Associated Press
Missing Thumb Drive Contains Renown Health Patient Info
RENO — The largest health care provider in northern Nevada says some of its patients’ private information was stored on a thumb drive that’s been missing since June 30.
Renown Health said in a letter sent to patients on Friday the incident only affects an unspecified number of people who received inpatient services at its South Meadows Medical Center between Jan. 1, 2012 and June 14, 2019.
It says no social security numbers or financial information were on the thumb drive. But it did contain patient names, clinical information and medical record numbers.
Renown officials say there’s no indication any information has been misused. They launched an investigation the day an employee reported it missing but still haven’t found it. R
enown is recommending patients review the statements they receive from health care providers.
85% Containment on Last of Big Wildfires in Northern Nevada
ELKO — Crews battling the last of three big northern Nevada big wildfires that started more than a week ago are nearing full containment of the blaze and have reopened the Harrison Pass Road leading to a wildlife refuge in the Ruby Mountains.
Fire officials said Monday the Corta Fire is now 85% contained. It’s burned about 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Elko.
No structures have been damaged. Two firefighters were injured battling the blaze. One was hospitalized, but since has been released.
The two other fires are now fully contained.
The Shafter Fire burned about 10 square miles (25 sq. km) of rangeland 25 miles (40 km) west of Wendover.
The Goose fire burned about 11 square miles (28 sq. km) along the Idaho line 25 miles (40 km) east of Jackpot.
Officials Declare Key Freeway Project Complete After 3 Years
LAS VEGAS — Nevada transportation officials are marking what they call “substantial completion” of three years of work on a $1 billion upgrade of the state’s busiest freeway near downtown and the Las Vegas Strip.
Gov. Steve Sisolak declared at a Thursday ceremony the work dubbed “Project Neon” will improve safety and reduce congestion and commuter delays.
Workers widened a crucial 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of Interstate 15 between Sahara Avenue and the busy “Spaghetti Bowl” interchange with U.S. 95, and installed new overpasses and 42 electronic signs to notify motorists of traffic snarls and road hazards.
Officials call the highway the busiest in Nevada, carrying 300,000 vehicles a day. They say traffic is expected to double by 2040.
State transportation chief Kristina Swallow says an expedited “designbuild” process saved money and time.
Washoe County Mosquitoes Positive for West Nile Virus
RENO — Mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus on the southeast side of Reno.
It’s the second positive test in Washoe County this summer for the virus that is spread through bites from mosquitoes that fed on infected birds.
Washoe County Health District officials say no human cases have been reported in the county. At least two human cases have been confirmed in Clark County.
Washoe County officials planned early morning fogging Saturday in the area where the latest samples were taken from Damonte Ranch, Steamboat Parkway and the Rio Wrangler vicinity.
Health officials say symptoms in humans can be non-existent or mild, but the virus can lead to death. They say area residents should get rid of standing water around their homes and wear proper clothing and repellant outdoors in the early mornings and evenings.
Power Outage Follows Big Pallet Fire in Stead
STEAD — More than 200 homes were without power north of Reno after an explosive fire ripped through a storage yard full of wooden pallets at a shipping supply company in Stead.
NV Energy estimated 240 customers were without power Friday afternoon after fire officials requested it be shut off so they could fully access the scene.
The fire that broke out at about 7 p.m. Thursday at Quality Supply sparked propane tank explosions, which spread the flames.
Crews had the fire under control late Thursday but worked through the night to extinguish it.
Fire officials say one structure was a total loss, another structure received interior damage and another outside damage.
NV Energy estimated all power would be restored by Friday night.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
8 Nevada Cases of Rabies in Bats; 4 in Washoe County
RENO — The Nevada Department of Agriculture says eight bats recently tested positive for rabies, including four in Washoe County.
One bat also tested positive for rabies in each of Clark, Elko, Lyon and White Pine counties.
The department’s Animal Disease Laboratory says it typically confirms 10 to 20 cases of bat rabies a year. Eight of 81 tests this year have been positive.
Lab supervisor Laura Morrow says any bats, dead or alive, that may have had contact with people or domestic animals should be submitted to the lab for testing and reported to local health officials.
Morro says no one should touch a bat without thick gloves.
Rabies vaccinations are required in Nevada for dogs, cats and ferrets.
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