Uncle Gets 90 Days after Flipping Car in Crash Which Killed 11-Year-Old Niece

These are photos of events which were held in our community to commemorate Emma Marie Jordan, a fourth-grader at Veterans Memorial Elementary School, who died in a car crash in January 2024.

A gofundme to help with her funeral expenses raised about $17,000.

“This is the most heartbreaking thing I have ever had to write. On Sunday January 14th my daughter Emma Marie Jordan died in a tragic car accident. She was 11 years old,” the gofundme indicated last year.

Monday in court, her uncle Noah Tanner, who previously had two DUI arrests, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, after he pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter.

Jordan who was not in a seatbelt in the back center of the car which did not have one anymore was thrown from the SUV he was driving while going over the speed limit on Leadership Parkway.

Tanner lost control and hit a curb, flipping over the vehicle. Tanner’s two children also in the back were secured in car seats and survived.

The DA’s office sent this statement to media as Yvonne Garland, Emma’s mother, expressed disgust and anger at the process:

“The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened by this case, and our hearts go out to Emma’s family. We have shared these sentiments with them during multiple meetings. Unfortunately, as we explained to Emma’s family, the evidence gathered during the investigation did not support a felony prosecution under existing law - a conclusion also reached by the investigating law enforcement agency. As a result, the case was appropriately referred to the Reno City Attorney’s Office for prosecution.”

A petition has been started to “Rename Leadership Parkway to Emma Marie Way and Implement Road Safety Measures” with nearly 1,500 signatures already.

“We are calling for the renaming of Leadership Parkway to Emma Marie Way, in honor of young Emma Marie who tragically lost her life on this road due to a speeding driver. At just 11 years old, Emma was a beacon of light in our community and touched countless lives. By renaming the street, we aim not only to commemorate her life but also raise awareness about road safety. Additionally, we urge local authorities in Reno, NV, USA to implement more stringent safety measures on this road such as speed humps or flashing speed signs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speed-related crashes cost Americans $40.4 billion per year. It is evident that reckless driving is not only a local issue but also a national concern that needs immediate attention. Let's honor Emma's memory by making our streets safer for everyone. Please sign this petition today,” it indicates.

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2025

Cat Rescue Cafe and Animal Services Respond to "Back to the Streets" Post

After readers complained they had been blocked by Kitty Kisses Cat Cafe over concerns on a post which had a photo of two cats indicating “They are seeking a foster by Monday, otherwise they will have to go back to the streets,”  we reached out to both the rescue non profit and the Washoe County Regional Animal Services on that possibility.

“Washoe County does have a local ordinance that governs the management of feral cats, Washoe County Code, 55.475,” Shyanne Schull, the director of Washoe County Regional Animal Services wrote back to us.  “A feral cat is defined as a cat that is born in the wild or that was formerly owned but has been abandoned and is no longer socialized.  A domesticated cat means a cat that is socialized to humans and is appropriate as a companion.

 The guidelines of our managed care of feral cats program, outline requirements such as each cat is to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped and returned to the managed colony where they were trapped from. 

In regards to cats, abandonment laws pertain to domesticated cats only, where an owner has refused to provide care for a domesticated cat that relies on human support for survival, and that human has left or abandoned the animal.”

The post which was later updated to indicate “fosters secured!” said the two cats had been “trapped in a trailer park, fixed, vaccinated and microchipped, but were found to be semi-social.”

Kitty Kisses wrote back to Our Town Reno that they “do not tolerate threats or unkind behavior toward ourselves, our staff or our partners from readers.” 

Kitty Kisses pointed us to Animal Services links for its Feline , Neuter, Return Program and its explainer community cats page which can be found here: https://www.washoecounty.gov/animal/Services%20and%20Resources/TNR.php and here:

https://www.washoecounty.gov/animal/Services%20and%20Resources/Community%20Cats.php

“As a bit of background, we have been partnered with Tracy Dean of Community Cats for over a year,” they added, referencing a well known local dedicating herself to the welfare of community cats.  

“We work together to find young/able-to-be-socialized free-roaming cats loving forever homes. When Tracy comes upon what we call a “friendly”, she reaches out and we intake the kitten to be adopted out. We recently took in 11 kittens from Hawaii and are very limited on space, which is what prompted us to put out an ask to our community for fosters,” Kitty Kisses Cat Cafe wrote.

“The Trap Neuter Return program does allow for returning cats back to their colony (where they were trapped from) after they have been spayed/neutered/vaccinated and microchipped, if they are feral.  I am not sure where these cats came from or anything about their behavior,” Schull wrote to us last week initially.  

“We are a responsible non-profit entity who deeply cares about the welfare of all cats in the community and advocates for them passionately. We are happy to have had this opportunity to educate the public and your readers about this topic,” the Kitty Kisses Cat Cafe concluded in their message back to us.  

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2025

Looming Budget Woes and Property Sell-Offs for the City of Reno

While the City of Reno is facing a $24 million budget shortfall, due to flat sales tax revenues and rising labor costs, some open positions aren’t being filled, and staff cuts may have to take place in the future.

For now, department heads are being told to lower expenses by 5% while $16.4 million of one-time funds will be used to bridge most of the gap.

The next budget workshop has been scheduled for May 5th, with a Council meeting set for May 21st to officially hear and adopt the budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1st.

Sparks, Washoe County and the school district are all currently facing budgetary challenges.

To drum up its own coffers, the city of Reno is also planning on selling or leasing two dozen vacant and soon to be vacant properties it owns to generate an estimated $13 million over the next three years.

Some of the sales are already in progress, while some of these properties will be transferred to and bought by the Reno Redevelopment Agency, causing concern among some residents of the renewed power this recently resuscitated body will have after a checkered history of previous failures.

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2025

Under Investigation Washoe County Alternative Sentencing Chief Justin Roper Resigns

Justin Roper who is currently under investigation has resigned as Chief at the Washoe County Department of Alternative Sentencing, according to a message from County manager Eric Brown, after previously indicating he was on unpaid leave.

Roper is also the business owner of the for profit Las Vegas based Sober Testing Services, which was opened in 2021 soon after he had started in his county leadership job, drawing repeated concern from Commissioner Mike Clark.

The offices of the Department of Alternative Sentencing at 1530 E. Sixth Street were closed earlier this week as law enforcement had search warrants.

The department which is currently being audited received millions in state and federal grants to provide drug and alcohol testing services.

Roper’s bio page is still up on the County website indicating: “Chief Justin Roper has been serving as a law enforcement officer since 1998 within Reno and the Washoe County communities. He was inspired to pursue his career in law enforcement at an early age when he was involved in incident in which he saw how the officers helped him and his family in a very trying time in their lives. On November 10, 2020, he was honored to be selected as the Chief of the Department of Alternative Sentencing after serving the previous two years as their Sergeant.”

Regarding the department itself the county’s website indicates: “The Washoe County Department of Alternative Sentencing (DAS) was established in December of 2005 and approved by the Board of County Commissioners under the authority of Nevada Revised Statute 211A (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-211A.html).   DAS was designed to provide supervision to people whose sentences have been suspended and during Pre-Trial criminal proceedings. Depending on the type of supervision you are required to complete, you may have conditions that are set by the court such as drug test, attend counseling, House arrest and/ or get an evaluation, etc...”

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2025

Video Center Reno Goes Way Beyond Its Name as an All in One Practical Shop

The name Video Center Reno screams “movie night,” but inside this business at 2145 Sutro St #7, there’s so much more. Customers can send money to another country, buy a phone, pick up a soccer jersey, pay their water bill, get over the counter medication and even score tickets to a local show. 

And to think, it all started by accident. 

Originally from Mexico, where they ran a business, Guillermo Padilla and his wife, Araceli, had relocated to Fontana, California. In 1998, during a vacation in Reno, they stopped for tacos at Tacos El Rey, a small spot right across the street that is still there today. As they ate, something caught their eye, a ‘for sale’ sign just across the way. Curious, they decided to check it out. 

What they found, in Guillermo’s words, was a certain look “muy solito, muy feo” (very lonely, very ugly). 

Yet, something about it stuck with them. Guillermo had taken a business card from the owner and one day back in Fontana, had made a call saying they wanted it. 

In the beginning, it was just Guillermo, Araceli, and their daughters doing everything themselves. Their eldest daughter, Melissa, practically grew up in the store. 

“I would sleep here sometimes,” Melissa recalls. “I’d go to school and come right back and spend the rest of the day here.” 

Fast forward nearly three decades, and Video Center Reno has outlasted Blockbuster, survived the rise of Netflix, weathered the pandemic and has expanded far beyond its original purpose. 

The Video Center of 1998 looked very different from today’s version. It started as a music and movie rental shop, but over the years has adapted, because it had to. And yet, the name has never changed. 

Guillermo laughed, admitting they had debated renaming the store for years but ultimately decided to keep it. 

“At this point, everyone knows Video Center Reno. Even if they’re not coming in for a movie, the name is part of who we are.” 

Now, Video Center Reno is a one stop shop for bill payments, money transfers, prepaid phones, and more. Even over the counter Hispanic medicines that are staples in many Latino households, like Viro-Grip, and Tukol D. They also offer phone activations with AT&T, Verizon, and Cricket making it easy for customers to set up new service or buy unlocked phones. 

It is still a family business at its core. Guillermo, Araceli, and Melissa all work there along with a couple of employees. They wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“We invite you to come in,” Guillermo says. “Everyone has a bill to pay right? We take them all, electric, water, rent. Need to send money home? We have Western Union and other options. Want to buy a phone? We activate them right here. And if you love soccer, we have jerseys, shoes, and balls.” 

It’s a family, a legacy, and a place that no matter how much it changes will always feel like home. So if you’re ever in need of services, Video Center has got you covered. And if you’re hungry afterward? Well, Tacos El Rey is right across the street. 

Our Town Reno reporting by Genevy Machuca

Sparks Mayor Pushes for New Toll Road to Ease I80 Congestion

The City of Sparks and its mayor Ed Lawson are pushing for a new 13-mile toll road to connect La Posada Drive and USA Parkway, giving commuters an option to avoid I80.

The proposed toll road would be meant to alleviate what has become an increasingly congested commute for some in the area, including those working at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center.

Nevada Assembly Bill 61, which was presented to the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure by Lawson and Sparks staff last week, would allow Sparks and the RTC to construct such a project in a public-private partnership, with bonds being paid back using future toll revenue.

During his comments, Lawson said he had no idea how much the road might cost, while some media reports have floated a number higher than $500 million.

Nevada doesn’t have any toll roads currently, but did have some before the 1880s according to state archivists.

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2025

Samuel Chacon Faces Uphill Hearings in His Attempt to Get his OBGYN License Back

A drawn out process to determine whether long embattled Reno gynecologist and obstetrician Samuel Chacon can get his license back as he’s been trying to do for the past two years led to a three-day hearing last week, a moment of which is screenshot here.

The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners suspended Chacon’s license in 2023 saying he put the “health, safety and welfare of the public at risk of imminent harm.”

Chacon had continued to work at the Women’s Health Center of Reno on W. Plumb Lane until then, despite mounting allegations against him and having previously surrendered his hospital privileges.

Embattled on many fronts, he was also arrested in 2022 as part of a local prostitution sting. He pleaded no contest in 2023 and was mandated to pay a $200 fine and take a course for the city to drop a misdemeanor charge in that matter. 

The Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence has accused him of performing unnecessary surgeries, including hysterectomies, and of botching operations. 

During the hearings last week, attention focused on one of the numerous complaints, from a 26-year-old who delivered twins in April 2023. She says Chacon risked their lives by not indicating he already no longer had any medical privileges at any Reno hospitals.

Chacon testified many patients who were on Medicaid were told he had lost his hospital privileges but still chose to stay on as his patients.

His attorney Eric Stryker said Renown had developed a plan for his patients there as Chacon would not be present at the hospital, but the board says those arrangements were never finalized for the mother of twins having a high-risk pregnancy.  

Furthermore, that patient has alleged her signature was forged on a document informing her he would not be delivering her babies.  

There will be more hearings on other allegations against Chacon in April and May, and a public meeting on his bid to get his license back is expected later this year.

There are additional reports Chacon settled one medical malpractice suit for $500,000 last month, while an FBI investigation against him remains pending.  

Our Town Reno reporting, March 2025

Humans of Reno: Tim Healion Only Does Stuff He Likes, Such as Hosting Live Jazz

Tim Healion only does stuff he likes. 

From cycling to live jazz, local restaurateur Tim Healion, 65, is a firm advocate that doing things you like is the only way to be successful.

Healion has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years. He’s been the face behind old Reno classics like The Pneumatic Diner and The Deux Gros Nez, self-described previously as the “original magical mayhem coffeehouse.”

Healion started getting involved in serving people during his time working in a monastery’s kitchen. 

“My first food and beverage job was at a Catholic Priory of the Dominican sect in Dover, Massachusetts. It was a place where kids would go to school to learn how to be priests.  It was a weird place,” he says as we sit down at one of few empty tables at The Laughing Planet Cafe.

When I prompt him with advice to young people looking to start their own business, his notable friendly smile dims. 

“ I don't know if I'd recommend the restaurant business to anybody,” he said matter-of-factly.  “Things are going to get really hard. Everything is going to cost more. If you want to sell food, it's going to cost more to sell it. If you want to employ people, it's going to be hard to keep people employed if you don't pay them enough.”

There are clear challenges currently in keeping a local business afloat. Healion likes to stay focused on what brings the community together. Every Wednesday, Healion hosts a Jazz Jam at his current business, Laughing Planet Cafe, across from the University of Nevada, Reno. 

“I knew Hans Halt in the jazz department,” he said. “So I was talking to them and asked ‘Do you want to do music here once in a while? Maybe once a week? Kids can come over and play?’ And it just morphed into this.” 

The weekly Jazz Jams have become a staple within the community, with packed crowds and a flood of musicians eagerly waiting to play.

Reporting and photo by Sophia Nebesky shared with Our Town Reno

What's That Construction Project? Dave & Buster's Coming Soon

It’s been slow but steady progress for the first Dave & Buster’s in the region, coming to the Shayden Summit Mall.

A banner reading Coming Soon also seeks job applicants.

The chain is known for its signature arcade games, air hockey, billiards, sports viewing and its burgers, wings and seasonal cocktails.

“We’re thrilled to bring the first-ever Dave & Buster’s to Reno,” said Metcalf Builders President and CEO Bryce Clutts at a ground breaking ceremony this past fall at 13969 S. Virginia Street. “Dave & Buster’s will provide a new space where the community can gather, connect, and enjoy a unique entertainment and dining experience.”

The project is valued at a little over $7 million.

Construction began in October of 2024 and is scheduled to still wrap up on schedule sometime in spring of 2025.

Photo by Mariel Day shared with Our Town Reno

Dr. Peter Reed, Working for the Respect of Older Adults in Our Community

While data indicates about 16% of Reno’s population is 65 and older, with about 15% in that age group in Sparks, locally it’s a subset of about 80,000 people often feeling misrepresented in terms of overall priorities.  

Social isolation is a common tragedy of the older population here and elsewhere.  In Washoe County, headlines are made for the inferior food being served continuously at the Senior Center.  

Gerontology is the study of aging and issues affecting older people, which encompasses biological, psychological, social and economic aspects.  

Dr. Peter Reed, the Director of the Sanford Center for Aging at the University of Nevada, Reno, with his own greying and whitened beard, has spent his career helping people rethink what it means to grow older. For him, aging isn’t about decline but more about growth, and most importantly respect. 

Reed’s journey into gerontology wasn’t something he always had in mind, but it came about through concern and volunteering.  

As an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky he volunteered at an Alzheimer’s day program. Inspired by his grandfather's battle with the disease, the hands-on experience turned into an internship. Before he knew it, his career was dedicated to supporting older adults. 

His early work focused on developing community based programs to improve the lives of older adults, and after more than 30 years in the field he is still advocating. He pushes for better resources, education, and policies to support older populations. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about aging, according to Dr. Reed, is the idea that it is a disease. 

“Aging isn’t something to fix, it's a natural process,” he explains. 

But in a society obsessed with youth, we tend to see aging as a problem rather than a stage of life filled with opportunities. This misunderstanding creates consequences especially when it comes to healthcare. Many professionals aren’t trained to work with older adults, causing gaps in health care. 

Nevada is currently the third fastest aging state in the country. 

With more retirees moving in due to no state income tax and younger people leaving for jobs elsewhere, state demographics are shifting quickly. Reed expects nearly 20% of Nevada’s population to be over the age of 65 by 2030. 

So what does that mean? More older adults means a greater need for healthcare, social services, and community support. The problem? There’s not enough funding to meet the current demand, let alone what's coming. 

“We have to stop being dismissive of older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” Reed says. “They still have human rights. They still deserve respect.”

At UNR, Reed and his team are working on solutions through education and community outreach. The university offers a Gerontology Certificate and Minor, giving students from all fields the chance to understand aging through a professional lens. 

Whether you’re studying sociology, psychology or business Reed notes, “any field can have an aging lens within it.”

For anyone feeling uneasy about getting older, Reed has a simple message, “Every person you know alive today, they are going to wake up a day older tomorrow if they live through the night. The only alternative to aging is well…death.”

He laughs, but his point is serious. The anti-aging industry sells the idea that we can stop time but he says “all the anti aging stuff you see, the potions and lotions, none of it works. You can’t stop the aging process.” 

 Aging is going to happen and instead of fearing it we should embrace it. 

“Aging isn’t something that happens to other people,” he reminds us. “It’s happening to all of us, every day.”  Reed and his team are making sure older populations here and elsewhere are better served and more respected.  

Reporting and photos by Genevy Machuca for Our Town Reno

After Long Lines for Opening, Deluge of Violations Shuts Down Reno's Mochinut

After social media hype and long lines for its opening in mid January, just a little over a month later, the Mochinut location in Reno has gone dark, due to a failed inspection.

On the Washoe Eats App, four critical violations are noted, from staff not washing hands or changing gloves to date markings missing in refrigeration units. There are several non-critical violations as well, including the operator not being aware of "proper reporting procedures for communicable disease,” and both clean items and dirty dishes being stored on the ground.

The Suite 213 Mochinut at 5150 Mae Anne Ave. now has a sign on the main door indicating “Not taking cash! Sorry !!” and another with “We are renovating the kitchen layout to reduce customers’ wait time. The contruction is expected to be completed by next week but we will continue to provide updates on the progress.”

It does not say it failed to pass the inspection on February 20th.

Mochinuts are a combination of American donuts and Japanese mochi. The franchise is also known for its Korean rice hot dogs and coconut jelly pudding. As of late 2023, there were about 150 Mochinut locations across the United States, with an aggressive push to add more.

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2025

Washoe County Animal Services To Change Meeting Protocols after Racist Zoom Bombing

Changes are being made to how the Washoe County Regional Animal Services coordinates its technology for meetings and remote comments after a racist, vile zoom bombing took place.

The incident happened about 30 minutes into the meeting Friday while board member Diaz Dixon was speaking.

“We sincerely apologize for the extremely offensive material that was displayed during this incident. The content was deeply inappropriate and does not reflect the values of WCRAS or our commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive space for public discussion,” the Washoe County Regional Animal Services wrote.

“Though staff was able to swiftly end the disruption by shutting down the virtual meeting, we regret that this resulted in the loss of virtual attendees. We understand the importance of public participation and are taking this matter seriously. Our IT team is actively investigating the incident to identify how the intrusion occurred and to strengthen security measures to prevent future disruptions.”

Dixon gave his own account on his Facebook.

“Maybe 45 minutes into the meeting, I started to speak when all of the sudden, the meeting was Zoom Bombed. The screen and meeting was overtaken by a Klansman in his klan garb, screaming racial rhetoric and who knows what. As staff raced to shut it down, I simply looked down and went into my own world. I didn't hear what he said or even see the horrible things that continued to pop up on the screen. It was turned off and I went back to my comments I was making to the director. At the end of the meeting, others talked about how shook they were.”

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2025

Bali Express, a Local Food Truck Looking for New Customers, Guaranteeing a Blissful Meal

The Bali Express food trailer with savory specialities from the blissful Indonesian island is racking up awards, and making itself more available, with a rotation of where it’s located, trying to get the word out on the uniqueness of its offerings.

These efforts include nearly daily social media videos by the always enthusiastic Peach state Georgia native Barry Williams, whatever the weather in these occasionally much colder climes.

Awards it proudly posts on its truck include the Community Votes 2024 Platinum Winner for Specialty Foods, and 2024 Gold Winner for Asian Restaurants.  

The 46-year-old said he quit his job working for specialty welding companies after deciding his partner’s food was too good not to be sold to the public.  

“She started making food for me at my job, and I fell in love with the flavor within a week. And I'm like, wow. You are an extremely good cook,” Williams said to us about his locally based partner Koming Suryani, a Bali native, in the United States for 20 years.

She started making food in the U.S. for a circle of friends, including Indonesian lawyers and doctors. 

“She told me she's been cooking for her whole life. Her mom taught her how to cook at six years old,” he said.  

At first he says, Suryani, who goes by @balinese_usa on Instagram started a meal prep business. 

“She cooks 260 meals in one day with no measuring spoon, and I couldn't really figure out how she did that, but she did. And it's just gotten bigger from there. We did meal prep, and then after that came beef jerky, and she was doing nine flavors of beef jerky. And it just got so massive within two years. I made the decision in my own mind to quit my career and kinda see what would happen if I started this business,” Williams said.  

With her cooking and his energy, their team is full of ambition.  

“Our food trailer is getting popular by word of mouth and we couldn’t be more grateful how our journey is going,” he wrote on the Bali Express Facebook where there’s a Revi order link with Indonesian staples such as the main savory rice dish Nasi Goreng, Rendang, which is slow cooked coconut beef with spicy egg and veggies, or Mie Goreng, which is fried noodles with veggies and eggs.  There’s also vegan options available.  

The Revi page also indicates the truck’s location and hours.  Orders can be made before swinging by.  

“I’ll set up a a weekly schedule every Sunday of where we're gonna be at,” he explained.

He’s gotten five county licenses but he says the food truck is mostly based in northern Nevada, where he now lives.  

“We do want to try to get some more people to try the food, but that's been the hard part for me is trying to get people to actually know what this is. This is world class food,” he guaranteed. 

For those not used to the level of spiciness Indonesians themselves can’t live without, Williams says his partner “knows how to dumb down the spice to where it's just spicy for flavor.”

She also makes a red hot sambal, the key ingredient in many traditional Indonesian dishes, which can be added to desired levels.  

He’s put a QR code on his trailer for people to vote for Bali Express in the current 2025 Official Community’s Choice Awards contest run by the RGJ. 

“You have to take on major risks to get major rewards,” he says of his business venture.  “And I know without a doubt, without a shadow of a doubt, like, within a year or two, she's gonna be major. I'm trying to figure out how to put her in a restaurant setting, because there is nothing like her. She's just bringing flavor that no one can touch,” he concluded.  

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2025

Jacobs Entertainment Gets Its Festival Grounds Permit, Despite Concerns from Community

After marathon back and forth comments at the Reno City Planning Commission for its 5.3 J Resort Festival Grounds discussion last night, Victoria Barnett from the City of Reno wrote to us indicating “the commission voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit for J Resort's Festival Grounds” in west downtown.

The stipulations for the 4.5-acre festival grounds site will be for accommodations of up to 15,000 attendees for concerts and events, with operations until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and two special events annually allowed to run later, until a very precise 12:15 a.m.

There were also numerous public comments, with some for and others against. Before the vote, Commissioner Manny Becerra did warn that “we’ve seen several high profile investments that fall short of …expectations.”

He added a question to staff asking if this is the “quote unquote money for revitalizing downtown Reno.”

A staff answered there is no crystal ball and there could be a recession but that the track record of the Glow Plaza played into the decision making.

Two years ago, J Resort abruptly canceled a planned Fuego Latin Cultural Fest at the Glow Plaza, over “community safety” concerns, leading some locals to boycott that location.

Others have expressed concerns about noise both from the Glow Plaza and the new festival grounds, while some looking at the numbers fear Jacobs Entertainment has too many financial liabilities concerning its ongoing purchasing and demolition cycle in Reno.

Hundreds of people who relied on long term motel rooms have been displaced due to this buyout spree, which has also led to one motel being reconverted into apartments, new public art and lots of new parking.

Our Town Reno reporting, Feb. 20, 2025

Leon Lewis, Keeping the Green Vibrant Inside the Washoe County Downtown Library

Wearing a deep green tee-shirt and a faded out green hat, Leon Lewis was recently hard at work plucking, arranging, misting, spraying and maintaining the lush green garden that lives inside Washoe County’s downtown library, as he has for over two decades during closing hours.

He does without a drip or sprinkler system, all by hand for every single plant.

This wondrous interior oasis has been celebrated in media for years, and Lewis is its unflinching, proud caretaker.

In 2014, a nationwide contest called this lush collection of over a thousand plants the “coolest internal space.” Last year, American Libraries had an article titled Bookend: Lushness in the Library.

It explained how Hewitt C. Wells, the library’s architect, after initially wanting to build the library in a park, settled for a park inside the library. Completed in 1966, despite its ordinary outside presentation, the library quickly won the 1968 Industrial Landscape Award and was later named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Lewis, himself, has had other occupations ranging from being in the Air Force, to working as a bartender and DJ.

Kia Rastar who shared these photos with Our Town Reno is currently at work on a multimedia documentary about our local gardener’s work inside our prized downtown library.

Our Town Reno reporting, February 2025

Local CEO Gets Yelp and Social Media Backlash after Calling Doordasher "Illegal"

Cheryl Vauk previously listed as the CEO of Reno-based Productive Solutions is facing major backlash on social media and Yelp after she was caught on video calling a door dasher “illegal” outside a McDonald’s while the two were waiting in their cars for orders.

The Yelp for Productive Solutions now averages at one star for 285 reviews, with comments blasting her for racism, xenophobia and hatred.

Janet who posted the initial video several days ago on TikTok said she had been doordashing and parked in the mobile order curbside spot when Vauk berated her.

On video, she asks “say it again” to which Vauk walking towards her with a smirk responds “you’re a bitch” and then “are you illegal?”

In the video Janet then gets the license plate of the offending woman who was driving a white CX-90 Mazda.

Thatdaneshguy who has a huge following on TikTok made a video calling Vauk racist and locating her LinkedIn, which now appears to have been taken down. Most web presence of the Vauk family owned company is being taken down. The Better Business Bureau still has it listed, with information indicating Productive Solutions was opened in 1997.

“’Ive never ever experienced something like this personally until today and ooh how bad my blood is boiling,” Janet wrote on her initial video.

“So i am doordashing right and i pull in to the mcdonald's on S Virginia in Reno Nevada by the Meadowood Mall and I parked in the mobile order curbside pick up spots no one was parked near me i get off and grab my doordash order it took them about 10 minutes before i got it so once i get back outside and in my car (mind yall my windows were cracked) Well Cheryl/Sheryl parked next to me in a drive thru designated spot while she waited for her Drive Thru order and she decided to say "this is for mobile orders stupid b****" i responded "im sorry i just picked up a mobile order " she then proceeded to say no your not you're just lazy and a dumb c**t and asked me if i was an illegal I was flabbergasted so i pulled out my phone and started recording.”

Our Town Reno reporting, Feb. 18, 2025

Anna Costello, Reno High Math Teacher, is a Lifelong Runner who Earned her Six Star Medal

With the eight billion people in the world, roughly 1% has finished a marathon and less than 18,000 have earned the Abbott World Marathon Majors medal. Sparks native, Spanish Springs and Nevada alum, math teacher and cross country coach at Reno High Anna Costello, 32, has now accomplished that feat.  

The Abbott medal is awarded to those who have completed the world’s six major marathons: Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, London, Chicago and New York City.  

Late last year, she crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon which marked her completion of the six original world marathon majors. 

“Just running a marathon alone is so hard and you have to do six of them,” Costello said. “I think that putting in all that work over all those years, it is huge.” 

Costello was a D1 runner for Boise State from 2011 to 2014 and then moved to the University of Nevada, Reno for her last two qualifying years. However, she did not want her running career to stop there.

“It is an outlet, it is a lifestyle, I just love it,” Costello said. 

At first, her journey towards the Abbott medal was unintentional. She ran the Boston Marathon in 2019, her first world major, solely because her cousins pushed her to do so. In the same year, she then ran the Chicago Marathon.  

It was in the Windy City that Costello found out about the Abbott distinction after her previous teammate, who was also running the marathon, told her about it. She then set the goal of finishing all six. 

 “Once you get in it, you gotta do them all,” Costello said.  

After running her fourth in Tokyo in 2023, she posted on X: “Tokyo Marathon you were so good to me a new PR of 2:52:56!!!! Finished 1138 overall, 68th woman and 8th American woman. I have no words other than I am so happy to earn my 4th world major star.”

Training for these marathons has not not been easy but for Costello, the energy during the races make it all worth it.

“It is 75, 80% mental but it is empowering. It makes me feel strong mentally and physically,” Costello said. “The energy is almost electric, I don’t wear headphones. I just get carried by the people and the city. You get to go to these places and experience other people cheering you on. The atmosphere is incredible. I can’t explain it.”

After finishing her sixth marathon major, Costello did not even have a full three hours to fully celebrate. At 3 p.m. on race day, she says the Abbott World Marathon Majors organization announced that their ultimate goal is to add three more world majors.  It’s now already added the Sydney Marathon this year and is considering the Shanghai and Cape Town marathons for future addition.  

“I was so mad but so excited,” Costello said. 

As of now, she is still leaving her marathon plans up in the air while she focuses on her career goals like acquiring her National Board Certification for Teaching. 

The pride of her running success carries her.  

“On an emotional level, the majors meant more to me than I thought they would,” Costello said. 

Reporting by Mariel Day shared with Our Town Reno

County Commissioner Alexis Hill Used Old, Partial Numbers to Say Homelessness Down Before Legislative Committee

According to an email forwarded to us concerning a media query on a recent speech by commissioner Alexis Hill saying that “we have reduced homelessness on the streets by 40 percent”, Washoe County is indicating that ”The reduction from 2021 (780 unsheltered people) to 2022 (417 unsheltered people) was a 46% reduction in unsheltered homelessness over the timeframe between before the Cares Campus opened and the Point in Time Count directly following that.”

These numbers are for people found during the point in time count not inside shelter services but during different outreach on a day for homelessness to be quantified.  

Her comments came earlier this year before a legislative Senate Committee on Government Affairs.  It’s odd given that she points to numbers which are from three years ago. 

Washoe County decided not to do the full Point in Time Count in 2025, but in 2024 it counted 1,760 people, and 1,690 in 2023 which according to the latest numbers available is an increase and not at all a 40% decrease. The count was even lower in 2022 at 1605.

The count is divided between those receiving shelter services and those totally on the streets, but even that latter category went up from 2023 to 2024.  

Our Town Reno reporting, Feb. 12, 2025

Viral Cybertruck Crash Points Back to Reno

Coordinates listed for a Tesla cybertruck which crashed into a utility pole, while allegedly in self-drive mode earlier this month, point to Reno. Luckily no one was reported injured in the crash in this photo posted on X.

The coordinates listed as 39.623880,-119.882032 are on Stead Blvd right by Stead Elementary school, where arrows point back into a narrower lane before a crosswalk.

The news originated from this photo from a post on X by Jonathan Challinger, with Reno PD confirming to Fortune.com there was a crash involving a driver named Challinger in early February.

A nearby Chevron and Little Caesars can be seen on the photo as is the case on Stead Blvd.

Challinger wrote his cybertruck was in full self-driving system mode but that it failed to recognize the lane setup.

“It failed to merge out of a lane that was ending (there was no one on my left) and made no attempt to slow down or turn until it had already hit the curb,” the usually Florida-based software developer wrote on X.

He said he wasn’t looking at the road when it happened.

“Big fail on my part, obviously. Don't make the same mistake I did. Pay attention. It can happen,” he wrote.

He then tagged the Tesla AI account asking to send along data from the crash.

“I do have the dashcam footage. I want to get it out there as a PSA that it can happen … but I'm hesitant because I don't want the attention and I don't want to give the bears/haters any material.

Spread my message and help save others from the same fate or far worse,” he added.

In the past few days, there has been intense dissection on Reddit and X over what exactly may have happened and why the self-driving mode may have failed to work in this case, including from people blaming the street’s design.

It comes as Tesla is preparing to launch an autonomous driving robotaxi service later this year in Austin, Texas.

Our Town Reno reporting, Feb. 12, 2025

Stephen Kromer, Reno-Based Uprise Fiber and the Case of $9 Million of Missing State Funds

Stephen Kromer recently reportedly resigned from his position at his family’s powerful and wide reaching company Kromer Investments after his own Reno-based company Uprise Fiber was paid $9.1 million in upfront state funds in 2023 to initiate a rural broadband project in Lovelock which has seen almost no movement, despite also involving huge sums of promised grant money from the U.S Department of Agriculture.  

Kromer Investments is a property management company which gets many negative reviews from apartment complexes across Northern Nevada.   Its offices are listed at the same address as Uprise Fiber at 1150 Matley Lane.

Stephen Kromer’s LinkedIn still lists him though as Vice President of Kromer Investments.

As part of the missing funds related to the Lovelock high-speed internet project, a lawsuit accuses Uprise Fiber of non payment to CommNV, another suit by a construction materials company is against both CommNV and Uprise, while the state of Nevada has reportedly issued a Cease and Desist order to another company involved in the project Rocky Mountain Telecom.  

CommNV, which had an initial contractor’s license for the job, was created by the request of Uprise and shared staff, before experiencing a major fallout and communication breakdown with Uprise over this huge project.

Another contractor hired by Uprise NNE Construction says they were paid very little money even as they purchased several millions of dollars in materials and equipment to start work on the Pershing County project.  

As the project was going nowhere, bank records show millions of dollars from Kromer’s personal Uprise account were steadily being withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the Reno attorney previously representing Uprise Louis Bubala has filed a motion to withdraw from pending cases.  

Kromer has refused to speak to media.  There are reports that Kromer also stepped down from Uprise late last year, amid urgent calls from many parties for a criminal investigation. 

Our Town Reno reporting, Feb. 10, 2025