The Nevada Independent Assemblywoman Angie Taylor (D-Reno) and longtime Reno City Council member Naomi Duerr announced plans Thursday to run for Senate District 15 in 2024, setting up a Democratic primary challenge in a key legislative seat closely eyed by both political parties. The two Democrats are competing for the seat of Sen. Heidi Seevers Gansert (R-Reno), who … [Read more...]
Sparks City Council meeting highlights
The following are highlights from the September 11, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting. Announcements/ Presentations Mayor Lawson recognized Fallen Fire Fighters Rick Feldman and Mike Foster’s service and sacrifice to the community, critical role in saving lives, protecting property and the environment, and tireless dedication to duty and supported adding their names to … [Read more...]
Northern Nevadans pack park for 42nd annual balloon race
At 6 a.m. on the morning of September 7, dozens of pilots gathered at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno in preparation for taking to the skies in their hot air balloons that weekend for the 42nd annual Great Reno Balloon Race. Fan favorites such as Juliet, Smokey the Bear, and Bandit floated over Northern Nevada, delighting thousands of spectators down below who got up … [Read more...]
City terminates contract of city manager; names replacement
At its regularly scheduled Sparks City Council meeting on September 5, 2023, city council members voted to terminate City Manager Neil Krutz’s employment agreement. The council determined that they were able to end Krutz’s contract “with cause” for violating a few city municipal codes including Sections 1(A), 13(B), 7(D), among others. The decision comes after City of Sparks … [Read more...]
Low wages, remote locations keeps Nevada State Parks hiring low despite popularity boom
The Nevada Independent Some days, Allen Woolridge plans for the future of Lake Tahoe’s popular state parks. Other days, he empties trash cans and cleans the bathrooms. Woolridge is the Tahoe region manager for Nevada State Parks, a top administrator with 15 years working for the agency. But as visitation to Nevada’s parks swells, more than a quarter of Nevada State … [Read more...]
Oddie Project to bring affordable childcare and community services to Northern Nevadans
Last week, representatives from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and the Children’s Cabinet joined Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo in celebrating the signing of Senate Bill (SB) 263 regarding the purchase of some land and buildings to house the Oddie Project. The bipartisan bill will flush $6 million into the Oddie Project, which aims to bring affordable childcare and community … [Read more...]
NV Energy replacing main line in sections of Sparks
From now through mid-December, NV Energy and Q&D Construction will be replacing around 2,800 feet of natural gas lines in certain areas of Sparks. Affected homes and businesses in the area have been contacted by NV Energy about this project to coordinate any interruptions in their natural gas service. NV Energy plans on working on replacing the natural gas mainline in … [Read more...]
Can robots keep Tahoe’s beaches and water clean?
The Nevada Independent When the July Fourth crowds cleared out from Tahoe’s beaches this year, visitors left thousands of pounds of trash behind — Zephyr Shoals alone had 6,300 pounds of rubbish. The next day, volunteers flocked to the beaches, picking up broken coolers and lawn chairs, plastic cups and aluminum cans. But more rubbish, unseen by the volunteers, hid just … [Read more...]