The year 2020 is one few are likely to soon forget. It’s been a blur of changing COVID-19 restrictions and fuzzy Zoom calls, months of social distancing and social protesting, political rallies and political lawsuits, empty store shelves and empty cupboard shelves.
While the homeless were evicted from campsites, others struggled to pay their rent. As citizens raged against inequality, immigration policies, stay-at-home orders and mail-in ballots, fires raged across the West, including here in Reno.
This Is Reno’s photographers shared with us images that captured all of this and more.
Here’s our 2020 year in photos with images by Ty O’Neil, Trevor Bexon, Eric Marks, Isaac Hoops, Lucia Starbuck, Bianca Wright, Jeri Davis, Tony Contini, Nick McCabe and Bob Conrad.
Image: Ty O’Neil
Local youth gathered to write messages of remembrance for Kobe Bryant and others who died in a January helicopter crash in California. Image: Ty O’Neil
Presidential candidate Tom Steyer speaks to a crowd at his northern Nevada campaign office in January, one of several tours he made in the area. Image: Ty O’Neil
Joe Biden. Image: Ty O’Neil
Joe Biden poses for a photo during a January 2020 campaign stop in Sparks. Image: Ty O’Neil
A Joe Biden supporter film’s the candidate’s speech at Sparks High School during a January campaign stop. Image: Ty O’Neil
A dancer twirls fire in Ignite, a racy show at Harrah’s Reno. Image: Nick McCabe
The Women’s March. Image: Ty O’Neil
The 2020 Women’s March in downtown Reno. Image: Ty O’Neil
The Women’s March. Image: Ty O’Neil
The crowd reacts after a successful vault during an annual pole vaulting competition. Image: Ty O’Neil
An actress performs in Reno Little Theater’s “Murder on the Orient Express.” Image: Bob Conrad
Jessica of Eye Candy Salon gives Kayonnie a free haircut during a Project Homeless Connect event at the Reno Events Center. Image: Eric Marks
Punk Rock Flea Market. Image: Ty O’Neil
Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg campaigns in Sparks in February 2020 at an event that would be remembered for its power outage and use of cell phones to light the room. He later released a campaign ad titled “Light the Way” that used the story as a metaphor. Image: Trevor Bexon
Elizabeth Warren steps out of a Reno High School classroom where she’d prepared for a February campaign speech just ahead of Nevada’s 2020 Democratic caucus. Image: Ty O’Neil
The Undie Run. Image: Ty O’Neil
The Trailer Park Boys’ Randy showed up at Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor for the Randers Cheeseburger Party. Image: Ty O’Neil
U.S Senator Bernie Sanders walks voters to the polls on the UNR Campus on the last day of early voting in the Democratic caucus on Feb. 19, 2020. Sanders visited UNR several times during his campaign. Image: Trevor Bexon / This Is Reno
Mayor Bob Cashell’s funeral. Image: Ty O’Neil
Mayor Bob Cashell’s funeral. Image: Ty O’Neil
Noise band Elephant Rifle performs a 10th Anniversary show at St. James Infirmary. Image: Tony Contini
Skate Jam at Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor. Image: Ty O’Neil
County officials including health officer Kevin Dick and manager Eric Brown hold the first of what became regular briefings on COVID-19. This was one of the few held in person. Image: Trevor Bexon
County officials, including health officer Kevin Dick and manager Eric Brown, and WCSD Superintendent Kristen McNeill hold the first of what became regular briefings on COVID-19. This was one of the few held in person. Image: Trevor Bexon
Reno’s Virginia Street Bridge at night. Image: Ty O’Neil
An ambulance crosses the Virginia Street Bridge. Image: Bob Conrad
Downtown Reno shuttered in mid-March as stay-at-home orders took effect. The Playa Art Park wouldn’t last through 2020 either. Image: Bob Conrad
Downtown Reno shuttered in mid-March as stay-at-home orders took effect. Image: Bob Conrad
Downtown Reno shuttered in mid-March as stay-at-home orders took effect. Image: Bob Conrad
Downtown Reno shuttered in mid-March as stay-at-home orders took effect. Image: Bob Conrad
A sign along the empty Nugget Avenue in March 2020 advises visitors that the hotel and casino are closed due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Image: Ty O’Neil
The result of panic-buying. Image: Trevor Bexon
Downtown Reno, including the nearly always open casinos, shuttered in mid-March 2020 as stay-at-home orders took effect. Image: Trevor Bexon / This Is Reno
Downtown Reno shuttered in mid-March as stay-at-home orders took effect. Image: Trevor Bexon
Reno airport traffic was down dramatically in April, and the effects will ripple through the entire region’s economy. Image: Trevor Bexon
Many businesses shuttered altogether in mid-March until they were able to reopen to offer curbside pickup. Image: Trevor Bexon
Wilkinson Park in Reno is closed during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Image: Bob Conrad.
Image: Ty O’Neil
A vacant Legends Shopping Mall. Image: Ty O’Neil
Washoe County Health District conducts drive-through testing for COVID-19 at the Reno-Livestock Events Center. Image: Lucia Starbuck
National Guard members assisting at Washoe County Health District’s drive-through testing site. Image: Eric Marks
Boxes of food are prepared for a drive-through food pickup. Image: Ty O’Neil / This Is Reno
A reopen Nevada protest in Reno in April 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
A reopen Nevada protest May 2, 2020 in Carson City. Image: Ty O’Neil
A reopen Nevada protest May 2, 2020 in Carson City. Image: Ty O’Neil
An actress in Reno Little Theater’s “Imaginary Invalid,” which was slated to open just at stay-at-home orders took effect. This image is from the dress rehearsal. Image: Bob Conrad
Theresa Agnello-Goldhammer taking orders at Pignic Pub & Patio. The outside cooking station is serving most of the regular menu. Image: Eric Marks
In the early days of the pandemic northern Nevadans banded together to encourage a sense of community while isolating at home. Image: Trevor Bexon
Rioters vandalize the Reno Police Department’s headquarters. Image: Ty O’Neil
Media covering Reno’s Black Lives Matter peaceful protest May 30, 2020 wound up also covering riots that led to destruction at police headquarters and City Hall. Image: Ty O’Neil
Protesters at the Black Lives Matter event in downtown Reno. The man in front with the “Thor” sign was later identified by Reno Police as one of the participants in vandalism and rioting at the Reno Police Department headquarters. Image: Ty O’Neil
Protesters at the Black Lives Matter event in downtown Reno. Image: Ty O’Neil
Protesters at the Black Lives Matter event in downtown Reno. Image: Ty O’Neil
A person steals the Nevada flag from Reno City Hall after rioters broke into the building following a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest May 30, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
Rioters outside City Hall as it’s vandalized. Image: Ty O’Neil
Reno Police fired tear gas into groups of protesters turned rioters in downtown Reno May 30, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
Rioters kick gas canisters back toward police. Image: Ty O’Neil
Rioters in downtown Reno. Image: Ty O’Neil
Fireworks are lit by rioters on the Virginia Street Bridge May 30, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
Police stand amidst debris from riots in downtown Reno on May 30, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
A city worker sprays graffiti off the Virginia Street Bridge that was placed there May 30, 2020 during a riot in downtown Reno. Image: Bob Conrad
On May 31, the day after a riot in downtown Reno, a volunteer paints over graffiti left by the vandals. Image: Bob Conrad
Downtown Reno was quiet Sunday night after a 5:30 p.m. curfew was established. Image: Eric Marks
Reno Police patrolled downtown Reno to enforce a 7 p.m. curfew Tuesday, May 2. Image: Ty O’Neil
Reno Police launched an early morning cleanup of a homeless encampment in downtown Reno. Image: Isaac Hoops
Reno Police officers prevented journalists from entering a homeless camp clean-up site on June 3, 2020 in downtown Reno. Officers demanded we leave the scene. Image: Bob Conrad.
A member of the clean-up crew holds a used syringe from a camp near Interstate 80. Image: Eric Marks
A private clean-up crew was hired by NDOT to remove a homeless camp near Interstate 80 on June 2, 2020. Image: Eric Marks
Moriah has been living unsheltered since 2016 and recently celebrated her 20th birthday. Image: Eric Marks
A dumpster of trash overflowed near a homeless camp in downtown Reno. Image: Eric Marks
People living in a homeless camp in downtown Reno had to vacate the area early June 3 as RPD moved in to clean the area. Image: Eric Marks
People living in a homeless camp in downtown Reno had to vacate the area early June 3 as RPD moved in to clean the area. Image: Eric Marks
Passersby supported protesters who gathered peacefully near City Plaza June 3. Image: Eric Marks
A man was arrested June 3, 2020 during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Reno. Image: Eric Marks
Local medical professionals gather in front of the BELIEVE sign at City Plaza in support of George Floyd and against police brutality. Image: Trevor Bexon
Attendees kneel in front of the BELIEVE sign for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time that a police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck. Image: Trevor Bexon
Attendees kneel in front of the BELIEVE sign for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time that a police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck. Image: Trevor Bexon
Dr. LaDawn Talbott, a plastic surgeon at Talbott Plastic Surgery Center. Image: Bianca Wright
Image: Ty O’Neil
Protestors peacefully leaving a Black Lives Matter rally in downtown Reno on June 7, 2020. Image: Eric Marks / This Is Reno
Protestor sign advocating peace. Image: Eric Marks
Image: Trevor Bexon
A sign at a Black Lives Matter peace vigil June 7, 2020 in Reno, Nev. Image: Trevor Bexon / This Is Reno
Image: Trevor Bexon
Reno Ambassadors patrolling the crowds. Image: Eric Marks
A Washoe County ballot drop box for the June 2020 primary election. Image: Trevor Bexon / This Is Reno
An NDOT worker along with a photographer notify individuals living in a camp alongside the freeway that they must relocate within a week. Image: Lucia Starbuck
A Black Lives Matter protest in Carson City. Image: Ty O’Neil
A June 20 Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Reno. Image: Isaac Hoops
A June 20 Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Reno. Image: Isaac Hoops
ICE protestors silently displayed signs in support of BLM, some of them incorporating humor. Image: Eric Marks
The age of supporters varied from veterans to children, all in support of BLM. Image: Eric Marks
Protestors silently displayed signs in support of BLM. Image: Eric Marks
Drivers wait in line in their vehicles at Reed High School, queued up to get tested for COVID-19 and pick up food from area food pantries. Image: Lucia Starbuck
Local news agencies and staff members on hand in a small room at the Nevada State Legislature building during the announcement. Image: Eric Marks
Jesus Chuy Gutierrez, the owner of Mari Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant, poses right outside the dine-in area for his business. Under phase two guidelines, people can now eat outside on the patio or inside the restaurant. Image: Bianca Wright
Even though things have been different lately, Jose Velazquez, owner of A Toda Madre Tattoos, said that he is just glad he can finally reopen. “We’re coping with [the changes], we’re making money, we’re allowed to reopen. That’s the most important part.” Image: Bianca Wright
Protesters demand details in the case of Miciah Lee, a young Black man shot and killed by Sparks Police. They demonstrated outside the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office. A report was released soon after. Image: Lucia Starbuck / KUNR Public Radio.
Some homes near the Poeville Fire were coated in a fire retardant slurry. Image: Trevor Bexon
Black Lives Matter protesters lined one side of Carson Street while pro-Trump demonstrators lined the other on a hot Fourth of July day. Image: Ty O’Neil
The Black Lives Matter and pro-Trump/anti-BLM crowds both protested in Carson City on the Fourth of July. Image: Ty O’Neil
A camp at West 4th Street and Stoker Avenue. Image: Lucia Starbuck
Three Percenters gather in downtown Reno June 7, 2020 near a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration. Image: Isaac Hoops
Protesters outside the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and jail during a peaceful demonstration against ICE, July 11, 2020. Image: Trevor Bexon
Red paint was splashed outside Sparks City Hall in the early morning July 15. Image: Lucia Starbuck
Red paint was splashed outside Sparks City Hall in the early morning July 15. Image: Lucia Starbuck
“We Are The Sea” inside the Sierra Arts Foundation Gallery. Image: Trevor Bexon
Este otoño, todos los estudiantes de UNR deberán usar una máscara mientras estén en el campus. Imagen: Bianca Wright
Local law enforcement ensured protesters stayed off private property during a protest in Kings Beach. Image: Isaac Hoops
Protesters gather outside Sweet Tahoe Time in Kings Beach. Image: Isaac Hoops
Inside the Washoe County Trump Victory Headquarters. Image: Trevor Bexon
Inside the Washoe County Trump Victory Headquarters. Image: Trevor Bexon
Protesters gathered in downtown Reno Aug. 4, 2020 to rally against AB4 and mail-in voting. Image: Trevor Bexon
Save Our Schools: Protest and March for Responsible Reopening in Washoe County. Image: Trevor Bexon
A partially completed mural commissioned to showcase diversity on the UNR campus. Image: Isaac Hoops
Numerous men carrying guns participated in a counter-protest in Minden to support the Douglas County Sheriff Coverley. A few dozen Black Lives Matter protesters planned a peaceful demonstration outside the sheriff’s office after Coverley made inflammatory statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Ty O’Neil
A counter-protester carries a sign in Minden, Nevada. Image: Ty O’Neil
Numerous men carrying guns participated in a counter-protest in Minden to support the Douglas County Sheriff Coverley. A few dozen Black Lives Matter protesters planned a peaceful demonstration outside the sheriff’s office after Coverley made inflammatory statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Ty O’Neil Image: Ty O’Neil
Hundreds of locals came out to support Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley when a few dozen Black Lives Matter supporters planned to protest Coverley’s recent statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Trevor Bexon
Hundreds of locals came out to support Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley when a few dozen Black Lives Matter supporters planned to protest Coverley’s recent statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Trevor Bexon
Hundreds of locals came out to support Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley when a few dozen Black Lives Matter supporters planned to protest Coverley’s recent statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. The locals came armed with guns and baseball bats. Image: Trevor Bexon
Hundreds of locals came out to support Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley when a few dozen Black Lives Matter supporters planned to protest Coverley’s recent statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Trevor Bexon
Hundreds of locals, including members of the Proud Boys, came out, some with guns or baseball bats, to support Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley when a few dozen Black Lives Matter supporters planned to protest Coverley’s recent statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Trevor BexonImage: Trevor Bexon
Hundreds of locals came out to support Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley when a few dozen Black Lives Matter supporters planned to protest Coverley’s recent statements regarding the local library’s diversity statement. Image: Trevor Bexon
A Confederate Flag flies from a truck driving past a Black Lives Matter protest in Minden on Aug. 8, 2020. Image: Trevor Bexon
Jerome Silas addressing the crowd. Image: Lucia Starbuck / KUNR Public Radio
A Washoe County teacher protests outside the August Washoe County School District’s Board of Trustees meeting as administrators discuss reopening schools amidst the pandemic. Image: Eric Marks
Washoe County School District Chief General Counsel Neil Rombardo checks his cell phone during the August Board of Trustees meeting. He would later detain This Is Reno’s photographer and accuse him of taking photos of sensitive information, despite the photographer standing in the designated photo corral alongside a staff member. Image: Eric Marks
Locals rally outside the Vassar Street U.S. Post Office after news broke that the Postmaster General had made changes to the service that could wreak havoc with on time delivery of mail, including mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 general election. Image: Ty O’Neil
A Capitol Police officer and Carson City Sheriff’s deputy leave the scene of an accidental weapon discharge at the end of a Black Lives Matter protest. Image: Ty O’Neil
Dubbed “Cheeseburger Man” by photographer Ty O’Neil, the driver yells at Black Lives Matter protesters as he drives in a pro-Trump procession along Carson Street on August 29, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
The BELIEVE sign was one of several Reno area sculptures illuminated for the Red Alert National Call to Action event.
The BELIEVE sign was one of several Reno area sculptures illuminated for the Red Alert National Call to Action event.
The Believe sculpture at City Plaza was lit red during the Paint the Town Red national event. Image: Eric Marks
The Pioneer Theater was lit red during the Paint the Town Red national event. Image: Eric Marks
A Washoe County School District student gives a thumbs up after sharing public comment at the September Board of Trustees meeting. Image: Eric Marks
WCSD Superintendent of Schools Kristen McNeill takes a break before the September Board of Trustees meeting to talk to parents and student athletes protesting outside. Trustees and school administrators had no control over school sports resuming. Image: Eric Marks
Washoe County student athletes protested at a Sept. 8, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting over regulations that prohibited them from participating in school sports. Image: Eric Marks / This Is Reno
A school resource officer watches over a Board of Trustees meeting at Sparks High School on Sept. 8, 2020. Image: Eric Marks / This Is Reno
A group of about 100 people gathered outside of the federal courthouse in Reno o Sept. 12, 2020, to protest police killings and to support loved ones of those who’ve been killed by local law enforcement. Image: Bob Conrad / This Is Reno
A group of about 100 people gathered outside of the federal courthouse in Reno to protest police killings and to support loved ones of those who’ve been killed by local law enforcement. One young attendee showed his disdain by flipping the bird to cops stationed across the street. Image: Bob Conrad
A group of about 100 people gathered outside of the federal courthouse in Reno to protest police killings and to support loved ones of those who’ve been killed by local law enforcement. Image: Bob Conrad
A largely mask-less crowd attends a Trump campaign rally Sept. 12, 2020 in Minden. Image: Ty O’Neil
A largely mask-less crowd attends a Trump campaign rally Sept. 12, 2020 in Minden. Image: Ty O’Neil
President Donald Trump speaks to a largely mask-less crowd at a campaign rally in Minden on Sept. 12, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
Locals gathered on the steps of the Bruce Thompson Federal Courthouse to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Image: Eric Marks
Locals gathered on the steps of the Bruce Thompson Federal Courthouse to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Image: Eric Marks
Locals gathered on the steps of the Bruce Thompson Federal Courthouse to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Image: Eric Marks
Art sculptures around town also participated in Paint Nevada Pink like the LOVE sign at Renown. Image: Eric Marks
Dr. Tunde Csepelyi, who teaches English to non-native speakers, shows off parts of her classroom she’s proud of. Image: Bianca Wright
Rage Against Colonialism demonstration. Image: Ty O’Neil
One of several finished units at Hope Springs. Image: Eric Marks
A campsite along the Truckee River near Kietzke and Kuenzli was among the first cleanups for the city’s new Clean and Safe Team contractor, Qual-Econ U.S.A., Inc. Image: Lucia Starbuck
Small, personal touches are important steps in humanizing area homeless youth. Safe and sanitary sleeping spaces are provided for the residents at Eddy House. Image: Eric Marks
By October 2020, more than a year after the lease contract had expired, the Space Whale was showing signs of neglect while it continued to deteriorate at City Plaza. Image: Ty O’Neil
Fall colors in Reno. Image: Bob Conrad
Fall colors in Washoe Valley. Image: Ty O’Neil
A voter waits in line outside the Fallon Convention Center to cast her vote Nov. 3, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
Robert Longer, who works for the hospital’s employee union, picketing on Nov. 6, 2020 outside Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Image: Jeri Davis / This Is Reno.
Image: Ty O’Neil
Supplies were readied at Renown’s Alternate Care Site in early November ahead of an anticipated surge in new COVID-19 cases. Image: Trevor Bexon
Renown’s chief of Acute Services Paul Sierzenenski, MD talks to media in November as the facility reopened its COVID-19 triage tent and readied its Alternate Care Site ahead of an anticipated surge in new cases. Image: Trevor Bexon
“Cowboy Barbie” at a “Stop the Steal” rally in Carson City Nov. 14, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
A “Stop the Steal” rally in Carson City Nov. 14, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
A demonstrator at a “Stop the Steal” rally in Carson City Nov. 14, 2020. Image: Ty O’Neil
Reno’s annual menorah lighting was done in a largely vacant City Plaza to follow public health restrictions, with just a few religious and city officials on hand along with media who covered the event. Image: Eric Marks
Reno’s annual menorah lighting was done in a largely vacant City Plaza to follow public health restrictions, with just a few religious and city officials on hand along with media who covered the event. Image: Eric Marks
One COVID-friendly holiday activity that was still thriving in Reno this year was neighborhood light displays. Image: Eric Marks
Washoe County’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine arrived Dec. 15 in a simple white box delivered via FedEx van. Image: Ty O’Neil
Protesters hold signs in downtown Reno joining Indian farmers in solidarity as they protest new laws handed down in India. Image: Ty O’Neil
Women from Reno’s Indian community protest in downtown Reno in solidarity with farmers in India. Image: Ty O’Neil
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