WNCC student coordinator honored for contributions

Claire Yurovchak, Western Nevada Community College student activities coordinator, was awarded the American College Personnel Association's 2006 New Professional Award in recognition of her contributions to the student affairs profession.

"Claire is instrumental in moving the college forward to provide creative and effective program development for WNCC students and the community," said Daniel Neverett, dean of student services, in a press release. "My experiences with her have strengthened my belief that she is one of the more capable, innovative, and dedicated professionals I have ever worked with."

Hired in 2004, Yurovchak's accomplishments include creating the department of student activities, developing an annual cultural art series and teaching a three-credit course on leadership development. She serves as chair of the WNCC Multicultural Festival and as an adviser to the student government and student programming board.

Winnemucca made headlines in London on March 18.

The Financial Times, a London-based periodical, ran a story on Winnemucca's Mule Show, Races and Draft Horse Challenge.

Writer Rachel Pagones wrote "Divide and Mule" after finding out that the world's first mule clones will make their racing debut at the Winnemucca competition.

The 2006 Mule Races are June 3-4 at the Winnemucca Events Complex. Mule racers compete for as much as $10,000 in prizes. About 100 racers will be in the event.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Premier Broker's Andrea "Andie" Wilson was named the top commercial agent in Nevada for 2005 among all commercial associates of Coldwell Banker.

Wilson, of Carson City, earned more in commissions than Coldwell Banker Commercial agents in Las Vegas and Reno.

Wilson is experienced with multi-family, industrial, commercial and investment sales. She is the president-elect for Commercial Real Estate Women of Northern Nevada and the current secretary, and 2008 president-elect for the Certified Commercial Investment Member Chapter of Northern Nevada. Wilson enjoys spending her free time with her five children and partner Brad Bonkowski.

Premier Brokers is located at 1987 N. Carson St., suite 75. For more information, call 888-6200 or visit www.cbnevada.com.

Nevadaworks is looking for business executives to serve on its leadership council. The Nevadaworks Council, along with Nevadaworks Local Elected Officials, set policy and direction for work force development efforts throughout Northern Nevada.

Council members should represent economic development, community-based organizations, labor or education interests within the organization's jurisdiction. It covers Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe and White Pine counties.

Applications will be accepted until April 14 for three-year terms starting July 1. For an application call Tom Fitzgerald at 284-1340 or tcf@nevadaworks.com.

Carson Nugget poker players have a brand new place to play.

Jim Dempster, the Nugget's assistant vice president in charge of table games, said that player comfort and convenience was a primary goal in the room's location and design.

The room will be smoke free, he said, and is close to the main casino floor and valet parking.

The room has two tables, a waiting area, coffee bar and in-room drink service. It opens at 10 a.m. daily.

Bruce Bommarito, director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, accepted a Commerce Department appointment to serve as co-chair of a national committee to expand tourism between the United States and Japan.

Bommarito will work on the U.S.-Japan Tourism Export Expansion Initiative as part of his duties as tourism director for Nevada.

Thomas Fico, a local unlicensed landscape contractor, was sentenced Monday to serve up to four years at Nevada State Prison for the felony crimes of contracting without a license and up to six years for diversion of funds and obtaining money under false pretenses.

Fico's case was investigated by the special investigations unit of the Nevada State Contractors Board. He was arrested by Henderson police on the outstanding warrants. The first offense for unlicensed contracting is a misdemeanor, the second a gross misdemeanor and the third a felony.

To assist in prosecuting illegal contracting, the Nevada State Contractors Board launched an online Ten Most Wanted list on those who have outstanding arrest warrants for unlicensed contracting activity. Visit the list at www.nscb.state.nv.us.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.