Conor Shine

Story Archive

Funding cut jeopardizes future of Las Vegas anti-terrorism center
Monday, April 22, 2013
Las Vegas area officials are pushing the federal government to reconsider a decision that could cost Clark County $1.8 million in Homeland Security funding, effectively shuttering the region’s counter-terrorism center.
Las Vegas flips the switch on 15,000 solar panels
Thursday, April 18, 2013
With the flip of a switch, Las Vegas city officials today celebrated the powering up of 15,000 new solar panels that will provide energy to a nearby wastewater treatment plant.
Former county fire chief named interim head of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Las Vegas fire department is getting its third leader in less than three months while the city searches for a permanent fire chief.
County commissioners skeptical about allowing short-term home rentals
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
A proposal by Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins to reconsider the county’s ban on short-term home rentals in favor of a system that allows and regulates “vacation rentals” was met with skepticism by fellow commissioners Wednesday.
Tyrone Thompson appointed to fill vacant Assembly seat
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Clark County Commissioners have chosen Odis “Tyrone” Thompson to replace Steven Brooks as the assemblyman for District 17 in North Las Vegas. Thompson, who works on homeless initiatives for the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, was chosen over six other candidates by commissioners in a unanimous vote at their Tuesday meeting.
Commissioners OK $489 million budget for Metro Police
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Despite warnings of fewer police officers patrolling the streets, Clark County commissioners refused to support a $502 million budget request brought to them Tuesday by Sheriff Doug Gillespie.
Proposed change targets mandatory aspect of Percent for Arts program
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Las Vegas could do away with its dedicated funding for the arts under a bill that will be introduced Wednesday at the City Council’s meeting. Council members also will vote on downtown redevelopment grants and revive a discussion on drones when they meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall.
Boulder City Police chief says his firing was retaliatory
Monday, April 15, 2013
Boulder City Police Chief Thomas Finn alleged his firing Monday was an act of retaliation by the city’s management and council. In a statement, Finn said he was given the opportunity to resign by City Manager David Fraser on Monday morning after returning to work from medical leave.
Commissioners to wrestle with assemblyman's replacement, Metro budget request
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Assembly District 17 could finally have a new representative to replace the expelled Steven Brooks after Clark County commissioners consider nine candidates at their meeting at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday.
State lawmakers take pass on proposed leadership changes at UMC
Bill would have created independent board to oversee University Medical Center
Saturday, April 13, 2013
A split between Clark County commissioners contributed to the demise of proposed legislation Friday that some argued was critical to the long-term sustainability of UMC.
One candidate in, one out for Assembly seat vacated by Brooks
Friday, April 12, 2013
The slate of candidates up for consideration to replace Steven Brooks in Assembly District 17 is changing, with one applicant added to the list and another dropping off.
Union leaders balk at NLV's budget-cutting plans
City overinflating fiscal problems, labor leaders contend
Friday, April 12, 2013
North Las Vegas officials laid out a stark reality during a budget meeting earlier this week: With the city facing an $18 million deficit next year, more concessions from employee unions will be needed.
Commissioners testify against bill to reshape UMC governance
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Testimony over a Clark County-backed bill that would allow changes to University Medical Center’s management drew opposition from three commissioners Wednesday, exposing rifts among county leadership on the future of the hospital.
County to select Brooks' replacement from field of nine applicants
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Clark County commissioners will have nine candidates to consider next week when they’re expected to appoint a replacement for expelled Assemblyman Steven Brooks.
Unions, cities spar over bill to change oversight of fire chiefs
Monday, April 8, 2013
The ongoing battle between firefighter unions and local governments took the stage in Carson City on Monday, as the two sides sparred over a bill that North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck said could have “disastrous” results.
Maintaining a city is a costly, never-ending endeavor
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Keeping the roads, sewers, storm drains and parks in Las Vegas in working order costs the city tens of millions of dollars each year. But shrinking revenues have led to a $16 million shortfall in the maintenance budget that threatens to grow worse with time, meaning needed repairs aren’t made as soon as they should be, according to a report presented Wednesday to the Las Vegas City Council.
Budget-strapped Las Vegas hunts for ways to boost revenues
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
With Las Vegas facing another year in the red, the city council started a discussion Wednesday on ways to increase revenues to help balance the budget.
Las Vegas infrastructure, budget outlook take stage for city council
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Las Vegas City Council members will need to bring their calculators with them Wednesday for two in-depth discussions of the city’s financial future.
County commissioners vote to give themselves 10 percent pay raise
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Despite continued demands on the county budget, Clark County commissioners approved a 10 percent raise for themselves at their Tuesday meeting. The raise, which is optional for commissioners, would increase their salaries to $80,008.
No replacement for Brooks in Assembly for at least 2 weeks
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
It will be at least two weeks before a replacement for ousted Assemblyman Steven Brooks is chosen, after Clark County commissioners declined to make an appointment at their Tuesday meeting.
County moves fire inspectors into Building Department
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Over the objections of fire inspectors and several commissioners, the Clark County Commission voted Tuesday to merge the Fire Prevention Bureau into the Building Department. It has been under the Clark County Fire Department.
Primary Election Day arrives for candidates in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas
Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Several races for municipal office could be settled today when voters in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson take to the polls to cast a primary ballot.
Metro budget, Brooks' replacement, fairgrounds on the Strip on county's radar
Monday, April 1, 2013
Clark County’s new budget must be finalized in the coming months, leaving commissioners with some tough decisions about what to fund in the fiscal year that begins in July. At their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, they’ll discuss what to do about Metro Police’s budget, which faces a $46 million deficit in fiscal 2014.
Man arrested in parents' deaths says argument led to shootings
Monday, April 1, 2013
A Las Vegas man accused of shooting his parents to death last week told police an argument and subsequent struggle over a gun led to the killings, according to a report released Monday.
Three challengers seek to unseat NLV Mayor Shari Buck
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Mayor Shari Buck stood at the helm as the City Council was forced to make tough cuts to staff and services, all with a potential state takeover of the city government looming.
Flush with campaign cash, Henderson’s Hafen seeks second term as mayor
Sunday, March 31, 2013
When Andy Hafen first ran for Henderson City Council in 1987, he and his family hand painted campaign signs and printed mailers on plain sheets of paper. He won, and he’s been on the City Council ever since. Now facing his eighth election, the incumbent mayor’s campaign operations have grown significantly in size and sophistication.
Dozens rally, saying now is the time for immigration reform
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Supporters gathered Saturday at the downtown offices of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada to rally support for immigration reform, which is expected to be a hot topic of national debate in the coming months.
18-year-old accused of DUI after rear-end crash on interstate kills 5
Saturday, March 30, 2013
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a car he was driving struck another vehicle on southbound Interstate 15 near Mesquite early Saturday morning, causing a rollover crash that killed five people, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
No bodies found at first Key Largo site targeted by cadaver dogs
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Cadaver dogs alerted firefighters working to clean up debris from Thursday’s Key Largo casino fire to possible bodies. No bodies were found at the first location.
After fire, county orders owner to raze vacant Key Largo casino
Friday, March 29, 2013
Clark County has ordered the vacant Key Largo casino near the Las Vegas Strip, which was gutted Thursday by a fire, be demolished by the end of April.
County, despite commissioner's entreaty, won't rush to name Brooks' replacement
Thursday, March 28, 2013
With the legislative session nearing its midway point, Clark County commissioners won’t have the luxury of time when considering a replacement for ousted Assemblyman Steven Brooks. Commissioners have a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, but there currently is no item on the agenda to appoint a replacement for Brooks, who was expelled Thursday from the Assembly.
Candidates for local office answer questions in advance of Tuesday's primary elections
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Candidates for municipal office in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson share their views on the biggest issues facing their cities.
How to curb taxi long-hauling? A flat rate to Strip might do trick
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The illegal long-hauling of taxi passengers could be a thing of the past under a new bill that would create a flat-rate fare system for all trips between McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip. Assembly Bill 329 would give the Nevada Taxicab Authority the power to create zones in Las Vegas in which taxi rides between specific locations would cost the same amount, regardless of the distance traveled or amount of time it takes to get there.
Top 10 parking scofflaws in Las Vegas face thousands of dollars in fines
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
If you’re out of quarters and can’t pay the meter or if it expires before you get back, you could face a $20 parking ticket from the city of Las Vegas. The default amount may seem small, but it can quickly escalate to more than three times the original fine.
No free parking: Las Vegas' most-ticketed lots
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The presence of new meters that accept credit card payment is expected to alleviate parking frustrations in the city’s busy core, especially near areas like the Regional Justice Center, where five of the top six most-ticketed spots in Las Vegas can be found.
Expert: We can't keep taking clean water for granted
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Water expert Kellogg Schwab says a global effort is needed to share existing water resources and protect them for future generations. Schwab visited Las Vegas for World Water Day and Cirque du Soleil's "One Night for One Drop" event to raise awareness.
County commissioners see real need for ability to raise gas tax
Friday, March 22, 2013
Legislators heard the reasons Thursday why they should give Clark County the authority to raise gas taxes. But the question remains as to whether the Clark County Commission would actually use that authority to apply an “index tax."
Loading or unloading an RV? Now you'll have longer to do so while parked on Las Vegas streets
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Las Vegas residents wanting to hit the road or returning from a trip in their recreational vehicles will have more time to load and unload under a new ordinance approved by the city council Wednesday.
CSN to begin offering classes, training at Las Vegas City Hall
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The College of Southern Nevada will set up an office at Las Vegas City Hall to provide training to city employees and other residents after the city council approved a lease agreement Wednesday.
Firefighter recruits won't graduate amid suspected cheating
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A group of 14 Las Vegas Fire & Rescue academy members were kept from graduating after officials discovered suspected cheating on one of the class exams.
Commissioners put themselves in line for $6,000 bump in salary
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Clark County commissioners will have the option of taking a raise on their $72,488 salary in the coming months after a decision at their Tuesday meeting.
County residents' sewer bills to drop starting in July
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Residents in unincorporated Clark County will save money on their sewer bills starting in July after the Clark County Commission approved a rate cut on Tuesday.
It's unanimous: County commissioners vote to abolish Constable's Office
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Barring a legal decision to the contrary, the Las Vegas Township Constable’s Office will be abolished in 2015. The Clark County Commission voted unanimously to abolish the office, effective when the term of the current elected constable, John Bonaventura.
Public works projects, downtown development on tap for Las Vegas council discussion
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Running a city isn’t cheap, and on Wednesday the Las Vegas City Council will get a look at the long-term costs of maintaining its infrastructure. The council will also discuss downtown development when it meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Constable's missteps, county commission's aggravation come to a head
Decision on whether to abolish constable's office expected today
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
For years, employees of the Las Vegas Township Constable’s Office kept a low profile as they went about their work serving court documents and evictions. That changed after late 2010 when John Bonaventura was elected constable.
Court rejects constable's request; county commission hearing to abolish office can go forward
Monday, March 18, 2013
A Clark County district judge says county commissioners can move forward with their discussion about whether to abolish the Las Vegas Township Constable’s Office.
Constable, commissioner pay and drones on tap for discussion at County Commission
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The ongoing feud between Clark County commissioners and Las Vegas Township Constable John Bonaventura will come to a head Tuesday when the board will discuss abolishing his office.
County commissioners to consider raising their $72,488 annual salaries
Thursday, March 14, 2013
After several years that included salary freezes and a pay cuts, Clark County commissioners next week could put themselves in line for a raise. The commission will discuss setting a new salary schedule for the board at its Tuesday meeting.
Wind farm near Searchlight gets OK, could power 70,000 homes
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A major renewable energy project for 87 wind turbines on federal land near Searchlight received government approval Wednesday. The wind farm would cover about 160 acres of a 19,000 acre piece of Bureau of Land Management property west of Searchlight.
Early voting for municipal election primaries begins this week
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
With primaries for municipal elections only a few weeks away, early voting starts this week for city council and mayoral races in North Las Vegas, Henderson and Las Vegas.