Sparks resident Kerri Countess never wanted to be a part of this club: the club of parents who have lost a child to suicide. Her world was shattered in 2019 when her 14-year-old son Caleb took his own life. She now works to start the tough conversations about suicide with teens and be #suicidefreeby2023.

Black Springs is a community in unincorporated Washoe County that overcame hardship and discrimination beginning when it was established in the 1950s. Demetrice Dalton with Our Story Inc. talks about her organization’s effort to commemorate the history of Black Springs with a soon-to-be-opened museum housed in the community’s old fire station, and Helen Townsell-Parker shares her memories of growing up in Black Springs.  

Black History Month is a special time of year to celebrate achievements, according to Washoe County Manager Eric Brown. Brown joins us on this episode to talk about his own experiences with discrimination and diversity, and why developing a culture of inclusion at Washoe County is important to him.  

Things go bump in the night at the Historic Washoe County Courthouse, and Ted Moore from TV’s “Paranormal NV” joins us to talk about an episode recently taped there, and what we can learn about history while searching for spirits.  

Join us in a winter wonderland with Paul Raymore from Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Diamond Peak is one of Washoe County’s hidden treasures, with lakeside slopes and recreation for the whole family. Paul shares insider tips on how to make the most of a winter day in north Lake Tahoe, and how to exercise “slediquette” when sledding or exploring this winter.  

Two Washoe County residents have made a difference in their community by seeing a need and finding a way to fill it. Jason Merlis a Sun Valley resident who picks up garbage in his neighborhood every week, and Grant Denton is the founder of the Karma Box Project, and both talk about what inspired their community service.  

Jennifer Cole from the Washoe County Library System offers a variety of book recommendations to spark the holiday spirit. You may recognize her from KUNR’s “On the Shelf” segment discussing book recommendations from the Washoe County Library. 

Visit washoelife.washoecounty.gov for more information