Mark Hansel

Story Archive

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Tuesday, May 15, 2007; The co-founder of DLC UrbanCore, the company that had an exclusive negotiating agreement to bring a grocery store to West Las Vegas, thinks he got a raw deal from the city.
Bill out to change often-heard question: 'What election?': Tuesday, May 15, 2007; Ask people outside of Las Vegas' Ward 5 whom they are going to vote for in next month's general election and you will probably get one of two responses.
Mud's flying fast and furious in Ward 5: Wednesday, May 9, 2007; In the April primary, the 10-candidate Las Vegas City Council race for Ward 5 was the largest field in any local campaign, which kept mudslinging to a minimum. With so many candidates - and potential targets - such tactics are generally less effective.
Right turn poses environmental concerns, city says in FAA lawsuit: Monday, May 7, 2007; Most of the talk about the right turn issue at McCarran International Airport has centered on noise caused by planes that fly over Las Vegas' western neighborhoods.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Sunday, May 6, 2007; When last we heard from Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on the subject of graffiti, he proposed that graffiti taggers have their thumbs lopped off.
Unruly rulings shelved again for more work: Wednesday, May 2, 2007; Amid complaints that a proposal to crack down on unruly gatherings is unenforceable and probably unconstitutional, a Las Vegas City Council committee Tuesday tabled the controversial plan - for now.
American success - Vegas style: Tuesday, May 1, 2007; The business before the Las Vegas City Council was a strip club. Even in Las Vegas, that raises a few eyebrows.
Hopeful's address crosses bounds: Monday, April 30, 2007; Ward 5 Las Vegas City Council candidate Ricki Barlow has campaigned as an insider who has lived in the ward for most of his life.
In Ward 5, seat warming or judgment call: Wednesday, April 25, 2007; When Brenda Williams took over the Las Vegas City Council Ward 5 seat this month as a fill-in until the June general election, she vowed she was not going to simply keep the seat warm for her replacement.
A snapshot of downtown's future, if dominoes fall right: Monday, April 23, 2007; The dreamed-of change to the city's skyline on and around Union Park is in the early stages and even its most ardent advocates acknowledge that it's a gamble. But then, what in Las Vegas isn't?
Long haul expected today at Las Vegas City Hall: Wednesday, April 18, 2007; Those planning to attend today's Las Vegas City Council meeting might want to pack a lunch ... and dinner ... and maybe a sleeping bag.
Park's future mired in present: Monday, April 16, 2007; The question of what to do with Huntridge Circle Park has plagued Las Vegas officials since the park was closed in November after one homeless man stabbed another to death there.
Potential buyer says no thanks to Neonopolis deal: Saturday, April 14, 2007; General Growth Properties, the Chicago-based retail giant that recently met with Las Vegas officials about purchasing Neonopolis, has decided not to get involved with the troubled downtown retail complex.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Wednesday, April 11, 2007; Interim Ward 5 Las Vegas Councilwoman Brenda Williams has the backing of at least two influential Ward 5 residents - the candidates vying to fill her seat on the City Council.
Over the years, the mayor has been a man of many faces, but just one name: Oscar.: Tuesday, April 10, 2007; He walks down Las Vegas Boulevard toward Fremont Street and people scream his name from open car windows or honk their horns and wave as if they are greeting an old friend - or a rock star.
City gives Neonopolis' owner a shove: Monday, April 9, 2007; It looks as if the city of Las Vegas has finally given up hope that Rohit Joshi and Wirrulla Hayward can turn around the struggling Neonopolis project downtown.
Neonopolis may get a new boss: Monday, April 2, 2007; Las Vegas has begun discussions about turning over the troubled Neonopolis project downtown to the group responsible for bringing the Fashion Show mall, a local developer says.
Ward 3's choices: Everyman vs. the rebel: Saturday, March 31, 2007; Voters in Las Vegas' Ward 3 will have no difficulty distinguishing one candidate from the other in next week's primary.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Wednesday, March 28, 2007; Las Vegas' fleet of alternative fuel vehicles is about to get two big additions.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe: Who in Ward 5 will go?: Tuesday, March 27, 2007; It's tough to say whose job is more difficult in the Las Vegas City Council Ward 5 race - the candidates struggling to distinguish themselves in a field of 10, or voters trying to sift through the crowded slate to make their choice.
Balance of power unlikely to change at LV City Hall: Saturday, March 17, 2007; A campaign for an open Las Vegas City Council seat and another contest that will determine whether the voice of the council's loyal opposition remains at City Hall highlights next month's primary.
It may not be thumbscrews, but tagger penalties in works: Friday, March 16, 2007; While still not ready to give a thumbs up to Mayor Oscar Goodman's thumbs-off plan for graffiti taggers, many Las Vegas City Council members support the harsher penalties for graffiti crimes being considered in the Legislature.
Joshi, companion claim no pay: Wednesday, March 14, 2007; The couple running Neonopolis contend they are not making any money off the troubled retail center, which sits on a prime corner in downtown Las Vegas.
Neonopolis operator to get closer look by city: Friday, March 9, 2007; Documents suggesting Rohit Joshi, the owner's representative for Neonopolis, misrepresented his business relationship with a Hong Kong billionaire have prompted Las Vegas officials to take a closer look at Joshi.
Neonopolis chief disputes documents: Wednesday, March 7, 2007; The man running the Neonopolis project downtown misrepresented his relationship with a Hong Kong billionaire, according to documents to be presented at today's Las Vegas City Council meeting.
Judge offers HOPE for habitual offenders who want to change: Monday, March 5, 2007; Albert Paige and Patrick Allen had a lot in common.
More flexible trash pickups are sought: Thursday, March 1, 2007; Proposed changes in Las Vegas' trash collection procedures would give commercial users more flexibility in determining how frequently their garbage is picked up.
City Council sees flip side of 'flipper' argument: Friday, Feb. 23, 2007; Two weeks ago there had been strong words at Las Vegas City Hall about getting tough with property "flippers" trying to make a quick buck at the city's expense.
Las Vegas looking for new way to streamline operations: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007; Las Vegas officials would like to eliminate a required annual report on the movement and storage of hazardous materials in the city.
Developer may get rematch: Monday, Feb. 19, 2007; Downtown Las Vegas residents who opposed a six-story apartment complex in their neighborhood won a battle this month when the City Council withdrew needed variance requests, but worry that their victory could be short-lived.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007; The developer that has been attempting to attract a grocery store to West Las Vegas for more than a year is out of the picture, at least officially.
Community is his No. 1 priority: Monday, Feb. 5, 2007; Gov. Jim Gibbons last week tapped Las Vegas City Councilman Lawrence Weekly to replace the retiring Yvonne Atkinson Gates on the Clark County Commission.
Signs of trouble looming over big sign: Monday, Feb. 5, 2007; In the adult entertainment business, size does matter.
Past failures still haunt Neonopolis developer: Monday, Jan. 29, 2007; Despite Rohit Joshi's string of failed projects and more than $750,000 in civil judgments against him, Las Vegas city officials say that is not reason enough to seek Joshi's removal as developer of the troubled Neonopolis retail center.
New district is all about old Las Vegas: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007; A buxom beauty in a neon bikini, a glimmering, red stiletto-heeled shoe and an enormous martini, complete with olive and swizzle stick.
Low-rent project has neighbors crying foul: Friday, Jan. 12, 2007; Low-rent project has neighbors crying foul
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Monday, Jan. 8, 2007; Program to help with rent assistance
Downtown Vegas plans history you can walk on: Monday, Jan. 8, 2007; Las Vegas history includes colorful characters and world-changing events.
Developer has history of failed projects: Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007; Las Vegas city officials hope Rohit Joshi is the savvy developer who can turn Neonopolis into a moneymaker and tourist attraction.
Las Vegas gets tough with developer: Friday, Dec. 29, 2006; Frustrated over the failure to attract a grocery store to West Las Vegas, city leaders have started to get tough with a developer and would like to use the same tactics with grocers.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006; Homeless issues such as shelter access, shopping carts and sleeping outside in the cold dominated the public comment portion of last week's Las Vegas City Council meeting.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006; Metro Officer Laurie Bisch's announcement that she would seek the Las Vegas City Council seat currently held by Lois Tarkanian set off a chain reaction of political activity.
Critics question park closing: Monday, Dec. 18, 2006; Crime statistics for Huntridge Circle Park suggest the park was closed last month less for safety reasons than because of official displeasure over the fact that the park was a congregating point for the homeless, critics say.
Downtown project still in bad shape: Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006; It's been a long time since news of the performance or future of Neonopolis has been anything you would want to put up in bright lights.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Monday, Dec. 11, 2006; The Las Vegas City Council approved an ordinance last week that will help ensure residents are kept in the loop on amendments to the city's general plan that could affect them.
At City Hall, it's the little things that matter: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006; Click here for a printable graphic.
Crime hasn't closed other parks: Monday, Dec. 4, 2006; City officials cited safety concerns when they closed a local park last week, but statistics on crime and calls for police aid around other city parks and buildings are considerably higher.
Hookah bars predict smoky futures: Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006; Whether customers will continue to light the hookah after dinner at their favorite restaurant seems to be a matter of what is being lit.
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006; Those planning to raise a little Hell-dorado next year should start preparing now.
Smoking ban sparks dilemma for supper clubs: Friday, Nov. 24, 2006; Tavern owners trying to decide whether to continue offering food at their Las Vegas establishments when a tough new smoking ban takes effect should be grateful for one thing: at least they have a choice.