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Articles by Kevin MacMillan
Op-Ed: Fit to be Fried in the Town of Vertex - InDepthNH.org
By Kevin F. MacMillan I live on Artist Falls Road in North Conway which some Residents may recognize as the oldest road in the Town of Conway. The oldest House in Town named the 1768 Inn is a landmark for the road at its Intersection with RTE 16. I live on the opposite end, which is a dead end. I have been here for 72 years, once serving on the Master Plan, once as an Alternate on the ZBA and Twice on the Planning Board.
Bringing Sierra Nevada Winter Sports History to Life
After years of planning, the long-awaited SNOW Sports Museum in Olympic Valley Park is nearing the downhill stretch Of all the appealing aspects of skiing and snowboarding, the sports’ ability to bring complete strangers together through a common interest stands out as perhaps Bill Clark’s favorite quality.
Optimal Conditions
Fifty years later, the Truckee Optimist Club is still going strong thanks to its dedicated volunteers Sitting inside a brightly lit real estate office on a sweltering summer afternoon in early August, Norm Nicholls is searching for the right words. It’s a seemingly simple enough question: Is there any one project or person you’ve helped that you’re especially proud of? For Nicholls, a man known in Truckee for his tendency to shine a spotlight on anyone but himself, the answer is anything but easy.
Reno police seek suspect who fired gunshots at City Hall
Police are looking for a suspect who they say fired gunshots at Reno City Hall overnight Thursday. According to a statement from the Reno Police Department, an unknown suspect driving what appears to be a light-colored Nissan four-door sedan fired at least five rounds at City Hall, 1 E. First St., around 2:33 a.m. Friday. No one was injured in the incident. Police are asking for the public to help identify the suspect and vehicle.
Wreck It & Ralph, Legs Miserable: Some of the funnier Reno Tahoe Odyssey team names for 2022
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey returns this weekend, starting Friday at Reno's Wingfield Park and ending Saturday at nearby Idlewild Park. The widely popular event among both serious endurance runners and everyday fun runners has come a long way since its first race in 2005, which featured just 36 teams and about 400 competitors.
Details released on fatal rollover that sent truck hurdling off I-80
The Nevada Highway Patrol released details this week on a trio of recent fatal crashes, including the name of an Oregon man who died after his truck hurtled down an embankment on Interstate 80 in west Reno. At around 3:15 a.m. May 26, troopers responded to reports of a rollover crash on eastbound I-80 near the West McCarran Boulevard on-ramp.
Gardnerville man, 28, dies in fatal motorcycle crash
The Nevada Highway Patrol on Tuesday released details of a fatal single-motorcycle crash that occurred a week ago in Gardnerville. At 8:25 p.m. May 24, troopers responded to reports of a motorcycle crash on Bently Parkway near Orchard Road. According to Tuesday's press release, Logan Scott Ambrose, 28, of Gardnerville, was riding a white 2013 Kawasaki Ninja south on Bently Parkway north of Orchard Road when the motorcycle left the roadway, striking two trees. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
2019 Reno Zombie Crawl killer Juan Carlos Hernandez sentenced to life in prison
A 27-year-old Oregon man who shot and killed a man during the Reno Zombie Crawl in 2019 was sentenced last week to life in prison. Juan Carlos Hernandez identified himself to police as "Arthur Fleck," the character who eventually becomes the Batman villain "Joker," shortly after the Oct. 25, 2019, shooting of 22-year-old Luis Torres-Mederos, according to previous RGJ reports. Torres-Mederos died several days later from his injuries.
One dead after fatal rollover Thursday morning on I-80 in west Reno
One person was killed in an early morning single-vehicle rollover crash Thursday on Interstate 80 in west Reno, the latest in a string of fatalities on Northern Nevada highways this month. According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, the driver, who was the sole occupant of a black GM pickup, was heading eastbound at roughly 3:30 a.m. on I-80 near the West McCarran Boulevard on-ramp when the vehicle struck a guardrail and rolled down an embankment.
Motorcyclist found dead after apparent late-night crash in Sparks
A local man was found dead Monday morning after an apparent single-motorcycle crash in Sparks. Crews with Sparks Police, Sparks Fire and REMSA responded around 9 a.m. to Vista Boulevard between Vista Del Rancho Parkway and Peppergrass Drive, Sparks Police Department officer Eric Dejesus told the RGJ. Responders found the body of Jerrett Busby, 47, of Sparks down an embankment west of the roadway.
Details released on 5 fatal crashes in May on Northern Nevada highways
Authorities released more details Monday on five fatal crashes that occurred on Northern Nevada highways earlier this month. These incidents are in addition to three deadly crashes that happened within a 1-hour span Sunday, two of which were fatal motorcycle wrecks on Geiger Grade, the other a single-vehicle rollover in Douglas County. On May 4 at 8:53 p.m., troopers responded to reports of a motorcycle crash westbound on U.S. Highway 50 at the USA Parkway roundabout in Silver Springs.
3 fatal crashes happened within an hour Sunday, two involving motorcycles on Geiger Grade
Authorities are investigating three fatal crashes, two involving motorcycles on Geiger Grade, that occurred on Northern Nevada highways within a 1-hour span Sunday afternoon. According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a single-motorcycle crash on State Highway 341 at Storey County mile marker 7, north of Virginia City, at roughly 3:15 p.m. The rider was pronounced dead on the scene, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Nevada Highway Patrol investigating 4 fatal crashes from weekend; 9 in past 2 weeks
The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating a string of fatal crashes that occurred on state highways over the past two weeks. Four fatalities occurred this past week weekend, two of which happened Saturday afternoon, NHP Trooper Charles Caster told the RGJ on Monday. A head-on crash was reported around 2:20 p.m. Saturday on U.S. Highway 50 in the area of River Boat Road in Dayton involving a Volkswagen sedan and Ford Explorer.
Masked suspects, one with rifle, sought after burglary at Sparks home
Secret Witness is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of four suspects sought in connection with what police are describing as a residential burglary with a firearm. At roughly 1:40 p.m. Thursday, Sparks Police Department officers responded to a report of a burglary that had just occurred at a residence on the 3000 block of Meadowlands Drive. According to a Sunday statement from SPD, the victim had their garage door open and was working in the backyard.
18-year-old man killed in late-night weekend shooting in Reno
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that left an 18-year-old male dead this weekend in Reno. Alexander Sanabria, 18, arrived at Renown Regional Medical Center at about 2:10 a.m. Saturday suffering from a gunshot wound, according to a Monday morning press release from the Reno Police Department. Sanabria was pronounced dead “a short time later,” according to police.
Fernley man, 31, killed in motorcycle crash on I-80 Sunday evening
A 31-year-old Fernley man died in a fatal motorcycle crash Sunday evening on Interstate 80, just east of Reno/Sparks. Jonathan Christensen, 31, was pronounced dead on scene, the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed in an email statement Monday morning to the RGJ. "The cause and manner of death are pending further investigation," according to the statement. Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Caster said the crash occurred at roughly 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Sparks man, 26, killed in early morning motorcycle crash Sunday on Keystone
A 26-year-old Sparks man died in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning in northwest Reno, authorities said. Officials with the Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, and REMSA Health responded at roughly 4:30 a.m. to a report of a single vehicle crash at Keystone Avenue and Wesley Drive.
Body of missing Sparks woman, 70, found in Pyramid Lake
The body of a missing Sparks woman was found in Pyramid Lake Saturday morning, authorities said. Diana Wong, 70, who had been reported missing twice in the past month, was pronounced dead on scene, according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. A fisherman discovered Wong's body in the water on the west side of Pyramid Lake and notified authorities at about 9 a.m. Saturday.
Pine Middle School teacher arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting former student
A Reno middle school teacher was arrested Tuesday evening on suspicion of multiple charges he sexually assaulted a student several years ago. Jose Luis Flores-Montelongo, 54, was booked into Washoe County Jail at 9:07 p.m. on suspicion of the following felony charges, according to his booking report: 5 counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 16. 2 counts of lewdness with a child under the page of 16.
Man killed in Sunday motorcycle crash on McCarran in southwest Reno
Authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that shut down a portion of McCarran Boulevard in southwest Reno for several hours Sunday. Crews with REMSA Health and the Reno Fire and Police departments responded at roughly 2:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of a male motorcyclist down and unresponsive on McCarran just east of Cashill Boulevard, according to a Sunday evening press release from RPD.
Small natural gas leak prompts evacuation of Reno Justice Court's north, south buildings
A small natural gas leak prompted the evacuation of the north and south buildings of the Reno Justice Court in downtown Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews responded to the court at 1 S. Sierra St. a little before noon Wednesday. Both buildings were evacuated immediately, and access via Court and Rainbow streets and Island Avenue was closed as a precaution, authorities said.
Weather warning: Lake Tahoe storm to drop 3 feet of snow; avalanche, travel hazards likely
As spring 2022 enters its second month, a potentially major wintry storm is in the forecast for the Sierra Nevada. A winter storm warning is in effect for greater Lake Tahoe from 5 p.m. Wednesday through 11 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Heavy snow is expected at higher elevations, with 2 to 3 feet possible above 7,000 feet. Meanwhile, 1 to 2 feet of snow is likely west of Highway 89 and in the Carson range, while 6-12 inches is possible below 7,000 feet.
2 hurt in late-night Reno house fire that spread through juniper brush
Two Reno residents were injured Monday night in a house fire officials say was caused by an engine block heater in a vehicle outside the home. The Reno Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at roughly 10:45 p.m. at 1570 Clemson Road, a few blocks northwest of Wooster High School. "Firefighters rescued two adults from the burning structure and extinguished the fire," according to a Tuesday afternoon press release from the city of Reno.
Reno man gets life in prison without parole after beating woman to death in 2020
A 33-year-old Reno man found guilty of first degree murder was sentenced to life in prison without parole following a six-day trial in Washoe County District Court this week. Jesus Padilla was charged with open murder after beating Elizabeth Gurrola, his 24-year-old girlfriend, to death in their Grant Drive apartment in summer 2020, according to a Wednesday press release from the Washoe County District Attorney's Office.
Family of Anna Scott, murdered and left in burning car, desperate for answers
Peggy Scott desperately waits, wondering when she will know who killed her daughter. It has been 10 weeks since Anna Scott, 23, was found dead from a gunshot wound and left inside her burning car. “It won’t bring her back, but I have so many questions about what happened,” Scott said. Naomi Irion: A sweet young woman who slept with a teddy bear, her songs are silent now She said she knows nothing more on the investigation other than what has been reported.
CHP: Wind gusts, snowy weather in Reno-Tahoe area disrupt Monday commute
After a spate of warmer-than-normal temperatures for Reno-Tahoe the past few days, a low-pressure system entered the region overnight Sunday, bringing snow and windy conditions across the region. A winter weather advisory remains in effect across the Truckee-Tahoe region until 8 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. As much as 8 to 14 inches of snow is forecast above 7,000 feet, with 2-8 inches expected below 7,000.
Arson investigations launched after fires at Midtown business, home
The Reno Fire Department is seeking help identifying a suspect who may have intentionally set a fire this week in Midtown. At roughly 12:28 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a fire in the hallway outside a business at 818 S. Virginia St. in Midtown, according to a Friday press release from the city of Reno. "Fortunately, an occupant of the salon extinguished the fire before it was able to spread," according to the release.
Man arrested, more suspects sought in fatal shooting at Reno 7-Eleven
Secret Witness is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of additional suspects who police believe were involved in a fatal early morning shooting last month at a 7-Eleven in south Reno. Reno Police Department officers responded at 2:30 a.m. on March 27 to a reported shooting at the convenience store at the intersection of Gentry Way and South Virginia Street. "Officers located a male victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
WCSO: Incline Village man with shotgun arrested on suspicion of 6 felonies
Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a 41-year-old Incline Village man on suspicion of multiple felonies after authorities say he threatened people with a shotgun and fired it into the air Wednesday night. Jonathan Stremski was being held Friday morning in the Washoe County Detention Facility in Reno; his bail is set at $9,500 for eight total charges, including six felonies, an arrest report shows.
Human remains found in Douglas County; man's body found in Truckee River
Sparks authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found Thursday afternoon in the Truckee River. "Officers located what appeared to be a deceased male in the river," according to a Thursday afternoon press release from the Sparks Police Department. "With the assistance of Sparks Fire Department, the decedent was removed from the water and the Washoe County Medical Examiner was contacted." The body was found behind 655 Spice Islands Drive in Sparks.
Washoe County detectives: No ties between Naomi Irion, Anna Scott homicides
Washoe County Sheriff's Office detectives say there are no ties between the February homicide of 23-year-old Anna Scott and the March kidnapping and homicide of 18-year-old Naomi Irion. Irion's body was found Tuesday at a gravesite in a remote area of Churchill County; she had been missing since being abducted from the Fernley Walmart parking lot on March 12.
Naomi Irion kidnapping timeline: What we know more than two weeks after she vanished
It's been two and a half weeks since authorities say 18-year-old Naomi Christine Irion was abducted from the parking lot of the Fernley Walmart. Irion remains missing as of Wednesday morning, with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office and FBI continuing to lead search efforts. On Friday, Troy Edward Driver, 41, of Fallon, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and is slated to be arraigned at a bail hearing at the Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley at noon Wednesday.
Wolf Pack notebook: 9th-inning rally carries baseball to win at Missouri State
Here's a rundown of weekend results and what's next for Wolf Pack spring sports, according to news releases provided by Nevada Athletics: The Nevada baseball team scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning Sunday en route to a 9-7 win at Missouri State. Dario Gomez hit a two-run single to tie the game at 7, then came in with the go-ahead run on Pat Caulfield's double two batters later. Caulfield and Joshua Zamora then executed a double steal, with Caulfield providing the insurance run.
Suspect in Naomi Irion abduction case to appear in court this week on kidnapping charges
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office on Monday released booking photos of the 41-year-old Fallon man arrested Friday in relation to the abduction of Naomi Irion. Troy Driver is being held on kidnapping charges and is expected to make an initial court appearance Tuesday or Wednesday in Fernley in the Canal Township Justice Court, according to the Sheriff's Office. Irion, 18, has been missing since March 12; she was last seen at roughly 5 a.m. in the parking lot of the Fernley Walmart.
One dead, one injured after late-night shooting in Reno
The Reno Police Department is investigating a shooting overnight Saturday that left one person dead and another wounded. Officers responded at 2:30 a.m. Sunday to a reported shooting in the 3000 block of South Virginia Street, according to an 8:55 a.m. press release from RPD. "Officers located a male victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Despite medical efforts, the subject died from his injuries while on scene," according to the release.
Nevada's Peyton Callens wins first tournament with walk-off birdie at Stanford
Nevada's Peyton Callens made a birdie on the 18th hole of the final round of The Goodwin on Saturday at Stanford University to win the first golf tournament of his collegiate career. The senior from Langton, Ontario, finished -13 over three rounds Thursday-Saturday in Palo Alto (65+67+65=197); his walk-off birdie earned him the victory over Lucas Carper (-12) of UC Davis. It's the second straight year a Wolf Pack golfer won The Goodwin, following Sam Harned (-10) in 2021.
TMCC campus shuts down after threat; police conducting search
Truckee Meadows Community College closed all buildings late Thursday afternoon after receiving "credible communication of a possible threat," according to a press release. TMCC's main campus is located in 7000 Dandini Blvd. in Reno. The college received the possible threat at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, according to the 5:48 p.m. release. "All precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of our campus community, and all TMCC locations have been closed," according to the release.
Nevada football alum Virgil Green joins team as Director of Player Personnel
Nevada Athletics on Tuesday announced the hiring of 10-year NFL veteran and Wolf Pack alum Virgil Green as the football team's new Director of Player Personnel. Green played three seasons at tight end with the Pack (2008-10), recording 72 receptions for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the second-leading receiver on the 2010 football team led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick, with 35 catches for 515 yards and five touchdowns.
Anna Scott homicide: Washoe County detectives seek public’s help in Reno woman’s slaying
More than six weeks after a Reno woman was found dead in a burning car on Interstate 580, detectives are putting out another call to the public for information that could aid their investigation. The body of Anna Scott, 23, was found just after 4 a.m. Feb. 3 by Nevada Highway Patrol officers who responded to reports of a car on fire in the southbound shoulder area of I-580 about a mile north of the Galena Creek Bridge. Washoe County Sheriff's Office detectives at the time ruled the case a homicide.
Reno temps could hit 80 next week; small snowstorm forecast this weekend for Tahoe
A small snowstorm forecast this weekend in the Sierra could provide modest precipitation relief, but a dry heat wave is expected to soon follow, and with it a chance for record-high temperatures in Reno approaching the 80-degree mark. The National Weather Service says a fast-moving storm system will impact the Truckee-Tahoe region Saturday into early Sunday, the first day of spring.
March Madness welcomed back at full capacity after COVID-19 pandemic
On a somewhat balmy mid-March Sunday afternoon four years ago tomorrow, I was slumped in a bar seat at The Stick in downtown Reno, nursing a Sierra Nevada beer and muttering to my girlfriend, and now-wife, "welp, so much for that." We sat surrounded by a standing-room-only crowd of silver-and-blue clad Nevada students and adults, but there was no cheering. There was no celebrating. There was, seemingly, no promise.
As coronavirus cases tumble in Nevada, Washoe County shifts data reporting to weekly
As coronavirus cases continue to drop across the Silver State, the Washoe County Regional Information Center announced Thursday its COVID-19 Dashboard will switch from daily to weekly reporting. The last daily update was scheduled for Friday. "The weekly updates will begin Wednesday, March 16," according to a Thursday news release from the Washoe County Health District.
Reno woman whose body was found in burned car on I-580 died of gunshot wound
A local woman whose body was found inside a burned vehicle on Interstate 580 last month in south Reno died of a gunshot wound, officials said Monday. "... The manner of death was homicide and the cause of death was a gunshot wound," according to an 11:20 a.m. statement from the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. The body of Anna Scott, 23, was found just after 4 a.m. Feb.
Bodycam footage, new details released in Carson City police shooting
The Carson City Sheriff's Office on Monday released body camera footage and additional details about last week's police shooting of a 21-year-old man suspected of stealing catalytic converters while armed with a blowtorch, machete and hatchet. According to a press statement from CCSO, deputies were dispatched at 4:33 a.m. Feb. 22 to the intersection of Adaline and North Curry streets and tried for over two hours to negotiate with the suspect, Luis Angel Santana.
While not every student in the Washoe County School District has the option of riding the bus to and from school this week, all now have the choice to ditch masks while aboard. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosened guidelines for when and where Americans should wear masks, allowing most to go without face coverings in public indoor spaces. Additionally, effective Feb.
Reno's David Wise wins silver in ski halfpipe at Beijing Olympics
As family and friends watched live from Reno Friday evening, David Wise skied to a silver medal in the men's halfpipe finals in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The Reno native and 11 other finalists battled brutal conditions at Genting Snow Park, with temperatures clocking in at minus-8 degrees Fahrenheit for the event's 9:30 a.m. Saturday local start time — and even worse, a minus-27 wind chill.
2021-2022 Northern Nevada Guide: Read the digital edition here
The cover page of the 2021-2022 Northern Nevada Guide, a specialty magazine of the Northern Nevada Business Weekly. Melissa Saavedra & Kevin MacMillan | Northern Nevada Business Weekly Wednesday, September 29, 2021 This week, the NNBW published its new-look Northern Nevada Guide, a 116-page specialty magazine highlighting local businesses and showcasing various aspects of what it means to live, work and play across the Reno-Sparks, Carson City and Fallon-area markets.
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