🌱 Sparks Citizen Of The Year + New Business Grant For Reno Students

Hello, hello! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Reno.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Snow showers in the afternoon. High: 37 Low: 26.
• Tuesday: Snow showers; winds subsiding. High: 37 Low: 27.

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Here are the top three stories in Reno today:

1. Elks Lodge 2397 has named Casey Mentzer the 2022 Sparks Citizen of the Year. He is the lead engineer at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility. Mentzer spends a significant amount of time advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within engineering by working to create scholarships for underrepresented groups and providing training for rural Nevada. He's thrilled and humbled that environmental contributions to the community are recognized in an award like this. (Sparks Tribune)
2. LaunchNevada is providing University of Nevada, Reno students with small grants to launch their businesses. Connected to the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business, it aims to help students with the first steps of launching their entrepreneurial ideas and helps student teams prepare for the annual Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition. Applicants must complete a two-page proposal for their project and often receive feedback on how to strengthen their business idea and plans. (Nevada Today)
3. Isiah Alexander Norwood, a 20-year-old Sparks man who was convicted in December for a 2021 road-rage murder, will serve at least 22 years in prison. After Norwood shot, chased down, and eventually hit Sparks resident Thomas Schlessinger, 19, with his car, Schlessinger, eventually died from his injuries. During sentencing, Norwood's remorseless behavior resulted in a long prison sentence. (KOLO)

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Today in Reno:

• Bingo Night With Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Northern Nevada At Rusty Taco (5:30 PM)
• Songwriter's Night At Black Rabbit Mead Company (10:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Reno's Smiling with Hope Pizza is reopening on Mar. 1. The establishment is under new ownership – Andrew Silvaroli and his mother, Robin Silvaroli, bought the popular pizzeria at the end of 2022. (KRNV)
• Joan Arrizabalaga's art exhibit, "Fat Chance," runs today (Feb. 27) through Apr. 13. It will be on display at the Metro Gallery at Reno City Hall. (This is Reno)
• In a presentation to the City Chamber of Commerce, the CEO of the Reno airport shared the need for airport expansion. The hope is that construction for two new concourses can begin in 2024. (Nevada Appeal)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll be in your inbox soon with another update!

— 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.