City of Reno Working to Keep Children Eating Healthy All Summer

(RENO, Nev.) -- The city of Reno is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a project that aims to keep children eating healthy during the summer.

Free meals, breakfast and lunch, will be provided to children under the age of 18 at various locations throughout much of the summer. There is no income requirement or registration for the program. Students enrolled in summer camps will also receive these free meals.

Breakfast will be served at Duncan Elementary School beginning on June 17 from 8:30 a.m., and at Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center beginning June 10 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Lunch will be served at those two locations, as well as Robinhood Park, Pat Baker Park and Plumas Gym.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich Dead at 91

(RENO, Nev.) -- Barbara Vucanovich, the first woman elected to Congress from Nevada, died on Monday at the age of 91.

According to the Reno Gazette Journal, Vucanovich was at a Reno care facility when she died.

Vucanovich, who first ran for Congress at the age of 61 in 1982,  represented the Second Congressional District for seven terms until her retirement at the age of 75.

Vucanovich is survived by her brother, her four children, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Reno Fire Department Urges Careful Grill Use

(RENO) -- The Reno Fire Department is urging residents to be careful when grilling outdoors during the summertime.

“It’s that time of the year when many families and members of our community will be grilling outdoors,” Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez says in a press release. “By following a few safety precautions burn injuries, fires, and other emergency situations can be prevented.”

The press release cites a number of tips from the National Fire Protection Association, including to keep grills away from your home, keep children and pets away from the grill and never leave a grill unattended. For residents using charcoal grills, both the RFD and the NFPA advice carefully disposing off charcoal after use, especially making sure that the charcoal is cool before placing it in containers for disposal.

Residents are also advised to ensure that propane tanks should be checked for gas hose leaks before the first use of the season.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Department of Education to Release Public School Rankings

(RENO, Nev.) -- The Nevada Department of Education is set to disclose statewide public school rankings on Friday.

According to the Reno Gazette Journal, the rankings will be the first step in a series of evaluations that will impact students, teachers and administrators.

Each school will receive a report and information about how students scored on state assessments and on the progress made by the school in an array of areas, says the Gazette Journal. Administrators and teachers will also get access to that information to help improve the educational experience.

The next step will be an evaluation system, without consequences, for teachers in 2013-2014.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Reno Home Prices Up 25 Percent from Last Year

(RENO, Nev.) -- April home prices in the Reno-Sparks market are up 25 percent compared to last year, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports.

According to CoreLogic, a residential property information provider, the price of a home was 26 percent more than it was in April 2012. The price has also risen an additional 3.5 percent since March.

According to experts, the increase is a part of an economic turnaround. Even unemployment in Nevada is now under 10 percent.

Home prices increased in all 50 states by an average of 12.1 percent, a sign of an improving housing market.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio