Coming Friday

- Jim Hamann celebrated his birthday and retirement from the Carson Valley Swim Center on the same day Wednesday. The 62-year-old waved good-bye to his friends in front of the swim center on his Honda Valkyrie in his red bathing suit, a tank top and cowboy boots. Page A1

- Convicted bank robber Steven Simmons wants to fire his court-appointed lawyer, Tod Young. In a letter to District Judge Michael Gibbons, the 27-year-old Mammoth Lakes man accused Young of a "dirty trick" by implicating a friend of Simmons in the Nov. 22, 2005, armed robbery of the Minden branch of Bank of America. Page A1

- Douglas County residents showed up in force to let Nevada Department of Transportation officials know what they thought were important traffic issues as part of the Highway 395 corridor study Wednesday at the CVIC hall in Minden. Page A1

- Douglas and Whittell high schools will compete in the Nevada Regional Science Bowl Feb. 9 and 10 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Page A2

- The mother of two young children under treatment for severe malnutrition is set to appear in District Court on Tuesday to arrange for a competency evaluation.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl refused Wednesday to release Sandy June Linn, 39, on her own recognizance or lower her $10,000 bail. Page A3

- East Fork Judge Jim EnEarl refused Wednesday to reduce $10,000 cash bail for a 42-year-old woman arrested in Reno earlier this week for several probation violations. He told Johanna Thomas, who tested positive for opiates when she was arrested Monday, the best place for her to undergo withdrawal was Douglas County Jail. Page A3

- A woman who left her two toddlers in a locked car with the air-conditioning and motor running while she gambled at Carson Valley Inn was sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail, suspended. Melissa Marie Deines, 26, of Gardnerville, pleaded guilty to leaving a minor child unattended. Page A3

- The publishers of the annual guide "Fishing the California Alps" are at home in Markleeville. Paul and Gloria Washam are preparing to publish their 14th edition. Page A7

- The fashion show was a popular event at the Senior Health Fair this year as it has been in the past. Women and children modeled fashions provided by Sidestreet Boutique, and next year organizers hope to add men's clothing. Page B1

- The Northern 4A Regional wrestling tournament gets underway today at Hug High School at 4 p.m. Douglas is among four teams considered to have a strong shot to win the team title and the Tigers have a number of No. 1 seeds heading into the tournament. Page C1

- The Douglas girls' basketball team picked up a big win against North Valleys Tuesday, placing themselves in line for a shot at third place in the Sierra League with four games remaining. Page C1

- The Douglas boys' basketball team outlasted North Valleys Tuesday night, pushing ahead to a 91-73 victory to improve to a perfect 8-0 at home this year. Page C1