Good morning, Sparks.

The Sparks Fire Department responded to a home fire on the 1100 block of Sullivan Lane on Aug.

11 — the blaze was out by 2:15 p.m. with damage to kitchen cabinets and the stove — and investigators are probing the cause.

On Labor Day, Sept. 1, schools, banks, and government offices will be closed while Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Petco, and PetSmart will operate with normal hours in Reno and Sparks — Costco warehouses and many shipping services, including postal, FedEx and UPS, will have limited hours. These changes affect local shopping routines as residents plan for the holiday.

On Monday, Washoe County School District officials including Superintendent Joe Ernst toured Mendive Middle School and Desert Heights Elementary to mark the first day of classes, where students and teachers started the year with full staffing and renewed energy.

The officials noted that principal David Frydman—set to retire at the end of the academic year—guided new educators with a first-day success guide to support a positive start for the school year.

Debbie Smith CTE Academy held its first day on August 11 in the building that once served as Hug High School.

The academy will introduce new technical career training programs for Sparks students—officials said.

Washoe County schools stress that ICE agents may enter school lobbies but—without a judicial warrant—they cannot go further, protecting student records under FERPA.

School officials and the ACLU of Nevada affirm that the district's measures ensure all students feel safe and have equal access to education.

The 'What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up' art contest is open to students from pre-k through 12th grade—organizers expect a wide range of entries from young local artists.

At the August 11th Sparks City Council meeting, Mayor Ed Lawson declared Carpenters Union Day and Moana Nursery Day to honor local supporters who renewed planter boxes at the Sparks Senior Center, and council approved key agreements including opioid litigation settlements and contracts for water reclamation projects. Council also approved a memorandum with the Sparks Police Supervisory Protective Association—Lieutenants on education.

FRIDAY on a SATURDAY Double Feature

6-11:59 p.m. — West Wind El Rancho 4 Drive-In Theater — Tickets available on Eventbrite — Enjoy a nostalgic movie night with a drive-in double feature of 'FRIDAY' and 'NEXT FRIDAY'.

Nugget Rib Cook-Off

9:30 AM – 6:00 PM — Victorian Square — Free admission — Savor over 250,000 pounds of ribs while enjoying live music and vibrant vendors at this spectacular barbecue festival.