By Rocio Hernandez The Nevada Independent When Washoe County Superintendent Susan Enfield was considered for the post in 2022, one piece of information from her resume stood out to board members — her 10-year tenure at her previous school district in Washington. During the past 12 years, the district has had five superintendents, including Enfield, who were in the … [Read more...]
After quick vote, city rejects latest settlement offer from former fire chief
On December 4, 2023, former City of Sparks Fire Chief Mark Lawson representatives Hutchinson & Steffen Attorneys sent the City a Fourth Demand Letter requesting a final settlement of $600,000. “This sum will compensate Mr. Lawson for the economic and reputational damages that the City and Mr. Krutz inflicted upon Mr. Lawson. As you are aware, this lawsuit was filed … [Read more...]
Washoe library board meeting results in hourslong public comment
By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent A culture war that’s raged in Nevada and beyond over book collections and events featuring members of the LGBTQ+ community boiled up again Wednesday when the Washoe County library director’s evaluation led to failed motions for his termination and public comment that persisted for hours. The lengthy public comment pushed the … [Read more...]
Medicaid expansions, prison reforms among more than 80 laws that took effect Jan. 1
By Eric Neugeboren and Sean Golonka The Nevada Independent More than 80 laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year will go into effect Jan. 1, including measures that restrict the use of solitary confinement in Nevada prisons and expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum care and adults with autism. The group of the roughly 540 bills signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo … [Read more...]
State’s drought designation likely to lift by this spring
The Nevada Independent All Nevada drought designations are likely to lift by this spring, according to data released Thursday by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. Small pockets of Southern Nevada remain under a drought designation, but those are likely to be removed by the end of March. A little more than a year ago, 100 percent of Nevada was in … [Read more...]
Reno mentorship program provides community, language practice for young refugees
By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent Twenty-year-old Fakhar Sultani lived in Afghanistan until he and his family moved to Reno in 2017. Six years later Sultani — who goes by Omar because “Fakhar is kind of hard to pronounce” — has finished high school by age 16, completed his associate degree in automotive studies at Truckee Meadows Community College and is … [Read more...]
Local Briefs
SPARKS CITY HALL AND PARKS AND RECREATION ANNOUNCE NEW OFFICE HOURS FOR 2024 Sparks City Hall and Sparks Parks and Recreation Department are set to implement revised office hours in 2024. Beginning January 2, 2024, Sparks City Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sparks Parks and Recreation Department will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday … [Read more...]
Overshadowed by electrification push, hydrogen gains steam in Nevada public transportation
By Amy Alonzo The Nevada Independent Lithium exploration, geothermal development and expanding transmission capacity are key topics in the drive for green energy development in Nevada. But regional transportation commissions throughout the state are looking to another form of green energy to reduce their carbon footprint: hydrogen. The Regional Transportation … [Read more...]