Conor Shine

Story Archive

Despite delays, water authority still banking on 'third straw' to deliver water to valley
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Thomas Albert Turner’s death and the injury of another worker in a 2012 accident halted progress on the third intake straw at Lake Mead and added a stark human cost to the hundreds of millions of dollars the Southern Nevada Water Authority is spending on a project it says is crucial to ensuring long-term access to potable water in the valley, even as the reservoir levels drop in the face of a prolonged drought.
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.
Want to complain at a city council meeting? Now you can do it online
Monday, June 3, 2013
Las Vegans wanting to weigh in on important matters before the city council can now do so without leaving their home or office.
Drug tests, gun range fees among issues awaiting county action
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Vendor contracts and changes at the Clark County Shooting Complex are among the issues commissioners will consider when they gather for their regularly scheduled meeting at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Clark County Government Center. Commissioners will meet again at 9 a.m. Wednesday to deal with zoning issues.
With marquee races decided in primary, officials pare poll workers in anticipation of low turnout in June 4 general election
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Despite expected low turnout and only three races on the ballot, hundreds of workers will roll out the voting machines and staff the polls for Tuesday’s municipal general election. High-profile races for mayor in Henderson and North Las Vegas were settled during the April primaries, while in Las Vegas three city council members swept their way to re-election, leaving little buzz for the upcoming general election.
Constable's office: Why didn't warrant for deputy's arrest surface sooner?
Thursday, May 30, 2013
An encounter between a Las Vegas Township Constable deputy and Metro Police at a Strip nightclub early Saturday led to the deputy’s arrest on forgery charges and her subsequent resignation.
Frustration erupts in testy commissioner exchanges over UMC governance
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tensions flared and accusations of disrespect were traded among county commissioners Wednesday when they met to discuss forming an independent board to oversee operations at University Medical Center.
Amnesty period for nonpermitted home improvements nears end
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Homeowners have only a few days left to self-report and avoid paying penalties for any home modifications done without a permit under a countywide amnesty program that runs through May.
County official accused of soliciting underage prostitute
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
A Clark County manager has been charged with a felony after being arrested Saturday for soliciting an underage prostitute, according to Metro Police.
County manager casts ballot for new registrar of voters
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
After 18 years working elections in Clark County, Joseph Gloria was announced as the new registrar of voters Tuesday, replacing Larry Lomax, who was appointed last week to serve on a national elections committee.
Deadline strikes: A look at major legislation that made, missed cut
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Legislators slogged through dozens of bills Friday, turning the Senate and Assembly chambers into arenas for legislative triumph and death.
Campaign transparency bill passes, albeit a watered-down version
Friday, May 24, 2013
Candidates for public office will face stricter scrutiny when reporting gifts they receive after the Assembly passed a campaign finance reform bill Friday, although some critics say the bill doesn’t go far enough to improve transparency.
Sex education bill loses its momentum, dies in Nevada Senate
Friday, May 24, 2013
A controversial bill that would have updated and standardized sex education curriculum across the state won’t advance any farther after it died in the Senate Friday.
Henderson, North Las Vegas, Mesquite offer early voting ahead of June 4 election
Friday, May 24, 2013
Early voting is underway for three municipal election races not settled during the April primaries. There is one race each in Henderson, North Las Vegas and Mesquite and voters in these cities have the next week to cast an early ballot before the June 4 general election.
Independent review finds nothing 'inappropriate' at Rawson-Neal but details needed improvements
Thursday, May 23, 2013
An outside review of Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital, which has been scrutinized in past months for its practice of busing mentally ill patients out of state, found room for improvement and flaws in the facility’s discharge procedures, but didn’t uncover any wrongdoing or negligence by hospital staff.
New developments downtown are backdrop for discussion on Las Vegas as health care hub
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Leaders from some of the valley’s biggest medical institutions struck a positive tone as they laid out a vision for the future of health care in Las Vegas centered on a premier medical district downtown during a forum Tuesday night.
Fairgrounds on Las Vegas Strip will accommodate 64,000 for special events
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
An overflow parking lot across from the Luxor will be converted into a fairgrounds for music festivals and other special events, after the plan was approved by the Clark County Commission today.
Henderson council passes $479 million budget, avoiding cuts
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The Henderson City Council approved a $479 million budget Tuesday evening for fiscal year 2014, which starts July 1, that is roughly the same size as the previous year and won’t require any cuts to staff or services.
Swinger blocked from operating sex club gets another day in court
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
A business owner who said he was improperly denied a business license to open a swingers club in a Las Vegas shopping center will get a second chance to make his case after a federal court ordered Monday that his lawsuit against Clark County be reheard.
Las Vegas City Council OKs slightly larger budget for next year
City must tap $10 million in reserves to avoid any staff cuts
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
With the deadline for submitting a final budget approaching, the Las Vegas City Council approved a $481 million general fund budget for the next fiscal year during a special meeting Tuesday morning.
Complaints about reflexology clinics could result in closer oversight
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Complaints about misleading advertising and hidden charges at reflexology clinics around the valley have drawn the attention of Clark County commissioners, who decided Tuesday to consider tighter regulations on the health establishments.
County takes $41 million from reserves to balance budget
Monday, May 20, 2013
Clark County commissioners finalized a $1.2 billion budget Monday that will use $41 million in reserves to cover a structural deficit.
Budget, business licenses and UMC to keep commissioners busy on consecutive days this week
Sunday, May 19, 2013
A busy week of meetings awaits Clark County commissioners, who will convene on three consecutive days to conduct official business.
UMC not the only drag on Clark County’s budget outlook
Friday, May 17, 2013
Most of the services provided by Clark County are paid for using revenues from property tax collections. But several county functions — ranging from airports to the Las Vegas Township Constable’s Office — are expected to pay for their operations using fees and other charges they collect from customers, much like a private business. While some of these “self-funded” operations make enough money each year to cover their expenses, many find their budgets in the red. When that happens, the department has several options, including cutting staff, keeping vacant positions open, raising prices or drawing on their reserves.
Water delivery rates headed up, but residents shouldn’t notice
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The cost of pumping water from Lake Mead into the Las Vegas Valley is going up, but residents shouldn’t expect to see any changes in their water bills.
City rolls back fine on Silver Dollar Avenue condos, issues stern warning
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A Las Vegas property owner will get a steep discount on the nearly $600,000 in outstanding fines tied to 19 condominium units near Valley View Boulevard and Sahara Avenue so long as he makes regular monthly payments to reimburse the city for its cost of cleaning up the property several years ago.
Automatic public art funding prevails in Las Vegas vote
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Las Vegas will keep its funding for public art projects at current levels after the city council rejected a bill Wednesday that could have scaled back contributions to the program.
Downtown building owners: Overly restrictive code regulations have got to go
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
As the owners of the recently opened Mingo Kitchen and Lounge set about turning the former garage in Las Vegas’ downtown Arts District into a chic eatery, they hit an unexpected and expensive snag.
Las Vegas set to reconsider how city funds art projects
Monday, May 13, 2013
Las Vegas could scale back its funding for the arts under a bill up for approval by the city council this week.
What local hospitals charge for their 10 most common procedures
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Prices for the same type of treatment — whether for kidney failure or a knee replacement — can vary wildly depending on the hospital you choose, often differing by tens of thousands of dollars, according to data released earlier this week by the federal government. The Medicare data, released Wednesday, covers the average charge for the most common types of procedures at 3,300 hospitals nationwide, including 13 in the Las Vegas Valley.
Man shot by police had threatened to go on ‘killing spree’
Friday, May 10, 2013
A Las Vegas man holding a knife to the throat of a hostage told Metro Police officers, “Shoot me, shoot me in the head,” shortly before he was killed in November, according to new evidence revealed Friday.
Rush is on to unearth gold, silver from hills around Searchlight
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Gold and silver mining operations near Searchlight could start up by the end of the year, after the mine owners received the go-ahead from Clark County commissioners on Wednesday.
County delays action on possible tax increase to aid UMC
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
There’ll be no infusion of funds to University Medical Center this year from a property tax rate increase. Clark County Commission members indicated they needed more information on a potential property tax rate hike to aid UMC.
'It feels monumental': Ground is broken on long-awaited F Street project
Monday, May 6, 2013
As residents of the historic West Las Vegas neighborhood took turns shoveling dirt as part of a groundbreaking on F Street Monday, the culmination of years of work was summarized by a simple phrase: “It’s coming down.”
Second fact-finding review to examine case of knife-wielding man shot by police
Monday, May 6, 2013
The public will get new details about the fatal November shooting of a knife-wielding man by Metro Police during a hearing Friday, the second held under the revamped coroner’s inquest system.
Commissioners consider property tax hike to 'get everybody paying' for financially challenged UMC
Monday, May 6, 2013
More than a third of all patients treated at University Medical Center each year come from nine ZIP codes that surround the valley’s urban core and stretch into North Las Vegas. Still, each year hundreds of thousands of patients from outlying areas make their way to the hospital for treatment.
UMC issues, Rio's twist on zip line on tap for county commission discussions
Sunday, May 5, 2013
University Medical Center’s uncertain future will be at the center of this week’s Clark County Commission meeting, when commissioners discuss raising property taxes to help shore up the hospital’s finances. Commissioners will also discuss giving more autonomy to the hospital’s CEO when they meet at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Las Vegas awards grants to three downtown projects
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
A trio of downtown Las Vegas projects to convert a former motel, laundromat and garage into usable business space received some financial assistance from the city’s redevelopment agency Wednesday.
Expanding downtown Las Vegas redevelopment area would boost nearby communities, official says
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The redevelopment area that has played a key role in revitalizing downtown Las Vegas could be expanding to help provide funding for outlying neighborhoods.
Controversial rescue of underwater NLV homes to be decided in June
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The North Las Vegas City Council will decide in June whether to endorse a controversial and complex plan to use its powers of eminent domain to help refinance underwater home mortgages after receiving more information on the proposal during a workshop Tuesday night.
Constable looks to Nevada Supreme Court to save office from closing
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Las Vegas Township Constable John Bonaventura’s lawsuit against Clark County commissioners is on hold while he appeals the case to the Nevada Supreme Court.
Months after county begins its public art program, city to reconsider its funding
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
In a time when local governments are still struggling to close budget deficits, using public funds for art projects can be a hot-button issue. Proponents argue public art beautifies neighborhoods and builds a sense of community. Critics cringe at the thought of tens of thousands of public dollars being spent on artwork. Since 2005, Las Vegas has diverted 1 percent of the city’s capital improvement budget into an arts fund that has paid for more than 40 commissioned projects throughout the city. The fund has generated $1.3 million, $1.1 million of which has been spent, but collections have dipped in the past several years because of a slowdown in capital spending.
NLV further examines plan to seize underwater mortgages
Monday, April 29, 2013
North Las Vegas City Council members will take a closer look Tuesday night at a controversial and complex proposal to use eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages in an attempt to boost the city’s sagging housing market.
Amnesty offered for home improvements done without permits
Monday, April 29, 2013
Do-it-yourself builders who remodeled a bathroom or added a bedroom to their house without acquiring the necessary permits will get a chance to come clean without facing any penalties during May.
After asbestos found, extension granted to demolish burned-out Key Largo casino
Monday, April 29, 2013
What’s left of the fire-ravaged Key Largo casino near the Las Vegas Strip will remain standing for at least the next few months after county officials granted the property’s owner an extension on the demolition deadline.
Neighbors fighting to block mining in Sloan Hills emerge victorious
Friday, April 26, 2013
Controversial plans for open-pit mining in the Sloan Hills near Henderson will not move forward, the Bureau of Land Management announced Friday, effectively blocking any attempts to mine at the site.
Special meal for Las Vegas' less fortunate is reminder of priest's legacy
Thursday, April 25, 2013
As more than 1,000 hungry diners streamed into Catholic Charities’ dining hall in downtown Las Vegas for a gourmet meal Thursday morning, they were greeted by the words of Monsignor Patrick Leary, who started the Feast of Hope nine years ago. “In this dining room, the blessing comes with the meal, not before it,” read the words, which were posted prominently on one of the cafeteria walls.
Commissioners to mull countywide tax to help fund struggling UMC
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Debate over how to fix the bleak financial outlook for University Medical Center — which is projected to lose $87 million next year — has divided the Clark County Commission in recent months.
Still-lagging tax revenues leave county $41 million budget hole
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Clark County is facing a $41 million budget deficit next year but will fill the gap with money from its reserves, avoiding the need for layoffs or program cuts, officials said Wednesday.
Zorro strikes again: Metro pays $105,000 in lawsuit by costumed character
Monday, April 22, 2013
A 2010 confrontation between Metro Police and a costumed Zorro character in front of the Venetian hotel will cost the department $105,000, after it agreed today to settle a lawsuit stemming from the incident.