Ignite Sparks
Welcome to Ignite Sparks! I'm Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel and your host of our new Ignite Sparks podcast. We are excited to tell you all about what's "Happening Here" in the City of Sparks. Our goal is to keep you informed of the many projects, programs, activities, initiatives and people that are unique and important to Sparks. We'll also keep you updated on important regional initiatives and issues. The Ignite Sparks podcast will be released twice a month and available on your favorite podcasting platforms and our City of Sparks website. Have suggestions on topics? Email us at communityrelations@cityofsparks.us. Thanks for listening!
Episodes
25 episodes
A Chat with Sparks City Manager Dion Louthan
Get to know our new Sparks City Manager Dion Louthan! He's been with the City of Sparks since June. Find out how he's settling in, his favorite things about Sparks so far, and everything from his leadership style, previous experience that prepa...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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40:25
A chat with Sparks Municipal Court Judge James Spoo
🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎙️Today in our Ignite Sparks podcast, Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel sits down with Sparks Municipal Court Judge James Spoo as he prepares to retire after nearly 30 years with the City! From servin...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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28:43
Talking all things housing
In this episode, we talk to City of Sparks Housing Specialist Amy Jones and Katie Coleman, Nevada Rural Housing Communications Director about all things housing. The City of Sparks has some great programs including our Housing Rehabilitation, E...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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27:02
A Chat with Interim City Manager and Police Chief Chris Crawforth
Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth was recently appointed as Interim City Manager by Mayor Lawson and the Sparks City Council. Listen as he talks about some great new technology at the Sparks Police Department and how he plans to rebuild trust...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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21:22
From Sparks Family Medicine to Northern Nevada Medical Center --40 Years of Excellence
Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) recently held its 40th Anniversary Celebration. What started as Sparks Family Medicine, a small hospital on the hill below the S in Sparks, has now expanded to two hospitals, free-standing ERs and so much m...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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21:08
Meet our new Fire Chief Walt White
We are excited to introduce you to our new Fire Chief Walt White. In this episode of the Ignite Sparks podcast, Chief White will talk about some of his new initiatives, some new things coming to the department -- including two ambulances--and t...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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29:06
We say goodbye to Parks and Rec Director Tony Pehle
In this episode of the Ignite Sparks podcast, Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel talks with outgoing Parks and Recreation Director Tony Pehle. Listen as he talks about his career path, his favorite moments, and what he'll miss most. All o...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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30:25
A look forward with CSD Director Michael Drinkwater
In this episode of the Ignite Sparks Podcast we talk with our new Community Services Director Michael Drinkwater. He talks about his great staff and all the amazing things they do each day. Check it out!
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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24:42
A look back with CSD Director Armando Ornelas
Community Services Director Armando Ornelas has been with the City of Sparks for 23 years and retire later this month.In this episode of the Ignite Sparks Podcast, we look back as he discusses the history of such projects as Victorian Squar...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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40:24
A Chat with Mayor Ed Lawson - ready to serve Sparks!
Mayor Ed Lawson talks about being elected and ready to serve the citizens of Sparks. He also talks about city staff, recent storms, new initiatives and so much more! Check out this informative and fun episode of the #IgniteSparks podcast.
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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29:27
Sparks Heritage Museum--time to plan a visit!
In this episode, I talk with Christine Johnson, Executive Director of the Sparks Heritage Museum. This museum has everything from excellent exhibits, to a brand-new research center, a fun shop, and a meeting space. If you love history,...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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35:36
Fair Housing -- what you need to know!
In this episode Amy Jones, City of Sparks Housing Specialist and Kate Zook, Executive Director of the Silver State Fair Housing Council provide some great information about fair housing. Why is fair housing important? What part does the City of...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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25:16
City of Sparks Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives-- more than you think! A chat with Assistant City Manager Alyson McCormick
Sit back, grab a cup of joe and listen to our latest podcast with Assistant City Manager Alyson McCormick. She talks about the latest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives here at the City of Sparks and how they are playing a ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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21:43
It's Happening Here! Let's chat about special events in Sparks!
It's Happening Here in Sparks! In this episode, I talked with our Special Events Supervisor Francine Burge about all the great events in Sparks that we are so #SparksProud of! From planning and safety to all of the fun--take a listen to this fu...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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19:49
Let's Chat with Newly Appointed City Attorney Wes Duncan
We're excited to introduce our newly appointed Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan. Take a listen as Wes talks about the importance of community, safety and some of the great initiatives he's championing. #SparksProud #ItsHappeningHere
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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27:12
Let's chat about community engagement with Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth
Have you heard about the #SparksProud Community Event on April 30? Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth talks about this and so much more! From our H.O.P.E. and M.O.S.T. teams to other initiatives to engage our great community, Chief Crawforth h...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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14:42
Parks and Recreation--Let's Play!
Tony Pehle is the acting Parks and Recreation Manager for the City of Sparks. In this episode of the #IgniteSparks Podcast, Tony talks about his long career with the City--29 years! And he gives great information about all the wonderful things ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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32:07
The heartbeat of the city--our public works maintenance staff
I'm very excited to talk about our the great things our Public Works Maintenance crews do for the City of Sparks. From clearing snow and sweeping our streets, to cleaning out stormdrains, and maintaining our beautiful parks, and SO MUCH more! T...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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32:46
Getting to know our Sparks Police H.O.P.E. Team
In 2016 the City of Sparks began receiving many calls for service and reports of hundreds of camps and yards of trash and debris along the Truckee River path. The City responded by cleaning up the trash and offering services to those camp...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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44:40
A chat with Sparks City Manager Neil Krutz
In episode 6, I have a candid conversation with Sparks City Manager Neil Krutz. We talk about about the past and future of the city. From his favorite memories over his tenure with the city (25 years!) to important changes the city ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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40:48
Let's chat about tracking COVID-19 in our wastewater
Listen in to how the latest in technology and research in monitoring daily wastewater is helping to predict and track COVID-19 and variants that may be present in Washoe County. In fact, since June 2021, sampling through sewer syst...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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33:06
Let's chat about wastewater and the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
Do you every wonder what happens to all the "stuff" when you flush your toilet or drain your tub? Or when you run your dishwasher, garbage disposal or take a shower? Well, it travels through sewer pipes and heads out to the Truckee...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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33:13
Let's chat about development in the City of Sparks
I get a lot of questions about how development works in the City of Sparks so I'm excited to share my conversation with City Planner Jim Rundle. We chat about development in north Sparks and redevelopment in downtown Victorian Square. Thanks fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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30:08
Let's chat about water in the Truckee Meadows
Today, my guest is Andy Gebhart with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. I get lots of questions about development in Sparks. Do we have enough water? How can we build when we are in a drought? Well, let's get some answers. Mr. Gebhart and I c...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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11:21
A chat with Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson, September 2021
Welcome to our new Ignite Sparks podcast! We're so excited to tell you about all the great things "happening here" in Sparks. For my first episode, I interviewed Mayor Ed Lawson, asking some important questions such as what was it l...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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51:31