The Board of Supervisors will review the Andersen Ranch Estates Tentative Map this Thursday, January 16th.  The special session starts at 5:30pm at the Sierra Room of the Community Center at 851 Williams Street, Carson City.


If you were involved with the Vintage project, you will know that the same players under a different owner, Christy Corp., will be presenting their application at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting.

You could say that they have learned their lessons well on the Vintage experience, and have submitted an application that sounds too good to be true.


According to the application - “The proposed density complements existing housing in the area and will not change the overall development style of the neighborhood”. “The project will be complementary to surrounding development in terms of height, [and] setbacks”. “The project is designed to be consistent with adjoining neighborhoods”. “Proposed density is comparable to the existing neighborhoods”.

 
I live in the east side of the development.  I am not a “no development” proponent.  After all, the development will mean less clearing of tumbleweed for me, the 4th time to-date. I ask myself, why are the existing neighbors so upset if this application actually achieved their stated objectives?


The underlying zoning of Andersen Ranch is Title 18 which was predominantly 12000 sq. ft lots. Their proposal is to convert to 5,000 sq. ft lots.

To reach the desired price point of $400K to $500K home prices, Christy Corp. wants to build 2-storey houses of 3,000 sq. ft size. The 2-storey homes are not in the application. I asked the question as the November Community meeting.

Where in the existing neighborhood do you see 2 storey houses back-to-back on 5,000 sq. ft. lots? The smallest sized lots are those facing the Andersen Ranch on Mountain Street at 7,000 sq. ft lots.  By the way, they are single storey houses only.

Per Mike Railey of Christy Corp., 2-storey houses will be 24-34 ft.  Kiley Ranch in Spanish Springs was an example given by Christy Corp. as a similar development.  This neighborhood of Carson City has nothing in common with the Kiley Ranch location or stage of development of the City. Kiley Ranch is also not an INFILL development.
The 34 ft 2-storey houses will completely eliminate much of the hill view from the existing houses around Andersen Ranch, particularly when they are closer together on smaller 5,000 lots.  This is a transfer of value from existing homes to the newer houses. 

While we respect the property rights of Andersen Ranch to sell their property, the property rights of existing home owners should be considered as well since owners have paid a premium to purchase homes on the West Side of Carson City and have paid for that privilege over many years.  We request the Board to impose a single-storey and max. height limitation on the Development.


By the letter of the law, the Reno Developers can do this conversion and still say they are satisfying the density requirements because Title 17:10 enables them to set aside 250 sq ft per lots to private or common use land.  It is up to the Developer to decide how this set-aside land is to be used.  In this case, there are two massive retention basins at the north side of the development.  The rest is in the buffer between the existing neighbors and the development. But is this a great project for Carson City?


Title 17:10 was enacted in 2007 by the Board of Supervisors to protect Open Space.  Residents, neighbors and recreationists were equally happy when it was applied to larger projects such as the Longview Ranch Estates.  But is Title 17:10 applicable in an infill situation surrounded by long-term residents in houses which are compliant with the original zoning under Title 18?


Not being a long-term resident of Carson City, I was curious about the intent of Title 17:10.  Why did the Board of Supervisors think it was important to implement this Ordinance?

 
The purpose of Title 17:10 is to set forth regulations to permit variation of lot size, including density transfer (cluster) subdivisions, in order to preserve or provide open space, protect natural, cultural and scenic resources, achieve a more efficient use of land, minimize road building and encourage stable, cohesive neighborhoods offering a mix of housing types.

Does this application provide open space? Protect natural, cultural and scenic resources?  How about minimize road building?  Encourage stable cohesive neighborhoods?  If the purpose of the ordinance is not satisfied, why are we even engaged in the process to see if this application meets its individual conditions?

 
The “purpose” is a GO – NO GO tollgate decision.  This tollgate decision belongs to the Board of Supervisors.  The taxpayers of Carson City elected this official body to make this important decision.  After all, they enacted Title 17:10 for a very specific purpose.


Even though this application was submitted to the Planning Commission during the busy holiday season when families are inwardly focused, they have participated fully to state their concerns.  I expect a big turnout at the Board of Supervisors to restate their concerns and yield an outcome that is consistent with the charm and beauty of Carson City, a decision which the neighbors would be proud to be part of in years to come.  Implementing “row houses” is backward planning to use the residual space after retention basins and buffer zones.


My recommendation to the Board would be to create a taskforce of neighbors, developer and City officials to create a plan that is indeed consistent with the assertions of this application as stated above.


“The proposed density complements existing housing in the area and will not change the overall development style of the neighborhood”. “The project will be complementary to surrounding development in terms of height, [and] setbacks”. “The project is designed to be consistent with adjoining neighborhoods”. “Proposed density is comparable to the existing neighborhoods”.

I hope the Board of Supervisors will look after the interests of the Carson City taxpayers and not relinquish this development decision to the whims of Developers.

The Carson City Historical Society has recently been thrust into the spotlight because of the proposed demolition of the 155-year old building once occupied by Café at Adele’s and preceding businesses through the years attracting hundreds of customers through those historic doors.

Born as the Landmarks Society in 1969 to save another old building, the Foreman-Roberts House, from being razed by the city’s Public Works Department, the non-profit society seems to be coming full circle in its efforts to save another of Carson’s architecturally historic buildings by championing the cause to “Save Adele’s,” though the circumstances surrounding the two are not at all similar.

The former restaurant is privately owned. The Foreman-Roberts House and land was never put up for sale, rather it was bequeathed to the “Children of Nevada,” by Thurman and Hattie Hale Roberts in 1969, thus becoming public property with the one-quarter acre maintained as a public park by the Carson City Parks Department.

After successfully lobbying to keep the Foreman-Roberts house from demolition, the Society raised funds over these many years and enlisted many volunteers who spent countless hours to restore the home and to create a museum to showcase Carson’s early history and unique architecture.

To purchase the land and building on which the former Café at Adele’s now sits would cost in excess of $1 million to repair the damage caused by the March fire. Those kinds of funds are not within the reach of this small volunteer led society, though they are raising funds to subsidize the cost of moving the building to another site within Carson City should someone elect to do so.

Because there is such a hue and cry over the fate of the former restaurant and the interest in history, the Society is using this opportunity to reevaluate its mission, grow their membership, and become more recognizable in the community.

The board was recently reorganized with Jeff Loflin elected as the president. It is Loflin’s goal to have the Society recognized as the “Curator of Carson’s history to tell the story of our unique place in Nevada’s history.” He is pleased some younger members have stepped up to the plate.

New board members were elected in December 2019 to invigorate the Society, recently celebrating its 50th year. Loflin states, “It is our hope to be able to focus on our history through creating and participating in more events, not just in the downtown, but at all the various historic sites all over our city.”

Loftin is passionate about all kinds of history. In his day job, he serves as the Unit Chief for Broadcast and Production Services at the state legislature and is in the forefront of recording history being made almost daily and more so when the legislature is in full swing.

In his spare time, he serves as a docent for the ghost town of Sutro, just outside of Dayton. He states, “If someone moves the former Adele’s out of Carson City, this will not be the first time for there were two houses moved from Carson to Sutro."

He cites the large Victorian house at the entrance to the Sutro property, once belonging to the Schulz family, was moved there in the 1970’s. The home of prostitute Rosa May, once located in the area of the Carson Nugget parking lot, is today occupied by the Sutro caretaker.

An enthusiastic member of the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter of Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitas, the fraternal organization dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of the American West, Loflin serves as the chapter historian and recently recruited his “brothers” to assist in installing acoustical ceiling in the Carriage House located behind the Foreman-Roberts House.

He asserts, “We had a raucous good time while doing a good deed.” As it seems to be the identifying trait of a Clamper, Loflin sports a beard and a handlebar moustache. He says, “I model my life after President Teddy Roosevelt who came to Carson City on May 19, 1903 to present a four-page speech on the capitol steps.” Roosevelt, though, did not sport a beard, only a very distinguished moustache.

A life-long resident of Carson City (although he was born 1968 in Lake Tahoe because the fire at Carson Tahoe Hospital closed the hospital until the new hospital was finished), Loflin has seen much of Carson’s history destroyed over the years and wants to be an active participant in the preservation of what is left of our history, the history of Nevada.

How did he become involved in the Carson City Historical Society? As a more recent member of 18 months, he credits his wife Miyako, a teacher at Bordewich Bray Elementary, and her fifth-grade class for reopening his eyes to the incredible history of this city. As a class project, students were taken on a tour of the historic Kit Carson Trail with a student assigned to provide the history of each home. So impressed was he, he not only joined the Society, he also decided to volunteer and bring in his network of “brothers.”

There continues to be some confusion between the Society and the city’s Historic Resource Commission. The Society is a volunteer membership organization and does not make decisions on what a property owner of a historic home can or cannot do. The Commission, also voluntary, is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and creates the “rules.” Though the focus of both is to respect and preserve Carson’s history, Loflin states, “The Society accomplishes this through education, fund-raising, volunteerism, and cooperation with the other entities.”

As the “curators of local history,” Loflin and his engaged board hope to encourage many new members to join the Society to make the voice of the non-profit stronger and to assist in their preservation efforts. Membership Chair Andi Fant, owner of the Abraham Curry House, knows well how important it is to preserve history as she restores the outside of 1871 home that has seen many reincarnations after Curry died. Elected as Second Vice President is historian Sue Ballew who co-authors Past Pages for the Nevada Appeal.

Basic membership is $25 or $35 per family. To find out more about the Society and their future projects and events, go to the website at cchistorical.org. It is hoped many more citizens — old and new — join in the effort to learn about and preserve Carson City’s history for future generations.

— Ronni Hannaman, is the Executive Director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce

Chris Cron will remain at the helm as manager of the Reno Aces for the 2020 season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Reno’s Triple-A parent club, announced coaching roles for the Aces staff on Wednesday. Cron returns for his second season with the Aces and 21st season as a manager in professional baseball.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be coming back to Reno, it’s a first-class organization and the fan support is off the charts,” Cron said in a press release. “I really enjoy what I’m doing for a living. Just being around a group of people that is the entire Aces organization, the front office, D-backs on-field personnel, the fans, the Reno community – I just can’t wait to get it going again. Plus winning a lot of games.”

Read the rest of the story here.

— Johnny Orman currently has an active Carson City Sheriff's Office warrant alleging battery with a deadly weapon. Bail: $40,000.

— Arlene Hernandez has two failure to appear warrants out of Carson City Justice Court with a total bail amount of $6,000.

— Bryce Bass currently has an active felony warrant out of Carson City Justice Court alleging battery with substantial bodily harm. His bail is $7,500.

— Derek Collis has a misdemeanor warrant out of Carson City Justice Court alleging violation of suspended sentence with a bail of $3000 cash only.

— Kaitlyn Edwards currently has two felony warrants out of Carson City Drug Court for failure to appear with a no bail hold on both warrants.

See the attached press release PDF below.

Carson City Sheriff's Office Warrants for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 by Carson Now on Scribd

The Andersen Ranch Estates Subdivision will be one topic of discussion at the upcoming Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting tomorrow, Thursday Jan. 16.

The proposed development plan for the new subdivision was approved at the December planning commission meeting, during which the commission recommended approval of the project map with a 4-2 vote, with one vote absent.

The plan submitted in July for the new subdivision by the developers, Christy Corp, allows for 111 lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet, and 93 larger lots between 7,700 square feet and 13,569 square feet.

A total of 7.58 acres of open space and 9.64 acres of right of way is also included in the plans.

Previously, there was a plan for the site in the form of the “Vintage at Kings Canyon” project, which was set to develop a 5.6-acre property for an assisted living/congregate care facility as well as homes in 2016.

The area is zoned for Single Family 6,000, Single Family 12,000 and Single Family 1 Acre.

Originally, the Vintage designed 212 single family residential units, a bed congregate care facility, trails, a park, and roads.

A few changes were made to the original plan, one of which being a proposed restroom facility at one of the parks to be built within the neighborhood plan.

Carson City Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Budge stated in a Dec. 30 memo that the department is not opposing the removal of the restroom from the plan.

“While restrooms are not typical in the City’s neighborhood parks, they are at regional trailheads,” Budge said. “There are no public park restrooms at all on the west side, with the closest proposed restroom being at Kings Canyon Trailhead, located 3.5 miles away, which is why the restroom was originally proposed. I appreciate the citizen and Commissioner comments regarding concerns related to a restroom and do not oppose the removal of that amenity from condition 39.”

To read the full memo, click here.

In addition, condition number 42 stipulates that since Carson City is a Bee City USA, the developer must use approximately 50 percent pollinator friendly plan material for any required common landscaping areas/open space on the project site. Any remaining landscape plant material selection must be consistent with the city’s approved tree species list.

Conditions regarding style were added as well, including architecture styles. Condition 45 stipulates that architecture styles must be limited to traditional, craftsman or farmhouse architecture styles, with no Spanish or Mediterranean architecture allowed. Each home must include two of the following:

• Brick or masonry products
• Stained, painted or weathered wood siding or shingles, or cementious product
• Tinted or textured stucco
• Natural stone
• Non-reflective metal accents.

Homes along the northern perimeter of the development must be limited to a single story.

To read the full memo from the Planning Division, click here.

The Andersen Ranch development discussion at the Board of Supervisors meeting will take place during the evening session beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

The US Census defines cost-burdened households as a household that spends at least 35 percent of their monthly income on household costs (including their mortgage, utility bills, property taxes, and other costs associated with homeownership). In other words, cost-burdened households are households that may feel a significant financial strain (or burden) as a result of owning their home.

But the good news? Cost-burdened households in the US are on the decline.

According to recent census data (outlined in an article for REALTOR Magazine), only 20.9 percent of homeowners with a mortgage were cost-burdened in 2018. That’s down from 28.8 percent a decade ago—a drop of nearly 8 percent. The percentage of cost-burdened homeowners is also significantly less than cost-burdened renters, at 40.6 percent.

Many people continue to rent because they think that it’s the more affordable option—and that owning a home is out of their reach. But, as it turns out, rents have seen sharp increases across the country—while the average mortgage payment has actually fallen.

According to a report from CoreLogic, the “typical mortgage payment” (a monthly mortgage payment based on the US median home sale price that incorporates both principal and interest) has decreased four percent since 2005—while the monthly cost to rent a single-family home has increased by 36 percent. Renters are also more cost-burdened than homeowners, with nearly half (46 percent) spending more than 30 percent of their total income on rent (compared to just 27 percent of homeowners).

If you’ve been renting as a way to save money, it might be time to rethink your strategy. Rent has been steadily increasing across the US in recent years, and in many cases it’s now less affordable than owning a home. So if you’ve been thinking about purchasing your own home, now is a great time to make a move.

The fact that fewer homeowners in the US are cost-burdened—and that you’re far more likely to be cost-burdened as a renter—is good news if you’ve been thinking about buying a home. Whether you buy or rent, the true key is to always try and keep your housing costs below 35 percent of your monthly income. In other words, live within your means. To learn more or to schedule a free buyer’s consultation, just call 775-400-6650 or email me at krisha@nvhomedreams.com

The Nevada Democratic Party today unveiled more than 250 sites statewide for its presidential caucuses Feb. 22 ...

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in attempting to locate a missing or endangered man. Edward Ellermeier, 62, was last seen in Carson City at the Carson Tahoe Hospital on Dec. 21.

Edward was reported missing by family members out of state on Jan. 7. Edward is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds. He is bald with a grey goatee.

He was last known to be driving a 1984 Ford Thunderbird with an Idaho license plate of 1A1839K. The public is urged to call the Carson City Sheriff’s office at 775-887-COPS (2677) if he is seen.

Anyone with other information on the whereabouts of Edward Ellermeier is asked to call Detective Chaney at 775-283-7853, Captain Brian Humphrey at 775-283-7850, or the Carson City Dispatch at 775-887-COPS (2677).

You can remain anonymous.

The Andrew Yang presidential campaign will take the spotlight at Monday's Democratic luncheon. With eleven campaigns still on the ground in Nevada, these luncheons are giving Democrats still undecided ahead of next month's precinct caucuses a chance to bring the candidates' positions on a range of issues into sharper focus.

This event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Carson City Round Table Pizza, 3325 Retail Drive just off College Parkway. Sponsored by the Democratic Men’s Committee, these luncheons help keep the lights on at Carson City’s Democratic HQ.

An all-you-can-eat pizza and salad bar lunch buffet is available for $7.99. Water is free, extra charge for fountain drinks. Suggested donations of $5 or more gratefully accepted but are not required. All are welcome.

For further information contact Rich Dunn at 434-8783 or richdunn@aol.com.

The first significant winter storm of 2020 will be blowing into the region Thursday afternoon, bringing gusty winds, heavy snow in the Sierra and 1-2 inches of snow possible in the lower valleys. Events lined up include a meeting of the Carson City Board of Supervisors, art showings, the kickoff of an After school Art 2020 program at the BAC, the 2020 Winter Reading Challenge at the Carson City Library and more.

Do you have an event or happening you'd like people to know about? Tell us about it by clicking here, filling out the details and we'll tell Carson City area readers about your event or happening. Not seeing your event you wish to promote? You can also submit the relevant information, also known as the "5Ws and How” to editor@carsonow.org. We will update this calendar as submissions are made

Here's what's happening Thursday:

— Carson City Board of Supervisors. 8:30 a.m. The Carson City Board of Supervisors will host their next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street. On the docket for discussion items items include the Andersen Ranch subdivision proposal, a report on deaths occurring at the Carson City Jail, a discussion about restricting religious use at the Brewery Arts Center, presentations of length of service awards, and more.

— Carson City Library's 2020 Winter Reading Challenge now underway. As we get a start on 2020, many have made it a New Year's resolution to read more books. Carson City Library has made it easier for those hoping to get a solid footing on their pledges and is offering prizes to boot as part of its 2020 Winter Reading Challenge. Not only are readers encouraged to take in tremendous books and peruse the daily news, but they can earn raffle tickets to win prizes. Now through Saturday, Jan. 18, Winter Reading Challenge participants are encouraged to read a total of 14 hours, with extra raffle tickets earned for each hour of above-and-beyond reading. To participate, register online at https://carsoncitylibrary.beanstack.org, this will also be where you log all reading (or listening) for you and your family. For assistance, email creativelearning@carsoncitylibrary.org or visit the Carson City Library's Information Desk during open hours. Prizes are also earned for registration and completion, and participants track all their reading time in a simple app. Raffle winners will be chosen via online drawing and awarded by age group: 0-5, 6-11, 12-17 and 18-plus. The more hours read, the more tickets earned. All time tracking and ticket collection is done via an online app.
Share your progress on social media using #WinterRead2020
Patrons who took part in Carson City Library's Summer Learning Challenge will not need to make a new account to sign up. The Carson City Library's Winter Reading Challenge is just one of many similar programs held across the country, sponsored by Penguin Random House (PRH). Last year PRH winter reading programs enrolled 65,323 readers nationwide, who logged more than 150,000 books and 225,000 hours of reading.

— Photo Finished 2020: Student Art Exhibition at the Brick. Daily through March 26. The Capital City Arts Initiative announces its exhibition, Photo Finished 2020, at the Community Development Building (the Brick), 108 E Proctor Street, Carson City. Nine students from Carson High School’s Advanced Photography program have work in the exhibit. CCAI will host a reception for the artists on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The free exhibition is available to the public now through March 26, 2020, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The Carson High students include Jackie Garza, Ansley Griffin, Karla Herrera, Meagan Kiesow, Kayee Konze, Kailee Luschar, Vanessa Martinez, Haley Trost, and Valerie Wamsley. The artists are all students in Kara Ferrin’s Advanced Photography class. Mrs. Ferrin said, “The work is the students’ ‘capstone project,’ a culmination of all four years of photographic work.” For this exhibition, she asked students to create a cohesive body of images around a central theme of their own choice.

— Capital City Arts Initiative Presents: Saludos Amigos. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Capital City Arts Initiative presents its exhibition, "Saludos Amigos", by artist Justin Favela at the CCAI Courthouse Gallery. The exhibition will be in the gallery from now through January 29, 2020. The Courthouse is located at 885 E Musser Street, Carson City. The reception and the exhibition are free and the public is cordially invited. The gallery is open Monday through Friday. In this installation, Favela will collage imagery from famous animated films that depict Latin American culture. Using his signature "piñata style" Favela will make large scale murals with tissue paper and glue that will break down images from films like “The Three Caballeros”, “The Emperor's New Groove” and “Coco.” These films celebrate Latin American culture but through the investigation of the imagery, Favela will highlight the exoticism and Hollywood fantasy that falsely represents an entire culture. Favela, a Las Vegas native, makes work in a piñata style exploring his identity as a Latino from Las Vegas with Mexican and Guatemalan parents. He makes his work with traditional craft materials like tissue paper and cardboard, making anything from sculptures to large scale paper installations.

— Nevada Artists Association New Year's Show. NAA presents it's New Year's Show with 124 entries by member artists. Additionally, water colorist, Melanie Walters and potter, Nancy Brownrigg are our Featured Artists and have their exhibits on the back wall of the Gallery. These shows run through Feb. 14. The Gallery is located at 449 W. King Street and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday, except Monday. Visit http://www.nevadaartists.org to see the 2020 schedule of shows and to learn more about becoming a member.

— Carson City Library hosts Family Storytime. 11:30 to 12:15 a.m. These are both the same and last 45 minutes. Weekly themed singing, stories, finger-plays, or art centered around a book. Participants 9 and under must be accompanied by a caregiver of at least 13 years of age at all times. 900 North Carson Street.

— Afterschool Art 2020 (Ages 7-14) at Brewery Arts Center. 3:30 p.m. Students will receive a six week introduction course in drawing and painting with various mediums. Class sizes are kept small to ensure that each student receives individualized attention that is geared towards her or his ability level, so everyone will leave having made art work to be proud of. All the materials needed are included in tuition. Reserve your spot here. Instructor: Lee Netzel, Location: Painting Studio at BAC, 449 West King Street, Carson City.

Open the bottom drawer of your dresser and you'll see exactly what to wear when New Wave Crave returns to Nevada's oldest thirst parlor, The Genoa Bar this Friday night from 7 to 11 p.m. Is it outrageous? Is it white or neon-colored? Does it "pop" under black lights?

Put it on and rock out to your fave hits from the 80's performed live. Songs by Cindy Lauper, The B-52's, Madonna, The Cure and onward! Round up your friends for this fun and free, 21+ event.

The Genoa Bar is located at 2282 Main St, Genoa.

The following are results from Carson High School Senators Ski Team from races held on Wednesday. On Jan. 29 the Senators return to competition with a Slalom race at Heavenly.

Brynn Prunty (18th), Sarah Wiggins (21st), Bella Bertrand (30th), Brooke Gudmundson (35th), Anika Bryant (38th), Elysia Teruya (42nd), and Nina Coe (45th) led the Carson Girls Alpine Ski Team to a fifth place finish at Alpine Meadows on Wednesday.

The Carson Girls scored 124 points and edged out the Douglas Tigers (112 points) who finished sixth.

The Truckee girls were first with 213 points.

Trevor Castillo (18th), Leonard Buchholz (22nd), Max Gunkel (25th), Clayton Bensmiller (31st), Murphy Seljestad (32nd), Owen Carlson (33rd), and Chris Bush (37th) all skied well and the Carson Boys placed fourth with 132 points.

Seth Knox finished 11th in the JV Race and qualified as a Varsity racer.

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series about Stacia Nepper, the new deputy director for Partnership Carson City. She hopes her story of overcoming addiction will inspire others to seek help. See the first story in the series here.

Once the funeral was over and family members had all gone back home, Stacia Nepper knew it was time to deal with her cousin’s death.

She had to learn to live without Anthony. The problem was, she didn’t want to. So, she stayed high.

Sometimes, she traded weed for meth, but mostly her nemesis turned friend just gave it to her.

But Stacia wasn’t the only one suffering. Auntie Kayla, Anthony’s mom, was drowning in her sorrow. Some days, she wasn’t even able to get out of bed.

So Stacia and Anthony’s sister, Dee, moved to St. George, Utah, to take care of Kayla. With Anthony’s life insurance money, Stacia enrolled at Dixie State University and earned her certified nursing assistant license.

She went to school, ran errands for her aunt and cringed when she heard the sobs coming for her aunt’s bedroom.
All the while, she stayed high. With no connections in Utah, she raided the medicine cabinet for prescription drugs, stealing just enough to go unnoticed.

After nearly a year, Stacia grew weary of helping with her aunt’s grief, her own grief, but mostly of hearing her aunt cry. She moved back to Fallon, where she worked nights as a CNA. It didn’t take her long to notice a co-worker with a familiar sense of energy. Soon the two were smoking dope together on their breaks.

To stay working, Stacia needed to transfer her license from Utah to Nevada. But she never got around to filling out the paperwork.

When she was fired, she moved back to Hawthorne. She went back to working odd jobs, hanging out in the casinos and fell in with old friends who were more than willing to share their meth.

She never slept. She never ate. She spent hours picking at blemishes that didn’t exist on her face. Naturally slender, now she wore two pairs of leggings just to fill out her jeans. She stopped showing up for family events.

Growing up, she and her cousin planned their weddings and vowed to be each other’s maids of honor.
Instead, she was kicked out of her cousin’s wedding party.

It would have felt like a rock bottom, but the cool feeling of smoke in her throat exhaled into a swirling “meth cloud,” made it seem bearable.

As lifelong friends fell out of her life, new ones were ready to take their place. A friend of her parents moved back to Hawthorne. He was older and handsome. It wasn’t long until they started getting high together.

He and Stacia started out as friends, then it turned to something more. But love evolved into heartbreak, and they broke up.

One week later, she found out she was pregnant.

She cried. And cried. And cried some more. She didn’t want a baby. She never wanted to have children.

She considered the alternatives but decided she couldn’t abort or give her child up for adoption. So, she quit using and focused on getting healthy for her baby and moved in with her mom in Gardnerville.

The minute she heard the heartbeat, she fell in love with her baby girl.

A week before giving birth, her ex-boyfriend called. He wanted to try to make it work.

Becoming a mother was beautiful and overwhelming. It felt good to have her baby’s father back in the picture.

They dated long-distance for a while, and when little Emma turned 1, Stacia moved with her to Hawthorne to be a family.
There was a sense of comfort moving back to her hometown. It felt normal.

Although her boyfriend swore he was no longer using, she discovered his lies. When she confronted him, he tried to deny it; before long, she was off and running with him.

Their relationship felt new again. The friendship that had been lost was found again.

It wasn’t long, however, before he started disappearing again for long periods of time. She knew what that meant: She wasn’t the only one. Her fear every time he walked out of the door was that he would never walk back through the door again.

She couldn’t take it anymore. She moved out to start over with her daughter.

But Emma was just a reminder of the betrayal, of the wasted years with a man who could never properly love her.
When 2-year-old Emma toddled to her mommy whining for affection, Stacia shouted, “Shut up! And get away from me.”

Her resentment was so strong, she almost enjoyed knowing Emma was sleeping in the other room while Stacia and her friends smoked meth.

Stacia knew she wasn’t a good mom, so she agreed to let her parents take Emma. They allowed Emma to visit her mom one weekend a month.

On one of those weekends in August 2016, Stacia picked up Emma. She hadn’t slept in five days.

To make the most of her time with her daughter, she decided she needed to stay high.

She drove to Reno to meet the new man she was seeing, and with Emma in the backseat, the couple smoked dope in the parking lot of a casino.

After he left, Stacia didn’t want to wake the baby, so she began the drive back to Hawthorne with Emma stretched out in back.

Heading east on the interstate out of Reno, Stacia settled in to the familiar drive … until she woke up to the jerking and screeching metal of a crash into the guardrail.

“My baby!” was her only thought.

You can reach Stacia Nepper, the new deputy director for Partnership Carson City, and find additional resources at pcccarson.org.

PTSD Stat: Data published in TIME Magazine indicated 55-60 percent of all post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) victims end up developing some sort of chemical dependency, an assertion backed up by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Carson High School Senior Cade Crookshanks, 17, has been selected by the Nevada Section of the Society for Range Management to participate in the High School Youth Forum, a SRM sponsored youth activity held jointly during the 73 Annual SRM meeting. The meeting will be held in Denver, Colo., Feb. 16-20, 2020.

The SRM is an international organization that strives to promote public awareness of the importance of sound management and use of rangeland, the world’s largest land base. In 1966, the SRM recognized a need to involve youth with the range-related activities and education provided at this annual meeting. Since that time, the HSYF has been a highlight of the SRM annual meetings. Volunteers of the SRM Student Activities Committee conduct the program.

Crookshanks has been involved in National Honors Society and the Advance Placement programs at Carson High School in Carson City. He has also, for the past three years, participated in Nevada Youth Range Camp, a week-long camp, sponsored by the Nevada Cooperative Extension and the Nevada Section of SRM, which focuses on the relationship between people and rangeland.

While at Range Camp Crookshanks earned the awards of “Big Buckaroo” for his leadership and “Trail Boss” for his knowledge of the scientific aspect of range management. He will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall, majoring in geological engineering through the Mackay School on Mines.

High School delegates to the HSYF are chose by each of the 21 individual sections of the parent society throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, based on their high degree of interest in the range and natural resources field as well as on their exemplary dedication and effort to learn more about this particular area. While at the HSYF, they will have the opportunity to meet people from many countries and get a firsthand view of what SRM is all about including its organization, goals and the role it plays on a world-wide basis.

The goals of HSYF are to provide:
— insight for these students concerning the function and working of a professional society opportunities to meet Society members

— a format that encourages thinking and enhancement of communicative skills

— an opportunity to learn about range and natural resource management and future careers through interaction with Society professionals

— an opportunity to learn about the ecology and natural resources of the Annual Meeting site an atmosphere that fosters camaraderie and lasting friendships

As one of the more important activities, each delegate to the Forum competes in a paper presentation competition with the content covering a range-related topic. All presentations will be judged by a diverse panel of judges, with the top five papers being recognized at the SRM awards ceremony. The top paper winner will be invited to return to next year’s meeting to help with the Forum and present their paper to the general membership of the Society.

In addition, other activities will include a local ecological field tour of the meeting site and program to enhance communication skills.

Since the number of delegates that can attend each year is limited, selection for this activity is considered a high honor for those students selected. Because of this perspective, the planners of this year’s Forum are excited about the program and activities that have been scheduled and hope to provide both an exciting and rewarding educational experience for all who attend.

For further information regarding the Society for Range Management visit rangelands.org.

A Carson City man was arrested Wednesday for suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, a Carson City sheriff's report states.

John Robert Shelley was taken into custody at 10:10 a.m. in the 800 block of Saliman Road. According to the arrest report, sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence for a report of an unknown problem. Officers met with the suspect and the victim, who both lived at the residence.

The victim stated the suspect came home and shut the power off to the residence via a power box, and then began screaming and telling the victim he needed to move out. He stated the suspect kicked in his bedroom door while holding a rifle and pointed the gun at him, walking into the bedroom and snatched his cell phone out of his hands at gunpoint, the report states.

The cell phone and the victim's wallet were located in the suspect's pants pocket. The suspect was also carrying a rifle wrapped in a blanket upon law enforcement contact, the arrest report states. He was booked into jail for suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Bail: $60,000.

In other arrests:
— A 50-year-old man was arrested Wednesday at a Palo Verde address for misdemeanor suspicion of driving on a suspended license for DUI, and two counts probation violation. Bail: $6,637.

— A 29-year-old Carson City woman was arrested early Thursday for suspicion of three counts felony possession of drugs, and misdemeanor obstructing an officer. Dorothy Byrum was taken into custody at 1:14 a.m. in the 3800 block of South Carson Street.

According to the arrest report, deputies were dispatched to a casino for a report of a female who dropped a baggie of a controlled substance. Deputies arrived and met with security and the suspect, who was in the parking lot. The woman was questioned, checked for weapons and detained. She was asked if she had consumed any drugs or alcohol, and the woman replied "I'm not going to lie to you, I had some meth earlier," the arrest report states.

She was read her Miranda warning and consented to answer questions from deputies. She was asked if she had anything on her person she should not have. The woman admitted to having a meth pipe in her front pocket of her jacket, the report states.

Meanwhile a deputy showed the woman a small clear baggie with black skulls containing a white powdery substance and asked the woman if it was hers. She admitted the baggie was hers, but said it wasn't meth but cocaine, the report states.

She was told she was under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and that the officer was going to conduct a search incident of her person. In her right front pocket, deputies located a glass pipe with a round bulb and long stem. The white residue inside the bulb was consistent with methamphetamine. Also located in the same pocket was a single cap to a hypodermic needle. The officer asked if she had any other drugs or drug paraphernalia on her person. The woman said no.

There was a black handbag in plain view of the vehicle she was at and the officer asked if the bag was hers. She denied having anything other than a black jacket. The driver of the vehicle informed deputies the bag was the suspect's. Security confirmed the woman was also in possession of the same black handbag when they saw here in the casino as she dropped the baggie on the floor, the report states.

Deputies conducted a search of the bag and found 11 hypodermic needles, one of which was loaded with an unknown substance consistent with being methamphetamine. The handbag also contained a small container with a small, legal amount of marijuana. The deputy collected the evidence. During contact with the woman, she told deputies "this is not a big deal" saying she would be released on her own recognizance because she has experience with the court system, the arrest report states.

She was taken to jail for booking and was asked if she had anything on her she wasn't supposed to have. She admitted to having a hypodermic needle inside her sports bra. She was asked why she chose not to tell the officer there was a needle in her bra while a search was conducted. The woman said, "I forgot it was there." Bail: $7,912.

— A 32-year-old Carson City woman was arrested Wednesday for suspicion of gross misdemeanor battery on a police officer, misdemeanor DUI and driving without a valid license.

According to the arrest report, deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of East William Street for a report of a DUI driver. A deputy arrived on scene and located the driver and began a traffic stop on Stewart and Washington Street, where the woman turned west onto Washington and drove into oncoming traffic.

The deputy said the vehicle had a rear taillight out and the driver would not stop. A final stop was made on North Plaza and East Caroline. The officer had to assist the female driver who was out of the vehicle. The driver was stumbling and was slurring her words as she spoke, the report states.

During the interview, officers could smell an odor of alcohol on the woman's breath. The woman was asked if she had been drinking. She said no, the report states. She informed the officer she had a broken ankle. The officer asked the woman if she would perform a test of her eyes as part of the field sobriety testing. She agreed and showed clues of impairment. She did not perform the other tests due to injuries to her ankle.

She agreed to a preliminary breath test resulting in a partial .321. She was arrested for suspicion of DUI and was taken to Carson Tahoe Hospital for medical clearance due to her high alcohol level. While in the vehicle she began kicking the door and slammed her head against the cage, the report states.

The woman complained the handcuffs were too tight. At the hospital officers checked the handcuffs, when the woman attempted to kick two deputies. She yelled at hospital staff, attempted to kick at them and then spit on one of the deputies, the arrest report states.

A deputy contacted the DAs office for a telephonic warrant for a blood draw, which was granted. Bail: $3,829.

All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced Art Project Grants distributed to all 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and Carson City, Reno and Las Vegas were the beneficiaries in Nevada.

The state of Nevada received three grants total for a an amount of $45,000. Of the grants, $10,000 went to the Carson City Symphony Association, Inc. to “support a series of concert performances featuring musical traditions of Central and South America.”

The University of Nevada, Last Vegas Board of Regents received $10,000 to support the publication and promotion of “graphic narratives and poetry in the Believer magazine.”

Finally, the largest amount of $25,000 was granted to Reno for Artown, in order to support the Artown festival.

Overall, 1,187 grants were distributed in order to provide Americans the ability to participate in the world of art, totaling $27.3 million in funding.

There were two categories to funding: Art Works and Challenge America. Carson City’s Symphony funding falls into “Challenge America,” while Reno and Las Vegas’s funding came from Art Works.

To learn more about this federal funding program, click here.

I have had a lot of opportunity knock on my door lately. It seems from the moment I open my eyes in the morning, I am going non-stop on everything from my new radio show on KNVC (Business Therapy, Mondays and Wednesdays 7:30 to 8 a.m.) to the needs of a variety of companies. Honestly, it can get a little overwhelming. It’s overwhelming until I realize there a sure-fire cure for overwhelm — take one strategic action.

The scariest part about overwhelm is it creates anxiety, the kind that makes your heart beat fast and your chest hurt a little. Overwhelm may be triggered by outside circumstances. But first and most important battle is in one place — your mind.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve obsessed about a 15 or 30 minute project like it was going to take me the rest of my life. Yet, when I start, it’s over faster than I even imagined.

I want to share with you my simple analogy for combating overwhelm: HIKE THE TRAIL.

I’ve heard, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

But that never resonated with me, mostly because I’m not in the habit of eating elephants.

Yes, I am in the habit of going on hikes from time to time. The analogy works.

Step 1: Decide what trail you are going to hike.

Deciding what to take on first has a lot to do with priority, comfort level, skill level, estimated time for completion, and if anyone is breathing down your neck to get it done. Consider these things and pick a trail.

Step 2: Pack your bag.

You are going to need resources for your project. Get your bottle of water or beverage of choice, notepad, journal, computer, phone, and anything you will need to get the project done. Every project has different resources. Get what you need and settle in.

Step 3: Drive to the trail.

Organize the project. Does the project have sub-projects in it? Get your mind around ONE project. Just like you can’t drive to multiple trails at once, unless they are in the same connected trail system, it is not efficient to try to multitask and tackle five things at once. That creates overwhelm on top of the overwhelm you were already feeling.

Step 4: Hike to the first marker.

You aren’t running up to the summit of this project mountain yet. Pick one task and do that. Just start. Don’t think too much about which part to start on. The trailhead is right there. Just walk.

Step 5: Celebrate and evaluate your progress.

Do you have it in you to finish the whole project? Awesome. Do it. Have you gone as far as your energy will let you go? That’s fine. Celebrate!

If you repeat this over four days, it becomes a practicing habit. 29-plus days you install it as your new way of conquering overwhelm. How can this process help you? The floor is yours, Carson City.

ABOUT DIANE DYE HANSEN
Diane Dye Hansen has more than 20 years of experience in communication and change management gained in the sectors of government, non-profit, healthcare, publishing, advertising, entertainment, and SaaS. Her Critical Opportunity Theory helps organizations and leaders turn challenge into opportunity through proper leadership and team communication.

She is the president and founder of What Works Consultants, Inc., a consulting firm which helps business leaders communicate when communication is hard. This is done through research, strategic communication planning, change management consulting, and training. She has a Master of Communication Management from the University of Southern California, is a Certified Problem and Change Manager through the Global Association of Quality Management and is a columnist on CarsonNow.org. To meet her and learn how she and her team can help your company, visit What Works Consultants, Inc. online at www.whatworksconsultants.com.

Weather permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin.

View a map with project locations and details here. To receive prescribed fire notifications, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Fall and winter bring cooler temperatures and precipitation, which are ideal for conducting prescribed fire operations. Each operation follows a specialized prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke. All of this information is used to decide when and where to burn.

Prescribed fire operations are conducted whenever weather, conditions and staffing allow to reduce excess vegetation that can feed unwanted wildland fires. Planned fires now reduce the threat of unplanned fires later, which helps provide increased community protection. Fire is a natural process in the Sierra Nevada and helps keep our forests healthy by minimizing the spread of insects and disease, recycling nutrients back into the soil and promoting improved habitat for diverse vegetation and wildlife.

Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size and environmental conditions. Prescribed fire smoke is generally less intense and of much shorter duration than smoke produced by unwanted wildland fires.

Agencies coordinate closely with local county and state air pollution control districts and monitor weather conditions carefully prior to prescribed fire ignitions. They wait for favorable conditions that will carry smoke up and disperse it away from smoke sensitive areas. Crews also conduct test burns before igniting a larger area, to verify how effectively materials are consumed and how smoke will travel.

Before prescribed fire operations are conducted, agencies post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, send email notifications and update the local fire information line maintained by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit at 530-543-2816.

The TFFT gives as much advance notice as possible before burning, but some operations may be conducted on short notice due to the small window of opportunity for conducting these operations. Go here to learn more about the benefits prescribed fire.

UPDATE 2:30PM: There's an 8-vehicle pileup on Highway 50 West Spooner in the eastbound lane below Golf Club Drive. No injuries were reported. Another spinout related crash was reported near the pileup, also in the eastbound lane. Motorists are advised not to drive up the hill due to slick conditions.
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UPDATE 2:15PM: Carson City Sheriff's dispatch reports multiple fender bender accidents around town as well as along Highway 50 West and East. Motorists are urged to slow down due to conditions. Sanders and plows have been dispatched to heavily traveled areas.

For the Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley region, snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are possible above 5,000 feet. In the lowest valleys including the Reno and Carson City area, accumulations of a 1/2 to 2 inches are possible. Winds will be gusting as high as 65 mph.

The Winter Weather Advisory is from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday. Travel could be very difficult, especially during commute times. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute with low visibility and slick road conditions. Strong winds could cause tree damage.

At 11:08 a.m. on Thursday CarsonWeather.com recorded a wind gust of 53 mph.

Even light snowfall causes major travel delays, especially during periods of high traffic volume. Be sure to allow extra time to reach your destination. Leave extra space between vehicles since it takes longer to stop on slick roadways.

Meanwhile, heavy snow and strong winds will continue at Lake Tahoe and Sierra where there is a Winter Storm Warning. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, except 10 to 18 inches above 7,000 feet with up to 24 inches along the Sierra crest. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph with ridge wind gusts over 100 mph.

The warning runs now through 10 p.m. Thursday evening. Travel could be very difficult and is not advised. Very strong winds could cause tree damage and periods of white out conditions, according to the weather service.

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 or logging onto NVRoads.com.

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