Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 4

CARSON DOUGLAS 4 A RENO THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2005 NORTHERN NEVADA MOMENTS Funeral set for today for WWII code talker Musical volunteer takes her final bow Bobbi Dowell moving to Texas after almost 15 years in Carson 1 ata- Her, IF YOU GO What: Farewell reception for Bobbi Dowell. When: 4 to 6 p.m. today. Where: Carson City Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive. Details: 883-0703.

Bobbi Dowell, 69, of Carson City, poses Wednesday at the piano inside the Carson City Senior Citizen's Center. For nearly 15 years, Dowell has been active musically at the center and at her church, where she volunteers. Dowell is moving to Texas next week to be closer to family. Fellow seniors say they will miss her. The Civilian Conservation Corps brought her father to the Nevada area to work as a plumber.

He ended up meeting her mother and working at the Stewart Indian School, Hicks said. The U.S. government swore code talkers to silence and Hicks said her father followed the oath. "Usxhildren didn't know he was a Navajo code talker until they (the government) announced it," Hicks said. He talked little of World War II, although one time tried to imitate the sound of a bullet that had whizzed by his ear, she said.

In addition to Congressional recognition, Gov. Kenny Guinn recognized Crawford's efforts, and Crawford received a standing ovation at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony's 2001 Veterans Day celebration, where Crawford gave the Marine salute. "I'm glad to be once again with the people of Northern Nevada," he said at the celebration. "I've done my part." His survivors also include children Wanda Doran, Da-ryl Crawford and Virginia Claussen, all of Carson City; and sisters Ella Nakai of Luka-chuka, and Alma Ashley, Marie Pete and Betty Crawford, all of Ganada, Ariz. Burial will be with military honors by the Veterans Memorial Association at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City.

BY STEVE T1MKO stimkorgj.com A funeral service for a U.S. Marine Navajo who was a code talker during World War II will be at 10 a.m today in Stewart Community Baptist Church, Carson City. Karl Crawford, 89, died Sunday at the Carson Convalescent Center in Carson City. Crawford received the Congressional Silver Medal for his work transmitting military communications in Navajo, a code the Japanese were never able to break. His military background will be recognized today at the ceremony with a short prayer and taps, said daughter Nona Hicks of Mound House.

"He was quiet, but I think he was proud of what he did," Hicks said. "I'm sure he's probably watching and enjoying all of this, even though he wouldn't have admitted to it." As a young Navajo boy attending the Ganado Mission School in Arizona, Crawford was punished for speaking his native language. But after he enlisted in the Marines, Hicks said, the government found an important use for Navajo. "He didn't really enlist for communications," Hicks said. "It was just someone noticed he was Navajo and recommended that he go into communications.

That's how he was called to the code talkers." BY SAND! HOOVER shooverrgj.com Whether it's tickling the ivories for the lunch crowd at the senior center or ringing brass bells during church services, Bobbi Dowell does it with style and a smile. Dowell, who chuckles when announcing that she will hit the big "seven-o" next month, is moving after spending almost 1 5 years in Carson City. On Wednesday, Dowell will pack up and head for Odessa, Texas, to be near her sister. "I've always lived thousands of miles away from my family, but the past few years, my health has been failing a little, so it's time to be near them," Dowell said. But Dowell is one of those people that other people hate to see go.

Herlistofcontributionsislong, and includes directing the Old English Handbell Choir for the First United Methodist Church in Carson City and serving in many capacities at the Carson City Senior Citizen's Center. A highlight of her years in Carson City was formation of the "Singing Seniors," a choir that grew from seven members in 1991 to about 30 by the end of May this year. "When I played background music on the piano, people al- 1 1 I leaves, but she will leave a legacy behind," Mcintosh said. Ruth Shambaugh, 71, a regular at the senior center, agreed. "I'm not musical.

I can't carry a tune in a basket. But my husband, Jon, is in the choir and also had the opportunity to be in several Bobbi is just a lovely person, she is just so patient. I have seen her direct the bell choir, and it is just so beauti I TheftsThieves typically dump stolen vehicles where they steal another in Reno Police don't expect surge in thefts during car event S10 (10) 11. Dodge Intrepid (9) Cavalier (9) 12. Ford 150 (9) Durango (9) 13.

Ford Ranger (9) classic cars, which were built in 1972 or earlier, have been 'stolen. In July, during the two weeks before the event, crime analysis shows that between 2001 and last month seven classic cars were stolen. Police didn't know whether any of the cars stolen during the event were eventually recovered. "From all accounts, car thefts don't increase because of Hot August Nights," Donnelly said. Don Schmid, Hot August Nights' executive director, said he hasn't heard of any concerns from participants.

Security is tight around the events, he said. BY JACLYN Q'MALLEY jomalleyrgjcom Police say anytime an event draws thousands of people to an area, crime spikes some. And during Hot August Nights, the total attendance for all events is estimated at 800,000 people. But Reno police don't typically see auto thefts during the city's annual celebration of classic cars as a trend. "We don't see any type of trends associated with car thefts and Hot August Nights," Lt.

Ron Donnelly said. Reno police crime analysis between 2001 and 2004 shows that during the event the first two weeks of August 10 From 1A lice took the vehicles to use during drug binges or as transportation during other criminal activities, said Lt. Ron Donnelly. Many vehicles ultimately are recovered, although many are damaged, he said. Between mid-June and mid-July, 72 cars were reported stolen, 70 percent on weekends, Reno police said.

The most popular places to steal cars during that period were casino parking lots (31), apartment-complex lots (22) and retail stores (5). As of Wednesday, 976 vehicles were reported stolen this year in Reno. Throughout the years, Reno has had a surge in stolen-vehicle reports. The number has inched up each year since 1999, when 868 were reported. Last year, the numbers peaked in that six-year period with 1,557 reported stolen.

Donnelly said thieves target older car models, which could be easier to break.into and manipulate the ignition. These vehicles also might lack sophisticated alarm systems that could deter thieves. Car bandits typically dump stolen vehicles where they steal another, he said. "If we get a report of a stolen car, we know we can find one abandoned in the area that was stolen earlier," Donnelly said. Carpenter's Ford Ranger is one of the most popular Ford prod- ways gathered around, so we started singing at lunch and then for convalescent homes, service and church groups," she said.

"It was great fun. They always had big smiles on their faces when they sang to others, and I would be playing the piano, so I directed with my head. When they didn't all come in at the same time, I'd say, 'Watch my Dowell said. But one of Dowell's most remarkable achievements was her nine-year commitment as musical director of the Senior Follies annual fundraising show at the community center, said center director Janice Mcintosh. "She helped people to achieve their lifelong dreams of being on stage, and she has brought in thousands and thousands of dollars for our programs through the Senior Follies," Mcintosh said.

"She has brought so much enthusiasm and happiness to people. These people here are her family members. She has an 'I love spirit. We will miss her when she Most stolen vehicles 1. Honda Accord (34; 2.

Toyota Camry (25) 3. Dodge Neon (17) 4. Honda Civic (17) 5. Jeep Cherokee (17) 6. Ford Expedition (13) 7.

Chevrolet Blazer (10) SOURCE: Reno Police Derailment ucts stolen in Reno. "We feel so violated," said Carpenter's wife, Nicole. "It has made us feel so powerless and like we have no control over things this is such an-invasion." Not only did vandals steal Carpenter's custom tires and stereo system, they also broke out all of the truck's windows, caved in its roof and dented the body. He estimated the loss at thousands of dollars. Because the truck was destroyed, the Carpenters let the tow yard keep it.

Police found the truck abandoned two weeks after it was stolen. Carpenter, who also has a cleaning business, left in the truck a ring of keys for various commercial businesses that employ him. The thieves took them. He said all of the businesses had to change their locks and have new keys made. "Hopefully someone who steals will know that not only do you take away a material thing, but everybody happy," Ringstad said.

North River Development filed an application this week with the city for a site-plan review, during which the city community-development staff will examine the plan to ensure it follows all applicable city codes. If it's approved in that phase, the company would need only a tentative map from the Reno Planning Commission before starting construction. The Kings Inn is the most recent in a string of proposals to reuse old casinos for condominiums. One of the first projects was the conversion of the former Comstock hotel and casino, which is scheduled for completion this fall. Sales assistant Tressy Sweeney said all but 15 of the building's 125 units have been sold, and all that's left are large, two-bedroom units that can cost more than $500,000.

She said most buyers are people without children who want a more urban lifestyle. "The demographics are between the ages of 30 and 60," Sweeney said. 8. Chevrolet 9. Chevrolet 10.

Dodge LIS A J. TOLDA RGJ ful," Shambaugh said. "She has such energy, and she loves what she does. She loves her music, and she brings her music to others," she said. Dowell said she has mixed feelings about leaving.

"This is very emotional for me, yet I know I'm doing the right thing," she said. "I love them all dearly and I'll miss them, but we will keep in touch." home from a hard day at work and find our house broken into, or that I sleep restless at night because they might be out The lack of a vehicle forced Jarrod Carpenter to rely on his family for rides, sometimes before dawn. Now, the family drives Carpenter's father's truck, which they had to repair before they could use it. While police haven't caught the Carpenter truck thief, Donnelly said officers arrest people driving in stolen vehicles almost every week. Between April and June, officers arrested 50 people in auto-theft cases, he said.

Reno police Cmdr. Steve Pitts said detectives are forced to rely on tips to catch elusive car thieves. Once a car is stolen, its license plate and vehicle identification number are entered into a national database that allows police to cross reference vehicles they encounter with those reported stolen. Pitts said besides officers patrolling areas where large numbers of vehicles are stolen, officers have "hot sheets" that list current stolen cars. Many officers have arrested people for possessing a stolen car because they recognized the vehicle from the hot sheet, he said.

"I guess locks are only good to keep good people out," Nicole Carpenter said. "The worst part to all of this is there is nothing we can do except keep going." voi.24-No.2i6 How to reach us: In Person 955 Kuenzli Reno, Nevada Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. General Information 7 Operating Committee Fred H. Hamilton President and Publisher.

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Source: Insurance Information Institute also our hopes and sense of security from an entire family, including children," Nicole Carpenter said. "My children don't understand why someone would steal their dad's truck. They also don't know I live in fear now to come Reno Gazette-Journal The Reno Gazette-Journal (ISSN 0754-1415), a Gannett Newspaper, is published daily by Reno Newspapers, 955 Kuenzli Street, Reno, NV 8952G). Periodicals postage is paid at Reno, Nevada. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to the Reno Gazette-Journal, P.O.

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In late June the bankruptcy court judge approved transferring the property from GMFC which was under bankruptcy protection, to a joint partnership with that company and North River Development, said GMFC lawyer Todd Ring-stad. GMFC is controlled by the family of Allan Bergendahl, an early owner and operator of the property. Ringstad said the family is happy it is a part of converting the building to another use instead of tearing it down. "I think they think it's something that's good for them. It's good for the city of Reno.

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