Nevada

Street Vibrations arrests include reckless driving, weapons, street takeovers in Reno

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2024

Street Vibrations arrests include reckless driving, weapons, street takeovers in Reno

Members of a law enforcement task force made eight arrests at the annual Street Vibrations rally last weekend, including on charges related to a street takeover and stunt riding.

Arrests and citations included reckless driving, DUI, drug possession, concealed weapons, reckless endangerment and trick riding. Over a dozen motorcycles were towed and four firearms were seized.

Police allege once incident included about 30 bikers in downtown Reno who took over streets, ran red lights, performed wheelies and burnouts and rode on sidewalks. Thirteen were detained, cited or arrested while others fled the scene.

In a separate incident, around 100 motorcyclists are accused of taking over all travel lanes along their route in Reno-Sparks, slowing or stopping traffic, running red lights and performing wheelies and stunts. They fled when officers tried to stop them, police allege.

Two of the riders crashed and were detained and another was arrested. One rider who crashed fled on foot and was picked up by another motorcyclist, police allege.

During an event at Road Rider of Reno, a motorcycle apparel shop on Market Street, attendees repeatedly impeded traffic while performing wheelies and burnouts for several minutes, police allege. One rider was arrested and their motorcycle towed.

The task force’s eight arrests over the two-day period did not include those from officers on regular duty.

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Nevada

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

Published

6 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

After decades of cheatgrass-fueled wildfires across Nevada, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno are testing whether cattle can help restore damaged rangelands by spreading native seeds as they graze.

Cheatgrass, an invasive plant common across the Great Basin, dries out early and can fuel larger wildfires, making it harder for native vegetation to return. UNR postdoctoral scholar William Richardson said the plant helps create a self-reinforcing cycle.

“Cheatgrass grows, it creates more wildfires, that allows more cheatgrass to grow, and it becomes a bigger and bigger issue. That’s why we’re seeing all these mega fires spreading across the Great Basin,” Richardson said.

The challenge continues after flames are out. In Nevada’s arid climate, native plants can struggle to reestablish, while cheatgrass often returns quickly.

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

“We struggle with getting five to eight inches of rain a year. Trying to restore a native community in those very arid conditions are extremely difficult,” Richardson said.

Ewe won’t believe it: Sheep munch away at Reno’s wildfire worries in Arrowcreek area

Ranchers already use targeted grazing to reduce cheatgrass. Now, UNR researchers are studying whether cattle can also help reseed the landscape. The approach mixes native grass seeds into protein supplements cattle already eat. Researchers then track whether the seeds can survive digestion and be spread naturally across the range after being deposited in manure.

“We’re already using cattle to combat cheatgrass through targeted grazing, and the ultimate goal is to bring native species back across the landscape, so why don’t we combine those two ideas?” Richardson said.

In lab testing, researchers evaluated special seed coatings designed to help some seeds survive a cow’s digestive system. The results showed certain species could make it through the process and still germinate after being deposited in manure, Richardson said, though some seeds need more protection than others.

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

“Some species naturally have a very thin seed coat and require more protection, while others can go through the gut of a cow easy peasy lemon squeezy,” he said.

The project is expected to move into field testing this fall at Horseshoe Ranch near Eureka, where researchers will track whether seeds can not only survive digestion but also establish new plants on the landscape.

“It’s a passive way to restore the landscape. Instead of having to go in with a tractor or seed from an airplane, you can use cows that are already there,” Richardson said.

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

Researchers said the method is not intended to replace traditional restoration work, but to add another tool for land managers and ranchers. If the field trials are successful, they said the approach could eventually help restore thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of acres across the Great Basin.

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