The Lack of Affordable Housing in Reno, from the Perspective of an International Student

Affordable housing is a complicated and controversial issue in our community, dividing people in real life and on social media, politically and emotionally.

More and more people are flooding into The Biggest Little City in search of a place to call home, attracted by tech, warehouse, call center and service jobs, while simultaneously many current residents are being pushed out to surrounding neighborhoods where housing is slightly more affordable. Some long time residents have been giving up and leaving for good.

Questions abound: does Reno have the infrastructure, planning, and ability to keep up with the rapid population growth? What role can the city and county play in assuring that our community is accessible and welcoming for everyone?

According to the World Population Review, Reno is currently growing at a rate of 1.43% annually and its population has increased by 4.42% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 264,165 in 2020.

This new wave of residents presents itself as a very profitable opportunity for developers to begin buying plots and constructing high-rise luxury apartments. In Reno, 5,703 of the 6,059 units built in the last decade have been categorized as luxury apartments, yet our city still remains in the top 10 national rankings for homelessness. In order to make way for these new and modern developments, older buildings must be demolished, many of which are Reno’s weekly motels; buildings that lower-income residents depend on to keep a roof over their heads. These motels are often the last stop before homelessness, or the first stop after being unhoused, but city officials who are backing their removal believe they were never supposed to be used for long-term housing, and many of them are run down.

New apartment buildings and street names have been popping up, while motels have been destroyed, forcing lower income residents to find residence elsewhere or to become unhoused.

The issue remains that we simply are not producing enough affordable housing to meet the needs of our low-income population. Workers who earn middle-class incomes – nurses, teachers, non-profit workers – make too much to qualify for affordable housing, but not enough to afford market prices without a second job. Young people who are already feeling the burden of unprecedented student debt now have no choice but to live with two, four, or even six roommates in order to make their rent each month. Unhoused residents either endure a packed shelter at the CARES Campus or are out on the streets, moving from place to place in hopes that their camp doesn’t get swept or robbed; all the while being on waiting lists and carrying little hope of a chance at permanent supportive housing.

I took to the streets of Midtown recently and interviewed pedestrians to find out what the Reno community thought about the housing market and hear about their experiences with landlords and rising rent.

“I was thinking about moving out when I started college, but it’s just way too expensive to live here in Reno,” one resident told me, stating that she chose to carry on living with her parents as it was the more financially sensible move. Many other UNR students find themselves in this same predicament, and either stay in their family home with their parents or find a house with six other students facing a similar situation, cutting down the cost of each of their monthly contributions to rent and utilities. College resources such as Pack Provisions – a completely free on-campus food pantry – are being utilized more than ever by students, who often receive stipends from the school which barely cover their monthly rent and utilities.

I, as an international student from England, have been through every housing situation possible. In my freshman year, I embraced the true college experience and lived in the on-campus dorms. Luckily, I came to America on a sports scholarship for track and field, so was financially supported while living on campus for the first year I was here. However, the dorms are designated for first-year students only, so I was forced to look elsewhere in my sophomore year. I ended up settling for The Highlands, a student apartment complex located conveniently within walking distance of campus.

Despite living with three other roommates, I was still paying ~$800 a month, which my athletic stipend didn’t cover all of. I couldn’t work, given the status of my visa, and this was the story for the next three years of my undergraduate degree. The same situation goes for a vast amount of the international student body on campus, with many limitations being placed on us as far as employment goes. What is also often overlooked is transportation; most international students don’t have access to a car so are forced to limit their housing search to around the campus and within walking distance – where rent is the highest and leasing opportunities are the rarest to find.

The YOUnion where other current UNR students live. Those without a car often feel stuck if living too close to the university.

Many locals feel the Reno housing crisis was exacerbated in 2014, when the state of Nevada gave Tesla a $1.2 billion incentive package to open a new factory east of town. Multiple other tech and manufacturing companies followed suit, bringing employment opportunities but nearly doubling the average rent. A local business owner told me that he would like to see some sort of rent control implemented by the city, stating “it would make it more equitable for lower-income people to have affordable housing. The style of development that Reno is going through right now won’t be sustainable in my opinion.”

In February of 2022, City of Reno leaders declared on the record that they believe they do not have the legal authority to impose rent control with city manager Doug Thornley stating that “a true rent control ordinance is not, at this juncture, a thing that we believe we have the legal authority to pursue.”

Rent control refers to legislation that puts a limit on the amount that a landlord can demand for leasing a home or renewing a lease. Rent control laws are mostly enforced in high-population busy cities in California, or New York City for example, in order to protect renters from displacement. But with more people migrating to Reno, residents believe that such laws could and should be applied here if there was a political will.

“I’d love to see some type of rent control implemented,” anotherlocal business owner I spoke to said. “I’ve lived here all my life – 55 years – and there should be some sort of protection towards the locals who want to stick around here. I don’t want to be forced out of here because I can’t afford rent.”

Despite large shelters, there remains a noticeable unhoused population trying to survive in downtown Reno.

At this time, with our current leadership, rent control isn’t something that is likely to be pursued or enforced anytime soon. 

The University of Nevada, Reno administration seems to have recognized students’ frustrations with finding housing options, and on February 4th 2023 it sent an email blast to all currently enrolled graduate students, announcing “85 newly refurbished studio apartments located in the heart of downtown Reno,” with the University sub-leasing units at cost to grad students, medical students, and staff “to provide affordable, safe, and convenient housing.” The apartments are located on multiple floors of the RCC’s Ridgeline Tower, and cost students $995 a month, not including utilities. The email also mentions a security deposit that is a “grad student-friendly $350.”

The University will implement a “lottery” method as a way to dish out lease offers, expecting student interest to stretch beyond the spots that will be available. Every applicant will be entered into a lottery which will randomly determine a total of 30 lease offers. Grad students can also apply based on need, “which includes, but is not limited to, finances, health, ability, and special life circumstances,” which requires applicants to submit a one-page write-up detailing their needs. 30 lease offers will be made through this process. Lastly, 25 lease offers will be reserved for students who apply based on academic merit. Again, this requires a one-page write-up detailing their academic achievements, as well as backing from the student’s respective program director.

This seems like a promising step toward assisting students as they navigate through the process of securing a place to stay while they complete their program. However many UNR students continue to be faced with the scary prospect of burnout; having to work two jobs, attend classes, and study for exams, all the while having three side hustles on the go. Just so they can pay their bills, and tuition, and keep their fridges stocked.

Our Town Reno reporting by Gaia Osborne

A Reno Covid Spending Bonanza Up Ahead

Reno still needs to spend $28 million in federal COVID relief money, with the City Council scheduled to allocate the money to different projects at a meeting on Wednesday.

This much money is sure to raise some eyebrows and lead to the potential for corruption and misguided priorities. 

At the top of the list, Reno PD is expected to get $11.5 million for new body cams, Tasers and surveillance software, or more than 40% of the overall total. 

Several parks and the river path are expected to get over $6 million combined for improvements.

The Community Health Alliance, headed by former City Council member Oscar Delgado, is expected to get $5 million to its Neil Road facility, which it leases from the city.  

A little over one million is excepted to go to the Village at Sage Street, the dormitory housing on Sage Street, while another million is expected for new fences at the already closed off Lear Theater.  

In the lower range, $510,000 is expected for ADA improvements at city hall, and additionally $500,000 for small business lease support, $500,000 for wild horse fencing and $350,000 for e-recycling. 

Modifying some of the fake facades on our downtown casinos is expected to get $250,000. 

Do you think these are good choices to spend this much money? If not, how would you spend the money? 

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2023

A Neigbor's Plea for Help, Living in a Truck with Pets

Krystal Lambrecht, 36, (pictured) says she is about to be kicked out of the truck she's been living in in the Reno/Sparks area with her boyfriend, "soon to be ex," she says. She has two puppies and a cat, and she fears for their safety for the next few days if they can no longer stay in the truck.

She says all she has to combat the cold right now is a little space heater, but that if she has to fend for herself she's not sure what she'll do exactly.

"I am looking for something that can help with some animal food or even if there are people willing to foster my fur babies until I am able to get a place to live," she told Our Town Reno.

She says she's been living in the truck most nights since December, but is now tired of their constant fighting.

She says she's stressing "because I can't seem to get a job and he refuses to stay out of casinos as soon as he gets a little money. The times we are able to get a room is if I am able to donate [blood and plasma] two times a week and even then it’s only one night."

She said she recently was in jail for missing court on a previous traffic ticket the same day she was due in eviction court.

If you would like to help in any way or reach out with suggestions Krystal said you can call her on 775-444-2036

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2023

Cameron Rose, from Unhoused to Running for UNR Student Body President

“While I was living on the streets, I was educating myself on the law. Reading law cases, going through the laws and the whole constitution, and trying to get an understanding of how to stop going to jail. Because jail was the only place I fit in, especially out here where being homeless is a crime,” Cameron Rose said of his predicament and desire to grow.

Cameron Rose is a Reno native and current student at the University of Nevada, Reno who is currently running to become the new ASUN President (The Associated Students of the University of Nevada). Prior to his enrollment at UNR, Cameron experienced being institutionalized and unhoused and hopes to use his experiences to  make changes on campus and encourage perseverance in other students.

His web bio states “Integrity. Overcoming Adversity. Inclusivity. Diversity. And Passion,” as the key words to his platform.

Cameron says he first experienced being institutionalized when he was 12. “It was February 19th, 1997, in a place called the Adolescent Treatment Center over near Galletti Way,” he remembers with precision.

From a young age, Cameron has suffered from various mental health illnesses such as bipolar disorder and insomnia, and has been in and out of treatment. “Life was difficult, actually for me growing up. I grew up institutionalized and on pharmaceutical drugs. Just last year was my 21st anniversary off pharmaceuticals,” Cameron said. “I’m very anti-pharmaceutical, I don’t believe that they’re the solution in any way, and so I’m trying to lead through examples and show that there are other ways through the struggles I went through.”

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s moods and energy and activity levels, concentration, and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Bipolar patients are prone to agitation which can result in impulsive aggression during manic and mixed episodes.

“My disability and what caused me to become institutionalized is that sometimes I come off as aggressive,” Cameron said. “I’m still currently on disability income because I struggle to find employment. It’s next to impossible to maintain a job when your boss feels like you’re yelling at them. I’m not yelling, I’m trying to explain something. But they feel like you’re arguing with them, and I often get treated as if I’m trying to cause a problem.”

Due to Cameron’s struggles with mental illness, he has been on and off the streets and in jail since he was 18 he says, for about two decades.

In 2019, Cameron says he received an unexpected back payment for his disability income and used it to pay off old student loans from when he attended the University of Phoenix as an online student. He knew he wanted to get back into the education system and as soon as his debts were paid off, he immediately applied to the University of Nevada, Reno.

“It is a huge adjustment from being homeless and doing nothing daily,” Cameron said. “I don’t want to act like homeless people aren’t doing anything, but you obviously have a lot of free time. But that free time would be spent being harassed, in jail, or finding ways to survive.”

Cameron says he comes from a long lineage of Wolf Pack alumni. He says his great-grandfather graduated from UNR as a scientist, while his mother graduated with an accounting degree, achieving magna cum laude honors and finishing at the top of her graduating class. Cameron’s stepdad, Jimmy Carroll, is also an alum who played for the men’s basketball team in the late 1990s. “For me, this is like tradition and heritage. I want to continue that legacy.”

For the last three years, Cameron has been working on a Philosophy B.A. in Ethics, Law, and Politics, with minors in English, Public and Professional Writing, and Debate.

As president, Cameron says his primary focus would be on promoting inclusivity and diversity, as he knows what it feels like to be excluded from the community because of one’s differences. He also plans to put a heavy focus on food waste produced by the University, and improving advising.

.“I’ve heard so many students talk about their graduation dates being stalled because their advisors are not getting them in the right courses,” Cameron said. “I feel this is because the advisors aren’t spending enough time with their students and learning who they are and what their interests are.” College curriculum and required courses often feel restrictive to students and may not line up with their career interests. “Part of my whole push towards autonomy is more options. More choices for students, letting them decide what they want to do.”

After graduating, Cameron has plans to continue his education to attend law school, wanting to specialize in Civil Rights and Disability Law. “I believe that we are not properly representing disability,” he said including for the unhoused who suffer from disabilities.

Cameron is also currently working on a personal memoir titled “They Call Me Crazy” and wants to transcribe his experiences in order to help others expand their understanding on mental illness.

Our Town Reno reporting by Gaia Osborne

Mom Blames “Failure to Protect” While Trying to Regain Custody of Her Two Boys

Failure to Protect is the name of a PBS Frontline documentary looking into how five-year-old Logan Marr who had never been abused by her mother was found dead in her foster mother’s home in Maine in 2001.

The press release for the film asks:  “Why did the state remove Logan from her biological mother despite no evidence of any physical or sexual abuse? Did the Department of Human Services move too quickly to terminate her mother's parental rights?”

In Nevada, the wording “Failure to Protect” appears as part of the Child Welfare Policy Manual for the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services.  

It’s defined as “the circumstances of the parent responsible or caregiver's supervision are such that a reasonable person would be expected to foresee that the child would be placed at plausible risk of harm from the actions or inactions of another adult. The parent or responsible caregiver is responsible for maltreatment inflicted by substitute caregivers or others, or for child endangerment, if the parent knew or should have known the child was at plausible risk of physical harm of being harmed by another person.”

In a phone interview, the Children’s Serviced Division Director for the Washoe County Human Services Agency, Ryan Gustafson pointed instead to the Nevada Administrative Code NRS 432B. “It's tied into the expectations and the mandatory requirements of Washoe County as a child welfare entity, for the protection and safety of children under NRS 432 B. It’s actually more of a discussion around child abuse and neglect,” Gustafson explained. “And that comes in a variety of forms, right? Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect comes in various forms too. So when we talk about failure to protect, it's more specific to the statute in that as a primary caregiver, you have a responsibility for the safety and welfare of your child.”

Amanda (we changed her name for the privacy of her children) lives in Clark County now. She had been coming back to Reno every other week, until recently, to see her two sons during supervised visits with a therapist.  Both are now in foster care and she fears they are slipping away from her. She feels she’s a victim of both domestic violence and this failure to protect. A recent Facebook post indicated visits with one of her sons had been discontinued due to a recent psychiatric report.

“I’m charged with failure to protect which basically faults the survivor of domestic violence for their children witnessing the domestic violence. I didn't protect my kids from witnessing that domestic violence,” she explains.  “So my kids were removed from me. The crazy thing is that I have two of my children, but I do not have the other two. So I have twin daughters, who are toddlers (from a different partner), but my two older boys are gone, because of this failure to protect with Washoe County.” 

She’s been without her two older boys, who are six and eight now, for two years.  There’s an upcoming trial, scheduled for April. She says this situation, sadly shared by many other local moms, is making more of them less likely to report domestic violence.  We were unable to independently verify her accounts due to the private nature of such cases.

“One in four women experience domestic violence,” Amanda told Our Town Reno. “75% of women who do experience domestic violence have children. And so if the police are called CPS does get involved, then they can put this failure to protect on the victims of domestic violence. The non-offending parent, they can put this on them, which has been done to me, and it can be the reason they remove your kids from the home. With domestic violence, already 50% of cases go unreported. So there's already 50% of victims who are too scared to report this. And with this, even more women are hearing about CPS taking children from homes and are too scared to report it. So at that point, it becomes a public safety issue because there's abusers doing this to women and getting away with it.”

Amanda says the determining incident in her life happened when she was trying to get her kids back from their father who had been granted custody, but she felt they weren’t being treated right.  “Me and him were not in a relationship. I was telling my boys, all right, get your stuff, go pack your bags. We are getting out of here, you know, you're not living here anymore.  When I put them in the car, he dragged me out of the car, hit me and cut my hair off,” she said.  That’s when she called the police but soon realized the outcome she was hoping for would not materialize. 

“The police told me, how do we know you didn't do that to yourself? I'm like, what? Why would I chop all my own hair off? Like, I had long, pretty blonde hair. And they just went and he just held me down and cut it off. And I was like, why would I do that to myself? And he didn't have a single charge.”

Amanda says she was able to keep her boys in a hotel for a few days, but after that she says CPS took them from her, put them back into the father’s custody and then later in the foster care system.  Her account could not be independently confirmed. CPS does not discuss specific cases.

Amanda initially spent four months in a domestic violence shelter, where she said other women shared similar ordeals.  

“And so a lot of domestic violence victims today are saying, if I had the chance, I would never have talked to the police. Because look at me now. My kids are gone. I have nothing. And most of the time the abuser isn't even in jail, while my kids are suffering even more trauma,” she said. 

“Other women also regretted going to the police,” Amanda said. “The police call CPS and CPS immediately takes their kids away. They're the ones left fighting. The women are left fighting for these kids, and they're already dealing with their own trauma from being abused. And what CPS doesn't consider is that domestic violence and abusive relationships are so complex. There's financial abuse to where the woman doesn't feel like she can leave. And so CPS  fault these women for not leaving, but they don't consider how complex it is to where the woman is only trying to keep herself and her kids as safe as she can because she knows if she tries to leave, [it’s going to get even worse.] And there's battered women's syndrome and it's so complex. And CPS doesn't take that into consideration at all. They don't get it. The judge doesn't get it. CPS doesn't get it. And so there's a lot of women saying, I wish I never said anything.”

 “As a child welfare agency, what we want to do is provide opportunities for parents and the non-offending parent to get the resources that they need, right? And so, ideally we want kids and families to be reunified,” Gustafson, the Washoe County official reiterated several times in our phone interview.  “If a mom calls and says, dad abuses me and dad abuses our child, but I am going to go back with dad anyways… yes that's a concern, right?” he said addressing the fears of abused women. “Because now mom becomes unsafe and the child becomes unsafe. And certainly we would want to have a discussion about what is it that is having you go back knowing you're in that environment? Is it because of the long-term relationship you've had? Is it because you need resources? Is it because you need shelter, because you need food? What is it? Can we help provide some of that stuff so you don't have to go back into that environment? Or is there a misunderstanding or is there something that we can provide you and him?” He said he used the mom and abusive dad as an example in his quote, but that there were a wide variety of scenarios.

Amanda now works as a medical assistant. Online, she posts photos of her smiling daughters, but she says she doesn’t feel whole without her two boys in her care.  

“I’ve been fighting for them ever since,” she said. “They [CPS]  told me, get your own apartment and then we'll give you your sons back. So I get my own apartment. And that was two years ago. And ever since I've been fighting. I've got a job, I've got money. I've never abused my sons. I've never used drugs ever in my life.”  

Amanda takes inspiration from the Nicholson v. Williams case in 2004, when the New York Court of Appeals unanimously held that a mother's inability to protect a child from witnessing abuse does not constitute neglect, and therefore cannot be the sole basis for removal.

In other states, though, failure to protect has sometimes led to jail time. In August 2022, Mother Jones wrote: “In Oklahoma, failure to protect is the only child abuse charge levied predominantly against women, and it is disproportionately charged against women of color. People charged with the crime there are less likely to have a previous felony record than defendants in firsthand child abuse cases—a sign of just how much more dangerous abusers are than those accused of failing to stand in the way of their abuse. Since 2009, when the latest version of the state’s law went into effect, at least 139 women have been imprisoned solely for failure-to-protect charges. At least 55 are still incarcerated.”

In our interview Gustafson wanted to make clear that “as a child welfare division director, I don't have the authority to incarcerate, you know, or convict anyone of a crime. We look at it from the child abuse and neglect standpoint.” He also said Washoe County looks closely to see if any of their work leads to racial inequities. “We actually have a statewide work group that pulls data, that looks at data and helps come up with statewide plans to ensure that we are looking at and analyzing differences, when it comes to race, when it comes to really, you know, any special set of factors,” he said.

Her ex, Amanda says, is now siding with her to get her parental rights back, but she fears it might be a losing cause for everyone involved, including her boys. 

“I can't imagine them being in foster care any longer that they should be here because I am a safe parent and I have custody of my other kids,” she said. “And if I'm safe now, I should be safe forever. And I just love them and I'm never going to stop fighting to have them because I know that this is where they'll be happy.”

She says she’s been pressured to settle to get one letter a year from her sons, “or you can go to trial and, potentially lose and you'll have nothing. Obviously I was like, I'm going to take the risk and go to trial,” she said, even if her attorney thinks she will lose. 

“I'm like, how is this happening to me? This can't be my life. I'm a good mom,” she concluded in disbelief.

Our Town Reno reporting February 2023

What's That Construction Project: From farmland to Industrial Buildings near the Airport

Pre-Covid, the developer Reno Land bought land east of McCarran Blvd. at Mill St. from the University of Nevada, Reno, for nearly $18 million dollars. 

The purchased land had been used by UNR since 1956 for teaching and research. 

Today construction of “The Park at McCarran'' which also involves industrial real estate developer Dermody Properties is nearly complete. The area will include multiple industrial buildings totaling nearly one million square feet of space. 

The buildings will be for industrial, logistics and manufacturing companies in need of spaces ranging from 20,000 square feet to 300,000 square feet. Right next to these there will still be farmland for cattle, alfalfa sprouts and other agricultural pursuits. 

Major floods have impacted this area and other nearby areas in previous years so flood concerns do exist and could be heightened.

This massive center is just one of many new industrial buildings which hope to serve businesses in Northern Nevada and provide jobs to local residents. Many members of the community though are worried about rapid, poorly managed growth, and the reduction of scenic views and nature friendly areas. 

Reporting and photography by Will Munson for Our Town Reno

Arriving to northern Nevada as a Child, Now Living in Constant Fear of Being Deported

Since he was younger, one local undocumented immigrant has been constantly weary of being deported and taken away from his family, a fear that millions of undocumented people in America can relate to. *For the purpose of safety and protecting his livelihood, he will be called Salvadore, not his real name. 

Salvadore grew up in the United States, having been brought here from Mexico when he was only three by his father, who was searching for work and a more comfortable life for his family. The 21-year-old has lived almost his whole life in Reno, and only has pictures of him as a baby to remember his time in Mexico. 

“In Mexico it's tough and it's way harder to live comfortably,” said Salvadore of what he’s been told. “I always say, there's no country that compares to the United States in how good everything is.” He noted that once you leave the main cities in Mexico, there are a lot of dirt roads and houses with no electricity or running water, not to mention corrupt government officials.

Salvadore’s family comes from Zapotitlán de Vadillo, a municipality of the Mexican state of Jalisco, with a population of about six-thousand.

“If I were to compare my dad’s childhood and my childhood, he grew up extremely poor with 11 siblings and they had to work every day on the fields,” said Salvadore. “He just had a way tougher life, so I can't even compare.”

Salvadore has never been able to return to visit Mexico because of his undocumented status and fear of not being able to get back into the United States, so he has never met his grandparents and other family except for on the phone or Facetime. Salvadore added that most of his mom’s side of the family is still in Mexico.

When Salvadore’s dad first came to the United States, he was picked up in Phoenix and ended up in Las Vegas because he knew others who lived there. After working there for a couple years, he later returned to Mexico where he met Salvadore’s mother and had him when he was 24 and she was 18. After having their child, Salvadore’s parents decided to move to the United States. His father crossed the border again and after he saved up his partner and Salvadore came across through San Diego with a fake birth certificate. 

Due to his constant fear of being discovered as undocumented, Salvadore feels that he actually acts more responsibly than the average citizen to avoid getting in trouble and possibly getting deported. He remembered one day during his senior year of high school in which he got into a car accident. “I got rear ended and I was so scared of the cops showing up and getting deported,” said Salvadore. “I was literally crying because I was like, ‘I'm never gonna see my mom and dad again.’ I didn't even give a f**k about the car.”

Salvadore has three younger siblings including a 15-year-old brother, 11-year-old sister, and three-year-old sister who are all citizens because they were born in the United States. 

“My brother is like the opposite of me, he is so irresponsible,” said Salvadore. “I feel like if I had that immunity I would be more of a trouble maker too but I can't afford to act like that.” He said that this might not be the same for every immigrant, but at least for him, he thinks about the whole outcome before doing anything such as going out with friends.

There are many struggles when it comes to being undocumented in America, especially when it comes to finding work. “I can't get a normal job which is the biggest difficulty of all,” said Salvadore. He currently works for a construction company in Reno finishing drywall. He started there when he was 15, working during the summers, and now works for them full time. His dad works for the same company.

“In my situation, all I want to do is work and have a home and live, you know? I feel like I'm not a bad person, and I just want to be able to live a normal life, but I can’t, not really.”

Salvadore explained that he had wanted to go to college as a kid but quickly realized that would not be possible for him. “Up until high school I would actually try to get good grades,” said Salvadore. “But Freshman year, I went to the school counselor and she told me that I couldn't go to college after high school because I think she knew I wasn't born here.” 

“They just shot me down and I remember I wanted to do something like be a doctor. I would've been a totally different person but after that counselor told me that, I was like ‘what's the point?’”

Salvadore also reflected on a school trip to Costa Rica his freshman year of high school that he had wanted to go on, not fully realizing that he wouldn’t be able to leave the country. After showing the permission slip for the trip to his parents and receiving a harsh no, he began to fully grasp how much his lack of papers affected his life. 

“Even if I did get a degree I don't know what I would do afterwards because I'd be qualified for certain jobs but wouldn't even be able to apply to them,” said Salvadore. “People who don't have papers, we work in either factories, warehouse jobs, or construction and that's it.” 

Despite various programs that work to help undocumented immigrants attain degrees and find work, Salvadore is not hopeful that he will ever be able to change careers in the future. He thought of applying to the DACA or the “Dreamers” program in 2017, but that didn’t go anywhere as the program which protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States when they were children from deportation faced years of legal challenges.

DACA has assisted more than 600,000 undocumented individuals in pursuing higher education and earning higher wages, along with contributing to economic growth.  In 2023, under the Biden administration, the government is still barred from processing first-time DACA applicants, but is allowing renewals for existing DACA recipients. With Republicans now in the majority in the House, there is little hope though that there will be any immigration related legislation passed until at least the next election cycle.

Salvadore also doubts that he will ever get his green card unless he were to marry an American citizen. He says he just wants to live a safe and rewarding life, here, where he grew up, but the challenges for that remain daunting.

Reporting by Sydney Peerman shared with Our Town Reno

Local Soil Health Educator Tanner Petrilla Holds Composting Parties

Tanner Petrilla, 28, starts his Tuesday mornings by getting dirty, smelly, and wet. He’s not doing anything naughty, instead he’s improving Reno’s soil health by turning compost in the backyard of his community living space. Petrilla lives with three other people. One of them, Cynthia, works as a private chef and donates meals she makes on the weekends to local food access groups.

Tanner Petrilla collects eggs from his neighbors chickens in exchange for bringing over one of their favorite treats, food scraps. 

Cynthia sets up her kitchen for the day, preparing food with nutritious and simple ingredients. 

Petrilla has been living in this house for three years, moving out briefly to a small cabin/treehouse that was built on a nearby property, and then back. He previously managed the Desert Farming Initiative at the University of Nevada, Reno and now works part time as a carpenter and with Down To Earth Composting in Midtown. 

On this snowy Tuesday, 100+lb bins of food scraps from local organic restaurants are wheeled through the mud and snow to feed the neighbor’s chickens. 

Educating others on the importance of microbial activity in the soil is important to Petrilla, who frequently hosts composting parties at his house. At these work parties environmentally conscious locals can work in the yard turning compost, help him feed food scraps to the neighbor’s chickens, or simply observe.  

Various chicken breeds sift through orange peels and coffee grounds in search of their next meal. 

The chickens get first pickings of the food scraps and the leftovers, and what’s left is added into the next compost pile. Food scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings are “green” items that are high in nitrogen. When these are combined with “brown” items like paper and wood chips that are high in carbon, a controlled rot begins that forms compost. 

“Hydration is essential,” says Petrilla who encourages gardeners to uncover their piles when there is rain and snow so the piles can absorb the available moisture. “[The compost] pile should stay at 50% moisture, meaning a drop of water will squeeze out of a handful of compost.” 

One of Tanner’s experiments is a very relaxed compost pile where green and brown items are layered alternately and not turned. It forms compost much slower but requires little effort. 

For better success in Reno’s high desert climate Petrilla suggests covering piles so moisture can be absorbed deep into the piles. Monitoring moisture and temperature is crucial to producing the best compost. 

Petrilla checks to see if the compost is progressing properly or finished using a long thermometer placed in the center of the pile. When the compost is done the temperature drops and stays consistent. 

Fungal activity is another crucial component of compost health as it breaks down complex woody materials, but it's the most sensitive to disturbance. Fungi relies on stillness to spread underground via threads and webs. But tilling and turning of the soil or compost piles can break these threads which slows down growth. Recent increased interest in soil health by at-home gardeners has popularized no till methods, which minimize disturbing the soil and maintain fungal webs. 

Myers and Petrilla unload woodchips on Petrilla’s driveway, they must sit for around six months to mature before being added to compost. From these large woodchip dumps Petrilla provides more manageable amounts of wood chips to beginner composters. 

Petrilla’s recommended compost recipe is: 

6 parts wood material (wood chips, leaves) preferably 4 parts wood chips 2 parts leaves. 

3 parts green (Food scraps, coffee counts here)

1 part hi nitrogen(manure, or can be substituted for 2 more parts green)

1 part finished compost ( imagine a sourdough starter or konmbucha scobee)

Optional

Spent mushroom blocks (add liberally)

Information on upcoming compost events can be found on Petrilla’s Instagram @activedecomposer

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2023

Meet Our Current Reno City Artist: Rossitza Todorova from Bulgaria with Mirrors

Rossitza “Rossi” Todorova is the 2022-23 Reno City Artist, the third person to hold the distinction, established to promote our community’s visual artists and to increase the public’s engagement with local art.

The Professor of Art at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) creates in a variety of mediums and materials including painting, drawing, sculpture, print-making, book-arts, video, and on-site installations.

An immigrant from Sofia, Bulgaria, who moved to Reno at the age of 10, Todorova inspires others thanks to a work ethic that found her simultaneously creating new art, working at a museum, and taking on the responsibilities of running a non-profit from the age of 16.

Todorova’s work touches on diverse themes: time and space, fertility and the body, and loss and longing, yet one of the threads woven through her art is a sense of motion, and a deep connection to the adopted desert landscape she has called home for decades.

The immigrant experience has been formative in her work since she began school in the U.S. She arrived in Reno with her mother and older sister in 1991 to meet up with her father who’d already been working at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he’d been recruited to run a pharmacology lab. (Both of her parents had earned dual doctorates – M.D. and Ph.D. degrees – in Bulgaria).

Her home country was going through radical change – there were free elections happening in the Soviet Bloc country and Todorova and her sister had been instructed not to speak about the elections, or much else, outside of their home. The impoverished Communist country still had breadlines, and her grandfather stood in line for two weeks –receiving a number at the end of every day to return to his place in line the next morning – to get winter boots for the family.

Rossi Todorova is seen in one of the ribbon-covered mirrors she uses to paint her unique landscapes

When she started fourth grade in Reno, Todorova spoke no more than five words of English. “I had to cry to make them stop speaking to me in Spanish,” she said, explaining that one of the other students had been assigned to translate into Spanish for her “because Bulgaria has to be in South America.” Immersed in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Agnes Risley Elementary School, it took her six months to start understanding her new language, and a year to become fluent. She says she kept a thick accent until high school.

It was fortunate that Todorova started at Risley Elementary: not only was there an ESL program, but a drawing instructor for gifted-and-talented students visited the school regularly, and she was chosen to be part of the program. “We visited the Nevada Museum of Art, we did workshops at Sierra Arts, and I learned lots of things that I still teach today.”

Todorova combined those connections with her immigrant work ethic. In Communist Bulgaria, her grandparents and parents all worked. She says she’s still shocked that her female friends in the U.S. don’t have a model of how to raise children and work at the same time, because they’ve never seen it, and they don’t have the multigenerational households that can make it possible.

Before Todorova immigrated to the U.S. with her mother and sister, the three of them spent a short time in Paris where she visited the Louvre and knew then that she wanted her artwork to be shown there one day. She was disappointed to later find out that they don’t display contemporary art. In the museums in Bulgaria and Paris, “everyone that worked there was old,” said Todorova. She was amazed at how young people were allowed to work in the U.S., and after seeing the young girls behind the counter at the Nevada Museum of Art, she decided that she too wanted to work in a museum.

By the time she was 16, not only was Todorova employed at the Nevada Museum of Art, but she was planning and painting murals with a non-profit called Youth ArtWorks. After two years of working her way up through the program, she became an assistant to the director, and after her boss resigned, took over an organization with 70 employees and seven simultaneous public art projects.

Todorova was given no formal training, and was instead told, “your files are downstairs in the basement.” She continued working as a non-profit director, and as a museum security guard, while pursuing a double major at the University of Nevada, Reno – a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a business degree.

Because of her full work and class schedule, she graduated in the fall, which meant that a lot of things built into the bachelor’s program – including available gallery space for a show of her work – were not available. She approached the Nevada Museum of Art to see if she could show her work there, and as luck would have it, they had a two-week window of availability in the gallery in front of the theater. She showed three large pieces there, and the museum took one of them into their collection. It wasn’t the Louvre, but the most significant museum in her adopted home state acquired her work for its permanent collection right after she graduated college. Between her undergraduate and graduate school (Todorova earned her Master of Fine Arts at Arizona State University in 2013) she continued to build her portfolio, and supported countless other artists working for the Nevada Arts Council and The Children’s Museum of Phoenix.

While in her three-year master’s program in painting and drawing, Todorova was introduced to classroom teaching. She said the first students a teacher has in a class “are the best students you almost ever get…that’s how you get hooked.” As an extrovert, Todorova drew energy from her students and was inspired by the fact “they’re making this amazing artwork.” She has been teaching full time at TMCC since 2018.

Todorova’s artwork transcends many different mediums and materials, but there are clear connections between her drawings, paintings, videos, installations, sculptures, and book-making pieces. Place is a common theme across her use of materials and periods. She has long been intrigued with landscapes and the way that people move across them, shape them, and are changed by them. There were two distinct phases of her life where she commuted daily – one while working in Carson City and commuting from the Truckee Meadows (this before the Interstate 580 extension was completed through Carson Valley) and the other from Glendale to Tempe, Arizona while she was in graduate school.

Todorova explained what she was trying to convey in her artwork of the time. “Imagine your drive and the path from your front door, until you got here today – if you were to compress that, what would it look like?” This abstract art was further informed by the highways and concrete grids of Arizona’s desert metropolis where she tried to capture the juxtaposition of looking at seemingly still objects on the horizon while traveling 70-miles-an-hour. She began to play with lattice-like structural compositions that she described as “like a still life, inspired by the built environment.”

The natural landscapes of the Great Basin began to dominate Todorova’s work upon her post-graduate return to the Truckee Meadows. The grid lines of the Arizona-inspired work softened into ribbons, and the abstract landscapes became more recognizable as playas and lakeshores. One of her techniques is to place small mirrors in the landscape with mylar or metallic ribbons affixed upon their surfaces, and then paint the reflected place and the metallic ribbon as it picks up light, color, and shadow. It takes careful consideration to realize that the landscapes themselves were behind Todorova when she painted, reflected back to her in the mirror. The immigrant who still deeply feels the pain of a second, hypothetical other is able to paint realistic looking images that impossibly look in opposite directions – certain aspects and elements of the landscape obscured by the delicate ribbons that are in turn affected by even the smallest breeze as she paints.

Another of her mirror-pieces “I asked, and the world opened” (2019), is an hour-long video shot looking east across the Truckee Meadows as the lights of Reno flicker in the distance. As the foreground darkens, the round mirror picks up the light from the west, moon-like, reflecting back toward the camera. The metaphor of light and dark, memory and place, past and present, is striking, and reflects the longing inherent in her work: for her now-deceased father, for a country she used to call home, and for a sense of what was, and what might have been.

“It’s like a chalice that just won’t let go the passing of time,” said Todorova. “It’s just containing this memory, this moment, and it can’t let it go.”

Reporting by Mark Maynard shared with Our Town Reno

What is Reno's fashion and where can you find it?

What do you get when you mix a group of artistic, country loving, tree hugging, gambling, free spirited, snowboarding enthusiasts? Perhaps a hot mess or a collection of different personalities to form the perfect alliance. 

They say opposites attract and in this diverse community known as Reno, Nevada, every corner has a different niche.

Fashion wise, this results in a variety of different styles members of the community incorporate into their everyday wardrobe.

But with twenty degree mornings on top of the lack of luxury shops, how does Reno stay up to date with the latest trends? When shoppers think of fashion, the reality is that Reno is not on the top of the list. Cities such as Los Angeles and New York are swarmed with A-list celebrities, designer stores, fashion weeks and paparazzi to capture every streetwear look. This poses the question, what is Reno fashion and how can one achieve an up to date look while shopping here?

The first step is to identify what is achievable. Reno may not have a shopping outlet on every corner but it has what a lot of places don’t anymore: small businesses.

Midtown especially, appears to be where a lot of the arts and cultures found in the community shines through. With an endless amount of tattoo shops and thrift stores, it offers a unique approach to modern day fashion.

Store owner of Sierra Belle Boutique, Hope Triplett, emphasizes that it’s important to be open minded when putting together an outfit when shopping and going out locally.

“I love to dress up and look cute but I was always kind of nervous to do that here in Reno,” Triplett said. “I was scared to over-dress but since taking on this role, it’s made me realize that as long as you feel confident in what you’re wearing it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Being open minded and trying to step out of your comfort zone is so important when finding your style and I always encourage people that you don’t need one specific look. You can have different styles and wear what makes you feel good.”

Store manager of Sierra Belle Boutique, Hope Triplett. Photo shared by Hope Triplett with permission to use.

Sierra Belle is one of the many stores found in Midtown along with FreeStyle Clothing Exchange, Junkee, Bad Apple vintage and many more. With Reno also being home to the Wolf Pack, and its student population, Triplett expresses how their store’s demographic is typically between 13 and 30 and offers a stylish look that is both trendy and affordable for younger demographics.

To achieve a fashionable look without a prestigious label, Triplett recommends looking out for bold pieces whether it’s a jacket, purse or shoes, “Statement pieces as well as adding a fun pop of color can easily elevate any outfit and make it trendy,” she said. She also emphasizes how layering with a statement jacket can keep you both warm and trendy despite Reno’s sometimes harsh climate during the winter.

Sierra Belle Boutique is constantly staying up to date with the latest trends through the use of social media.

While a crop top and jeans is always a go to for a college student on a Thursday night, junior Paige Hagans is always searching for unique pieces that showcase her personality. She expresses her love for thrifting.

“I stay trendy in Reno simply through thrift shopping and looking for online sales. The malls here are definitely more limited compared to other places, and as a college student with little money, it’s hard to spend the big bucks on clothes anyways,” she said.

Clothing stores such as Freestyle Clothing offer trading programs for cash or store credit that encourages the community to donate their old clothing. This has also become a great resource for college students to save and earn money. 

Hagans describes how she believes thrifting has become the new trend in fashion.

“I love freestyle clothing and I think thrifting has become way more normalized than it once used to be. I feel like I remember thrifting in my pre teen years and people thinking it was gross, and now it’s trendy,” she explains.

It’s safe to say that a majority of Reno's fashion sense comes from its younger demographic. The college town brings in students from all over the country, encouraging new looks while staying on trend. 

So what is Reno fashion? The answer isn’t as cut and dry as you’d expect. With Reno’s cultural impact steering towards the arts and younger demographics, it’s clear that Reno fashion sense can be categorized but not limited to as unique, retro, practical streetwear.

This look is perfect for a day in the office, a morning class, the rodeo, even a day in Tahoe with friends. One thing is for certain, the community of Reno isn’t afraid to express their individuality through their clothing through sleeves of tattoos and quirky pieces found in stores. While staying warm and practical, Reno proves that any look is achievable. Here you don’t need a label to be fashionable, just your own personality.

Our Town Reno reporting by Morgan Bobbera

Local Lawyers Go After Each Other Accusing Each Other of Defamation and Worse

A case opposing well known divorce lawyer Marilyn York, her father Roy York, and a former employee in the Marilyn York law firm, Tirza Mathews, is spilling into social media and local conversations.

Our Nevada Judges has been releasing videos of proceedings from earlier this month on its YouTube channel, notably highlighting a York motion to disqualify the legal matter, calling the Mathews lawsuit “farcical,” “manufactured,” and “perpetrated to exploit media attention and publicity for the purpose of extorting money from the defendants.”

In court proceedings, earlier this month, Judge Egan Walker of the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada, displayed calm irritation.  “I will give this case all the time it needs,” he said, before ordering what is known as a case management hearing for April. 

Mathews alleges the father, Ray York, “groomed” her for sexual exploitation, after living in an RV at his residence when she worked for the York law firm and that she then became a victim of sexual harassment and defamation.  She is now working with the Alternate Public Defender’s office of Washoe County, while her LinkedIn lists her employment as Hutchison and Steffen, making this a high profile case of local lawyers versus other prominent local lawyers. Marilyn York is known for her aggressive in your face commercials defending men facing divorce.  

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2023

Our Town Reno Reporter Kingkini Sengupta Bids Farewell

Kingkini Sengupta, a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno, has completed her reporting work for Our Town Reno. Before her departure, she took the time to speak with Reynolds School of Journalism colleague and fellow Our Town Reporter Gaia Osborne for a Q&A to share what her experience has been like reporting for our street collective. Included within the article are some photos of Kingkini out in the field, along with some of her favorite photographs from stories that she took during her time with us.

GO: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up reporting for Our Town Reno?

KS: I came to Reno from India and was a producer there for 5 ½ to 6 years. I’d covered the U.S. election and was fascinated by how U.S. politics worked and the dynamics of the country. It was fascinating to watch when you’re from a different country, seas apart, sitting and looking in at what people and politicians are saying. I applied to two universities – Oregon and UNR. Oregon didn’t offer assistantships, and tuition costs a huge amount of money. But I wanted to go to school nonetheless.

My mom was very supportive. She’s like “hey, I’ll sell my kidneys to send you to school.” Eventually, UNR accepted me. I was trying to come here in 2018, but we lost my father in 2017, followed by my uncle. My family dynamics changed, and things were weird. So I didn’t come in 2018, and thank God I didn’t because I would’ve been here throughout the pandemic. When I came here, I was assigned a teaching assistantship, which was fun. But I always wanted to be a reporter, and be out on the field talking to people with real lived experiences. Around October last year,  I was walking to a grocery store, and there was this lady that came up to me and asked for a light and a blanket, both of which I didn’t have at that point. She looked as if she might be unhoused – she looked cold and was carrying a big bag of clothes. I didn’t want to assume more than that. When you are coming from a country like India, you see the United States as this American Dream, with riches and money. I never knew there would be people here living in the streets and cars, not having enough food, and working three to four jobs. Anyway, I told this lady I’d come back with a blanket, but when I returned, she wasn’t there anymore. I began wondering who she was, and where she came from. I was speaking to one of my professors about what happened, and he was like “Hey, you’d probably like reporting. Why don’t you talk to Nico [Colombant, the Our Town Reno coordinator]?” He was very enthusiastic and so supportive. He never once told me I couldn’t do it. Rather, he gave me a zoom recorder and told me to go out on the streets and start talking to people. At first, I was skeptical because I am an outsider with a different skin color, so I wasn’t sure how I would be perceived by the people here.

Kingkini took this photo of a remembrance for the unhoused along the Truckee River.

GO: What was the first story you ever wrote for Our Town Reno?

KS: So after [Our Town Reno coordinator] Nico [Colombant] gave me the zoom recorder, me and my friend Shelby decided to go to Downtown Reno near the believe sign and just talk to people. We didn’t go with the motive of doing a story. I just walked up to somebody in the plaza. His name was Robert. He was 56 at that point and had just gotten laid off. He was very frail. He sat on the pavement trying to support his frail body, and had blisters all over his hands and body from the intense sun. I was skeptical about just walking up at first because people do things. They might be angry, they might not want to talk to you. They might have instances in their lives which they aren’t comfortable talking about, so it’s always hit-and-miss with people. But Robert made eye contact with me, and I instantly knew that he wanted to talk so I went up to him. He told us about his osteoporosis, how he couldn’t walk, didn’t have any money and wanted to die. It was upsetting. But yeah, I recorded my first story with him, came back, and wrote about it. We went back to Robert the next day with pillows, aloe gel, and sunscreen. We couldn’t see him, and were just about to leave when we saw Robert walking up to us. We were so happy. 

Robert, the first person Kingkini interviewed for Our Town Reno: http://www.ourtownreno.com/our-stories-1/2021/9/14/robert-waiting-for-death-burritos-and-cigarettes-on-the-streets-of-reno

GO: How do you approach street reporting when it feels like nobody is willing to talk to you?

KS: Something I learned over time is eye contact. You can make eye contact with a person, and if they aren’t interested they normally hide their face or avoid you, which I totally respect and understand. Do you remember the time when we met Bruce? He came up to us, he wanted to talk to us. So yeah, there are all kinds of people on the streets, in their shops, in their little spaces. Everybody is just doing their own thing. But if you walk up to them and they have a story, most of the time they are happy to share it with you. It’s all about how comfortable they feel around you. Just be yourself – once you’re comfortable with your own self and they can see that you’re respecting their space, they are usually more than willing to talk. There are days when people are like, “hey, I’ll tell you my story but I don’t want it to be out in the paper.” And I just spent hours with them sitting there. I think that really helped, just showing people that you have the time for them and you’re just a reporter trying to get their story out of them. Like with Bruce, he sat there and sang a song mid-way through the interview. We could’ve got up and walked off during that song, but we stayed and listened.” 

“It’s important for people to feel like, ‘okay, there is someone else who wants to listen and understand my story.’”

GO: Do you think your upbringing and previous journalistic work in India augmented your experience at Our Town Reno in any way?

KS: In India, I was a studio producer. I was in the office, so I was a lot shyer and less confident back then. I didn’t talk to people much, my personality was a lot different before coming here. In India, I was a person who kept to myself, way more introverted. I was always talkative, but never confident when it came to walking up to people. That confidence is something that Nico and Our Town Reno brought out of me. In Reno, I was so welcomed by everyone that I spoke to. Now, I can go to a concert and sit there for hours reporting on it. I can do the same at a yoga class. I can talk to a child. I can talk to a farmer. I can talk to people on the streets, anybody. What I like the most about Our Town Reno is that you don’t have to be a famous politician or big personality to be featured. They’re common people, interesting people with stories to tell. And we get to talk about it. Our Town Reno has brought out this talkative and confident part of me that I never thought I’d have in India.

GO: Is there a story you have covered for Our Town Reno that stands out as your favorite or the most memorable?

KS: I don’t like to pick favorites, every story I have done has taught me something. But there is one story that is very close to my heart and changed a lot of my life perspectives. The story featured a henna artist who does beautiful designs. She’s going to school at TMCC now I think, but also works and has a son and daughter already. She was in a very rough arranged marriage that came out of a forced situation. She had her daughter in this marriage when she was very young, I think she was 15 when she gave birth. Her daughter is a huge inspiration to her, and is grown up now. She broke off from that marriage, remarried, and had her son. The reason I mention her is that when I went to visit for the interview, I went with the intention of interviewing her solely as a henna artist. But I ended up learning of the abuse she faced in her earlier marriage, and her life story made me come to terms with some of the experiences I had as a child who wasn’t really treated well by some men I knew. These are things I lived with for a very long time and it affected my personal relationships. When I spoke to the henna artist, I went back home after and cried a lot. Hearing her story helped me come to terms with the things I’d faced as a child and it became better. I started talking about it, and now I can talk about it freely. Her story really inspired me and made me a better person, helping me come to terms with things I was keeping private for almost 20 years. I went into it thinking that it’ll be a story about henna, and I’d come back and be done with it. But that night changed my life. Another story that’s close to my heart was the one I did on Taissa. She is doing a PhD in Neuroscience and go-go dances on the weekend. I went and spent a whole evening with her while she was dancing, and that experience was so liberating. I really enjoyed that whole evening, I did a full photo shoot on her which was fun. So those two stories stand out the most for me because they’re two separate women with great and empowering stories in their own way.

GO: For the readers and listeners who only get to see the finished product, how do you find and approach your stories? What is your methodology?

KS: This is something I’ve started doing after I came to Reno, but I just talk to anybody I see. I guess it started when the NPR NextGen Radio team was in town for a project, and I was taking a cab to meet them for an unofficial dinner. I was in a Lyft and just speaking to the driver; an Indonesian guy staying in the U.S. with his girlfriend. He was talking to me about starting a local Indonesian business and how in a few months he’d have his business up and running. I took down his number. I just talk to people, whether they’re on the streets or driving a cab. If I see they have a story to tell, I take their number and keep it with me. That’s how I find my stories. Also, Nico will sometimes reach out and be like, “hey, do you want to talk to this person?” and you end up developing great relationships with some of these people. I did a story on Christopher Conway who was setting up his own organization dealing with childhood trauma. That person turned out to be my therapist now.

GO: What piece of advice would you give to an aspiring reporter?

KS: I always say this, and I’ve said this to a lot of people: humanity is very important. We are reporters, we have the power of storytelling. But, there has to be a certain kind of approach when you’re talking to someone. You should never look down on anyone just because they may or may not have had the same experiences as you. If he or she is in a certain place, it’s not because of their experiences, it’s because of whatever has happened to them collectively, and that can happen to anyone. I approach people with humility and give them time. Sometimes people are so happy I’m just there to talk to them and giving them time. I’ve had whistleblowers for Our Town Reno that I’ve spent four hours under a tree with, talking to them. Like I said, humility is very important when you approach a story. Don’t see it just as a story, see it as an experience.

GO: For our listeners and viewers, we’re very sad to say that your time with Our Town Reno is nearly at an end. We would like to say thank you for the time and effort that you’ve put into your stories. And from a more personal level, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you over the past semester. So what’s next for you?

KS: I’m trying to graduate next semester, and then probably get a reporting or communications job where I can continue the work that I’m doing. Because I’m an immigrant, I’ll need a visa to work here. But yeah, eventually I do want to find stories that are lesser told. But I’ll need a job that will pay my bills and allow me to stay in the country, so I’ll try. I’ve recently been to Alaska to film a documentary [which premiered in December.]

Our Town Reno reporting by Gaia Osborne

What's That Local Construction Project? Demolishing the Oddie Blvd Pedestrian Bridge

The “Charles Hendrickson Overpass” built over 53 years ago at the intersection of what is now Oddie and Silverada Boulevards is now in the process of being demolished. 

It was originally constructed to allow for a safer way to cross Oddie Boulevard.  It was named after Charles Hendrickson who spent two decades of his life dedicated to working for Reno police in the traffic department. Hendrickson passed away in Reno at the age of 78 on April 19, 2010.

While the demolition takes place, Oddie Blvd at Silverada Blvd will be closed to all traffic but Silverada will remain open for through traffic.

The current pedestrian bridge didn’t meet ADA compliance so it will be removed and the existing street level crosswalk will be enhanced.

This demolition is part of RTC’s “Oddie Wells Project” which plans to increase safety and mobility of the area by constructing new lights, landscaping, and ADA compliant sidewalks and crosswalks with ramps.

Reporting and photography by Will Munson

Reno City Council Moves Forward on $80,000 Bowling Mural by Out of Town Artist

Despite a no vote from Jenny Brekhus and initial concerns from Mayor Hillary Schieve, Reno’s City Council Wednesday moved forward with plans for an $80,000 contract to a non-Reno muralist to “embellish” the National Bowling Stadium exterior.

Brekhus was concerned with the process, saying it had “veered off Council authority,” and that the idea should have gone before elected officials earlier, and not just for a vote.

Devon Reese apologized, in his usual convoluted manner, for not having been more forthcoming about the project while serving as one of the council’s representative on the Capital Projects Surcharge Advisory Subcommittee from which the money is emanating. The Reno Arts and Culture Commission selected Blanco’s proposal after receiving dozens of applications.

Schieve said she envisioned the 28-year-old bowling stadium as having more of a community use, for e-sports and other activities. She also expressed initial disappointment that the artist chosen, Raphael Blanco, does not live in Reno. “We’ve got amazing talent right here at home,” she said.

City staff said they were pressed with a deadline from the U.S Bowling Congress which gets concessions to agree to holding competitions here. They said Blanco, a UNR MFA student from 2010 to 2013, was thinking of returning to Reno, even though his website says he is based out of the Chicago area.

Screengrab above of part of what Reno wants to get for $80,000.

Schieve also said the art seems to be too bowling-focused and might have to get painted over if what is held inside the venue changes in the future. She said she could understand the gasp at the price tag, but once staff and Reese weighed in, she went along with moving along with the project.

There was a lengthy conversation about why council members shouldn’t weigh into artistic choices, or color choices, as Wolf Pack blue and grey were brought up, but one council member, Naomi Duerr, asked to see another sketch before the work started.

In the end, it was another yes from every council member besides Brekhus to everything city staff presented.

Our Town Reporting, February 8, 2023

Advocates Against Thacker Pass Lithium Mine Lose Judicial Battle

Advocates against the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine must decide what to do next after a judge ruled construction could begin, while rejecting claims the project by Lithium Americas would cause unnecessary harm to the environment or wildlife.

In the only setback for Lithium Americas, Chief Judge Miranda Du of the federal court in Reno, Nevada, ordered the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to determine whether the Vancouver-based company has the right to dump waste rock at the site, just south of Nevada's border with Oregon.

However, Du failed to vacate the 2021 decision by former President Donald Trump to approve the mine, as environmentalists had fought for.

Tribes who consider the site sacred had filed suit to block development of the mine, while regular protests with conservation groups and Native Americans have been held at the mine’s proposed location and in Reno.

Paiute people refer to Thacker Pass as “Peehee mu’huh” which means “rotten moon” to mark an area shaped like a moon where the U.S. Cavlary massacred their ancestors in 1865.

An attorney for the Reno Sparks Indian Colony Will Falk said the tribe had not decided whether to appeal but that regardless the campaign to protect Thacker Pass would move into what he called the next phase. "We're not giving up," he said.

Shares of Lithium Americas have risen substantially this week, while General Motors recently signed a $650 million deal to help develop the project.

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2023

Dustin, Part Two: Dealing with Child Protective Services and Feeling Burned

My wife asked Child Protective Services for resources. She doesn't say, ‘I wanna get rid of my kids, I don't wanna sell 'em, right?’ 

They show up to the house, they tell her, ‘Look, the only way that we can help because we have no way to help you. You know what I'm saying? The only way that we can help is open the case. You're not in trouble or nothing, just open a case. So my wife opens the case, says, ‘All right, fine.’ So they take her away with kids, you know what I'm saying? For like two hours or whatever. She signs the papers as a single mother with three children in a motel room. And then they tell her, ‘Listen, so now we're gonna take your kids.’ 

So two hours later they take all three of her kids and she has to say bye to her babies. And they split them up in three different homes. Her eight-year-old daughter is in a house, in a non-English speaking household. And her eight year old speaks nothing but English. And she's half deaf in one ear and half blind in one eye. So she's in a house where no one even talks the same language to her. 

My wife gets to visit once a week. That's all they give her.

So with CPS there's the initial person that comes out and does an investigation and then removes the children, right? And he's only on the case for 30 days. Then they go ahead and turn the case over to an actual worker for CPS and they take over three weeks in, okay? Three weeks in this individual comes to my wife and tells my wife, ‘Listen. So we have allegations. I didn't wanna say anything or come out with any of this because we didn't know where to go with this yet.’ 

My wife is fighting every bit of this tooth and nail cuz she will not go ahead and admit to neglect cuz she did not neglect her kids. She asked for help and resources not to come take her kids and put her down on the ground and take away any bit of drive that she has left. 

I'm saying, I mean I watched my wife lay in a bed and after I had to go ahead and go climb through the window with a friend of mine to rescue my wife cuz she OD'ed on Gabapentin and she laid there in a bed and she just put herself in a deep sleep just to go to sleep so she never wakes up again. So she could be there with her babies. You know, I watched all this and I was there for every waking moment, every bit of this. I watched my wife go ahead and just break herself down to nothing for these CPS workers to go ahead and disrespect us like that.

Families like ours are scared to death cuz they want their kids. They don't know what to do. 

The only thing they got to live for, they take 'em away from them. So listen, me and my wife are in a motel room. We speak English, the kids are alive. They're not beaten up or broken.

We obviously have troubles. My wife doesn't know how to go about even beginning any of this. Her head is still messed up over this whole situation. She doesn't know how to call and start, how to get counseling and everything else. These people are making her jump through all these hoops, won't talk to her about anything.

All they do is they do everything they can to make you look like the worst parent you are. And they go ahead and take every bit of any drive that you ever had away from you to go ahead and then sell your kids for a paycheck.

My wife has told her attorney, ‘Listen, I have done nothing but asked for help and resources. You have done nothing for me at all. I didn't neglect my children, I didn't neglect them. I asked for help. You guys came and took my kids. So the attorney goes in and tells her, ‘Listen, we understand that. I get that. I'm just telling you  my part and what I need to do, right?’ But here's the bottom line. CPS is a punishment. Punishment. 

Something needs to be done about it. Anybody who can hear or anybody that knows anything about any way that, that it could possibly help, I mean, we'll take it cuz look, we dug ourself into so much of a hole in the ground.

CPS is running us through the ringer. All we're asking for is resources. We've asked them 30 times, ‘Please can you help us out with some housing resources or something, something that we could do. Cuz we don't wanna wind up in a situation where we can't actually go ahead and have anything to show for. So, I mean, then why, why would we fight? You know what I'm saying?’

They send us resources on food banks. I don't need a food bank. I need an ID. I was pulled over in a car with my friend driving a month ago and a cop pulled me over, lost my ID in the center console of the cop car and now it's $41.50 for a new ID. I don't have $41.50. I don't have a job. I don't have an ID to get a job. So now I'm sitting here screwed. 

They have actually done absolutely nothing except to put us down. Her kids, like I said, they were all in three separate homes at first. One of 'em in a non English speaking home. The other one was in a home with a lady that had 16 kids. 

Her four-year-old before CPS took him was potty trained. And now that they've been gone for three months now all of a sudden, her four-year-old is back in pull ups. They just finally moved her eight-year-old daughter out of that home and into the same home as her four-year-old son. 

So now there's 17 kids that are taken care by someone who is 50 something years old. I'm not gonna say anything about anybody, but she's definitely not in a physical situation to be able to take care of these kids, especially by herself. And her eight-year-old daughter says the reason why he's back in pull ups is because she doesn't want to wipe his butt all the time. Or she doesn't wanna help him go potty because he pees too much. He's four. So basically what you're telling me is CPS, who we called to ask for help, takes these kids after opening a case on us, forcing my wife to open up a case, takes the kids from us and puts them in a worse situation than they were in to begin with. 

I mean my story is a puzzle because that's the way I talk. But I'm not a bad individual.  I don't understand how they can get away with this. 

 I have a criminal history, but at the same time I go to the University of Phoenix. I'm getting my bachelor's in criminal justice administration. 

I want to go ahead and help other people out that can't afford it because they deserve better. The people that work for this county and the people that work for this city and everywhere around this state is out for one thing and that's money. That's it. They're all money hungry. The casinos are here and everything else. 

They don't care about poverty, they don't care about the homeless. Gambling ruined a lot of people’s lives.  Put them out on the streets with absolutely nothing. And still they go ahead and promote this as tourism. How's this tourism? So go ahead and save up all your life savings. Pack up your kids. Come have some fun. Destroy your entire life in a weekend and go home with nothing. Sounds amazing. 

I married Rachel knowing that she had problems. I took on all that. I have problems too. And she took on all that as well. I love her unconditionally now. And I would do everything for her. 

 I knew her for four weeks, figured out that we were both emotionally up. So we decided to get married on my birthday. That's what happened. Now we're amazing together. The problem is every time we get a leg up, we get put right back into mud and on again.”

As told to Brad Vincent for Our Town Reno

Part 1 of this interview can be found here:

What's that Local Construction Project? A New Series by Will Munson

Although it may be February new construction is popping up all over town like spring daisies. 

Have you been wondering what that crane is doing in your neighborhood? A new series with photos by Will Munson will explore new construction projects around town. 

Our first installment is from 9355 Gateway Dr., Reno NV 89521 right by I-580. The space is intended for industrial use and features 22 roll up doors. The lot is located just north of the South Reno Athletic Facility and south of the Enclave and Verge apartment complexes. 

Pedestrian access to sidewalks is limited or inconsistent however, the site is near an RTC bus route. This industrial space is expected to be available for lease in 2023.

Photo Series by Will Munson

What Exactly is Jacobs Entertainment Up to Now?

As the Barber Brief pointed out earlier this week, a Planning Commission meeting this Wednesday evening will have Jacobs Entertainment basically trying to expand its Glow Plaza project to within its Sands property, so that it can use its casino digital billboards to advertise its nearby festival grounds. Casinos in Reno can use their big billboards typically only for on-site activities.

This is “a ploy to circumvent the city’s digital billboard regulations,” according to the Scenic Nevada website. “The Glow Plaza is meant to get the same type and size signs on its property as any other business in the mixed use Fourth Street corridor, under Reno sign regulations. Instead, Jacobs wants an amended conditional use permit from the city to allow the Glow Plaza to advertise his festival events on his mega digital casino signs, to be located down the street from the festival venue.”

According to the Barber Brief by local historian Alicia Barber, Reno has allowed the Sands to get a new digital billboard but with the caveat, “the digital displays can only advertise onsite activity.” “So here we are, months later, with Jacobs seeking to redefine the events on the Glow Plaza as “onsite activity” for the Sands by literally adding the Sands to the Glow Plaza's permitting boundary,” Barber writes.

Scenic Nevada which has dug deep into this issue adds: "Reno’s sign code would limit the Glow Plaza to a 35-foot tall, digital flashing and animated sign not to exceed 125 square feet. According to our calculations the Sands sign is about 33 times larger than what the Glow Plaza would be allowed under normal circumstances."

The non profit which works “to protect the scenic beauty of Nevada’s majestic landscape as well as the scenic character of our communities,” also has a pending lawsuit against Reno “to halt three large signs from being erected to advertise the new Neon Line District in the west end of downtown and along the freeway.” These were approved in October 2021, but Scenic Nevada says the signs “do not comply with code and putting them in the DA [Development Agreement] to circumvent the city’s sign code actually runs afoul of state law which says that a development agreement can only govern land in which the developer has a real property interest.”

Other media haven’t covered the Jacobs project much in recent months, as it’s been a slow slog of buying up more properties (three parcels bought in October 2022, including the Rancho Sierra Motel), bulldozers moving around dirt on other bought out and fenced off properties, with little to show for besides renderings for a now promised 60-unit apartment complex at the corners of Second Street and Arlington Avenue. The pandemic was previously used by Jacobs Entertainment as an excuse for lack of any new construction, while other companies remained busy.

A possible looming recession will certainly be used as another excuse for this slow moving project, destroying mostly motels and displacing its lower income residents, with incremental changes to previous sweeping agreements requested and usually approved by Reno city bodies.

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2023

Reno, Nevada, circa 2023, as seen by ChatGPT

How is Reno, Nevada, doing these days?

ChatGPT: Reno, Nevada is a growing city with a thriving tech industry, strong tourism, and a growing population. The city has seen positive economic growth in recent years, but still faces challenges such as affordable housing and traffic congestion. Overall, Reno is considered to be doing well.

Come on ChatGPT, you can do better. Anything controversial going on in Reno, Nevada?

Yes, Reno, Nevada has been facing some controversy recently, particularly regarding its housing market and homelessness. The city is facing a shortage of affordable housing, leading to rising rents and homelessness. Additionally, there have been ongoing debates about how to address the homelessness issue, including discussions about establishing more shelters and services.

Was too much money spent on the Nevada Cares Campus? It seems to be a warehouse rather than a welcoming place.

The Nevada Care Campus, which is a homelessness service center in Reno, Nevada, has faced criticism for its cost and design. Some have argued that the campus was overpriced and does not provide a welcoming atmosphere for those seeking services. The center was built to provide a one-stop-shop for homeless individuals and families to access a variety of services, but its design and cost have been a source of controversy. The center's design and cost have been debated by local officials, homelessness advocates, and community members.

What do you think of the Jacobs Entertainment neon line district. Why is it going so slowly, and what is the end goal do you think?

As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions. The Jacobs Entertainment neon line district in Reno, Nevada is a development project aimed at revitalizing the city's downtown area. The project is intended to bring new businesses, housing, and entertainment to the area, but has faced criticism for its slow progress. There are several reasons why the project has been slow, including challenges related to funding, zoning, and infrastructure. The end goal of the project is to transform the downtown area into a vibrant hub of commerce and culture, but the timeline and outcome are uncertain. The neon line district is a controversial issue, with some residents and businesses in support of the project and others opposed to it.

Is it good for cities though to have so much vacant land in downtown areas?

The presence of vacant land in downtown areas can have both positive and negative effects on cities. On one hand, vacant land can provide opportunities for redevelopment and revitalization, as it can be used to build new housing, businesses, and public spaces. This can help to bring new investment and life to the city center. On the other hand, large amounts of vacant land in downtown areas can also be a sign of economic decline and disinvestment. Vacant land can attract crime, become eyesores, and create a sense of blight. Additionally, the presence of vacant land can make it difficult for cities to attract new businesses and residents, as it can suggest a lack of vitality and stability. Whether vacant land is good or bad for a city depends on the specific context and how the land is managed and developed over time.

What about Reno losing some of its charm and grittiness, can that be a problem?

The loss of Reno, Nevada's charm and grittiness, as some people see it, is a concern for some residents. As the city continues to grow and develop, some worry that it will lose its unique character and become more homogenized. This can lead to a sense of disconnection from the city's history and identity, which can be problematic for some residents. Additionally, gentrification and rising housing costs can displace long-time residents, further altering the city's character. These are issues that many cities face as they grow and change, and they continue to be a topic of discussion and concern in Reno.

Why do people get mad when we mention artwashing?

Artwashing is a term used to describe the gentrification of neighborhoods through the use of cultural events and public art installations. Some people get mad when artwashing is mentioned because it is often seen as a way for developers and city governments to beautify and sanitize neighborhoods in order to attract more affluent residents, while displacing lower-income residents and small businesses. Artwashing can contribute to rising housing costs and the displacement of long-time residents, which can erode the cultural character of neighborhoods and result in a loss of community. Those who are critical of artwashing see it as a way for cities to prioritize the interests of developers and the wealthy over the needs and well-being of working-class and low-income residents. This can be a contentious issue, and discussions about artwashing often bring up broader questions about urban development, gentrification, and the role of public art in shaping the built environment.

What about gentrification. Why do some people view it is a good direction even though it's displacing long-time lower income residents?

Gentrification is the process of renovating and improving a neighborhood, often leading to the displacement of lower-income residents and small businesses. Some people view gentrification as a positive development because it can bring investment, jobs, and improved public services to a neighborhood. They see gentrification as a way to revive declining areas and create safer, more attractive, and more economically vibrant communities.

However, gentrification often results in the displacement of long-time residents, many of whom are low-income or working-class. This can lead to a loss of cultural diversity and a homogenization of neighborhoods, as well as contribute to rising housing costs, making it difficult for low-income residents to find affordable housing. Additionally, gentrification can result in the demolition of affordable housing, further reducing the availability of affordable housing options.

The view of gentrification as either positive or negative often depends on one's perspective and personal experiences. Those who have benefited from gentrification may see it as a positive development, while those who have been displaced may view it as a negative and harmful process. It is a complex issue with many competing interests, and discussions about gentrification often raise questions about urban development, housing policy, and social justice.

OK, on a lighter note, what's a good joke about Reno, Nevada?

Here's a joke about Reno, Nevada:

Why did the gambler visit Reno?

Because he wanted to raise the stakes!

Thank you ChatGPT. Before we conclude this interview, what's your favorite Reno 911 episode?

As an AI language model, I do not have personal preferences. However, "Reno 911!" is a popular American comedy television series that has been well-received by audiences. The show is a mockumentary-style parody of the reality television genre and follows the daily antics of the Reno Sheriff's Department. There have been many memorable episodes throughout the series, and it has been praised for its humor and irreverent take on law enforcement.

Our Town Reno interview, January 2023

Note: ChatGPT takes full responsibility for its comments, including any factual errors included in its answers.

Local SNAP Users Face End of Emergency Funding and Doubly Reduced Benefits

Emergency allotments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are about to end, and regular payments may also shrink for some of the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who depend on these.

The Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services previously indicated March will be the last month the extra food dollars will be provided.  The emergency funding was established to help struggling families and individuals during the pandemic.

SNAP beneficiaries were getting two monthly payments, with the second one totaling from $95 to several hundred dollars.

According to reporting on The Hill website “households that also receive Social Security payments may see their SNAP benefits shrink even more than $95. That’s because as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2023 kicks in, it increases those households’ incomes, and may reduce the amount of SNAP help they’re eligible for.”

Former Gov. Steve Sisolak had signed a proclamation allowing these payments to continue even after Nevada’s public health emergency order ended, but like for all other states who issued a similar measure the extension is now expiring.

Officials from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada are among those worried about local food banks already stretched thin, with persistent inflation and rising grocery prices causing havoc on local budgets.

Across the country, more than 40 million Americans use SNAP benefits. 

Our Town Reno reporting, January 2023