Reno Gazette Journal

Sparks assemblywoman wants to revise STAR bond law

Two state lawmakers chided a Sparks city official Thursday about the Legends at Sparks Marina development that they say drains state tax revenue without approval of the Legislature. (read more)

Friends remember Reno lawyer, power broker Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald was a feisty Irishman with a heart of gold and a lifelong commitment to family and community, according to friends who reminisced this week about the longtime Reno lawyer and community leader who died Saturday at 88. (read more)

UNR site opens at Reno airport

Reno-Tahoe International Airport officials revealed their true colors Thursday morning by unveiling the blue and silver Wolf Pack Den before a gathering of about 100 people. (read more)

Attorney general collapses during Washington speech

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed during a speech tonight and was being taken to a hospital. (read more)

RTC road plan includes new freeways

A new freeway could some day link Interstate 80 east of Sparks to Spanish Springs. (read more)

Gibbons, lawmakers reach no budget deal, will meet next week

After nearly two hours behind closed doors, Gov. Jim Gibbons and key legislative leaders emerged Thursday without a solid plan to deal with a nearly $300 million shortfall in the state budget and will meet again next week. (read more)

Pack football gets verbal commitment from four-star safety

Coach Donte Williams believes safety David Batts has a strong future at Nevada. (read more)

Elko County bid for VA clinic rejected

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — Elko County officials said after a year of negotiations with the federal government, they were stunned when their bid to house a Veterans Affairs clinic was rejected because the process was only open to small businesses. (read more)

Local sports bar chain invites everyone over for dinner

A local restaurant chain has issued a blanket invitation to the community to have a free Thanksgiving dinner at one of their neighborhood locations. (read more)

Blog: Still no deal on Nevada's budget

After nearly two hours behind closed doors, Gov. Jim Gibbons and legislative leaders emerged to say they have not yet reached an agreement on how to meet an added shortfall of nearly $290 million in the state budget and will meet again on Tuesday. (read more)

Investigation: A decade on, how states are spending tobacco settlement money

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Foreclosures drive up existing home sales numbers in Washoe County

Existing home sales in October in Washoe County swelled by 47 percent from a year earlier as buyers found bargains in foreclosed properties, a report today shows. (read more)

Pack football: Boise State game sold out

The Boise State-Nevada football game is now a sellout. (read more)

Pack Blog: validity of UNLV's most popular "athlete major" is questioned

To all of those Wolf Pack fans who have enjoyed poking fun at UNLV as a so-called junior college, now there's this. (read more)

Calif. trains collide, no serious injuries

RIALTO, Calif. (AP) — A Metrolink commuter train sideswiped a freight train Thursday, causing no serious injuries but bringing back still-vivid memories of a deadly train wreck in the region just two months ago. (read more)

Gaming: Nevada officials approve Dubai World investment plan

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada gambling regulators gave approval Thursday for investment firm Dubai World to acquire a bigger stake in MGM Mirage Inc., a move the casino company’s leader-in-waiting said will help it survive a “paralyzed” global economy. (read more)

Sheriff's searching in Boca Reservoir for woman who evaded police

A woman being chased by Nevada County Sheriff’s deputies Wednesday night was still missing Thursday after driving her car into Boca Reservoir and swimming away from it. (read more)

Fernley veterans cemetery official reacts to criticism

The chairman of a board overseeing the Fernley veterans cemetery said Thursday that Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, should apologize for complaining that the cemetery is neglected and not properly maintained. (read more)

Sparks police arrest 3 Reed students seen burglarizing home

Sparks police today arrested three Reed High School students who they said have been burglarizing homes and tagging property. (read more)

Has the economy affected the way you eat?

Have you made changes to the way you eat because of tough economic times? Do you eat at home more? Have your grocery shopping habits changed? (read more)

Chief Asher steps into new role

When Steve Asher describes his 23-year climb to become Sparks’ new police chief, he uses the word “overwhelming” in between lots of smiles. (read more)

Heavenly, Kirkwood, delay Sierra ski openings

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — A spell of warm, dry weather has forced two Sierra ski resorts to postpone their season openings. (read more)

City plans to honor state trooper

Sparks City Council enters its final meeting of November with a full agenda that includes remembering a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who died in a car crash. (read more)

Van Praagh brings spirit-channeling experience

James Van Praagh sees dead people. (read more)

Forum: Do environmental concerns affect your views on immigration?

We asked our immigration forum whether environmental concerns affect their views. (read more)

Pack football: Boise State game on ESPN2

The Boise State-Nevada football game at Mackay Stadium on Saturday will be televised on ESPN2, the Western Athletic Conference announced Thursday afternoon. (read more)

Latest area DUI-related cases

Following are actions involving people arrested on a charge of driving under the influence: (read more)

D.A. won't seek death penalty against suspected Reno gang member

The Washoe County District Attorney will not be seeking the death penalty against a suspected gang member accused of gunning down two teens, and critically injuring a third because he was “mad” and “retaliating” against the rival gang associates. (read more)

Reid: Nevada counties receive payments from feds

Nevada U.S. Sen. Harry Reid says Nevada counties have received nearly $23 million this year from the Interior Department’s program to compensate rural governments for lost taxes on land owned by the federal government. (read more)

Sparks looking for a little name recognition

With more than 100 years of history behind it, Sparks still is looking for an identity of its own. (read more)

Blog: North Carolina's bad breaks could benefit Pack

The Tar Heels' injuries are mounting, which could leave them shorthanded when they visit Reno to play Nevada next month. (read more)

North Carolina: Cops Taser pallbearer at dad's funeral

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Five sheriff's deputies will be disciplined after they used a Taser while serving an arrest warrant on a man at his father's funeral. (read more)

Found any holiday travel deals or ran into any travel problems? We'd like to interview you

The Reno Gazette-Journal is preparing a story on this year’s holiday travel climate. (read more)

Blog: Legislative leaders to meet with Gibbons this afternoon to review more budget cuts

Anjeanette Damon reports. (read more)

Council delays action on RV casino parking

The Reno City Council failed Wednesday to decide whether to change an ordinance allowing motor homes to camp overnight in hotel-casino parking lots. (read more)

Winter storm warning: Warren Miller film coming to town

The people who make the Warren Miller snow sports films like to say that it’s not winter until Warren Miller comes to town. Winter comes to Reno this weekend with one of the film tour’s biggest screenings Saturday at the Reno Events Center. (read more)

Chillin' for Dylan: Friday fundraiser by The X features Bob Dylan covers

It’s a typical thing for national radio stations to simply get a bunch of their most-played artists to gather for a birthday celebration show each year. Leave it to the folks at KTHX-FM in Reno to go a different route. (read more)

Kitten born with two faces meows out of both mouths (with pic)

A kitten was born in Australia with two faces. (read more)

Las Vegas doctor found guilty of using faux Botox

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a doctor and his wife of treating patients with a Botox knockoff at their Las Vegas clinic. (read more)

Forrest Hartman: Disney's 'Bolt' is a great animated flick for children and adults

Disney's latest animated adventure is about a perky canine who believes he can jump incredible distances, shoot lasers from his eyes and stop speeding military vehicles with his bark. And the film is appropriately super. (read more)

Police: Bodies found in burned Cadillac near Las Vegas were killed execution style

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police say two charred bodies found in a burned-out Cadillac in the desert southwest of Las Vegas were shot execution-style in the back of the head. (read more)

Tempers rise as ideas sought on how to cut $120 million from Clark County schools

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tempers are rising to shouting level in the debate about how to cut $120 million from Las Vegas area schools over the next two years. (read more)

Enforcement today especially for drivers who don't stop for people in crosswalks

Eight peace officers will test drivers today in the Reno-Sparks area to see if they stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. (read more)

Amber Alert criteria differs by state; some hardly issue them at all

ATLANTA (AP) — Authorities count hundreds of Amber Alert cases across the country as success stories when they start explaining why the media-friendly and politically popular bulletins are so important. (read more)

Lemmon Drive on-ramp reopened; no traffic delays caused by accidents

The Lemmon Drive on-ramp to U.S. 395 has been reopened, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports. (read more)

Reno forecast: Clear this week, becoming cloudy next week

The National Weather Service seven-day forecast for Reno: (read more)

Northbound on-ramp from Lemmon Drive to U.S. 395 closed

The northbound on-ramp to U.S. 395 from Lemmon Drive remains closed, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports. (read more)

Reno council OKs 18-building project at Plumas and McCarran

The Reno City Council tonight approved Lakeridge Place, a large office and condominium complex proposed in the namesake area in southwest Reno, despite objections from neighbors. (read more)

Police arrest suspect in Sun Valley school vandalism

A 15-year-old boy has been accused of doing more than $10,000 damage to Sun Valley Elementary school on Nov. 5. (read more)

Governor creates new autism commission

Gov. Jim Gibbons issued an order Wednesday establishing a commission to continue the work of the Nevada Autism Task Force that expired by law this year. (read more)