Smelly Trees, a Swirling Truckee River and Illegal Bystanders
Some of our social media posts which got animated discussions this past week were about the Bradford pear trees in their early spring flowering phase, emitting an odor bothering many, a dangerous Truckee River, and a new Sparks ordinance making it a misdemeanor to be a spectator at car sideshows.
The ornamental tree introduced in the US in the 1960s from Asia is liked by some for its pretty bloom but its smell is described by residents in less than savory terms. It’s also an invasive tree which has thorns and attracts masses of migrating birds. Some states like South Carolina are fed up with it entirely and have set out to ban their sale.
While the Sparks City Council passed its sideshow spectator misdemeanor bill unanimously this week, there was some dissent on our feeds, with some followers viewing this as overreach, and not the root cause of the problem.
On Instagram, pravda_portrait pointed out: “This is an idiotic law that will be nearly impossible to enforce for anyone who is on public property and can afford a lawyer. Another law to only punish the folks who can’t afford legal representation.”
Despite the warmer weather we are experiencing and early summer vibes, the City of Reno is warning residents not to go into the cold Truckee River as it swirls faster and faster with the melting snowpack, but the silver lining is that we have an estimated three years worth of water for the Reno-Sparks area.
Our Reporting Highlights This Week
We featured a local trans woman MacKenzie (above) in recovery, recounting part of her ordeals.
A local college student went with friends on a stargazing trip.
