Wouldn't it be nice?: The top stories of 2007

For the most part, the top stories of 2006 locally were not good news. There were crimes, fires and economic woes.

This is the time of year to be optimistic for the coming year, however, so we'll offer what we hope a year from now will have become a few of the top stories of 2007.

First off, the economy in Carson City gains traction. The old Kmart building is filled to the brim with new retailers, and the empty storefronts nearby are also occupied by the ripple effect.

Max Baer puts aside his feud with Carson City leaders and finds an alternate place to build his casino, while still making millions off the sale of the old Wal-Mart building. That building is developed with furniture, clothing and other retailers new to Carson City, and there's suddenly economic vitality in North and South Carson City. People start to realize there's no need to go to Reno to do their shopping because there's plenty of variety right here in Carson City. Carson City and its residents benefit from hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales tax revenue.

On the housing front, the market stabilizes. It's not an unsustainable boom market that prices out hardworking families. There are lots of home sales because interest rates remain low and prices fall to a reasonable average.

The efforts of dozens of Carson City residents to stamp out poverty and gang activity take hold. There are no major crimes. Those fast-cash, payday loan businesses start closing up because people are saving money and planning for their economic futures.

Gov. Jim Gibbons issues a big "told-you-so" to his campaign critics at the end of his first year in office for exhibiting leadership and vision in solving the state's budgetary problems without raising taxes, while also mapping out a plan to put Nevada's education system among the top in the nation. Even Dina Titus is impressed.

Dean Heller is also recognized as a shining star in Congress for his ability to think outside party lines, find compromises, and generally conduct himself as a gentleman who listens. Congress needs more of those.

And, oh yeah, there are no wildfires.