Hi, my name is Cyndi and I’m a journalist. I have worked for the Chicago Sun-Times and Reno Gazette-Journal. Check out my favorite articles, all of my articles or read more about me.

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Jose Mejia and his wife, Berta Hernandez, are awaiting his hearing pertaining to his arrest by ICE agents in May.

Immigration stories: ‘I felt like nothing, like I didn’t mean anything’

Every time Jose Mejia was about to come home from work, he’d call his wife and she’d wait outside for him. “I didn’t know I’d see him taken away in handcuffs by all these people,” said Sparks resident Berta Hernandez in Spanish as she smiled weakly with tears in her eyes. Her husband, 43-year-old Jose Mejia, was legally in the …

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Favorite articles

Retiring Washoe County educators regret lack of minority teachers
George Hardaway in one of his walls of fame at his office at Wooster High School where he is assistant principal of attendance. He is retiring at the end of the month. The photos and awards are his as well as his two daughters.
It’s difficult for George Hardaway not to become agitated when he thinks of his 36-year career in the Washoe County …
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Birth-control costs soaring at colleges
Last spring, 20-year-old pre-med student Elizabeth Harris had only Costa Rica on her mind. She was hoping to wine and dine there while taking a few biology courses.
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Families mourn slain gang members
Maria Cecilia, an aunt of shooting victum Christian Barajas, 16, sits crying at a memorial for the teenager who killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Miguel Rivera Park. In the background a couple visiting the site walks away.
Maria Cecilia sat Wednesday in front of a portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe, mourning the shooting deaths of her …
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Immigration stories: ‘I’m disillusioned with the American dream’
Elvira Valencia, in her new rental home in Reno, says she lost everything when she had to be out of work after an automobile accident.
Tears streamed down Elvira Valencia’s face as she described the obstacles she’s had to overcome in her past year. “Right …
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ACLU challenges bus ban on Spanish speaking
A policy to bar Spanish speaking on school buses in Esmerelda County was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday.
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When a quake strikes, duck, cover is still best
Two students in Linda Aaquist’s first- through third-grade class at High Desert Montessori School cover their heads Wednesday during an earthquake drill.
Duck, cover and hold — it was good advice 40 years ago and it’s still good advice today, officials said …
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Pellet gun causes lockdown at 4 northwest Reno schools
Washoe County School District police officer Nick Adragna checks the area near McQueen High School. McQueen and three other schools were locked down after a youth with a gun was reported in the northwest area.
A teenager’s planned after-school fun caused the lockdown of four schools Thursday morning in northwest Reno, Washoe County School District …
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School districts say halting raises would force cuts
Larger classes and cuts to programs and staff are some of the actions school districts could take if the cost-of-living …
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Cymbal of her good behavior
The faint sound of disappointed groans were heard in the halls of Gurrie Middle School Tuesday, as the winner was announced for a drum cymbal signed by the award-winning rock band My Chemical Romance.
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Academic rivals enjoy last competition
Alex Fiannaca and Amy Douglas, both 18 and of Spanish Springs High School, have known each other since kindergarten and have a friendly rivalry on grades.
A rivalry spanning nearly 13 years will end Wednesday at the Spanish Springs High School graduation ceremony. Since kindergarten, straight-A students Alex Fiannaca and Amy Douglas have attended the same schools and were at the top of their class. They’ve had classes together, helped each other with homework, received awards together and will graduate Wednesday holding the two highest grade-point averages at Spanish Springs High School.
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Latest articles

Immigrants leaving Nevada as economy sours
Joaquin Arista and his wife Beatiz Trejo make tortas at their place of business on Well Ave.
Local Hispanic immigrants, both legal and illegal, are heading back to their home countries as the U.S. economic climate worsens, …
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Immigration stories: ‘I felt like nothing, like I didn’t mean anything’
Jose Mejia and his wife, Berta Hernandez, are awaiting his hearing pertaining to his arrest by ICE agents in May.
Every time Jose Mejia was about to come home from work, he’d call his wife and she’d wait outside for …
Read the article
Immigration stories: ‘I’m disillusioned with the American dream’
Elvira Valencia, in her new rental home in Reno, says she lost everything when she had to be out of work after an automobile accident.
Tears streamed down Elvira Valencia’s face as she described the obstacles she’s had to overcome in her past year. “Right …
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