Vol. 2, No. 16
.jpg)
June 15, 2005
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . | |||||||
 |
CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
|
|
The Buzz Around The Silver State
as compiled by our correspondents
The Capital (The Silver One)
Carson City Chamber Of Commerce Plans To Back V&T Rail Project
(Carson City) --- Ronni Hannaman has been elected chairwoman of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce and among the first things on her agenda is getting behind the effort to bring the old Virginia & Truckee Railroad (V&T) back to life.
There are plans to put the railroad back in business hauling passengers and freight between Carson City and Virginia City. Hannaman owns a graphic arts business in the capital city and among her plans, she says, is to promote the construction of a new convention center as well.
New officers for the chamber were announced at a dinner held in the Carson Nugget Convention Center. First Vice Chairman is Robert Crowell; Second Vice Chairman is Joe Lushina; Secretary Treasurer is Betty Brogan. Larry Osborne will continue as Chief Executive Officer.
•••
Douglas County
Painted Ladies Seen Cavorting About Western Nevada ... Honest
(Gardnerville) --- The Carson Valley is literally covered in Painted Ladies, those gaudy butterflies that visit Nevada on their annual migration. Eagle Valley and the Truckee Meadows are also being visited by the winged critters.
According to state entomologist Jeff Knight, the heaviest infestations are in Lyon, Pershing, Douglas, Carson City, and Washoe Counties. Knight said because of the wet winter and spring, the orange, black, and white bugs have plenty to eat.
The butterflies come from the deserts of northern Mexico, but there is also a permanent population in western Nevada. Painted Ladies of course can be found .... no wait, we're talking butterflies here. The Painted Ladies butterflies can be found all over the world and are not harmful to plants or gardens although the caterpillar stage of their life does eat leaves and prefers hollyhocks.
•••
Humboldt County
Winnemucca Hotel Added To National Register Of Historic Places
(Winnemucca) --- Two wonderful old buildings have been added to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places, one in Reno, the other right here in Winnemucca according to Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James. In this agricultural community, The Winnemucca Hotel is now on the list.
As can be seen from the photo above, the hotel has been built in stages between the years 1863 and 1915 and according to James, may be the oldest remaining structure in Winnemucca. The hotel is credited with helping to develop commerce in this Humboldt County town.
The Winnemucca Hotel has been associated with Basque Sheepherders virtually since its inception. The Basques came to Nevada to work with the many sheep ranches near the turn of the 20th Century. Prior to that the hotel catered to the needs of wagon train teamsters, miners, and state coach operators. When the Central Pacific Railroad reached town in 1869, passengers also used the hotel.
The Winnemucca Hotel prides itself on continuing the Basque Hotel tradition, and speaking of tradition, don't even think about moseying up to that oaken plank without ordering a Picon Punch.
•••
White Pine County
Off-Road Vehicles And Railroad Trains Do Not Safety Make
(Ely) --- According to Mark Bassett at the Northern Nevada Railway Museum in Ely, the steam-powered trains are running daily now and will be through September. "We have already operated 101 trains so far this year, and the season is just beginning." But there is a problem with all this, and that's people in four-wheel drive vehicles and the little ATVs trying to use the railroad right of way as their own private trail system.
"Our trains weigh in at over half a million pounds," Bassett says. "Even just the locomotive weighs almost 200,000 pounds." Bassett says one simply doesn't stop one of these monsters on that proverbial dime. "It takes hundreds of feet to come to a complete stop."
The railroad is putting up "No Trespassing" signs at the places that seem to get the most off road traffic, he says. Bassett hopes that for safety sake, people will pay attention. In his words, "If there are tracks there, there are probably trains as well."
Next time you're in Ely, visit the museum at 1100 Avenue A in East Ely.
•••
Finally, The Mayor Takes His Seat -- Courts And Rules Kept Him Away
(Ely) --- Following White Pine County's April 5 Primary Election, George Chachas thought he should have the position of Ely Mayor. After all, he took a majority of the votes, and the law had been that that would put him in the Mayoral Seat.
Not to be. Because of growth, Ely no longer fit the rules regarding winning a majority in the primary, and Chachas and his opponent Bob Miller had to face off in the General Election. Chachas won handily, 606 to 475. As in so many places in rural Nevada, the turn out was very good, 47 percent of registered voters cast their ballots.
The Office of Mayor, City of Ely has gone through turbulent times recently with both Chachas and Miller serving, all in the same term. Miller had won an election but voter registration records showed he didn't live in his mayoral district. It was Chachas who challenged the residency.
The first court case came down in favor of Miller, but eventually, Chachas won, but instead of naming Chachas as mayor, the election was voided and had to be held again. In the meantime, the Ely City Council named Miller to fill his own vacancy. It ain't over yet folks.
To fill that vacancy, Miller had to get voter approval, and he didn't. That led to Miller and Chachas in the Primary and General Election. Chachas won both.
•••
Nye County
Scammers Working Pahrump According To Sheriff
(Pahrump) --- A scam based on Neighborhood Watch signs is being investigated by the Nye County Sheriff's office. The signs and program are coordinated by the Sheriff, and no one is authorized to collect money for the program according to Nye County Deputy Ray Robert.
He said the office is investigating reports of people attempting to solicit money in order to purchase signs for the Neighborhood Watch program. Robert advises to not give any money, and to call the SO at 702-209-3986.
Pahrump is the largest town-site in Nye County, located slightly more than 100 miles north of Las Vegas, and is often referred to as the gateway to Death Valley.
•••
Lincoln County
Big Voter Turn Out In Mesquite -- Wells And Holecheck On Council
(Mesquite) --- There were 6,525 votes cast in the Mesquite City Council race, 40 percent of the registered voters, and Bill Wells and Susan Holecheck now join the council. Mayor Bill Nicholes says he will hold the oath of office ceremony on July 1.
Mesquite residents who gleefully pointed out that in neighboring Clark County, only 12 percent of voters turned out for municipal elections hailed the turnout.
•••
Washoe County
Dig Deeper To Park In Biggest Little City
(Reno) --- The Reno City Council has voted to increase parking meter fees in The City of Quaking Leaves. Fines for not paying enough or staying too long aren't changing they say. Currently Reno parking places go for fifty cents the hour, but that will climb to seventy-five cents on July 1.
The city took in $625,920 in parking meter fees in 2002/2003 fiscal year, and $541,929 in 2004/2005, and $417,438 so far in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
The drop in parking fee revenue could relate to fewer parking places, or more people using public transportation, or more likely, fewer people coming downtown. During the last winter, with three to five feet of snow blocking most of the downtown parking places, there was a significant drop in vehicle use as well.