Reno School District Reports New Whooping Cough Case
RENO — Officials in a Reno school district say another case of whooping cough has been reported.
The Washoe County School District confirmed Wednesday that a student at Damonte Ranch High School has been diagnosed with it.
District administrators have sent a letter informing parents how to prevent whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
Washoe County Health District spokesman Scott Oxarart says three cases of whooping cough have been confirmed so far but another two have been deemed “probable.”
The recent outbreak forced 19 unvaccinated students to unenroll from Damonte Ranch earlier this month.
Unenrollment allows the students to avoid being labeled as chronically absent during the disease’s 21-day incubation period.
A new diagnosis could potentially draw out those students’ absences.
Symptoms of whooping cough include fever, runny nose and coughing fits.
Las Vegas to California Traffic Backup Tops 20 Miles
LAS VEGAS — Holiday travelers returning to California from the Las Vegas area caused a severe backup lasting for more than 20 miles.
The westbound lanes of Interstate 15 moved at a trickle Sunday as the Thanksgiving holiday weekend wrapped up. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada says the backup reached 21 miles Sunday afternoon.
The Nevada Highway Patrol warns drivers not to use the shoulder to bypass traffic and says troopers are patrolling the area. Violations bring a $200 fine and potential insurance penalties.
Caltrans Closes 3 More Sierra Nevada Passes for the Winter
The California Department of Transportation has closed several more passes through the Sierra Nevada for the winter due to accumulating snow.
The closures implemented Monday affect Sonora Pass on State Route 108, Monitor Pass on SR89 and Ebbetts Pass on SR4.
A winter closure for Tioga Pass on SR120 was put in place on Nov. 27.
The annual closures remain in place until conditions allow reopening of the routes.
Nevada Reports Slight Gain in Registered Voters in November
LAS VEGAS — Nearly 9,000 Nevadans registered to vote in November, slightly increasing statewide voter rolls that have more than 1.5 million people.
Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske reported Monday that the 8,969 people who signed up to vote last month included gains for both Democrats and Republicans.
Democrats added about 4,200 people and still make up about 38% of the electorate.
Republicans added about 2,000 people. The GOP makes up about 33% of voters statewide.
Nearly 2,100 people signed up as unaffiliated voters, which make up 22% of all voters in the state.
No Injuries in Fryer Fire that Caused Evacuation of Walmart
LAS VEGAS — Authorities say a Walmart store in Las Vegas was evacuated because of a fire Friday but that there were no injuries.
Las Vegas Fire and Rescue says a sprinkler system in the store extinguished the fire in a fryer at a McDonald’s restaurant inside the store.
Long Chase from Rural Nevada ends in Vegas Area; 2 Arrested
LAS VEGAS — Sheriff’s officials in Nevada say two people were arrested after a high-speed chase in a stolen car from rural Pahrump to suburban Henderson, near Las Vegas.
Nye County Sheriff’s Capt. David Boruchowitz (buh-ROOK’-uh-witz) said Tuesday a reality TV film crew accompanied deputies during the 30-minute chase that began about 7 p.m. Monday and went for 70 miles (112 kilometers).
Video released by the department shows a deputy punching the driver who Boruchowitz says was unarmed but didn’t comply with directions exiting the four-door car after the chase.
Boruchowitz says speeds reached of 120 mph (193 kph), but no one was injured.
The driver, identified as 42-year-old Eliberto Flores, and a 50-year-old passenger, Michelle Elvenia, were arrested on multiple charges including drug possession. Boruchowitz says methamphetamine was found in the car.
Alabama Corrections Executive Picked as Nevada Prisons Chief
CARSON CITY — A former Alabama prisons administrator with executive experience at several federal prisons has been picked to head the Nevada Department of Corrections.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Monday that Charles Daniels is taking the job James Dzurenda (zur-EHN’-dah) held for three years before resigning in July.
Sisolak says he expects Daniels to bring what the governor calls “needed structure, accountability and reform.”
Daniels retired in 2016 as federal prison warden in Terre Haute, Indiana, after 28 years working his way up from guard in California with stints as administrator at prisons in Beaumont, Texas, Illinois, Oregon and Colorado.
Daniels was most recently deputy operations commissioner for the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Nevada has nine correctional centers, 11 conservation camps and two transitional housing facilities.
Former prison warden and deputy Nevada corrections chief Harold Wickham served as interim director since July.
john sebastian says
December 7, 2019 at 9:17 amWhy in the world would we admit children into our “Public” schools who have not been vaccinated? Selected “Leaders” in our community would impose upon the community the risky notion that we should excuse those children who’s parents oppose vaccinations for various reasons. What are these reasons? Fear of the unknown? Religious objections? Irrational belief in “rumor science”? “We either stand for something or we fall for anything”. The hard truth is that students who’s parents won’t agree to vaccinate should be denied access. Clearly, this will be a new problem to consider and solve but it would protect the majority from the very real danger posed by a very small minority.