It was surprising to see the recent gala celebration post from Step 1 prominently feature multiple photos of Grant Denton, the head of the Karma Box Project. The post raises a simple question: was Denton invited as a guest of the organization, or did he attend as a paying participant?

The timing makes the optics difficult to ignore. Denton currently oversees operations connected to the Safe Camp program while the county prepares to issue a request for proposals when the current contract expires, or that is what is being whispered in the hallways at the county complex. At the same time, three employees connected to the Karma Box Project remain incarcerated, and there have been public allegations from nine women regarding their interactions with Denton.

Credit where it’s due: Jackie Bryant showed a measure of appropriate gravity during yesterday’s press conference in Reno regarding the suspension of Chief Nance. Bryant appeared visibly affected—almost a little verklempt—which conveyed that the situation was serious and unsettling for the city’s leadership.

By contrast, Hillary Schieve came across very differently. Rather than projecting the same sense of gravity, her presentation felt more like another stop on a promotional press tour—something closer to selling her Spooge sunscreen line than addressing a moment of institutional concern. Whether intentional or not, that contrast underscores a basic rule in public life: optics matter.

After we published video of the March 2 meeting of the Reno Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board — where Hillary Schieve appeared during public comment — one of our readers actually did what we always hope people will do:

They watched it.

And then they asked a question.

The question concerned Paul Klein, who serves on the Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board. The reader asked whether Klein is affiliated with Tri-Strategies and whether there is any professional overlap with Eddie Ableser, the former airport authority board member who recently resigned, you know, yesterday. Oh, and a favorite of Mayor Hillary Schieve.

Mayor Hillary Schieve often presents herself as a champion for women and women’s leadership. Yet a recent promotional video on TikTok for her sunscreen brand, Spooge, raises an uncomfortable question. While the models appearing in the video are presumably adults, their styling and presentation make them appear much younger—closer to teenagers than grown professionals. That contrast leaves us wondering whether the marketing unintentionally reinforces the very kinds of portrayals of women that many people, especially on International Women's Day, say they want to move beyond.

Three individuals who have worked for the Karma Box Project have been arrested since November 2025. That alone should raise serious questions about oversight and accountability.

At the same time, rumors continue to swirl that Karma Box Project has been replaced at the county’s Safe Camp by either RISE or Volunteers of America. Yet so far, no one at Washoe County seems willing to go on the record to confirm what is actually happening.

Apparently, if you want excitement at your next event in Reno, the formula is simple: make a campaign contribution and suddenly an elected official is thrilled to attend.

Now before anyone gets the wrong idea, this isn’t a knock on the Bonanza Casino. Far from it. The casino’s owners, Russ Sheltra and Margo Sheltra, have been part of the Reno community for decades. They’ve supported countless nonprofits, treated their employees well, and have long been known for looking out for Reno’s senior population. Their reputation as community stewards is well earned. Russ and Margo deserve a round of applause.

If anything, the Shelta's simply had the unfortunate timing of landing in the middle of campaign season.

Enter Devon R

According to a report by the Reno Gazette Journal, Reno mayoral candidate Eddie Lorton has obtained a temporary restraining order against Michael Leonard of Mike’s Reno Report — the same individual who, until recently, had been helping Lorton with campaign-related communications.

The RGJ article notes that the request for the TRO references a “Breaking Bad” meme allegedly sent by Leonard. Yes, a meme.

Credit where it’s due: Mike’s Reno Report resurfaced an old municipal court case involving Angela Gianol — now a candidate for Reno Municipal Court Department 1 and currently a prosecutor in the criminal division of the Reno City Attorney's Office.

In that case, Gianol reportedly urged the court to rely on an undercover officer’s testimony rather than a difficult-to-hear audio recording.

That’s not gossip.
That’s jurisprudence.

Because here’s the real question for voters:
When objective evidence is unclear, how much weight should a judge give to officer testimony?

Public comment at Reno meetings comes with a familiar rhythm: step up, state your name, watch the clock, and wrap it up before the buzzer.

Three minutes.
No back-and-forth.
No “asks.”
No extended dialogue.

Citizens are reminded regularly that public comment is for input — not interrogation.

So it was hard not to notice what unfolded at the March 2, 2026 meeting of the Reno Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board.

Credit where it’s due.

Kudos to Nico and the team at Our Town Reno for staying on the Reno-Tahoe Airport trustee residency story and refusing to let it fade into the next news cycle. Accountability reporting isn’t glamorous. It requires documents, timelines, follow-ups, and the willingness to ask the same question until someone finally answers it.

And in this case, the persistence mattered.

Phil Tenneon you are a marvel breaking another Karma Box employee arrest.

Let’s rewind.

The Washoe County Republican Central Committee once passed a resolution refusing to support then–Sparks Councilmember Kristopher Dahir. They wouldn’t endorse him. Wouldn’t allow party materials at headquarters. Wouldn’t let him participate in events.

It didn’t remove him from office.
It didn’t change his voter registration.
It didn’t affect a single council vote.

What it did do was spotlight internal party warfare which continues …

Fast forward to today.

Mathew Grimsley has a scheduled court appearance on March 12 in the Second Judicial District Court.

Public courtroom. Public process. Public interest.

We encourage members of the media to attend. Court proceedings are open for a reason. Transparency isn’t optional — it’s foundational.

Apparently, we’re getting illuminated.

In San Francisco, the iconic San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge was lit up with an $11 million art installation — funded entirely by private donations from more than 1,300 contributors. Not public money. Not fee increases. Not “we’ll bill you later.”

Private. Donations.

Well, that didn’t last long.

The Historic Historic Washoe County Courthouse launched its new monthly “Moments of Honor” series in January — complete with the Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic music, and reflections on figures from our nation’s 250-year history. A civic-minded, early-morning reminder that democracy still works before 8:30 a.m.

March 4 was supposed to feature Kate Hickman, Alternate Public Defender, offering remarks as part of the program.

Instead? Cancelled. Officially due to a scheduling conflict.

We’re genuinely curious.

Why does Washoe County, Nevada - Government go radio silent every time questions surface about leadership at the Karma Box Project?

No press conference.
No independent review.
No “we take this seriously and are looking into it.”

Just crickets.

Picon has said it before — nothing says “party unity” like Republicans fighting Republicans.

For years, the local GOP has operated like an exclusive club. Loyalty isn’t encouraged; it’s enforced. Support the approved candidate or risk being shown the door. That’s been the pattern.

Enter the curious disappearance of Diana Hoffman.

We’ve been doing something radical lately: reading.

Yes, we dusted off the Rules of Practice for the Second Judicial District Court — you know, the thrilling bedside material governing how things actually work over at the courthouse. And we went straight to Rule 2, because that’s where the magic of the Chief Judge lives.

Today’s Reno City Council meeting should be lively. Vice Mayor Miguel Martinez and Reno’s mayor-in-waiting (at least in his own campaign emails) Devon Reese will be perched on the dais, no doubt refreshed after Reese’s fabulous fundraiser at the Grand Sierra Resort — you know, the same Grand Sierra that benefited from all that generous Tax Increment Financing (TIF) support Reese voted to approve. Pure coincidence, we’re sure.

Meanwhile, local Republicans were busy firing off memes about an alleged DUI involving Sparks Councilmember Joe Rodriguez over the weekend.

But here’s the multi-million-dollar question no one seems to be asking:

That’s right, Chief Judge Egan Walker — we weren’t going to stop asking questions.

On Saturday, we put Judge Connie Steinheimer on the side of a milk carton — not as a stunt, but to make a point: the public deserves to know what is happening inside our court.