Jeff Pope

Story Archive

New park to be dedicated in southwest Las Vegas: Tuesday, May 26, 2009; Clark County Commissioner Susan Brager and students from the Tanaka Elementary School will dedicate the new Red Ridge Park on Wednesday at 9135 W. Maule Ave., near Durango Drive and the 215 Beltway in southwest Las Vegas. The 28-acre park is adjacent to the school and includes a water-play feature, playground, soccer field, two baseball fields and a picnic area.
Museum-goers learn skills of bygone era: Visitors see demonstrations on churning butter, making horse-hair rope; Saturday, May 23, 2009; Visitors to the Clark County Museum took a stroll down memory lane, or as it’s known at the museum, Heritage Street.
Fighter jets to fly over Memorial Day celebration: Friday, May 22, 2009; Four F-15 fighters from Nellis Air Force Base will fly over Southern Highlands as part of that community’s seventh annual Memorial Day Celebration. The ten-minute flyover begins at 6 p.m. on Monday at Stonewater Park, at the intersection of Southern Highlands Parkway and Valley View Boulevard. The planes will fly 1,000 feet above the ground while the Honor Guard from Nellis presents the colors.
More settlements reached in Kitec plumbing lawsuit: Only three plumbers, two builders yet to reach agreement in class action suit; Friday, May 22, 2009; Attorneys in a class action plumbing defect lawsuit said they have reached tentative settlements with all but three plumbers and two builders. Of the more than 40 home builders, plumbing contractors, distributors and related parties sued after installing Kitec brand plumbing systems in the valley, only Sharp Plumbing, Classic Plumbing, Majestic Plumbing, H&H Developments Ltd. and LBM Development Co. Inc., have yet to reach settlement agreements.
North Las Vegas voters prepare to elect new mayor: Friday, May 22, 2009; North Las Vegas voters are returning to the polls to choose their next mayor. After 12 years, Mayor Michael Montandon is being forced out because of term limits. During his tenure, Montandon oversaw unprecedented growth in the city as the population swelled from 91,000 to about 217,000. The two candidates vying to replace him oversaw the growth, too. William Robinson has served on the City Council since 1983. His opponent, Shari Buck, has been on the council since 1999.
Law enforcement agencies dedicate memorial to fallen officers: Statue dedicated two weeks after Metro Officer James Manor died in a fatal crash; Thursday, May 21, 2009; Hundreds stood silently as the red, white and blue lights lit up the night and the new Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial.
Local, state and federal law enforcement personnel, dignitaries and friends and families paid respects to the 23 fallen officers in valley police history at the statue’s dedication ceremony Thursday night at Police Memorial Park, 3250 Metro Academy Way.
North Las Vegas reaches agreement with Teamsters: Wednesday, May 20, 2009; The North Las Vegas City Council Wednesday night unanimously approved a contract agreement with Teamsters Local 14, which represents about 1,200 city employees. The Council also approved renegotiated contracts with the two unions that represent the city's police officers and firefighters.
NLV approves $817 million budget in special session: Tuesday, May 19, 2009; The North Las Vegas City Council adopted its $817 million budget during a special session Tuesday – a budget that’s $24 million less than its current one.
Commissioners pass resolution opposing Sloan Canyon mining: Tuesday, May 19, 2009; Clark County commissioners unanimously voted today for a resolution opposing mining operations in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Some 4,000 residents who live in the Anthem area of Henderson, about 3.5 miles from the proposed mining site, have signed petitions opposing the operations. U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and U.S. Reps. Dina Titus, D-Nev., Shelly Berkley, D-Nev., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., also have gone on the record in opposition to the project.
County dissolves agency so money can flow elsewhere: Tuesday, May 19, 2009; Clark County’s Redevelopment Agency no longer exists. Commissioners unanimously approved scrapping the 6-year-old agency today so the millions of tax dollars it collected can go to education, public safety and health care.
Nellis crew helps rescue injured rock climber: Monday, May 18, 2009; Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base helped rescue an injured man who fell while rock climbing in Zion Canyon National Park in Utah on May 9. A seven-member crew aboard a HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter flew the injured 27-year-old man from a climbing route in Pine Creek Canyon to a waiting ambulance, which took him to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah.
Nellis welcomes new commander: Monday, May 18, 2009; There is a new commander in charge of the advanced training program at Nellis Air Force Base.
Helldorado Days brings out the Old West in downtown: Thursday, May 14, 2009; The Old West is alive again in downtown Las Vegas with the return of the 75th Annual Helldorado Days Celebration.
The four-day event got underway with the locals’ and children’s night Thursday with carnival rides, barrel racing, bull riding, mutton busting and dress-the-calf events.
Officers, citizens recognized at Metro Police commendation ceremony: Wednesday, May 13, 2009; Metro Police honored several officers today at a commendation ceremony for actions above and beyond the call of duty. But two of the awards didn’t go to people who wear a badge. Susie Johnson and Manuel Yalinkatian received Certificates of Appreciation as regular citizens who assisted officers involved in a gun fight in their west valley neighborhood on Feb. 28.
Valley's latest affordable housing project dedicated: Wednesday, May 13, 2009; Government officials today welcomed the valley’s newest affordable housing project with a ribbon-cutting at the Arbor Pointe apartment complex. A provision of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act allows the Bureau of Land Management to designate federal parcels in the valley to be used for housing at below-market rate. County, state and BLM officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today with the project’s developers, Fore Property Co.
Officials stress water safety as pool season looms: With four deaths and 17 near-drownings already this year, exercise illustrates water dangers; Tuesday, May 12, 2009; The whistle blows and a lifeguard jumps in the water, hurries to the unconscious swimmer and pulls her to the edge of the pool, where first aid begins. The particular incident wasn’t real. It was a staged exercise filmed for North Las Vegas Fire Department and University Medical Center emergency responders to use for training on unresponsive people pulled from the water. With an estimated 100,000 pools in the valley, fire department officials said it pays to practice.
Construction to slow motorists at I-15, Lake Mead Boulevard: Monday, May 11, 2009; Construction on Interstate 15 will disrupt traffic on Lake Mead Boulevard. Westbound lanes on Lake Mead under I-15 are scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. tonight to 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Eastbound traffic will not be interrupted.
Medical marijuana advocates rally for drug's expansion: Small group says drug could help more Nevadans, seeks reform of laws; Saturday, May 9, 2009; About a dozen advocates for medical marijuana rallied Saturday outside the Regional Justice Center -- a symbolic location because the issue is medical and not criminal, said organizer Beth Soloe, chairwoman of Nevada NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
North Las Vegas City Council delays employee buyout offer: Thursday, May 7, 2009; North Las Vegas City Council delayed its offer to employees for early buyouts for two weeks saying they needed more time to review the plan.
Construction to begin in fall on Ace bus route: Wednesday, May 6, 2009; Construction will begin on the Ace Boulder Highway bus route this fall, one year earlier than planned because of an infusion of more than $19 million in federal economic stimulus funds.
The family that rocks together, stays together: Wednesday, May 6, 2009; From a young age, Joei Fulco and her brother, Jesse, have known they wanted to be professional musicians. It would have to have been a young age because they aren’t even in high school yet. Joei is 12, and Jesse is 10. But they’re on their way to their dream careers, having signed an album deal with Global Music Group in Nashville. They also recently filmed a pilot for a television show that producers are shopping to Disney and Nickelodeon.
Temporary visitors center opening at Red Rock: Wednesday, May 6, 2009; The temporary visitors center at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area will open Friday until a new, permanent building opens this summer.
Commissioners vote to waive cost of living increase: Tuesday, May 5, 2009; County commissioners voted today to waive their 4 percent cost of living increase, saying they should not take a bump in pay while other county employees are asked to forgo their raises.
NLV breaks ground on Craig Ranch Regional Park: Saturday, May 2, 2009; North Las Vegas officials broke ground Friday on Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road. Instead of swinging shovels, city leaders swung golf clubs, knocking Wiffle balls off tees in a ceremonious sendoff to the municipal golf course that will by next summer be transformed into a 135-acre park.
Sheriff reverses on jail, throws support behind delay: Friday, May 1, 2009; Sheriff Doug Gillespie said today the county should delay the opening of a new jail until it can be staffed properly.
North Las Vegas offers building-permit amnesty: Thursday, April 30, 2009; The city of North Las Vegas is offering residents three months of amnesty on fines and fees for existing, non-permitted structures on their property.
New statue at Police Memorial Park a tribute to fallen officers: Wednesday, April 29, 2009; Police officers killed in the line of duty will be remembered this morning as a motorcade escorts a new Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial statue to Police Memorial Park.
Richmond American Homes to settle again in plumbing lawsuit: Tuesday, April 28, 2009; Richmond American Homes has reached a second settlement in a plumbing defect lawsuit in which the home builder will pay about $16 million to replumb 2,400 homes. District Court Judge Timothy Williams granted a preliminary settlement today and set a fairness hearing for June 22. Richmond American settled in March 2008 to replumb approximately 1,150 homes for more than $10.2 million. More than half of those homes have been replumbed already.
NLV police union agrees to forgo cost of living increase: Tuesday, April 28, 2009; The city of North Las Vegas and the North Las Vegas Police Officers Association have reached a tentative agreement that could put millions of dollars into the city’s coffers.
NLV to break ground Friday on 135-acre park: Craig Ranch Regional Park will replace Craig Ranch Golf Course; Tuesday, April 28, 2009; North Las Vegas officials will ditch sand wedges for shovels on Friday as the city closes the Craig Ranch Golf Course to make way for the Craig Ranch Regional Park.
Local golfers can tee off for one last round at the 47-year-old course at 9 a.m. on May 1. Following the game, city officials will break ground for the project that will turn the 9-hole golf course into a 135-acre regional park.
3-hour standoff in NLV ends peacefully: Monday, April 27, 2009; A nearly three-hour police standoff in North Las Vegas ended peacefully Monday after a 28-year-old man surrendered to Metro Police officers.
Police said Raul Floress-Villa forced his estranged girlfriend into a vehicle on North 21st Street, near Rancho High School, at about noon.
Skaters looking forward to new park: Monday, April 27, 2009; Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas is moving closer to having Southern Nevada’s largest skate park. At nearly 60,000 square feet, the Craig Ranch skate park would be twice the size of those at Doc Romeo Park and Hollywood Park in Las Vegas.
Judge upholds temporary restraining order in Beltway paving lawsuit: Monday, April 27, 2009; A District Court judge upheld a temporary restraining order against Clark County today, halting the award of a $116.8 million bid for construction on the northern 215 Beltway.
School focused on autistic children to open in Henderson: Saturday, April 25, 2009; Southern Nevada's first school for children with high-functioning autism has found a home in Henderson. After searching for months for an affordable place to open a school, founders of The Achievement Academy will open the doors at the DJ Community Christian Academy, 95 S. Arroyo Grande Blvd., near which is Valle Verde Drive.
Apprentice brings international award to Henderson: Months of practice meant near-perfection in sheet metal competition; Saturday, April 25, 2009; It’s the mantra of coaches everywhere – practice, practice, practice.
It proved to be the right approach for Evan Goldberg as the fifth-year apprentice for Sheet Metal Local No. 88 won the 2009 International Sheet Metal Apprentice Competition.
County expands lawn mower exchange for Earth Day: Friday, April 24, 2009; Clark County will launch its lawn mower exchange program Saturday at its Earth Day Rendezvous Celebration at Sam Boyd Stadium.
The county has 2,000 electric mowers to offer this year, twice the number as last year, and they will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Company that lost 215 Beltway paving bid sues county: Thursday, April 23, 2009; A construction company filed a lawsuit against Clark County on Wednesday claiming the County Commission wrongfully awarded a freeway contract.
Celebrate Earth Day at Red Rock: Wednesday, April 22, 2009; Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area will recognize Earth Day with a free event on Saturday that will put a focus on eco-friendly living.
215 Beltway widening contract sparks controversy: Tuesday, April 21, 2009; Construction to widen the northern 215 Beltway hit a bump in the road Tuesday. The Clark County Commission went against the advice of its staff and a deputy district attorney and threw out the lowest bid of $112.2 million submitted by Fisher Sand and Gravel Co. It awarded the contract to Las Vegas Paving, whose bid came in $4.6 million higher.
Nevada Guard sees biggest mobilization since World War II: Guard's size has grown as the state's population has swelled; Friday, April 17, 2009; When 650 soldiers of the Nevada Army Guard’s 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry begin their deployment to Afghanistan today, they’ll represent the largest single unit the Nevada National Guard has mobilized since World War II. The unit includes about 450 Nevadans, which raises the total of Nevada Guard members deployed in the combat zone to nearly 750, the largest number activated at one time in the past 70 years.
Business License Division goes online: Thursday, April 16, 2009; The city of North Las Vegas has put its Business License Division services online, allowing merchants to access forms and documents easily.
North Las Vegas warns of layoffs without Teamsters deal: Wednesday, April 15, 2009; North Las Vegas officials said Wednesday that they would try again to reach a deal with the union representing its employees or layoffs would be eminent.
City Manager Gregory Rose presented the City Council with possible options on offsetting a budget shortfall that has grown to $16.8 million.
City, Culinary bring redevelopment fight to District Court: Wednesday, April 15, 2009; The city of Las Vegas on Wednesday continued its fight to keep two ballot questions aimed at changing the way it redevelops its downtown from ending up on the June 2 general election ballot. The city and Culinary Union are fighting in court over the proposals, which would force the city to get voter approval for large-scale redevelopment projects, like the proposed city hall.
Henderson fires city manager after 18 months: Wednesday, April 15, 2009; The Henderson City Council fired City Manager Mary Kay Peck on Tuesday, saying she mismanaged the budget and created a “culture of fear” among city staff. The council appointed Assistant City Manager Mark Calhoun as interim city manager until a contract could be completed installing him fully in the position.
Reid flips switch on state's first wind turbine: Turbine will be used to train workers to maintain wind farms; Tuesday, April 14, 2009; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid flipped the switch and Mother Nature provided ample gusts today, turning the state’s first wind turbine to provide electricity to the power grid. The 51-foot Skystream 3.7 windmill won’t satisfy the state’s energy needs, it will help train the electrical workers who will build and maintain future wind farms throughout the country. It’s located at 620 Leigon Way, near Bonanza Road and Lamb Boulevard, at the joint training center of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 and the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of Southern Nevada.
Nevada Army National Guard soldiers prepare for tour in Iraq: Thursday, April 9, 2009; More Nevadans are leaving home to serve their country in Iraq and Kuwait. The 1864th Transportation Co. will stop at Camp Atterbury, Ind., on Friday with 160 soldiers of the Nevada Army National Guard before heading to Kuwait.
It's spring in Las Vegas: Mojave Max emerges: Wednesday, April 8, 2009; The temperature topped 80 degrees in Southern Nevada on March 18 and Major League Baseball opened the season on Sunday.
Fellow soldiers mourn ex-UNR lineman killed in wreck: Staff Sgt. Matthew Martin Sneck died in a motorcycle crash in Henderson earlier this month; Wednesday, April 8, 2009; Friends, family and soldiers of the Nevada Army National Guard paid their respects to Staff Sgt. Matthew Martin Sneck today at a ceremony at the Clark County Armory in North Las Vegas. Sneck, 24, died April 1 from injuries suffered while being thrown from his motorcycle after striking a palm tree, according to reports from the Henderson Police Department. The timing of his death is a double-edged sword, said Sneck's commander, Command Sgt. Maj. James Richardson.
NLV Airport to get $7.8 million in federal stimulus money: Wednesday, April 8, 2009; The County’s Department of Aviation will receive $7.8 million in federal stimulus funds for use at North Las Vegas Airport.
Hoeffgen, Kimble-Simms to face-off in race for Municipal Court, Department 2: Tuesday, April 7, 2009; Marsha Kimble-Simms and Sean Hoeffgen will face-off in the June 2 general election in North Las Vegas because neither managed to collect a majority of votes in Tuesday’s primary for the judgeship of Municipal Court, Department 2.