Coming Friday

- A Douglas High School girl was injured when she was hit by a car while in a crosswalk on her way to school Thursday morning. The girl suffered serious leg injuries in the accident. Page A1

- Many Douglas County elementary schools held science fairs and invention conventions have in the past two weeks. Each school sends representatives to participate in the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair held through today at the University of Nevada, Reno. Page A1

- Are you smarter than a fifth-grader? A Meneley Elementary student's science project demonstrates the reason why water isn't easily absorbed into the soil of the Pine Nut Mountains. Hale Fillmore, 10, is one of the students going to the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair this week. Page A1

- A second Farmers Market is in the works for Carson Valley, this time in Minden. Town Board members gave their enthusiastic support for the market, which will be later in the day. Page A1

- Genoans heard a presentation on a bear-proof containers ordinance on Tuesday. If enacted, Douglas County would be the first in Nevada to extend the rule outside of the Tahoe Basin. Page A1

- Students recited original poems at Pony Espresso to a packed house of parents and peers March 2. This is the fifth year that Meneley Elementary sixth-graders have collaborated with the coffeehouse for the Poetry Cafe project.

Page A2

- A proposed lease policy for Genoa's buildings was sent back to the drawing board on Tuesday after town board members learned it would increase the rent for the congregation of the town's church and an AA group holding its meetings there. Page A2

- A lawyer for vandalism suspect David Scott Killen appealed unsuccessfully Wednesday for a lower bail for his client. Page A3

- A Gardnerville Ranchos man was sentenced Wednesday to a jail term for battery that caused domestic violence in separate cases. In each case, the suspect had battered the victim a second time. Page A3

- Hope Valley is the jewel of Alpine County, according to Markleeville columnist Irving Krauss. Page A9

- Main Street, U.S.A., has come to Carson Valley via the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. A new exhibit downstairs depicts an old-fashioned Main Street with seven "windows." The museum also has new exhibits upstairs that can be viewed Monday through Saturday. The first Saturday of each month, students can tour free. Information, 782-2555. Page B1

- A historic event is scheduled to take place on March 22 in Smith Valley, when a helicopter flying around the world from pole to pole will make a stop there. Smith Valley Elementary School students have been following its progress. Page B1

- Carson Valley Community Theatre's "Blackjack Bottom" opens tonight at Carson Valley Inn. The country-western musical runs for two weekends, and most shows are sold out, with limited tickets available on Saturday and March 23. For tickets call 782-9711. Page B3

- The Douglas High School softball team enters the year with four seniors and a large crop of newcomers. The Tigers' season opened Thursday. Page C1

- The Valley Golf Shop in Johnson Lane has installed an indoor golf simulator that allows golfers to play at actual courses from the comfort of the indoors. Page C1