Conor Shine

Story Archive

Discussion of downtown curfew continues on fast track
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013
Fremont Street could become a bit less crowded if the Las Vegas City Council approves a new curfew Wednesday barring unaccompanied teens younger than 18 from the area on weekend nights.
Sheriff 'duplicitous' in making his case for 'More Cops,' commissioner says
Monday, Sept. 16, 2013
Selective accounting by Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie has led to a discrepancy that one county commissioner says undermines Gillespie's pitch for an increase in the sales tax to hire more police officers.
Fate of 'More Cops' lies in balance as issue returns to commission
Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013
Clark County commissioners will set the stage for two weeks of intense lobbying and debate with the introduction of two competing proposals to increase the sales tax to pay for more police officers.
'It's dire': Without donations, Salvation Army could run out of food in days
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013
An inexplicable surge in the number of families seeking aid from the Salvation Army’s downtown food pantry has left the cupboards so bare the organization could be out of food within days.
First fire, now floods: Mount Charleston's forgettable summer
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
Normally, Becky Grismanauskas didn't worry about rain. When she and her husband built their home on Mount Charleston, they asked county officials to make sure their property wasn’t at risk of flooding.
Man wounded, cars hit by gunfire in northeast valley
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013
Metro Police are investigating a shooting today in the northeast valley in which one man was wounded and several vehicles parked on the street were riddled with bullets.
Candidate for sheriff says Metro in need of culture change
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013
Former Assistant Sheriff Ted Moody announced today that he will run for Clark County sheriff in next year's election.
Crucial time in fight against Yucca, Las Vegas officials are told
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
With court appeals, a bill in the U.S. Senate and the possible resumption of licensing hearings all in play, the next three months will prove critical in determining the future of Yucca Mountain as a repository for the nation’s high-level nuclear waste.
North Las Vegas blocks controversial plan to refinance mortgages
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
The North Las Vegas City Council has rejected a controversial proposal to use eminent domain to help refinance underwater mortgages and instead will wait for the state to weigh in on the legality of the plan.
Recent heavy flooding in northwest valley hastens work on new water channel
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
Several storms during an unusually wet monsoon season have caused severe flooding in the northwest valley, prompting Las Vegas city officials to fast-track a flood control project.
FAQs about MRP: North Las Vegas to vote on controversial mortgage-refinancing program
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
Backers of a controversial proposal that would allow eminent domain to be used to help refinance underwater home mortgages scored a small victory in June when the North Las Vegas City Council voted to allow the company behind the plan, Mortgage Resolution Partners, to begin surveying the local housing market. But much has changed in the intervening months since the council expressed its tentative approval, meaning MRP could face a tough sell when it reports back to the council during its Wednesday night meeting.
County fuel tax increase wins overwhelming approval
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013
The levy drivers pay on a gallon of gasoline is going up after Clark County commissioners approved a fuel tax increase at their Tuesday meeting.
For now, valley’s ‘water cops’ focused on education, not enforcement
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013
It’s 2 p.m. on a hot August afternoon and the sprinklers at a home in the Rancho Sereno neighborhood near West Oakey Boulevard and South Rancho Drive are on at full blast.
Should fuel tax increase win approval, RTC ready to go with dozens of projects
Monday, Sept. 2, 2013
If the Clark County Commission approves an increase in the fuel tax this week, it won’t be long before construction crews are put to work on dozens of new road projects, the Regional Transportation Commission says.
Recent history shows fuel tax increase anything but a done deal
Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013
Clark County commissioners will take up their second proposed tax increase in as many months Tuesday when they discuss whether to raise the levy on fuel.
Henderson corrections officer racks up 1,438 hours of OT in 2012
Friday, Aug. 30, 2013
For Henderson Detention Center guards willing to put in the hours, 2012 proved to be a lucrative year. And no one knew that better than corrections officer Michael Ramseyer.
Overtime among public employees not limited to public safety personnel
Friday, Aug. 30, 2013
Extra shifts for police, firefighters and other public employees added up to cost local governments in Southern Nevada about $60 million in overtime pay in 2012.
Las Vegas among first major cities to win control of own Internet domain
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013
Las Vegas is carving out a piece of Internet real estate for itself after the city secured the rights to the .vegas domain address, the city announced Tuesday.
Foamy substance that bubbled out of drains poses no health risk, officials say
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013
A foamy white substance bubbling up out of storm drains in the northwest valley for the past two days is the result of fire retardant used to battle the fire on Mount Charleston last month that was washed into the valley as a result of this weekend’s rain, local officials said Tuesday.
Feel like Las Vegas drivers are unsafe? Allstate agrees
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013
Drivers in Las Vegas are 15 percent more likely to be in an automobile accident than the national average, making it one of the least safe driving cities in the country.
Plane suffers 'hard landing' near Creech AFB; no one injured
Monday, Aug. 26, 2013
Federal officials are working to secure the site where a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft crashed during a hard landing near Creech Air Force Base Monday afternoon.
12-year-old boy on bicycle hit by bus on first day of school
Monday, Aug. 26, 2013
A 12-year-old boy has been taken to University Medical Center with nonlife-threatening injuries after he was struck by a Clark County School District bus while riding his bicycle this afternoon, North Las Vegas Police said.
Northwest valley homeowner shoots intruder
Monday, Aug. 26, 2013
Metro Police are investigating an incident in the northwest valley where a homeowner shot a possible burglar Monday afternoon.
Fuel tax increase would spur economic development in valley, advocates contend
Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013
Orange cones and construction zones are a constant companion for the drivers who hit the valley’s roads each day. But with funding for roadwork dwindling, local officials warn there could be a significant drop in construction in coming years.
County to explore purchasing Metro headquarters, estimating a $150 million savings
Friday, Aug. 23, 2013
Clark County officials may have to break open the piggy bank to finance the $167.4 million acquisition of Metro Police’s headquarters, a move they say could save millions of dollars in lease costs long term.
For $10 million, you could own an abandoned downtown courthouse
Though appraisal finds more worth in razing old building, county sees potential for bidders
Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013
The half-century-old Clark County courthouse located in downtown Las Vegas, a seven-story house of justice that has been abandoned for eight years, is the definition of a fixer-upper. The courthouse is in such poor shape that a recent appraisal said the land was more valuable without the building.
LV council sees red flag in adding new liquor stores downtown, tables decision
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013
Las Vegas is taking a step back and looking at its current laws for bars, restaurants and liquor stores downtown, leading the city council to delay four liquor-related permits scheduled for discussion at its meeting today.
(No) Sex in the City (Hall): Council approves reality TV show, with stipulations
Production OK'd despite concerns studio will 'sex this up'
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013
The inner workings of Las Vegas City Hall could be making their way to a television near you after the city council approved an agreement today allowing production to start on a new reality television program.
Hearing delayed for controversial NLV home refinancing program
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013
A hearing tonight before the North Las Vegas City Council on a controversial proposal to use eminent domain to refinance underwater home mortgages has been postponed, according to a memo from Mayor John Lee.
County Commission says no to horse-roping event
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013
The World Series Charreria event scheduled for the South Point in late September has been effectively canceled after Clark County commissioners decided Tuesday not to suspend a county ordinance forbidding horse roping, a key part of the traditional Mexican rodeo.
Council to decide fate of liquor stores, whether it wants its own reality TV show
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013
Alcohol-related issues at the Fremont Street Experience and the East Fremont District downtown have reached a boiling over point in recent months, and on Wednesday, the Las Vegas City Council will weigh in when they consider three applications for new liquor stores in the area. The council also will discuss allowing film crews to document city staff for a potential reality television show when they hold their regular meeting Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at city hall.
County commissioners to revisit issue of horse roping
Monday, Aug. 19, 2013
Two weeks after commissioners voted down changes to a Clark County ordinance governing horse roping at rodeos, the issue remains undecided and a new pair of competing proposals will be up for consideration.
A community lounge for teens is unveiled in style
Monday, Aug. 19, 2013
For a few hours Monday afternoon, the former cafeteria overlooking the gymnasium at the Lied Memorial Boys and Girls Club in the central valley was turned into the hottest party spot not on the Strip.
Police: Man accused of stealing truck, killing officer had no recollection of incident
Monday, Aug. 19, 2013
Surveillance video and eyewitnesses have helped police piece together the series of events Sunday that started with a carjacking at the Flamingo casino valet and ended with a multivehicle accident that left a California Highway Patrol officer dead and another man seriously injured.
Coroner says 2 people found in desert died in homicide-suicide
Monday, Aug. 19, 2013
Two people whose bodies were found in the desert in the northeast valley Friday night died in a homicide-suicide, the Clark County Coroner’s Office reported.
Threat of storms in Las Vegas remains through tonight
Monday, Aug. 19, 2013
The Las Vegas Valley escaped more rain today, despite a forecast for more storms this afternoon. The National Weather Service had predicted that storms would develop about noon or 1 p.m. today, but no storms had appeared as of 3:30 p.m., said Ryan Metzger, a meteorologist in the Las Vegas office.
Five public health systems in other cities serve as model for UMC
Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013
While Clark County commissioners spent the past decade studying, debating and then studying some more about what to do with University Medical Center, public hospitals around the country have been making changes to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.
One of the major changes undertaken in cities like Atlanta, Minneapolis and Denver was to get government out of the hospital and give oversight responsibilities to an independent board of experts.
County confident UMC’s future firmly rooted in once-discarded 2003 report
Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013
In July 2003, healthcare expert Larry Gage stood before the Clark County Commission to present a report about the challenges University Medical Center faced as a public safety-net hospital and how a change in governance could help the ailing operation find firmer financial footing.
More water being choked off from drought-stricken Lake Mead
Friday, Aug. 16, 2013
Water levels at Lake Mead are expected to drop up to 25 feet over the next year after federal officials announced Friday a record-low annual release of water from an upstream reservoir.
Valley's regional parks offer grand experiences
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013
Dozens upon dozens of parks dot the Las Vegas Valley, providing small green oases in an otherwise-barren desert landscape. Most of these are smaller neighborhood parks on the scale of five to 10 acres, offering a convenient place to let the kids out to play or to walk the dogs after work. But for residents seeking a grander experience, a handful of supersized regional parks offer huge green expanses, lots of places to play and even a few lakes to help while away the dog days of summer.
Postrecession era presents a whole new ballgame for parks funding
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013
During the height of economic boom, local governments went on a park-building frenzy. But in a radically different environment, the main source of funding used to develop valley park systems has been decimated.
Sheriff ‘livid’ over reports of Guns N Roses helicopter ride
Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013
With a proposed sales tax hike to hire more Metro Police officers stalled, the revelation over the weekend that a police helicopter may have been used as part of an elaborate marriage proposal by a Guns N Roses guitarist “couldn’t have come at a worse time,” two Clark County commissioners said.
What's your economic vision for Las Vegas? Grant offers $800K no-strings-attached prize
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013
Las Vegas accepted a $1 million federal grant Wednesday to conduct a competition to develop long-term economic plans for the city. But the ultimate winner of this no-strings-attached award can spend the money any way it wants, even on a sports car or trip to the Bahamas.
Hold everything: Commission postpones vote on sales tax increase for Metro Police
Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013
After months of discussion and debate, Clark County commissioners will wait a bit longer before making their final decision on a proposed sales tax increase to pay for more Metro Police officers.
Container Park alcohol, grants for businesses on LV council agenda
Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013
The debate about the abundant availability of alcohol downtown and along Fremont Street will continue Wednesday when the Las Vegas City Council considers creating a licensing category for the under-construction Container Park. The city will also accept a $1 million federal grant and dole out some grant dollars of its own to help local businesses when it holds its regular meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St.
Sales tax hike would help blunt cuts in Metro Police staffing
Monday, Aug. 5, 2013
Over the past three years, the number of commissioned officers at Metro has dropped by 426. The decrease in staffing has been mirrored by a rise in crime, which is up 9 percent compared with last year.
County to vote on sales tax Tuesday
Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013
After nine months of public debate, behind-the-scenes lobbying and one special session of the Legislature, Clark County residents will learn Tuesday whether the sales tax they pay will be going up later this year.
Hit-and-run crash near Las Vegas Strip kills motorcyclist
Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013
A motorcyclist is dead after he was struck by a car in a hit-and-run crash near the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday evening.
Two-year veteran of health district chosen to lead organization
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Dr. Thomas Coleman has been selected for the top job at the Southern Nevada Health District.
Planning Commission decisions leave liquor retailer question unresolved: How much is too much?
Monday, July 29, 2013
When Martin Dupalo drives through his neighborhood near Charleston and Nellis boulevards, he takes mental notes of damage to light poles, mailboxes and block walls, scars left by drunken drivers. Often, Dupalo will return later with a camera to document the scenes. He and other residents have awakened recently to find cars parked on the street sideswiped overnight. Two weeks ago, a three-car accident at 3 a.m. spilled onto the lawn of a church in the area.