Cy Ryan

Carson City Bureau Chief

Contact Cy via e-mail

Call Cy at 775-687-5032.

Story Archive

Court denies request of man held at Imperial Palace: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has denied a petition for a re-hearing in a case in which a professional gambler is suing the Imperial Palace for detaining him without evidence of criminal activity.
Court overturns death penalty in cab driver's shooting: High court upholds two other death penalty cases; Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence for Frederick L. Paine, convicted of the fatal shooting of a cab driver during a robbery in Las Vegas in 1990.
Nevada's jobless rate second in nation after Michigan: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009; For the second consecutive month, Nevada placed second in the nation for its unemployment rate, trailing only Michigan. The U.S. Department of Labor said today Nevada’s rate of 13.3 percent was second to Michigan’s 15.3 percent. The state reported Tuesday there were 190,700 workers who were jobless in September. And the 13.3 percent is a record for the state. The labor department said the national rate was 9.8 percent. Rhode Island posted a 13 percent jobless rate and California reported a 12.2 percent unemployment rate.
'Vision' committee targeting quality of life in Nevada: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009; CARSON CITY – The 2009 Legislature authorized a so-called “vision” committee to chart a course to improve Nevada’s quality of life in such areas as health, education, commerce and public safety in the next 20 years.
County's jobless rate increases to record 13.9 percent: 190,700 people are out of work statewide; Monday, Oct. 19, 2009; CARSON CITY – Unemployment in Clark County shot up one-half of 1 percent to another record of 13.9 percent with 141,000 workers jobless in September. The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported the 13.9 percent compares with 7.4 percent in the same month a year ago. But while the unemployment rate increased markedly in Clark County, the state rate rose only one-tenth of a percent to 13.3 percent with 190,700 people out of work.
Prisons chief claims abuse of sick leave: He says more guards call in on holiday weekends, leaving staffs short; Friday, Oct. 16, 2009; The head of the state prison system is accusing correctional officers of abusing their sick leave, further complicating staffing problems at Nevada’s lockups.
Four named finalists for study on Nevada tax structure: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009; CARSON CITY – Moody’s Analytics, a nationally recognized financial company, is the top choice of a group of Nevada legislators for a study on the possible changing of the Nevada tax structure.
Housing market will get a boost from state: Money to cover about 850 loans available for first-time buyers; Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009; The state Housing Division is moving forward with plans to loan $125 million to first-time, lower-income home buyers in Nevada. Agency officials estimate the money, which will be raised through the sale of state bonds, will finance the purchase of about 850 homes.
State board OKs $500,000 for tax study, Gibbons dissents: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009; CARSON CITY – The state Board of Examiners, in a 2-1 vote with Chairman Gov. Jim Gibbons dissenting, recommended $500,000 be set aside to hire a consultant to help with a legislative study of Nevada’s tax system and if it should be changed.
Gibbons says he wouldn't appoint himself if Ensign resigns: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009; CARSON CITY – Were Sen. John Ensign to resign, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday he wouldn't appoint himself to the U.S. Senate seat.
Gibbons promotes energy director to new position: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009; Gov. Jim Gibbons has promoted his director of the Office of Energy to a newly created job overseeing the state's renewable energy efforts, according to sources in the governor's office.
Gibbons names Vegas lawyer to athletic commission: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009; CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons has named Las Vegas lawyer Francisco Aguilar to the Nevada Athletic Commission to succeed John Bailey on the body that regulates boxing.
Medical board's director resigns after controversy: Friday, Oct. 9, 2009; CARSON CITY – Louis Ling, executive director of the state Board of Medical Examiners, has resigned after being involved in a controversy over the use of medical assistants giving flu shots.
Nurse who reported misconduct reinstated at hospital: Friday, Oct. 9, 2009; CARSON CITY – A hearing officer has ruled that psychiatric nurse Elisa McCall was dismissed from her job at the state’s Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas because she reported the misconduct of another nurse that endangered the patients.
Court rules in condominium videotaping case: Friday, Oct. 9, 2009; CARSON CITY – Monica Moffatt and her two daughters gained a writ from the district court in Las Vegas in their suit against their neighbors for pointing a high camera into their back yard and videotaping the Moffatt family in their condominium for several years.
Court: Parolees can face lie detector tests: Friday, Oct. 9, 2009; The Nevada Supreme Court has held the Nevada State Board of Parole Commissioners and its officers may conduct lie detector tests on inmates who have been freed on parole.
Court: Teacher's contact with student 'unreasonable': Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that physical contact between a teacher and a Clark County School District student “was excessive and unreasonable.”
Strip gaming win drops 9 percent in August: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009; CARSON CITY – Gambling winnings at the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip plummeted 9 percent in August, the 20th straight month of a decline. The 40 casinos along the Strip won $449.5 million before taxes and business expenses.
Medical board member exits over leaked memo: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009; Gov. Jim Gibbons has agreed that a member of the Medical Examiners Board should resign for leaking an internal board memo to the Las Vegas Sun.
Southwest Gas Corp. wants slight decrease in rates: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; CARSON CITY – Southwest Gas Corp. wants to lower its general rates in Southern Nevada by $1.5 million, which would translate into a decrease of pennies a month for homeowners’ bills.
Supreme Court rejects killer's appeal: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of Las Vegas killer Jack D. Getz, who says he withheld testimony during his 2000 trial because of threats to his family’s safety.
UNLV professor submits low bid for Nevada tax study: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; CARSON CITY – An economics professor at UNLV has submitted a low bid of $32,200 to be the consultant to a legislative committee studying ways to guide Nevada away from its boom and bust cycle of taxation.
Gibbons sides with medical board over leaked memo: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons has joined the hierarchy of the state Board of Medical Examiners in seeking the resignation of board member Jean Stoess for giving an internal memo to the Las Vegas Sun.
Council urges no change in business jobless tax: State economist says Nevada's jobless rate could hit 14.4 percent next year; Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009; CARSON CITY – Ignoring a suggestion from Gov. Jim Gibbons, a state advisory council has recommend the state's business unemployment tax remain the same in 2010 for nearly 60,000 businesses in light of the depressed economy.
Medical board member asked to resign after contact with media: Monday, Oct. 5, 2009; CARSON CITY – Jean Stoess, a member of the state Board of Medical Examiners, has quit at the request of its president and executive director for talking to the press. She is appointed by the governor and has more than two years left in her term.
Court: Casinos, bars aren't responsible after drunken patrons leave: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; CARSON CITY – A tavern or casino owner who evicts a rowdy drunk customer does not have a duty to prevent a later injury, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled. It rejected the appeal of a 17-year-old who was drinking with his two step uncles at Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino.
Gibbons names new PUC chairman: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons has elevated Sam Thompson of Las Vegas to be chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission, which regulates electric, natural gas and telephone companies and other utilities.
Gibbons suggests $70 million tax break for businesses: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; CARSON CITY – At a time when the state’s trust fund to pay benefits to the jobless is broke, Gov. Jim Gibbons is suggesting a $70 million tax break to employers whose premiums support the program.
Court upholds conviction of one killer, guilty plea of another: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the second-degree murder conviction of Raven Navajo, who was found guilty of killing a cocktail waitress after a night of drinking in Las Vegas.
Court: Student can't sue over teacher's alleged hitting: Nevada Supreme Court says part of suit can still move forward; Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled a federal law exempts the Clark County School District and one of its teachers from a suit filed by a student who claims he was hit after acting up.
State to add auditors to ensure insurers pay their taxes: Companies’ tax returns may have been millions off; Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; The state might have lost $93 million to $163 million in tax revenue over the past seven years by not checking the accuracy of insurance companies’ tax returns, according to a state audit.
Nevada Supreme Court rules in cases involving killers: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that Las Vegas killer Gregory A. Budd should have the opportunity to prove his lawyer was ineffective during the trial that led to his conviction on three counts of murder.
Judge grants request of Station Casinos creditors to probe 2007 deal: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009; RENO – A federal bankruptcy judge has granted a request by creditors of Station Casinos Inc., allowing them to hire a private attorney to look into possible fraud or wrongful procedures in the deal that took the company private in 2007.
Secretary of state to take over business license role: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009; CARSON CITY – Secretary of State Ross Miller is reminding companies his office will take over the issuance of state business licenses Oct. 1 and the annual fee will go from $100 to $200.
Court reverses Sandoval's decision in mining pollution case: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009; CARSON CITY – A federal appeals court has reversed a decision by former U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval, who ruled in favor of a Nevada mining company being sued for polluting.
Prisons chief to make pitch for no guard furloughs: Citing danger, he wants COs to stay exempt; Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009; Prisons Director Howard Skolnik will repeat his plea this week that the state’s 1,600 to 1,700 corrections officers be exempted from monthly furloughs.
Killer loses appeal, court upholds child porn conviction: Friday, Sept. 25, 2009; CARSON CITY – Death row inmate Rodney Emil has lost another appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court but this case involved a Las Vegas killing for which he was sentenced to two life terms in prison without the possibility of parole.
Court overturns $213,990 judgment in favor of law firm: Friday, Sept. 25, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has overturned a $213,990 judgment won by a Las Vegas law firm that represented a mining company in a personal injury suit.
New batch — not the last — of laws to take effect: Make sure your restrained dog’s chain is long enough; Friday, Sept. 25, 2009; More than 160 new laws passed by the 2009 Legislature will take effect Thursday.
Court rules on killer's appeal, teacher lewdness, UNLV police cases: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of Las Vegas killer Demarlo A. Berry and upheld the conviction of Henderson School Teacher Mark Zana for gross lewdness with students.
Court: Smoking ban constitutional, minus criminal sanctions: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that a voter-approved ban on smoking in such places as schools and indoor places of employment was constitutional. But the court held that the criminal sanctions could not be imposed.
Taxable sales continue to slide, down 20.6 percent: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009; CARSON CITY – For the 11th straight month, taxable sales in Clark County have plummeted, down 20.6 percent in July to $2.2 billion. The only bright spot was in the bar and restaurant business, which ended a 20-month slump, rising 2.7 percent in Southern Nevada.
Horsford asks Gibbons to remove doctor from medical board: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009; CARSON CITY – Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford wants Dr. Benjamin Rodriguez of Las Vegas off the state Board of Medical Examiners on grounds he has been permitting a medical assistant to give improper injections for years.
Utilities commission rejects proposed NV Energy rate hike: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009; CARSON CITY – The Public Utilities Commission has nixed an application by NV Energy to boost rates by 4.1 percent for homeowners in Clark County -- and instead, rates will actually decrease by 0.19 percent.
Panel to suggest changes to Nevada's tax system: Monday, Sept. 21, 2009; CARSON CITY – A legislative subcommittee embarking on a study of Nevada’s tax system is running into early questions and pitfalls in choosing a group to chart the goals for Nevada in the next two decades.
Medical board adopts emergency Botox regulation: Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; CARSON CITY – In an emergency meeting, the state Board of Medical Examiners has adopted a regulation to stop medical assistants from performing certain services such as administering the cosmetic drug Botox.
Official: Don't raise business tax to pay jobless fund: Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; CARSON CITY – The state has applied for a $264 million loan from the federal government to pay more than 100,000 jobless Nevadans but the chairman of an employment council doesn’t want to raise the rates charged to businesses next year.
Las Vegas jobless rate soars to record 13.4 percent: Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; Nevada's unemployment continues to soar, to a record 13.2 percent in August statewide. The state said Friday that the jobless rate was 13.4 percent in the Las Vegas area, compared to 9.7 percent nationally.
Building a government project? Here, have a raise: Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; The hourly wage for most workers on public construction projects will rise by a dollar or two on Oct. 1.
Former Assembly speaker named tax commission chairman: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009; CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons has elevated former Assembly Speaker Bob Barengo to be chairman of the Nevada Tax Commission, succeeding Thomas Sheets, who resigned earlier this year.