KKFT News

The latest figures on home prices in the Reno-Sparks have the media home price up 8 percent over May of 2016. With a median home price of over 335-thousand dollars, a buyer would have to make a salary of 80-thousand a year or more to be able to afford a house. The Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors says the median family income in the Reno-Sparks area is closer to $50,000 or $55,000.

The investigation continues into the Reno murder of former NFL linebacker Ryan Jones. He was shot dead over the weekend in an apartment and two other people suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Reno Police Department spokesman Officer Tim Broadway declined comment Tuesday on the circumstances that led to Sunday’s shooting because detectives were still interviewing people for their investigation. Jones, 26, signed a free-agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2014 and had a stint with the New York Giants before becoming a mixed martial arts fighter.

Nevada Rep. Jacky Rosen says she will seek the Democratic nomination to take on incumbent Republican Sen. Dean Heller in the 2018 election. Rosen said Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press that she is planning to run for Senate and her official announcement would come soon. Democrats aiming to upset the GOP’s Senate majority consider Heller’s seat the most vulnerable in 2018. A political outsider until last year, Rosen has worked as a computer programmer, software designer and president of a Henderson synagogue until seeking office in 2016.

The drug sellers aren’t the problem when it comes to the highly anticipated launch of Nevada’s recreational marijuana industry. It’s the distributors who have muddled plans to allow people to light up July 1. A judge blocked the state’s plan to license existing medical marijuana dispensaries to act as their own middlemen, saying alcohol distributors get the first shot. The arrangement outlined in the voter-approved law is unique among states that have legalized the drug.
The court battle makes it less likely the state can stick to its effort to start selling pot in 10 days. But officials say they’re going to try.

The sculptures are back at the Wells Avenue roundabout. The city of Reno yesterday reinstalled sculptures that were removed after being damaged by cars. Vehicles struck the sculptures on two different occasions. City officials say the sculptures represent community,diversity and independence.

A missing rafter was the object of a search on Wednesday afternoon along the Truckee River in west Reno. The missing person is identified as Sarah Duncan, who is six feet tall with reddish blond hair. Searchers from the Washoe County Sheriff’s office, the Reno Fire Department and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District scoured the area between Crystal Peak Park in Verdi and Mayberry park in west Reno, finding no sign of the woman.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve has some competition in next year’s election. Reno businessman Eddie Lorton has announced his candidacy. In a statement, Lorton said ,”Reno has tried youthful enthusiasm, now it’s time for an experienced steady hand who recognizes priorities and necessities over frivolous spending and who has the 30 years of business sense to take advantage of our economic upswing, instead of getting in the way.

A Reno woman and her family have a new place to call home after Gold Dust West CEO Jeff Jacobs donated $1.5 million to the Reno Housing Authority. She had sought affordable housing for months but had been denied. The Reno Gazettte Journal reports a private-public partnership began when Jacobs Entertainment agreed to buy $1.5 million in housing and donate it to the Reno Housing Authority.

Nevada court ruling prevents state from issuing pot licenses to medical marijuana dispensaries. Nevada’s marijuana regulators developed backup plans in case that judge refused to lift a court order blocking the licensing of distributors necessary to launch the state’s first recreational pot sales July 1. Prior to his decision, Carson City District Judge James Wilson temporarily halted all licensing after a group of alcohol wholesalers filed a lawsuit claiming they have exclusive rights to pot distribution licenses.

Nevada Republicans are calling a first-term congresswoman self-serving and untrustworthy for moving quickly up the political ranks with her expected candidacy in the state’s closely watched U.S. Senate race. State GOP Chairman Michael McDonald said Tuesday that Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen is “just in it for herself” if she challenges Republican Sen. Dean Heller.
Several Democratic campaign officials in Nevada and Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement, said Rosen is preparing a U.S. Senate campaign. They expect her to run.
Rosen’s spokeswoman Ivana Rosenberg did not return calls or emails seeking comment.