The R-C Morning Report

There's a chance we'll have a wild commute this evening as another winter storm rolls in today. National Weather Service forecasters are predicting rain and snow will come in late this afternoon. Snow levels are expected to drop to the Valley floors tonight with 1-2 inches predicted to fall. Those areas hit hardest by snowfall in the weekend storm will see the snow levels drop first. The chance of rain today will increase starting at 10 a.m.

Two requests for DUI diversion will occupy Judge Dave Gamble this morning in Douglas County District Court. California resident Steven Domingo, 27, who had four DUIs in five years, is asking if he can participate in Nevada's diversion program from out of state. In the Nevada diversion program, the defendant, who pays all expenses, spends 3-5 years under close court supervision which includes six months' house arrest, counseling and regular testing and appearances before a judge who monitors progress. Also seeking diversion is Dan Beliveau, 51, who had his third DUI in seven years on Dec. 17. If the judge determines they are not good candidates for diversion the men face a mandatory prison sentence.

I just took a peek at the voter statistics on the Secretary of State's Web site, which shows Douglas County has the largest Republican majority in the state. Since neither Clark nor Washoe have Republican majorities they're out of the running. Douglas is showing 6,493 more Republicans than Democrats. Elko's second with a 5,405-Republican majority, followed by Lyon County with a 4,185-Republican majority.

Douglas County's executive officers are holding an open house in the old Minden courthouse 4-6 p.m. today. Clerk-Treasurer Ted Thran, Recorder Karen Ellison and Assessor Doug Sonnemann will be opening their doors to residents, not that those doors are all that closed the rest of the year.