By Howard Stutz The Nevada Independent Jimmy and Danny Wadhams developed hundreds of relationships with the owners of bars, taverns and other Nevada businesses over the last decade as top executives with Golden Entertainment, the state’s largest slot machine route operator. But the brothers long envisioned striking out on their own. The opportunity came last year … [Read more...]
Grad students laud proposed stipend increase, but push for more
By Jacob Solis The Nevada Independent After more than a year of lobbying both on campus and in Carson City, graduate students at UNR and UNLV are on track to receive a $20 million boost in assistantship stipends under Gov. Joe Lombardo’s proposed budget. Nicole Thomas, president of UNLV’s Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), said that officials on … [Read more...]
Elks Lodge names Casey Mentzer its 2022 Sparks Citizen of the Year
On February 10, the Sparks Elks Lodge 2397 named Casey Mentzer its 2022 Sparks Citizen of the Year. As the lead engineer at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF), Mentzer is passionate about his job. He was born and raised in Sparks and earned a B.S. degree with a focus in chemical engineering and then a Master’s in Public Administration from University of … [Read more...]
Sparks City Council Meeting highlights
The following are highlights from the February 13, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting. Announcements/Presentations • University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval presented a university update. • Adam Searcy, Chief Operating Officer for Washoe County School District, provided an update on the new Procter R. Hug High School. • Mayor Lawson proclaimed February as … [Read more...]
Reno agrees to $250,000 settlement with observer hit by pepper balls at protest
By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent The Reno City Council has granted a $250,000 settlement to Rebecca Gasca, a former legal observer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, who sued after she said she was hit by pepper balls shot by local police at a downtown Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. “We owe a great deal of an apology to this plaintiff and … [Read more...]
Drake Elementary School teacher wins prestigious Milken Educator Award
Last week, Florence Drake Elementary School teacher and soccer coach Jason Murray was given the Milken Educator Award along with a $25,000 cash prize to use however he wants. Murray teaches third and fourth grade at the Sparks elementary school and joined 2,900 other instructors across the nation who are equally dedicated to strengthening the educational system in America. The … [Read more...]
Council rejects settlement offer from former fire chief
In its regularly scheduled February 13 City Council meeting, Sparks councilmembers struck down a proposal by former fire chief Mark Lawson to give him $441,218.83 in settlement fees in which Lawson cited he was owed for allegedly terminating his contract without cause and breach of contract. Lawson demanded compensation for the loss of pay, benefits, legal fees, and … [Read more...]
Washoe superintendent calls for panic buttons, fewer tests in first annual address
By Rocio Hernandez The Nevada Independent Washoe County School District (WCSD) Superintendent Susan Enfield said she’s the district’s loudest cheerleader and its most loving critic. During her first State of Education address on Thursday night, Enfield was a bit of both. The new superintendent didn’t shy away from identifying areas in which the district needs … [Read more...]