Kevin D. Janison

Kevin has always liked creating stories, with his first written while he was in Kindergarten. It was four sentences. The last sentence was “And they did.” It’s not copyrighted. Creative writing and storytelling, based on the humor in our everyday lives is his passion. In May 2007, the first Deputy Dorkface adventure was published, “Deputy Dorkface; How Stinkville Got Cleaned Up.” The book is based on a bedtime story Kevin told his children about a town where nobody takes a bath. When Taylor and Colin were young, occasionally they would be having too much fun right up until bedtime. Like most young people, they wouldn’t want to stop their activities just to take a bath. Kevin would make up these Deputy Dorkface stories to tell his children, their friends, cousins, and anybody who would listen… almost every night. And most nights, by request. They were interactive, with the kids offering the names of their horses, activities and stunts for the story participants, and how the townspeople were going to get cleaned up in that night’s version. It was Improv by Dad. Of course, every night ended with a bath! By the way, the name “Deputy Dorkface” was just made up to make the kids laugh. It worked! Conversely, as teenagers, the “kids” never seem to want to get OUT of the shower. Look for that sequel someday. Stinkville has already gone into its third printing and inspired the follow-up: “Deputy Dorkface; How Sugaropolis Got Dessert Back” about a town where the kids are too full for dinner but always have room for dessert, a common custom in most of our homes. “Sugaropolis” entered its second printing in 2012. And… “Deputy Dorkface; How Mannerland Got Its Manners Back” was his latest adventure to hit the shelves in April 2011. He shares the stories plus demonstrates the writing and editing process in schools throughout the year. The students come away with a new respect for the importance of reading, and a new enthusiasm for creative writing. The Deputy Dorkface series is a Gold Award recipient from the Mom's Choice Awards honoring excellence. Mannerland was the Gold Award winner in the General/Early Reader category from Children’s Literary Classics in 2013. Sugaropolis made the ”recommended reading” list of the Nevada Young Readers Association in 2012. Kevin has been a television meteorologist since 1983. He moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1994. Kevin was named National Broadcaster of the Year in 2006 by the National Weather Association. This honor was bestowed based on his on-air work, building and administrating the weather station network and service to the community. It is a very prestigious honor since every TV meteorologist/weathercaster in the country is eligible. In June 2013, Kevin received his fifth Emmy award from the Southwest Region of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences. It was his 9th nomination for his on-air work. He has won a “Best Weathercast” award from the Associated Press, “Best On-Air Personality” and six “Best Weathercaster” awards from Las Vegas’ Electronic Media Awards, plus several mentions in the Review Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” annual edition. In 2006, Kevin was named to the Greenspun Media Group’s “Most Influential Las Vegans.” In 2003, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce named Kevin, “Humanitarian of the Year.” In 2005, he was recognized as a “Citizen of Distinction” by the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow. He was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2012 he was included again in “Distinguished Women and Men in Nevada.” An avid tennis enthusiast, Kevin is often found on local courts. And… to add a little excitement, looks forward to that week each Spring traveling to the Plains to chase tornadoes.