16 | Friday, March 17, 2017 | Lahontan Valley News
Honoring veterans on a special day Three bills signed, awards presented honoring Vets and Military Day By Molly Moser mmoser@nevadaapeal.com
The gathering behind the Capitol building with Nevada’s active military troops, veterans, and government was a heartfelt morning for many as Gov. Brian Sandoval endorsed three bills, along with major praise of two veterans. The signing of Assembly Bill 24, and Senate bills 58 and 70, depicted a pure way to celebrate Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature on Wednesday morning, as each bill supports statewide military communities and families. AB24 supports school tuition for active duty and veteran families; SB58 expands educational resources to military students and female veterans; and SB70 preserves tokens from families at veteran memorials and cemeteries. “Most of you are thinking, ‘why hasn’t this been done?’” Sandoval said. “It makes me the proudest governor in the country to celebrate and honor our Battle Born history, and to have Nevada serve its veterans as they served for us.” Prior to the declaration of each bill’s endorsements, former U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. John Louritt was named Veteran of the Month. He also served as detective at South Lake Tahoe Police Department for 32 years, along with other community involvement such as the Senior Services Advisory Council, Douglas County School Board, and the Elks Club. Honor Flight Nevada also received
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canal to Sheckler Reservoir and the adjacent U.S. Bravo 16 training range to U.S. Highway 95 south of Pasture Road. Water from the V-line, he said, is following established canals and ditches and ruts previously formed by runoff. “The water is following a course cast in a former
BRAD COMAN / NEVADA APPEAL
A veteran displays a message on his back. Veteran Supporter of the Month award. “I didn’t expect to see so many people,” Louritt said. “I also work with veterans in Douglas County and to be awarded for this is above and beyond.” But for Vietnam veteran Richard Moyer, the recognition for his service during the Vietnam War uplifted him with tears of grace and pride. He received a Bronze Medal with a “V” device for valor; when Moyer’s station was attacked in Vietnam by platoon-sized enemy forces 30 years ago, he was injured in the beginning of the engagement. However, that didn’t hinder Moyer from helping other injured soldiers to immediate medical assistance. Moyer’s act also earned him three Purple
time,” Jardine said.addede, but Jardine estimates water could reach U.S. 95 within a few days to next week depending when maintenance work ends and the effects of weather patterns. Jardine added TCID and the county road crews dug out ditches and a canal to ensure debris did not impede the water’s flow down the western edge of the valley and then across the
southern part to the highway. He said the water will use existing courses that will head toward four culverts installed this week. Jardine said several south valley properties could be in danger as water rises, but TCID and the county’s Emergency Operations Center are constantly monitoring the water’s progression and will take appropriate steps to notify landowners. U.S. 95 south of Fallon reopened for traffic shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday after being closed for almost a week for flood mitigation improvements. Nevada Department of Transportation awarded the contract to Ames Construction for the installation of four concrete triple-box drainage culverts. “In less than one week, crews excavated approximately 3,000 cubic yards of earth, installed 860 feet of new box drainage culverts and repaved the roadway,” said NDOT spokesperson Meg Ragonese. “The work was completed two days ahead of schedule. The improvements will also help reinforce the highway against flooding in future years.” The installation of the culverts covered a threemile stretch on U.S. 95
Marine Corps veteran John Louritt is recognized as Veteran of the Month on Wednesday during the 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature. Hearts, an Army Commendation for Valor and Heroism, and another Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in the past. His wife, Patricia, stood by his side as he received his award. “It’s impressive to be here and pretty emotional,” Moyer said. “My family is here. My brother also is a Vietnam veteran.” Sandoval also announced another item he’s continued to fight for, as disclosed in his State of the State address in January: the construction of another Nevada State Veterans Home, in Northern Nevada. Sandoval said he requested more than $43 million to begin construction July 17, and the home is expected to be finished by late winter 2019. The home also will serve
as a community center for meetings and events, as a way to further honor veterans, he said. This year’s Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature also was attended by Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, Mayor Bob Crowell, Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford, and many others. “We’re a citizens legislature,” Frierson said. “Our veterans and active service deserve our upmost praise not just today, but every day.” Along with supporting military vendors and lunch on the legislative grounds, proclamations honoring “Nevada’s Fallen” were held in remembrance inside Senate and Assembly Chambers.
THE LATEST X Lahontan: 227,700 acre feet X Inflows: 1,360 cubic feet per second X Outflows: 1,010 cfs X Tarzyn: 484 cfs south of Pasture Road with a separation of three miles extending from the first to the fourth culvert. Ragonese said the total cost to install the culverts is about $1.3 million. Since this is preventative work and not restorative, she said the state may not receive reimbursement from the federal government. Despite the addition of the culverts, the highway could close because of unexpected flooding over the roadway. “There is also potential that future storms or rapid spring snow melt-off could cause storm water to flow over and temporarily close the highway,” Ragonese said. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in Reno said a series of storms will be rolling into the Sierra Nevada range and valleys. “We’ll be leaning on the warmer side with light snow in the higher elevations. Down in the valley will be a chance of showers,” said meteorologist Chris Johnston,
STEVE RANSON / LVN
Crews finish last-minute work Wednesday afternoon on one of four culverts on U.S. 95.
Water breached a canal near Powerline Road with water streaming into the desert. He said a smaller system will pass through the area next week, and a colder pattern, according to computer models, should arrive next weekend. “This system is a lot colder in the mountains ...
the upper Tahoe basin,” he added. Johnston said warmer weather and moderate rainfall will increase melting, but next week’s two systems could “enhance the runoff ” to the rivers.