New Bathrooms and Sharps Disposals
Our Town Reno also pays tribute to the local "Godfather of Graffiti" and hears from a bike fixer "fixing to move" along the Truckee River.
For and Against the Portland Loo and the Rynocare Red Box
Our photo of a new sharps disposal box under the Wells St. overpass got plenty of reaction, mostly positive but also negative. One reader wrote: “Working on the gardens on Riverside Drive we’ve found sharps and even had one stick. When we do the big clean up days, we have a sharps hazardous waste disposal box now. It’s more necessary than you’d think.”
Our full report earlier in the week about Reno getting its first Portland Loo also got plenty of comments, pro and con. It seems that due to COVID-19 delays, this new free to use daytime bathroom will be the only one of its kind in Reno for a while, even though there were initial plans for up to 19 of them.
New Nevada Cares Campus
We’ve been told by some, our coverage focuses too much on those who refuse to stay in shelters, but that’s the clear majority of opinions we hear from our street reporting. One recent exception is Jeremiah (above). Apparently, a media day is being planned next month for the new Cares Campus, the super shelter at the Governor’s Bowl. There are hopes it will include a safe camping area, accessible to pets and couples with possessions and not too high of a barrier for entry, but there are fears it will be much like with other big shelters, where many in need feel their less than pleasant shelter experiences of the past will be repeated.
Hearing from James
Our podcast episode this week is with James, a Baptist from Alabama living along the Truckee River, who helps others by fixing their bikes. He says he's "fixing to move" though because he's heard of an oncoming police sweep. Many people don't realize there is an informal economy and mutual aid society of sorts that continuously operates in tent cities. Fear in these encampments right now is that the opening of the new shelter will coincide with more sweeps.
RIP Rakos
A new mural is going up to honor Rakos, a local legend in street art and skateboarding, who devastatingly recently passed away. Our report pays tribute to him and looks into local graffiti history with another street artist who goes by Easoe.
Every loss of great humans and community leaders like Rakos is a stab for all of us.
Your Voice and an Upcoming Event on April 13th
Thank you for your continued interest in our newsletter. Don’t hesitate to reach out if there is a story you think we should pursue or if you’d like to contribute your own opeds, first person essays or photography. Here is the link to our contact page to do just that.
Also, mark your calendars for the evening of April 13th, as we have a very special event in the works for that night with more details to come.