With help from a wet winter, law enforcement agencies in Northern Nevada are preparing for a busy boating season at Lakes Tahoe, Topaz, Lahontan and others water ways following several years of drought and tough boating conditions.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office are all launching boats before the Memorial Day weekend to provide for public safety and enforce boating laws.

“We’ve seen challenging conditions over the past few years, but with a healthy winter behind us, we expect a lot more people out on the water,” said Chief Game Warden Tyler Turnipseed of the NDOW, the agency responsible for boating across the state. “With more boaters, we don’t want to see more accidents, so we’re being proactive with our boating safety and enforcement efforts.”

NDOW has officers stationed at all of Nevada’s major waterways, and Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kickoff to boating season.

In addition to NDOW, many other law enforcement agencies will be putting boats on the water before this busy boating season gets underway. Douglas County is launching a brand new patrol boat to work enforcement on Lake Tahoe, a lake that saw three fatal accidents last year, all on the California side of the lake.

“We’ve seen a lot more people up at Lake Tahoe, and we feel strongly that we need to be there to protect the public and enforce boating laws,” said Sheriff Ron Pierini. “We want boaters to have fun, but we also want them to stay safe.”

“The Sheriff’s Office is ready to respond as needed for on-the-water emergencies,” Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen said. “However, as a new boating season approaches we want to remind everyone that your safety, and the safety of your fellow boaters, depends on you. Make sure you have all the proper safety equipment and do not operate a vessel while under the influence.”

The week before Memorial Day, May 21-27, is also National Safe Boating Week, a national effort to promote safety in the upcoming boating season.

As part of this year’s Safe Boating Week, NDOW is emphasizing the importance of boating education, which is mandatory for some boaters in the state. Boaters who were born on or after January 1, 1983 are required to complete a boating course to operate a motorboat of more than fifteen horsepower on Lakes Tahoe or Topaz. The education requirement has been in place since 2003, and more and more boaters are required to have the course with every passing year.

As every year, officials also stress life jacket wear as the single greatest step boaters can take to stay safe. In fact, there has already been a successful rescue of a kayaker who capsized on Tahoe Thursday, and a life jacket appeared to make a difference in that case.

“If we could get out only one message, it would be that life jackets do save lives,” said Turnipseed.

Boaters can learn more about boating safety by listening to a podcast on the subject created by NDOW at nevadawild.org.

Meanwhile, Roadside stations for inspections and decontaminations of motorized boats and watercraft are officially open for the 2016 boating season. Locations, hours of operation and opening dates are as follows:

Meyers: At the junction of US 50 and Highway 89
Spooner Summit: At the junction of US 50 and Highway 28 in Nevada
Alpine Meadows: Highway 89, off Alpine Meadows Road north of Tahoe City
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 7 days a week

Truckee-Tahoe: Highway 267, off Truckee Airport Road
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, Closed Monday-Wednesday

“Boat inspections are critical to maintaining the health of Lake Tahoe and our local recreation-based economy,” said Dennis Zabaglo, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Aquatic Resources Program Manager. “Through the efforts of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s trained inspectors and other private and public partners committed to the Lake, we expect to have another successful season.”

All motorized watercraft require inspection for aquatic invasive species (AIS) prior to launching into Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lake. Invasive species are highly advantageous and can be transported by non-motorized water recreation equipment as well. The Tahoe Keeper program was created to inform the paddling community about the importance of inspecting equipment, including: kayaks, paddleboards, fishing equipment, inflatable water toys and life jackets.

Invasive species, such as quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, and hydrilla, are known to multiply quickly and colonize underwater surfaces, including docks and piers, water supply and filtration systems, buoys, moored boats, and even the beautiful rocky shoreline. They destroy fish habitat, ruin boat engines, and can negatively impact water quality and the local economy, recreation, and ecosystem.

Boats and other watercraft are the largest transporters of AIS, and the inspection program is critical to preventing their spread into Lake Tahoe and other waterbodies. Knowingly transporting AIS into Lake Tahoe is against the law, and violators may be subject to monetary penalties.

“Boaters are encouraged to 'clean, drain, and dry' their boats prior to arriving at inspection stations in order to save time and money,” according to Nicole Cartwright, AIS Program Coordinator for the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, “make sure to drain all water, even water from your garden hose used to flush. Taking these three simple steps will get you on the water faster.”

Annual watercraft inspection fees remain unchanged from last year. The “Tahoe In & Out” inspection ranges from $35 for personal watercraft and vessels under 17 feet and up to $121 for vessels over 39 feet. The “Tahoe Only” inspection sticker is $30. An additional fee of $35 is charged for any boat requiring decontamination and an additional $10 fee for the decontamination of ballast tanks or bags.

Doors to the all-new Black Bear Diner inside the Max Casino opened to the public at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, ushering in the restaurant's much anticipated arrival to Carson City.

"Everything's going wonderful," said restaurant General Manager Scott Hughes.

The Black Bear Diner is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

PK O’Neill vs.the facts on EDUCATION 
(excepts from his newsletters)
In the 2015 session, the Legislature considered no fewer than 15 new or expanded programs intended to increase student achievement.
But... None of the proposals have anything to do with improving education in the only place where education takes place -- and can be improved -- IN THE CLASSROOM.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire Program team received the “Great Basin Fire Mitigation, Education and Prevention Award” at the Great Basin Fire Mitigation, Education and Prevention Conference held last month in Boise, Idaho.

“The Living With Fire team is an amazing group,” said State Fire Mitigation and Trespass Specialist Jennifer Myslivy, with the Bureau of Land Management in Idaho. “They don’t just help people within Nevada — their work reaches all across the United States.”

Living With Fire Program Directors Sonya Sistare and Ed Smith, and Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator Elwood Miller were chosen by a panel with representatives from Nevada, Idaho and Utah. The Living With Fire team was selected based on their cooperation with communities and program partners, their community impact, their educational materials, and their overall interactions and approaches to spreading wildfire awareness and teaching homeowners how to live more safely with the threat of wildfire.

“Living With Fire has received other forms of recognition in the past, but this award is especially meaningful because it comes from our peers in wildfire mitigation education who understand the significance of the issue and the associated challenges,” said Smith.

The conference includes wildfire mitigation and prevention specialists from Nevada, Idaho, Utah, South Dakota, eastern California and western Wyoming, with presenters from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, various State Divisions of Forestry and local fire services.

Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire Program is made possible through a unique partnership with the Nevada Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. For more information about Living With Fire, visit www.LivingWithFire.info, or contact University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, sistares@unce.unr.edu or 775-336-0271.

In the photo: Living With Fire Program Directors Ed Smith (left) and Sonya Sistare (middle), and Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator Elwood Miller (right) received the “Great Basin Fire Mitigation, Education and Prevention Award” for their impact on wildfire mitigation, prevention and education. Photo courtesy of Vanesa Marquez, Nevada Bureau of Land Management.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is the College of the University of Nevada, Reno that is engaged in every Nevada county, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. It is a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities. For more information on its programs, visit www.unce.unr.edu.

— Tiffany Kozsan is a Communications Assistant for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at kozsant@unce.unr.edu

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the “Hack Tahoe” Code for America Brigade are partnering to enhance the effectiveness of government through the use of technology.

This new partnership brings community members together through Code for America, a non-profit organization on a mission to make government services simple, effective, and easy to use. Code for America has launched more than 2,300 projects with 100 government partners. Local Code for America chapters are called brigades and are organized by local volunteers.

“Collaborating with strong government partners is key to building an effective brigade, which is why I’m absolutely thrilled to announce TRPA as our first government partner,” said Ben Damman, lead organizer of the Hack Tahoe Brigade.

Government partners bring subject matter expertise, outreach skills, public administration, and valuable experience around solving the toughest problems in our cities. Brigades support local governments by working together on events and civic technology projects.

“TRPA is committed to delivering better services to the public through innovation and new technology. We will work directly with the community to create the improvements they want to see,” said Joanne Marchetta, Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. “By working with Hack Tahoe we will be better equipped to use technology to address our area’s environmental, economic, and societal needs.”

A National Day of Civic Hacking event is taking place June 4 and 5 at the new Mountain Lab building in South Lake Tahoe. National Day of Civic Hacking is a nationwide day of action where developers, government employees, designers, journalists, data scientists, non-profit employees, UX designers, and residents who care about their communities come together to host civic tech events leveraging their skills to help their community.

"Hosting a Code for America event at the Mountain Lab leverages the amazing engagement the members of our community are known for,” said Jamie Orr, CEO of Mountain Lab.

Hack Tahoe welcomes all community members who wish to support their cause — regardless of their level of technology expertise.

Visit http://tinyurl.com/hacktahoe to RSVP.
More information about the Hack Tahoe Brigade is available at http://hack.tahoe.coop.
Information about Code for America can be found at http://www.codeforamerica.org.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Devin Middlebrook, Environmental Education Specialist, at 775-589-5230 or dmiddlebrook@trpa.org.

Hack Tahoe is Lake Tahoe’s official Code for America Brigade, a not-for-profit group of local citizens and civic hackers on a mission to improve the delivery of government services and strengthen Lake Tahoe communities. For additional information, contact Ben Damman, Brigade Captain, at 650-930-0813 or ben.damman@gmail.com.

Your dreams become reality at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival with our blockbuster 2016 season, featuring Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors – a double dose of laughter, and Forever Plaid – a pitch-perfect, jukebox musical. Enjoy al fresco dining at one of the most scenic venues in the world.

Imagine enjoying extraordinary entertainment while sitting under the stars on the white sand beach of Sand Harbor with the indescribable beauty of Lake Tahoe in the background.

Ticket prices for adults range from $27-$99. Youth tickets (if it comes up) are $15-$25, applicable for anyone 25 and under.

Buy tickets to both shows and save! Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more. For tickets please call 1(800) 74-SHOWS or visit our website at LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.

Gus Fincel, a retired law enforcement officer, veteran and member of the 601 Vigilance Committee, which provides grants and scholarships in the Comstock region, will talk about the original “601 Vigilance Committee” at Gold Hill Hotel’s Thursday Night Presentations at 7:30 p.m.

Historically, the primary purpose of the Vigilance Committees was to maintain law and order and administer summary justice where governmental law enforcement was inadequate. In the year 1871, the "601" was formed in Virginia City. This Vigilance Committee was composed of honest, determined citizens who decided to take the law into their own hands. One of their most sensational lynchings was the stringing up of Perkins to the rafters of Piper's Opera House.

Today, 601 Vigilance Committee is a nonprofit organization located in Virginia City, Nevada. Its membership represents all five branches of the United States military services from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, conflicts and current and retired law enforcement. They are a community service organization which helps preserve the Comstock heritage and cowboy traditions through fundraisers and donations.

Dinner is from 4-8 p.m.; the presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Room of the Gold Hill Hotel.

The Gold Hill Hotel, the oldest hotel in Nevada, and its renowned Crown Point Restaurant, are located at 1540 Main Street, Gold Hill, just one mile south of Virginia City on SR 342. For dinner reservations, call the Gold Hill Hotel at 775-847-0111.

Other upcoming presentations include:
— June 2 – Tom Zachry – “Tom’s Fairly Western” Cowboy Music/Poetry
— June 9 – Sgt. Major, aka Brian Staples – “Civil War History”
— June 16 – Bonnie Matton – “Wild Horses Of The Virginia/Flowery Ranges”

The defeat of efforts to repeal the commerce tax shows that Nevada’s political establishment – controlled by Big Gaming and Big Unions – owns not only many officeholders of both political parties but nearly all of state and local government.

Many large corporations and industries in recent decades have decided to join – not fight – the destructive liberalism and predatory agendas of the bi-partisan establishment and the selfish union and other special interests that jointly dominate US politics.

These corporate bosses – mainly big gaming and resorts in Nevada – support politicians and ideas that sensible business people and other taxpayers find abhorrent. They support the policies, programs, spending, taxes and regulation by the political class on one condition: That they won’t have to pay for it or otherwise bear its burdens. We get the bill and other burdens.

Public-employee unions and other net tax consumers want the political establishment to throw ever more money at them via programs that do not educate our children, promote public safety, or serve well other public purposes. Instead of fighting this nonsense, the corporate cronyists promote it and get lauded by tax consumers and the mainstream media along with the corrupt politicians as visionary and virtuous. These corporations fund the political campaigns of both parties’ candidates who peddle this nonsense because they’re protected by a grand political deal.

Here are the specifics for Nevada. Fifty years ago, public-employee unions badly disrupted big gaming’s business on the Las Vegas strip when Nevada legislators prohibited collective bargaining between government and public-employee unions. The strategy worked: Gaming pressured politicians to give the unions what they wanted so normal business could resume. Over time, gaming, the unions and the establishment pols came to an understanding that gaming would support the liberal agendas and help elect those pols, and those tax consumers and pols would protect gaming from having to pay the bill for their agendas.

About 15 years ago, they found the ideal mechanism for their purposes: the gross receipts tax (GRT). Since gaming pays taxes on its hold (win), it would not be subjected to a GRT. But nearly everybody else would pay it. They didn’t care that GRTs are very destructive to most businesses, which operate on thin profit margins – which has caused other states to abandon GRTs they used to charge.

Although some legislators (including Ron) stopped the original GRT proposal in 2003, gaming tax revenues inched up less than one percent from 2005 to 2015 while all other state taxes rose 40 percent! And state spending, driven by health and human services and K12 education, soared 59 percent – even before the blowout added last year by Gov. Brian Sandoval and the tax-and-spend legislators.

With the tax consumers and establishment politicians planning to spend even more in coming years, it became essential to gaming to pass a GRT so that it would not pay for future spending increases. So, the teachers union put the margins tax (a GRT) on the ballot in 2014. But voters defeated it four-to-one!

To keep the grand political deal going between gaming, net tax consumers and the political establishment, Sandoval, gaming and the tax consumers proposed another GRT in the last legislative session. Facing resistance by voters and some newly elected Assembly members, at the last minute they withdrew it and substituted the commerce tax. The commerce tax is a GRT they could pass because it was structured to start with a very small initial tax yield and grow hugely in coming years, badly burdening Nevada businesses except gaming/resorts and mining.

Further, the burden from affected Nevada businesses would be passed along to Nevada residents, while the huge out-of-state clientele of gaming and resorts would not pay anything because the industry will pay almost none of the commerce tax.

Voters and businesses around the state rose up in protest, and Ron led the effort for a referendum on the commerce tax. Lawyers for gaming/resorts, unions and the establishment threw many roadblocks in the way, but lost on every point in court. So, they appealed to the state supreme court. Being loyal members of the establishment, the justices manufactured a bogus excuse to upset the referendum effort. That’s the subject of our next column.

Ron Knecht is Nevada State Controller. Geoffrey Lawrence is Assistant Controller.

With road construction underway to enhance driver safety on U.S. 50 in Lake Tahoe’s Cave Rock area, the Nevada Department of Transportation reminds motorists to anticipate minor travel delays during holidays such as Memorial Day weekend and special events.

“We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy Lake Tahoe,” NDOT District Engineer Thor Dyson explained. “But, with many visitors traveling to Lake Tahoe for holidays such as Fourth of July, drivers should plan a little extra travel time for road improvements being made in the Cave Rock area.”

On U.S. 50 north of the Stateline casino district, NDOT is extending the westbound, lakeside Cave Rock tunnel entrance to enhance safety and reduce the potential of rock fall onto the roadway. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction through the eastbound Cave Rock tunnel, with 25-mile-per-hour speed limits.

While construction-related travel delays are minimal on average weekdays, travel times through the construction zone can increase during heavily-traveled event and holiday periods. Oversize and overdimensional semi-trucks are not permitted through the tunnel during construction.

The road improvements include construction of an approximately 60-foot long and 27-foot tall tunnel extension to enhance safety by catching rock fall before it reaches the roadway.

Lighting and white paint will be added inside each tunnel for better visibility and two new radar-activated overhead signs will be installed to automatically notify drivers of bicyclists or potentially icy conditions in the tunnels. Paving and water quality improvements will also be made.

During the winter of 2014-2015, heavy rains loosened boulders from the rock face above the Cave Rock tunnel, with some of the boulders reaching the roadway. Rock fall reduction and slope stabilization experts removed rock debris above the tunnel and a temporary netting was installed to help catch potential rockfall until the tunnel extension is fully constructed.

The tunnel extension will replicate natural colors, patterns and textures to match the existing rock face. Lighting and white paint will be added inside each tunnel for better visibility and two new radar-activated overhead signs will be installed to automatically notify drivers of bicyclists or potentially icy conditions in the tunnels.

U.S. 50 lanes through both tunnels and the roadway median between Cave Rock and the Cave Rock State Park boat launch entrance will also be paved. In addition, water quality improvements such as enhanced roadside drainage inlets and sediment filtration systems will be installed along U.S. 50 from one mile to four miles north of Cave Rock.

The approximately $6 million project by contractor Q&D Construction will continue through fall of 2016. Further project information is available at www.nevadadot.com/caverock or (775) 888-7000.

The Disabled American Veterans and other local veterans organizations from the Carson City area will place 1,200 U.S. flags on veterans graves at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on Friday, May 27 beginning at 4 p.m.

Other groups will be assisting, including some members of the NJROTC, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and Elks Lodge. Volunteers are welcome to help place flags and youth groups are encouraged and welcomed to participate.

Flags will be available to those who want to post at Lone Mountain or any other cemetery. Lone Mountain Cemetery is located at 1044 Beverly Dr. in Carson City. On Monday, beginning at 4 p.m. the flags will be removed. The public is invited to participate in both placing and removing flags, said Gary Armstrong of the Marine Corps League of Carson City.

The League will hold a Memorial Day ceremony for the Native American Indian community at the Stewart Cemetery on Monday, May 30, beginning at 10 a.m. The Historic Stewart Indian School Cemetery is located off Snyder Avenue, behind Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and across from the Stewart Indian School complex.

Everyone is welcomed to attend and are encouraged to honor Native American war heroes from the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam war and our recent conflicts in the Middle East, said Armstrong of the Marine Corps League of Carson City service. An Honor Guard will be present.

Organizers say they are looking for a bugler to participate in the Monday ceremony.

“We had a former military bugler play ‘Taps’ for us last year, and we didn’t get a name or a contact number and would sure like to have him back at our Monday ceremony,” said Armstrong.

Anyone interested in playing the bugle Monday should call Armstrong at (775) 882-1682.

Operation Vigilance, a multi-agency collaborative effort to verify sex offender registration compliance, recently conducted a two-day compliance check of 315 sex offenders in Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Washoe and Lyon county areas.

Over the course of two days and nights, from Thursday, May 19 through Friday, May 20, nearly 30 officers with area law enforcement agencies knocked on doors and made contact with community members to carry out the operation, said Lt. Jorge Pierrott of Nevada Parole and Probation.

As a result of Operation Vigilance, one supervised offender was arrested for violating his parole or probation terms and conditions, said Lt. Pierrott.

The whereabouts of known sex offenders in the area were verified through visits at each individual’s registered residence and/or place of employment.

The joint effort was done through the Nevada Department of Public Safety – Division of Parole and Probation, Carson City, Douglas County, and Storey County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the U.S. Marshal Service.

Those sex offenders found to be out of compliance or with locations/whereabouts unknown will be further investigated for violations of local, state, and federal laws, said Lt. Pierrott.

Community members were also educated and provided direction to the Nevada Sex Offender Registration website, http://www.nvsexoffenders.gov/, where the public can access information regarding sex offenders in their area.

“This multi-agency collaboration is identified as a great success for increasing offender supervision and sex offender compliance and serves as an example of how federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies work together to increase community safety in Northern Nevada,” said Lt. Pierrott.

Operation Vigilance was made possible by funding provided by the U.S. Marshals Service for Parole and Probation staff, Department funding for Carson City Sheriff’s Office staff, and grant funding from the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, which secured a Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (S.M.A.R.T.) grant issued by the U.S. Department of Justice for Lyon and Douglas County Sheriff Offices staff.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office has identified two suspects in a residential burglary that occurred on Friday, May 20 in Carson City. The suspects, Cody Rogers-Shaw and Matthew Marizza have unrelated arrest warrants and are believed to be in the Carson City, Dayton and Reno areas.

Cody Rodgers-Shaw is wanted by the State of Nevada Division of Parole and Probation as a parole absconder and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Please contact the Parole and Probation Fugitive Apprehension Unit with information on Cody Rogers-Shaw’s whereabouts.

Matthew Marizza is wanted out of Carson City for contempt of court.

Any information on their whereabouts please contact the Carson City Sheriff’s Office at (775) 887-2007 (dispatch) or the State of Nevada Division of Parole and Probation Fugitive Apprehension Unit at (775 )684-2600.

The Seeliger Singers, Seeliger Elementary School’s choir directed by Mary Law, will perform the National Anthem at the May 31 Reno Aces baseball game.

“It’s exciting,” said Thomas Burchett, 11. “We’re singing in front of a whole bunch of people.”

Ian Bowman, 10, has been a Seeliger Singer for four years.

“I just like singing,” he said. “My entire family does. I like being able to perform, to share a talent.”

The Carson City students have been practicing before classes to prepare for the big day, which is a fundraiser for the school. Law said it is a good opportunity for the students.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “They get to sing in front of a huge audience instead of just their parents.”

For Law, it is more than just a performance. In a way, it is her swan song.

After 25 years teaching music — 24 at Seeliger Elementary School in Carson City — she is retiring at the end of the year.

“It’s been hard,” she said. “I didn’t really want to leave, but it’s time for a new door to open. Time to start a new adventure. I want to be creative.”

Briseyda Rubio, 11, is sorry to see her go.

“She’s an amazing teacher,” Rubio said. “I’ve had her since kindergarten through fifth grade. She lets us do all kinds of performances. She made it inspirational to sing.”

Law’s demeanor will also be missed.

“She’s so nice,” said Kira Bell, 10. “She would never get frustrated with us.”

“But when she did,” Bell’s friend Madison Grant, 9, clarified, “it was usually because of the boys.”

Law has also been inspired by her interaction with students.

“I’ve loved getting to share the beauty and joy of music with people,” she said. “They’re learning to find that creative side of their lives.”

It’s a lesson the children will take with them, long after their time at the school has ended. On a farewell poster to Law, one student wrote, “I will never forget you because I have music.”

You can watch Law and the students perform at the Reno Aces baseball game, 7:05 p.m., Tuesday at the Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave. in Reno.

Class of 2016 Safe Grad Sponsors by Carson Now

The Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation is holding the first of several open houses for the Wungnema House in Mills Park on Sunday, May 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. The building is accessible by the Park entrance on Saliman Road, opposite the high school. Admission to the open house is free. This will be an opportunity to learn about this historic building and about the Foundation.

The Foundation maintains the historic Wungnema House under a lease from the city. The 1000 square-foot Wungnema House was built in 1948 on what was then the outskirts of Carson City. Burton Wungnema, with the help of his father Earnest Wungnema and then pregnant wife Pearl, used the stone from his father's fourteen quarries in Brunswick Canyon to build this home for his family.

Pearl raised eight children in this small home. This home is representative of the wonderful mason work done in the churches and homes built by Burton and his father around Lake Tahoe from 1925 to 1955 and elements reflect the Wungnema's Hopi heritage. The building, sitting on the eastern edge of Mills Park, is noted for its tranquil setting and is used six or seven days a week, year round, mostly for the meetings of support groups.

The Foundation, founded in 2015, is a non-profit member-driven 501(c)(3) organization created for charitable and educational purposes related to parks and recreation in Carson City. It is dedicated to bringing together members of the Carson City community to encourage and enable public support for the continuing enhancement of Carson City's parks and recreational facilities.

FCCPR provides an umbrella under which various organizations and citizens can come together to explore innovative ways to promote and facilitate their activities. It assists organizations with similar goals to promote and meet Foundation objectives by acting in a fiduciary capacity to help manage and protect monies raised by members for their various stated projects. Currently the Foundation is providing assistance to projects for the restoration of missing headstones in Lone Mountain Cemetery, for improvements at the ladies' gun range, and for development of a disc golf course on Flint Dr.

The Foundation welcomes new members and is are interested in individuals who can assist with fundraising, newsletter, publicity, special events, recruitment, and park clean up. Annual membership is $25.00. For further information, call David Bugli at 775-883-4154 or visit the website, CarsonCityParks.org.

P.K. O‘Neill may be having some difficulty with Tea Party members of the Republican Party but he definitely has the backing of the most contributors in his bid for a second term in the Nevada Assembly ...

What can kids do with spare change? Lots of things! Nancy Cole's 5th graders decided that their change will go to help shelter animals.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, CASI, would like to thank Nancy and her great students for once again filling a piggy bank on behalf of homeless animals. Because of community support such as this, our new shelter will be able to provide a more humane environment to pets in need while they wait to be reunited or adopted. The $46.47 that was in the piggy bank? That money will go toward the cost of fencing for the exercise play yard...one of several projects CASI's efforts are funding.

On behalf of shelter pets everywhere, thank you to Ms. Cole and your wonderful 5th graders!! Knowing that compassion and generosity are part of what you teach brings smiles, purrs and many tail wags.

For more information regarding upcoming events and ways youcan help, please visit CASI's webpage at www.friendsofcasi.org

CASI, Building Shelter ~ Building Community

On Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the age of 76, Beverly Tucker passed. She leaves behind one husband, three children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild due in December among the truly huge family who she touched with her life, both blood and otherwise.

She had a long, hard final battle with many different ailments that, in the end, were too much for any one person.

She is forever in the hearts of those who cared for her, and she will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, contributions to her final costs can be made at www.gofundme.com/bevtuckerrestfund

Carson Assembly Rainbow Girls will be holding their Annual Rummage Sale, June 4th at 1648 Sonoma street Carson City from 7am-12pm. Rainbow Girls are a non-profit service organization for girls between the ages of 11-20. We are raising funds for our girls to attend their State Convention this summer in Las Vegas.

Al Kramer, Republican candidate for Assembly District 40 in Carson City, says a flier accusing him of not paying his property taxes is a lie.The flier was paid for by the Nevada Jobs Coalition PAC in ...