Carson City Nevada News - Carson Now - Your one stop for Carson City news

Kids to Parks Day Celebration at Mills Park on Saturday, May 18th

Sat, 11 May 2024 23:43:18 +0000

By: Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department

“Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through thousands of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors.” – National Park Trust

The community is invited to Mills Park from 10:00am – 2:00pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, for the 6th annual Kids to Parks Day event here in Carson City! The celebration will include music, food, outdoor activities from local organizations, educational booths, and the Junior Park Ranger Olympics! The whole community is invited to join in on this fun day of outdoor play!

Schedule of Events:
10:00am - Mayor Lori Bagwell will read the Kids to Parks Day 2024 official proclamation and start the day
10:30am - Jr Park Ranger Olympics Official Start
1:30pm - Jr Park Ranger Olympics End
2:00pm - Kids to Parks Day event ends, kids encouraged to visit other parks and keep celebrating the day
4:00pm – Wheelhouse Best Trick Competition Ends

The Junior Ranger Olympics will be a fun obstacle course consisting of 5 stages that’ll test Carson City Junior Park Rangers on the skills they need to become a future Park Ranger. Skills that will be tested include Packing a backpack, trail maintenance, physical agility, map and brochure sorting, first aid, and navigation. The course will kick off at 10:30am and end at 1:30pm. It’s open to kids in grade levels 1st - 3rd and 4th - 6th. Prizes will be given to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the two age groups.

The Wheel House will be hosting a Best Trick Competition at the skate park. They will be providing music for the event and setting up skating obstacles. They will also be conducting trick competitions and giving away prizes. Kids can begin signing up at 10:00am.

Bone Appetit Bar-B-Que Grill will be offering food and drinks for the event and will have a special kid’s menu exclusively for Kids to Parks Day. Scoups Ice Cream & Soup Bar will also be offering ice cream options.

Other booths and activities will include: America First Credit Union, Bee City, Carson City Health and Human Services, Carson City Library, Carson City Railroad Association, Computer Corps, Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch, Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada, GNCU, The Greenhouse Project, Grocery Outlet, Messy Kids Art School, Muscle Power, Nevada State Parks, Nevada Department of Wildlife, River Wranglers, Salvation Army, Western NV Safe Routes to School, and W.O.L.F!

You can find more information about Kids to Parks Day at https://www.carson.org/government/departments-g-z/parks-recreation-open-....

Special thanks to all the businesses that are supporting this event through donations : Aces, Author: Jennifer Bentio-Kowalski, Click Bond, Defy Sparks, GearHut, Nevada State Parks, Play it Again Sports, and Wild Island Coconut Bowl.

If you have any general questions, please contact Carson City Park Rangers at parkrangers@carson.org or (775) 283-7035.

Parking will be available in and around Mills Park at 1111 E. Williams St. Carson City, NV 89701.

Did you see it? Auroras spotted across Nevada skies thanks to large solar storm

Kelsey Penrose — Sat, 11 May 2024 17:52:39 +0000

In an extremely rare display of colors, the aurora borealis was spotted throughout Northern Nevada Friday night as captured by multiple Carson Now readers. Click on each photo to expand.

This spectacular display is caused by a severe solar storm that is expected to continue through the weekend.

Did you spot the aurora? Send photos to kelsey@carsonnow.org

Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission Approves 2024 - 2025 Big Game Hunting Tag Quotas

Kelsey Penrose — Sat, 11 May 2024 17:11:30 +0000

Nevada Department of Wildlife

After review of the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s recommendations and consideration by County Advisory Board’s to Manage Wildlife, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners has approved big game tag quotas for the upcoming 2024-2025 hunting season.

The Commission’s approved quotas for species such as antelope, elk, mountain goat, bear, and bighorn sheep remained largely unchanged from the Department’s recommendations; however, the Commission made considerable changes to mule deer quotas after hearing concerns from the public over more recent population declines, especially in the northeast portion of the state.

Key highlights of the approved quotas include:

• Antelope: Antelope populations in Nevada continue to remain strong and a 33% increase for horns-longer-than-ear (adult male) antelope tags reflect the healthy population increases for the species this year. Recent survey data indicates an average of 40 bucks per 100 does and 37 fawn per 100 does, which are both increases over the previous year’s survey data.

• Mule Deer: Mule deer fawn ratios observed during fall 2023 and spring 2024 are the highest they have been in a decade and indicate that populations are expanding. Commissioners approved mule deer quotas that were similar to last year except for more noticeable decreases in Management Areas 6, 7 and 10, where quotas were decreased by 35 percent. Despite these decreases, buck ratios in many units across the state are above the management objective of 30 bucks per 100 does. The lower quotas should lead to increased maturity of bucks in the deer herd in the coming years.

• Elk: Commissioners approved 1,779 bull and spike tags combined and 2,581 cow elk tags. This represented a 7.5% increase in elk tags, with bull elk quotas remaining similar to the prior season. Conditions throughout elk habitat in Nevada improved during the summer and fall of 2023 and winter conditions were mild compared to the previous year. Biologists expect to see the health of the population substantially improve this year.

• Bear: The Commission approved only a slight adjustment in bear tags, with an increase of five tags over last year. This decision comes as a result of the steady growth in Nevada’s bear population.

• Moose: The 2024 hunting season represents the first time in Nevada’s history a moose hunt will be available, marking an exciting milestone for wildlife enthusiasts. The Commission approved NDOW’s recommendation of two antlered moose tags, which represents less than 2% of the estimated 105 moose in Nevada, a percentage biologists decided on to maintain a growing population. (Click to watch a presentation on the status of moose in Nevada)

• Bighorn Sheep: The approved recommendation for an approximate 16% decrease in desert bighorn ram tags, coupled with an increase of four more tags for California bighorn rams, demonstrates the Department’s commitment to species-specific management strategies. Due to multi-year drought and disease impacts Nevada’s desert bighorn sheep herds have been drastically declining, so the quota aims to be conservative as the populations have experienced declines.

• Mountain goats: In support of recent improvements in populations numbers, especially in hunt unit 102, the Commission approved a recommended increase of two mountain goat tags. This number follows harvest guidelines, which allow for the take of 2% to 5% of the population.

“We’ve had a positive year for many of our big game herds and we expect their health to only improve thanks to two consecutive wet winters, which resulted in improved habitat conditions. This has helped big game species in their recovery from long term drought followed by severe winter weather experienced during late 2022 and throughout the early months of 2023,” said Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Director Alan Jenne. “Additionally, we saw significant numbers in big game tag applications. The ongoing support we receive from sportsmen and women helps increase our conservation efforts and ensures continued improvements for all of Nevada’s 897 wildlife species.”

Commissioners made their decision after reviewing recommendations from NDOW biologist and hearing input from the County Advisory Boards and the public. NDOW's recommendations are made after hundreds of hours of surveys both from the ground and the air to classify age, sex, and recruitment of young, population modeling to develop accurate estimates of population size and consideration of management guidance from the Commission. This approach ensures that the quota recommendations for the 2024-2025 hunting season are both sustainable and reflective of the current health of Nevada's wildlife.

A detailed list of all approved quotas is available in the Commission Regulation 24-12, 2024 Big Game Quota.

Nevada’s big game tag application period closed on Wednesday, May 8. Big Game draw results will be released on or before Friday, May 17.

Carson High School plans to absorb Pioneer Academy in the 2024-25 school year

Kelsey Penrose — Sat, 11 May 2024 03:47:05 +0000

On Tuesday, May 14, the Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees will host a meeting at Carson High School at 1111 N. Saliman Street. At the meeting the district will discuss their plan to merge Carson High School and Pioneer Academy.

The following explanation is from the School Board Agenda:

As the Carson City School District continues to see declining enrollment, there are conscious efforts to consider opportunities that present themselves where structural organizational changes can be made that bring a cost savings but also have a minimal impact on the services we provide. With the recent vacancy in the principal position at Pioneer Academy, one of these opportunities has presented itself.

For approximately 20 years, Pioneer and Carson High have operated as two separate school entities, Carson High as our large comprehensive high school and Pioneer as our alternative high school.

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, Pioneer Academy will become the off-site alternative campus of Carson High School, effectively merging the two entities.

An administrator will be assigned to the Pioneer campus, but be considered as a part of the Carson High administrative team. The Pioneer campus will continue offering the same level of service to our students but with a more cost-effective model that sets the district in a good position to continue services to students that may be more successful in that smaller alternative setting.

All students who currently attend Pioneer will continue to attend the Pioneer campus, but now with potentially more streamlined access to the curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular offerings of Carson High School. Meetings with staff and parents have occurred or have been scheduled to explain this structural change.

The full agenda can be viewed here.

Delta Saloon in Virginia City under new ownership after 2019 fire led to shut down

Kelsey Penrose — Fri, 10 May 2024 21:40:42 +0000

Press Release

Originally opened during the height of the mining boom of Virginia City, Nevada, the Delta Saloon started serving in 1880. Having seen its share of history, and creating its own, the property is under new ownership with Jim Grimes, VC Delta Saloon, LLC., a fourth-generation Nevadan born and raised in Reno and Sparks, Nevada.

The Delta shut down in 2019 following an explosion and fire.

“This is a pinnacle moment for me, my wife Kim and the entire Grimes family to own the Delta Saloon, and our priority is to immediately begin restoring it to its glory days,” said Grimes. “Being born and raised in the Reno-Sparks area, I’ve been coming to Virginia City all my life, so I understand the responsibility and significance of owning such a historic property and what it means to the community. It’s important and we’re proud to be part of its continuing legacy.”

In addition to the saloon, the purchase includes the Delta parking lot, located across the street to the east, and the VC Tour Trolley. The parking lot and trolley is co-owned with Marshal McBride, owner and proprietor of the Bucket of Blood Saloon; a saloon that has been in the McBride family since opening in 1876.

Grimes started the renovation immediately after signing escrow papers Thursday, May 9, 2024, and plans to open the property within the next 30 days. Renovations include repairing the outside structure and balcony as well as the bar, rebuilding the kitchen and other interior improvements.

Grimes continued, “Storey County has been phenomenal throughout the entire process and we have our sights set on opening the property as soon as possible. We’ll be looking for a tenant to lease the restaurant and plan on booking out the banquet space upstairs for groups and weddings. We’ll even have live music during many of the town’s special events. The Delta is back.”

The Delta Saloon was one of the more than 100 saloons that lined the main street of Virginia City where it was said there was one saloon for every 200 residents. It remains the largest with wood-paneled walls, Victorian architecture and lamps and a classic brass bar. It was also home to the famed Suicide Table where tales of fact and fiction talk of drunken gamblers down on their luck who would commit suicide instead of paying their heavy debts.

“The Delta Saloon is synonymous with Virginia City,” said Todd Tuttle, tourism director for the Virginia City Tourism Commission. “Jim is first class, and his renewed energy is exactly what our town needs to continue to attract visitors from all corners of the country. It’s big news and we know it will be a first-class operation.”

Grimes owns Concrete North, based in California and Nevada, which has completed projects at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, built the Sacramento Kings arena and is involved with the current Renown South Meadows Hospital expansion. He also owns Comstock Distillers, makers of Francovich Holiday Nog, NV36 Premium Blended Whiskey, Cemetery Gin, Tahoe Blue Vodka and Sierra Ice, and Grimes Rice Canyon Ranch in Susanville, California, a cattle and hay ranch operation.

The sale was managed by Deborah Hayward an Associate with RM&D Nevada Resource Management & Development and closed May 9, 2024. RM&D offers commercial real estate services for master-planned communities and commercial properties and property management services.

Reflections of Lake Tahoe at Carson City Senior Center Tuesday

Fri, 10 May 2024 20:58:14 +0000

By Carson city Senior Center

Free History Slide Show: Reflections of Lake Tahoe Tuesday May 14, 1:30pm, at the Carson City Senior Center.

Using extensive research and seldom seen photographs, local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff take a look back at the many people and events that have affected this magnificent Sierra Nevada gem over the years.

From industrial powerhouse of the Comstock Lode to the many efforts to create a Lake Tahoe National Park, the varied tales of “Big Blue’s” history are unique, interesting, and often amusing.

The Senior Center is located at 911 Beverly Dr. Carson City, NV.

Call David at 760 920 8061 for more information.

Virginia City's St. Mary's Art Center 60th Anniversary Celebration and Spring Art Reception scheduled for May 18

Fri, 10 May 2024 19:53:30 +0000

By St. Mary's Art Center

Join us for our 60th Anniversary + Spring Art Reception on May 18, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free for all, as well as on-site and nearby parking.

We are proud to offer seasonal and permanent art exhibitions in our 7 art galleries, featuring exquisite works by amazing fine artists and makers. Enjoy live music by Phil Prunier and light refreshments as you enjoy our four floors of exhibits, including:

1st Floor Exhibitions: “Absolutely Abstracts” by Pam Brekas
2nd Floor: Historical Museum Exhibition & Artisan Gallery
3rd Floor: Northern Nevada Artists & Themes (Permanent Collection)
4th Floor: Virginia City Characters by Danette Steele Jones & folk art and pottery by Mimi Patrick

Our Spring Reception features the “Absolutely Abstracts” exhibition by Pam Brekas. Enjoy a beautiful and expansive exhibition of Pam Brekas' abstract work throughout the first-floor galleries. This body of work is full of color, layers, texture, and movement. Pam has a long history with the art center, including Dusty Roads and collaborative pieces hung in our permanent collection.

We are also celebrating our 60th Anniversary as an Art Center, the longest operating 501(c)3 nonprofit in Storey County. Father Paul Meinecke and Louise Curran opened St. Mary’s Arts Center in 1964.

Visit our website for more information. We can’t wait to see you there! https://www.stmarysartcenter.org/spring-art-reception

Volunteers Needed for Carson High Safe Grad Night on June 1

Fri, 10 May 2024 19:28:48 +0000

By Carson High Safe Grad Boosters

Celebrate Carson High School Class of 2024! And, keep them safe.

Since 1988, Safe Grad has helped prevent fatalities related to graduation night intoxication by offering a FREE, safe, and sober all-night party for graduating high school seniors.

We need grad night chaperone volunteers to support this event.

1. To volunteer, click this SignUp link: https://signup.com/go/TYfJKCC
2. Review options listed (check June 1 & June 2 tabs) for preferred shift
3. Sign up, it's Easy! SignUp does NOT share your info or email address

Not able to volunteer this time but still want to contribute? Tax-deductible gifts keep this event free. Visit https://carsonhighsafegrad.com to learn more.

Native Plant Sale May 18 at River View Park in Gardnerville

Fri, 10 May 2024 18:52:40 +0000

Jessica Gardner

UNR Extension Master Gardeners of Douglas County are hosting a Native plant sale on Saturday, May 18 at the River Fork Ranch (The Nature Conservancy) located at 381 Genoa Ln. Minden, NV.

The event is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

All plants are a first come, first serve basis.

All proceeds will benefit the UNR Extension Master Gardeners of Douglas County. Plants have been grown by The Washoe State Tree Nursery.

For more information, please email jessicagardner@unr.edu or call 775-782-9960.

The Misfits Theater Group presents Gold Casino or Bar Be Tender in May

Fri, 10 May 2024 17:33:54 +0000

By Erlinda Ibe Haukohl

The Misfits Theater Group presents its 2024 Spring Production: Gold Casino or Bar Be Tender on the weekends of May 18-19 and May 24, 25 and 26, 2024.

The Gold Casino is owned by an escaped felon hiding from the law. The villain discovers there is gold hidden in the bar of the casino, and he plans to steal the gold and burn the casino to the ground. The felon, heroine bartender, and an undercover cop foil the villain’s evil plan! The casino is saved—and romance is in the air!

Gold Casino/Bar Be Tender performances will be at the Dayton Community Center located in historic old town Dayton at 164 Pike Street. Call Lisa at 775-315-1085 to make a reservation. Ticket cost is $15 per seat.

Evening performances start at 7 pm on May 18, 24 and 25. Two scheduled matinees will start at 2 pm on Sunday May 19 and 26. A handicap drop off zone will be located at the bottom of the handicap ramp in front of the Community Center. Proceeds from the May 24 performance will benefit the Dayton Food Pantry!