The Sept. 13, 2022, R-C Morning Report

Genoa, Nev. — Three-quarters of an inch of rain fell over an hour above Holbrook Highlands, sending a foot of mud and debris and closing Highlands Way around 5 p.m. Monday. County road workers were on scene last night. I’m checking to see when the road was reopened.

While the rainstorm wasn’t all that widespread, with a gauge in the old Numbers burn a few miles north of the mudslide recording just a trace, it did help clear the air across the Valley. Air quality dropped from hazardous just before lunchtime to almost good in just an hour.

The deux ex machina that rescued us from the smoke last night is unlikely to recur again today. The Mosquito Fire is burning up a five-mile front east toward Tahoe. It’s a good 25 miles away, yet, but the smoke and ash is continuing to fill up the Valley.

Douglas High School reports there are 52 more students attending than there were in September 2021. While both middle schools are down students, Gardnerville, Minden and Zephyr Cove elementary schools all reported increases. There are 76 fewer students than last September, but 146 more students than in August for a total of 5,331.

School board trustees will discuss awarding a $270,556 contract to Minden’s own Public Restroom Co. to install premanufactured bathrooms at Douglas High School. Trustees meet 4 p.m. today at the Airport Training Center, Building G-1.

On Monday morning, new Douglas County Volunteer Coordinator Jen Calabrese introduced herself to the Douglas County Senior and Transportation Advisory Board. Calabrese will help county volunteers through the required paperwork. She’s worked at the Community Center for five years.

Also introducing himself on Monday was new Young at Heart President Paul Osserman. Osserman takes over for former president Rick Towner. A celebration of life for Towner is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Senior Center.

There was barely enough rain in my gauge in Genoa to dampen the sludge at the bottom, but it did rain. Expect the smoke to return with the afternoon winds out of the west at 10-15 mph, gusting to 25 mph. Today’s high is forecast to hit 79 degrees.

Kurt Hildebrand is editor of The Record-Courier. Reach him at khildebrand@recordcourier.com or 775-782-5122.