KaiaFIT Minden and Carson will be celebrating the end of their six-week BRIK session with a Kaia Red Party at El Charro Avitia, on Saturday, February 13th at 6pm. Come celebrate all of your hard work, wear red, and bring your friends and significant others. There will be a rockin' DJ and plenty of dancing.

Kaia FIT is a core strengthening program focusing on function and muscle confusion. Fresh workouts, nutritional guidance, and female-centric community are just some of the benefits of KaiaFIT. Class times are offered six days a week - with morning and evening session times available. Our program also includes a running group, TRX, Dance Fitness, and combo Yoga/Pilates classes.

Our third ski & snowboard day! It's time to get out there. Meet at Kirkwood at 10:30am and we'll spend a fun day on the mountain. This is a non-coached event and everyone is welcome, including friends and family.
Please RSVP on our Facebook event so we know who to expect. https://www.facebook.com/events/557926094383878/
We've got a meetup day planned for each month so save the following dates and keep an eye out for more details:

Kaia FIT is a core strengthening program focusing on function and muscle confusion. Fresh workouts, nutritional guidance, and female-centric community are just some of the benefits of KaiaFIT. Class times are offered six days a week - with morning and evening session times available. Our program also includes a running group, TRX, Dance Fitness, and combo Yoga/Pilates classes. Please see our website for schedule details. Your first class is always free.

Don't miss the next Kaia CORE session - Up and Out. Leave your Mark. Our five-week long CORE sessions are designed to build strength and endurance, giving you the motivation to stay strong, improve your physical fitness level, and maintain healthy eating habits. Our sessions offer two Kaia Kross Training workouts each week, plus I Kan Run, TRX, I Kan Dance, Kaia Flow, Kaia Ventures, and so much more. Keep the momentum going and take your post-BRIK fitness and nutrition UP AND OUT.

Kaia FIT is a core strengthening program designed for women of all ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds, focusing on function and muscle confusion. Fresh workouts, nutritional guidance, and female-centric community are just some of the benefits of KaiaFIT. Class times are offered six days a week - with morning and evening session times available. Our program also includes a running group, TRX, Dance Fitness, and combo Yoga/Pilates classes. Please see our website for schedule details. Your first class is always free.
http://www.kaiafitminden.com

February means it's time to Share the Love. Current Kaia Girls can bring their friends any Saturday in February. And if you don't know a Kaia Girl, come anyway. We'd love to introduce you to our program. Open to women of all ages and fitness levels, KaiaFIT classes are designed to meet you exactly where you are. Our saturday workouts start at 8am and alternate between Power Hour (a full body workout focusing on function and muscle confusion) or I Kan Dance (our cardio-filled dance fitness hour).

Kaia FIT is a core strengthening program focusing on function and muscle confusion. Fresh workouts, nutritional guidance, and female-centric community are just some of the benefits of KaiaFIT. Class times are offered six days a week - with morning and evening session times available. Our program also includes a running group, TRX, Dance Fitness, and combo Yoga/Pilates classes. Please see our website for schedule details and directions:
http://www.kaiafitminden.com/

Here are some photos of the Carson City sky just after sunset on Sunday. They were submitted by Carson Now reader Serena Dillard. After a dry period Monday through Thursday, wet weather is expected to return for next weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Periods of heavy precipitation will be increasingly likely in the Sierra Friday into next weekend, and possible for the lower valleys of northeast California and western Nevada.

It will also be windy at times, especially for the lower valleys immediately east of the Sierra. There is the potential for travel impacts, most likely in the Sierra but also at times out into western Nevada.

UPDATE: Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said Monday the murder investigation of Grant Watkins continues and there could be additional arrests.

"The investigation has well determined that a group of young men set out to rob Watkins of approximately 3 ounces of marijuana, and in the course of the event, Watkins was killed by gunfire along-side a neighborhood park," said Furlong. "In addition to the arrests, Detectives have executed search warrants at four residences and one rural environment, as well as the crime scene area. While the Sheriff’s Office believes that the core of the offenders has already been arrested, other arrests could come later as details of lateral involvement are made clear."
***

Daniel Lewis Lease was booked into custody Friday on warrant charges of accessory to murder, accessory to robbery and misdemeanor contempt of court. Lease is the seventh person to be arrested in connection to the murder of Grant Watkins, 18, who was fatally shot in the abdomen adjacent to Blackwell's Pond Park in north Carson City.

Carson City Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team deputies served the warrants at his Dayton home on River Road. Lease was found hiding in an attic crawl space and taken into custody at 3:15 p.m. He is being held on $76,000 bail.

Detectives have been working around the clock collecting evidence linking several suspects to the crime that happened over a dispute that involved three ounces of marijuana. Of those arrested, one person, Reed Skenandore, 21, of Carson City is suspected to have pulled the trigger that killed Watkins during the drug deal and robbery. Skenandore was arrested Jan. 12 and charged with first degree murder and murder with robbery.

Two brothers, Jesus Garcia-Manriquez, 18, and Allen Garcia-Manriquez, 19, were arrested a few hours after the Jan. 11 murder and robbery by Carson City SWAT at an apartment complex at Fifth and Harbin streets. They were each charged as being principal accessories in the murder with bail amounts of $250,000 each.

Sheriff’s detectives have arrested several as accessories to the murder, including Keenan Michael Blackmore, 19, of Carson City who was jailed Thursday, Jan. 21, in the 3100 block of Otha Street on felony warrant charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and two counts accessory to a felony. His bail was set at $75,000.

Jonathan Skenandore, 18, was arrested Jan. 15, on felony charges of accessory to murder, accessory to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Jacob Huttman, was booked into custody Jan. 14 on felony charges of accessory to murder, accessory to robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery.

The investigation continues to be very active with additional warrants anticipated, said Carson City Sheriff’s Office Lt. Brian Humphrey.

The Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate this matter. Anyone with any information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Carson City Sheriff’s Office at 887-2500.

In other arrests: A 19-year-old Carson City woman was arrested Saturday in the 700 block of Sean Drive on suspicion of domestic battery and minor consuming alcohol.

According to the arrest report, deputies were called to the area regarding a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived and met with the woman who was intoxicated and speaking loudly. She said she had an argument with her boyfriend, whom they have a baby together.

The victim stated the woman was intoxicated and he was concerned that she was going to drive and called a family member. He said the woman was agitated and began to antagonize the victim and then battering him with a pair of crutches. The male victim was able to escape into an adjacent room and barricaded the door. The man fled the home out of the window with the baby, the arrest report states.

The suspect told officers she didn’t know what happened and passed out. She told the officer she drinks and smokes “hella weed” all the time, the arrest report states. The deputy asked her if she hit the man with crutches. She said she didn’t know. The officer asked about a damaged door. She told the officer she kicked it down trying to get to her child. She was booked at 10:27 p.m. on suspicion of domestic battery first offense and minor consuming alcohol. Bail: $3,379.

— An 18-year-old Stagecoach woman was arrested Saturday, 10:50 p.m. at Walmart in the 3200 block of Market Street on a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny. According to the arrest report the woman attempted to take hair dye without paying. She told officers she did not have any money to pay for the items. She came into the store with a friend and selected a package of hair dye and a water bottle. She put the water bottle and hair dye in her purse and left the store without paying for the items. A 17-year-old female with her was turned over to her mother. Bail: $352.

— A 22-year-old Carson City man as arrested Saturday, 5:48 p.m. in the area of State and East William streets for a misdemeanor warrant, violation of a suspended sentence, failure to provide proof of competition of community service, to obtain domestic abuse counseling and to attend parenting class. The warrant was issued Dec. 31, 2015 out of Carson City Justice Court. Bail: $1,000.

— A 45-year-old Carson City woman was arrested Saturday, 7:02 p.m. in the 4100 block of South Carson Street on a misdemeanor warrant, contempt of court, issued Dec. 17, 2015 out of Carson City Justice Court. Bail: $1,000.

— A 26-year-old Carson City woman was arrested Saturday, 2:28 p.m. in the 1400 block of Rand Avenue on misdemeanor warrants, violation of a suspended sentence and a warrant out of Douglas County, East Fork Township Court. Bail: $3,650.

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.

In the Reno/Sparks/Carson City there are about 40 mentors providing these services. The need has increased significantly over the last two years as ...

The business is also working on launching two cultivation facilities, in Carson City and Washoe Valley, where they expect to grow about 600 pounds of ...

Welcome back, Wildcats. The 2016 spring semester begins today at Western Nevada College. While you’re wandering around campus, make sure to check out the new exhibit in the Bristlecone building’s Main Gallery. Relax after your first day of classes with a tasting sampler at the Feisty Goat Pub. ‘Suds for Seniors’ is a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels and lets you try five of the draft beers on tap. Enjoy the Monday Night Music Series at Sierra Place Senior Living on West College Parkway. Sandi ‘Pipes’ Medley will be singing some jazz favorites.

MONDAY:

• Spring Semester at Western Nevada College Begins
• ’Panorama: Selections from the Nevada Arts Council’s Artist Fellowship Program’ at the Western Nevada College Main Gallery in the Bristlecone Building
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Nate Clark's exhibition ‘Leeway’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Family Day: $1 Bowling and Shoe Rental Specials at Carson Lanes (9am-10pm)
• New Year’s Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• “Treasures in the State Museum” Lecture with Bob Nylen at Sierra Place Senior Living: 1111 W. College Pkwy (10am-11am, free)
• Mimosa Monday all day at Ed’s Doghouse
• Carson City Host Lions Club weekly lunch meeting at Grandma Hattie’s (12pm; for more information, call Tim at 775-885-7033)
• Arlington Square Ice Rink (Sessions 3pm-5pm or 6pm-9pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental; Afterschool Special- $5 for Elementary and Middle School Kids includes skate rental and one hot beverage during first session; Family Night- $5 per skater includes skates during second session, must have skating adult)
• Suds for Seniors Fundraiser at the Feisty Goat Pub: 1881 E. Long St. (4pm-10am; $15 to sample five beers; benefits the Meals on Wheels program; Tickets also available at the Carson Visitor Center and are good through Jan. 30)
• CCAI Exhibit: Botanical Impressions, Claudia Knous’ fiber arts exhibition in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center (available during public meetings and most evenings 5pm-8pm)
• Dharma Zephyr Sangah Sitting Group at Methodist Church: 213 N. Minnesota, Youth Group Building corner of Proctor and Minnesota (5:30pm-6:30pm Beginners; 7pm-8:30pm)
• Family Game Night at Nerdvana: NEW LOCATION 3220 Hwy 50, Suite #2 (6pm)
• Motocross/Hockey/Football Monday at the Feisty Goat Pub (6pm; wear some gear and your first drink is free)
• Motorcycle Mondays at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (6pm-10pm; Firefighter and Law Enforcement Discounts)
• Ladies Night with Adam and Eve at Remedy’s (6pm-10pm; specials for ladies, raffle at 10pm)
• High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s Night Out at El Charro Avita (Drop-in Intermediate Swing lesson 6pm, $8; Free open dance 7pm-9pm; please park in back or along the side)
• Monday Night Music Series: Jazz Vocals by Sandra Medley at Sierra Place Senior Living: 1111 W. College Pkwy (6:45pm-7:45pm, free)
• Painting Class at Van Gogh and Vino (7pm-9:30pm; $30 per painter)
• Firkin Karaoke with J and M Productions at the Firkin and Fox (7:30pm)
• Mimosa Monday at Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge (8pm)

Despite the Public Utilities Commission's apparent succumbing to pressure to reconsider grandfathering 17,000 rooftop solar customers, SolarCity will file a referendum Monday to change the existing law, sources confirm.

Besides quality food, what can often set a restaurant apart from others is its uniqueness. At The Naked Spice in north Carson City, diners get both.

In a shared space with La Posada Real at 3205 Retail Drive in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center off College Parkway, the two restaurants make a pairing that is as unexpected as it is unique.

But that’s what adds diversity to Carson City’s dining scene, said Naked Spice owner Rupal, who calls the new venture an Indo-Mexican experience, the only one of its kind in Carson City and likely elsewhere.

“This scenario (with La Posada Real) is a very good, unique fit for Carson City,” Rupal said. “There’s a lack of ethnic food choices in Carson City. Being able to have something like this fits Carson City perfectly.”

Rupal, who has resided in the Nevada state capital for 21 years, said Mexican cuisine is considered a comfort food here. By adding Indian cuisine to the mix, it gives diners an option to be adventurous and daring in the same place.

“We’re an Indian restaurant inside a Mexican restaurant,” she said. “The ability to have that under one roof is pretty spectacular.”
Although this venture is something new for Rupal, the restaurant business is not.

She started out hosting an underground supper club in Carson City from 2008-2011. Guests would make reservations to dine at various locations around town, never knowing what would be on the menu that evening, Rupal said.

She then ran the kitchens at Harley-Davidson Financial Services and at the National Guard Armory before opening Foodies at the Brewery Arts Center in 2012. Rupal moved her restaurant operation to La Posada Real in October 2015, renaming it The Naked Spice.

Fans of Foodies can expect the same quality menu items at The Naked Spice. Full of healthy fare that is fresh, light and crisp, Rupal said.

Although the food is authentic Indian, the recipes are unlike traditional Indian fare, because her dishes are made without using heavy oils and food is not fried as it might otherwise be with conventional Indian cooking, she said.

“We focus a lot on food quality,” Rupal said. “We have organic options, and we work very hard to keep GMOs out of our food. We also cater to vegans and kosher eaters as well.”

The restaurant’s menu features many organic, gluten-free and vegan options.

The Naked Spice offers dine in or take out at La Posada Real, as well as catering services. It can be found on Facebook.

The Western Nevada College 2016 softball team is poised to accomplish what no other Wildcat team before it has done: post a winning season and compete on equal footing with the Scenic West Athletic Conference's top teams.

By the end of last season, the Wildcats were capable of beating any team in the SWAC with a predominantly freshman lineup. They won a program-best 23 games, posted their first winning record at home and won two games in the Region 18 tournament.

A season later, the Wildcats are the most experienced club in the SWAC and primed to produce the program's best year to date.

"This team definitely is the most talented team that we've had in the history of the program," said WNC coach Leah Wentworth. "It's been a really exciting year and a half, and we're really looking forward to what they do this spring. They have all the makings to be a championship team."

WNC returns nine position players who started at least 11 games a year ago, including three All-Scenic West Athletic Conference selections. Sophomores make up 89 percent of the Wildcats' roster. Among them are two starting pitchers, including SWAC second-team choice Kristina George.

The team's chemistry, versatility, supreme depth and improvement have generated high expectations among the coaches and players.

"With this team being all together for our second year now, I feel like we have a great advantage not only with the experience we have together but with the connection we have with each other," third baseman Briauna Carter said. "This team is capable of amazing things and we are preparing ourselves to leave a legacy. People will remember playing the Wildcats."

The Wildcats' dedication and commitment to becoming better offensively and defensively started after the final out at the 2015 regionals.

"When we lost that game at regionals and we were standing in a circle crying, all everybody could say was, 'This isn't going to be us next year,'" said WNC assistant coach Bethany Henry-Herman. "That was 30 seconds after we had lost. They were already wanting to be back there, to do it again and to do it better."

The team's offseason conditioning program rendered successful results during the fall season as the Wildcats' lone defeat was by a single run to University of Nevada, Reno, an NCAA Division I program. Even though a cold and wet winter forced the team to practice in a confined indoor facility, the coaches aren't seeing any signs of regression.
"This team has really challenged us because I've always thrown batting practice to the girls and I'm trying to throw as hard as I possibly can from close distances, and I can't throw it by them," Wentworth said. "We get so exhausted hitting them lite-flites because we're trying to hit them as hard as we can and just trying to get them the work that they need to continue to push themselves."

At the conclusion of her freshman season, George earned the designation of the program's best-ever pitcher in the eyes of Wentworth. Entering the program in the fall of 2014, Wentworth saw George as a candidate to pitch in relief. George far exceeded those expectations, becoming the ace of a seven-member pitching staff. George finished with a 13-6 regular-season record, including 11 complete games, and a 3.14 earned run average. That success and an army of returners has George eager for the 2016 season.

"I'm excited for this upcoming season," George said. "I think we have an extremely competitive team this year. We are working really hard to prepare ourselves for a very exciting season. I think we will give everyone in our conference a big eye-opener as to what we can do."

As surprising as George was to the coaching staff, Wentworth knew what she was getting with shortstop Makaylee Jaussi, a first-team All-SWAC selection. Jaussi stabilized WNC's middle infield and made difficult plays look routine. The busiest WNC infielder made only nine errors while assisting on 121 outs.

"Her range was already pretty incredible last year and now it's gotten much better," Wentworth said. "A lot of it for her is understanding because she is so fast and quick with everything that she does, that sometimes she doesn't need to be going as fast and rushing everything."

Jaussi was a multi-faceted contributor on offense as well. She started many rallies by getting on base, then put pressure on pitchers, catchers and infielders with her aggressive base-stealing skills. The leadoff hitter batted .329, accumulated a .418 on-base average, stole 30 bases and scored 43 runs. She didn't have to rely on her speed to get on base either. Jaussi smacked four homers and 11 doubles, and her .487 slugging average was third on the team.

As pitchers learned last year, the Wildcats' attack featured much more than Jaussi. Melanie Mecham became one of the team's and SWAC'S most consistent hitters, leading the Wildcats with a .425 average and fanning only four times in 167 at-bats. The All-SWAC second-team outfielder delivered 71 hits, knocked in 36 runs and scored 35 times.

Mecham also has high expectations for the coming season.

"I think that the fans can expect a lot from us and a better season than the past ones; they can expect a season that WNC has not achieved before," Mecham said. "We expect a lot from ourselves. We have gotten better in a lot of areas and aspects of the game. We have improved overall as a team this fall, especially if you look at where we were when we began together as a team at the beginning of last season. We want to go out with a bang this season."

The Wildcats also return their second-leading power hitter from a year ago in Carter. Carter provided six homers and hit .288 during her freshman season.

Other returning players with starting experience include infielder Gabrielle Canibeyaz, third baseman/outfielder Kacie Freudenberger, infielder Kelsie Callahan, first baseman Dakota Robinson, pitcher Kaitlyn Jimmy, outfielder Samantha Bell, catcher Bailey Henderson and outfielder Triniece Lesky.

"It's tougher to write a lineup than it ever has been because of the depth and the versatility we have," Wentworth said. "There is not a player on our bench that I don't think could have been a starter on any other team that we've had in the history of the program and that wouldn't do a great job if given the opportunity as well."

Freudenberger started 46 games, hitting .328, scoring 21 runs and knocking in 16. Canibeyaz split time at first and second bases and developed into a reliable run producer. She knocked in 23 runs, batted .268 and was fourth on the club with nine doubles. Callahan and Henderson become more comfortable in the Wildcats' lineup as last season developed. Henderson hit .263 and crossed the plate 14 times, while Callahan batted .250 and blasted seven extra-base hits.

Bell, who started 11 games in the outfield, provided spark with her speed and bat, hitting .296 and successfully stealing six bases in seven attempts. Robinson was one of last year's most versatile players, splitting time between the pitching circle and the outfield. She batted .232, scored nine runs and tossed a complete game. In the offseason, Robinson made a transition to first base.

Henderson and freshman Chelsea Latu are being counted on to replace the team's outstanding catcher from a year ago, Lauren Lesniak. Wentworth liked what she saw from both catchers during the fall and may platoon them behind the plate.

"Losing Lauren Lesniak is going to be a game changer for us if we don't have Bailey or Chelsea stepping in and having the same leadership that she brought to the team and to the defense," Wentworth said.

Wentworth won't need to overwork George in the circle either. Jimmy, a Carson High School alum, became one of the club's top pitchers by season's end and developed more consistency during the fall scrimmage season. She compiled a 2-1 record and completed two of her seven starts in 2015.

"I'm hopeful that Kristina and Kaitlyn can share the same number of innings and that we can get more out of Kaitlyn Jimmy this year, and I'm pretty confident that we will, based on what she's been doing throughout the fall and up until now," Wentworth said. "I think we could potentially have two ace pitchers."

The increased velocity on Jimmy's fastball and an assortment of off-speed pitches highlighted by nasty curveball should frustrate many hitters.

"She'll throw a 38-mph ball and come back and throw one in the low 60s," Henry-Herman said. The team's other freshman, McKell Marble, the younger sister of former Wildcat power hitter Taleas Marble, should provide additional pitching depth for the team.

Wentworth and Henry-Herman credited Lesky, Bell and Druelle Kierstead with making the most improvements since last season.

"Triniece came back really hungry for a position, and she's been fighting every day to be in the lineup," Wentworth said. "That's why it's really hard for us to think of a lineup that she's not in right now.

"Druelle has made some great adjustments to her offense and defense to be a contender in the lineup. Now, it's just a matter of her handling the pressure of the game."

Henry-Herman said that Bell has shown more aggressiveness since her freshman season.

"She was always good but was a timid freshman," Henry-Herman said. "With her range in the outfield and with the three that we will have out there, there aren't going to be very many balls dropping, if she stays aggressive."

In years past, the Wildcats felt it was an accomplishment to steal one game per season from the likes of National Junior College Athletic Association powerhouses Salt Lake and College of Southern Idaho. Now, the Wildcats are expecting much more as they try to break the Bruins' and Golden Eagles' stranglehold on the top two spots in the SWAC.

"We can absolutely compete with SLCC and CSI," George said. "As long as we work together and play hard, I think we will be a tough team to beat." Added Wentworth, "As a unit, our goal is to be standing on the field at the end of regional conference playoffs with a trophy in our hands. We've talked a lot about that every single game that we step on the field, having an opponent that is faceless and just playing like it's the championship game and learning more and more about ourselves every time we step on the field, so that when we step into that moment, we are prepared.

"They want to make sure that they finish strong for themselves, for all of the players who came before them and just for the program they all love. They want to go out noticed and make a big name for themselves."

Wildcats at a Glance
Coach: Leah Wentworth, eighth season
Opener: Friday, Jan. 29 at College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic

Returning starters (11 games or more): Kristina George, pitcher, Melanie Mecham, outfielder; Makaylee Jaussi, shortstop, Briauna Carter, infielder/catcher; Bailey Henderson, outfielder; Kelsie Callahan, infielder; Samantha Bell, outfielder; Kacie Freudenberger, infielder; Gabrielle Canibeyaz, infielder; Dakota Robinson, first baseman
Last year: 23-30 overall; fourth in the Scenic West Athletic Conference; first home winning record in program history

UPDATE: Southwest Gas and Carson City Fire Department have gone through the building. The issue has been turned over to building maintenance and employees have been allowed back into the building.
***
Employees at the Nevada Health Division on Technology Way evacuated the building Monday afternoon after a suspected gas leak coming from the second floor, according to dispatch.

They have come from as far as 5,341 miles away to play for the Western Nevada College baseball team in 2016.
WNC coach D.J. Whittemore's roster includes players from Wilrijk, Belgium; Kingsport, Tenn.; Seattle, Wash.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Park City, Utah; and Glendora, Calif.

Despite their varied baseball backgrounds and geographical differences, this group of Wildcats share a number of common objectives: Win the Scenic West Athletic Conference, reclaim the Region 18 title, capture the Western District title and secure the program's fourth berth to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series in May. How quickly Whittemore's 14 sophomores and 11 freshmen gel and embrace their roles will determine the team's success.

"When you spend 10 hours a day on the weekend at the field together and over 100 hours on the bus together, 'getting along' becomes very important," Whittemore said. "The chemistry to this point in the season has been excellent. It's hard not to get along in the fall because there isn't anything at stake and everyone plays an equal amount. Chemistry is tested for two reasons in the spring: competition for playing time and pointing the finger after losses or wanting credit after wins."

Throughout his 11-year tenure coaching the Wildcats, Whittemore's teams have separated themselves on the mound. With four pitchers returning with starting backgrounds and two more with relief experience, that trend shouldn't change this spring. Although WNC lost one of the most consistent arms in program history in Max Karnos (Sacramento State) and dynamic closer Connor Zwetsch (Oregon), Whittemore can lean on a veteran pitching staff to position the Wildcats for another successful run.

"Our pitching staff will always be the key to the season," Whittemore said. "Last season as a group, we failed to command the baseball well enough to keep runners off base at the necessary rate to win the close games against the top teams. In the Scenic West and probably any other conference in the country, you either have the best pitching staff or you don't have the best team.

"The nice thing about having six returners is that we have some experience: the six returners combined to win 19 games but also lost 12."

Sophomore left-hander Matt Young anchors a complementary pitching staff. Young led the Wildcats with an 8-4 record in 2015 and finished third with a 2.59 earned run average. The southpaw made it difficult on opposing hitters, holding them to a .188 batting average.

"I have really high goals," Young said. "I definitely tapered off at the end of last season. I didn't recover properly, so this season I've been working a lot more on becoming bigger and stronger."
Ty Fox, a sophomore right-hander, blossomed at the end of his freshman season. Fox won six of eight decisions and finished with a 3.82 ERA.

Josh Mill and Chase Kaplan also toed the rubber as starters in 2015. Kaplan, a left-hander, was 3-4 in 11 starts with a 4.39 ERA. The right-handed Mill posted a 0-2 mark and 4.50 ERA, making five starts after recovering from a lower-back injury.

"I felt like I was a top-caliber player last year, but the injury got the best of me," Mill said. "But I'm healthy now. I took the summer off, so I'm feeling really fresh and have my velocity up."

The Wildcats also welcome back relievers Kyle Thompson and DJ Peters. They appeared in 11 games last season, combining to win two games against no losses.

Like they have in the past, Wildcat pitchers are attracting interest from higher levels of college baseball. Young and Mill signed letters of intent in November. Young will return home to Reno and play for his hometown Nevada Wolf Pack, while Mill has agreed to play for Cal State Northridge.

Newcomers Jordan Dreibelbis, Jordy Van den Heuvel and Jordan Ragan are also competing for prominent roles on the mound.

Dreibelbis, a 6-4 right-handed sophomore who pitched for Dixie State University last season, made an instant impression for the Wildcats. He tossed a four-hitter to earn the Game 1 victory in the Wildcat Player World Series in October. Dreibelbis made 12 appearances for Dixie State in 2015, dropping his only decision.

Van den Heuvel, a 6-2 lefty, established himself as one of the top amateur pitching prospects in Europe. He participated in the 2012 European Cup and received an invitation to the 10th Major League Baseball Elite Camp in Italy.

Ragan, another in a long line of talented players from Medford, Ore., to play for Whittemore, helped pitch North Medford to the Oregon 6A title in 2014. Last summer, the 6-2 left-hander pitched the Medford Mustangs to a 3-2 victory over defending American Legion World Series champion Brooklawn, N.J., and his Medford team went on to make the semifinals. Ragan finished the summer season with an 8-1 record.

"The bottom line is that we have a bunch of guys who are hungry to prove that they can do it at this level," Whittemore said. "I think from a talent perspective we have what it takes to develop into a competitive region championship-caliber pitching staff; the question still remains to be answered is whether or not they are willing to make the adjustments and put in the level of commitment and work necessary to see those adjustments through. We left lots of room for improvement after the fall."

Offensively, the Wildcats took a hit with the graduation of SWAC Player of the Year Jake Bennett (Oregon) and power hitters Kody Reynolds (Sacramento State) and Corey Pool (UNLV).

"We lost three of the best hitters in the league, possibly the three best hitters in the league," Whittemore said. "Bennett was the player of the year and Reynolds and Pool were both unanimous first-team selections. Our lineup will be hard-pressed to replace the power those three offered. Just from a physical-presence standpoint alone, it will be hard replace them, not to mention the confidence and consistency they offered us."

The Wildcats, however, welcome back two-time Major League Baseball draftee Peters, who made the Region 18 first team as a freshman. The outfielder hit .346, second only to Bennett, and stroked seven homers, 11 doubles and four triples. Peters signed with four-time national champion Cal State Fullerton for the second time during the early signing period in November.

"It's good to sign in November during the early signing period because you have all winter and all spring to focus on school, the season, the team, working out and what you need to do," Peters said. "I'm glad to have it out of the way because I know where I'm going, no matter what. I love it here and I'm excited for the season."

Catcher Tim Lichty, infielder Brogan Secrist, outfielder Bradley Lewis, second baseman David Modler, infielder Riley Ingram and catcher Blake Morin provide starting experience as well. But the loss of power should change the way the Wildcats attack offensively.

"We will have to be a different type of team offensively - more geared to scoring every chance we can through productive outs at times and perhaps use of the bunt and stolen base a little more frequently," Whittemore said.
As a freshman, the versatile Lichty served as a catcher, first baseman and designated hitter and provided power with his bat, contributing 16 extra-base hits. He delivered one of last season's biggest hits - a game-winning homer to end a two-day 13-inning marathon against Salt Lake. He also knocked in 33 runs and had a .393 on-base average.

Modler was in the starting lineup 48 times and provided a team-leading 37 walks. He batted .231 and was second on the team with 41 runs scored.

Ingram was a part-time starter in 2015, but his small sample size demonstrated an ability to hit consistently. He hit .300 in 30 at-bats.

Secrist, an outfielder and infielder, played errorless defense to go along with his .256 batting average a year ago, giving Whittemore some flexibility with his defensive alignment.

Lewis, who delivered one of the Wildcats' two walk-off hits in 2015, cracked eight doubles and four triples while serving as an outfielder.

As a freshman catcher, Morin gave Whittemore a left-handed hitting option. Morin started 19 games, connecting for 10 hits and seven RBI.

Based on their fall performances, four freshmen figure to help the Wildcats offensively. Third baseman Chad Bell demonstrated a power stroke and a high on-base percentage, shortstop Casey Cornwell consistently delivered with runners on base, outfielder Chandler Barkdull positioned himself to lead off if he can overcome several offseason injuries and first baseman Daniel Nist provided the team with another slugging option. Catcher Sam Salyers, a sophomore transfer from Kingsport, Tenn., and middle infielder Justin Mannens, a freshman transfer from Lewis and Clark State who played for Spanish Spring High School in Sparks, are also in the mix for playing time.

The Wildcats haven't captured the SWAC regular-season title since Whittemore's 2011 club overpowered the conference in winning 37 of 40 games. With experienced pitching and a solid fall season, returning the SWAC title to Carson City isn't out of the question.

"Salt Lake and Southern Nevada have shared the last four conference championships," Whittemore said. "We have to elevate our game and get back into the picture. It's always hard to predict how your team will compete in the spring. We have been pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion with how hard our guys are willing to work at preparing to win. We have been pleasantly surprised in the past by how fast our guys have learned to play smart. Last year, as frustrating as it was to finish the season without our fourth consecutive berth in the Western District tournament, I have to honestly say our guys grinded every pitch, every game, every weekend about as well as I have ever seen anyone do it.

"This season, we will get what we earn. Every one of the programs goals is certainly within reach. If we have what it takes in our hearts and minds, then talent isn't going to be what holds us back."

Wildcats at a Glance
Coach: D.J. Whittemore, 11th season. Assistants: Aaron Demosthenes, hitting and assistant head coach, 11th season; Ryan Gonzalez, outfield and short-game coordinator, third season; Connor Klein, graduate assistant, former standout WNC player
Opener: Friday, Jan. 29 vs. South Mountain in Phoenix
Returning starters: Tim Lichty, catcher; Matt Young, pitcher; DJ Peters, outfielder; Ty Fox, pitcher; Chase Kaplan, pitcher; Bradley Lewis, outfielder; Josh Mill, pitcher; David Modler, second baseman
Last year: 33-26 overall, third in the Scenic West Athletic Conference

Funeral services for former Nevada First Judicial District Court Judge Michael Fondi are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Carson City, Fitzhenry’s Funeral Home Director Jim Smolenski said.

The services will be held at 11 a.m., according to Fitzhenry's. St. Teresa of Avila is located at 3000 N. Lompa Lane.

Judge Fondi passed away early Friday morning, Jan. 22, while receiving in-home hospice care. He was 78.

He is survived by his wife, Val, and their three sons: Michael, Jr., Tony and Jon.

After losing in District Court, the Coalition for Nevada's Future (thank you, gamers) has appealed to the high court to stop the R.I.P. Commerce Tax (no thank you, Knechtians) repeal.
It's 53 pages.

The Public Utilities Commission approved three renewable energy agreements Monday that add 129 megawatts of solar generation capacity in Nevada and bolster the efforts of Apple Inc. and Switch, Ltd., to operate their Nevada data centers with 100 percent green energy.

The PUCN approved a stipulation signed by all parties in four consolidated applications for power purchase agreements to build two new solar plants — the 79-megawatt Playa Solar 1 project owned by First Solar and the 50-megawatt Boulder Solar II facility owned by SunPower. Both projects will be located in Clark County near existing solar facilities.

To achieve Apple’s and Switch’s long-term goals of operating with 100-percent renewable energy at their facilities in both Northern and Southern Nevada, the companies will purchase the portfolio energy credits from each of the new solar plants.

“Consumers are demanding renewable power, and world-class developers, along with NV Energy, have created a new model for such projects to come on line. Nevada’s GreenEnergy Rider Tariff enables companies to pre-purchase renewable credits, off-setting the cost of renewable energy contracts, allowing NV Energy to develop solar resources at rates lower than the current Long Term Avoided Cost,” said PUCN Chairman Paul Thomsen, who is the presiding officer in this proceeding. “This innovative structure enables additional renewable development, reduces gas and coal purchases, and facilitates Clean Power Plan compliance, all at prices that do not negatively affect ratepayers.”

With its approval of these 20-year power purchase agreements, the PUCN has in the past five months added 329 megawatts of new solar generation to Nevada’s portfolio of renewable energy resources. At prices averaging less than 4.0 cents per kilowatt-hour, these substantial commitments to solar energy will decrease the state’s reliance on fossil fuel generation in a cost-effective manner that benefits all ratepayers. Further, because the power plants are owned by non-utility independent power producers, ratepayers will not incur risks associated with construction and will avoid paying a return on investment to the utility.

Information about the application and PUCN order in Docket 15-11025 can be found on the PUCN’s website at www.puc.nv.gov. From the top navigational bar on the home page, select Dockets, followed by Electric Dockets. Scroll to the individual docket number and select View.

Open to all enrolled students in RN course, graduating students, and current RN's. We encourage attendees fill out an application beforehand. FREE giveaways, food and drink will be provided. For any questions, please contact Human Resources at (775) 445-8010.

The group seeking to defend the controversial commerce tax has appealed the district court’s decision to the Nevada Supreme Court. The group, in favor of the commerce tax, is asking the Supreme Court ...

A Dayton native is being praised for stopping an attempted armed robbery at an Alaska mall.
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