What do You Think of the Luxury Package for Midtown Reno's Dancing in the Streets?

Jaime Chapman, the executive director of Midtown Reno, is hard at work helping organize this year’s upcoming Dancing in the Streets, which will take place on July 12th, as well as keeping the revitalization of Midtown going.

“We do cleanups to make sure that the streets are clean and there's no garbage,” Chapman said during a recent interview.

“And we do that with different events and partnering with other people that want to come in and have events here and then supporting the small businesses if they've got an idea, different things like that," Chapman explained.

Chapman has a degree in outdoor recreation sports management and is well known as the founder of Pineapple Pedicabs and Travel Pineapple, offering fun guided tours of the Biggest Little City.

This will be the fourth year for Dancing in the Streets, for which a reported 28-thousand people showed up last year with South Virginia street closed down for a mile. This year, nine different stages with different styles of music are being planned.

There’s currently a promo on the MidtownReno Facebook page for what is called a “Double Down & Dance Package,” with the tag line “Stay, play, and slay all day at Dancing in the Streets!”

It includes access to a “luxury room” at the Best Bet Motor Lodge, all access to the Reno Sauna Club, merch, gift cards, and other extras with prices in the $800 to $1000 range “for a serious upgrade to your festival experience.”

What do you think of creating a tiered luxury experience for what is a free outdoor festival?

At Our Town Reno, rather than having all this hustle for creating exclusivity and imbalances among festival goers, we would prefer the city help out more for such homegrown events.

One area of its budget the City could save on is picking local artists with lower commissions than recent out of town artists picked for extremely highly priced projects.

Bloated salaries could also be reduced, as well as unnecessary positions and costlier and costlier police services.

Interview and photo by Monica Moran with commentary by Our Town Reno

Fashionistas of Reno: I am Trevor Stone and this is A Stone in Love.

It was late in the year of 2020, after about 5 years of heavily pursuing a career in music, after being a musician for pretty much my whole life, I decided to switch the gears on my future as an artist, as a creator, in my existence as a whole. As much as it was never really a decision, more of just an urge / impulse that came over me, I just started making clothes. 

Born on Oct. 6th 1998, and raised in Reno, Nevada, the biggest little city in the world. A city rooted in some of the farthest reaches of the human psyche such as, drugs, drinking, gambling and more, as well as some of the most colorful and vibrant influences from the burning man movement, local artists, and the beautiful backdrop of the Sierra Nevadas. Coupled with the undying sense of freedom and individuality of the wild west, the city of Reno has always had alot of inspiration to pull from truely… if you know where to look. 

Being a child of the internet, I’ve also been lucky enough to be able to access many many different sources of inspiration.

From prominent contemporary designers like Virgil Abloh, Kanye West, and Travis Scott to many classic designer greats , such as Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, and Ralph Lauren. I've always had a love for individuality, style and fashion.

Being on the internet, seeing all of these amazing clothes that I would have never been able to buy, unlocked a deep rooted urge inside that NEEDED to get out. Honorable mention of certain influences also include things like superheroes, anime, and costumes, these things also had a huge impact on my inspiration and vision. 

After creating for dozens of local creators, artists, and people for a couple years, It wasnt until April 6th 2023 when I decided that my skills were sharp and my vision was clear enough for me to finally drop my first clothing brand “A Stone in Love”. Focused on upcycled, high fashion, streetwear, this will eventually prove to be one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Taking these skills I’ve gone onto being included in multiple vendor fairs, I've done upwards of almost 100 photo shoots, my stuff has even been displayed in local art galleries and venues alike. I even went ahead and entered into my first runway show, and won the first annual “Recycle the Runway”.

Nowadays you can find me creating and designing for a local brand / creative collective “Mind Honey Clothing”. In my off time you can find me once a week donating a day of my time to mentor over at our local charter school “Innovations High School” teaching design and sewing basics. 

I plan to be the greatest I can be and I continue to strive for nothing less. In my short life of 26 years old I have done alot but I haven't done enough. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, but pressure makes diamonds and I want to shine. I am Trevor Stone and this is A Stone in Love. 

Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Trevor Stone

Should We Be Worried About a Local Compost Company Using Prison Labor?

After receiving concerns from a reader about Full Circle Soils and Compost being repeatedly highlighted for using prison labor, we reached out to the local company, and were initially emailed back by Cody Witt, indicating he was on vacation.

Witt appears on the Full Circle website as the Northern Nevada manager. A 2023 article with a picture of him in front of a giant pile of compost indicated equipment replacement at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City triggered “an air quality permit review from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.”

It indicated Nevada Organics LLC was doing business as Full Circle Compost.

After his scheduled return, we wrote back to Witt, but instead of hearing from him, we got an email from W.C. “Bill” Quenga, a public information officer with the Nevada Department of Corrections, indicating “all offenders work alongside non-offender employees at the composting site learning skills of organic materials management, compost processing, bagged materials production, heavy machinery operation, mechanic skills, and many other real-world job skills.”

The email said the partnership provided a fair wage, although didn’t specify what that was, job training and the opportunity for employment upon release.

“Nevada Organics partners with other public organizations and municipalities to recycle organic waste diverted from the landfill to meet the 25% recommend State of Nevada recycling rate. The manures collected at the Silver State Industries Ranch and organic materials are blended and cooked to create compost, soils, and mulches for use by public and private organizations,” it concluded.

The use of prison labor raises concerns on the lack of adequate wages, workplace protections, guarantees that the work provided is voluntary, and the undercutting of other businesses. The reader who prompted our own query wrote to us in part "that labor is so cheap that other companies can’t compete when paying competitive prices to actual employees."

The company’s use of prison labor has been highlighted in multiple news reports and newsletters including one from Whole Foods which gushed how “they use inmate labor to run the compost farm and the nursery. The prisoners get fresh air, learn job skills and get to eat all the fresh salad they want!”

The reader who pointed this out to us wasn’t as enthusiastic. What are your own views on using prison labor for a locally sold product?

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, May 2025

An Unfortunate Defeat For Cyclists at the Legislature

Ky Plakson asked us to republish this op-ed from the Nevada Current which was submitted as a republishable Creative Commons opinion essay. It looks into the unfortunate drop of a bill which would have allowed the Idaho Stop, which would have allowed bicyclists to treat a stop sign as a yield sign, and a red light as a stop sign. Often times, red lights can’t even see cyclists, bypassing them, while both red lights and stop signs can cause unnecessary wait time for those on two non motorized wheels:

Friday was deadline day – the day hundreds of good bills died at the hands of committee chairs in the legislature. Since our legislature only meets every few years and is limited to 120 days to consider 1,174  bills this year  – legislators run up against a deadline. They can’t possibly examine almost 10 bills a day and pretend to make informed decisions. So, they kill bills at extreme expense to Nevadans. In the case of one bike safety bill, killed on Friday, the arbitrary deadline will cost more lives on our roads and discourage cycling for years. 

What is the point of the arbitrary deadline and what are its impacts? Some say it is about efficiency. 

But when we dig down, it’s extremely inefficient and contributes to ill-informed decision-making on the part of legislators, leaving Nevada in the dark ages, unable to make real progress.

Assembly Bill 168 flew through the Assembly nearly unopposed. It allows cyclists to go through stop signs and stop lights if there are no other cars. We call it Stop-As-Yield. 

The bill had the backing of local transportation officials, federal experts at the Highway Administration, and even the Governor’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. Police agencies testified in neutral, not opposed. Why? Forty years of data in other states shows that these same safety measures save lives immediately once enacted. 

The bill would not have even cost taxpayers any money.

But Friday, AB168 hit a roadblock for no reason — or at least no readily identifiable reason — other than Nevada’s arbitrary legislative time limits. Bills had to make it out of the “second house” committee by Friday, or die.

AB168 had sailed through its “first house,” passing on the Assembly floor by vote of 41 to 1.

It died at the hands of one person. The chair of each committee has the power to forward bills to the full Senate and Assembly. But they had to do it by Friday. Democratic Sen. Rochelle Nguyen, chair of the Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee, was in that hot seat on Friday, facing a deadline with lots of bill sponsors like us struggling to meet with her to try to get past the deadline. But, she said she would not let the bike bill move forward because she has an unspecified “concern.” She has offered no additional explanation despite repeated requests. 

Because of the deadline, there is no opportunity to meet with Nguyen or educate her to address her concern, whatever it is. In the 120 day session, her committee had an average of only 2 days to consider each of the 52 bills in front of them. The Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee passed 75% of its bills, half of which they waited until the last week to act on. Ten of their bills weren’t even heard, including one from the Nevada Highway Patrol, S.B. 38, that would have prohibited and penalized road rage in Nevada. That’s something cyclists experience on the road every day and we will now need to continue to endure it because the committee failed to act on that bill which was backed by law enforcement.

These are no-brainer bills but they don’t make it past committee because of these arbitrary deadlines.

Law enforcement and bike advocates will now need to wait another two years before trying again on road rage and our Stop-As-Yield bike bill. We will go through the process all over – volunteering countless hours of time, energy and money with the possibility of unceremoniously being whacked by one committee chair who is running up against an arbitrary deadline and doesn’t have time to thoroughly consider the facts. This is extremely discouraging. 

If good policy that is backed by public safety experts, works in other states, modernizes our roads, saves lives and punishes violent criminals doesn’t make it over the finish line in the Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee, it makes me wonder what are the common factors that do get a bill over the tight finish line.

For instance, AB 527 barely made it over the finish line at the last minute in the committee. It authorizes cameras to be installed on school buses to catch drivers who blast through school bus stop signs. The video of drivers almost killing children is alarming. That’s not the kind of bill that should have to wait years either, let alone until the last minute to pass because of arbitrary deadlines. Maybe a common factor that contributes to passage of bills is alarming and sensational video that grabs legislator’s attention and is an easy sell. 

Here is another common factor in bills that pass and it points to another serious problem posed by Nevada’s arbitrary deadline. Similar to the bike bill, AB 527 is already working in other states to save lives according to the proponents. Because of their time crunch, Nevada legislators are more likely to just pass things that are already working in other states, but they take a lot longer to do it and ask a lot of questions as if the bill is a novel idea or they ask no questions at all, like they did with the bike bill. Since they spend their time on bills that already work in other states, they are less likely to innovate and come up with laws specific to Nevada.

If they had more time, they would not only pass the laws that are already working to protect residents in other states but they would probably come up with great new and innovative laws for Nevadans. Legislators are sharp, well educated and probably want more time too.

With more time for lawmakers to research, Nevada could make leaps on many levels, not just transportation. But because of the arbitrary deadlines, legislators are killing bills without regard for facts or what their own local experts say. They don’t even have time to explain to their constituents.

Most bill proponents don’t speak out about this, for fear of retribution – that legislators will kill their bills just because they spoke out. It’s time to seriously ask ourselves if arbitrary deadlines are worth the consequences. Now the consequences mean years of more unnecessary deaths on our roads.

I am confident that the Stop-As-Yield bill would have been ultimately signed by the governor. Over the years thousands of good policy bills have likely died this way, never to be visited again. The result is that Nevada is at or near the top of nearly every bad list in the nation, clawing its way at the bottom behind every other state. 

It’s not just bills that died on Friday. Hope for change on our roads died.

The solution is simple: longer and more frequent legislative sessions so that we pass important bills and catch up with the rest of the nation.

Citizen’s Forum by Ky Plakson reshared with Our Town Reno

Keeping the Gloves On: A Local Boxing All-American Looks Back on His Nevada College Career

With the 2025 collegiate boxing season having come to an end just a month ago, Nevada boxers have already returned to the daily grind, preparing for whoever may be next.

For me, though, my opponents will no longer be NCBA boxers. After ending my collegiate career this past month in second place in the national standings for the second time, my initial response was heartbreak and disgust. I had fallen just short of my national championship dreams not once but twice.

After brief time off, I began looking at my experience with the UNR boxing program from a different perspective.

I realized how grateful I am to have represented the University of Nevada as a collegiate boxer in an amateur league that is truly unlike any other.

Nowhere else in boxing do you experience the kind of team aspect found in the NCBA or the level of respect and camaraderie between schools.

Through this club program, I traveled the nation doing the sport I love completely free of charge. I made some of the best memories of my life during this time. And even though I never achieved the goal I set for myself freshman year, I realized that was not the most important part.

It was the journey toward that goal that mattered. The pursuit of the belt gave me great friends, including teammates and even former opponents. In a sport as tough as boxing, I learned a lot about myself. I walk away from it with a deeper sense of confidence that I can do anything I set my mind to.

That is why I will continue my journey in boxing. When I first stepped into the ring nearly eight years ago, I was training under one of the best pro coaches I have ever known in my hometown of San Diego, California. Two other boys and I started around the same time under his watch. Both are now undefeated professionals. I chose the collegiate route, which took me away from that coach and brought me to Reno, a decision I now realize I am truly grateful for.

But through all 20 of my fights, I never had my hometown coach in my corner.

My coaches in the UNR program and at local gyms were experienced and dedicated but not trained in the same style I had learned growing up.

That is why I am so excited for my future in open amateur boxing back home in San Diego.

For the first time, I will have my original coach James Thomas in my corner. With his support, I believe the sky's the limit. Throughout my time in collegiate boxing, I called Coach Thomas for advice on training, mindset, and how to fight different styles and opponents. And while I had very caring coaches here in Nevada, I did feel a sense of being alone in these fights as the man who introduced me to boxing was not there. I am excited to see where this journey continues to take me and who I will become because of it.

Now, with my eligibility as a collegiate boxer finished and the UNR program handed off to a younger generation, what is next for Nevada Boxing?

Nate Nichols will be leading the charge. After an impressive season that included a regional title and All-American honors at nationals during his freshman year, he has pledged to guide the team by example.

The future looks bright. Other UNR boxers continue to grow. One of them, Billy Fisher, has already had about six fights in individual shows with the program, despite being a TMCC student. He has proven his ability to win and improve each time he competes.

With his long-range out-boxing style, more experience will only sharpen his game. Next year, Fisher will be a full-time UNR student, which means he can represent the school throughout the full season and at tournaments alongside Nate.

He is not the only non-UNR student who has been training in the gym. Murphy Rhea, a student at Reed High School, has been attending daily practices for some time. He is one of the most hardworking and dedicated boxers I have seen and will fit right in once he is officially on the collegiate roster this upcoming year. His style is similar to Nate’s in that he applies forward pressure with high-volume punching.

There are also a handful of less experienced but determined students in the gym putting in the work and training for the chance to represent Nevada in the ring.

UNR’s club boxing program is free and open to all University of Nevada students. It offers daily training and experienced coaching. If you are able to compete, collegiate boxing can take you across the country and give you some of the best experiences of your life. I guarantee it. One thing I hope to leave behind at the University of Nevada is this: the boxers who represent our school deserve the student body’s support and respect. We train just as hard as athletes in sports like football and basketball. And with the NCBA steadily improving in skill, you will see that for yourself this November when the team opens its season with a home show at the El Dorado Casino in downtown Reno.

Boxing made me a better student, a better communicator, and a better version of myself. I learned how to perform under pressure. I learned how to listen, take criticism, and push beyond my limits. I wish more people understood how powerful this sport can be, not just for fitness but for mental toughness and character.

If you are a UNR student looking for something that will humble you, test you, and change you for the better, I hope you consider trying out for Nevada Boxing. You do not need experience. You do not need to be tough. You just need to show up.

Nevada Boxing does not need to stay hidden anymore. It deserves your support and maybe even your presence in the ring.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum by Joey Azar

Why I Want to Become a Local First Responder and then a Firefighter Despite the Possible Stress

My name is Logan Kerney, and I want to be an EMS first responder, hopefully working up to be a firefighter.

I am currently finishing up my undergrad studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, while I have successfully finished up my EMT certification and have applied for my state license as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), too.

I am looking to start applying to ambulance companies and fire departments once I graduate and start working.

Being an EMS provider has been something I have wanted to do since high school. I have been wanting to be an EMS provider because I have a passion for helping those around me and giving back to the community.

Ever since I have wanted to work in this career, I thought it was going to be just physically draining. When I took my basic Emergency Medical Technician training at Truckee Meadows Community College, they told us that working as a first responder is NOT for everyone.

They told us to warn us and not scare us away. I didn't listen to that until we started to cover different types of personal stress caused by work.

Acute stress, cumulative stress, and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, started to flow through my brain about what those meant and why they were teaching those to us.

These different types of stress have caused me to think that these will happen to me in my field, and would start to build up or cause me to crash and burn in my profession if I don't know how to recognize them or how to look out for signs of these different types of stress.

Before going to work for the EMS field as an EMT, I have a few questions regarding the mental health of myself and others striving to work in the EMS field.

As someone who wants to work in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), it is going to be very important for me to know the resources [for myself] and my colleagues or future EMS personnel.

I have a few questions regarding the resources, like what is provided by the company, and is there anything they do to look out for my mental health if I am not able to recognize my own behavior changes as well. These questions and resources would be very helpful to know before getting into the EMS career so I know where to go and what to look out for.

Renown offers a first responder outpatient program in Northern Nevada. These programs are accessible through most insurance companies. They encounter and address different types of mental health challenges, like trauma, PTSD, mental health, and substance use disorders.

This is a very important resource for Northern Nevada’s first responders. It is accessible to all and isn't private to a certain type of first responder either.

Some of the benefits for the local medical ambulances, REMSA, are that they offer reimbursement for gym memberships, peer support, and many other benefits.

A reimbursement of a gym membership is cool because of what I learned in class, since a good way to cope with stress and help mental health is to exercise. This benefit is going to push the employees to go and work out to stay physically healthy, but to also encourage employees to help with their mental health without having to pay for a membership themselves.

Our Town Reno contribution by Logan Kerney in partnership with a COM 210 class at UNR with Amy Pason

Can the Downtown Reno Area Turn into a University Town if Casinos Remain Very Much in Control?

There has been talk, hope and street name changes to turn Reno’s downtown area into more of a university town, with over 20-thousand students, faculty and admin craving more of a community, walkable feel.

That was the idea initially circulated for Uncle Junkee, now decamped into the Reno Public Market, despite its short lived Virginia street location getting matching grant money as part of the ReStore Reno initiative.

Can you imagine a row of actually affordable thrifting, an independent cinema, a grocery store, bookstores, cafes, vibrant galleries, maker spaces and healthy restaurants all along Virginia street with more regular buses going up and down? It could easily become a daytime attraction, with students stopping in and out, going to and from classes, providing continuity from Midtown to campus.

Instead, during daytime hours, in downtown it’s still mostly a decaying casino strip, with a largely down and out clientele, empty buildings, and victims of gambling now panhandling or trying to survive just outside high desert mirages sucking people in, while Midtown is increasingly on the too pricy side for most of us for many of its offerings.

Now the city of Reno is extending over $60 million in public money to a billionaire so he can host men’s basketball games at his GSR casino for his pockets, an 80 minute walk away from campus.

Those who are in favor say the Tax Increment Financing known as TIF is not that big of a deal for Reno, despite its current budget woes. Why then was there such a cavalry of opeds, social media posts, suits, ties and athletic jackets at the Council meeting pleading for that public assistance to have the billion dollar project begin?

The grasp of the casino overlords on the fate of Reno is still tight, from the motel demolishing and parking lot creating Jeffrey Jacobs to Alex Meruelo, to the Board of Directors for the Downtown Reno Partnership, whose website pointedly indicates the seat representing residents is now vacant.

After the Great Recession and then the pandemic there were multiple opportunities to mold the direction Reno and its core downtown was going. Instead, it still seems very much casino directed, inside dark doors through stinky, gaudy carpets with the occasional outdoor show or festival, while the casinos flood enabling elected officials with campaign contributions.

Tickets at the new J Resort’s Festival Grounds for its Drifters show this past weekend started at $99 for Saturday plus a 14% booking fee, hardly affordable at all.

The promised revitalization of Reno remains a partial gentrification with casino oversight that feels nothing like an organic or sustainable revival in terms of having a thriving, communal, walkable, livable, exciting and attractive downtown area.

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, May 12, 2025

Experiencing the Circus Circus as a Foreign Student from Vietnam

A first public encounter for many visitors in Reno is often wondering what the Circus Circus is all about. Brian Vo, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, from Ho Chi Minh City shares his own experience.

As an international student from Vietnam, I’ve been exploring how American cities foster community and connect people to their urban environments.

In Reno, one of the places that caught my attention most was Circus Circus, a bright, chaotic casino in the heart of downtown.

Initially, it seemed like just another flashy tourist attraction, full of lights, games, and the sound of slot machines.

However, the more time I spent in the city, the more I realized how central this place is to the daily life of Reno. It’s not just a casino it serves as a place where University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) students park and where families come for affordable entertainment. It even temporarily housed students during the pandemic.

Despite these many community roles, Circus Circus remains a business built around consumption, and this contradiction between commerce and community made me rethink what “community space” means in a city like Reno.

As someone still learning to navigate the Biggest Little City, thinking in-depth about this Circus Circus raised unexpected questions for me about accessibility, belonging, and what kinds of spaces serve the people who live in a city.

Growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, I was used to a downtown that was always in motion with busy sidewalks filled with street vendors, families sitting on plastic stools at informal cafés, and motorbikes weaving through narrow streets.

My home city felt alive and communal, where public and commercial life blended naturally. People didn’t need formal invitations to gather; the city made space for connection in the everyday.

In contrast, when I first arrived in Reno, my experience of downtown felt surprisingly quiet and compartmentalized. The parks were for leisure, the casinos for entertainment, and the sidewalks for passing through.

Visiting Circus Circus added another layer of complexity. Inside, it was full of energy and movement, which reminded me a bit of home, but it also made me question the kind of community it created.

Was it a place where people connected, or where people consumed? This contrast made me reflect on how different cities create different rhythms of life and how those rhythms shape people’s experiences of connection, belonging, and what it means to “be in the city.”

One thing that stood out to me about Circus Circus is that it felt isolated from the rest of Reno. Although it is a major tourist destination, the surrounding public spaces seemed disconnected from the broader urban environment. The sidewalks, plazas, and public areas near Circus Circus often serve the commercial needs of the casino rather than the people who live or visit the city.

As I spent more time in the area, I began to see that Circus Circus, though designed as a space for entertainment, actually did become a part of Reno’s everyday life. UNR students park there, families walk through for cheap entertainment, and during the pandemic, it housed students when campus housing was unavailable. While Circus Circus serves a business purpose, it also serves a community function, which challenged my ideas about how cities create spaces for connection.

When I first walked into Circus Circus, I was struck by the overwhelming size and intensity of the place. Unlike the informal and spontaneous entertainment culture I was used to in Ho Chi Minh City, where street performers or small family-run cafés with live music are common, Circus Circus was a towering building filled with arcade games, flashing lights, and the constant noise of slot machines.

Everything was designed to keep people engaged and spending, moving from one attraction to the next. The energy inside was relentless, and it felt like a small city within the city one where the pace and purpose were driven entirely by consumption.

The arcade upstairs was noisy and packed with children and families, offering more playful escapism, while the casino floor was quiet, with older adults hunched over the slot machines.

Even the live circus performances, though impressive, were short-lived and didn’t interrupt the constant din of the casino. What struck me the most was the lack of spaces to slow down. I couldn’t find outdoor seating areas, green spaces, and no quiet areas to simply hang out. It made me realize that while Circus Circus provides excitement, it doesn’t offer much space for community or connection unless you’re there to spend money.

Right next to Circus Circus, there’s a small public space, a modest area with benches, trees, and open space, serving as a transition zone between the casino and the rest of downtown.

It’s a place where people can pause and rest without the pressure to spend money. However, this space feels underutilized, lacking community-oriented features like interactive art or seating designed for social connection.

To become a meaningful part of Reno’s public landscape, this space could be better integrated into the neighborhood and reimagined with thoughtful design. The surrounding area, however, is dominated by large parking lots and buildings with minimal green space, contributing to the urban heat island effect and a lack of nature in an otherwise built-up area.

This stark contrast to the lush parks I grew up with in Vietnam made me realize that Circus Circus caters more to tourists and gamblers, with little for the local community outside the casino environment. Safety can also be an issue, especially at night. Improving lighting, adding green spaces, and providing better security would go a long way in making the area more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

Spending time at Circus Circus helped me realize that in a city like Reno, there aren’t many truly public gathering spaces.

Here, casinos and other businesses have taken on the role of de facto community spaces. These places are open, lively, and full of people, but they are designed around making money, which limits how inclusive or welcoming they truly are.

Circus Circus may seem welcoming with its performances, open walkways, and constant flow of people, but at the end of the day, it’s a business, one that caters to people who can afford to spend money.

In places like Ho Chi Minh City, streets feel shared, and people can sit, gather, or sell food without needing permission or a purchase. In Reno, however, these kinds of spaces often feel inaccessible unless you’re ready to spend money. Whether it’s the lack of green space, the absence of seating that isn’t tied to a restaurant, or the overall design that prioritizes tourists over locals, it’s clear that when businesses take on the role of community spaces, the community itself can feel excluded.

As I continue my journey in the U.S., my experiences at Circus Circus have helped me rethink what it means to be part of a community.

In Ho Chi Minh City, public spaces are vibrant and fluid, offering people from all walks of life the opportunity to connect freely and spontaneously.

In contrast, Circus Circus, while bustling and lively, is primarily driven by commercial interests, and that limits its potential as a genuine community space.

For downtown Reno to become a more community-centered space, places like Circus Circus must offer more than just entertainment or places to consume. They need to open up to local residents, offering spaces for connection that are not tied to profit. Perhaps more green spaces, cultural events, and areas dedicated to community gathering could make Circus Circus and the downtown area more inclusive and reflective of the diverse people who live and work in Reno.

Public spaces should be more than physical locations; they should be places where people from all backgrounds can gather, connect, and contribute to the evolving identity of a city.

Contribution by Brian Vo in collaboration with a COM 210 class at UNR with Amy Pason

Is it Raining Even More on Reno's Democracy?

There’s growing rumblings on social media of the City of Reno getting increasingly undemocratic, while its budget veers into higher and higher staff compensation, especially in the police realm, dampened by flat sales tax revenues for a projected $26 million and rising budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026.

After mounting complaints of public speakers being ignored, too many council members stepping down during their terms and replaced by the existing council rather than by voters in recent years, and then becoming favorites for developer contribution money, now comes more troubling undemocratic seeming Spring "weather."

One such unwelcome move is to suddenly implement a 90-day staffing hiatus on multiple boards and commissions, including the Access Advisory Committee, Arts and Culture Commission, the Human Rights Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, Senior Citizen Advisory Committees, Youth City Council and Neighborhood Advisory Boards among others.

Another development causing gasps is the City of Reno’s current legislative effort to get its council members to obtain constant control over appointed planning commissioners, after tensions between members of the two bodies became evident due to data centers and their potential effects on local quality of life.

This is coming through State Senate Bill 48 which as worded now would allow City Council members to remove a planning commissioner for what is known as “just cause,” without a public process or stated reason.

Expect public comments to rain down this week at City Council with lots on the agenda on Wednesday, but as noted previously, some feel these are increasingly unheard, so the next possibility to curb these rainy undemocratic trends might only be the ballot box for Reno’s next big mayoral race, ending the Hillary Schieve era, in 2026.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum Contribution, May 2025

A String of Local GoFundMes Points To Dismal State of our Health Care System

While locals will occasionally ask us to post their gofundmes or highlight ones they’ve come across, such features can lead to passionate discussions, sometimes blaming us for being a conduit and sometimes with nasty trolls blaming the person asking for help.

We’ve noticed women in particular face the brunt of condescending comments. Tragically, many of the gofundmes we are asked to promote trace back in some way to being unable to pay mounting medical bills.

In these cases, gofundmes are often a last gasp measure. As a curated social media bulletin board for the community, we are more than ready to help those in need trying to get crowdfunding, knowing very well that there are inequalities there as well, where it becomes all about the story, how the story is framed, an accompanying video and social connections to make the campaign successful.

Rather than blaming each other, we should be blaming our awful health care system, in which many of us even when insured avoid preventative care and only go in for treatment under the most dire of circumstances, and in those cases trying as best we can to take ourselves to the ER, to avoid those exorbitant emergency transport fees.

Even if we are willing to go in for a checkup while insured, it can become an almost impossible ordeal to find a local doctor who is available, let alone friendly and with the time to act the very least bit human.

If a costly medical problem does happen, especially for the underinsured or the totally uninsured, studies have shown a strong correlation between resulting medical debt and the likelihood and then duration of homelessness.

So why don’t we stop blaming each other or comment in a demeaning way when we see a gofundme coming from a neighbor in our community?

Instead, let’s keep fighting to improve our dismal health care system, which according to a recent study ranks last in terms of access, equity and outcomes compared to other wealthy nations (way behind Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, New Zealand, France, Sweden, Canada, Switzerland and Germany) despite being the highest-spending health care system in the world.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, May 1, 2025

Sparks Musician Defies Odds, Battling Cancer While Preparing to Perform

Sparks-based country musician, veteran and mother of three, Patrice Luciano is defying the odds, undergoing a double mastectomy operation yesterday to defeat breast cancer while still preparing to perform, with two upcoming concerts in our area.

Here's a press release her team sent to Our Town Reno this week:

"Popular singer-songwriter and recording artist Patrice is gearing up to open for two big-name acts in Reno-Sparks: Award-winning country duo Thompson Square on Sat., May 17, 2025 at Club Underground, 555 E. 4th St. in Reno
(doors at 7 p.m.; show 8-11:30 p.m.); and Moonshine Bandits on June 7 at Bartley Ranch Regional Park’s Hawkins Amphitheater (doors at 6 p.m.; show, 7-10 p.m.;).

“Thompson Square’s always been really near-and-dear to my heart because it was my husband and mine’s wedding song, their big hit, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.’ It’s actually how he proposed to me,” Patrice says. “So we’re so excited about this. It’s the night before my birthday, and I have all these significant things happening, so it’s like rebirth for me.”

Pushing onto the local music scene for several years now, the raven-haired powerhouse vocalist opens up about not fitting the stereotype of inspiring singers.

“I think there’s so much controversy around needing to be young, and needing to [fit a predictable profile of a country artist] in this industry, and what I’ve done is kind of twisted that just a tiny bit. I’m a mom, and I’m in my 40s, and I think there’s a lot of common misconceptions of, when can you do these things, and when do you have to do them by? The answer is, you write music – music that’s relatable to real people – and then you put that out, and that’s exactly what I did. I’m just happy that I get to share my music with everybody.”

Singer-songwriters have been drawn to The Biggest Little City in the World for decades, and at the heart of those dreams is the tenacity it takes to be seen, heard and reckoned with – and Patrice is far from some shrinking violet.

An Air Force veteran and married mom of 3, she’s been an integral part of the indie music scene, as the proprietor and former owner of the now-shuttered Paddy & Irene’s on Victorian Square in Sparks, well-known for its popular Open Mic Night and longtime venue for local bands.
“I gave that place my whole heart,” notes Patrice, whose dedication to her peer group is notable. “There’s such a sense of support in the community, from local music. It blossomed me, as a musician.”

Immersing herself in those unfettered musical vibes inspired Patrice to launch a long-term endeavor to hone her craft, then set her sights on making an impression in the Nashville scene,
making several trips to Music City to record her songs.

And, while intention is everything when it comes to manifesting dreams, the universe had other intentions for the strikingly beautiful performer whose workhorse ethics and long hours spent doing so much for others, suddenly turned into a life-threatening health crisis, forcing Patrice to put herself first.

“I was diagnosed with triple-negative, very invasive, fast-growing breast cancer,” Patrice says.

Spurred by a frightening family history of breast cancer, and the stark reality of her own diagnosis, Patrice exhibits an instinctive warrior persona, and has gone public on social media about her struggle.

“I’m trying to stay positive. The reason I decided to start vlogging was a lot of people don’t talk about cancer, and how it affects you career and family, how it changes your complete perspective on living. Now, the things I used to worry about, stress about, I don’t have those worries anymore. Every day, I get up, go to the gym and I work out to basically live. My mom’s sister died early of this same cancer, and [doctors] basically gave me a death sentence. So, instead of sitting down and feeling sorry for myself, I decided, ‘Let’s go public with this thing, and continue to write and put music out.’”

Choosing to focus on hitting the stage and opening for both Thompson Square, and the Moonshine Bandits, Patrice is leaning into her essential self-expression as a singer and the healing power of music, followed by a two-week family vacation in Michigan. When she returns to Northern Nevada, she’ll begin intensive chemotherapy treatments.

“I’m living life right now, to engulf myself in this music, and embrace it. Music is the healing power, and I’m hoping that it’s going to heal my soul.” "

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, April 29, 2025

Should We Be Worried About Washoe County’s Expanding Partnership with NaphCare Facing Multiple Jail Neglect Lawsuits?

Several press releases recently announced an evolving partnership between the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and its “correctional healthcare partner,” the for profit Alabama-based NaphCare, which has faced more and more unwanted media attention due to multiple lawsuits it’s facing and has lost related to inmate neglect.

Increasingly, counties contract private companies to coordinate health care at jails. With more scrutiny, these companies are facing mounting accusations of trying to boost profits by cutting costs and understaffing.

A recent study indicates that jails which provide health care with private companies such as NaphCare have death rates up to 58 percent higher than jails which still rely on public management of their medical services. In one jail death data examination by the news agency Reuters, NaphCare rated the worst.

Deaths are already a well reported and recurring problem at the Washoe County jail such as one inmate who was booked in July 2024, taken to a local hospital in November and then died this February in hospice care.

The New Yorker recently investigated the case of a woman in her 60s, who also died in hospice care, after prolonged starvation during her four month stay at a Tucson jail where NaphCare also provides medical services.

The Investigative Reporting Lab at Yale indicates “she was arrested on April 30, 2022, when a commercial security guard called the police to remove her from a parking lot. The police had an outstanding arrest warrant … for failure to register her address, and she was booked into the Pima County Jail.”

In another NaphCare related case, a jury in Washington this month found the company must pay a former inmate $25 million for negligence after missing signs of a severe blood clot in 2018 resulting in the amputation of his leg.

The Seattle-based law firm Budge & Heist has been at the forefront of some of these lawsuits against NaphCare. In yet another recent case, their lawyers represented the family of a 55-year-old who died of a ruptured intestine while awaiting trial in Spokane, for which $27 million dollars in damages was awarded.

An article on the Appeal website in 2023 indicated Naphcare had at that time already been sued more than 100 times for malpractice and neglect.

Concerning our county’s own contracts with the for profit, Bethany Drysdale wrote back to us pointing us to Agenda 18 at a meeting last summer which passed unanimously.

It was to award “inmate medical services for the Washoe County Detention Facility to the highest scoring bidder NaphCare, Inc. in the amount of [$13,502,694.24] for year 1, and [$14,177,828.88] for year 2 and 2) approve the use of General Fund Contingency in an amount up to but not to exceed [$1,300,000] to increase expenditure authority within the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office departmental budget for detention medical services for unbudgeted expenditures for Fiscal Year 2025 in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 354.598005 and; if approved, retroactively authorize the Purchasing and Contracts Manager to execute a two-year agreement, July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, with the option to renew for two (2) additional two (2) year periods at the sole discretion of the County and direct the Comptroller’s Office to make the necessary budget appropriation transfers as needed.”

Do you think this is money well spent or should we have concern?

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, April 25, 2025

Citizen's Forum: An Upcoming Walk with Abby To Cure Juvenile Dermatomyositis

When Abby was just two years old, her family noticed rashes appearing on her face and hands—an early warning sign of something more serious. Not long after, a tick bite led to a high fever and an emergency hospital stay where she was treated for suspected Rocky Mountain spotted fever. During that time, a vigilant pediatric oncologist, brought in to rule out leukemia, recognized the rashes as a possible sign of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), a rare and serious autoimmune disease. That moment changed Abby’s life.

Thanks to the early suspicion and referral to a rheumatologist, Abby was diagnosed with JDM quickly. Some families aren't as fortunate—many experience delays in diagnosis because JDM is rare and often mistaken for something else if the clinician isn’t familiar with it. That early diagnosis gave Abby a head start in managing her condition and accessing the care she needed.

She began treatment right away, starting with steroids and methotrexate, and later adding IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), a therapy that helps regulate the immune system. Abby’s case has always involved mild muscle weakness, but her treatment journey hasn’t been easy. Each time doctors have tried to wean her off IVIG, her symptoms flare, requiring her to restart medications and adjust her care plan. Most recently, after a hopeful taper last fall, signs of a flare have brought her back to more intensive treatment.

Despite the ups and downs, Abby is a joyful, resilient kid. While she doesn't have the stamina for sports, she thrives in her own way. She loves reading and lights up on stage during her acting classes, where she gets to express herself in new and creative ways.

Abby will be sharing her story at this year’s Walk Strong to Cure JM event in Reno on Sunday, April 27, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, at Sparks Marina Park, helping raise crucial dollars and hope for kids living with juvenile myositis. Her voice represents the strength and spirit of many children who are facing a difficult diagnosis with courage and determination.

Support is more urgent than ever. Recent federal budget cuts have eliminated key NIH research positions, putting lifesaving JM research and promising clinical trials, like a new steroid-sparing treatment, at serious risk. Without urgent funding, progress will stall. By participating in Cure JM events and fundraising efforts, the Reno community can help close the gap, accelerate treatment breakthroughs, and bring lasting hope to kids like Abby.

Come walk alongside Abby and other Reno-area families in support of children battling juvenile myositis. Your participation shows these brave children that their community stands with them! Every step brings us closer to better treatments and one day, a cure.

Enjoy a morning of connection and fun with doctors and researchers from Renown Children’s Hospital, along with coffee, snacks, raffle, and activities for the whole family. 

Submitted by Betsy León

You Know a Survivor—They Just Haven’t Told You Yet

Every 68 seconds, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. Every nine minutes, that victim is a child. And yet, despite how often it happens, so many survivors carry their pain in silence—unseen, unheard, and too often, unbelieved.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It’s a time for education, prevention, and conversation. But for survivors, it can be a painful reminder: of what happened, of what was lost, of what the world didn’t protect them from. It’s a month that asks survivors to speak—but often fails to hold space when they do.

Sexual assault doesn’t always come with bruises. Sometimes it looks like someone you trusted. Sometimes it looks like a smile that felt safe until it didn’t. Sometimes it’s what happened when you were too afraid to say no—or when no one cared that you did.

For a long time, I stayed quiet.

There are moments I’ve buried so deep, I questioned whether they ever happened. I’ve smiled through the ache. I’ve heard people defend the very ones who hurt me. And I’ve learned that healing is not linear—it’s slow, and often invisible.

I know I’m not the only one.

You are not alone. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, replayed the memory, rewritten the scene—if you’ve ever questioned your right to be angry, to be healing, to be believed—you are part of a devastatingly large, devastatingly quiet community.

So often, we don’t see survivors because it’s not safe to be seen.

As Sarah Peterson, founder of the Love and Mine Foundation, puts it, “We’re not at the point where it’s safe enough to talk about it. That’s why you don’t hear about it. And that’s why it becomes invisible.”

Invisibility has consequences. When survivors feel unseen or silenced, they disappear—dropping out of school, withdrawing from their communities, losing access to the futures they once imagined.

“We’re losing people,” Peterson said. “Students who could have been incredible doctors, lawyers, nurses—they’re leaving college because they see their rapist in their classes, walking around campus, and being celebrated in the social circles that they occupy. Because they’re reminded of what happened every single day. And they can’t heal in that environment.”

This is the cost of silence. Not just emotional, but structural. Survivors are often forced to exist alongside their abusers in close-knit communities like college campuses. And when institutions refuse to intervene, survivors are the ones who leave.

“We act like these are isolated incidents, but they’re not,” Peterson said. “It’s not about ‘he said, she said’—it’s about a system that refuses to believe people unless there are bruises or photographs or receipts. And sexual assault doesn’t work like that.”

It’s true: sexual violence is one of the only crimes where the victim is expected to prove the harm. Survivors are asked to recall every detail, justify every action, account for every drink, outfit, breath. They’re asked for proof that doesn’t exist.

“With sexual assault, what is the proof?” Peterson asked. “Do you want a picture of a bruised body? Do you want to have been there? Because unless someone was watching, there is no evidence. And that’s what people don’t understand.”

And yet—it’s happening all the time.

Statistics don’t lie. What they do is offer context to what survivors have known all along: this is not rare. This is not isolated. This is not something that happens to other people. If you think you don’t know a survivor, it’s only because they haven’t told you.

“You know survivors,” Peterson said. “They just haven’t told you.”

So what can we do? What happens when awareness isn’t enough?

For Sarah Peterson, the answer starts small.

“We want to see large-scale change,” she said. “But it starts with your group chat. With your friend group. With the jokes you don’t laugh at. With the people you choose to walk away from.”

Creating safer environments doesn’t require confrontation, she explained—it requires consciousness. “You don’t have to be the fun police. You don’t have to lecture people. You just have to not laugh. You just have to not share that joke. That’s what makes space safe.”

And it’s in those spaces—those daily, unglamorous, deliberate acts of care—where real change begins.

This month, we honor every survivor. Not just the ones who speak publicly, but the ones who are still gathering the courage to whisper. The ones who have never told anyone. The ones who are just trying to make it through the day.

You are not too late.

You are not too broken.

You are not a burden.

You are not alone.

And if no one has said it to you yet—

I believe you.

You matter.

You are allowed to take up space.

You are allowed to heal in your own time.

Resources for Survivors:

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE or www.rainn.org
  
  

• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center: www.nsvrc.org
  
  

• Love and Mine Foundation: https://loveandmine.org

An Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum contribution by Emily Hess

Citizen's Forum: Inviting Congressman Mark Amodei to a Town Hall

A “Hold Mark Amodei Accountable!” protest is being held in Reno today starting at 10:30 a.m. at South Virginia and West Peckham Lane.

Here’s a statement from one of the organizers sent to Our Town Reno:

“Today we have invited the citizens of Nevada’s second district to gather near a fundraiser for our congressional representative, Mark Amodei, and other members of his party.

Rep. Amodei has not held an open town hall for constituents since his re-election. He recently explained his reluctance to do so in profane terms, saying that town halls are just an excuse to “bully the shit out of somebody in public.”*

Rep. Amodei has consistently voted to support the goals of President Trump and Project 2025. These goals would see the nation’s democracy replaced by an authoritarian regime based on bias – bias against anyone who does not fit the administration’s visions of a mythic America which never existed. To this end, the administration has disrupted the global economy, kidnapped legal residents off the street in the style of a fascist regime, decimated funding for medical and scientific research, and extorted universities and law firms. In fact, the word “bullying” applies to these and many other actions of the administration, just as it does to President Trump’s well-known employment of schoolyard tactics such as name-calling and using slurs for those who threaten him.

As Americans who respect the First Amendment’s guarantees of free speech and of the right of the people to gather to petition the government for redress of grievances, we believe that we understand Rep. Amodei’s reluctance to meet his constituents. We understand the difficulty of representing a district with diverse politics and viewpoints, and that doing so requires a certain amount of courage, tenacity, and indeed, toughness in the face of criticism. We hope that Rep. Amodei will soon find these qualities within himself and meet with constituents outside the safe space of a fundraising event.

But in order to reassure him as well as others who share his need for a safe space, we have deliberately arranged this protest to take place across the street from the hotel where Rep. Amodei’s event is being held today. All registrants for the event have been instructed to gather on the public sidewalk across the street from the hotel so as not to block any access to the hotel grounds. In addition, all attendees have been asked to refrain from blocking any roadways, driveways or sidewalks. In doing so, we are confident that our demonstration will be entirely within our First Amendment rights.**

We do not expect Rep. Amodei to come and speak to us at this demonstration and risk what he calls being bullied. Indeed, those of us who are from groups which are traditionally the target of bullying are all too familiar with the pain that it causes, and we take Rep. Amodei’s demurral seriously. We feel that everyone who needs a safe space should be given one.

We also believe that serious discussions about the direction of our country and our representation by Rep. Amodei should be done seriously, and that an atmosphere of mutual respect and good faith should prevail.

Therefore, we invite Rep. Amodei to come to a free and open town hall where all attendees will be asked to refrain from bullying, shouting, or any threatening statements or behavior. We invite Rep. Amodei’s representatives to contact us at the address below.

Who we are: a group of activists committed to the nonviolent exercise of our constitutional rights in defense of the Constitution, American democratic traditions and institutions, and the safety of all people.

Contact: Mark Pritchard. Email ubi1990@proton.me”

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, April 17, 2025

Seven Favorites of Distinct Architecture in Reno

Reno is often known for its casinos, murals and arches, but if you look closely what I believe truly makes the city remarkable is its diverse and unique architecture. From historic landmarks to modern marvels, Reno’s structures tell a fascinating story. As someone who appreciates both design and history, I find these seven architectural sites particularly interesting .

First off, in this listicle, the Washoe County Courthouse is a symbol of stability and justice, yet its beauty often goes overlooked. Built in 1911, its neoclassical design, with grand columns and a large dome, shows off a sense of respect and timelessness. Walking past this courthouse feels like stepping into a different era, a reminder of Reno’s historical significance in law and governance.

Unlike many of Reno’s modern buildings, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral offers a glimpse into Gothic Revival architecture, with pointed arches and stunning stained-glass windows. The cathedral’s intricate woodwork and tall steeple create a serene yet commanding presence. It’s a place that has peace, yet its architectural details make it stand out as one of the city’s most beautiful religious structures.

The Nevada Museum of Art is an architectural anomaly in Reno. Its sleek, angular design is strikingly modern. Inspired by the Black Rock Desert, the building’s dark, layered exterior mimics the region’s natural rock formations. It’s more than just a museum, it’s a work of art in itself, demonstrating how contemporary architecture can reflect the surrounding environment.

Basecamp Reno, home to the world’s tallest artificial rock climbing wall, is an architectural feat of both form and function. Built onto the side of the Whitney Peak Hotel, this massive climbing structure transforms an ordinary building into a playground for adventurers. It’s a brilliant example of how architecture can be interactive, blending recreation with urban design.

The Fleischmann Planetarium is one of Reno’s most unique structures. With its retro-futuristic dome, it looks like something out of a 1960s sci-fi movie. Designed as one of the first atmospheriums in the world, it captures the excitement of space exploration during the mid-20th century. Its distinctive shape and purpose make it a true architectural and scientific landmark.

The Lake Mansion Arts and Cultural Center on Court St. stands out with its ornate Victorian design. Built in 1877, it is a rare and well-preserved piece of the city’s history. The intricate woodwork, wraparound porch, and vibrant colors make it feel like a storybook house frozen in time. It’s a stark contrast to high-rise apartments nearby, reminding us of Reno’s rich cultural heritage.

There is no other building in the world quite like the National Bowling Stadium. Its futuristic, silver-domed exterior which is often called the “Taj Mahal of Tenpins” makes it stand out. Dedicated entirely to the sport of bowling, the stadium’s design is as bold as its purpose. It’s a testament to how architecture can reflect a city’s unique identity, in this case, Reno’s deep connection to professional and recreational bowling.

Reno’s architecture is a fascinating mix of history, innovation, and playfulness. From the classical elegance of the Washoe County Courthouse to the cutting-edge design of the Nevada Museum of Art, each building tells a story. Whether preserving the past, embracing the future, or creating something entirely new, these structures give Reno a unique charm that sets it apart from other cities. By appreciating these architectural wonders, we can better understand and celebrate the spirit of Reno itself.

Reporting and photos by Alexus Hildebrand

Citizen's Forum: Opposition to a New Jiffy Lube Culminates with NAB meeting and Upcoming Protest

Neighborhood opposition is mounting against the request for a minor conditional use permit to build a Jiffy Lube at the southwest corner of Hunter Lake and Mayberry Drives, with multiple social media posts and a banner asking to Say No. 

Item C1 for the Ward 2 NAB meeting Tuesday at Reno City Hall indicates: “A request has been made for a minor conditional use permit to establish an Auto Service and Repair Use in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district. The ±0.39- acre site is located at the southwest corner of Hunter Lake Drive and Mayberry Drive. The subject site is zoned Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and has a Master Plan land use designation of Suburban Mixed-Use (SMU).”

The Harmon family wrote to Our Town Reno expressing their own stance saying it’s a school zone near Hunter Lake Elementary with an already dangerous intersection, with a fire department close by as well.

Our “child was hit by a car in Nov 2023 in the intersection , thankfully not hurt bad but a traumatic experience so this project topic is very important to myself and many other families in the neighborhood,” they wrote.  

They say the design and location of the proposed Jiffy Lube is particularly concerning “with one way entrance and exit literally in the intersection, adding to the already crowded five-way intersection.”

In photos they sent, they added a red circle where the building exit will be for reference.

“We’ve been talking to the city already long before this totally inappropriate project,” they wrote. “A truck just skidded on brakes turning into that crosswalk as we were crossing for photos, just now, no joke.”

The area also has heavy student foot and car traffic from nearby Swope Middle School and Reno High. 

“A Jiffy Lube there would increase traffic and traffic congestion posing safety hazards to RFD response time and school children walking back and forth from school,” the Harmons wrote. 

“Our coalition will be speaking at that event. In addition, we have scheduled a protest at  the Hunter Lake Mayberry corner for 5:30 Wednesday April 16.  Although we addressed our concerns to the Jiffy Lube representative, Elliott Smith, who signed the Applicant Affidavit, and asked that the application be withdrawn, Smith seemed unpersuaded. He will be at the NAB meeting. According to Reno Assistant Planner Treston Rodriguez, who we also spoke with, a decision on the  application will be made by him and the Planning Manager Mike Railey on Friday April 18th. To voice objections, Rodriguez can be reached at (775) 337-9008 and rodriguezt@reno.gov, Railey can be reached at raileym@reno.gov, Smith can be reached at (801) 278-4689 and ebsmith@terraformco.com and Duerr can be reached at duerrn@reno.gov.”

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, April 14th 2025

Citizen's Forum: Samantha, Overcoming Mounting Challenges with HealThySelf

Hi, Im Samantha, a Northern Nevada native, college graduate, former Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, and past Washoe County dance teacher.

Over the past five months, I started the HealThySelf brand because I’m ready to take my story and inspire others to heal and be healthy.

Following multiple forms of abuse, toxic relationships, I rebuilt my life. Then, I was hit by a car leaving me disabled.

I’ve faced significant emotional, physical, and financial challenges, which motivated me to create something meaningful.

I began my journey by crafting about 50 beaded keychains, but my vision quickly expanded as I recognized the importance of healing and the impact of self-care.

This realization led me to create an online store where I could share my journey and products that embody comfort and self-expression.

I now offer fuzzy blankets that symbolize comfort, AirPod cases that celebrate the significance of music in my life, and notebooks for journaling, writing, and drawing—tools that allow for self-expression. Each item I’ve created holds special meaning and has played a crucial role in my personal healing journey, and I hope they resonate with you too.

My journey to healing is a remarkable story of resilience and self-love. After enduring years of domestic violence that encompassed not only physical violence, but multiple forms of abuse, I faced immense struggles.

There were many attempts to leave, and I sought refuge in various shelters. I finally was done, healing, then experienced yet another abusive relationship. Breaking free from the cycle of abuse proved to be incredibly challenging. So much to learn, unlearn, and heal. Just when I rebuilt my life for the second time, life threw another curveball my way; I was hit by a drunk driver, while in a crosswalk, leaving me disabled.

In the aftermath of the accident, I found myself feeling sorry for myself and deeply affected by how my life had changed. The emotional scars from my past haunted me too and I began self-medicating, which led to a drinking problem. Recognizing the need for change, I sought sobriety, worked hard to overcome my struggles, and have been sober for a few years now.

Instead of allowing these challenges to define me, I made the courageous decision to rebuild my life, again. Through therapy, inner work, and my commitment to sobriety, I discovered the strength to confront my past and embrace my healing journey.

I learned that true strength comes from vulnerability, self-compassion, and the courage to move forward, ultimately growing into the person I was always meant to be.

Today, I channel my personal transformation into my new business, HealThySelf—a collection of keychains and goods designed to promote self-love, mental health awareness, sobriety, and the importance of healthy relationships.

I want to turn the sensitive chapters of our lives into the positive mindset it takes to change our narratives; dismiss the stigma of experiencing personal struggles, and present it from victim to survivor! HealthySelf celebrates the strength and courage it takes to face and overcome adversity. Its not easy but it's worth every step.

I'm continuing the financial burden from developing more issues following the accident, still continuing treatment with a team of doctors and specialists, and my disability application is still pending. At this time, everything helps, and I plan to pay it forward as the brand HealThy Self continues. I hope my store and brand resonates, you can also donate via Venmo.

ShopHealThySelf.myshopify.com

Venmo: HealThy--Self

You are Beautiful Loveable Smart Courageous Powerful Glowing Fantastic.

If you've stood up and overcame domestic violence, toxic relationships, abuse, homelessness, sexual assault, active addiction to sobriety, mental health, PTSD, disabilities....you are a warrior. Be proud of yourself.

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, April 2025

How has your experience been dealing with Reno 911 services?

After being told about community concerns when calling 911, the director of Public Safety Dispatch Cody Shadle wrote back to us:

“We want to reassure the community that we take these concerns seriously. The Reno Police Department and Public Safety Dispatch Department are dedicated to providing timely, professional service, especially in emergency situations. However, we understand that there are moments when delays or miscommunication may occur, especially during emergency situations and we understand any frustration this may have caused. “

The concerns we received ranged from a caller reporting a serious road rage incident, and not having their call answered until trying a fourth time. Another was about reporting a large fire, and having the phone call go to voice mail several times, before someone answering saying they had already heard about the fire and immediately hanging up.

“We encourage residents to always call 911 in emergencies, our call takers and dispatchers are trained to prioritize calls based on urgency. When someone calls 911 for an emergency, the call is first received by a call taker at Public Safety Dispatch,” Shadle wrote back to us about these concerns.

We also asked to have an explanation of how the overall 911 process works, to get a reminder to post here for the community.

“The call taker gathers critical information from the caller, such as the nature of the emergency, location, and any other details needed. Based on the situation, the call taker then routes the call to the appropriate emergency service: police, fire, or emergency medical services (EMS), based on the jurisdiction of the location of the emergency,” Shadle wrote back in detail.
 
“During an emergency, such as a fire, we receive a high volume of 911 calls. In these critical moments, it's essential to quickly triage each call to determine whether the information is new or if it's a repeat of details we already have. This helps prioritize resources effectively and ensures we address the most urgent and previously unreported situations first. Due to the urgency, callers may experience an abbreviated interview and call disconnect in order to quickly process the high volume of incoming calls.

This ensures that every piece of crucial information is gathered, and the response is as efficient as possible. Time is of the essence, and efficient communication is key to managing the crisis. 
 
Our 911 system has built in redundancy and leverages the cooperation of our regional partners to assist in managing events that overload the system. If a 911 call cannot be answered at or delivered to our 911 center it will be redirected to another available local 911 center to be triaged, and potential life safety instruction can be provided.

While there is no “voicemail” for 911, during an emergency, callers in queue may receive an automated message advising them to remain on the line or if there is a technology outage that disrupts 911 service a caller may be directed to a regional emergency call center or receive a message that 911 is unreachable. Each of these instances are uncommon and our staff works diligently to promptly report any and all technology disruptions to ensure the availability and efficiency of the 911 system.  
 
If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you aren't having an emergency but still require police, you can contact nonemergency at 775-334-2677 (COPS). We appreciate the community's patience and continued trust as we strive to provide the best possible service to our community.”
Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, April 2025

Citizen's Forum: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures – The Importance of Medicaid for Maternal and Infant Health

A Citizen’s Forum contribution by Dr. Faith Whittier, OBGYN, Chief Medical Officer, Northern Nevada HOPES:

As we observe World Health Day 2025, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” it’s vital to reflect on the role Medicaid plays in ensuring strong starts for mothers and infants across Northern Nevada. This year’s campaign calls on governments and health systems to prevent maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize women’s long-term health and well-being.

At Northern Nevada HOPES, we are dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care to underserved communities. As Chief Medical Officer, I’m proud to lead a team that offers integrated medical and wrap-around services—supporting our patients and improving outcomes through a holistic approach.

Medicaid is a lifeline for many of our patients, especially pregnant women and children. It covers critical services that keep families healthy and stable. Nationally, Medicaid covers nearly half of all children and four in ten pregnant women. At HOPES, 37% of our nearly 18,000 patients rely on Medicaid—a reflection of the essential role it plays in our region.

But that lifeline is under threat. Proposals to reduce federal Medicaid funding, limit provider tax revenues, or impose eligibility restrictions could lead to millions in cuts, jeopardizing the ability of health centers like ours to care for those who need it most.

These cuts don’t just reduce coverage—they risk the survival of rural hospitals, safety-net clinics, and the broader health system. Patients without Medicaid still need care, but without insurance, they strain already-stretched resources and force providers to scale back services. The resulting payer mix shift threatens financial sustainability and puts our most vulnerable at risk.

The impact would ripple beyond healthcare. Medicaid strengthens local economies by supporting health centers, creating jobs, and reducing avoidable health costs. Undermining it would destabilize not only care, but our region’s economy as well.

At the same time, the closure of the CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) marks a troubling step backward in maternal and infant health. PRAMS provided vital data on the experiences of new mothers—data we relied on to shape care and policy. Without it, our ability to address maternal health challenges becomes even more dependent on Medicaid and local action.

On World Health Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all families—regardless of income—have access to the care they need to survive and thrive. We urge lawmakers to protect and strengthen Medicaid. The stakes are too high. Our community’s health, our economy, and our children’s futures depend on it.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, April 7th, 2025