A Holiday Weekend Grab-Bag: Gossip, Politics, Wine Bars & WTH Moments

The ad in Edible Reno Tahoe for Spooge.

Holiday weekends are supposed to be quiet… but Reno never met a long weekend it couldn’t fill with intrigue, eyebrow-raising posts, and a few stories that practically write themselves. And because Picon hears from everyone — the kind, the cranky, the concerned, and the borderline-threatening — we figured we’d share a few morsels to go with your football watching.

First Up - Mayor Schieve, Belleville, and Spooge.

Yes, we finally learned why Mayor Hillary Schieve was hanging out at Belleville wine bar with the publishers of Edible Reno-Tahoe - it wasn’t just to snap photos of an older gentleman at the bar in a civil lawsuit with her buddy Councilmember Devon Reese, nope it was to get her beloved “Spooge” is featured in the magazine.

Cute.
But the real question:
Was that ad paid for, or is this just another friendly freebie among Reno’s favorite players?
Just curious. It is the holidays, after all.

On November 18, 2025 EDAWN seems to be going into the commercial real estate business.

And remember — this is the same Belleville meet-up where Taylor Adams, now magically transformed from economic development guy to real-estate picker at EDAWN, was spotted. He’s apparently not interested in selling all Washoe County government properties — just the juicy ones. But Mike’s Reno Report has the bizarro agreement covered, so go give it a read while we continue tugging at that thread, expect something from us next week.

Next - more trouble at the Nevada Cares Campus Safe Camp.

The heart.

A Facebook user posted about someone arrested for alleged battery — someone who reportedly works at the Safe Camp for the Karma Box Project. The post questioned whether the executive director is the right person to run such a sensitive operation, given his own history of whispers from local women.

The twist?

The executive director “hearted” the post.

So…
Was that a statement?
Was it a threat?
Was he not paying attention?
Or does he just tap every notification like a bored teen scrolling TikTok?

We’ll keep asking, maybe at the CHAB - Community Homeless Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday, December 2nd.

We rest our case about Commissioner Clara Andriola.

While the rest of the county wrestles with real issues — homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, growth — Commissioner Clara Andriola seems laser-focused on one thing:

We wonder if two or three people called her.

Photo ops.

If there’s a ribbon to cut, a camera nearby, or a chance to pose like she’s auditioning for a “Leadership Calendar,” Clara is there faster than a campaign mailer can hit your mailbox.

Meanwhile, the hard work — the heavy lifting, the messy stuff, the oversight —
crickets.

At this point?
We rest our case.
Some officials serve.
Some officials pose.
Washoe County residents know the difference.

Meanwhile, Eddie Lorton is back at it.

Lorton’s social media posts.

Forever candidate Eddie Lorton took another swing at the Grand Sierra Resort — about possible soil contamination.

But the contamination must not have been that toxic, because Eddie turned around and posted himself enjoying a concert at the GSR shortly after. Maybe the fumes cleared? Maybe concert tickets trump environmental concerns? Who knows.

From the Washoe Dems website.

And of course, Councilmember Devon Reese enters the chat.

Our favorite ethics-complaint collector — treating filings like decorative salt-and-pepper shakers — is gearing up for his big mayoral run. And the Washoe Democrats? Let’s just say they’re rolling out the red carpet, promoting his event across their website and socials like he’s the second coming.

Which makes us wonder…

Where’s Kate Marshall?
Former Lt. Governor.
Worked in the Biden White House.
Popular. Respected.
Also a Democrat.

The invite for Councilmember Devon Reese being touted by the Washoe Democratic Party.

But hey, we’re tracking down a story about the Downtown Reno Warming Centers and Councilmember Kathleen Taylor, a candidate for “I want to be Mayor of Reno too” and how she doesn’t want no warnin’ centers in her ward. We don’t know the facts yet, only the rumors, but all those lovely public record requests have been submitted, and Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson doesn’t get to charge us for them, yet.