Coming Friday

- The administrator of the Tahoe-Douglas Utility District will seek to replace Genoan Tim Smith on the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. Republican Janet Murphy will take her second shot at the seat. Page A1

- This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the Minden dispatchers are receiving kudos from appreciative co-workers. Page A1

- Molly Wampler of Genoa " who celebrates her 100th birthday April 25 " was looking for something to do. She volunteered to tutor 9-year-old Jordan DellaVedova. Page A1

- A suspect in the delivery of four pounds of cocaine for sale in Carson Valley reportedly told authorities he was only "a little fish" in the transport of the drug with a street value of $250,000. Page A1

- The tentative budget for the 2006-07 school year was presented to the Douglas County School Board on Tuesday. School enrollment is down and health insurance costs are up. Page A2

- The Virginia Ranch development south of Toler Road in Gardnerville hit a snag at Tuesday's Planning Commission meeting. Page A2

- A 21-year-old Gardnerville resident was accused of stealing a truck so he could get home after he was released from prison in Las Vegas on a battery conviction. Page A3

- Whether wet or dry, Rain Tech Raingutters owner D. Conor DeWitt says gutters help protect houses. Page A8

- Sierra Pacific Power Co. was granted a 3.5 percent rate increase by the Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday. Northern Nevadan's average bill will go up $2.96. Page A8

- Alpine County is the source of five rivers which flow into California and Nevada. Efforts to protect the watershed are under way, thanks to volunteer water monitoring groups. Page A9

- More than 2 million gallons of polluted water at Leviathan Mine will be cleaned thanks to $400,000 approved by the California Water Resources Control Board. Water from the mine enters the Carson River system through Leviathan Creek. Page A9

- The Easter Bunny's schedule is filling up fast. There will be several opportunities for children to meet up with the busy bunny on Easter Sunday. Page B1

- Raechel Prosser of Gardnerville is raising money to help provide temporary shelter for children in need of safe housing. Page B1

- Art Gallery/Minden Fast Frame is celebrating its grand opening with a fundraiser for needy children. Page B1

- The Gardnerville Tumbleweeds gymnastics club wrapped up another successful season recently at the state championships in Las Vegas. Cori Craig won individual titles in the vault and the bars while taking third overall. Page C1

- The Douglas softball team toppled Hug 10-0 in five innings Tuesday. Mitzi Olsen had four strikeouts in pitching the complete-game shutout. Page C1

- The Douglas golf team took third at the Rosewood Lakes meet Tuesday. Reese Kizer tied for third overall, shooting an 85. Page C1