Washoe

As wind and rain blows into the Carson City region this afternoon, matters of commuting from Reno to Carson City may be difficult. A high wind warning is in effect today through the Washoe Valley. Trucks, buses, trailers and RVs are prohibited. (See video below) Controls as of 4:30 this afternoon are as follows:

CARSON CITY – Two of the four Republican candidates seeking to replace Sen. Randolph Townsend in state Senate District 4 in Washoe County attacked one another’s records in a debate televised today on the Nevada NewsMakers program.
Assemblyman Ty Cobb said one of his opponents, Ben Kieckhefer, has called for “revenue enhancements” which Cobb said is support for a tax increase. Kieckhefer denied the charge.

A 41-year-old Carson City woman faces felony drug and misdemeanor obstruction charges after officers found bottles of prescription drugs that didn't belong to her.

Deputies arrested the woman following a traffic stop in which a female driver was clocked doing a 40 in a 25 mph zone on Friday at about 2 p.m. An officer asked for identification from the suspect, who was the passenger in the car. The name, date of birth and Social Security number she gave officers didn't match anyone in the Nevada or California database.

CARSON CITY – Members of Nevada’s Homeland Security Commission expressed frustration today that more than eight years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, local law enforcement and other emergency responders still can’t communicate with each other when responding to an emergency.

Democrats still hold a lead in the total number of registered voters in Nevada, although Republicans hold majorities in 14 of the state's 17 counties.

Sales tax collections in Carson City plunged again in January, falling 16.2% from January of 2009. Sales tax collections statewide were down 8.1% in January. They were off 4.8% in Washoe County, down 2.2% in Douglas, minus 22% in Lyon and down 12.7% in the Fallon area.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Highway Users Coalition has announced its support for moving forward with a study on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) as a potential alternative to the current gas tax paid by motorists at the pump to fund road improvements and maintenance.
According to those involved in the study, the consequences of inaction could include the deterioration of roads and highways, increased vehicle wear and tear, increased congestion and accidents and longer commute times.

Washoe County has the most transparent website out of all Nevada’s counties, according to the Sunshine Review.

CARSON CITY – As millions of Americans fill out their census forms over the next several weeks in the nation’s once-a-decade head co

Nevada property tax practices are still an issue of contention.

The Northern Nevada Cyber Center, located at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has issued a computer intrusion scam warning. Many Facebook users are reporting their accounts being hacked.

CARSON CITY – The 2010 special session called by Gov. Jim Gibbons last month to balance a state budget out of balance by more than $800 million touched on major issues from gaming and mining fee increases to layoffs of state employees.

Nevada’s county websites have received a collective grade of “F” from Sunshine Review, a non-profit organization that promotes transparency from both state and local governments.

U.S. Senate

Sharon Angle, Republican

Scott Ashjian, Tea Party

Gary Bernstein, Republican

Sherry Brooks, Republican

John Chachas, Republican

Nevada gaming wins fell again during the month of February.  The State Gaming Control Board reported that gaming wins among the larger casinos statewide fell 3.22%.  Around the state, gaming wins were off 3% along the Las Vegas Strip (-3.3% year to date).  Gaming wins were off 8.7% in Washoe County (-12.75% YTD) during the month of February.  Around the Carson City area, gaming wins fell a whopping 21% in February (-9% YTD) compared to February of 2009.  And around South Lake Tahoe, gaming wins fell in February -9.8% (-22.3% YTD).

CARSON CITY – A Reno resident who in November announced he was organizing a recall effort against veteran Nevada state Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said this week he is withdrawing from the effort due to time constraints.
Recall organizer Dana Allen, a businessman who has been active in Tea Party rallies, said he will look for another Washoe County resident to take over the effort.

CARSON CITY – Thanks to term limits and decisions by some lawmakers not to seek re-election, at least 16 members of the Nevada Legislature will not be returning in 2011, and the number could end up being even higher after Election Day in November.
Sixteen lawmakers are termed out of office in the 2010 election cycle, but three so far have filed for different legislative offices and could return to the Legislature for the 2011 session.

Here is a list of candidates that have filed to run in the next election as of Tuesday:

Republican Senator Stan Olsen cast his

After President Obama announced his plan to eliminate funding for the Y

Sales tax collections, the life’s blood of funding for city services, fell 14.5% last December, compared to December of 2008. The average drop around the rest of Nevada was -6.6%

Winter Storm Warning In Effect Until 10 Am PST Sunday…

In an effort to sop up a small lake of budgetary red ink, the Washoe County Commission and the Washoe County Board of Trustees are aiming their sites on closing up to three libraries in the county.

Add southern Washoe County (Washoe Valley; Franktown area) to the list of over-taxed property owners. Obviously, the taxers are looking for the “deep pockets”.

By Sean Whaley | Nevada News Bureau

By Phillip Moyer | Nevada News Bureau

By Phillip Moyer | Nevada News Bureau

(Updated at 12:04 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2010)

Over 90 Nevada citizens voiced their opinions about the economic situation to Nevada legislators at the Reno Town Hall meeting Saturday morning.  An estimated 500 citizens showed up at Reno City Ha

(Click image to play video)
A possibly medically distressed women drove her Chevy Suburban straight into the Washoe Tribe Community Center this morning.