Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 2

CONTACT BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Kelly Scott 77S 127 .6785 OB KSCOTTOROJ COM 2A' RENO THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009 LOCAL REGION Weather to be cold, but not wet Little precipitation in forecast to recharge Lake Tahoe, Truckee River BRIEFLY 4-3 ruling overturns man's death sentence A divided Nevada Supreme Court overturned the death sentence and ordered a new penalty hearing Wednesday for one of three men convicted OBITUARIES 'Azcarate, Frank Kevin Hill, Flora Kibler Kitchen, Ronald James 'Marden, Phyllis V. McCoy, Mabel L. 'Denotes In Loving Memory Complete obituaries on page 4B i I rjc i if, 1 Reno-area forecast TODAY: Breezy; high 64, low 42. FRIDAY: Mostly sunny; high 62, low 38. SATURDAY: Mostly sunny; high 60, low 30.

Source: National Weather Service U.S. CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER'S 8-TO 14-DAY FORECAST: Temperatures normal, precipitation below normal. trend, but "the main thing should be winds and cooler temperatures," said Scott Mc-Guire, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno. Showers are possible but should be mostly centered north of Interstate 80, Mc-Guire said. Little precipitation, if any, is expected in the Reno-Tahoe area.

Some computer models suggest the possibility of another storm the middle of next week, but "it's hard to put any confidence in it right now," McGuire said. While winter still is more BY JEFF DELONG jdelongrgj.com Clouds and wind today should bring an end to a spate of unseasonably warm fall weather, but no significant rain or snow is expected, forecasters said Wednesday. With Lake Tahoe lapping below its natural rim and the Truckee River running low, no significant precipitation is expected anytime soon. After three dry winters in a row, water suppliers are hoping things change soon. "Of course, we're hoping for a big winter and a lot of snow-pack to get us headed back in the right direction," said Mark Foree, general manager of the Truckee Meadows Water Authority.

"Obviously, the river has dropped off, we can all see that. Tahoe isn't providing water, and all the reservoirs are pretty much depleted." Since last weekend, skies have been sunny with temperatures about 10 degrees above normal. A low pressure system arriving today should end the of robbing and killing a paraplegic woman in Sparks. Justices unanimously upheld the first-degree Pedro Rodriguez murder conviction of Pedro Rodriguez for the 1 998 murder of Kimberly Fondy. But in a 4-3 split, they differed on whether the death penalty was appropriate.

Ttie majority determined Rodriguez's trial lawyer was ineffective because he didn't do enough to find witnesses and, present mitigating evidence about his client's background during the penalty phase. Former guardian held for alleged gun at court A 35-year-old former Washoe County legal guardian, under investigation for allegedly defrauding her elderly wards, was arrested for bringing an unloaded gun into a Reno court. Angela Angela Dottei Cheri Dottei, also known as Angela Cheri Sommers, was booked into Washoe County Jail on Tuesday on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon. She is being held there in lieu of $25,000 cash bail. Authorities said she was going to a hearing in Family Court when the handgun was found in her purse as it went through a screening station.

She also had an empty magazine. Washoe County Deputy Brooke Keast said Dottei was cooperative and said she did not realize the gun was in her purse. Staff and wire reports TIM DUNNRGJ here Sunday at Tahoe City, weather continues. decrease in water demand, and the water authority is prepared to weather a drought lasting another six years, Foree said. But water suppliers are hoping a strong winter will boost depleted storage.

Between December 2005 and July 2006, rains and melting snow caused Tahoe to rise nearly 6 feet and to its maximum capacity. "We're hoping for that again," Foree said. erty tax records, has until Match 8 to pay the back taxes and avoid1 an auction sale in late April. After that date, the owner wouldiiave to get a court order to stop the sale. Berrum said state law allows government entities to obtain properties after paying all the taxes owed rather than auctioning them.

In doing so, the city would have to use the property for some public purpose, he said. Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said he's anxious to see the old building brought down. That would cost an estimated $1 million. "I could raise the money," he said, to get the job done. Council members act on golf course, Kings Inn of the Nation World section CONTACT US General Info: 775-788-6200 Delivery: 800-970-RENO Newsroom: 775-788-6397 CIRCULATION Delivery problem? If you didn't get your paper, call 800-970-7366.

ERROR WATCH The Reno Gazette-Journal strives to maintain accuracy and fairness.lf you see an error, please call 775-788-6397. LOCAL TEXT ALERTS Breaking news on your cellphone: Text rgjnews to 44636 Presented by metromix () Fuel gauge These are yesterday's average retail fuel prices in AAA's survey: Area Regular $2,774 2.689 2.738 2.936 2.684 Diesel $2,837 2.819 2.852 3.015 2.833 Reno Las Vegas Nevada Sacramento Nation www.aaa.com SOURCElAAA UP STAFF REPORT The Reno City Council met Wednesday. Among council business: N0RTHGATE GOLF COURSE: To keep a proposed public purchase of the former golf course alive, the City Council agreed Wednesday to take on a total of $6,000 in maintenance costs over the next six months. About 270 residents near the northwest golf course are being asked to form a property tax assessment district to raise $2 million of the $2.85 million purchase price. If two-thirds approve, they would pay added taxes of $7 to $100 a month, depending on their lot sizes IGH T'NfN-S INCORPORATED, 1 The water level at Lake Tahoe, seen continues to drop as warm autumn than a month away, many are anxious for moisture-producing storms.

Lake Tahoe has been below its natural rim and spillway into the Truckee River for more than a week. Lake Tahoe and the river will continue to drop until significant storms hit the region, said Chad Blanchard, chief deputy water master. The drop in water levels corresponds with a seasonal COUNCIL water rights after it announced it had closed the course in De- cember. KINGS INN: The Reno City Council agreed to send a letter to Washoe County, officially notifying the county that the city is interested in paying owed property taxes to obtain the property at West. and Third streets.

County Treasurer Bill Ber-rum took over as trustee for the property in June after a three-year tax bill was not paid. The property owes 1 8 1 ,7 1 0 in delinquent taxes and $54,620 in current taxes. North River Development LLC, of Alameda, the owner listed on county prop cm RENO CITY and property tax values. To fund the remaining $850,000, the council agteed to request the Washoe County Commission to consider using voter-approved park funds from 2000 or to sell water rights associated with the golf course. The county owns 205 acre-feet of water rights that were used for the course.

The County Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to give possible direction on allocating unused park bond funds totaling $1 million for buying open space. The city also will request the Reno-Sparks Convention Visitors Authority to sell part of its 240 acre-feet of 7 Auctioneers Note: This Month we are featuring Antiques, Collectibles, Primitives and Modern Furniture from Several Quality Estates. Please Stop By Friday, November 6th 2009 to preview all these fantastic items. Please note the day change from Saturday to Sunday November 8th HANDMADE QUILT CIRCA 1850. 1930'S PACE COMET SLOT MACHINE, HARRA'S MECHANICAL SLOT MACHINE.

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