Here are the local news headlines for the morning of Monday, Aug. 23, 2021.
Nevada Governor Orders University And College Students To Get Vaccinated
By Michele Ravera
Following a unanimous vote from the Nevada State Board of Health, Governor Steve Sisolak signed emergency regulations requiring students enrolled in state universities, colleges and community colleges to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
After November 1, in order to be able to enroll for the Spring 2022 semester, students must provide proof that they are vaccinated. The regulations will be effective for 120 days and would have to go through a more rigorous public process to be made permanent.
The emergency regulations maintain pre-COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students enrolling in Nevada System of Higher Education institutions and they don’t change existing exemptions for religious beliefs or medical conditions. Students who are enrolled in distance education programs who don’t attend a class on campus are also exempt.
Existing regulations require students to submit proof of immunity to tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella.
As a note of disclosure, the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents holds the license to this station.
Washoe County Health District Offers Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine For Immunocompromised Residents
By Lucia Starbuck
Washoe County residents who are immunocompromised can receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the health district’s vaccination site. The third dose must be the same vaccine type that was administered during the first and second vaccine visits, and it must be given at least 28 days after the last shot. This booster is only available for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not authorized for an additional dose.
Eligible Washoe County residents can go to the health district’s vaccine site at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and appointments are not required. Residents are asked to bring their COVID-19 vaccination card.
The third dose is also available at the Community Health Alliance’s centers in Reno and Sparks, along with CVSand Walgreenslocations in Washoe County. Carson City Health and Human Services will be offering a third dose at all of their vaccine events as well.
The CDCsays some immunocompromised people may benefit from an additional dose because they don’t always build the same level of immunity the way non-immunocompromised people do after vaccination.
To see if you are eligible, check the CDC’s website for the list of qualifications.
Firefighters Getting Some Rest In Reno Hotel
By Michele Ravera
As the massive Dixie Fire continues to grow in Northern California, firefighters are working around the clock, and some are staying in Reno between shifts. Firefighters have been staying nearby at the Atlantis in Reno to rest and recover.
One of the agencies – the Santa Barbara County Fire Department – drove their five fire trucks over 500 miles to join the fight. They’ve been helping to battle the Dixie Fire for two weeks now. Battalion chief Adam Estabrook said his strike team has been working 24-hour shifts every other day.
“Basically, now from June until November, until the first good rains of the year, we’re fighting fire now. They’re becoming bigger and bigger fires these days. We’re moving all over the state helping our different counties, and it takes a lot of us to get these fires under control these days,” Estabrook said.
Estabrook said historic drought, dry vegetation and fire behavior are making this blaze particularly tough to fight. And while it’s been slow, he said there are clear signs of progress.
Audio was provided courtesy of Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
National Park Cabins Among Buildings Destroyed By Dixie Fire
By Michele Ravera
Seven of the eight cabins that were on the northwest shore of Juniper Lake were destroyed in the Dixie Fire, according to Lassen Volcanic National Park authorities Sunday.
Most of the destroyed structures are so-called “in holder” cabins, which were privately owned before the park’s establishment in the area.
Carson City School District Considers $12 Million In Bonds To Improve School Facilities
By Lucia Starbuck
During their next meeting Tuesday, the Carson City School District is set to discuss and take possible action on $12 million in bonds to improve facilities in the district. The “2021 School Bond Resolution” would stipulate that it is necessary to take on bond debt on behalf of the district in order to purchase, construct and improve school facilities.
School board trustees will also review a presentation on the difference between school social workers and guidance counselors, and they’ll go over the results of the civics test for the class of 2021.
Company Buys Southern Nevada Desert Highway Town, Airstrip
By The Associated Press
A mining company that serves the agricultural industry has acquired most of a tiny desert highway town with a landing strip near the state lines of California, Nevada and Arizona. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday that Universal Green Technology paid $8 million for Cal-Nev-Ari, a town off U.S. Highway 95 south of Las Vegas. Property records show the sale by town co-founder Nancy Kidwell closed in late July. Kidwell is in her 80s and has tried for years to sell. The deal includes the unpaved airstrip, a motel, an RV park, a mobile home park, a convenience store and the town’s casino and restaurant.
