John Taylor

Copy Desk Chief

John, who is the Sun's copy chief, grew up in a family of eight and now is married with two children. A graduate of the University of Kansas, Taylor joined the Sun in 2012. He likes to say he halfway followed a path blazed by his grandfather, who in the early 1900s ran both a Polish-American newspaper and a tavern.

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Story Archive

Fire sprinklers – not fire – displace apartment residents: Friday, Aug. 16, 2013; Residents of a Las Vegas apartment unit were able to avoid fire damage this morning by throwing a burning mattress out of a window, but they couldn’t avoid being displaced when fire sprinklers activated and damaged their apartment.
Thunderstorms briefly close water park, more storms could be coming: Friday, July 26, 2013; A thunderstorm passed over southwest Las Vegas Friday afternoon causing swimmers at Wet ‘N’ Wild to clear out of the pool for safety.
Officials estimate Mount Charleston wildfire won't be contained until July 19: Monday, July 8, 2013; The estimated containment date – 11 days away and nearly three weeks from when the fire started – was included in an update from the Joint Information Center to area media.
Passions spill out of control at 'El Super Clasico' in Las Vegas: Thursday, July 4, 2013; El Super Clasico --the soccer rivalry between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club America -- was renewed Wednesday at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium. Maybe it was the triple-digit heat. Or maybe it was the free-flowing alcohol. Or maybe it was just the inflamed passions of Chivas and America fans on hand to see the longtime foes play in a "friendly," or exhibition, on U.S. soil. Whatever the reason, this was no ordinary soccer game, as those in the stadium, others watching on television and those on social media could tell.
Suspect shot at by SWAT officers charged with assault: Friday, June 28, 2013; The subject of a child pornography investigation is being charged with assault after he allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at Metro SWAT officers who were serving a search warrant on his home.
Four-year, multistate probe of Las Vegas motorcycle gangs brings 25 arrests: Thursday, June 27, 2013; A four-year undercover investigation into outlaw motorcycle gangs that began in Las Vegas culminated with the arrest of 25 people Thursday morning, mostly on drug and weapons charges, Metro Police said.
Warrant service in NW valley erupts into police gunfire: Thursday, June 27, 2013; SWAT officers shot at and missed an armed man Thursday morning in a northwest valley condominium where Metro Police were serving a warrant.
Fast-acting trooper helps teens escape burning house: Thursday, June 20, 2013; A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper is being credited with alerting four teenagers and helping them escape a Thursday afternoon fire that destroyed a house in the northern valley.
Second suspect in custody in November slaying triggered by $10 drug deal: Thursday, June 20, 2013; A second suspect in a November 2012 Las Vegas slaying over a drug deal gone bad is in custody after her extradition from California. Dawnyell Flynn, 32, Las Vegas, was arrested in Los Angeles and extradited Wednesday to Las Vegas.
Accident sends Metro motorcycle cop to UMC: Thursday, June 20, 2013; A Metro Police motorcycle officer was taken Thursday morning to University Medical Center after being involved in a traffic accident. Officers remain on the scene at South Maryland Parkway and East Sahara Avenue, where the accident occurred about 11:10 a.m.
Las Vegas payroll-services business owner admits to embezzling more than $3 million from clients: Clients included Culinary Local 226, whose audit raised initial suspicions; Thursday, May 30, 2013; A Las Vegas woman is likely headed to federal prison for at least five years after admitting she embezzled more than $3.3 million from small-business customers of her payroll-services firm.
Outrage ensues after feds cut funding for counterterrorism efforts in Las Vegas: Thursday, May 23, 2013; With millions of visitors annually cramming into a world-famous stretch of hotels and casinos, does Las Vegas present an appealing target for terrorists? Not enough to persuade the federal government to continue funding counterterrorism efforts here. The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday it was pulling the Las Vegas area’s funding for counterterrorism activities for FY2013.
A month after wife's death, Nellis technical sergeant confesses, police say: Friday, May 17, 2013; After being told he failed a lie-detector test earlier this week, an Air Force technical sergeant at Nellis Air Base confessed he shot his wife last month after an argument in a bar escalated into a fight at their North Las Vegas home, according to an arrest report.
Special delivery: Las Vegas duo to be arraigned on mail theft charges: Wednesday, May 15, 2013; Two Las Vegas men are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on federal charges accusing them of stealing checks, credit cards and other items from local mailboxes using counterfeit U.S. Postal Service keys.
Say the name ‘O.J. Simpson’ and watch the comments flow: Social media light up as the former football player returns to court — and to the media spotlight; Tuesday, May 14, 2013; As has been the case since the 1995 "Trial of the Century," there is no shortage of opinions about Simpson. Here's a sampling of social media postings about "the Juice" from Monday.
Court document details alleged neglect that led to 12-year-old's death in 2012: Wednesday, May 8, 2013; A biological mother’s suspicions about her 12-year-old son’s death a year ago triggered an investigation that last month resulted in the boy’s stepmother being charged with murder. Kalinda W. Mercado was charged April 19 in Las Vegas Justice Court with murder in the Feb. 4, 2012, death of Emmanuel Mercado.
Rain, hail, snow reported in Southern Nevada; century mark in extended forecast: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Rain showers and hail made an appearance Tuesday in the Las Vegas Valley, and Mount Charleston received a rare snowfall in May. But look for sunny skies by the weekend and temperatures edging toward triple digits by next week, the National Weather Service said.
Rain falls in parts of valley, more could be on the way: Monday, May 6, 2013; A light rain Monday afternoon in the southern and eastern parts of the Las Vegas Valley probably didn’t amount to much, but farther north and east heavier rain and small hail was reported.
Family escapes house fire after teen's quick actions: Tuesday, April 30, 2013; A quick-thinking teen helped his family to safety Tuesday after an early morning fire struck their home. Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Jon Klassen said four occupants of the mobile home were able to escape the fire after a teenage son smelled smoke, broke a window and helped his mother, two younger siblings and the family dogs to safety.
Report: Metro officer asked for forgiveness when he reported shooting wife, child: 20-plus-year veteran turned gun on himself in January slayings at Boulder City home; Monday, April 29, 2013; Metro Police Lt. Hans Walters placed a call to emergency dispatchers in the early morning hours of Jan. 21 to report he had just killed his wife and son, had set their Boulder City house on fire and was about to kill himself.
Temperature creeping toward 100-degree mark in valley: Monday, April 29, 2013; The heat is on, and parts of the Las Vegas could reach 100 degrees today.
Blasts transform 'beautiful day' for Las Vegas marathoners in Boston: Monday, April 15, 2013; Monday was an unforgettable day for Las Vegas marathoner Tiffanie Gaspar, but not for the reason she was expecting. Gaspar ran in her first Boston Marathon, finishing in 3:45.43. But about 25 to 30 minutes after she completed the 26.2-mile course, while she was cooling down in the family waiting area, Gaspar heard the booms. “It was two explosions, unusual sounds,” Gaspar said in a telephone interview from her Boston hotel. “I thought, ‘Oh, it’s Patriots' Day. Maybe it’s fireworks from the Red Sox game.”
Metro investigating death at eastside apartment as homicide: Thursday, April 11, 2013; Detectives are investigating an apparent shooting death that occurred Wednesday night at an eastside apartment. About 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Metro Police officers responded to an apartment in the 4500 block of Carriage Park Drive.
Gas prices off from March across the Las Vegas Valley, AAA reports: Tuesday, April 9, 2013; Gas prices are down from a month ago across most of Nevada, according to the latest AAA survey. The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Nevada is $3.74 a gallon, down nine cents from AAA’s March 12 survey.
Virus outbreak affecting Zion's bighorn sheep; park visitors urged to steer clear of animals: Thursday, April 4, 2013; Bighorn sheep in Zion National Park are displaying symptoms of a virus, and park officials warn the disease can be transmitted to visitors who venture too close to the animals.
March 2013 was second warmest on record in Las Vegas: Wednesday, April 3, 2013; In case you didn’t notice, mild was a key word for Las Vegas weather forecasters last month. March 2013 was one of the warmest Marches on record across the Mojave Desert, the National Weather Service’s Las Vegas office reported this week.
Budget ax falls on Aviation Nation air show at Nellis: Tuesday, March 26, 2013; Aviation Nation, an annual fixture at Nellis Air Base, is the latest victim of federal budget cuts. Col. Barry Cornish, 99th Air Base wing commander, announced cancellation of the event, which had been scheduled this year for Nov. 9-10. "Aviation Nation is a very popular event for our community, and I deeply regret our inability to host a Nellis Open House this year," Cornish said in a news release. He said cuts totaling $46 million had been ordered throughout the Air Force with a priority of combat readiness over other activities, “and air shows have been canceled as a result."
Stripper had consumed alcohol, Xanax before fatal accident, police say: Monday, March 25, 2013; A dancer on her way home from work at a strip club told police she had consumed two beers and taken anti-anxiety medication in the hours before she was involved in a fatal traffic accident early Saturday.
Pay check: How does proposed $78,000 salary for county commissioners stack up?: Wednesday, March 20, 2013; Clark County commissioners on Tuesday put themselves in line for two 4 percent pay increases over the next several months. hough they still have to vote on a final resolution allowing the raises over the next year, commissioners were amenable to the overall $6,000 increase in salary from their current $72,488 annual pay. How does Clark County match against counties of similar size?
Broncos safety faces charges he cheated at Las Vegas craps table: Thursday, March 14, 2013; Denver Broncos safety and Cheyenne High School product Quinton Carter is facing criminal charges over allegations he cheated during a craps game this past weekend at Texas Station.
Arrest made in February slaying at cookout at Las Vegas apartment complex: Wednesday, March 6, 2013; An overheard comment about a past gang affiliation prompted an incident last month that left a Las Vegas man dead. Ronald Stampley, 23, Las Vegas, was arrested Tuesday.
Las Vegas bishop praises Benedict XVI for his courage, leadership: Monday, Feb. 11, 2013; The top Roman Catholic official in Las Vegas is asking for Catholics to pray for the health of Pope Benedict XVI, who announced he would resign his papacy at the end of the month. The Most Rev. Joseph A. Pepe, bishop of the diocese of Las Vegas, praised the 85-year-old pontiff, who early Monday sent shockwaves with the announcement of his resignation – the first by a pope since the middle ages.
Fatal, head-on collision causing traffic delays on I-15 near Bunkerville: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013; A fatal, head-on collision involving a tractor-trailer and another vehicle has brought traffic delays on Interstate 15 near Bunkerville, about 70 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
Coroner: Metro officer committed suicide; gunshot to head killed wife, child: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013; A Metro Police officer apparently shot and killed his 46-year-old wife and 5-year-old child on Monday, then committed suicide by shooting himself. The Clark County Coroner’s Office announced Tuesday afternoon that Kathryn Michelle Walters and Maximilian Walters each died from a gunshot wound to the head. The coroner said the manner of their deaths was homicide. Hans Pieter Walters, 52, also died from a gunshot wound to the head, and the coroner listed his cause of death as suicide.
Buying a home? Beware of the not-so-short sale: A short sale may save the buyer money, but be prepared for hair-pulling frustrations; Friday, Jan. 18, 2013; No one could have prepared us for the hair-pulling frustrations of trying to buy a house in the Las Vegas marketplace. This is our cautionary tale for those of you who are thinking of pursuing a short sale. For starters, forget the word “short.” There was nothing short about it.
Cement truck driver dies, two Metro officers injured in accident: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013; A cement truck driver was killed early Wednesday afternoon after his truck crossed the median on Summerlin Parkway, collided with an unmarked Metro Police pickup heading the opposite way, then overturned and dropped 20 feet into a wash, authorities said. The accident occurred about 1:20 p.m. and sent the two Metro officers in the pickup to University Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Dos Caminos Mexican restaurant will return to Las Vegas: Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012; A little more than year after it abruptly closed its Strip location, a high-end, high-style Mexican restaurant has announced its return to Las Vegas. Dos Caminos will open a new location in early 2013 in Summerlin’s Canyon Pointe Plaza.
Shopping til they're dropping: A look at Black Friday in Las Vegas, as told through tweets; Friday, Nov. 23, 2012; Las Vegans know all about bargains: comped meals and rooms; cheap drinks; late-night food specials. So it's no surprise that Black Friday is as popular here as anywhere in America.
UNLV's Bennett joins ranks of freshmen raising fans' expectations: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012; Call them what you will, but newcomers on a college basketball team can give rise to the hopes of a school’s fans. It doesn’t matter these 18-year-olds may have dominated against lesser-skilled opponents in high school; to ever-hopeful alumni, fellow students and other fans, expectations for an entire program can rise with a new signee.
Highway Patrol assessing who's to blame in Harry Reid motorcade crash: At-fault driver was either a Metro or Capitol police officer, official says; Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; The Nevada Highway Patrol continues to try to determine who was at fault – a U.S. Capitol Police officer or a Metro Police officer – in the multivehicle accident last week in Las Vegas that sent U.S. Sen. Harry Reid to a local emergency room.
Man jumps to his death off Hoover Dam bypass bridge: Thursday, July 12, 2012; A man jumped 900 feet to his death from the Hoover Dam bypass bridge on Thursday, after police tried for two hours to talk him down. Police were called to the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge about 10:30 a.m.
Witnesses saw explosion prior to massive fire at Henderson construction site, official reports: Wednesday, June 20, 2012; Fire investigators are looking into witness reports that a small explosion preceded an early morning fire Wednesday that caused an estimated $1 million in damage at a construction site in Henderson.
Obama's visit to UNLV, as seen via Twitter: Thursday, June 7, 2012; Here's a look at what some people were Tweeting before and during President Barack Obama's visit today to Las Vegas and UNLV.
Teen tried to run over Metro Police sergeant, authorities say: Friday, April 6, 2012; An 18-year-old man was in custody Friday on a bevy of counts, including attempting to run over a Metro Police officer in a stolen van.
21. Jerald Clark (1989-90): In 1990, he hit a home run in four consecutive at bats; Monday, April 2, 2012; In three years with the Stars, 1988-1990, Clark never batted less than .301.
18. James Loney (2006-07): Monday, April 2, 2012; It’s safe to say James Loney was on fire in 2006. That year, his first year in Las Vegas, Loney batted a sizzling .380 in 98 games – the best single-season batting average in franchise history.
16. Chin-Feng Chen (2002-05): He was the best-power hitter in franchise history, but could never stick in the big leagues; Monday, April 2, 2012; Outfielder Chin-Feng Chen, who played in Las Vegas from 2002 to 2005, was one of the best power hitters in franchise history with a team-best 87 home runs — 20 better than Phil Hiatt.
15. Derrek Lee (1997): Before winning a World Series with Marlins and becoming one of the game's elite first baseman, Derrek Lee anchored the infield in Las Vegas; Monday, April 2, 2012; First baseman Derrek Lee came to Las Vegas in 1997 as one of the top prospects in the San Diego Padres system. And he did not disappoint.
2. Sandy Alomar Jr. (1988-89): Monday, April 2, 2012; Coming in at No. 2 on the all-time list is Sandy Alomar Jr., who spent two years with the Stars, 1988-89.
Rainstorm blows into Las Vegas area: Saturday, March 17, 2012; Irish eyes are crying on the Las Vegas Valley, and the rain is expected to continue into Sunday.