n Following the settlement of a lawsuit, Douglas County will pay $150,000 a year to Chichester Estates developers for construction of Stodick Park. The balance, about $600,000, will be paid two years before the debt was due. Page A1
n Firefighters were called out to the Bing pit in the Gardnerville Ranchos on Thursday after a report of a fire in the nearby storage units turned out to be two empty buildings on the quarry property. Page A1
n Seniors will be able to get their prescription cards after a sudden rush at the end of the year clogged the system. Page A1
n The granddaughter of Genoa pioneers, services for Ruth E. Byrne will be in Carson City 11 a.m. today. She was the last member of the third-generation to call the town home. Page A1
n A 292-unit condominium complex just north of Gardnerville's Stodick Park has been approved by county commissioners, but not before the planned development process was scrutinized. Page A2
n The search for a new Douglas County superintendent of schools continues next week. Five candidates are in the running to take over John Soderman's position when he retires at the end of June. Page A2
n A Carson City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to brandishing a handgun in a Gardnerville grocery store parking lot and received a six-month suspended sentence in Douglas County Jail. Page A3
n A Sunridge man reported Jan. 6 that $690 in compact disks and other items were missing from vehicles parked on his property. Page A3
BUSINESS
n Carson Valley casinos reported a 2.6-percent increase in November 2005, the most recent month from which figures are available. That's pretty good considering the 12.2-percent increase for the same month in 2004. Page A8
n Masseuse Carrie Glon hopes she can help melt away customers' tension at her new business inside the Hairport in Gardnerville. Page A8
n Syncon Homes was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center with one of 10 National Housing Quality certifications in the nation. Page A8
n The Markleeville Post Office serves as a meeting place for the tiny town, according to Alpine Portfolio columnist Gina Gigli. Page A9
n Choices for Children is available to help pay part of the cost of opening family day cares in California. Page A9
PEOPLE
n A Johnson Lane relic collector has picked up artifacts from false teeth to an 1800s-era syringe in places like old outhouses. His collection will be on display at the Roberts House Museum in Carson City, where John Shuler will speak, 2 p.m., Saturday. Page B1
n The Douglas County Historical Society is accepting nominations for its annual Women's History Remembering Project. The deadline to submit packets containing information about significant Douglas County women in history is Feb. 11. Page B1
n Advance tickets are available for the Soroptimist International of Carson Valley annual event Savor the Flavor. The March 4 event will feature food, wine and microbrew tasting and a silent auction at the Genoa Lakes Golf Resort clubhouse. Page B1
SPORTS
n Former Douglas High standout Shawn Estes finalized a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres this week. He'll make $1 million and is the only left-handed pitcher on the Padres' roster. Page C1
n The Douglas boys' basketball team ran over North Valleys Tuesday night, claiming a 77-56 victory with its staunch defense and some heady play in transition. Page C1
n North Valleys managed to hold off a late comeback by the Douglas girls' basketball team Tuesday night, escaping Minden with a 47-40 victory. Page C1
