SPARKS, NV (AP) — Sparks Mayor Ron Smith says he's battling cancer.

He says he may miss a few meetings and events, but that the disease was caught early and that both he and his doctors are "very positive" he will respond well to treatment.

 

Smith was sworn in as Sparks' 25th mayor in early November. He succeeded Mayor Geno Martini, the city's longest-serving mayor.

 

Smith said in his statement he's asking for "your thoughts, prayers and encouragement, as well as privacy" while he tries to recover.