All Rise… and Reassign? Judge Egan Walker’s Way …

Scheduling conflicts? Come on these events have been planned for months.

Well, that didn’t last long.

The Historic Historic Washoe County Courthouse launched its new monthly “Moments of Honor” series in January — complete with the Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic music, and reflections on figures from our nation’s 250-year history. A civic-minded, early-morning reminder that democracy still works before 8:30 a.m.

March 4 was supposed to feature Kate Hickman, Alternate Public Defender, offering remarks as part of the program.

Instead? Cancelled. Officially due to a scheduling conflict.

Now, scheduling conflicts happen. Calendars are tricky. Courtrooms are busy. We get it.

Washoe County Commissioner Clara Andriola yakkity-yakking about the historic courthouse and #America250Nevada.

But in a courthouse currently buzzing with questions about why Connie Steinheimer had her entire docket reassigned — and whether Chief Judge Egan Walker has the authority to make that call unilaterally — well, let’s just say timing is everything.

Some attorneys are quietly asking procedural questions. Others are asking who exactly holds the power to reassign a full docket. These are governance questions, not gossip. Courts run on rules, after all.

So when a public event in a public courthouse that might attract members of the press suddenly evaporates, people naturally connect dots — fairly or not.

To be clear: no one has publicly stated the cancellation was related to press access. The official explanation remains a scheduling conflict.

But here’s the larger point — when transparency is thin, speculation gets loud.

If everything is routine, say so.
If procedures were followed, outline them.
If authority is clear, clarify it.

Because nothing fuels courthouse chatter quite like silence echoing through marble halls at 8:00 a.m.

Democracy loves daylight.
Courthouses should, too.