Category: random

The next time you see me, you must shake my hand and congratulate this self-healing man by buying me a drink, for according to the Ioannis A. Lougaris Veteran’s Medical Center, I’m completely cured of all that ails.

Seeing my new mental health clinic doctor this morning, she informed me that I no longer have severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder and am not a manic depressive. Further, she asked if I wanted to be weened off the Paxil I have been taking for neigh-on two decades.

Should I pass before you offer me a drink and a clap on the shoulder, remove me to the undertaker, but call the taxidermist to have me proper-stuffed and correctly mounted. Then stick me in a window somewhere along C Street in Virginia City so visiting folks can see an absolute natural wonder, then snap photographs with me and tell the world how an agency with the federal government performed a God-bless-ed miracle in this 21st century.

And don’t forget to put my name in marque lights and make a full-blown tourist attraction and carnival show out of my life. And at night, store me gently in the aged casket that rests within the confines of the Wild West show next to the equally aged Storey County Fire Museum building.

Perhaps there is still time to find a traveling show that needs a supernatural phenomenon that can hang in a cage for several hours a day, earning ten cents a peek, or whatever the going rate is these days for a look-see at a living curiosity. Shoot, I’ll even bring my old clothes, no luggage porters needed.

I’m expecting a marching band, ballad singers, trick rope cowboys, and painted ladies, so get it in gear before my new mental health status gets revoked or they realize the crazies are running the asylum as they also have a man who thinks he’s ‘Miss,’ wanting to be called ‘her’ checking us nutjobs in.

Seven companies have received approval for over $30 million in tax abatements from the state of Nevada.

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) anticipates the companies will collectively generate nearly 500 jobs within the next two years, boasting an average weighted hourly wage of $42.36. The figure could rise to 738 positions created over five years. The GOED said the companies will make capital investments totaling $273 million, contributing around $115 million in new tax revenues throughout the 10-year abatement period.

Governor Joe Lombardo expressed confidence in the tax breaks.

“Nevada’s incentives continue to attract capital investment and create jobs,” Lombardo said.

Among the companies set to receive tax abatements, Novva Reno LLC plans to construct a 300,000-square-foot data center facility in Storey County. The venture will yield 13 jobs within the first five years, with an average hourly wage of $32.55.

Symbia Fulfillment Services of Nevada is poised to construct a substantial 320,000-square-foot building in Storey County, with expectations of creating ten jobs in the initial five years, offering an average wage of $29.37 per hour.

The remaining companies will undertake construction projects in Washoe, Churchill, and Clark Counties.

The Fred family home in Carson City has become a symbol of legal contention.

The home, purchased by Elvin Fred in 2012, provided shelter to family members grappling with homelessness for several years. However, today, it stands empty and uninhabitable.

Between 2019 and 2022, Nevada exercised its authority under asset forfeiture laws, enabling law enforcement to seize private property it believed linked to criminal activities.

Elvin Fred, now 41, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 2015 on a drug trafficking charge. Law enforcement officials reportedly discovered methamphetamine, firearms, and cash within the premises, as detailed in the forfeiture application.

Following a court victory in March 2022, the family regained the home. However, it bore no resemblance to the abode that had once provided sanctuary for at least six individuals.

Mold blanketed the walls, a ceiling fan had succumbed to moisture-induced warping, and signs of animal presence were evident on the floors. Furniture and a television lay abandoned in the backyard.

Despite reclaiming ownership, the Fred family faces a persistent challenge from the state, which continues to seek control of the property, while waiting for a decision from the Nevada supreme Court, whose chambers in Carson City are a mere three miles from the disputed residence.

The forfeiture process, distinct from the initial criminal sentencing, is a civil proceeding. The Fred family’s legal team contends that this violates Nevada’s double jeopardy law, which prohibits multiple criminal penalties for the same offense.

Conversely, the government asserts that the court should apply a two-part test from a precedent set by the U.S. supreme Court stating that civil forfeitures do not constitute a punishment under the U.S. Constitution, justifying their use in the state system.

A favorable outcome for the Freds could represent a pivotal development in forfeiture law as a form of criminal punishment rather than a civil process. It could grant Nevadans the right to legal representation throughout such proceedings.

Many forfeitures go uncontested due to the financial burden of hiring legal counsel, especially when the seized amount is less than the cost of legal representation.

Sitting in my usual spot at the Tahoe House in Virginia City, I was talking with a lovely couple from Oregon.

Laughing and joking as we enjoyed our beverages, she scolded her husband about how, after more than 15 years of marriage, he still looks at her boobs when she’s talking to him. She turned to me for confirmation.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I wasn’t listening? Can you repeat the question?”

The three of us laughed.

Then she said, “You know what I mean, men will stare at a woman’s breasts instead of listening to them, right?”

I leaned forward and placed my right ear against her left breast.

“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.

“I’m listening,” I answered.

The husband blew beer out his nose, choked as he laughed, and nearly fell off his stool. She playfully slugged me on the shoulder.

In the lead-up to the 2021 legislative session, Blockchains Inc. planned to present a proposition to Nevada lawmakers, a bid to establish a self-contained municipality, or Innovation Zone, within Storey County.

Holding an extensive landholdings portfolio, including approximately 67,000 acres in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC,) the company’s vision for a city in the high desert faced a significant hurdle in securing access to water.

To address this, Blockchains made a discreet acquisition of water rights, valued at approximately $35 million, hundreds of miles from its designated land.

However, implementing a pipeline to transport the water across a region encompassing the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal reservation and the Black Rock Desert presented formidable permitting challenges, including opposition from environmental groups and rural communities.

Amid these complexities, a title dispute emerged in 2021, ultimately leading the company to file a lawsuit against Nevada for non-recognition of its water rights ownership. By September 2021, Blockchains formally withdrew its “smart city” proposal—a project initially endorsed by then-Governor Steve Sisolak in his State of the State address.

Undeterred by the setback to its city plans, Blockchains focused on persuading state water regulators to acknowledge its ownership of the water purchased from Sonterra Development Company in 2020. However, in December 2021, the Division of Water Resources rejected Blockchains’ attempt to officially transfer the water into its name due to objections from another stakeholder, Granite Investment Group LLC.

Granite Investment Group LLC placed an encumbrance on the water rights, highlighting a conflict in the chain of title, leading to the Division of Water Resources’ intervention and eventual rejection of Blockchains’ ownership transfer. Former Deputy State Engineer Micheline Fairbank said he would take no further action until a “final resolution of the conflict has occurred,” meaning that, despite the substantial investment in water rights, Blockchains could not utilize the resource.

Subsequently, Blockchains took legal action against Nevada to address the impasse. Last month, Washoe County District Court Judge Kathleen Drakulich affirmed the rejection, underscoring the need for Blockchains to secure approval of the conveyance documents for official ownership status.

Drakulich’s ruling affirmed Nevada’s role in flagging conflicts in the chain of title, thereby upholding the rejection of Blockchains’ request for ownership recognition, concluding that the state engineer’s actions were within appropriate bounds.

A blaze broke out at the Kit Kat Ranch brothel in Mound House, just off Highway 50 East, with no injuries after employees reported hearing popping noises preceding the fire.

On Thursday, September 14, around 6 p.m., witnesses observed thick smoke billowing from the Kit Kat Ranch, prompting a response from the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District, the East Fork Fire Protection District, and the Carson City Fire Department. Upon arrival, crews found the building engulfed, with flames rapidly advancing into several false ceilings, allowing the fire to extend into the attic and infiltrate the HVAC system.

Nine individuals were on-site when the fire ignited and safely escaped the premises. No patrons were present during the incident.

One sex worker, trying to calm her co-worker’s nerves, quipped, “Adds new meaning to ‘firehose, don’t it?’”

Firefighters initially entered through the front entrance with hoses, preventing the fire from reaching the roof. However, the flames eventually breached the attic.

By around 8:45 p.m., crews had quenched the fire, though some interior flames and substantial smoke persisted. They also undertook efforts to open up the building for thorough assessment.

The structure sustained extensive damage during the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities returned to the brothel the following day to determine its origin.

Washoe County resident Robert Beadles has secured a change of venue for his election lawsuit against Washoe County, a decision handed down by Judge Kathleen Drakulich.

The case will now be heard in Carson City First Judicial District Court, diverging from his request for Lyon County. The judge determined that a venue change was necessary due to extensive media coverage and the likelihood that jurors would be familiar with the involved parties, all of whom hold public positions, including Washoe County Registrar of Voters Jamie Rodriguez, Manager Eric Brown, and Commission Chair Alexis Hill.

Beadles alleges insufficient responses from the defendants regarding his concerns about Washoe County election practices, violated his rights, and Nevada law. The suit includes the removal of Rodriguez, Brown, and Hill from their positions, returning to paper ballots for all elections, and punitive damages, among other relief claims.

Beadles submitted approximately 150 exhibits for court review to support his assertions. The exhibits, he argues, provide evidence of “gross inaccuracies and improper maintenance of voter rolls,” as well as voting machines that allegedly tampered with intended votes, improper signature verification, and other irregularities, all of which he claims compromised the fairness of county elections.

Earlier this year, the Washoe County District Attorney’s office dismissed the case, calling it a “conspiracy theorist’s wishlist,” claiming the objectives involve removing dissenting voices, exerting control over election procedures, and challenging election laws inconsistent with the Nevada legal system. The D.A. also sought sanctions against Beadles, condemning his use of the judicial system for what it deemed as unfounded claims and harassment tactics.

Beadles pursued a change of venue because obtaining an impartial trial in Washoe County was improbable, arguing that the D.A. and the media created an environment that suggested a potential “trial by ambush.” He further contended that judges and court clerks had professional and personal affiliations with the defendants, raising concerns about impartiality.

Drakulich applied a five-factor test and concluded that two factors, pretrial publicity, and familiarity, were applicable. Ultimately, Drakulich selected the Carson City court for convenience to all parties, including potential witnesses.

The courts in Carson City have twice decided against or denied Petioner’s claims of malfeasance in November and December 2020, saying there was no evidence of voter fraud both times, meaning Drakulich has assigned it to failure even before the judge’s hammer drops.

Five members of the Nevada Assembly have declared that they will not be seeking reelection in 2024, signaling a shakeup in the state’s political landscape.

Clara Thomas and Angie Taylor have announced their bids for state Senate positions. Thomas, who represents Assembly District 1 (AD-1), and Taylor, who represents AD-27, seek to transition to the upper chamber of the Nevada Legislature.

Thomas officially declared her candidacy for Senate District 1 during the 67th Constitutional Convention of the AFL-CIO. This announcement followed Senator Pat Spearman’s terming out, opening up a critical seat in the state Senate.

The Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus (NADC) also confirmed that Lesley Cohen, who has represented AD-29, will not be pursuing reelection in 2024. Meanwhile, Sabra Newby, appointed to District 10, succeeding Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen after Nguyen’s appointment to the state Senate representing District 3, is set to take on the role of Deputy City Manager for the City of Las Vegas, necessitating her resignation from the Assembly.

Perhaps the most closely watched departure is Michelle Gorelow from Assembly District 35, who narrowly secured her seat by a margin of just 400 votes out of over 25,000 cast, has decided not to seek reelection. Her decision comes on the heels of accepting a position as the director of the nonprofit organization Arc of Nevada.

Gorelow’s move to lead Arc of Nevada has raised some eyebrows, especially in light of her recent vote for AB525, which directed $100 million towards various nonprofits, including Arc, which received $250,000. Adding to the conflict is Tracy Brown-May (AD-42), who serves on the board of Arc and voted to approve the appropriation without disclosing her association with the organization.

Also exposed is Democratic Assemblyman C.H. Miller (AD-7), who failed to disclose his hiring as the President and CEO of the Urban Chamber of Commerce before voting to appropriate $100,000 on behalf of the organization. Assemblywoman Venicia Considine (AD-18) is yet another legislator who voted in favor of bills directing over $4,250,000 to the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, where she works as Director of Development and Community Relations.

Then there is Assembly Speaker Steven Yeager, who voted for a $2,000,000 allocation to HopeLink of Southern Nevada. The organization’s board chair is Scot Rutledge, who assumed the leadership role for the nonprofit in 2021 and is a paid lobbyist for them.

Rutledge is also a partner and lobbyist for Argentum partners. In 2021, Rutledge lobbied and worked closely with Yeager on cannabis legislation signed by former Nevada Governor Sisolak, where, according to social media, the pair maintain a friendship outside of the halls of Carson City.

Mistakes are an inevitable part of the human experience. They have the potential to shape our lives, but only if we grant them that authority. In reality, mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning.

They do not define us unless we allow them to. This essay explores the profound notion that, when approached with the correct perspective, mistakes can be invaluable stepping stones towards personal development and self-improvement.

Mistakes serve as poignant reminders of our imperfections. They humble us, reminding us that we are all fallible beings on a continuous journey of self-discovery. By admitting our mistakes, we embrace the reality that growth and improvement are ongoing processes.

It is our interpretation of mistakes that ultimately determines their impact. Viewing them as failures or setbacks can lead to self-doubt and stagnation. However, recognizing them as valuable learning experiences empowers us to extract wisdom and strength from every misstep.

When we internalize the idea that mistakes hold transformative potential, we shift the narrative from one of defeat to one of empowerment. It becomes a conscious choice to extract meaning and growth from every error, refusing to let them define us.

Acknowledging mistakes without allowing them to define us grants us the freedom to evolve. We are not prisoners of our past actions but rather architects of our future selves. Each mistake is a pivot point, an opportunity to chart a new course and redefine our narrative.

Embracing mistakes requires resilience. It demands that we confront our errors with courage and resolve, extracting the lessons they offer. This resilience becomes a cornerstone of personal growth, allowing us to face challenges head-on, knowing we can rise above them.

Growth is not a destination but a lifelong journey. Embracing mistakes means recognizing that there will always be room for improvement. It is a commitment to self-discovery, self-improvement, and a willingness to face new challenges with an open heart and a resilient spirit.

Imagine waking up in a world vastly different from the one you knew. For someone transported through time from 1960, the technological advancements and societal changes of 2023 would be nothing short of astonishing.

Let’s take a journey through time and explore what would be the most surprising aspects of this brave new world:

Imagine a pocket-sized device capable of instant global communication or having a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips through the internet. The prevalence of personal computers and laptops, along with the power and capabilities of modern computing, would seem like a technological marvel compared to the limited resources of the 1960s.

Entertainment, streaming services, online gaming, and digital options would be a world away from the limited TV channels, radio stations, and physical media options of the 1960s. Transportation would also be a marvel, with electric cars, self-driving technology, and the concept of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft revolutionizing how we get around.

The incredible progress in medical technology, treatments, surgical techniques, and the development of vaccines for various diseases would be awe-inspiring compared to the medical landscape of the 1960s. Then there is the emphasis on environmental sustainability, renewable energy sources, and efforts to combat climate change, which would likely be a surprising and welcome development for our time traveler.

The leaps and bounds in space exploration, from landing a man on the moon in 1969, missions to Mars and beyond, and the rise of private space companies, would be a monumental change from the early days of space exploration in the 1960s. Our interconnectivity of the world through trade, communication, and travel would contrast with the more divided world of the 1960s.

Top this off with advancements in civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and changing cultural norms and values would be significant, reflecting the evolving social landscape over the decades. But it would be a war they’d understand the best, as it is still and always will be the death and destruction of humanity.

Stepping out of a time machine and into 2023 would be a mind-bending experience for someone from 1960. The astonishing technological, societal, and cultural changes over the past six decades would leave them in awe of the world we now call home.