Top Reno news stories for 2011

2011 started on a positive note. The Wolf Pack brought home a victory in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, we got a new governor to replace the dismal previous version, and area ski resorts were riding high with record snowfall and plenty more on the way. However, the good times didn't last. It seems that things started to go down with the 76th Nevada Legislature, when we were painfully reminded of just how bad our economic situation actually is as budgets were cut and even more services were curtailed. U.S. Senator John Ensign finally resigned in the wake of his adultery scandal. Reno's biggest event, Hot August Nights, was rocked by an apparent ploy by CEO Bruce Walter to move the event to Long Beach, CA. That one didn't fly and Walter was shown the door. Next came several shocking tragedies - the IHOP shooting in Carson City, the Reno Air Races crash that killed several spectators, the death of JK Metzker by a hit-and-run driver, and the Caughlin Fire that whipped through southwest Reno with devastating results. Unfortunately, there were even more.

Here is my list of the big stories from 2011. Not all of them were centered right here in Reno, but all of them had significant effects on our region...

• First Hispanic governor in Nevada history
• Nevada Wolf Pack beats Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
• State Senator Bill Raggio retires
• 76th Nevada Legislature convenes
• UNR President Dr. Milton Glick dies
• Hot August Nights CEO Bruce Walter resigns
• U.S. Senator John Ensign resigns
• Fatal truck / train crash at Amtrak crossing
• IHOP shooting in Carson City
• Reno Aces make the playoffs
• Crash at the Reno Air Races
• Street Vibrations gang shooting
• CommRow grand opening
• JK Metzker killed by hit-and-run driver
• Caughlin Fire burns through southwest Reno

If I missed something you think was a big story in 2011, please leave a comment and let us know. It would also be good to hear your comments my choices.

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