The Farad Hydroelectric Power Plant, located about 18 miles upstream from Reno, was constructed in 1899 by Truckee River General Electric Co, the predecessor of Sierra Pacific Power, (known now as NV Energy.) The facility was originally built to fulfill an electrical power contract with the Comstock Pumping Association of Virginia City. As a side note — Virginia…

“So how are you doing today?” asked my friend Karen through Facebook. My answer: “Shaking my head at the new coffee maker Kay purchased. I feel like I have to be a scientist to get even a single cup out of it. I fear I’ll never get another cup of plain old Joe in this house again…

It was New Year’s Eve 1904, when 84-year-old miner, George Dunn was found dead in his isolated cabin near Patrick Creek, along the Smith River. Doctors who examined his body said the crime was committed earlier in the week. Dunn, a well known miner was reputed to be quite wealthy. Described as a genial Irishman and who…

During his recent ‘State of the City,’ speech, Sparks Mayor Geno Martini claimed the economic picture for the city has stabilized and some revenues will increase over the next couple of years. However, Martini also said he expects to make cuts upwards of $1.9 million, but doesn’t expect any layoffs. I responded to an online posting about his…

It was December 1994 when the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances. was signed in Hungary. The memorandum’s purpose is to provide security to Ukraine for agreeing to the ‘Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.’ The ‘Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons’ design is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, to…

Jus’ in time for International Women’s Day, the chief operation officer for Facebook and author of the book “Lean In,” Sheryl Sandberg is heading up a campaign to ban the word “bossy,” saying the word stops girls from “pursuing leadership roles.” I think it’s more about money and yet another attack on free speech. “This…

Near the end of February 2014, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a bill allowing businesses to refuse service to homosexuals. The bill was designed to give added protection from lawsuits to people who assert the right to refuse service to others. Unfortunately, discrimination – the forbearer of hatred — has raised it ugly head time…

The California couple who found a stash of buried gold coins in February 2013 valued at $10 million may have found money stolen from the US Mint in 1900. According to U.S. treasure laws, the anonymous couple could have it taken away from them. The coins, dated from 1847 to 1894, are mostly Double Eagles,…

Truckee resident Charles C. Garrison received patent number ‘US798778 A’ for his nut-lock design, September 5th, 1905, permitting a nut to be screwed on a bolt but not unscrewed except by using the tool itself. His patent consists of a pawl, or dog, and a spring that protrudes through the hole in the nut which…

‘Old Ned’ Hunter, who is standing in front of Cate’s Brothers Auto Garage, in the town of Klamath,  in March of 1927. He’s the father of Martin’s Ferry operator, Jim Hunter and Tolowa native, Amelia Brown. He was raised as an Indian, although his father, “Nigger John” was Black.  Old Ned is also a survivor of the Brother Jonathan…