nevada Capital Regional competition.

The public is invited to sample red and verde chili as well as salsas. Tasting kits are $3 each. The "People's Choice" Chili award will be determined by the vote collected by everyone who samples. Tasters are invited to participate as judges for any or all of the competitions. Salsa will be judged at noon Sunday, chile verde at 1 p.m., and red chili at 3 p.m.

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UPDATE 12:57PM: A foreign national was cited for failing to maintain lanes and failure to yield, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office sergeant. The driver, who is from out of the country, led officers on a slow-speed pursuit earlier Monday morning.
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A brief vehicle pursuit Monday morning where the driver of a white Kia failed to yield to Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies ended with a felony traffic stop near the intersection of William and Roop Street. The male driver was detained and is being questioned.

Western Nevada College celebrates the achievements of its 2023-24 graduates on Monday in Carson City, with a second ceremony planned for Thursday, May 23 in Fallon.

Collectively, the two traditional ceremonies will honor a record-tying 617 graduates who are approved to receive a record 692 degrees and Certificates of Achievement.

My friend Diane grows perennial flowers quite successfully in containers on her patio. She is good at it and grows a greater variety of perennials than I do. Recently, she pointed out a variegated plant called Glechoma hederacea, commonly called ground ivy or sometimes creeping Charlie.

Carson High School is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Connor Beattie Alumni Bowl, scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. This event honors the memory of Connor Beattie, a former CHS student athlete who passed away, and celebrates his love for Carson High Football.

An approximately 14 foot by 60 foot mobile home is disabled in the center turn lane at the corner of Fairview Drive and Steamboat Drive in Carson City and has disrupted the flow of traffic. Motorists can expect delays through Monday morning.

According to Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, the mobile home lost 4 of its 6 wheels while it was being pulled Sunday evening by a truck.

Carson City health officials will discuss the youth vaping epidemic, along with short-term and long-term effects of vaping at a monthly parent night meeting, happening Monday night, May 20.

Youth Theatre Carson City is thrilled to announce auditions for Nickelodeon’s The Spongebob Musical, Youth Edition, a 60-minute adaptation of the hit Broadway show based on the iconic Nickelodeon series! The show will run four performances, July 26-28, 2024 in the Bob Boldrick Theatre at the Carson City Community Center.

Visit Carson City and pro cyclist Peter Stetina hosted the Peter Stetina Paydirt Challenge gravel race in Carson City this weekend. More than 600 bikers from around the world participated in either the 69-mile long course or the 56-mile medium course races.

Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is offering May through October tours of the historic Nevada State Prison in Carson City.

Western Nevada College is celebrating its 53rd commencement class with traditional commencement ceremonies on Monday, May 20, in Carson City and Thursday, May 23, in Fallon.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 20-26, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

On May 18, 2024, at around 12:50 a.m., Carson City Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Christopher Gorham. A drug-detection canine was used to conduct a sniff of the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and located drug paraphernalia along with an explosive device.

The following is written by Sam Olson, I.D.E.A. Committee Chair & Robert Bartshe, president of Sierra Nevada Realtors.

Our state anthem boldly declares that ‘Home means Nevada.’ For many Nevadans, home also means economic prosperity and stability. For generations, home ownership has been a symbol of financial security and upward mobility. Home equity is the largest single financial asset for most American families, representing between 50% and 70% of net wealth. Buying a house is one of those marquee life moments that you never forget.

On Sunday, May 26, 2024, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City, NV will host a Memorial Day Fun Shoot from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Target fees will be discounted with a limit of 400 targets per person. The Club is a shotgun only facility, offering Trap, Skeet, 5-Stand, and Sporting Clays. The Club is located at 3590 Arrowhead Drive. For more information call (775) 882-9904. Everyone is invited to come!

Over the last 10 years, Catmandu has helped more than 2700 cats and kittens have a better life through rescue, adoption, education, assistance programs and a cage-free sanctuary. To mark the occasion and raise money to continue their lifesaving efforts, Catmandu is having a celebration/fundraising event from 6-9 pm on Saturday, June 29th at the Carson Events Center.

Thank you Jack's Valley Elementary School for inviting the Carson City Park Rangers to participate in Camp Read A Lot!

Students learned amazing facts about our feline and canine neighbors, mountain lions and coyotes!

An 1884 Carson City Morgan silver dollar donated by Northern Nevada Coin is being raffled by the Friends of the Nevada State Museum. The raffle will highlight the Tin Cup Roundup fundraiser planned for Saturday, September 21 (5 to 8 pm). Proceeds from the raffle and the event will support the restoration of a 1967 Chevrolet pickup truck for the State Museum.

Deputies are investigating a pipe bomb that was discovered during a traffic stop early Saturday morning.

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On Friday, the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada announced its expansion into Minden.

“We are so incredibly honored to announce the brand-new Wray Family Clubhouse opening in August of 2024 in Minden,” a spokesperson wrote.

A 32-year-old Carson City man was arrested Thursday afternoon for felony domestic battery.

Steven Michael was arrested after deputies responded to a report of a domestic assault.

Since creating its Jump Start College more than decade ago, there have never been as many graduates as the Western Nevada College’s Class of 2024 produced.

WNC will honor a record 168 graduates at graduation ceremonies on May 20 in Carson City and May 23 in Fallon.
The program includes nine participating high schools, three academies and homeschool students.

Carson City is now accepting Letters of Intent for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects taking place July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

The City is specifically seeking projects correlating with the City’s FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Plan, approved on August 3, 2023.

Ricardo Serrano Perez was sentenced to 20 years in the Nevada Department of Corrections with minimum parole eligibility of 8 years. Perez was sentenced pursuant to a guilty plea agreement whereby the parties stipulated to the maximum sentence.

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Anyone with a classic or cool car can enter their vehicle in the event for $25.

Awards will be given for the top 10 entrees. See the attached flyer or you can register day of. Anyone can come check out the cars free of charge.

There will be raffle prizes, face painting for the kids, and food trucks on site.

Donna Inversin, President of The Historic Virginia & Truckee Trail, will speak on the nonprofit's effort to find those remaining sections of old rail bed routes and stitch them together to build a multi-use path of between 60 and 80 miles that will be an echo of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens and visitors of Northern Nevada.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division is seeking information from the public to identify a suspect in a vehicle burglary investigation.

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Stuff a cop car with food on May 18

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