The City of Sparks invites the community to kick off the holidays this weekend, Dec. 1 and 2, 2023. The annual tree lighting ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 1 from 6:30– 7 p.m. next to the large gazebo on the corner of Victorian Avenue and Victorian Plaza Circle. The ceremony includes music from Gruve Nation. Mayor Ed Lawson will flip the switch to light the city’s … [Read more...]
Reno-Sparks mobile food pantry steps in amidrising prices, inflation
By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent At 8 a.m. on a sunny, mid-October Saturday, volunteers for The Community Food Pantry mobile program gather outside the Ponderosa Hotel — a motel in the heart of Reno used by some people as their permanent residence — and start giving out food. Volunteers ask clients what they are in the mood for on this distribution day, and … [Read more...]
Committee votes to redraw boundary lines in Sparks
On Thursday, November 16, 2023, the Washoe County School District met with the WCSD Zoning Advisory Committee and the public at Sky Ranch Middle School at 1200 Windmill Farms Road in Sparks to discuss possibly changing the boundaries for up to 10 schools in the area. “We talked about the rezoning of middle and elementary schools in Sparks and north Spanish Springs to help … [Read more...]
Sparks city council meeting highlights
The following are highlights from the November 20, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting. Announcements/ Presentations Two vacancies on the Sparks Planning Commission, each for a 4-year term ending December 31, 2027. Applicants must be registered to vote and reside in the City of Sparks. One vacancy for a residential construction representative on the Sparks Enterprise … [Read more...]
Reno resource center aims to help immigrants, abuse victims ‘thrive, not just survive’
By Jannelle Calderon The Nevada Independent What started as a nonprofit to help and advocate for immigrant victims of crimes, domestic violence, abuse and trafficking in Northern Nevada, Tu Casa Latina has become a go-to helping hand for Latinos looking for resources in Spanish. While neither a shelter nor a law firm, Tu Casa Latina is accredited by the Department of … [Read more...]
Griswold Challenge returns to downtown Sparks
The 39 North Pole Village Griswold Challenge is back, and Sparks families/businesses are invited to participate in the annual holiday light decorating contest held in Downtown Sparks November 30 through December 2 free of charge. The 8th annual challenge celebrates the true spirit of Christmas by inviting people to create their best, most innovative light displays and fill a … [Read more...]
After less than 2 years on the job, WCSD superintendent announces resignation
On the morning of November 20, 2023, Washoe County School District Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield announced that she was leaving the District. She submitted her letter of resignation on November 15, but it was short and sweet, simply stating that she was submitting her 90-day notice to “pursue other opportunities”. This came as quite a shock to the Board of Trustees, who … [Read more...]
New rules ease fears that Nevada universities could lose coveted ‘R1’ status
By Jacob Solis The Nevada Independent Dramatically simplified guidelines published last week by the groups that effectively designate the country’s top research universities could virtually guarantee that UNR and UNLV maintain their desired “R1” status — even as budget woes have forced institutional cuts across the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) this fall. In … [Read more...]