Jeff O'Brien

Story Archive

Lummis fifth-graders graduate from D.A.R.E.: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008; Sporting custom-made t-shirts and bright smiles, about 130 fifth-graders at William R. Lummis Elementary School celebrated their graduation from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., program on Dec. 11.
Library District collecting shoes for needy children: Monday, Dec. 15, 2008; The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District's annual "Shoes for Children Drive" is under way, and in conjunction with the program the Summerlin Library hosted "Shoes for Snowmen" on Dec. 1.
Instructor teaches new ways to bust a move: Friday, Dec. 12, 2008; With a high-energy hip hop beat serving as their backdrop, children of all ages showed off their moves at a free break dancing lesson at the Sahara West Library on Dec. 6.
Sun City group plans 'Season of Dreams' concert: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008; The Sun City Musicmakers Chorale, a group of 45 singers and dancers who all reside in Sun City Summerlin, is presenting its annual holiday concert "Season of Dreams."
Sun City Summerlin fire station vote extended: Monday, Dec. 8, 2008; The deadline for residents to approve a new fire station in Sun City Summerlin has been extended by two months due to low voter participation.
Centennial students raise money to help fight AIDS: Friday, Dec. 5, 2008; Sixty-one students at Centennial High School had a chance to display their talent on-stage while also promoting a nationwide charity at the sixth-annual "Bulldogs Go Broadway" show.
New hotel increases options for extended-stay visitors: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008; A new hotel, the $19 million, 123-room Element Las Vegas Summerlin, is opening Dec. 18 near the intersection of the 215 Beltway and Town Center Drive.
Annual Festival of Lights comes to The Lakes: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008; The Lakes Association is hosting the annual Festival of Lights from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 13, an annual celebration to bring together the residents of all the communities in The Lakes area near W. Sahara Avenue.
AT&T brings 350 jobs to Summerlin: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008; More than 350 jobs are coming to Summerlin after AT&T opened a new high-speed Internet technical support center at 10550 W. Charleston Blvd., near the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Town Center Drive.
Sun City Silvertones celebrate the season with two concerts: Monday, Dec. 1, 2008; The Sun City Silvertones will hold their annual winter concert, "Spirit of the Season," at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Starbright Theater in Sun City Summerlin.
Metro honors brave officers: Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008; Officer Blake Penny vividly remembers the events that occurred on the morning of June 5 as he was engaged in a high-speed pursuit with a black SUV.
Metro updated signs in school zones: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008; Metro Police are warning the public about school zone speed limit laws and are educating motorists about modified speed limit signs that have been installed around local schools.
Students use art to express their dreams: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008; Kaylee Carter, a sixth-grader at Rogich Middle School, made an eye-catching poster that captured the attention of many passersby — a colorful painting that depicted a young girl with dreams of graduation caps and gowns dancing above her head.
Oil for French fries a factor in Summerlin house fire: Woman injured in two-alarm blaze identified; Friday, Nov. 21, 2008; A Las Vegas woman was lucky to escape with her life after a fire that began in the kitchen quickly engulfed her West Valley home late Wednesday night.
Temple congregation assisting at Adcock Elementary: Friday, Nov. 21, 2008; Temple Bet Knesset Bamidbar, a synagogue in Sun City Summerlin for residents age 55 and over, is closing the generation gap by lending a helping hand to a local elementary school.
Families enjoy games, booths at school festival: Friday, Nov. 21, 2008; The campus at Judy and John Goolsby Elementary School was buzzing on Saturday for the inaugural Fall Festival and Shopping Expo, an event that drew more than 700 guests who enjoyed a variety of games, food and holiday shopping.
Strange crime spree ends in suicide: Alcohol, anti-depressants blamed in Sunday's string of events; Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008; When Marcos Ornelas was walking to work Sunday, the waiter at Joe's Crab Shack thought it was going to be another normal afternoon.
Family still looking for answers in teen's death: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008; Six months have passed since the shooting death of 17-year-old Joseph Lopez, but for the members of his family it still feels like it happened yesterday.
Students stay after school just to be funny: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008; The concept may sound simple, but it requires technique and skill to master — making people laugh.
Summerlin man visits 500 colleges but has no plans to see more: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008; For most people, visiting every state capital or watching a game at every major league ballpark in the United States would be a lifetime achievement.
Palo Verde students mourn classmate struck by car: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008; In the wake of Richard "Buddy" Hinshaw's death last week, friends and family are left mourning the loss of a 15-year-old boy described as someone who could brighten anyone's day.
Golfers tee up to benefit veterans: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008; More than 120 golfers — many of whom are combat veterans — gathered at TPC Summerlin on Tuesday for "Birdies for the Brave," a charity golf tournament benefiting members of the military and their families.
Congregants 'come of age' again: Friday, Nov. 7, 2008; It was a celebration of life and longevity in Sun City Summerlin on Saturday as Temple Bet Knesset Bamidbar, a synagogue for residents age 55 and over, added a new twist to the traditional Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah — the "coming of age" celebration for a boy or girl, respectively, that is held on a child's 13th birthday.
Numerous animals found in foreclosed home: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008; Las Vegas animal control officials are still searching for the owner of several animals found last month in a foreclosed home in The Lakes subdivision in the western Las Vegas Valley.
Summerlin resident shares Holocaust experiences: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008; Before a crowd of more than 100 people, Summerlin resident Henry Kronberg re-lived experiences more than 60 years old — opening old wounds and recapturing dark memories from decades past.
Sun City Summerlin still waiting for response on gas pipeline: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008; The Sun City Summerlin Community Association Board of Directors is still waiting for a response from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, concerning the Kern River natural gas pipeline.
Elected officials get tough questions from students: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008; With only a few days remaining before the 2008 presidential election, more than 300 local high schoolers had the opportunity to discuss current issues and events with elected officials from across the Las Vegas Valley.
Las Vegas couple share experiences from rural Cuba: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008; In April 2006, a couple from northwest Las Vegas traveled deep into the heart of Cuba — into a province called Las Tunas — and experienced life inside a country that has largely secluded itself from the rest of the world for more than 50 years.
High schoolers, elected officials talk current events: Friday, Oct. 31, 2008; With only a few days remaining before the 2008 presidential election, more than 300 local high schoolers had the opportunity to discuss current issues and events with elected officials from across the Las Vegas Valley.
Senior stunned, thrilled with gift of garden: Friday, Oct. 31, 2008; Janice Milton watched from her driveway as more than a dozen landscapers were hard at work transforming her front yard into a brand new garden.
Hospital earns consumer award: Friday, Oct. 31, 2008; Summerlin Hospital was awarded a 2008-09 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Council, or NRC, which ranked it as one of the highest quality health care facilities in the United States.
The hospital joins 116 others across the country that health care consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in their respective metropolitan areas.
Violin and piano duo synchronize onstage and off: Pair of performers friends since 1989; Friday, Oct. 31, 2008; The two musicians worked in perfect unison, gliding over a wide range of notes and taking the listening audience on a journey back in time more than 200 years.
Middle schools look for ways to deal with budget cuts: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008; By the time next school year begins, classrooms throughout Summerlin will be hit by another round of significant budget cuts and Rogich Middle School will be no exception.
Fair raises $1,000: Friday, Oct. 24, 2008; Fifteen-year-old Nathaniel Albrecht took aim with his miniature bow and arrow at the row of inflated balloons a few feet away. A split-second later, he let fly with a tiny arrow and struck one of the balloons with a resounding pop.
Child Focus teaches kids to fish: Friday, Oct. 24, 2008; More than 30 foster children from throughout the Las Vegas Valley had the chance to reunite with their siblings and spend an afternoon together at the third annual Child Focus Fishing Event on Saturday.
'Beauty and the Beast' off to a roaring start: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008; The Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center came alive Monday for "Beauty and the Beast," kicking off a monthlong run for the show that concludes Nov. 22.
Schools remind students, parents of bus safety: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008; National School Bus Safety Week was Oct. 20-24, and for schools throughout Summerlin it was an opportunity to remind students and parents about safety for both children and passing motorists.
Palo Verde student gets perfect score on ACT exam: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008; For 17-year-old Kian Ameli, the past year has involved plenty of long nights with his head buried in a textbook. Now that he's one of only two students in the state to have recorded a perfect score on the June 2008 administration of the ACT exam, it's safe to say the dedication and focus have paid off.
Foreign students make themselves home at Palo Verde: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008; For eight teenagers hailing from around the globe, this year at Palo Verde High School will be one to remember. The school's 10th annual foreign exchange program is under way and counselor Todd Steffenhagen said the group is fitting right in with the 3,400 students at Palo Verde.
Metro busy with family fights: Friday, Oct. 17, 2008; Metro's South Central Area Command held its monthly "First Tuesday" meeting on Oct. 8, providing an opportunity for the public and law enforcement officials to share information and address concerns about public safety.
Cactus Rose group helps romance writers hone their craft: Friday, Oct. 17, 2008; Once a month at the Sahara West Library, a group of 20 or so people gather to hone their craft and share their passion for romance writing — a skill they say requires dedication and a keen understanding of human emotions.
Summerlin to host "America's Biggest Open House": Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008; The planned community of Summerlin is hosting "America's Biggest Open House" from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, providing visitors with a chance to tour more than 60 model homes in 14 neighborhoods.
Charity brings smiles to kids at TPC Summerlin tourney: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008; As some of the best golfers in the world squared off against each other on the rolling hills of TPC Summerlin, 9-year-old Carlmon Jeadrik watched with anticipation ⎯ and a bright new smile.
Thousands welcome fall season at Summerlin festival: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008; The air was crisp and cool at The Gardens Park on Saturday as more than 3,000 Summerlin residents attended the second annual Summerlin Pumpkin Festival, an event designed to celebrate the arrival of the fall season.
Gaels celebrate homecoming in style: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008; Tuesday was Spots and Stripes Day at Bishop Gorman High School and senior Paulo Musni knew exactly how to celebrate the occasion ⎯ he showed up in a colorful red, white and blue suit complete with a “Cat in the Hat” hat.
Palo Verde's homecoming week brings out "Panther Pride": Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008; Palo Verde High School’s homecoming week kicked off with a bang Monday with Wacky Hair Day, and when Palo Verde student body president Taylor Bryan arrived on campus that morning, she was blown away by the enthusiasm two of her fellow students.
Business network to prevent crime: Friday, Oct. 10, 2008; For the past two years, a network of local businesses in West Valley and southwest Summerlin has been working with Metro police to prevent crimes and raise awareness about suspicious activity.
School bus routes are reinstated: Friday, Oct. 10, 2008; For the first three weeks of the school year, teachers, administrators and parents at Kathy L. Batterman Elementary School had to deal with a sharp increase in traffic before and after school.
Proposed cell tower meets resistance: Friday, Oct. 10, 2008; A proposal for a new cellular reception antenna has encountered resistance from the Sun City Summerlin Community Association Board of Directors. The issue was addressed at the board's Sept. 29 meeting.
Sun City to vote on fire station: Friday, Oct. 10, 2008; The proposal for a new fire station in Sun City Summerlin has taken another step forward, although it is encountering some resistance along the way.