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By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Secretary of State Ross Miller today appointed Scott F. Gilles as deputy elections officer. He steps into the role after his predecessor, Matt Griffin, resigned this past December to return to private practice.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval is considering giving Nevada’s higher education system more control to spend tuition and state funds.
As part of his budget, the governor may recommend a statutory change to allow colleges and universities more authority to manage their budgets with a lesser degree of legislative control, said Dale Erquiaga, the governor’s senior advisor.

During the September 2010 Healthy Communities Coalition meeting, over 70 community leaders and officials from throughout Lyon County, Nevada gathered to sign a “community covenant.” The covenant promised Lyon County communities, State and local groups will work together to increase community support to the area’s military families and veterans. A number of new or expanded events and initiatives have followed that pledge.

In an apparent move to increase the transparency of his administration, Gov. Brian Sandoval released today the annual salaries of his staff. His 17 staff positions, one of which is vacant, consume about $1 million of the governor’s executive budget.
His highest paid employee, Chief of Staff Heidi Gansert, will earn $124,988 this year. The lowest paid, Celia Magana, is an administrative assistant in Las Vegas earning $29,984.

By Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval today announced he will appoint Lucas Foletta as his general counsel.
As a former assistant U.S. attorney for the district of Nevada, Foletta has prosecuted mortgage fraud and identity theft matters on behalf of the U.S. government. A graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law, Foletta is also a former law clerk to Sandoval when he served previously as a federal judge.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Despite a dramatic slowdown in Nevada’s population growth, and even some net out-migration for the first time in recent memory, the U.S. Census Bureau report today shows the state will gain a fourth congressional seat in 2013.

A new group has formed to propose innovative strategies to create a healthy State with well-supported public systems and services and an improved fiscal system.

Members of the Nevada Values Coalition have met twice for “big tent”, nonpartisan meetings to discuss the complex issues, and members then further examined ideas through subcommittees.

Santa and Mrs. Klaus have a heart to heart chat during the Dayton Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 18. Healthy Communities Coalition and Kiwanis of Dayton Township hosted a pancake breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Klaus and elf helpers at the Dayton Community Center.

Ten University of Nevada, Reno College of Business students got some real-world experience this fall semester, when they detailed plans that will help Microsoft Licensing continue business operations in the event of various emergencies.

“I really want to thank the University students for just diving in,” said Tom Fullerton, Microsoft Licensing’s senior solutions manager in information technologies. “We want to build upon this and do more things like this in different areas of Microsoft Licensing.”

By Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval announced today he plans to appoint Terry Johnson as director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry in his administration. 
Sandoval also announced he will reappoint Teresa Thienhaus as director of the Personnel Department and Dino DiCianno as executive director of the Department of Taxation.
Johnson has 15 years of experience in state and local government administration.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Long-time Republican political operative Sig Rogich said today that Sarah Palin is not a viable candidate for president in 2012.
Rogich, who was involved in the campaigns of Ronald Reagan and both Bush presidents, said Palin, a Tea Party favorite and former Republican Alaska governor, is unelectable.

Applications are being accepted beginning today for the Carson City Citizens Academy, Sheriff's Ken Furlong announced.
The academy begins Feb. 2 and is designed for people interested in law enforcement who want to experience the wide range of duties the Sheriff’s Office performs.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons today announced the retirement of Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Jerry Hafen. Hafen is a life-long resident of Clark County and was appointed to the top job at the agency in early 2008.
He will step down Dec. 31.
“Jerry Hafen has proven to be a respected leader in law enforcement in Nevada and I am proud of his accomplishments as DPS Director,” Gibbons said. “Jerry has proven time and again that the safety of the citizens of Nevada is his top priority.

Carson High School officials and authorities continue to investigate rumors that surfaced among students earlier today of a planned shooting to take place on campus.

The Carson High School campus was on locked down shortly after noon today because the rumors had come from multiple students, authorities said. Released from school at the end of the day, students described the situation as confusing and frightening because they weren't told why they were forced into their classrooms with the doors locked.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CITY – Nevada State Treasurer Kate Marshall announced today that the state has maintained its high credit rating after discussions last month with each of the three major rating agencies.

The Community Health Nursing clinics throughout Lyon County offer many conveniently located and very affordable services for men, women, and children. The Dayton Community Health Nursing clinic at 34 Lakes Blvd. hosts regular appointment hours, as well as walk-in clinics, men’s clinics, and translation services.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CITY – Nevada Republican Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval announced today his selection of 29 Nevadans to serve on his transition advisory team, including Bill Bible, former president of the Nevada Resort Association, and state Sen. Dean Rhoads, who backed Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election bid.
The diverse group of community leaders from across Nevada will provide input and feedback to Sandoval on a wide range of issues.

The Pinkerton Ballet Theater turns the classic holiday ballet "The Nutcracker" into a chance for some political types to take part at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Carson Community Center, 851 E. William St. Tickets are $23.5 general admission, $19.50 for senior and students. Call (775) 230-1915.

The political figures involved are Carson Mayor Bob Crowell, State Senator Mark Amodei and City Assessor Dave Dawley. Crowell appears Friday, Dawley on Saturday and Amodei Sunday. And the entire cast is local in desire if not actuality.

Family TIES of Nevada announced today that it has appointed Melanie Kauffman as its new Executive Director. Ms. Kauffman will oversee the organization’s operations, achievement of its mission, and strategic planning objectives.

Family TIES of Nevada is dedicated to increasing the hope, confidence and independence of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions through training, information, support and advocacy.

Christy McGill likes to use a gardening metaphor when she explains Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey's mission to reduce substance abuse and promote recovery.

“The Coalition is planting the seeds of hope that alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention works, treatment is effective, and people do recover,” said McGill, who serves as director.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
Assembly Speaker-elect John Oceguera has announced the Assembly Democratic leadership team and the chairs of the nine standing committees.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval said today he will make it a priority as governor to encourage businesses to relocate to Nevada from neighboring states where taxes have been raised to deal with the economic slowdown.

Western Nevada College’s Latino Student Club will sponsor the third annual WNC Talent Show at Capital Christian Center, 1600 Snyder Avenue in Carson City, on Saturday, Nov., 13, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost to enter is $12 for singles and $20 for couples or groups. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for any student with school ID, and $3 for youth and senior citizens. Children under age 5 are admitted free. All proceeds will help fund WNC student scholarships.

With 34 people turning out for a good cause, the Dayton Resource Bank raised more than $1,100 during its 5K Run on Oct. 23. One hundred percent of the funds directly benefit Dayton area school children.

Among the participants were Dayton Elementary School Principal Cory Sandburg, Healthy Communities Coalition director Christy McGill, and the entire Freshman Volleyball team of Dayton High School.

What is the Resource Bank?

Nearly 100 students in Dayton schools have been assisted through the Dayton Resource Bank in the past 2 school years.

For the 19th consecutive year, the Carson City Shade Tree Council will host its annual Fall Tree Care Seminar on November 3, 2010. The Seminar will be held in the Sierra Room at the Community Center from 8:30 am until 4 pm and is open to all tree care professionals and tree lovers in the community. The Community Center is located at 851 East William Street in Carson City.

The Seminar will be broadcast on Carson City’s public access television stations.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation reaching millions of Americans near the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community events, young people pledge to live sober and thus healthier, lives.

During this year’s Red Ribbon Week, Healthy Communities Coalition asks adults to respond to the growing epidemic of prescription drug misuse among youths by keeping medications locked up, and properly disposing of old medications.

Monday morning's Carson City commute may bring with it some debris-dodging following Sunday's wind and rain storm. The Carson City Public Works Department will have no doubt worked throughout the night clearing the streets. Give 'em a wave for their efforts if you see them on the streets.

Dozens of Nevada’s nonprofit groups, service providers and others met this week in Reno and Las Vegas to consider the looming threat of deep cuts to the state budget cuts which threaten to eliminate or dramatically reduce health care, education, and human services.

Service agency and nonprofit directors from Lyon and Storey counties attended the Monday meeting, hoping for insights on how to plan for the upcoming deep cuts to Nevada’s public education, health and social services that will hit the rural areas especially hard.

Carsonsports.com reports how Carson High sophomore Emmy Heller switched roles as defensive goal keeper and delivered her first career goal in Carson's 9-0 "Senior Night" victory against Wooster. Six different players scored for Carson (12-0-2) in a win that clinched the Sierra League regular season championship.

The Carson City road construction report for the week of Oct. 18-24 continues to highlight the Roop Street widening project which is expected to be finished by the end of the year. The following impacts are expected this week:

— Roop Street is now open between William Street and Robinson Street.
— Roop Street will have intermittent lane restrictions from Robinson Street to Washington Street for striping.
— William Street will have intermittent lane closures at Roop Street on Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for westbound traffic.