nevadaappeal.com | Lead Stories

Carson woman comes to terms with husband's Alzheirmer's

By F.T. Norton ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

When Arlene Olaynick's husband, Ted, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2004, the news devastated her.
"I used to cry every day," she said recently from her Carson City home. "It was like he changed overnight."
His mood swings were difficult to handle and he was stubborn, she said.
She was close to putting her husband of 52 years into an assisted living facility until one day she had an epiphany.
"Why be sad? It doesn't pay anything," she said.
Now, five years later, Olaynick, 72, has found peace with her situation and a companion in the man who seems so different from the one she married.
She hopes what she's learned can help others in a similar situation.
"Use tender loving care, talk, listen and communicate with humor. It's less stressful," she said. "Patience is a must."
According to the National Institute on Mental Health, Alzheimer's Disease affects an estimated 4.5 million Americans, a number whic

Incline Village congregation asked to pray for massive bear

By Jean Eick and Kevin MacMillan Nevada Appeal News Service — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

INCLINE VILLAGE - A bear that has been causing a path of destruction all over Incline Village is now receiving prayers from a local congregation after it helped itself to a Thanksgiving feast last weekend inside the church.
The Rev. Dick Randall of the Village Church in Incline Village sent out a prayer request asking his congregation to pray for the bear. The request in the e-mail said:
"Pray that this bear(s) - which have done over $70,000 plus damage to homes and now a church - is caught and relocated. Pray also that it does NOT come back to our church."
Last week, Nevada wildlife officials tabbed the black bear to be around 700 pounds, confirming it may be responsible for as much as $70,000 in damage this year.
Last Saturday evening, the bear made the Village Church his next victim.
The church annually prepares and distributes food boxes to those in our community in need at Thanksgiving. Residents spent most of Saturday organizing the food that w

No. 6 Boise St. puts schmooze on BCS

By GREGG BELL AP Sports Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A glow streamed from athletic director Gene Bleymaier's suite high above Boise State's funky blue turf.
Not because his team was about to win its 24th consecutive regular-season game. He was inside schmoozing BCS bowl executives wearing garish, brightly colored blazers.
It seemed to be working.
"This is a great scene," Orange Bowl chief executive Eric Poms said at halftime outside the suite, his smile as bright as his orange sport coat.
Below him, Boise State's band spelled out "BCS 2010" on that fake blue grass.
After the No. 6 Broncos (12-0, 7-0 WAC) won at least a share of their seventh conference championship in eight seasons with a 44-33 win over Nevada late Friday night, coach Chris Petersen strayed for his usual, tempered BCS talk of "it will all work out." He was campaigning.
"We've got one more game (against lowly New Mexico State) and if we win, we've done everything we can

Police: Woods, wife unavailable for interview

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods and his wife were not available to speak to state troopers for the second straight day, asking that they return Sunday to try to clear up questions about how he crashed his SUV into a neighbor's tree.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the announcement that the world's No. 1 golfer and his wife, Elin, could not speak Saturday to authorities came from his agent. Mark Steinberg of IMG did not immediately respond to a text seeking comment.
Troopers previously tried to talk to Woods on Friday afternoon. The patrol said his wife told troopers Woods was sleeping, and they agreed to return the next day.
Woods smashed his Cadillac near his $2.4 million mansion at 2:25 a.m. Friday and was briefly hospitalized, police said. His lips were cut, and Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor has said Woods' wife used a golf club to smash out a back window and help Woods from the car.
Sgt. Kim Montes, the patrol spokeswoman, said Woods' a

Bypass from Highway 50 to Fairview curtails downtown Carson City traffic

By GEOFF DORNAN gdornan@nevadaappeal.com — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

Opening the freeway bypass from Highway 50 to Fairview has made a major difference in the traffic on Carson Street.
The change most drivers noticed first was the huge reduction in the number of trucks driving through town. But according to Nevada Department of Transportation officials, the freeway's impact goes well beyond that.
Michael Lawson, chief of the Traffic Information Division, said the counter on the freeway bypass shows traffic volumes between the north end of town and Highway 50 have increased by 11,000 vehicles a day, jumping by 5,000 the first day the new section opened.
"My professional opinion is that the 11,000 extra vehicles per day now on the bypass north of Highway 50 were previously on Carson Street north of William," he said.
The actual reduction to traffic on Carson Street, however, isn't available because Lawson's staff hasn't been able to collect data from the counters on Carson Street yet.
NDOT spokesman Scott Magruder agreed with Lawson's a

Report: Iran could leave nuclear treaty

Staff Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - A conservative Iranian legislator warned Saturday that his country may pull out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty after a U.N. resolution censuring Tehran - a move that could seriously undermine world attempts to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons.
Iran's official news agency quoted a hardline political analyst who made the same point, another indication the idea could be gaining steam.
If Iran withdraws from the treaty, its nuclear program would no longer be subject to oversight by the U.N. nuclear agency. That in turn would be a significant blow to efforts to ensure that no enriched uranium is diverted from use as fuel to warhead development.
The lawmaker's threat came a day after the board of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution demanding Tehran immediately stop building its newly revealed nuclear facility near the holy city of Qom and freeze uranium enrichment.
"The parliament, in

Obama administration plans new efforts on foreclosures

Staff Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration, battling a foreclosure crisis that shows no signs of relenting, will step up pressure on mortgage companies to do more to help people remain in their homes, officials said Saturday.
The administration will announce its expanded program on Monday, Treasury spokeswoman Meg Reilly said.
"We are taking additional steps to enhance servicer transparency and accountability," Reilly said. She said the goal was to increase the rate that troubled home loans were converted into new loans with lower monthly payments.
Industry officials said the new effort would include increased pressure on mortgage companies to accelerate loan modifications by highlighting firms that are lagging in that area.
The Treasury is also expected to announce that it will wait until the loan modifications are permanent before paying cash incentives to mortgage companies that lower loan payments.
Under the $75 billion Treasury program, companies that agree

Afghanistan, Iraq: different wars soldiers say

By DENIS D. GRAY Associated Press Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, Afghanistan (AP) - Veterans of Iraq recall rolling to war along asphalted highways, sweltering in flat scrublands and chatting with city-wise university graduates connected to the wider world.
Now fighting in Afghanistan, U.S. soldiers invariably encounter illiterate farmers who may never have talked to an American as they slog into remote villages on dirt tracks through bitterly cold, snow-streaked mountains.
"Before deploying here we were given training on language, culture, everything. I thought that since I was an Iraq combat veteran, I didn't need any of that stuff. I was wrong. Both countries may be Muslim but this is a totally different place," says Sgt. Michael McCann, returning from a patrol in the east-central province of Logar.
While their experiences in the two war zones vary, for many soldiers in the field - if not policy makers - the conflict in Afghanistan is one they think may prove harder and long

Senate report: bin Laden was 'within our grasp'

By CALVIN WOODWARD Associated Press Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

WASHINGTON - Osama bin Laden was unquestionably within reach of U.S. troops in the mountains of Tora Bora when American military leaders made the crucial and costly decision not to pursue the terrorist leader with massive force, a Senate report says.
The report asserts that the failure to kill or capture bin Laden at his most vulnerable in December 2001 has had lasting consequences beyond the fate of one man. Bin Laden's escape laid the foundation for today's reinvigorated Afghan insurgency and inflamed the internal strife now endangering Pakistan, it says.
Staff members for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Democratic majority prepared the report at the request of the chairman, Sen. John Kerry, as President Barack Obama prepares to boost U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
The Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate has long argued the Bush administration missed a chance to get the al-Qaida leader and top deputies when they were

Western Nevada College news and notes

Staff Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

Spring registration begins; new students can register Dec. 7
Area residents will receive the printed version of the Western Nevada College spring class schedule in their mailboxes this week, just in time for the first week of registration for continuing students. Spring semester begins Monday, Jan. 25. New students can register for classes beginning Monday,
Dec. 7.
Enrolling and signing up for classes is easy by clicking on the "Apply Now" link at www.wnc.edu and filling out some basic information. New students are able to sign up for classes three days after submitting their application.
Western offers a full slate of classes leading to an associate or bachelor's degree, and career-oriented classes in business, computer technology, criminal justice, drafting, health fields and more.

'Sounds of Winter' holiday concert on Dec. 8 promises to delight
In what has become a seasonal tradition, WNC's free holiday chorale performance, "Sound

Nobody asked us, but ...Don't fall victim to a scam this holiday season

By Carolyn Tate & Maizie Harris Jesse For the Nevada Appeal — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

'Tis the time for Christmas scams ... be very aware of your receipts when you buy anything with a credit or debit card. Look for "cash back" listings, even if you didn't ask for an extra $10 or $20. Seems some checkout "artists" include a cash back on some receipts, then assume the customer won't check their receipt (which is true most of the time) and pocket the money. So check your purchases BEFORE you leave the checkout stand, and make corrections on the spot. If they do not correct your total, call the manager immediately and/or the police. Scams also are "charitable." Be sure and check out a charity before you give to it, even though it "sounds" OK. Go to Google to check these out before you cough up your hard earned dough. Caveat emptor.
***
Two fun plays are onstage in the area. Wild Horse Children's Theater will present Disney's "High School Musical 2" at the Children's Museum from Dec. 4 -19. For

Marines collect Toys for Tots donations in Carson City

By Sandi Hoover shoover@nevadaappeal.com — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

Shoppers showed their holiday spirit at the north Carson City Walmart by donating mountains of new toys to the annual Toys for Tots drive Saturday.
The Ron Wood Family Resource Center teamed up with the Marines' Toys for Tots drive for the event. They will be at the north Douglas County Walmart on Topsy Lane today from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. and will be available again the weekend before Christmas to accept toys.
"I wanted to help because there are so many who aren't going to have a good Christmas this year," said Jerry Mott who dropped a Battleship and a Yahtzi game into the collection box.
Mott, who has a 12-year-old daughter, Delaney, said she identified with some of the older children and believes older kids need toys, too.
"Sometimes the older kids get forgotten," she said.
Marine LCPL Pierce Toomey said he enjoys being part of the toy drive because it's "a great cause."
And Marine Sgt. Ruben Garcia said he does it ̶

Senator square: Celebrations planned at Carson High

By ERIN BEEN For the Nevada Appeal — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

Link Crew is hosting Cookies and Cram, a study session to prepare freshmen for their first finals. If anyone would like to donate purchased cookies, please deliver them to the attention of Misty Harris at Carson High by Dec. 4.
Thank you for helping us help our freshmen.
***
The award-winning choir and musical theater programs will present their Winter Concerts on Dec. 7 (musical theater) and Dec. 8 (choral ensembles) at the Carson City Community Center at 7:30 p.m.
Admission for the concerts costs $3 or three cans of food. Food donations will be given to the Northern Nevada Food Bank to benefit families in need this holiday season. Hope to see you there!
***
The Carson High School Talent Show, which is open to the entire community, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the Carson City Community Center.
General admission will be $4, but only $3 for CHS students with a student body card. This is a fundraiser for the video and photo students, so p

Sen. Harry Reid talks to 2 women about federal judgeship

Staff Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has approached at least two women about filling the vacancy left by Brian Sandoval's resignation as a federal judge.
Clark County District Judge Elissa Cadish and Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Gloria Navarro told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that they've been interviewed by Reid for the position.
As the senior Democrat in Nevada's congressional delegation, Reid recommends candidates for federal judgeships while a Democrat is in the White House. Sandoval, a Republican, left the Reno-based judgeship to run for Nevada governor.
Cadish, 45, said Reid interviewed her several weeks ago at his home in Searchlight.
"I'm not sure exactly how my name came to his attention," she said, adding she expects him to make a decision "relatively quickly."
Navarro, 42, declined to comment on her interview with Reid but said: "It's very humbling and an honor to be consider

Seasonal hirings not so plentiful in Northern Nevada

By BRIAN DUGGAN bduggan@nevadaappeal.com — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

With the 2009 holiday shopping season under way, fewer employers are seeking seasonal employees this year amid projections of weak retail sales, regional employment agencies say.
"There are some seasonal jobs out there, just not to the degree that we're used to," said Roberta Ramsey, the center manager for Job Connect in Sparks.
Ramsey said retailers and other businesses that have traditionally looked for help during the holidays have cut back this year.
"I would say employers have been very conservative in their seasonal hiring," she said. "For the most part what we're seeing is rather than laying off staff, they're keeping staff and using them as their seasonals."
Retail sales for this holiday season are anticipated to be marginally better than 2008, with Americans expected to spend on average $638, up from $616 last year, according to a recent Gallup Poll.
Retailers hired 63,500 workers in October, up from the 59,100 hired

Northern Nevada business briefly

Staff Writer — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

Brewery hosts Christmas party
The Brewery Arts Center and the Northern Nevada Development Authority will host an "Old Fashioned Holiday Christmas Party" Dec. 1 at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St.
BAC members are invited and are encouraged to RSVP at 883-4413.
The Nevada Appeal will provide complimentary appetizers. For information, visit www.breweryarts.org.

Chamber breakfast meeting next month
The Carson City Chamber of Commerce will host its breakfast club meeting Dec. 1 at the Greenhouse Garden Center, 2450 S Curry St.
The event starts at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $5 per person.
The chamber also will conduct a networking event for women Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at D'Vine Wine, 200 N Stewart St.

New coffee shop
A ribbon-cutting for Le Nougat, the new coffee and pastry shop in the Carson Nugget, will be Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

NNDA information session on Dec. 16
The Northern Nevada Development Authority will meet Dec. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at its office,

Hot Rod Calc gains traction for Carson's Calculated Industries

BY JOHN SEELMEYER Northern Nevada Business Weekly — 2009-11-29T04:01:00-07:00

Calculated Industries, the Carson City company whose specialty calculators are beloved of builders and real estate experts, is moving into a new fast lane.
The company is negotiating with distributors of high-performance automotive gear to market a newly developed calculator that targets the automotive racing industry.
The Hot Rod Calc provides information such as compression ratios and allows racers to predict in real time how weather or elevation - even changes in tires - will affect vehicle performance at the track.
The product took second-place honors among new products at the largest trade show in the automotive specialty products industry this month.
"The response was fantastic," says President Steve Kennedy. "Our challenge now is to find the right partner."
That's important, Kennedy says, because Calculated Industries needs an experienced partner to open new distribution channels. It's possible, he said, that the automoti

Holiday shoppers open hearts to Toys for Tots

By Sandi Hoover shoover@nevadaappeal.com — 2009-11-28T16:45:00-07:00

Shoppers showed their holiday spirit at the north Carson City Walmart by donating mountains of new toys to the annual Toys for Tots drive Saturday.
The Ron Wood Family Resource Center met up with the Marines' Toys for Tots drive for the event. They will be at the north Douglas County Walmart on Topsy Lane today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be available again the weekend before Christmas to accept toys.
"I wanted to help because there are so many who aren't going to have a good Christmas this year," said Jerry Mott who dropped a Battleship and a Yahtzi game into the collection box.
Mott, who has a 12-year-old daughter, Delaney, said she identified with some of the older children and believes older kids need toys too.
"Sometimes the older kids get forgotten," she said.
Marine LCPL Pierce Toomey said he enjoys being part of the toy drive because it's "a great cause."
And Marine Sgt. Ruben Garcia said he does it "for the

Snow in Sierras makes for slick ride on I-80

By The Associated Press — 2009-11-28T09:41:00-07:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Snowfall is causing slick conditions on Interstate 80 over the Sierra Nevada.
The California Highway Patrol says there have been about two dozen traffic accidents on the highway since snow began falling early Friday.
So far only minor injuries have been reported, but the crashes have backed up traffic.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the Sierra until 10 Friday night and says up to a foot of snow could fall at higher elevations.
California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Kettwig says drivers using I-80 should be prepared with snow chains and slow down.
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Information from: The Sacramento Bee

Brothers bring comic book store to Carson

By BRIAN DUGGAN bduggan@nevadaappeal.com — 2009-11-28T04:01:00-07:00

When brothers Donald and Tim Karter opened their comic book store in Las Vegas 22 years ago, neither had any experience running a business.
Donald had lost his job at a casino and Tim worked at a video rental store, and they needed help paying the rent.
But tucked away in storage was an opportunity: Since childhood, Tim Karter had collected comic books and stored some 4,500 of them into 15 boxes.
"I never wanted to throw them out," said Tim, 54.
The brothers figured they might as well try to sell them. They created Dreamwell Comics, which ultimately became one of the longest-standing comic book stores in Las Vegas until the brothers sold it last year.
Now, they will be selling comic books out of Dreamwell Comics in Carson City by December, distributing everything from the adventures of The Cisco Kid to the X-Men from their store at 4250 Cochise St.
While they have dozens of classics, the brothers are rebuilding their inventory as well as their racks, which t