By Rocio Hernandez The Nevada Independent More than two years after COVID-19 emerged, disrupting schooling routines and student learning, a trio of conservative Washoe County School Board candidates are challenging incumbents on hot-button education issues including social justice and sexual education curriculum. The District B, C and F seats on the Washoe County … [Read more...]
Sparks native opens Coffee N’ Comics across from Reed HS
Sparks native Alex Farside took a significant risk by opening a coffee shop/comic bookstore in Reno before the pandemic. But thanks to his hard work, tenacity, creative marketing, and giving the Reno/Sparks community exactly what they want, his concept did so well that he has now launched another location in Sparks. It’s across from where he went to high school (Farside was … [Read more...]
Climate change magnifies health impacts of wildfire smoke in care deserts
By Julie Appleby and Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez The Nevada Independent Smoke began billowing into the skies of northwestern Nevada in September, clouding the mountains, dimming the sun — and quashing residents’ hopes that they would be spared from wildfires and the awful air quality the blazes produce. The lung-irritating particles were blowing in from burning forests in … [Read more...]
Annual Harvest Festival back at family farm in Sparks
Andelin Family Farm’s Harvest Festival is back and offering a plethora of fall-themed activities, spooky adventures, and a pumpkin patch for people of all ages to enjoy. The Harvest Festival is open Wednesdays-Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, October 29. Tickets cost $13-$17 depending on what day you go and kids two and under are free. Admission to the … [Read more...]
Real estate market showing signs of settling in Northern Nevada
The Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS (RSAR) released its home sale report on what the real estate market has been doing in the last few months and it seems like it is finally starting to stabilize. According to its report based off data collected through the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service, the median price of a home was up less than one percent from … [Read more...]
Nevada cannabis industry sees $965 million in annual sales, transmits $147 million to education
By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent Despite a slight year-to-year dip, Nevada’s legal cannabis industry still reported nearly $1 billion in taxable sales over the last fiscal year, with a sizable chunk transferred to the state’s education budget. This fiscal year’s $965 million in taxable funds is about a 4 percent decrease from the previous fiscal year which … [Read more...]
City outlines plans for ARPA funds
At its September 26 city council meeting, the City of Sparks approved the spending plan for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received in the amount of $16,230,272. This allocation was received from the federal government to address the social, health, and economic impacts created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first half of the $16.2 million was deposited into the … [Read more...]
Volunteers sought for foster grandparent program
Seniors in Service- a division of AmeriCorps Seniors- is looking for grandparents to volunteer in the Northern Nevada region. Headquartered in Sparks, the Foster Grandparent Program currently has 76 volunteers. The main prerequisite for being a volunteer is to be at least 55 years or older, enjoy spending time with children, and be able to dedicate at least five hours a week … [Read more...]