By Kristen Power and Bob Conrad
The past year put our local reporting on the international stage, bringing with it record site traffic and social media engagement. Here are our top-10 shared stories of 2017.
10. Exclusive Video of Waste Management’s New Recycling Facility
Waste Management made a lot of news in 2017 with service delays and recycling controversies, but this exclusive video of the company’s Eco Center comes it at #10 on our list.
9. The Great Hemlock Scare That Wasn’t Really Scary
The county’s response to concerns over noxious weeds along the Truckee takes 9th place on the list. The weed’s presence along the river is fairly benign. Just don’t eat it.
8. The Greg Golden Band
Reno has enough Greg Golden Band fans to rank our article about the band’s EP release at #8 on the list of top shared ThisisReno stories for 2017.
7. A Controversial Strip Club Ordinance
Melissa Holland of non-profit Awaken weighed in on the strip club rezoning issue with a different perspective, which was widely heard. Her column ranks #7 for most shared stories this year. Be sure to also read Wild Orchid’s rebuttal. And visit ThisisReno’s Facebook to see how readers are reacting.
6. The Space Whale
Love it or hate it, the Space Whale had a lot of people talking this year. ThisisReno’s reporting on the City Council’s decision to lease the artwork ranks at #6 for our most shared stories of 2017. The city has a designated fund for public art that must be used for public art. No, that money is not from local taxes, but from room-tax revenue paid mostly by tourists and visitors. The burning question is, have you visited the sculpture since its August installation? See what others are saying.
5. Reno Church Grants Sanctuary To Immigrant Facing Deportation
#5 is the first in a series of articles by photojournalist Ty O’Neil chronicling the experience of a Reno man granted support by a church congregation. Faith-based organizations significantly stepped up in 2017 to provide all kinds of relief to the impoverished, from helping the homeless to helping a local immigrant forced into a sanctuary to avoid deportation. Readers continue to react to this story on Facebook; join the conversation.
4. Hundreds Gather to Celebrate the Life of Don Carano
Local businessman and philanthropist Don Carano was a beloved member of the northern Nevada community. It comes as no surprise that ThisisReno’s story on his celebration of life ranks #4 on our list of most shared stories for 2017.
3. Styx Packs Silver Legacy for Evening of Rock
It’s not a grand illusion. We couldn’t have predicted with our crystal ball that this photo gallery from last January’s Styx concert would’ve been so popular, but a share from the band didn’t hurt. It comes in at #3 on our list of most shared stories for 2017.
2. Musical Rejuvenation at an Evening with Diana Krall
Does it surprise anyone that music articles have taken three of the top spots in our countdown of most shared ThisisReno articles for 2017? Nick McCabe’s review and photos from Diana Krall’s concert come in at #2 for most shared thanks to Krall’s sharing of McCabe’s review to her worldwide audience.
1. UNR Student Pictured at White Nationalist Rally in Virginia
Who could forget that photo? Coming in at #1 on our list of most shared stories on ThisisReno for 2017 is our article on the UNR student pictured at a white nationalist demonstration. After this photograph was taken, the student was identified on social media. His presence at the Charlottesville rally was first reported by us and KTVN Channel 2. The story drew international attention, prompted two local rallies, and opened a community dialogue on bigotry, hatred, and free speech.
