This is Channel 2 News, coverage you can count on.
This family has spent ungodly amounts of money and this time we're going to get a trial with
what?
A defense.
Well that's Darren Mack's new lawyer who appeared in court today.
The case could end next month or it could go to a new trial like he was talking about.
We'll explain the possibilities in tonight's Channel 2 News Big Story.
Good evening, I'm Bill Brown.
I'm Wendy Demonti.
Thank you for joining us tonight.
Admitted killer Darren Mack appeared in court today in Reno.
The first step to trying to throw out the guilty pleas he made a little more than a
month ago.
He pleaded guilty to first degree murder for killing his wife, Charla, and guilty to attempted
murder for shooting their divorced judge, Chuck Weller.
Brandon Ridiman joins us live from the Washoe County Courthouse.
Brandon, why does Mack want a new trial?
Well Wendy, his new attorney, William Roots, gives us a variety of reasons for Mack being
held in too hot of a jail cell down in Las Vegas during the trial, which apparently dehydrated
and distressed him out, to miscommunication by Mack's former attorneys.
But also, Roots says, Judge Herndon didn't properly ask Mack if he knew what rights he
was giving up when he entered those pleas.
Confront witnesses to subpoena witnesses, right to remain silent.
These fundamental rights cannot be encompassed in one blanket statement.
Did you go over them?
Roots, just the things that were explained in the plea agreement, the rights that you're
given up by pleading guilty, things of that nature.
Okay.
Did you understand everything in the plea agreement?
Yes, we went through it pretty thoroughly last night.
Well that's part of what led Mack back to an appearing in a Reno courtroom this morning
shackled and flanked by a special detail of deputies.
But Mack's argument's going far beyond accusing Judge Douglas Herndon of making a mistake
accepting the plea.
It's also taking aim at the lawyers from his trial, Scott Freeman and David Chesnop, who
you see right there.
Now that means Mack will lose his attorney-client privilege with those lawyers and prosecutors
will be able to find out if they messed up.
And they're two of the finest lawyers in the state of Nevada and I simply do not believe
that and so it will give me the opportunity to talk to them about that.
Now Mack has a two-day sentencing hearing set to begin on Tuesday, January 15th.
If he does not get granted a new trial during that hearing, there'll be a sentencing hearing
starting that same Thursday.
We're covering the Darren Mack trial live in downtown Reno.
Brandon Rudeven, Channel 2 News.
Brandon thank you and count on Channel 2 News for the latest developments in the Darren
Mack trial.
When pigs fly or in this case walk all over the interstate, whichever, check it out, a
semi that was carrying a load of pigs rolled over on I-80 just east of Fernley.
It left pigs everywhere.
Some of the pigs were killed in the accident.
The driver was not insured.
One westbound lane was closed for several hours while the accident was cleared.
No word yet on what caused that wreck.
Well hundreds of wild horses in Nevada will soon be rounded up because of the drought
that's hit our state.
Bureau of Land Management officials say they've got to remove almost a thousand horses from
the Antelope Valley herd management area near Wells and the Antelope herd area south of
Ely.
They say there's just not enough food to support them.
Officers say the horses need to be moved now while they're still healthy.
The Mustangs will be taken to the National Wild Horse and Burro Center in Palomino Valley
as well as the Delta Corrals in Utah.
Now here's Chief Meteorologist Mike Alger's first look at the Pinpoint 2 forecast.
Well at this point it appears like we definitely have some cold temperatures coming our way
here.
Whether we're going to squeeze any kind of snowflake activity out of it is a pretty long
shot at least this far over here to the west.
Now what we have is we look into the satellite picture is a real cold pattern for us at this
point.
Right now there's a low pressure system, I'm going to draw it really it's down below the
bottom of your screen here with a high pressure ridge offshore here and you put those two
things together here and the jet stream at this point is going way up off to the western
side of the ridge of high pressure, gets up to about the Arctic Circle and then comes
right back on down and starts swiveling around and works its way around that low down to
the south.
So we have a little weak impulse here that's kind of working its way in down along the
jet stream and that is creating just a little bit of activity in terms of a few snow showers.
Very very light.
You can see them coming across Pyramid Lake.
Don't expect much out of those but do expect some very cold temperatures.
I'll have more on that with a complete forecast update coming up for you here in just a few
minutes.
Okay sounds good we'll see you then Mike.
Okay if you have a Christmas tree you want to make sure you know what to do to keep a
fire from starting.
Firefighters with the Sierra Fire Protection District are on hand to spray your tree with
fire retardant but they say it is not a guarantee.
They insist you take certain precautions like making sure that your tree is always watered
along with other tips.
Don't use an extension cord, use a power strip with a breaker on it and an on and off switch
and just be careful.
And being careful also means not putting on too many Christmas lights.
You should also make sure to turn off the lights before going to bed or before leaving
the house.
Also try not to have your tree too close to your heater vent.
This will dry it out faster than usual.
Now if you want to get your Christmas tree sprayed with fire retardant like those trees
were in the story just stop by at one of these three fire stations that are on your screen
and again this service is free.
Aretha is hanging tonight at the Nevada State Capitol to honor Nevada's veterans.
This morning Governor Gibbons and First Lady Dawn Gibbons held a wreath laying ceremony.
Veterans say it's important to remember our service men and women.
If you miss that ceremony you can still pay your respects.
There will be another wreath laying ceremony at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
in Fernley.
That service is this Saturday at noon.
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is coming back this week.
Now this is video of the Texas congressman when he was at the University of Nevada last
month.
On Thursday Paul will head out to Churchill County to rally supporters there.
He'll be at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Lodge Thursday night for a speech with the
Churchill County Republican Party.
The lodge is located at 7977 Reno Highway again in Fallon.
The Democrats are stepping up their presence here too but they are taking the high tech
approach.
I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.
It is time for America to set and reach big goals again.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have ads premiering tomorrow leading up to the Nevada
caucus January 19th.
I know that I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington.
Clinton's ads hit on basic issues of health care and ending the war.
Obama that you see there talks about being the Washington outsider but so far they are
the only two Democratic candidates to buy TV time.
That will probably change as we get closer to caucus and with the caucuses about 40 days
away stay with Channel 2 news for your continuing campaign 08 coverage.
Just another sign of a slow market.
The city of Reno decided new housing projects can hold off.
Perhaps pursue the development a couple years down the road when the market will presumably
bounce back.
City officials say 4500 less residential permits were given out so far this year compared to
2005.
And because of this market the city says developers will not have to get bonds to pay for sidewalks
curbs gutters and sewers.
Developers for grants landing a condo project near the Truckee River are waiting until spring
to start building and at cyan in South Reno they don't expect to have their 1500 homes
up for another four years.
And if along the way any of these developments need to stop and save money and construction
they can.
Democrats in Spanish Springs are fighting against proposed cell phone towers in their
area.
Excuse me.
To lack our group is planning to build 55 foot towers near these water tanks just off
of Sunset Springs Lane.
You can see the tanks in the background.
A group of residents is rallying the neighborhood against the plan.
Yesterday the group put up a balloon 55 feet up in the air to simulate the towers.
But the owner of to lack power group says that his organizations are one organization
anyways putting out a lot of misinformation.
The officials say they're planning only two towers not four and he says they're what they're
called stealth monopoles.
They're 55 feet tall.
They're only 30 inches in diameter and he says they won't show any of the antennas traditional
towers have.
Now a citizens advisory board meeting is going to be held Wednesday night 7 p.m. at the Lazy
Five Park on Pyramid Highway.
Washoe County Commission is expected to vote on this issue in January.
Coming up on Channel 2 News.
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is in dire need of food this December.
What can you do to help?
Well you're going to find out when Channel 2 News continues.
Well temperatures are dropping.
In fact they never got all that high today to begin with.
How chilly will this week be?
We'll have the answer for you coming up next.
You're watching Channel 2 News.
Coverage you can count on.
With Wendy DeMonte.
Bill Brown.
Sports with J.K. Metzger.
And Mike Algers Pinpoint 2 forecast.
This is Channel 2 News at 630.
The most experienced evening meteorologist in Northern Nevada.
Certified by the American Meteorological Society.
Mike Algers exclusive Pinpoint 2 forecast is coming up in 60 seconds.
Wow honey look at this energy bill.
It's so low.
That's because we called A1 Weatherby firewood.
For your firewood needs delivered to your home call A1 Weatherby firewood toll free.
You can order hardwood like almond, oak or softer wood like walnut or pine.
We will deliver a half cord, full cord or for larger orders we'll bring a bigger truck
and a wheelbarrow and stack it for you while you enjoy the day.
My name is Lee Weatherby and I give a written guarantee on every order.
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Get the full diagnostic picture with imaging and lab work in our convenient patient centers.
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Twin City Surplus is Workwear Central and Reno's oldest and most reliable car heart dealer.
Twin City stocks a full line of insulated work wear to meet your needs and every need.
Hurry to Twin City Surplus for the brute Thermal Net sweatshirt, heavy weight insulation, zip
front, just $24.99.
Protect your investments with American made canvas tarps.
Twin City is tarp HQ and we've got plenty of rope to tie it down.
Got a project to do?
There's major savings in the project center at Twin City Surplus on East 4th Street in
the Big Red Barn.
Channel 2 News continues with Chief Meteorologist Mike Alters' Pinpoint 2 forecast.
Broadcast certified by the American Meteorological Society.
Well, at this point it sure appears like we've got some very, very cold days ahead of us
here and perhaps just to kind of take some of the chill out of the air here we want to
take a look at a couple things.
First of all, one of the reasons we were so cool during the day today, we had a lot of
cloud cover come in this afternoon.
Coming down from the north it did produce a couple of very, very light showers every
now and again but not a whole lot out there and we're going to see that probably continue
on through the evening.
But I have some beautiful pictures sent in.
This is by Kurt Kuznicki, he sent this in.
Went out to Huff Acre Hills Park here and took a shot of certainly some good news for
the skiers up in the mountains.
We finally have some snow up there, a couple of breaks in the clouds here and then further
on down here to the South Steamboat Springs area here, beautiful sunrise here that James
Anderson sent in to me said, yeah, it might take some of the gloom out of the air here
with some of the beautiful lights that can happen that early.
Down to 33 degrees right now, east-north-east winds at about three miles per hour, mostly
cloudy skies, 58 percent humidity in the barometer, up four points in the last three hours at
30.06.
High temperature today was 35 degrees and low this morning was 20.
Of course, both of those below the average, especially that high and of course no precipitation
over the last 24 hours of a measurable amount.
We've had a couple of light flurries now and again, but just not enough even once you melt
those few flakes down to register in the rain gauge.
All right, so we got a low pressure system sitting way up here in the western part of
the Gulf of Alaska plus the one that dropped down here and is sitting way down off the
Baja California coastline.
In between that, this ridge of high pressure that's built up here is sending our jet stream
between these two systems way up to the north all the way to the Arctic Circle here and then
dropping back down around that low to the south.
Now every once in a while when you get this kind of pattern with this northerly flow,
all you really need is some kind of impulse coming around the backside of that to give
us what we call an inside slider pattern.
Now this one seems to be a little bit too far inside and by that I mean it's a little
bit too far to the east to give us more than just a few light, light snow flurries over
here.
We're seeing a little more significant snow shower pattern over there in the eastern,
central and eastern part of the state here, basically from Austin over to Eureka along
Highway 50 and from Oches to the east of Battle Mountain all the way over into Elko.
That's probably where any measurable snowfall will happen here tonight.
By tomorrow, as the day goes along, the clouds that we see to begin with will start to break
up from north going down to the south and we'll see some morning winds out of the east
at 10 miles per hour in the valley getting lighter in the afternoon.
Much stronger east winds though once you get up in the mountains.
In fact, there's a lake wind advisory starting midnight tonight up around Lake Tahoe continuing
through the early part of the day tomorrow.
Weather wise with that northerly flow though, everybody's struggling just to get up to the
freezing mark in most places, not even getting out of the 20s.
We'll see basically temperatures in the low 20s in Winamucca, mid to upper 20s, Battle
Mountain, maybe low 30s in Lovelock and Fallon and perhaps here in Reno as well.
I think we'll top out at about the freezing mark with a high temperature there, 23 for
our low tonight.
We'd be colder except the clouds are going to keep us from radiating out too much heat.
We'll see temperatures in the low 30s for your highs up around Lake Tahoe.
Now with that for the lake tomorrow, we might see a few light snow showers tonight.
Isolated morning snow flurrying in the morning then clearing out in the afternoon.
East winds though 10 to 20, gusts to 30 again starting midnight tonight.
Here's that lake wind advisory for the Reno area.
Again, we might see a flake or two overnight tonight but not much.
Mostly cloudy skies in the morning, partial to mostly clearing skies in the afternoon
and winds will be light.
But the high only at the freezing mark at 32.
Now we warm up slightly on Wednesday, should be dry and mostly sunny and 39 on Thursday.
Share your holiday Friday.
No excuse not to hop in the car and come out and drive and see us.
We'll warm up in the low 40s, few clouds here and there.
Maybe a very weak system on Saturday.
I'm putting snowflakes there which might be overstating the case just a little bit.
Sunday, bit of a break.
And then Monday, that one at least at this point looks to be a little bit stronger.
We might see a little more healthy snowfall up in the mountains especially.
Good.
That'd be good.
Perfect.
Thanks Mike.
Coming up next.
A major furniture store is getting into the holiday spirit with free freezers.
Now we'll explain that after this short break so please stay with us.
You're watching Channel 2 News.
Coverage you can count on.
This is Channel 2 News at 6.30.
Channel 2's Share Your Holiday Food Drive is this Friday and all the food collected
stays right in the community where it's donated.
And here in Reno, that is the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.
The pantry shelves inside the Food Bank definitely need your help getting filled.
This year's Holiday Food Drive has only brought in 50% of what they normally receive.
And if you don't have time to pick up food to drop off, the Food Bank can actually do
a whole lot with a cash donation too.
If you give me a can of soup, I have a can of soup to distribute.
If you give me a dollar, I can buy two and sometimes even three cans of soup to distribute.
So we can leverage because we buy by the truckload.
The biggest need now is for staple food items, things that make meals like chili, soup, tuna.
And you can also help out Share Your Holiday by trading food for a fare on RTC.
On Thursday and Friday, just bring a can of food to the bus stop and donate it.
In exchange, you'll get a free ride.
Again, that's this Thursday and Friday on any RTC bus.
And of course, all these good deeds will benefit Channel 2's 15th Annual Share Your Holiday
Food Drive.
It's this Friday from 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening.
As you heard earlier, we do have four locations.
The Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, outside the Vans Store at the Summit Sierra Mall in South
Reno, the Governor's Mansion in Carson City, and the Carson Valley Inn down in Minden.
Remember, all you have to do is drive on by.
You never even have to get out of your car.
A furniture store in Reno is also stepping in to share the holiday spirit this year.
R.C.
Willie Home Furnishings is one of the drop off points for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.
On top of that, this year, the store is also giving a special present to seven needy families
in the Reno Sparks area.
The families will be getting brand new freezers.
People need food.
And a freezer is a way to keep it for a longer period of time.
And this is a way to stock up and be able to have food well into next year.
So the store is giving away 75 freezers company wide this holiday season as part of R.C.
Willie's 75th anniversary.
Up next to sports, the Wolfpack football team welcomes back a key player.
J.K.
Metzger will have all the details.
Thanks for watching.
We will be right back.
Twin City Surplus has complete two person camp packages on sale as low as $79.50.
The Beijing Shaolin Martial Arts School and Harrah's Reno are honored to present the legendary
Chinese Kung Fu classic Monkey King creates havoc in heaven.
This extraordinary display of martial prowess is making its North American debut at Harrah's
Reno for five days only.
So don't miss this limited engagement from December 12th through the 16th and your chance
to experience Chinese Kung Fu history.
Call 775-788-2900 for reservations.
Ode to the new subway feast.
This ain't a sandwich.
It's a runaway 18-wheeler of flavor barreling through tasty town.
And your appetite is slowly crossing its path.
Wham!
Freshly baked bread hauling a massive cargo of black forest ham, roast beef, turkey, pepperoni
and salami.
The new subway feast.
Watch out!
Here comes dinner or lunch.
Just don't call it a snack.
Subway.
Eat fresh.
J.K.
Metzger joins us now to talk about that bowl game rapidly approaching.
And they're getting a player back, the Pacquias, and they can really use this guy.
Oh yeah, one of their best defensive players, guys.
And he's going to be back in action.
It's going to be nearly two months between games for the Wolf Packs, Josh Maaga.
But he's going to be getting back on the field for the New Mexico Bowl.
He's finally been cleared to play.
The former Falon star back at practice today on a cold afternoon at Wolf Pack Park.
Took part in various drills.
Maaga has been out of action since injuring his knee during the Utah State game back on
October 20th.
Up until that time, the junior linebacker was leading the whack in tackles and he was
fifth in the nation.
He was averaging almost 12 tackles a game.
Today he spoke with the media since the first time he was cleared and said it wasn't easy
sitting out those last five games.
Man, it just sucked just sitting there watching and knowing that I could be out there playing
with the seniors.
It was just horrible.
Well Josh, it's a day-to-day thing.
He's improved.
He did some extra work the other day.
I mean, he's not going to start for us.
There's no question about that.
We're just hoping he can suit up and maybe get some plays in.
And we'll see before too long.
It's Nevada taking on New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl, December 22nd, 1.30 on ESPN.
Of course, Channel 2 will be there.
Former Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick has been sentenced to 23 months in prison for
running a dogfighting operation.
Vick listened to his fate in a Virginia courthouse while wearing black and white striped prison
jumpsuit.
23 months was a tough sentence and given in part because Vick lied about his involvement
and also failed a drug test.
This could end Vick's NFL career because including this year, he will have missed three seasons
by the time he gets out.
Plus, there's a possibility that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could step in and make a ruling
regarding his future when he does get out in 2009.
It's estimated Vick's going to lose $142 million from salary endorsements and signing bonuses.
Well, how about our top football plays of the year?
We wrapped up the high school season on Friday and this was voted as our third best player
and third best play of the year, I should say.
Douglas and Carson and that was Brandon Lawrence shaking off a runner, getting in for the touchdown.
This was a huge game between Galina and McQueen, the Grizzlies.
Little punt return and the Lancers Matt Phipps has other ideas.
Little thievery there.
Strips it, takes it back the other way for the touchdown.
Yeah, we just can't get enough of this one.
Our number one play of the year, not even in high school, it's the Mighty Mights and
this is Caleb McAllister with the hit of the year.
Falcons and the Ravens, Caleb McAllister supplying us with the best hit we saw all season regardless
if it was popcorn or high school and that, no question about it, was our play of the
year.
And actually the kid that got popped ended up walking off the field.
That was an NFL hit right there.
It was kind of kicked off and yeah, Caleb giving us a good one.
Thank you.
Yes, thank you.
We'll be right back.
We better.
Try Archie's famous cheeseburger two for one special through December, open every day.
I got one cold cardboard special, fake cheese, greasy little pepperonis.
That's 15 bucks plus my tip.
Don't settle for this.
Get a pizza loaded with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and black olives you bake when you
want.
Now get a large cowboy pizza for just 9.99.
Handmade, home baked.
That's Papa Murphy's.
We can do that.
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R.C.
Willie is the place to shop this holiday season.
With our incredible selection, you'll find something for everyone on your list.
No one beats our prices on sofas, dining and bedroom sets, Lazy Boy recliners and much
more.
Through Tuesday with any purchase of 4.99 or more, this camp quarter is only $75.
Shop holiday hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and take advantage of special pricing in every
department.
Gift cards are available online and in store.
This year, make it an R.C.
Willie Christmas.
It's holiday bonus giveaway at Baldini's.
Qualify all week long with 20 winners every Saturday and win big with the random progressive
jackpot only at Baldini's.
You'll love the experience.
Wednesday is Mervin's one day 50% off sale.
Shop 7 a.m. till midnight to save 50% or more throughout the store.
Plus, shop for incredible door busters from 7 a.m. to 1.
Mervin's one day 50% off sale.
Wednesday only.
Open 7 a.m. till midnight.
Still much more ahead tonight.
Channel 2 News.
At 11 o'clock, a teachers union wants to significantly raise casino taxes in the name of more money
for education.
Not how many of you actually support it though.
Well, we'll take a look at that tonight at 11.
Until then, stay informed by tuning into our radio news partner, KJFK, 1230 a.m. plus these
other Americom radio stations.
And you can always get the latest information by going to our website at KTVN.com.
And that is the news for 630.
Thanks so much for being with us tonight, everybody.
Be sure to bundle up those kids tomorrow morning waiting for the bus.
We'll need them to chill a little.
It will be cold.
It will.
We need to bundle up the kids.
Well, we'll see you back here at 11 tonight.
I want you to know I-