Minden resident wins iconic Nevada welcome sign

Four Nevada residents are now the proud owners of iconic "Welcome to Nevada" signs, old and obsolete signs that have graced the state's highways for 25 years.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) held a contest to find new owners, and nearly 14,500 residents entered the free raffle via phone, web site and social media, with winners selected randomly.

The four winners are from each region of the state: Northwest: Jennifer Bills (Reno), Southwest: Anna Thomas (from Minden), Northeast: Kaitlyn Tueller, Southeast: Breanna Kirkham.

New welcome signs designed by Nevada high school graphic artists will soon go up.

“The existing signs are a source of state pride and identity for many Nevadans,” NDOT Communications Director Sean Sever explained. “We thought there was no better holiday than just before the Nevada Day holiday to announce our sign winners and share the signs with fellow Nevadans.”