🌱 Faith Leaders Host Candlelight Vigil + Reese Announces Re-Election

Hey, Reno! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Reno Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and chilly. High: 45 Low: 21.

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Here are the top three stories in Reno today:

1. Local faith leaders and community members gathered together at the Reno City Plaza to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of the 98 people experiencing homelessness who died in Washoe County last year. The Wednesday night ceremony included prayers in several different languages in hopes to raise awareness and inspire action to address the rising rates of homelessness in the county. (KOLO)
2. Reno City Councilman Devon Reese will be campaigning for re-election in 2024 even though his current seat as the at-large member of the council may be eliminated. The city initially planned to eliminate the seat and replace it with a sixth ward, but in August 2022, the city proposed a new bill that would reverse the decision and retain the at-large seat. Currently, Reese represents all Reno residents. (KRNV)
3. Washoe County's health district officer Kevin Dick said that based on studies, most people in the county and around the country have had COVID at least once, even if they never had symptoms. However, officials warn that there is an increasing risk of being reinfected, and Dick still recommends wearing a mask when traveling by airplane. (Reno Gazette Journal)

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Today in Reno:

• Art Exhibition By Rob Garrett And Bobby Lee At Sierra Arts Riverside Gallery (8:00 AM)
• Skills: Managing Family Devices At Apple Summit Sierra (12:30 PM)
• Bridge Group At South Valleys Library (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Celebrate Black History Month with "FreeWall Jam," an event to teach students at the University of Nevada, Reno about the art of spray painting and how that art form has influenced counterculture. The event will be on Feb. 22 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the university's campus. (Nevada Today)
• Join Reno Blues Society for the 2023 Mardi Gras and Silent Auction! The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Ramada by Wyndham. Tickets are $30 either online or at the door and are available for purchase here. (KOLO; tahoeonstage.com)
• Valentine's Day itself might be over, but it's not too late for a romantic night to remember! Join the Atlantis Casino Resort for its Valentine's Day Ball this weekend on Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18. The ball will feature a four-course dinner and live music performance by Grammy-nominated pianist Jim Brickman. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased here. (KOLO)
• Support a great cause and join the Sparks High Alumni Foundation to raise money for the high school's athletics program! The 21st Annual Quarter Auction will be held on Mar. 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows at 5:30 p.m. (KOLO)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.