Back to profile

Jessica Garcia

Stories by Jessica

Cops and Kids finds common ground in Carson City

Families enjoyed hot dogs and giveaways Saturday while deputies welcomed the city’s young and curious to see how they operate daily with their gear, including their horses.

State Board of Ed anticipates September launch on start times survey

The Nevada State Board of Education has proposed a September launch for a statewide survey regarding high school start times to be distributed to stakeholders, educators, families and students.

Carson High School’s ‘Mom’ helps students feel welcome

Thanks to Ananda Campbell, the Carson High library has become a home away from home for many students on their best and worst days.

Bike program at Fritsch to help lower absenteeism

A comprehensive program to help Carson City students build their bike-riding safety skills and celebrate their attendance launched Wednesday at Fritsch Elementary School.

Dirty Dough cookie franchise plans Carson City opening

Marlon and Rosy Flores, 37 and 34, soon will open a Dirty Dough cookie franchise at 2158 E. William St. next to the Grocery Outlet, with a grand opening planned for the end of June.

NDOT improvements on U.S. 50 Dayton project in progress

Project features including signalized intersections at Cardelli and River Boat roads and Six Mile Canyon and Fort Churchill roads.

Law enforcement officers memorial held in Carson City

The memorial was dedicated in 1998 to recognize Nevada peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

Summit upgrades Carson schools' green strategy

Sustainability Leadership Summit 2.0 was held Wednesday at Western Nevada College.

Carson City teacher named finalist for national award

K-5 computer teacher Adrienne Wiggins is a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Boys & Girls Clubs funding creates day care options

A statewide initiative is helping to double the number of Boys & Girls Clubs centers to meet the needs for families seeking day care or early learning options.

FISH holding fundraiser at old state prison

Friends in Serving Helping’s "Historic Prison Breakout" will offer self-guided tours of the 150-year-old Nevada State Prison.

Forum: COVID cast complexities behind absenteeism, outcomes

The Carson City Chamber of Commerce’s Critical Challenges Forum’s discussed “Education in the Post-COVID Era.”

CHS designated Purple Star school for military families

The Nevada Purple Star School Award is given to schools that demonstrate a commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military.

Bethlehem Lutheran sends first Northern Nevada spelling champ to Washington

Sixth grader Arabella Mendoza is her school’s first champion of the Nevada State Spelling Bee and the first to represent Northern Nevada in more than 10 years.

Empire’s Ricks named Carson educator of the year

Sandra Guzzetta was selected as Education Support Professional of the Year and Chelise Crookshanks was named Administrator of the Year.

CHS students bring more than tech support to senior center

The Interact Club helps Carson’s elderly population with questions about their computers, phones, tablets, installing apps, finding or deleting photos and awareness of scams.

Drop in Medicaid match impacts Lyon County budget

Lyon County’s total revenues in its general fund in 2024-25 are expected to increase by 2.9% compared to current estimates.

CAC interview process aims to keep victim health, case integrity intact

The Carson City Rural Child Advocacy Center is emerging as a facility for child victims of sexual assault, neglect or abuse.

Trustees track student discipline legislation in workshop

The district’s school board received a presentation from legal counsel Ann Alexander and Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Tasha Fuson during a workshop.

Center for traumatized children planned for Carson City

The Carson City Rural Child Advocacy Center will be the region’s newest facility using a multi-disciplinary method for children who have been victims of or witnesses to crime, abuse or exploitation.

Parks board supports land transfer to Empire Elementary

The Carson City School District made the request to expand Empire’s property at 1260 Monte Rosa Drive with the space from Park Terrace.

Dayton food pantry damaged in suspected DUI crash

The Healthy Communities Coalition is relying on community assistance after the Community Roots Nursery in Dayton was damaged.

Carson schools' tentative budget narrows deficit further

The district’s tentative budget is due to the Nevada Department of Taxation on Monday.

Mental health campaign helps teens to ‘Smash Stress’

Hope Means Nevada, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield want to tell teens it’s OK to not be OK this month to improve their mental health.

Pinwheels planted in fight against child abuse

Advocates to End Domestic Violence and Prevent Child Abuse Nevada are promoting positive messages for children impacted by trauma or abuse.

‘State of middle schools:’ Rewards keep students focused on the positive

Students at Eagle Valley Middle School are using their digital points they’ve been earning from good behaviors in unexpected ways, Principal Lee Conley says.

School board discusses bullying, tentative budget Tuesday

District legal counsel Ann Alexander is expected to speak on student discipline issues addressed in the 2019, 2021 and 2023 sessions of the Nevada Legislature.

FAFSA form struggles frustrate Carson High seniors

Since January, Carson High School senior Jackie Estrada Diaz, a first-generation Latina, has learned she’s been accepted to six colleges and universities and has been waiting to hear from four more.

Nevada State Board of Education votes to proceed with start time survey

The Nevada State Board of Education on March 27 voted to begin a survey on high school start times to be distributed to schools and stakeholders and examine the data when complete.

Trustees: Students can wear tribal regalia at graduation

A first reading on proposed changes addressing 2023 legislative updates to graduation requirements.

State funding for free school meals ending; applications due May 24

For the past four years, school meals in Nevada have been free to all students regardless of eligibility of free and reduced status.

Carson City’s First Presbyterian hires new pastor

First Presbyterian Church welcomed Ian Hodge, 41, as its permanent senior pastor with an installation service.

Carson school district reduces deficit in forecast

The projected deficit that had expected to be $1.1 million two weeks ago is down to about $950,000 because of savings from the early retirement program.

Mom of teen killed crossing street wants lower speed limit

Katherine Rodriguez, mother of 14-year-old Lexi Rodriguez who died Jan. 28 at North Carson Street and Nye Lane, has requested a speed limit reduction along North Carson Street.

Women of Distinction encourage next generation to rise

Ten local women were deemed the best among the best of Carson City.

CTE pathway changes from 3 to 2 years

The entire pathway has changed from a three-year experience for students to two years.

Mound House residents join traffic safety discussion

The Citizen Advisory Board drew a record turnout of about 100 residents seeking updates on traffic and pedestrian safety along the U.S. 50 and East Carson Street corridor.

Demographics spur new approaches at CHS, trustees told

In 2015, student demographics were 70% white students and 25% Hispanic. Today, the student body is about 53% Hispanic, some of whom are first-generation AP students.

Grief counselors available to Carson High students

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and Carson City School District on Monday confirmed a Carson High School student died this weekend.

Lyon schools begin installing new safety cameras

Lyon County schools have begun moving forward with surveillance system upgrades and adding cameras to help cover blind spots.

Early school budget shows $2.8M revenue increase, enrollment drop

Spencer Winward, CCSD chief financial officer, said projections for FY25 bring a revenue increase of $2.8 million even as student enrollment declines loom.

CHS restrooms, chem labs among priority projects

Carson High School students returning in August will find remodeled restrooms and chemistry labs.

Cortez Masto discusses improving mental health care

The Democrat met with local mental health advocates working on the frontlines to learn how to widen the gateway between funding and crisis care services.

WNC partnership seeks to boost training services

A new partnership between SkillUp Coalition, Mark IV Capital and Western Nevada College to connect employers and employees in Northern Nevada’s workforce will work with Fernley’s Victory Logistics District.

Carson schools, Boys and Girls Club work on day care pact

The agreement gives priority enrollment to district staff members.

Carson City School District forecasts declining enrollment

Even with new construction, the city is not seeing the number of students the Carson City School District expects.

‘Full of life:’ Carson High’s Rodriguez celebrated Saturday

Family members and community members remembered Carson High School freshman Lexi Paige Rodriguez for her sweet spirit and her generosity at her celebration of life Saturday at Fitzhenry’s Funeral Home. Most who attended wore shades of pink and grieved for Rodriguez, 14. Rodriguez was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing North Carson Street at Nye Lane at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 28

EDAWN meeting: Everyone’s ‘all in’ for Northern Nevada

EDAWN President and CEO Taylor Adams and Brian Gordon, principal of Las-Vegas based economic research firm Applied Analysis, discussed the region’s gains in the past year.

WNC partnership seeks to boost training services

A new partnership between SkillUp Coalition, Mark IV Capital and Western Nevada College to connect employers and employees in Northern Nevada’s workforce will work with Fernley’s Victory Logistics District.

Bagwell pushing students to attend school

Mayor Lori Bagwell wanted to let students and the community know it’s important for kids to go to school every day.