Just as the City of Sparks must have been getting ready to celebrate ending 2024 with no more bad headlines here comes KRNV’s Joe Hart with an investigative report about an incorrectly connected sewer line to a city storm drain that pumped a couple million gallons of sewage into the Truckee River.

This “mistake” happened at the Atrium Apartments in October 2023 as reported by Hart.

Good gosh we had to hear about Sparks City Councilmember Kristopher Dahir’s responsibilities as the chair of the Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) and now we learn Dahir can’t make his last “elected” board meeting due to scheduling issues? What scheduling issue? Why didn’t it come up at the last NNPH board meeting? Or is Dahir simply embarrassed that he lost the race and is bowing out without the sorrow of a long goodbye.  We’re hearing it could be due to the former Lakemill Lodge who were tossed out by NNPH with little or no plans as to where they would live when the health department shuttered the hotel. The residents were forced to leave their belongings behind by NNPH and now some of those units are open and items are missing. What no security NNPH? No plan? Residents are planning on asking questions and that might be at this NNPH board meeting, thus might Dahir be looking to avoiding the publicity.

Per NRS 244A, which governs County Fair and Recreation Boards in the State of Nevada, the RSCVA Board elects new officers each July, during even-numbered years. Back in July 2024 the RSCVA voted in their new chair, vice-chair, and secretary/treasurer and they will not revisit new officers until July 2026. If you watch the July 25, 2024, meeting you will see then RSCVA Chair Charlene Bybee floundering with no support, with Alexis Hill moving Hillary Schieve into the role of chair, clearly well-rehearsed by Hill and Schieve. Bybee desperately wanted to hang onto the chair, but the board members wouldn’t even throw Bybee a lifeline just so the organization didn’t look quite so much at odds, and they let her go down with the ship. Picon is referring to one of Bybee’s more cringe-worthy statements made to the Reno Gazette-Journal steering the ship at the RSCVA, “Bringing the right person is more important than ever. I’m on a mission. I’ve got to move this Titanic and get it away from the iceberg.”

Thanks to our community's enthusiastic response, Picon's inbox has been overflowing with inquiries about local nonprofits since spring. While election season kept us running at full speed, the closing of the polls finally gives us the breathing room to dive into all the valuable information you've shared. We're now ready to give your submissions the attention they deserve.

Some elected officials have dubbed us 'lazy journalists' as we’ve been covering their activities since we’ve been willing to include other media’s coverage. Well, let's embrace that reputation - we're actively seeking nonprofit whistleblowers to help us be even more 'lazy' by sharing your inside knowledge. Based on the flood of tips we've already received; we know you're out there. Consider this your invitation to help us dig deeper into stories that need telling. After all, the best investigative journalism is a team sport."

2024 has been a really weird year for politics. The races have gotten personal and petty, but hey when opponents need to go up against incumbents with buckets full of campaign contributions from developers, special interest groups, lobbyists, etc., who for their own reasons want certain individuals reelected well we guess gloves are off.

Picon can’t believe some of these election flyers and the candidates stretching of the truth. Candidates are spending a fortune on campaign flyers, and we’ve been told by most voters, they take the pile of flyers out of their mailbox and plunk them in the trash.

Sparks Councilmember Kristopher Dahir is no exception. How about this flyer focusing on “safety” which has been a big flyer focus in 2024. However, while Dahir is focused on the “Status of Public Safety in Sparks” and mentions four new fire trucks that have been “ordered” – a new fire station being built, and how the city is hiring five new firefighters. Great news for Sparks, but then why is the Sparks Fire Department, Sparks Firefighters IAFF Local 1265 – basically where is any firefighter endorsement for Dahir? Seem to be missing.

Picon literally laughed out loud last week when Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar came out with his “Electioneering” Memo – how about way too little way too late. We have simply been to busy this week until today to get to this story.

For weeks there were signs outside polling location that were printed with “Vote for Democrats” and no one was turning them in, people were posting photos of the sigs on social media asking where they were coming from but no one was getting them taken down because they seemed not to know who to complain to. Next time folks go to the Washoe County Registrar of Voters.  

Recent campaign finance reports paint an interesting picture of Councilmember Dahir's September 12th fundraiser. According to the October 15th Nevada Secretary of State filings, local developers and special interests apparently found their checkbooks more easily than actual Sparks residents.

Picon is having a hard time understanding what the heck Councilmember Donald Abbott is talking about.

Abbott was called out by a Sparks senior because the City of Sparks didn’t participate at the Senior Spectrum Senior Fest on September 3, 2024.

Picon reached out to the City of Sparks and Senior Spectrum and learned that more often than not the City of Sparks has had a table at the event.

Sparks City Councilmember Kristopher Dahir posted commenting on how much reading he needs to do because of the many boards he serves on due to being a council member, perhaps with a touch of self-validation. Serving as the chair of the Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) Board, Dahir paints a picture of diligence and commitment, or so he wants it to seem.

More cronyism from Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson?