The beloved bearded, one-toothed gun-toting gold miner who is iconic to Sparks is still in a state of disarray and desperately needs help. Standing at 35 feet tall, “Last Chance Joe” is a structure that was relocated to the Sparks Museum and Cultural Center in late 2014. Originally installed in front of Dick Graves Nugget in downtown Sparks in 1955, Last Chance Joe was built … [Read more...]
Sparks couple continues Hot August Nights tradition
With another successful Hot August Nights coming to a close, longtime Sparks residents Dan and Michelle Rittel will be putting away their beloved “Lola”- a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air- until next year. “Our very first Hot August Nights was after we bought our first classic car in 1987,” the couple says. “It was a 1956 210 Chevy 4-door hardtop sedan from Carson City,” says Dan. … [Read more...]
Hot August Nights heating up in Sparks
On August 1, 1986, hundreds of Northern Nevada residents and guests gathered at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to ogle over cars of the 1950’s-60’s era and rock out to the Righteous Brothers. Although dancing to now-considered oldies-but-goodies live music was the main reason why people gathered, the classic car parade proved to be the highlight of what became known as Hot … [Read more...]
Donations save music programs at Sparks High for 2017-18 school year
In late spring, the Washoe County School District announced that due to budget cuts, new teacher allocations would cut six and a half positions from Sparks High School with one of them being the beloved music program. Parents, teachers, and students were shocked and dismayed to learn of the news and desperately began trying to raise funds to keep the Marching Symphonic Band, … [Read more...]
Officials break ground on new State Veterans Home in Sparks
“This is a day that I’ve been looking forward to for many, many years,” Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval stated at the July 17 groundbreaking ceremony of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home. More than 450 excited people gathered in a tent to laugh, honor, and celebrate the start of construction of the highly anticipated 102,000 square foot veterans’ center. … [Read more...]
Glendale makeover on track for November completion
Sparks commuters may have noticed the heavy summer road construction on the two-and-a-half mile stretch on Glendale Avenue between east McCarran Boulevard in Sparks and Kietzke Lane in Reno, but when is it supposed to end? Roadbed surfaces and old pavement 18 inches deep are in the process of being removed to be replaced with a sturdier roadway base and finished with 6” of … [Read more...]
Sparks City Council approves recreational marijuana sales
On Monday, the Sparks City Council held the second reading and public hearing about an ordinance to amend Title 5 of the Sparks Municipal Code to allow medical marijuana facilities to cultivate, test and sell recreational marijuana at retail. After a lengthy discussion from council members and public comment, the city council approved the ordinance in a 3-2 vote. A few city … [Read more...]
Nugget on track to complete makeover by end of 2018
When Marnell Gaming acquired the Nugget Casino Resort 14 months ago, there was a lot of work that had to be done. “Whatever could break, broke,” says Nugget’s General Manager Mark Sterbens Jr. However, instead of investing a little money here and there to try to keep the place running, Marnell Gaming opted to undergo a $25 million renovation project that includes rebuilding … [Read more...]