Tovin Lapan

Latino Community, Immigration and General Assignment Reporter

After working for his college paper, Tovin started his professional career in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he fell in love with the variety and excitement of working in daily journalism as well as with a sandwich called the torta ahogada. He comes to the Las Vegas Sun from the Santa Cruz Sentinel, where he covered higher education, city government and immigration. Prior to Santa Cruz, Tovin was on staff at the San Diego Union-Tribune, Miami New Times and Naples Daily News and worked as a freelance journalist for numerous publications. He has reported extensively in Latin America, including Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico, and holds masters degrees in journalism and Latin American Studies from UC Berkeley.

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Story Archive

Sheriff weighs in on pimps, hip-hop, cops and cameras on the Strip, and more: Sunday, May 19, 2013; Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie has been having a busy year. In January, Gillespie joined other law enforcement members at a meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss gun policy. In February, Gillespie’s officers were handling one of the highest-profile shootings in Las Vegas in years.
Cause unknown in fire that damages two homes in Henderson: Friday, May 17, 2013; The Henderson Fire Department battled a blaze that damaged two homes early Friday.
Man found dead with gunshot wound at apartment complex: Friday, May 17, 2013; Metro Police are investigating the death of a man found early Friday in the parking lot of a northeast valley apartment complex.
Boy, 15, run over by SUV and killed during theft of iPad: Friday, May 17, 2013; A teenager died Thursday after a man grabbed an iPad out of his hands and fled in an SUV that ran over the boy as he struggled to hold on to the device.
Roll call in the nursery: Alexander, Sophia, top 2012 baby names in Nevada: Look back through the decades at Nevada's favorite monikers; Friday, May 17, 2013; In Nevada, it turns out not that many people want their kid to "be like Mike" anymore.
Increase U.S. foreign aid spending? Darn right, panelists tell Las Vegas audience: Wednesday, May 15, 2013; Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge was the keynote speaker at a breakfast event Wednesday at the Four Seasons Las Vegas organized by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
Beers once exclusive to Mexico are crossing the border: Indio is entering the Las Vegas market this spring; Monday, May 13, 2013; Indio, first brewed in Mexico in 1893, rolled out in the United States in 2012 in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Now, the beer will be available in Tucson, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Foothill teacher, 24, arrested for relationship with 15-year-old student: Monday, May 13, 2013; A high school teacher suspected of pursuing a romantic relationship with a student was arrested Friday after the student’s parents raised concerns.
Suspect in Las Vegas Strip shooting reconsiders, enters not guilty pleas: Monday, May 13, 2013; The suspect charged with three counts of murder stemming from a spectacular and unprecedented shooting in February on the Las Vegas Strip changed his mind after indicating earlier in the day he wanted to plead guilty.
This week in the life of 2013 immigration reform: Senate bill faces 300 amendments, Heritage Foundation report finds little support; Saturday, May 11, 2013; The Heritage Foundation this week released a report on the projected costs of immigration reform to U.S. taxpayers that, while met with strong rebuttal, managed to dominate much of the discussion on immigration this week.
Road construction causing closures along Interstate 15: Friday, May 10, 2013; Road construction will close several Interstate 15 ramps and cause other traffic restrictions Sunday and during the upcoming week.
Police searching for missing man whose truck found at park: Friday, May 10, 2013; Metro Police are searching for a man who was reported missing in February and are seeking tips from the public.
The case for immigration reform, as made by a hunger-striking, naturalized citizen: Friday, May 10, 2013; Salvador Zamora does not give up easily, and it has taken a toll on his health. As of Thursday, Zamora was on day 30 of a hunger strike in support of U.S. immigration reform. He has lost 22 pounds since he started in April, and has seen doctors regularly to monitor his deteriorating condition. Zamora sits below a banner marking off the days directly across from the Lloyd George Federal Building, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Dean Heller have their local offices.
The case against immigration reform, as made by an 'intense' American nationalist: Friday, May 10, 2013; Larry Brown first thought of immigration as a social and political issue in the early 1980s, when he drove past a San Fernando Valley billboard sponsored by the conservative-leaning Federation for American Immigration Reform. It was, he said, a “call to arms against illegal immigration.” Brown, who worked at a bank in Irvine, Calif. at the time, studied the issue and started following the work of Glen Spencer, a vehement opponent of any legalization plan for immigrants.
DA to seek death penalty against suspect in Strip shooting, crash: Wednesday, May 8, 2013; Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Ammar Harris, the suspect in a February shooting on the Las Vegas Strip that killed one person and caused a car crash that killed two others.
Judge rejects settlement on kosher meal service in Nevada prisons: Monday, May 6, 2013; A federal judge removed an injunction on the Nevada Department of Corrections Friday, freeing it to fully implement a plan to reform the system for inmate meals, which some prisoners said would deprive them of access to kosher foods, forcing them to break the tenets of their religion.
Outstanding issues delay arraignment in case of Las Vegas Strip shooting, crash: Monday, May 6, 2013; A scheduled arraignment in District Court for a man accused of opening fire on the Las Vegas Strip in late February, resulting in the deaths of three people, was delayed Monday until May 13.
After Boston bombings, security added for charity race in Las Vegas: Friday, May 3, 2013; For the first time in 18 years, there will be extra security at tomorrow’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Las Vegas, in the wake of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.
Demolition of shuttered Oasis casino in Mesquite getting underway: Friday, May 3, 2013; The Oasis casino and Resort in Mesquite will be demolished, one building at a time, starting Saturday. Lunas Inc of Las Vegas will complete the demolition, which involves leveling several buildings over the course of three months.
PEPCON anniversary serves as reminder: Hazardous materials emergencies could occur in Clark County: Friday, May 3, 2013; After the 1988 PEPCON blast, Clark County commissioners attempted to encourage development of industrial sites farther away from population centers, and the Apex site was developed north of Las Vegas. Today the companies with the largest quantity of hazardous materials near large population centers in the valley are in and around the Basic Management Inc. complex, a 5,000-acre county island surrounded by Henderson.
Reid tells May Day rally: Country owes immigrants a 'permanent solution': Wednesday, May 1, 2013; Thousands of people gathered downtown Wednesday afternoon to rally in support of immigration reform, then chanted their way down Las Vegas Boulevard toward the Stratosphere while passing vehicles honked their horns in support.
How a big spender gets a public defender: Appearances aren't always reality: Tuesday, April 30, 2013; Judge Deborah J. Lippis asked Ammar Harris, the man accused of firing a gun while driving down the Las Vegas Strip, killing three, if he had sufficient funds to hire a defense attorney. Harris quietly murmured “no, ma’am.” It was a decidedly different Harris than the public was introduced to when Metro Police first identified him as a suspect in the Feb. 21 crime.
Grand jury indicts suspect in Las Vegas Strip shooting, crash: Friday, April 26, 2013; The suspect in a Las Vegas Strip shooting and crash that left three people dead was indicted by a Clark County Grand Jury on Friday and faces new charges from an alleged sexual assault in 2010.
Fatal motorcycle crash closes ramp at Spaghetti Bowl for more than 2 hours: Friday, April 26, 2013; A motorcyclist was killed Friday morning in a crash at the Spaghetti Bowl, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Man found beaten in 2011 dies; attack remains unsolved: Friday, April 26, 2013; A man who was beaten in a still-unsolved 2011 attack died this week from his injuries, Metro Police said.
Bicyclist hit on Strip near Circus Circus critically injured: Friday, April 26, 2013; A bicyclist was in critical condition after being hit by a car early Friday on the Las Vegas Strip, according to Metro Police.
Town hall speakers urge education about new health insurance exchanges: Wednesday, April 24, 2013; One group that stands to benefit from the Affordable Care Act is Hispanics, who make up 16 percent of the U.S. population but 30.7 percent of the nation’s uninsured population.
Suspect with distinctive face tattoos sought in bank robberies: Friday, April 19, 2013; Metro Police are searching for a man with a distinct and elaborate face and neck tattoos in connection with a bank robbery investigation.
Mother stabbed her children before killing herself, police say: Friday, April 19, 2013; Three people were found dead Friday in a house in the 10000 block of Wolf Pack Lane. Metro Police think a woman killed her children with a knife, then turned the weapon on herself.
Climber falls at Red Rock, helicopter summoned: Friday, April 19, 2013; A climber at Red Rock National Conservation Area fell Friday morning, and rescue workers have called for an airlift, Metro Police said.
New doctor in town offers alternative to traditional fee-for-service model: Monthly subscriptions plan touted for providing access for patients, low overhead for doctors; Friday, April 19, 2013; As individuals and businesses begin grappling with how they will meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act that kick in next year, Las Vegas Dr. Samir Qamar wants MedLion to be one of the options.
Opponents, supporters of 'Gang of Eight' proposal weigh in: With debate to come, both camps attempt to set tone early; Thursday, April 18, 2013; A collection of what people from all sides, both locally and nationally, are saying about the U.S. Senate 'Gang of Eight' proposal on immigration reform.
Coalition of conservation groups dubs Colorado ‘America’s most endangered river’: Wednesday, April 17, 2013; American Rivers has named the Colorado River "America's most endangered river" for 2013.
Suspect in Las Vegas Strip shooting, crash appears in court: Wednesday, April 17, 2013; The man accused of firing a gun while driving down the Las Vegas Strip, killing another driver and causing a fiery crash that killed two others, made his first appearance in a Nevada court today.
Las Vegas family presents 'perfect example' of need for immigration reform, advocates say: Senate's Gang of Eight unveils bipartisan reform package; Wednesday, April 17, 2013; If immigration reform moves forward quickly, it could save Martin Martinez from having to separate from his family in Las Vegas, and if he is deported, he could still benefit from provisions in a Senate proposal unveiled Tuesday.
Man arrested on DUI count after fatal crash in Henderson: Monday, April 15, 2013; A man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol collided with two vehicles Sunday, killing a passenger in one car, and then attempted to walk away, according to Henderson Police.
Four months after seeing case against him dismissed, Romanian doctor again faces theft charges: Saturday, April 13, 2013; When it comes to at least one dispute over loans doled out from one lover to another, there is no quit in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.
Officer tried to pull over driver moments before fatal crash: Friday, April 12, 2013; A fatal traffic wreck east of McCarran International Airport occurred moments after a patrol officer attempted to pull the car over for multiple traffic violations Friday morning, Metro Police officials said.
Reid featured in immigration video; Cortez Masto backs reform; more: May Day march planning underway; Thursday, April 11, 2013; In a busy week for immigration news Sen. Harry Reid stars in video produced by Senta Democrats, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto signs a letter supporting immigration reform and May Day march plans in Las Vegas get underway.
For Armenians in Las Vegas, a church to call their own: Wednesday, April 10, 2013; In 1994, a group of Armenian Orthodox Christians began meeting in one of the congregant’s homes for services. In 1998, when the Orthodox Armenian community in Las Vegas consisted of 30 to 40 families, the congregants officially established a parish. As their ranks grew and years passed, they were a nomadic congregation. This weekend, the congregation, which now counts more than 100 families, will celebrate the consecration of its own church, St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church.
Two accidents snarl traffic on eastbound 215 Beltway: Tuesday, April 9, 2013; Two accidents occurred on the 215 Beltway eastbound near Warm Springs just after 4 p.m. and have clogged traffic, according to Nevada Highway Patrol.
Guitar lessons for unemployed offer more than just pickin': Tuesday, April 9, 2013; It is 8 a.m. Thursday on a quiet residential street in northeast Las Vegas. One house stands out from the rest of the cream and beige single-story homes. In the back room, Miguel Curiel, 62, is giving his free weekly guitar class for the unemployed. Wearing a tie with a violin, trumpet and piano printed on it and a long wooden cross necklace, he swings a conductor’s baton to keep the class in time.
With viewers increasing, Hispanic TV networks drawing more than passing interest from advertisers: Monday, April 8, 2013; In “El Capo 2,” one of the first original shows on new U.S. Spanish-language network MundoFox, a Colombian drug kingpin fights off challenges from all sides, the U.S. authorities, rival cartels in Mexico and the victims of his violence. The show, from its origins and target audience to its plot, is emblematic of the escalating battle over Hispanic television viewers in the United States.
Neighbor says explosion preceded fire at house in Henderson: Friday, April 5, 2013; A neighbor said she heard an explosion Friday and looked outside to see a large column of smoke and flames coming from the backyard of a house in the 100 block of Ocotillo Street in Henderson.
Two women arrested in shooting of man who stumbled onto burglary, police say: Friday, April 5, 2013; Two women have been arrested in the March 7 shooting of a man who interrupted a burglary at his son’s house, Metro Police said.
Immigration in brief: News from Capitol Hill and elsewhere as immigration reform moves forward: Thursday, April 4, 2013; Right now immigration is more at the forefront of public policy discussion than at any time since the debate over immigration reform in 2007. Here is a round up of the latest in immigration news.
Driver’s privilege bill receives broad support at Nevada Senate committee hearing: Wednesday, April 3, 2013; A procession of supporters favoring creation of a Nevada driver’s privilege card testified before the Nevada Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday, emphasizing the public safety benefits of such a policy.
Thanks to two Girl Scouts, new foster children get guide to intimidating system: Tuesday, April 2, 2013; It’s a tough but essential question for anyone advocating for Nevada’s foster children: How do you make children aware of their rights, and empower them, without overwhelming them and causing panic when they have just been taken from their home?
Brooks arrested in California after police chase: Police use dog, Taser to subdue former Nevada assemblyman; Friday, March 29, 2013; On the night he was expelled from the Nevada Legislature, former Assemblyman Steven Brooks was arrested after leading police on a chase near Barstow, Calif.
Q&A: Laura Espinosa, Mexico’s new deputy consul to Las Vegas: Thursday, March 28, 2013; Twenty years ago, Laura Espinosa was working in the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City. Her niece’s birthday was approaching and Espinosa asked what she wanted. Her niece, at just 7 years old, blurted out: “Las Vegas!” Apparently the lights of Las Vegas had captured the young girl’s imagination. So, Espinosa brought the young girl to Southern Nevada. Then, her niece asked for a trip to Las Vegas the next year, and the next. Every year of Espinosa’s five-year stint in Salt Lake City, she visited Vegas with her niece.