Cathy Woods spent more than 35 years in prison for a murder in Reno she did not commit. Michelle Mitchell, a University of Nevada student, was murdered just across from the UNR campus in 1976.Local prosecutors went after a woman named Cathy Woods as the main suspect. Three years after Mitchell’s murder, Woods confessed to the crime. However, she suffers from schizophrenia, and DNA evidence ultimately exonerated her. She was released from prison in 2015. Evidence shows the real killer is -- likely -- Rodney Halbower, who is already serving time in prison. For this episode, we speak with former Reno Police Lieutenant J. Andre Boles, who is now a true crime writer. Boles has two books about true crime in Reno, Nevada. His latest is Monster on Gypsy Hill, about the Gypsy Hill murders committed by Halbower.Since this interview was conducted, Woods is set to receive $3 million in a settlement with the City of Reno. Settlements have already been made with Washoe County, the State of Nevada and Shreveport, Louisiana. Total settlements will top $10 million dollars.Her attorney issued the following statement: "Although there is no amount of money that could possibly compensate Cathy Woods for what she suffered as a result of being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for over 35 years for a crime that she did not commit, the compensation will help her recover from this terrible ordeal."Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

This Is Reno Radio

Cathy Woods to get $3 million settlement from City of Reno after wrongful conviction

Black Lives Matter is an international movement that has emerged in the Biggest Little City. BLM demonstrations have been held in the past few years, often in the wake of national incidences of violence against Black people at the hands of law enforcement. On May 30, a peaceful BLM demonstration was followed by rioting and vandalizing by a much smaller group that split off from the main protest. What happened in the weeks to come was the creation of art meant to depict, visually, the struggles many in the Biggest Little City face because of their skin color. For this episode, Jeri Davis and Bob Conrad interview muralist Joe C. Rock about the art now covering up vandalized portions of Reno City Hall. We also hear from David Gamble Sr. as he reads from his son's essay about growing up Black in Reno.Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

Reno Reflects on Black Lives Matter

George Floyd was killed at the hands of Minneapolis Police on May 25th. Four police officers have been charged for his death. Those charges include murder and manslaughter. Floyd’s death triggered reactions around the world, including here in Reno. Don Dike Anukam attended the rally reporting for This Is Reno. We hear from one of the rally organizers and go to the the Reno Police station where rioting began. Don also takes us into City Hall the morning after it faced hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages from vandals.Lucia Starbuck also contributed to this report.Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

Reno responds to George Floyd's death

An effort to recall Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has failed. The effort came nowhere near close to the needed signatures to succeed. For this episode, Don Dike Anukam interviews Wayne Thorley with the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.Hundreds of businesses in the greater Reno area faced complaints from employees. Lucia Starbuck spoke with Craig Madole with the Nevada Chapter of the Associated General Contractors. Lastly, Lucia has been investigating the COVID-19 outbreak at Arbors Memory Care in Sparks. Six staff members and 32 residents tested positive for COVID-19, and three residents died. We discuss her reporting and what she's discovered.Don Dike Anukam and Lucia Starbuck contributed to this episode.Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

Care facility in Sparks faces state investigation after patient deaths, COVID-19 spike

People are still dying from the coronavirus disease in Washoe County, but many businesses are starting to reopen. That’s a big change that comes with some new rules. For this show, Lucia Starbuck interviews Arlo Stockham from the City of Reno about what the city is doing to make sure businesses follow the rules during the COVID-19 pandemic.Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

COVID-19: How the City of Reno is handling complaints about businesses

Nurses are protesting working conditions at Saint Mary’s Hospital in downtown Reno. They say employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and they don’t have the proper protective equipment to protect not just them themselves but also hospital patients. Kelly Heywood with the nurses union says they held a demonstration to express concern about unsafe working conditions. The lack of proper protective equipment, she told This Is Reno, is putting staff and patients at risk.Businesses start to reopenNevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced the state has entered phase one. That means many businesses can reopen, but there are still a number of restrictions in place.After the governor’s announcement, county and city officials said  local jurisdictions will follow the state’s recommendations. Washoe County Commissioner Bob Lucey says local governments are asking for cooperation and do not want to be heavy handed with businesses. Despite reopenings, officials say staying at home, wearing masks and social distancing should remain in place during phase one. Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

Nurses protest Saint Mary's Hospital over working conditions

Governor Steve Sisolak this week came under fire for lack of communication not just with the news media but with noted constituent groups as the Silver State grapples with COVID-19. That includes the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities. We spoke this week with Wes Henderson from the League of Cities as well as state Senator Ben Kieckhefer about the governor not responding to various groups.Sisolak on Thursday announced plans to gradually reopen the state. Reno-area officials were guardedly optimistic and provided responses to the governor's announcement. City Council Member Devon Reese and Sparks Mayor Ron Smith both responded to the new plans.Health officials cautioned however that as the restrictions on some businesses are lifted, wearing masks and social distancing protocols should remain in place. The county this week reported a record spike in new cases as well as more deaths from the virus.Support the show (https://givebutter.com/thisisreno)

COVID-19: Getting Nevadans back to work

COVID-19 continues to weigh heavy not just on the Silver State but around the world. Hundreds of protestors recently took to the streets in Nevada’s capital Carson City. Republican Assemblyman Jim Wheeler was there in support. Reporter Lucia Starbuck interviews him for this podcast.When do businesses get to reopen?Massive unemployment and business shutdowns characterize the state of Reno’s economy as health officials attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. The question on everybody’s mind is when and how businesses get to reopen. Starbuck spoke with Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve who says it’s simply too soon to tell when businesses can reopen, but she has a task force to start laying the groundwork for reopenings.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

COVID-19: When do businesses in Reno get to reopen?

COVID-19 testing in Washoe CountyThe process to get tested for COVID-19 in Washoe County continues to draw questions. County officials, however, opened up their testing location at the Reno Livestock Events Center to show what is involved in getting people tested. Lucia Starbuck interviewed Lisa Lottritz with the Washoe County Health District about the testing process.How are Reno's seniors coping with COVID-19? The most high-risk population  affected by the coronavirus is seniors. The CDC says those over 65 and those who live in nursing homes and care facilities are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. We spoke with Donna Clontz, chair of the city’s senior citizen advisory committee. Although one nursing facility in Reno had an outbreak of COVID-19 affecting 43 residents, Clontz says most senior facilities are on lock-down and took preventative measures to protect residents.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

Deep inside COVID-19 testing

Domestic violence is on the rise nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. But are those trends holding true for Washoe County?  Sheriff Darin Balaam tells us they don’t have solid data, but it’s a major concern. He also explains why the pandemic has led to a major reductions in arrests.Transparency takes a hitOne of the first things to take a hit during an unprecedented pandemic is transparency. Lucia Starbuck interviews media professor Patrick File from the University of Nevada, Reno journalism school about what is happening to the flow of information.Landlords defy Governor’s directivesLandlords continue to violate Governor Steve Sisolak’s orders. This Is Reno has received complaints from tenants about landlords blatantly ignoring state directives. These include imposing late-fee penalties and threats of eviction, each of which violate the governor’s directives. Reno council member Naomi Duerr tells us what is happening — and what tenants can do.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

COVID-19: Arrests are down, way down

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve is echoing Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s directive this week ordering people to stay at home. It’s the only way, they said, to reduce the impact of COVID19. We hear from both of them about what's being done in the Silver State to deal with COVID-19.Also: The news media, particularly small, independent outlets, are suffering as a result of COVID-19. The Reno News & Review recently announced it was ending publication after decades of printing its weekly in Northern Nevada. The problem with news outlets going out of business is that when people need information, they frequently turn to news sources. Hear what Schieve and Sisolak said about this concern.Lastly, the Washoe County Health District continues to be tight-lipped with information about COVID-19. District health officer Kevin Dick refused to answer questions from a Reno Gazette-Journal reporter. We report on what happened and why transparency is import, not just for reporters, but for other local governments. Episode cover image: Gov. Steve Sisolak discusses measures to help the public with housing stability amid the COVID-19 public health crisis at a press conference at the Grant Sawyer Building in Las Vegas, Sunday, March 29, 2020. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Pool) @rookie__rae.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

COVID-19: This month’s going to be really tough

Government alone cannot solve the COVID-19 crisis. But there is a lot of action happening on the ground as Reno continues to adjust to its new COVID-19 reality. We interview Reno City Councilmember Devon Reese about efforts to deal with the coronavirus.Also: Renown nurses are saying they have to reuse personal protective equipment. But Renown CEO Tony Slonim says the hospital is ready to deal with coronavirus. We hear from Slonim about Renown's preparations to deal with what is anticipated to be a surge of new patients.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

COVID-19: The Government’s Not Coming To Save Us

"This is not the time to try to find loopholes."Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said the picture is grim but hopeful as the Silver State deals with fallout from COVID-19. Here in Reno, we’ve seen restaurants, bars and casinos shuttered. Now, the governor is saying that if a business is not essential, it may face criminal penalties if it does not immediately close. The impacts to businesses facing closure remains to be seen. What is clear is that with increasingly vacant buildings, law enforcement has stepped up patrols. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam spoke a press conference and said law enforcement is stepping up patrols. We also hear from Sisolak's most recent, virtual press conference where he outlines why Nevada, like the rest of the world, is making such drastic decisions.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

COVID-19: Businesses close, law enforcement steps up patrols

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak's full press conference on closing non-essential businesses in Nevada. March 17, 2020.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

COVID-19: Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak Announces Statewide Business Closures

COVID-19 has had major impacts in the Silver State. Governor Steve Sisolak on March 12 declared the Nevada to be in state of emergency. The City of Reno and Washoe County quickly followed suit.In this episode, we check in with what the City of Reno is doing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 -- in particular which businesses were recently ordered to close. There remains confusion about patient privacy and how potential COVID-19 patients may impact first responders. We interview Michael Arrigo of No World Borders, an expert in healthcare data and patient privacy.Lisa Lee with the Foundation for Recovery conveys how the coronavirus is impacting Reno's houseless community and why advocacy groups demanded a moratorium on evictions and anti-camping ordinances.  Paul Enos of the Nevada Trucking Association gives us an update on the distribution of goods and food supplies and why shelves are emptying so quickly. Cover image: Trevor Bexon.Support the show (https://thisisreno.com/subscribe-for-full-site-access/)

How Reno is grappling with COVID-19

Podcasts featuring talk, news, investigations and events from Reno, Nevada.

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This Is Reno Radio

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