School's about to open, drive safe

It's the last weekend for students in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties to run free before the start of school Monday.

It's the last weekend of speeding through school zones before the lights begin flashing and our mphs must drop to 15.

It's time to be prepared for tikes and teens walking to school and waiting at bus stops. In Douglas, the littlest of these began school Wednesday.

We're betting the sheriff's offices will be keeping a close eye on traffic at all locations, so motorists take heed and slow down.

And that doesn't just apply to the major byways. A major roadway passes by virtually every school and children will be walking along all of them.

Saliman Road, Highway 88 and Dayton Valley Road will be particularly busy this evening with the opening games of football.

Carson's Senators will battle Mojave of Las Vegas at home, the Douglas Tigers will play the Reed Raiders at home, and the Dayton Dust Devils are also home against Moapa Valley. All three of those games are at 7 p.m. In another game tonight, the Virginia City Muckers take the field for the first time in 64 years at Carlin.

Volleyball, soccer, cross country and golf are also in play. As are band practices and much more. Our school zones are busy neighborhoods these days and deserve drivers' extra care and attention.

The beginning of school brings with it a sense of beginning and renewal.

Time to set aside summer daydreaming and go back to work.

Time to dig out the school colors and root for the home team.