Other top stories

Friday, Dec. 27, 2002 | 12:07 p.m.

Other top stories in 2002:

Timmy "T.J." Weber -- Faces the death penalty in brutal double slaying of his girlfriend and her son and the assault of his girlfriend's daughter. A seven-time felon, he eluded police for 24 days, at one point by going through the valley's flood control system.

Marijuana/gay marriage at the polls -- Voters rejected an initiative to legalize three ounces of marijuana and approved a constitutional amendment that would prohibit gay marriage.

University Medical Center funding -- The county bailed out the public hospital to the tune of $38 million.

Homeland security and vaccinations -- Watch what you pack and watch out for smallpox; homeland defense was ramped up with a plan to vaccinate emergency workers and further tighten security at McCarran International Airport.

Downtown redevelopment -- It's still the city's dream and the dream of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, but it still has a ways to go. Neonopolis opened with a parking garage supported by city funds and tourism officials approved $7 million to upgrade the lights at the Fremont Street Experience. Meanwhile, the city is still trying to find tenants for a 61-acre parcel of land downtown.

Drought continues -- We're still in a drought and water wasters face fines; officials urge conservation and the state's allotment of Colorado River water is in jeopardy due to California's usage.

Political ethical concerns -- County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera was under public scrutiny for a public relations contract with the city Housing Authority, Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack was acquitted by a municipal court judge of conflict of interest charges and the city scrapped its ethics laws, saying they duplicated state law.