• District Judge Dave Gamble opened his courtroom Saturday for a joyous occasion. Two children were adopted to coincide with National Adoption Day. Page A1
• Rumors are swirling that Wal-Mart has plans to build a store on Washoe tribal land near the intersection of Pinenut Road and Highway 395, south of Gardnerville, but there are few facts showing through the fog. Page A1
• During this week of thanks, Carson Valley's Ted Nagel wanted to make sure to thank the community its outpouring of support in buying him a new electric wheelchair. Nagel was born a quadriplegic and has been in a wheelchair most of his life. He'd been in his old chair for nearly 13 years and the wear and tear from daily use had caused it to collapse on him twice in the last year. Page A1
• The Block D letterman's club at Douglas High School raised more than $5,000 for its annual turkey drive. Students went shopping at the Sierra Nevada Trading Company in Minden Friday for goods that would be donated to the Carson Valley Food Closet. Page A2
• Commissioners approved a zoning change, converting over 1,200 acres from forest and range to agricultural, both with 19-acre parcels. The change could be a real financial boon for landowners Don Bently and James Usher. Page A2
• A California real estate salesman was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking in the largest cocaine seizure in Carson Valley history. Juan Carlos Medina, 34, of West Covina, must serve a minimum of five years before he is eligible for parole. Page A3
• A former casino 21 dealer who served on the committee that tallies dealers' tokes pleaded guilty Monday to taking $10,000 from her co-workers.
Michele D. Michaels said she could pay back the money she admitted taking over a six-month period from February through her arrest in August. Page A3
• A South Lake Tahoe man who admitted selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant three times was sentenced Monday to probation and ordered to complete one year in Douglas County Jail. Robert W. Gienapp, 20, also must forfeit his mother's truck that he used in the transactions. Page A3
BUSINESS
• Judie Brierly of Hypnotherapy Potential describes herself as a coach who works with people to help them find their strengths through hypnosis. Brierly, who has a doctorate of counseling in psychology, said hypnosis could be the answer to mid-life crises, depression and anxiety. Page A9
PEOPLE
• The Carson Valley Kiwanis Club's Turkey Bingo went off without a "gobble" or a "squabble" Saturday, with two games earning $2,600 for Douglas High School scholarships. The high school Key Club didn't do too shabby either, bringing in $320 in donations for Building Tomorrow. Page B1
• The Carson Valley Community Theatre group is presenting a western musical written by local playwright Paula Nelson, "Blackjack Bottom" in March. Auditions will be held twice in December. Page B1
SPORTS
• Mike Gransbery and Morgan LeFever wrapped up their high school soccer careers for good last week as coaches from the Sierra League honored the duo for their achievements on the year. Gransbery was named the Sierra League Boys' Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 29 goals on the year to boost his career total to a school-record 60. LeFever was named the Sierra League Girls' Soccer Midfielder of the Year after breaking the state 4A records for goals in a season (26) and goals in a career (56). Page C1
