Brian Eckhouse

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Friendly helpers greet bus passengers: Teenage ambassadors offer tourists and locals advice for the Deuce, sometimes more; Thursday, June 11, 2009; A half-dozen tourists congregate at a bus-ticket-vending machine on the Strip, exasperated.
Declining gas tax revenue means fewer road projects: Tuesday, June 9, 2009; The valley’s highway planning agency says gas tax revenue is dropping so dramatically, it may decide Thursday to opt for only $414 million in highway projects over the next 20 years — not the $1.4 billion it anticipated just 2 1/2 years ago.
Reid, labor secretary discuss $25.6M for state's jobless: Monday, June 8, 2009; The Labor Department formally announced today that Nevada will get $25.6 million in stimulus dollars toward unemployment benefits.
Stimulus flow starting here as a trickle: Nevada slated to get at least $1.5 billion in funds; Monday, June 8, 2009; In the 16 weeks since President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion federal stimulus bill on Feb. 17, not a single jobs-creating project has begun in Clark County, in a state where the unemployment rate is more than a percentage point higher than the national rate. Nevada is expected to get at least $1.5 billion of the grand total, and maybe more, depending on how well the state stacks up against other government agencies when they compete for stimulus money not yet assigned.
With VIP lines, airport catches up to clubs, buffets: Saturday, June 6, 2009; After a long wait, first-class customers are getting additional perks at McCarran International Airport.
Foreclosure help could hinge on who holds the note: Tuesday, June 2, 2009; Homeowners facing foreclosure may have a new friend on their side, if they’re willing to pay for it — a judge. A new state law, signed by Gov. Jim Gibbons, allows homeowner-occupants facing foreclosure to demand a sit-down mediation with lenders, overseen by a retired judge or an attorney.
For now, tolls may be best hope for bypass: Friday, May 29, 2009; For years, legislators and transportation officials have debated building a 13-mile, $500 million highway that would prevent congestion in town once a new, truck-friendly bridge across the Colorado River opens.
Major League Baseball: As not seen on TV: Friday, May 29, 2009; As recently as last winter, hope emerged that Major League Baseball would finally lift its archaic territory maps, which deny Las Vegas fans of three Western teams televised action of most of their games.
Contracts awarded for car- and bike-to-bus facilities: Saturday, May 23, 2009; Two long-discussed projects -- a downtown Las Vegas bus station designed especially for bike riders, and park-and-ride terminals in the northwest -- are closer to reality.
Why I-15 won’t go to two levels behind the Strip: It would cost too much, disrupt McCarran; Tuesday, May 19, 2009; For more than 20 years transportation analysts have suggested double-deck lanes would ease traffic congestion where Interstate 15 slices through Las Vegas’ resort corridor.
I-15 not getting any wider, so other solutions studied: Tuesday, May 19, 2009; Transportation officials just spent 19 months studying how to prepare for a future surge in traffic on Las Vegas Valley’s already congested stretch of Interstate 15.
Settlements adding up in Kitec class action lawsuit: Friday, May 15, 2009; Some plumbing companies that installed pipe fittings that allegedly led to clogged pipes have approved settlements with attorneys representing thousands of Las Vegas Valley homeowners.
Transportation officials rule out options to ease I-15 traffic: Wednesday, May 13, 2009; Interstate 15 along the Strip won’t be a "double-decker" freeway in five years – or maybe ever. A consultant hired by NDOT to consider ways to ease traffic along the I-15 "resort corridor" said at a public meeting Wednesday that such a structure would cut into McCarran’s air space.
Driving to the Strip? Leave extra time for road work: Also, agency prepares to move bus fleet to more spacious quarters in August; Saturday, May 9, 2009; For about 2 1/2 weeks starting late Sunday, installation of new underground power lines to McCarran International Airport may cause big traffic delays along a 1.6-mile stretch of Tropicana Avenue, from near Paradise Road to just east of Interstate 15.
Customers sue KB Home, allege rigged appraisals, inflated prices: Saturday, May 9, 2009; Customers of KB Home are suing the homebuilder, claiming they paid more than their homes were worth because the company artificially inflated appraisals in cahoots with Countrywide Financial and its appraisers.
By choice or order, people forgoing masks in valley: Wednesday, May 6, 2009; Even as swine flu slowly spreads across the Las Vegas Valley, we’ve been spared the unnerving scenes of masses of people wearing masks, as have been televised from Mexico City.
Gasoline, diesel fuel are latest targets of tax talk: Saturday, May 2, 2009; Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford is suggesting an increase in the diesel fuel tax to help close the gap between the money needed for transportation projects and the money available.
Politically active doctor wants to cure more than patients: Thursday, April 30, 2009; In Peekskill, N.Y., Dr. Leonard Kreisler was a general practitioner who answered the office phone himself and visited patients in their homes — the Norman Rockwell sketch of the humble, small-town doctor.
Construction on beltway delayed by low bidder’s lawsuit: Thursday, April 30, 2009; Clark County hoped to begin overhauling a 2.5-mile stretch of the northern Las Vegas Beltway, from near Tenaya Way to just east of Decatur Boulevard, in early June.
A Clark County bus driver who's logged 3 million miles: Wednesday, April 29, 2009; In his more than three decades behind the wheel of a Clark County bus, Waynee Miller has driven the equivalent of 120 1/2 times around the globe.
Plans for high-speed Vegas to Victorville train line unveiled: Tuesday, April 28, 2009; A high-speed rail alternative to the oft-discussed magnetic levitation train to Southern California would be privately funded, create up to 3,000 jobs during construction and prompt the displacement of some desert tortoises, representatives of the Federal Railroad Administration and an environmental consultant told a crowd of about 100 people Tuesday evening.
Appraisers say post-boom market keeping them busy: Friday, April 24, 2009; These are good times for Marsha Scofield, who appraises the value of homes.
Upside down? Consider the costs of your options: Thursday, April 23, 2009; Consider this hypothetical: Three years ago, you bought a house for $400,000, financed with a $320,000 mortgage that costs $2,240 a month. But the home is now appraised for half the purchase price -- so you are upside down -- and the most it could fetch on the rental market is $1,200.
Six questions for Susan Martinovich, NDOT director: Monday, April 20, 2009; Everyone wants more roads and less congestion.
Unions sue hedge funds over money lost by Madoff: Friday, April 17, 2009; Two Las Vegas unions claim to have lost almost $2 million in retirement funds to the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, and have sued the hedge fund in which they had invested that money.
Light-rail bill fails, but sponsor says idea still has life: Tuesday, April 14, 2009; Plans for a system of streetcars gliding on rails across the Las Vegas Valley have faded again. A light-rail bill pitched by state Sen. Mike Schneider died without reaching the Senate floor by a Friday deadline.
Recession is stress-testing owners’ plans for start-ups: Three hope their new eateries are distinctive enough to survive; Sunday, April 12, 2009; Opening a restaurant in this town is a dicey proposition even in the best of times. Adam Gomes, Errol Le Blanc and Rick Pollack have opened their restaurants in the worst of times.
Nevada: The nation’s cremation capital: Cheaper method is big business in Las Vegas and, increasingly, elsewhere as budgets tighten; Friday, April 10, 2009; In 2007 Nevada led the nation in the rate of cremations — accounting for 70 percent of all disposition methods, according to the Cremation Association of North America.
Fashion industry vet not ready to hang it up: He helped Polo escape financial ruin, and now he’s selling suits here, for pocket money; Thursday, April 9, 2009; Harvey Hellman, the dapper gentleman selling suits at Joseph A. Bank in Henderson, didn’t plan a life in retail.
Stimulus bill paves way for road projects: Tuesday, April 7, 2009; The state Transportation Department is moving forward with seven area freeway projects -- four of which would have remained on the back burner without federal stimulus money.
Planning for light rail, despite its high cost: State senator’s bill would encourage cities to start buying up right-of-way; Friday, April 3, 2009; Southern Nevada’s transportation planners, exploring how to improve public transit, opted in 2006 for new rapid bus lines over a far costlier system of street cars gliding on rails.
Prolific job and hobby collector doesn’t know a lazy day: Thursday, April 2, 2009; JC Arens had three professional goals as a child. Fly a plane? Yup, since he was a teenager. Work in law enforcement? Check, as a $1-a-year part-time volunteer deputy for the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department. Be a doctor? No. (Well, not yet.)
New law will keep swimmers high, dry: Communities that can’t comply won’t be able to open pools this summer; Monday, March 30, 2009; Scores of homeowner associations across the Las Vegas Valley have yet to comply with a law requiring that public and community swimming pools and spas be retrofitted with safety devices, and are telling their members not to count on enjoying their pools this summer. Some of the associations say they don’t have the money. With so many foreclosures, their income from homeowners dues has plummeted.
See something you like? A guide for house hunters: Five local homes show that opportunity lies in depth of market’s fall; Sunday, March 29, 2009; These days, buyers are buoyant over the great deals in the valley, and sellers are wondering what happened to the value of their homes. Here’s what your money will buy you this week.
Train-like bus line on track for winter opening: Wednesday, March 25, 2009; As legislators revive discussions of a light-rail line stretching across the Las Vegas Valley, the first phase of a transit system intended as a more affordable substitute is months from operation.
Whether to walk away: Housing’s moral minefield: Sunday, March 22, 2009; It’s the scruples question of the day. Maybe of the year. Should I stay in the home I love, or stick it to the bank? Is your greater responsibility to your family’s financial well being, or keeping your word to the bank? It may be an excruciating decision for good, decent people: Do I make my payments and refuse to join the next wave of foreclosures that will further blight my neighborhood? Or do I violate personal ethics and walk away from a contract that I signed with my eyes wide open?
Local allies in public health: Fish: In stagnant swimming pools of foreclosed homes, they devour disease-carrying mosquitoes before they hatch; Thursday, March 19, 2009; The newest sign of these economic times can be found hanging on back-yard gates throughout the valley: “Fish at work.” It’s public health authorities’ way of alerting neighbors that, yes, the algae-filled swimming pool in the back yard of that foreclosed or abandoned home is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes — but fish are on the case.
Ed O’Bannon: Pushing Camrys suits hoops star: Working in auto sales, O’Bannon comfortable in his Henderson life; Thursday, March 12, 2009; A man prods the athletic, 6-foot-8 fellow at the Cubs-White Sox exhibition game at Cashman Field. “Don’t I know you?” the man says. But the man with the impressive wingspan isn’t playing along yet.
Expect help, not public works monuments: Stimulus will fall short of state road overhaul; Tuesday, March 10, 2009; The Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus package could create or save 34,000 jobs in Nevada and hundreds of thousands more nationwide -- a primary objective to revive the economy.
Phone could be your airline ticket; Pricey flights to Reno: McCarran is out in front in accepting paperless boarding passes; Monday, March 9, 2009; Imagine you’re rushing to catch your flight and you’re not able to print out your boarding pass.
One-woman bureaucracy keeps maglev hopes alive: Despite political hay over it, fast train is far from reality; Tuesday, March 3, 2009; The proposed $12 billion magnetic levitation train connecting Las Vegas to Anaheim, Calf., conjures images of engineers, administrators and environmental experts huddled over room-sized maps and computer modeling.
McCarran’s nerve center will get an upgrade: $8.8 million project will give workers more elbow room; Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009; Visitors to McCarran International Airport might assume that the heart of the operations is found atop the air traffic control tower.
Their stories have evolved, for better and for worse: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009; Last year, as the recession worsened, we introduced you to struggling Nevadans. They were the faces of the growing economic calamity. Here’s an update on their lives.
At the job office: Where the seeking seek the seekers, lots of ups and downs: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009; Anna Caputo is a face of hope for the unemployed. At JobConnect, the state’s employment office, she is an “employment representative.” She’s a matchmaker. People wait a long time to speak to her.
Relief for drivers on U.S. 95, Sunset on schedule: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009; U.S. 95 zigzags a bit near Sunset Road, but the turns are a temporary headache as the state transportation department builds a new interchange at Galleria Drive.
Housing aid Bush stopped may return: U.S. House bill would allow down-payment assistance programs; Monday, Feb. 16, 2009; Boosters of down-payment assistance programs that had benefited poorer homebuyers before they were abolished by the Bush administration are lobbying for their revival, saying they could help rejuvenate the distressed housing market. Since 1997, the programs have produced more than $2.36 billion in home sales in Clark County to buyers whose incomes averaged less than $60,000.
This is, after all, the West: Trying to fit in, a newcomer goes shopping for cowboy boots and, perhaps, a whole new persona; Friday, Feb. 13, 2009; Las Vegas is not a cow town. It’s a valley of rhinestones and neon. At Boot Barn, I would look for my inner cowboy. Or at least find a pair of boots to get me on the right trail.
Billy Joel: Everyman or nobody?: After the announcement that Billy Joel would play Vegas on Valentine’s Day, debate raged in the Sun newsroom over the merits — and demerits — of the piano man.; Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009; Brian Eckhouse loves Joel; Michael Mishak, he’s a Springsteen man.
New lot eases airport parking crush: Monday, Feb. 9, 2009; Much of the parking crush at McCarran International Airport has subsided — and not necessarily because airlines, particularly US Airways, have cut flights here.
D is for delays on McCarran’s D concourse trams: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009; If you’re flying American, Delta or Continental airlines, you’re now advised to arrive at McCarran International Airport at least 30 minutes earlier than usual.