Changing of the Christmas Guard at the State Capitol

by carsoncityjournal | Dec 1, 2021 | Uncategorized

Tree in the middle gets a rest from being the center of attention…..

From:  Ronni Hannaman, Carson City Chamber of Commerce

There are around 890 trees surrounding the immediate Capitol Building on Capitol Square in Carson City and more than 4,200 trees throughout the entire 274-acre Capitol Grounds, but the most special tree of all is the capital Christmas tree.

As the state grounds personnel begin the arduous, but satisfying task, of decorating the capitol grounds to light up and create a holiday wonderland to usher in the holiday season, one tall and proud tree will not receive the special attention it has for so many years.

This one very special pine tree had been designated as the Governor’s Tree and took over the dual role of Official Christmas Tree around 50 years ago, according to the grounds crew. It received much attention during the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights, proudly bearing the weight of many lights on its once sturdy boughs for all these years.

But, like many of the older trees now on the capitol grounds that may have been planted almost a century ago, this very special tree is retiring and giving up its place to a younger, sturdier, and much thicker boughed tree that just might have been grown to one day replace the old tree.

You see, this wonderful old tree tree has lost many of its once thick but now drooping branches and is a bit fragile. The grounds crew pointed to the conduit about 20 feet up in the trunk that may have unknowingly been installed in the base of the young tree at some point in time that has been causing the tree to slowly die.

While still straight and tall, it can no longer bear the weight of all the lights and the grounds crew know they must decorate a younger sturdier pine to replace the beloved old tree. If this tree could talk, it would have many wonderful tales to tell.

Grounds crew foreman Phil Nemanic always loves decorating the capitol grounds for the holidays and states “We have always given special attention to his tree and while the fragile branches will not be decorated, there will be lights strung around the bottom to assure it will be a part of the show.”

All the lighted trees on the capital grounds proudly proclaim the holiday season while relishing the oohs and aahs elicited from those who walk the grounds. Most importantly, however, the lighted trees make it much easier for Santa to spot Carson City from the sky, although we are certain he knows the way!

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

Long missing CC resident is found – and the discovery is heartbreaking…

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 30, 2021 | Uncategorized

The following is from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office:

On August 1, 2013, 55-year-old Carson City resident Christopher Cash was reported missing. Sadly, the remains of Mr.Cash have finally been found and identified.

Back in 2013 Mr. Cash was suffering from mental health problems. Mr. Cash was off his medications and one day disappeared.   Carson City Detectives investigated many leads but were unable to find him..

On Jan. 29, 2019, a hiker located a human skull in a remote area above Centennial Park in Carson City. No evidence of trauma was found on the skull. Investigators and the Carson City Search and Rescue unit did not locate any additional human remains.

On November 23, 2020, another hiker found a human long bone which had a surgical metal implant attached to the bone. This long bone was found in a ravine approximately 1/2 mile south of the original 2019 search area.

On February 27, 2021, yet another hiker found human remains in a steep ravine approximately two miles west of the 2019 search location. Sheriff’s Detectives, the Carson City Search and Rescue Unit with the assistance of a human remains detection K9 located additional human remains in a ravine and in other locations between the two search areas. It appeared animals had scattered the remains over wide area.

All the human remains from each location were submitted to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office in Reno. The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office told investigators that the surgical metal plate found on the long bone matched the same type of surgical metal plate Cash had received in 2011.

The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office submitted some of the remains to BODE TECHNOLOGY, a private forensic DNA laboratory in Virginia. BODE identified a male DNA sample from the remains. Detectives obtained a DNA sample from Cash’s sibling that was also submitted to BODE. BODE determined the male DNA sample to be a match to Cash’s sibling.

In October 2021, The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office completed its investigation of the human remains, which included an examination by a forensic anthropologist. The Washoe County Medical Examiner identified the human remains from the three recovery locations as being Christopher Cash. The cause and manner of death are undetermined.

Detectives were unable to determine how Christopher Cash came to be in the remote rugged mountainside north of Carson City. Christopher Cash was known to walk throughout Carson City and he did not have a vehicle. Detectives did not locate evidence of foul play and no trauma was identified on the skeletal remains.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office thanks the following for locating and identifying Christopher Cash’s remains: The three Carson City hikers, The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit, The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office, Dr. Mary Cablk and her human remains detection partner K9 Inca with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit, Dr. Marin Pilloud with the University of Nevada Reno Anthropology Department and BODE Technology.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Investigation Division, Detective Sam Hatley (775) 283-7852, Sgt. Craig Lowe (775) 283-7815.

Traffic collision on eastbound Highway 50 east of Saliman

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 29, 2021 | Uncategorized

Motorcycle rider Care Flighted to Reno.  Car driver not hurt.

1:22pm Carson City Firefighters arrived at Jiffy Lube on Highway 50 where a motorcyclist was struck by a car turning east onto Highway 50. The motorcycle rider is in bad shape – knocked out with probable serious injuries.

1:33pm  Motorcycle rider was loaded aboard a Care Flight air ambulance and flown to Renown in Reno.

Witnesses said that the car driver pulled out of a driveway from the north side of the highway.  It was also said that the driver entered the highway then turned east on Highway 50 – but tragically right in front an oncoming eastbound motorcyclist.  The driver hit the motorcyclist sending the rider and the motorcycle sliding eastward after the collision.  Damage was severe to both vehicles.  Driver of the car was not injured.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

– Editor’s Note –

The car driver was pulling out of a driveway on the north side of the highway.  When he crossed over the yellow lines in the middle of the highway both vehicles collided.  At that time of day the sun was “winter time low” in the sky which may have partially blocked the car driver’s view as the motorcyclist crossed in front of him.

Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights, Dec. 3, 5:30pm – on the Capital Grounds

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 29, 2021 | Uncategorized

Fifth graders from all six public elementary schools as well as Carson Montessori, Bethlehem Lutheran and Saint Teresa’s will perform as a unified holiday choir for the annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights on the Capitol steps in downtown Carson City Friday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Music teachers from local schools have been teaching and practicing the musical arrangements since early November. More than 300 students from the combined nine schools, including six Carson City School District elementary schools (Bordewich-Bray, Empire, Fremont, Fritsch, Mark Twain and Seeliger), will participate.

Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. followed by fifth graders signing with Santa and the Grinch.  At 6:15 p.m., the Governor, First Lady, Mayor Lori Bagwell and her husband Jim Bagwell will light the Nevada State Capitol Grounds and downtown Carson City.  “Fritsch students look forward to Tree Lighting every year,” said Fritsch Elementary School Music Teacher Nicole Witkowski. “It’s a tradition that their siblings and friends have been a part of in previous years, which builds their excitement even more.  It’s great to see these students share this experience with each other.  Above all else, it teaches these students the value of community and giving back to our town.”

Carson City fifth graders have been the center attention of the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights since 1988. An estimated 2,000 attendees help kick off the holidays annually at the event.  The program this year will feature fewer choir students due to COVID-19 protocols. Event planners have made the necessary accommodations to keep everyone safe.

“The annual tree lighting event is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Christina Bourne, music educator at Mark Twain Elementary School.  “At Mark Twain, the students buzz with excitement as we rehearse each song.  We appreciate everyone involved in keeping this Carson City tradition alive, and we look forward to singing for our community this year!”

Due to the pandemic, the event last year was offered in a virtual format. To view last year’s program, please click here. The program began with interviews with various music teachers followed by the fifth-grade holiday choir.

Deck the Halls with Bows of Children….

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 29, 2021 | Uncategorized

Carson City Fifth Graders Set to Sing at Tree Lighting Event  

Carson City — Fifth graders from all six public elementary schools as well as Carson Montessori, Bethlehem Lutheran and Saint Teresa’s will perform as a unified holiday choir for the annual Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights on the Capitol steps in downtown Carson City Friday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m.  

Music teachers from the various schools have been teaching and practicing the musical arrangements since early November. More than 300 students from the combined nine schools, including six Carson City School District elementary schools (Bordewich-Bray, Empire, Fremont, Fritsch, Mark Twain and Seeliger), will participate.

Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. followed by fifth graders signing with Santa and the Grinch. At 6:15 p.m., the Governor, First Lady, Mayor Lori Bagwell and her husband Jim Bagwell will light the Nevada State Capital Grounds and downtown Carson City. 

Fifth graders from the 2019 Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights gather early to rehearse holiday songs at the Nevada State Capitol.

“Fritsch students look forward to Tree Lighting every year,” said Fritsch Elementary School Music Teacher Nicole Witkowski. “It’s a tradition that their siblings and friends have been a part of in previous years, which builds their excitement even more. It’s great to see these students share this experience with each other. Above all else, it teaches these students the value of community and giving back to our town.” 

Carson City fifth graders have been the center attention of the Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights since 1988. An estimated 2,000 attendees help kick off the holidays annually at the event. The program this year will feature fewer choir students due to COVID-19 protocols. Event planners have made the necessary accommodations to keep everyone safe.

“The annual tree lighting event is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Christina Bourne, music educator at Mark Twain Elementary School. “At Mark Twain, the students buzz with excitement as we rehearse each song. We appreciate everyone involved in keeping this Carson City tradition alive, and we look forward to singing for our community this year!”

Due to the pandemic, the event last year was offered in a virtual format. To view last year’s program, please click here. The program began with interviews with various music teachers followed by the fifth-grade holiday choir. The event and performances were aired on NGBN, Carson City’s streaming community TV station, which can be easily accessed by logging on to carsoncitynv.tv.

Attorney General Ford Joins Coalition Fighting -Discrimination Against Transgender Students in Schools.

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 29, 2021 | Uncategorized

AG Aaron Ford
NV Attorney General

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

• Aaron D. Ford, Attorney General

          Telephone – (775) 684-1100

Attorney General Ford Joins Coalition Fighting -Discrimination Against Transgender Students in Schools. Coalition Files Amicus Brief Challenging Florida School District Policy Prohibiting Transgender Students from Using Bathrooms Corresponding with Gender Identity. Carson City, NV – Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford joined a multi-state coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case of Adams v. School Board of St. Johns County in support of Drew Adams, a transgender male who was prohibited from using the boys’ bathroom at a school he attended in St. Johns County, Florida. “Transgender Americans must not be discriminated against, and denying transgender students access to the correct bathroom is blatantly discriminatory, disrespectful and harmful,” said AG Ford. “Intolerance has no place anywhere, especially in schools, where students must be treated with dignity and respect. Non-cisgender students must feel supported and included, and policies such as the one that affected Mr. Adams run directly counter to those principles.” Adams argues that the school’s policy of prohibiting him from using the boys’ bathroom violated his constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, as well as his rights under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. The brief supports Adams in these assertions.

Adams was prohibited from using the boys’ bathroom at Nease High School in Ponte Vede, Florida while he was a student, despite being treated as a boy in every other way at the school. The coalition argues that the only function of the school’s exclusionary policy is to stigmatize a particular group, thereby violating Title IX. Exclusionary policies such as denying the right to the correct bathroom can affect the well-being of transgender students, who already face widespread discrimination. In the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS), 77% of respondents who were known or perceived as transgender in grades K-12 reported negative experiences at school, including being harassed or attacked. These attacks ranged from verbal harassment to physical attacks to sexual assault.

Traffic Crash at Highway 50 and Flint

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 28, 2021 | Uncategorized

2.58pm  Two car crash at Highway 50 at Flint.  One serious injury.  Careflight on standby.  Traffic backing up.

3:05pm  Careflight is summoned to the area.  Arrival time about 15 minutes.

3:06pm  Traffic is backed up. 

3:07pm  Rescue has called for another ambulance.

3:11pm   Law Enforcement orders Careflight to land on Flint Road.

3:31pm   Careflight is on the ground to load-up the injured and fly them to a hospital.

3;36pm  A dog aboard one of the vehicles is injured. 

3:38pm  Those on the scene say the dog will likely be transferred to a canine medical facility.

3:39pm  Animal Control will soon me on their way to the scene.

3:40pm   Careflight is off the ground and enroute to a hospital.

“Giving Tuesday” through November 30th

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 27, 2021 | Uncategorized

Rollover Accident at South Carson and I-580 – Another Accident followed

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 27, 2021 | Uncategorized

1. 6:48pm – Traffic crash at I-580 and South Carson.  It’s a rollover crash but the driver emerged from the wreck serious injuries.
2. 6:50pm – Quickly after the first crash there was a second crash at the intersection of south Carson and on the northbound on ramp at Carson and I-580.  No serious injuries between the two crashes.

Update on Double-Fatal Traffic Crash at So. 395 and Spooner (Hwy 50)

by carsoncityjournal | Nov 26, 2021 | Uncategorized

So. Carson and Hwy 50W
2 dead, 4 badly injured, 3 Careflighted to Renown.

Fatal Crash on US-50 at South Carson Street – Updated Report

On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at approximately 12:47 p.m., Troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division, responded to an injury crash involving several vehicles on US-50 at the intersection with South Carson Street in Carson City.

Preliminary investigation shows that a white 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup towing a 44-foot yacht was traveling east on US-50. The Ford F-350 failed to obey a red traffic light and entered the intersection with South Carson Street. The driver of the Ford F-350 was experiencing extreme brake failure traveling down the grade as the payload was approximately 37,000 lbs. (the Ford F-350 was rated at a max payload of 21,000 lbs.).

A silver 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup was traveling south on South Carson Street in the intersection with US- 50 and entered the path of the Ford F-350. The front of the Ford F-350 struck the right side of the GMC Sierra. The Ford F-350 rotated clockwise and separated from the yacht trailer. The yacht trailer continued east through the intersection.

A white 2013 Mercedes Benz GL-Class SUV and a silver 2005 Nissan Xterra SUV were traveling north on South Carson Street in the intersection with US-50. The tongue of the yacht trailer entered the path of the Mercedes Benz. The driver of the Mercedes Benz drove over the tongue of the yacht trailer and the Mercedes Benz burst into flames. The yacht trailer continued east and struck the left side of the Nissan Xterra. The Nissan Xterra rotated clockwise and overturned. Several other vehicles were involved in this crash resulting in minor injuries.

Two passengers from the GMC Sierra (Tana Powell, a 70-year-old Dayton resident and Don Powell, a 74-year- old Dayton resident) ultimately succumbed to their injuries sustained in the crash. A victim from the Nissan Xterra is still in critical condition at an area hospital.

The driver of the Ford F-350, Roney Gonzalez Otazo, is currently in custody at the Carson City Jail. Impairment is not suspected.

This crash is being investigated by the Highway Patrol Division’s Northern Command West Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) – Case #211100660.