The following are highlights from the August 28, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting. Announcements/ Presentations Council approved: Public Hearings … [Read more...]
Annual homeless census shows increases across state, full picture incomplete
By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent Every year, volunteers in Clark and Washoe counties, as well as rural areas, gather before dawn and drive down every street of their communities, counting the number of people experiencing homelessness. The point-in-time count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of annual data-gathering … [Read more...]
State to implement reservation system at campgrounds and popular parks
The Nevada Independent Nevada State Parks is rolling out a reservation system for overnight visitors, as well as some day-use visitors, starting Sept. 1. Reserve Nevada, a new online reservation system, will offer reservations for day-use passes, campsites and cabins, annual permits and special events. Reservations, which include a service fee of up to $5 per transaction … [Read more...]
Police dog using his nose to keep Washoe schools safe
By Rocio Hernandez The Nevada Independent A new face has joined the Washoe County School District — and he’s using his nose to keep schools safe. Astro, an 18-month-old Labrador retriever, arrived at the school district in early July from Ireland, just north of Belfast, where he was bred and trained to be a firearms detection dog. Astro and his handler, officer Matt … [Read more...]
City manager placed on administrative leave at special meeting
Some people may have noticed at the regular August 14 Sparks City Council meeting that a new interim city manager was present in lieu of Neil Krutz. A week later on August 25, the city council held a special meeting to discuss the status of Krutz’s employment contract which lasted 20 minutes. In the meeting, Assistant City Manager Alyson McCormick explained to the council … [Read more...]
Victorian Square set to play host to annual rib cook off
One of the region’s most celebrated events is here as the best rib cookers from across the country (and beyond) come together to compete for the best ribs in the west crown. Hosted by the Nugget Casino Resort, the Best In The West Rib Cook Off features six days of events with live music and pork tasting with 20-plus rib cookers taking over Victorian Square between August … [Read more...]
Rising teen drug overdoses have advocates pushing for ‘reality-based’ approaches
By Jannelle Calderon The Nevada Independent A concerning 94 percent rise in overdose mortality rates among older teens from 2019 to 2020 has prevention advocates changing how they approach talking to teens about substance abuse. Even with illicit drug use rates declining overall in that survey, the old tactics of using fear and zero tolerance policies tend to encourage … [Read more...]
Few DMV customers claimed refunds for unconstitutional $1 fee
By Sean Golonka The Nevada Independent Despite the Nevada DMV making millions of dollars available for refunding $1-per-transaction technology fees declared unconstitutional in 2021 by the Nevada Supreme Court, motorists have claimed less than 10 percent of the available funds, according to a final report on the refund project presented Monday to state lawmakers. Out … [Read more...]