Storm closes state offices

With Northern Nevada buried beneath the snow from a major storm, Gov. Brian Sandoval has ordered all non-essential state employees sent home.

"Due to the significant snowfall and the potential for hazardous traveling conditions, non-essential state employees have been sent home early and state offices will be closing this afternoon," said Sandoval's office.

The shutdown applies to Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Lyon and Washoe counties. Those employees have been granted administrative leave because of the storm. That means they will be paid for a full day's work even though they were released just before noon.

Lorne Malkiewish, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said the legislature was also pretty much shut down because of the storm. He said as of noon, only two committees were attempting to finish their scheduled agendas and that they would be done shortly.

The shutdown does not apply to public safety workers such as highway patrol troopers, correctional officers and snowplow drivers.