5-MINUTE R-C

n Gardnerville mushers Chris Miller and Shane Prouty were surprised by their wives today with the news they are going to the Iditarod this spring. Page A1

n Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School students participated in the Drug Store Project arranged for them by the Partnership of Community Resources on Tuesday. The program was to educate the seventh-graders on what constitutes drug abuse and the consequences to those who abuse them. Page A1

n Douglas High School equine science students wrapped up the season by dissecting a dead mule they received as a donation. Page A1

n The fire that destroyed a trailer home in Indian Hills on Monday was started by heat from a propane torch being used to thaw frozen pipes. While Charles M. Voight's hair was singed in the fire, it did not actually ignite the insulation as was originally reported. Page A1

n Sisters Cassandra Miller and Stephanie Kirk lost their grandparents, Marvin and Pauline Kirk, in a three-car accident in Minden Dec. 12. The tragedy came five years after the young women lost their mother in an automobile accident. Page A1

n Volunteers are needed for the Douglas High School Speech and Debate Team's tournament Jan. 5 and 6. Judging clinics will be offered and baby-sitting provided. Contact Paul Mileo at (775) 220-9539. Page A2

n One man was killed and two people were injured Thursday afternoon in Douglas County's second fatal vehicle crash in 10 days. Page A2

n The Douglas County sheriff's SWAT team was called out to a house in Topaz Ranch Estates on Thursday after a 51-year-old man reportedly cut his live-in girlfriend with a knife. The man is to be charged with attempted murder. Page A3

n The record of a Gardnerville dentist who admitted going after a construction crew with boxing gloves and a chain is to be sealed if he completes a year's probation without drinking alcohol or committing another crime. Page A3

ALPINE

n Alpine residents and members of the library, county officials and Fifty Plus Club get together for holiday parties. Page A9

n Current snow conditions have made Kirkwood Mountain Resort ripe for downhill and cross-country skiing. Page A9

PEOPLE

n For the past seven years, Christmas dinner has been served at St. Gall Catholic Church for those who need someone to share the holiday. Call Rita Hill at 783-9908 to receive a personal invitation to the event. Transportation will be provided. Page B1

SPORTS

n The Douglas wrestling team beat South Tahoe 57-15 Wednesday night with pins from Ryan Olsen, Cody Spates, Joe Ramos, Devin Barker and Sean Molina. Page C1

n The All-Sierra Nevada Media soccer teams were recently released. Douglas' Mike Gransbery, Morgan LeFever and Eddie Vega were among those honored. Page C1