T he Nevada Appeal's "Silver Dollar" and "Wooden Nickel" feature recognizes pos-
itive achievements from the Capital region and, when warranted, points out others that missed the mark.
Silver dollar: Johnye and Steven Saylor of Dayton were honored Thursday with a Red Cross Real Heroes award in the category of animal rescue for their work with animals in need.
The Saylors run the Judy Project, which provides homes and medical care for abandoned cats on their Dayton ranch. They were among eight individuals and groups from Carson City, Minden and Lyon County nominated for Red Cross Real Hero awards presented at a ceremony in Reno. Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons nominated the Saylors.
The Saylors are housing about 60 cats, and they adopt out 100 to 200 animals per year to loving homes.
Wooden nickel: A contentious situation that has brewed for weeks regarding Carson City's Fremont Elementary School turned chaotic last week.
Rather than decide whether to maintain Fremont's year-round schedule or change to the traditional schedule, the Carson City School Board opted to approve both calendars, then make a decision later. No date was scheduled to continue the discussion.
The unusual move riled an already overheated crowd at the public meeting.
Silver dollar: The Special Olympics program benefited from the long arm of the law when the Carson City Sheriff's Office collaborated with Applebee's on the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser this week.
Representatives from the sheriff's office delivered drinks and food to customers and "schmoozed" diners to tip extra for the fundraiser.
Wooden nickel: More gloomy news on the local economic front came to light.
Lyon County announced it's considering the elimination of 17 positions to address a budget shortfall of about $1 million. A final decision will be made by the beginning of May.
In Carson City, a new outdoor sporting goods store could close before it opens.
Sportsman's Warehouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday. The Utah-based chain constructing a store in town announced earlier this month it would close 23 stores and try to sell another 15.
A Sportsman's executive said the company hasn't decided what it will do with the Carson store, but could know within the next two weeks. Construction on the building has been mostly completed.
- Editor's note: Do you have a suggestion for a Silver Dollar or Wooden Nickel award? Send your idea to editor@nevadaappeal.com