Conor Shine

Story Archive

Las Vegas council invests in education to tune of nearly $100,000
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Las Vegas is partnering with two educational nonprofits at a cost of nearly $100,000 in an attempt to boost performance at struggling schools in the city’s urban core.
Worried about staying abreast on latest storm warnings? Look to your cellphone
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Valley residents and visitors may have found their phones buzzing and chiming unexpectedly during this weekend’s storms as a series of flash flood warnings were broadcast over a system introduced last year by the federal government.
Council's vote may boost Internet service downtown, education performance at low-performing schools
Monday, July 22, 2013
Expanding Internet access and boosting schools are among the items that will be up for discussion before the Las Vegas City Council when it holds its regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at city hall, 495 S. Main St. The council’s recommending committee also will weigh in on several proposed ordinances when it meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Apps bring local government services to palm of your hand
Friday, July 19, 2013
New credit card-enabled parking meters being installed this summer in downtown Las Vegas have done away with the time-honored tradition of scrounging around the car for loose change. This fall, the city hopes to eliminate another time-sink for motorists — circling the block for an open parking space — with the introduction of a new smartphone app. The app will tie into new multibay parking meters and use the data collected there to provide a real-time inventory of available city-owned spaces downtown.
Forecasted rains, Mount Charleston fire soot could combine to create dangerous conditions for motorists
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Las Vegas public works crews are preparing for another weekend of rain, which could wash ash and soot from the recent Mount Charleston fire into the valley, creating dangerous road conditions in the northwest part of the valley.
Commissioners taking another stab at UMC advisory board
Similar board was disbanded about a year ago, but with a few tweaks, commission hopes to
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Clark County commissioners are taking a step back and turning over most of their oversight authority of the financially challenged University Medical Center to an independent advisory board a little more than a year after a similar set-up was shut down due to lack of effectiveness.
Wildfire spares idyllic ranch for children; worries now turn to what's next
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
For nine days, staff at the Torino Ranch in Lovell Canyon watched as fires raged around them on Mount Charleston and threatened an oasis they’d been working to build for the past 20 years. Located on the southern side of Mount Charleston on 160 acres accessible only by a 12-mile winding road, the ranch has served as a summer camp and idyllic retreat for sick and disabled children since 1999.
County Commission hits the gas on fuel tax ordinance
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Clark County residents could find themselves paying an extra 3 cents per gallon of gasoline to help pay for new road construction under a fuel tax increase discussed Tuesday by the County Commission.
Unique perks help keep public sector's top jobs competitive, expert says
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
After showering city manager Betsy Fretwell with praise during its most recent meeting, the Las Vegas City Council voiced unanimous support for giving Fretwell a raise, her first since 2009. Fretwell’s annual salary is now just over $183,000, placing her as the 15th-highest-paid public employee among local municipal governments.
Consultant to weigh in on UMC governance
Taxes, wireless internet access also on commission's agenda
Monday, July 15, 2013
Clark County commissioners will get an outside opinion on an issue that has divided the board for months — how best to run University Medical Center — when they meet Wednesday as the hospital board of trustees.
There might not be smoke, but there's still fire
Lee Canyon residents can go home Monday
Saturday, July 13, 2013
The fire that has scorched 28,000 acres of forest on Mount Charleston continues to burn but officials say the blaze is 60 percent contained.
Makeshift retardant operation crucial to firefighting efforts
Friday, July 12, 2013
As aircraft buzz Mount Charleston spewing red clouds of fire retardant, crews below are busy mixing thousands of gallons of the concoction that is slowing the wildfire creeping across the mountain.
Desert Pines Golf Course developers seek extension of lease, but issue is in murky water for council
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Since opening in an east Las Vegas neighborhood in 1996, the Desert Pines Golf Course has played an important role in the revitalization of the area while offering residents an affordable place to play a round.
After yearlong impasse, Las Vegas firefighters secure raises
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Las Vegas firefighters will get slight raises each of the next three years under a new collective bargaining agreement approved by the City Council on Wednesday.
Fire extinguished: City, firefighters may have come to contract resolution
Las Vegas City Council will discuss contracts with several unions, may officially hire new fire chief and consider bills regarding booze downtown at meeting
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
A yearlong stalemate between Las Vegas and its firefighters union could be resolved when the City Council considers a new four-year contract Wednesday. The council also will discuss the status of its other collective bargaining negotiations and approve the appointment of a new fire chief during its regularly scheduled meeting.
No need to roll out: New pilot program would allow food trucks to park downtown
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Food truck vendors looking for a safe space to set up shop along the streets of downtown Las Vegas should motor over to City Hall by July 22 to apply for a new pilot program being launched by the city.
Mountain's residents live with constant threat of forest fires
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
For residents of the 400 homes that make up the Mount Charleston community, forest fires like the one currently burning on more than 15,000 acres there are disasters that can be prepared for but not entirely protected against.
After Chinese back out of Laughlin solar project, commissioners go back to drawing board
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Clark County commissioners though they’d hit the jackpot in 2011 when a Chinese company offered to buy 9,000 acres of county-owned land near Laughlin with the intent to build a multibillion-dollar solar panel factory and farm there.
Plan envisions solar power fueling iconic Las Vegas sign
Saturday, June 29, 2013
The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign could soon be powered by the sun if the efforts of a local group of environmental advocates are successful.
Municipalities’ combined payroll of nearly $2 billion puts nearly 30,000 to work
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Each year, local governments release summary data listing the salary and benefits of each employee. The Sun collected this data to examine the size and scope of government in Southern Nevada.
Just ask custodians: Average pay for same basic job varies widely
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Ever wonder what working as a crime scene analyst for Metro Police pays? Or what Las Vegas’ chief financial officer makes in a year?
As partygoers make their exodus, little parts of the Electric Daisy Carnival remain
Festival likely to have generated millions in economic impact; DJs can still be found in town
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
With their fuzzy boots and neon tutus safely packed away, revelers continue to stream out of Las Vegas after three nights of partying from dusk until dawn at the Electric Daisy Carnival.
By land or air, how to navigate getting to the Electric Daisy Festival
Friday, June 21, 2013
This weekend’s Electric Daisy Carnival will draw tens of thousands of revelers to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But before attendees can shake their fuzzy boots while listening to dance music from some of the world’s top DJs, they’ll have to contend with the crush of traffic that has become a regular companion to the annual festival.
North Las Vegas moves ahead with controversial rescue of underwater homes
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The North Las Vegas City Council has voted to move forward with a controversial plan that calls for the city to use its powers of eminent domain to help underwater homeowners refinance their mortgages.
Las Vegas waives energy efficiency standards for older buildings
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Renovating and rehabilitating older buildings in downtown Las Vegas will be a bit easier and cheaper after the city council voted Wednesday to relax its energy efficiency standards.
North Las Vegas set to decide on controversial mortgage-seizure plan
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Months of public meetings, behind-the-scenes lobbying and fierce attack ads will reach a culmination Wednesday night when the North Las Vegas City Council considers whether to move forward with a plan that would use eminent domain to help underwater homeowners refinance their mortgages.
Experience wins out over price in selection of jails' food vendor
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Competition and controversy were on the menu Tuesday when Clark County commissioners awarded a lucrative contract to provide meals at two of its jails to a more experienced – but more expensive – company.
Plan to ease green requirements for buildings spurs colorful debate
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
A debate over just how energy efficient buildings in Las Vegas should be has people on both sides of the issue seeing green.
Commissioners give approval to fact-finding reviews, with small tweak
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The decision to replace the controversial coroner’s inquests into officer-involved shootings with a new hearing format split the Clark County Commission in January. But six months and three hearings later, commissioners had few complaints when the new process was brought up for review.
On tap for LV council: Olympic Garden rooftop pool, new retail near Mob Museum and energy codes
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
A months-long debate about how to balance business development with sustainability could come to an end Wednesday when the Las Vegas City Council considers a bill that would loosen energy efficiency standards for older buildings.
Submitting building plans now just a mouse click away
Monday, June 17, 2013
Submitting land-use applications and plans for residential and commercial projects in Las Vegas has been made as easy as clicking a button, thanks to a new online system unveiled Monday.
Commissioners to discuss plans for new Strip casinos this week
Monday, June 17, 2013
Clark County commissioners will weigh in on a pair of hot topics – University Medical Center and officer-involved shootings – at their regular meeting at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Clark County Government Center.
More turmoil for Bonaventura: Deputy constable alleges sexual harassment in suit
Friday, June 14, 2013
Nearly a year after she was terminated from her job with the Las Vegas Township Constable’s Office, former Deputy Constable Kristy Henderson is fighting back with a lawsuit.
Company dumps big Laughlin solar project, says market won’t support it
Friday, June 14, 2013
A Chinese-backed company is pulling the plug on a multibillion-dollar solar project near Laughlin after it was unable to find customers for the power that would have been generated there, a Clark County spokesman said Friday.
Ninth suspect sentenced in counterfeit credit card scheme
Friday, June 14, 2013
The leader of a group of Californians accused of stealing information from Las Vegas bank card readers and ATMs in order to make counterfeit cards was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges last year.
Police witness: Slaying victim beaten for hours in attempt to get money
Friday, June 14, 2013
Two men have been charged in the April slaying of a man they were allegedly trying to steal money from, according to a criminal complaint released Friday. Eric Orduna and Jonathan Reyes each face six charges.
Las Vegas man accused of child abuse in 16-month-old girl’s death
Friday, June 14, 2013
A Las Vegas man has been arrested on counts of murder and child abuse after a 16-month-old child he was watching died Thursday at University Medical Center.
San Jose, Calif., fire chief picked from more than 60 to head Las Vegas department
Thursday, June 13, 2013
San Jose, Calif., Fire Chief William “Willie” McDonald has been chosen to take over Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the city announced Thursday.
Mayor hopes movie tax credits shine spotlight on Las Vegas
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Lights. Camera. Tax credits. All Las Vegas’ fledgling film industry is missing is the action, and proponents are touting Gov. Brian Sandoval’s signing of a tax incentive bill for film productions as the next step toward bringing a bit of Hollywood to Las Vegas. The bill’s signing late Tuesday had Mayor Carolyn Goodman reminiscing the next morning about when “Casino”-mania swept the city when director Martin Scorsese filmed here in the mid 1990s. “I just remember what it did for the economy here and the amount of dollars that were spent,” she said at a press conference Wednesday at City Hall.
Council hears downside of plan to rescue underwater NLV homes
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
It started with heartfelt testimonials from homeowners struggling with underwater mortgages and ended with warnings of disaster from representatives of the banking and real estate industries.
Controversial program that uses eminent domain to bail out underwater homeowners poised for vote in NLV
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
For the past two years, representatives from Mortgage Resolution Partners have traveled to cities around the country to pitch local governments on a plan to help underwater homeowners keep their homes.
DA’s Office to respond to all police shootings, fatal or not
Monday, June 10, 2013
The District Attorney’s Office is extending its policy of responding to the scene of officer-involved shootings to include shootings where somebody is injured but not killed.
Las Vegas fire department gets 500 applications for 24 jobs in 24 minutes
Monday, June 10, 2013
The competition to land a job as a Las Vegas firefighter is heating up after a pool of 500 applicants was filled in less than half an hour Monday morning.
Henderson distiller ready to toast success at bill-signing in Carson City
Monday, June 10, 2013
When George Racz moved his “Copper Angels,” a gigantic pair of German-made pot stills, into a warehouse in Henderson in 2011 to start the state’s first craft distillery, no one but Racz was sure his distillery could make it.
Work put into Mob Museum's building honored for protecting history
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Mob Museum has been recognized as one of the top public works projects of the year by a national organization, the city announced Thursday.
State-run program helping people stay in their homes through loan modifications
Thursday, June 6, 2013
When she received a telephone call earlier this year offering to help her refinance her underwater mortgage for $4,500, Lola Orbik was skeptical, but her skepticism led her to Home Again. "What I’m doing these days is housecleaning. These people have given me a house to clean,” she said.
Proposal to relax city's energy code conflicts with state law, Attorney General's Office says
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
A proposal to relax the city's building energy codes to make renovating older buildings cheaper for business owners has hit a snag after the Attorney General's Office found the changes conflict with state statute.
Las Vegas City Hall honored as a top public works project
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Las Vegas’ new city hall building has been named one of the top public works projects of the year by a national organization, the city announced Tuesday.
Certification issues freeze local company out of county drug-testing contract
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Clark County commissioners are throwing out the bids for a drug-testing services contract and starting the process over after concerns were raised about awarding the $550,000 contract to an out-of-state vendor. But those concerns aren't helping a local applicant land the bid.
Single races in three cities on the table in today's municipal elections
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
One race each in Henderson, North Las Vegas and Mesquite will be decided by voters during today’s general election. Polls in the three cities will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.