Dave Toplikar

Courts and Las Vegas City Hall Reporter

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Judge sets preliminary hearing for teacher in DUI-related accident: Noel Lardeo still in custody on $250,000 bail, awaiting April hearing; Friday, Feb. 10, 2012; First-grade teacher Noel Lardeo, accused of causing a substantial injury while driving drunk in an accident that critically injured a 15-year-old boy, made an appearance in court Friday. A preliminary hearing for Laredo was set for April 2.
Temperatures soaring to 70s in Las Vegas, sprinkles possible Saturday night: Cooler weather to make a comeback on Sunday; Friday, Feb. 10, 2012; Don’t be surprised if some of your co-workers come down with a touch of spring fever this afternoon, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Judge: Cops won't be barred from trial involving Metro officer's slaying: Judge hopes to schedule trials for four defendants at April hearing; Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012; When defendants facing capital murder charges in the 2009 shooting death of Metro Police Officer Trevor Nettleton eventually come to trial, uniformed police officers will be allowed in the courtroom. And their numbers won't be limited.
Highs to hit 70-degree mark in Las Vegas: Cooler weather, with a chance of sprinkles, moving in for weekend; Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012; Leave your winter coat behind this afternoon — sunny skies and temperatures climbing around the 70-degree mark are on the way to the Las Vegas Valley. "This is a short-lived warmup," says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "We're going to see a big cool-down next week."
Bail set at $250,000 for teacher arrested in DUI case that critically injured teen: Arraignment set for Friday morning for Noel Lardeo; Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012; On most mornings, Noel Lardeo would be standing in front of a classroom of first-graders at Roger Bryan Elementary School. On Wednesday morning, the 26-year-old teacher was standing in front of a Las Vegas judge.
Sunny skies expected this afternoon in Las Vegas, highs hitting mid 60s: Storm system that moved through brought no precipitation to valley; Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012; Look for some sunshine this afternoon and temperatures climbing into the mid 60s for the Las Vegas Valley today, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Man shot by Henderson Police says, 'I feel lucky ... that I ain't dead': Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012; Pulling back his shirt, Tony McNeill revealed a large hole in his right upper chest where he had been struck in late December by a Henderson Police officer’s .40-caliber slug. A clear plastic tube was taped to the hole. Brownish liquid was oozing from it into a pumping device he wore on his waist. Once suicidal, "I feel pretty damn lucky. I feel lucky ... that I ain't dead," McNeill told reporters Tuesday.
Las Vegas pastor accused of sex with minors makes first court appearance: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012; After having fled from Henderson eight months ago, Otis Holland was back Tuesday to face multiple felony sexual assault charges for allegedly having sex with underage girls.
Cloudy and cooler this afternoon, slight chance of rain tonight for Las Vegas: Afternoons to return to mid 60s later in the week, says forecaster; Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012; Clouds will be rolling into the Las Vegas Valley today, holding temperatures down just a bit and bringing a very slight chance of some sprinkles tonight, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Judge expected to set death penalty trials in Metro officer's fatal 2009 shooting: Two defendants face capital punishment in alleged gang-related shooting in off-duty officer's home; Monday, Feb. 6, 2012; A Clark County judge could decide Wednesday what the dates will be for the trials of four defendants who have been linked to an alleged 2009 North Las Vegas gang-related attempted robbery and gun battle that resulted in the death of off-duty Metro Police Officer Trevor Nettleton.
Mostly sunny today, but slight chance of rain Tuesday for Las Vegas: Temperatures to climb to a high around 60 today, say forecasters; Monday, Feb. 6, 2012; Enjoy the sunshine today, because clouds and a slight chance of rain will be rolling into the Las Vegas Valley this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Chilly and breezy today, but 60s returning on Super Bowl weekend for Las Vegas: Temperatures heading to upper 50s this afternoon; Friday, Feb. 3, 2012; A much chillier and breezy morning is on the way for Las Vegas. But the weekend will see the beginning of warmer temperatures moving again into the region, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Judge: Dipak Desai competent to stand trial in hepatitis case: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; A Clark County district judge ruled Thursday that Dipak Desai, the former high-profile Las Vegas physician at the heart of the hepatitis scare four years ago, is competent to stand trial.
Las Vegas city departments getting ready to move to new City Hall: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; If you need to do some business this month with the City of Las Vegas, make sure you go to the right place — several offices are soon moving over to the new City Hall at 495 S. Main St.
Hearing set to check status of murder trial in 2009 east Las Vegas Valley slaying: State seeking death penalty against Angel Santana; Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; A status check has been scheduled for later this month in a death penalty murder trial for a man accused of shooting three men and killing one of them in 2009 on an east Las Vegas Valley roadway.
NBA's Kyle Lowry pleads guilty to battery charge for throwing ball at referee: Las Vegas judge approves plea deal for Houston Rockets player to perform 100 hours of community service; Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; NBA guard Kyle Lowry today pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge for throwing a basketball at a female referee and threatening her during a pickup game last September in Las Vegas.
Windy Groundhog Day ahead for Las Vegas: Winds could climb as high as 30 mph, forecaster says; Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; A blustery, cool Groundhog Day is ahead for Las Vegas, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "It’s going to be a bad hair day for the groundhog," Janison said.
Steve Wolfson honored at his last meeting on Las Vegas City Council: Ward 2 councilman to become Clark County's new district attorney; Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012; Wednesday was "Steve Wolfson Day" in Las Vegas. Mayor Carolyn Goodman made an official proclamation of the day Wednesday morning in honor of Ward 2 Councilman Steve Wolfson, who was participating in his last meeting on the Las Vegas City Council. On Feb. 21, he will leave that office to become the new district attorney for Clark County.
Las Vegas City Council approves final deal bringing Zappos downtown: Company to start renovations next month, then move into current City Hall building in fall of 2013; Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012; With some calling the vote "historic," the Las Vegas City Council today unanimously approved the final deal to relocate Zappos to downtown. "This was a huge effort," Mayor Carolyn Goodman said of the complex financial transaction involving about eight acres of city property.
Windy weather ushering in cooler weather to Las Vegas this week: Temperatures to hit upper 60s today, but will take a drop toward the end of the week, forecaster says; Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012; Windy conditions, but temperatures climbing into the 60s, are on the way to Las Vegas today, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Steve Ross easily retains Ward 6 seat in special recall election: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012; Incumbent Steve Ross has won in a "blowout," 70 percent to 30 percent, in the special recall election for his Ward 6 seat on the Las Vegas City Council.
Voting in Ward 6 recall race on track for 10 percent turnout: Polls close at 7 p.m.; results expected to be available by about 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012; As of early afternoon, it appears as if voting for today’s recall election for the Ward 6 seat on the Las Vegas City Council is on track for a 10 percent turnout.
'Dead' man who hid out in Las Vegas for decades sentenced to probation: Judge orders 73-year-old to make about $78,000 in restitution for Social Security benefits family received; Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012; No, Arthur Jones, the man who had been legally dead for 25 years while hiding out in Las Vegas, won't have to go to prison for fraud. Jones was given a suspended sentence today of 18 to 48 months, with three years of probation.
Clouds moving in, but warm weather persists in Las Vegas: January to end without a single day of freezing weather, forecasters say; Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012; Expect some high clouds today, with temperatures climbing into the low 60s for Las Vegas, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Official: Ward 6 recall race for Steve Ross could have light turnout: Race features incumbent Ross and challenger Byron Goynes; Monday, Jan. 30, 2012; A Clark County election official is predicting a 10 percent turnout for Tuesday's special recall election for the Ward 6 spot on the Las Vegas City Council. Larry Lomax, the county's registrar of voters, said that early voting on Thursday and Friday brought in 2,914 ballots so far in the race.
Warm winter continues, with highs in lower 60s for Las Vegas: Month on track to be seventh warmest January on record, forecasters say; Monday, Jan. 30, 2012; It should be another good day to get outside in Las Vegas — temperatures are soaring into the low 60s again for much of the area, according to the National Weather Service.
State mental evaluators: Ex-doctor charged in hepatitis case OK to stand trial: Judge to received final written arguments Tuesday in competency hearing for Dipak Desai; Friday, Jan. 27, 2012; A trio of state psychiatric evaluators testified Friday they think former high-profile Las Vegas physician Dipak Desai has been exaggerating at how impaired his mental ability is from two strokes. The three all reached the same conclusion — despite some impairment from the two strokes, Desai is competent to stand trial in connection with the 2007-2008 hepatitis C outbreak at his colonoscopy clinics.
Cold front brings windy and cooler weather today to Las Vegas Valley: Some gusts could be as high as 35 mph, says forecaster; Friday, Jan. 27, 2012; Get ready for some cooler temperatures and breezy conditions in the Las Vegas Valley today, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "In advance of a cold front, quite a pile of clouds passed through the Valley sky Thursday. It also fed an absolutely spectacular sunset!" Janison said.
Early voting begins in election to recall Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross: Ross' challenger, Byron Goynes, says he has never met car dealer Joe Scala, who financed much of recall effort; Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012; As early voting began today, the negative back-and-forth continued in the special recall election for the Ward 6 spot on the Las Vegas City Council, featuring incumbent Steve Ross and his challenger, Byron Goynes.
Bail set at $1 million for man accused in North Las Vegas fatal shooting: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012; Bail was set at $1 million Thursday morning for a man who police say got into a fight Sunday night in North Las Vegas with a small group of people then allegedly fired shots that killed one man and injured another. Terhain Woods, 20, who is accused of slaying Quincy Lavelle Hill, 31, is being held in the North Las Vegas Detention Center and appeared via video conferencing Thursday morning before Justice of the Peace Chris Lee.
Sunny and warm, climbing into upper 60s: Forecaster: January 2012 could be one of 10 warmest in record books; Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012; Sunny skies and temperatures running close to 70 degrees are on tap for Las Vegas this afternoon, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "We are livin’ large!" Janison said.
Ward 6 challenger charges Steve Ross put out 'deceptive statement,' Ross fires back: Byron Goynes also says he has never met Joe Scala, who led the 'Toss Ross' recall effort; Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012; The temperature is heating up in the Las Vegas City Council Ward 6 recall election featuring incumbent Steve Ross and challenger Byron Goynes.
Man accused in fatal shooting to have first court hearing Thursday: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012; A man arrested in connection with a fatal shooting Sunday in North Las Vegas is expected to have his first court appearance early Thursday in North Las Vegas Justice Court.
Warming trend on the way for Las Vegas, highs climbing to mid 60s: Temperatures in some neighborhoods could get close to 70 degrees on Friday, says forecaster; Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012; Another day of sunshine, with temperatures climbing into the mid 60s, are heading into the Las Vegas Valley, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "I think you're going to like where these temperatures are going," Janison said.
Steve Ross says Ward 6 challenger failed to file financial disclosure statement: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012; With less than a week to go before his recall election next Tuesday, Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross today complained that his challenger, Byron Goynes, hasn’t yet filed a financial disclosure statement with the state.
Man sentenced for impersonating police officer, sexual assault: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012; A Las Vegas man who was accused in 2009 of telling women he was a police officer and then taking them to a secluded place and sexually assaulting them was sentenced today to at least 10 years in state prison.
Hearing reset for NY woman accused of performing $1,000 eye lifts in Las Vegas: Woman who allegedly performed unlicensed plastic surgery out on $100,000 bail; Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012; A preliminary hearing has been delayed for about a month for a New York woman who was arrested in November for allegedly performing unlicensed plastic surgery out of a southwest Las Vegas Valley home.

Jing Qu, 55, Flushing , N.Y., who was accused of performing $1,000 eye lifts, has been charged with a felony count of burglary and two counts of practicing medicine without a license.
Sunny skies today for Las Vegas, but breezy and cooler: Warmer weather moving in toward end of the week, says forecaster; Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012; Say goodbye to the clouds — sunny skies, but breezy and cool weather are on the way today for the Las Vegas Valley, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Online auction features items from old Las Vegas City Hall: Monday, Jan. 23, 2012; Granted, they're not as cool as some of the things Oscar Goodman used to have in his office when he was mayor, like a fake horse's head and bobblehead dolls. But you can still get a piece of Las Vegas' old City Hall through an online auction.
Man shot by Henderson police arraigned on felony charges: Judge sets preliminary hearing for early February; Monday, Jan. 23, 2012; A man who had been recovering in the hospital for about three weeks after having been shot by Henderson police in late December was arraigned on assault and weapons charges Monday morning in Henderson Justice Court. Tony McNeill, 54, who faces felony charges for pointing a rifle at officers, appeared before Justice of the Peace David Gibson Sr., who asked him if he understood the charges and could afford to hire an attorney.
Scattered showers, thunderstorms moving into Las Vegas Valley: Winter weather advisory issued for Mount Charleston, Red Rock and Spring Mountains; Monday, Jan. 23, 2012; Make sure your windshield wipers are working — a Pacific storm is bringing rain and snow showers to the Las Vegas area today into tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
Man convicted of 2nd-degree murder in death of girlfriend's baby daughter: Prosecutor says defendant could face prison term of 10 years to life; Friday, Jan. 20, 2012; Cody Geddings is guilty of second-degree murder by child neglect in the 2010 slaying of Addison Weast, his girlfriend’s 16-month-old daughter, a Clark County District Court jury ruled today.
Man shot by Henderson police to have court hearing Monday: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012; A man who has been in the hospital for more than three weeks after being shot in late December by Henderson police is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday.
Jury still out on child abuse murder case involving 16-month-old Henderson girl: Closing arguments took place Thursday in week-long trial for Cody Geddings; Friday, Jan. 20, 2012; A Clark County District Court jury is continuing to deliberate this afternoon in the child abuse murder trial of a Henderson man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 16-month-old daughter in 2010.
Las Vegas under high wind watch tonight as storms slam into region: Chance for a few light showers Saturday in Las Vegas area, says forecaster; Friday, Jan. 20, 2012; Be aware of sudden gusts while you're driving late tonight — strong winds are moving in today to the Las Vegas Valley, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "From the passive to the aggressive: A series of strong storm systems are slamming into the western United States," Janison said. "The weather headline for Southern Nevada is a high wind watch in effect for Saturday."
Jury begins deliberating in trial of man accused of killing girlfriend's baby daughter: Jury decides to break for evening, return in morning; Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012; After hearing several hours of closing arguments Thursday, a Clark County jury has begun deliberating in the child abuse murder trial of a Henderson man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 16-month-old daughter in 2010. Jurors decided to break for the evening and return at 9:30 a.m. Friday to consider the evidence in the trial of Cody Geddings, 26, who has been accused in the death of Addison Weast on March 31, 2010, in his home in Henderson.
Highs climbing into 60s today, but rain possible for weekend in Las Vegas: Clouds moving in, with greatest chance of rain on Saturday; Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012; Get set for a day with temperatures climbing into the low 60s today — but the Las Vegas Valley might see some rain this weekend, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist
Council gives green light to 'Vegas Valley Rim Trail': Trail encompasses 113 miles that also connects to 'Neon to Nature Trail' system; Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012; A system of 113 miles of trails that will rim the Las Vegas Valley was given a go-ahead today by the Las Vegas City Council.
UNLV physics prof: Falling tank could have caused fatal injury to 16-month-old girl: Testimony to continue today in trial of Henderson man accused of killing girlfriend's baby daughter; Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012; A UNLV physics professor was expected to continue to demonstrate today to a Clark County jury how a large metal oxygen tank could have fallen on and fatally injured 16-month-old Addison Weast in March 2010 in a Henderson back yard.
Warming up for Las Vegas, but rain possible for weekend: Forecaster says temperatures should hit upper 50s today; Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012; Mostly sunny skies and an afternoon high in the upper 50s today for the Las Vegas Valley, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "Another cold morning to get Wednesday started … we’re expecting the low to be 34 degrees," Janison said, "but with a mostly sunny day, we should be able to reach 58 degrees for the afternoon high."