Public health, sportsmen, native, and conservation organizations are calling on the State Division of Health to investigate the need for fish consumption advisories for mercury in Wild Horse Reservoir and other reservoirs, lakes and streams in northern Nevada. Recent analysis by the University of Nevada, Reno of several fish samples collected from Wild Horse Reservoir found mercury concentrations at levels that present a public health risk, particularly to children and pregnant women. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin which can cause developmental problems such as delayed onset of walking, talking and delays and deficits in learning. "As one of the oldest, organized fishing organizations in Nevada, the Ormsby Sportsmen Group encourages Nevada's state agencies do a better job of monitoring of mercury levels in Nevada's fish and wildlife. We all want future generations to be able to enjoy hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation in this beautiful state," said Bob McCulloch of the Ormsby Sportsmen Group. Water-bodies in northern Nevada, such as Wild Horse Reservoir are particularly at risk from mercury contamination because they are located downwind from numerous gold mining operations. According to the EPA, northern Nevada gold mines release over 4,600 pounds of mercury into the air each year - about 18 times the amount of mercury released by the average coal-fired power plant. These mines are responsible for fully 25% of all U.S. mercury air emissions west of Texas. Scientists have reported high mercury levels in fish and in waterfowl downwind of these mines in southeast Idaho and in Utah. Yet, very little monitoring has been done to determine the extent of mercury contamination in fish and waterfowl in northern Nevada. "Mercury is particularly troublesome because it "bio-accumulates" or increases in concentrations as it moves up the food chain," said Betty Razor of the Nevada Nurses Association. "Thus, large predatory fish tend to have higher concentrations of mercury. Because of our science-based practice, nurses understand the connection between the environment, human health and disease." "We're concerned because the mercury levels in these fish are roughly twice the level that triggers a fish consumption advisory in Idaho," said Dan Randolph of Great Basin Mine Watch. "Given the high mercury concentrations in these little perch, we're concerned that the bass will have even higher concentrations. The State needs to test all the fish species in these high risk areas because Nevada families and tourists need to where there's a health risk." "Protection of the land, air and water is very important to us. These are still Shoshone lands and these companies are operating in this manner without our consent," said Larson Bill, Western Shoshone Defense Project Community Organizer. "They need to stop and be honest about the hazards they are creating for our communities." The state recently enacted mercury regulations for gold mines. However, the regulations have been highly controversial because they do not include a cap on mercury air emissions, and several gold mines have dramatically increased their emissions in recent years.

Coral Gold Resources President Louis Wolfin reported the company has completed Phase II drilling at its Robertson Property on the Cortez Gold Trend in Lander County. The Phase I and Phase II programs in 2006 totaled 35,615 ft of reverse circulation drilling in 46 holes. Depths ranged from 450 ft to 1,500 ft. Due to the relatively flat-lying nature of mineralization at Robertson, all holes were drilled vertically. "Our primary objective in 2006 was to expand the Robertson's current resource and move more of the inferred resource into the measured and indicated categories. Based on the results to date, we believe both objectives have been met," said Wolfin. Updated resource figures will be announced as soon as calculations are complete.

Great Basin College serves most of rural Nevada with a service area that covers 62,000 square miles. In addition to courses the college provides at branch campuses in Battle Mountain, Ely, Pahrump and Winnemucca, opportunities for higher education are available in smaller communities throughout rural Nevada. In northeastern Nevada, classes are available for students in Carlin, Owyhee, Wells and West Wendover. Residents of Carlin can enroll in a number of courses at Great Basin College this spring. Students with questions are encouraged to speak with the Carlin coordinator, Nancy Goeser at 775.754.6497. The courses offered this spring are BUS 110, Human Relations Employment, a course introducing students to the principles and skills of effective communication in business and professional settings. COM 113, Fundamentals of Speech Communication, provides students with the fundamental skills for effective speaking. CRJ 106, Introduction to Corrections, discusses the history and development of corrections and includes dialogues concerning practices and problems of the correctional system. ECON 102, Principles of Microeconomics, studies the causes and effects of individuals’ choices among alternative uses of scarce resources. Many courses in the college’s online campus are also available to students throughout rural Nevada. For more information contact the GBC coordinator in your community, or call the college’s admissions office at 775.753.2201.

The Humboldt County Board of Commissioners is holding their regular meeting today at 9AM in the Courthouse meeting room #201 at 50 West Fifth Street. Items on the agenda include Adoption of Annual Resolutions by Board of County Commissioners acting as the Board of Directors of Humboldt County Fire Protection District on Behalf of the Winnemucca Rural Fire protection District to petition the Department of Taxation for exemption, Ndot transportation Improvement Projects, and Approval of a renewal agreement with YESCO for the billboard located at the Winnemucca Events Complex.

Spare Time Bowling would like to announce their Angel Tree is up for this holiday Season. For questions or more information please contact Jessell Peters at 623-5444.

The Regional Transportation Commission will be meeting today at 845A in the Courthouse meeting room #201 at 50 West Fifth Street. Agenda items include Discussion and action on claims for expenditure of RTC Funds, on Fiscal Year 2006-2007 priority projects for the city and the county, and a report on NDOT programs.

Your Winnemucca Weather today calls for sunny with northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph and a high of 36.