northern nevada

MINDEN, Nev. (AP) - More than 100 firefighters are being aided by air tankers and helicopters as they battle a nearly 2-square-mile wildfire in Northern California that is sending smoke wafting int...

Nevada will host 18 contestants from all over the world who are competing in the Miss Chinese Cosmos Semi-Finals, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, announced today in a press release.

The event will take place in Reno and Lake Tahoe from Sept. 23-30, 2011. The contest moves around the world each year, last year taking place in Sydney, Australia. This is the first time the pageant has been held in the United States.

By Kirk Caraway, Jeff Munson and T. Costa
Update 2:00 p.m.: Here is what we know at this point:

Four people are dead, including the gunman who shot himself and died later at the hospital. Two of the dead where a man and women in the National Guard, who were in uniform.

There is a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m.

A few minutes before 9 a.m., a lone gunman armed with automatic AK-47-type assault rifle drives up to the IHOP on South Carson Street, and begins shooting in the parking lot. Locals BBQ owner Ralph Swagler said he saw the man drive up, and then empty a clip of ammo outside the IHOP, then reloads and goes inside, where he fires more shots very rapidly and exits within a few seconds.

Swagler said the gunman then saw his son locking the door of their business and opened fire at them. He also allegedly fired shots at the H&R Block office next door. Sometime after, the gunman shot himself, and died later at the hospital.

Witnesses recount events

More photos of the scene

At least three people, two whom are U.S. military personnel and were in full uniform, have died with the gunman reportedly near death after a shooting this morning shortly before 9 a.m. at the International House of Pancakes, IHOP, in Carson City, according to Sheriff Ken Furlong.

The suspected shooter, reportedly using an automatic weapon, apparently shot himself and is clingling to life, Furlong said during a press conference. Three police chaplains have also been called in to respond to and speak with families of the shooting victims. The FBI is not investigating and members of the U.S. Army National Guard are on the scene.

The shooting on South Carson Street has the roadway closed at both sides of Highway 395 and at Eagle Station Lane.

A couple inside the restaurant, Howard and Ellen MacDonald from Southern California who were visiting family from Carson City, both managed to escape with other customers out of the back door of IHOP when bullets began flying. The MacDonalds said they had been eating their breakfast when they heard several shots being fired, windows breaking and an employee who came out of the kitchen yelling "Get out now!" said Howard MacDonald.

"I'll never forget that sound," said Ellen MacDonald, adding that it was gunshots followed by screams.

Across the way at Locals' BBQ, owner Ralph Swagler said he witnessed much of the shooting. He said that he and his son were in the restaurant when they saw a man pull into the IHOP parking lot, where he began shooting outside the restaurant. Swagler said he then saw a man on the ground next to a motorcycle, as the male shooter began shooting from the front of the restaurant to the inside. Swagler said the weapon was an assault-style weapon, in which he said the man "fired off an entire clip, reloaded and then walked inside and began shooting."

The shooter then walked outside restaurant, saw Swagler and his son as they attempted to lock the Locals' BBQ door, then began shooting at the restaurant, he said. And then the shooter walked over to the H&R Block building and shot at it but did not go inside, Swagler said.

Stray bullets have been found all over the area, in between the McDonald's building and Casino Fandango, as well as throughout the IHOP parking lot.

Law officers from agencies around Northern Nevada are responding to scene, with officers asked to respond to Carson Tahoe and Renown Medical Center in Reno to speak with and identify the victims, according to police scanner dispatch.

Gun shells have been found as far as the Casino Fandango. At least one more patient has been airlifted to Reno with one other shooting victim being taken by ground ambulance.
Developing ....

By Bob Conrad / Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
CARSON CITY, Nev. — When shoppers use any reusable grocery bag — paper, plastic or canvas — at any Raley’s and Food Source store in Nevada, they will be helping more than the environment, they will also be raising money to preserve and enhance Nevada State Parks.

RENO, Nev. - Bus tours to regional casinos remain an important revenue stream for gaming properties, casino executives say, even though the number of visitors to northern Nevada who arrive via tour...