Tony Cook

Story Archive

Porter releases phone records, schedules

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006

U.S. Rep. Jon Porter released phone records and copies of his daily schedule Friday that he claims disprove a former staffer's allegations that the congressman made illegal fundraising phone calls from his government offices in Henderson and Washington, D.C.

Porter plays political hide-and-seek

Friday, Oct. 27, 2006

If not for his more than $1 million in television ads in the campaign's closing weeks, many voters might not know that Rep. Jon Porter is running for re-election in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District.

Porter rejects request

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006

E-mail transcripts

Ex-aide alleges Porter made illegal fundraising calls

Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., made dozens of campaign fundraising phone calls last spring from his district and Washington, D.C., offices, according to a former Porter staffer and e-mails obtained by the Sun.

3rd District race considered a 'toss-up' by Beltway expert

Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006

Nevada's 3rd Congressional District race is shaping up to be more competitive than originally thought.

INSIDE THE CAMPAIGN

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006

Hafen, in a seemingly overzealous attempt to capitalize on former Rep. Mark Foley's congressional page scandal, sent out a press release Thursday charging in bold print: "Jon Porter calls for Dennis Hastert to resign over GOP coverup of sexual predator e-mails."

Boggs McDonald failed to disclose more ties

Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006

Six more instances of Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald failing to disclose potential conflicts of interest have come to light in a Las Vegas Sun review of her commission votes.

Who knew what, when?

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006

Rep. Jon Porter said, "Former Rep. Foley's actions are inexcusable and if anyone, whether that be a member or staffer, had prior knowledge about the gravity of this situation and did nothing to rectify it, they should be removed from their positions." Porter did not name anyone. He also called for House Speaker Dennis Hastert to suspend the page program until the FBI probe is complete.

Boggs McDonald saw no need to disclose

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006

Relying on a questionable interpretation of state law, Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald insists through her attorney that she did nothing wrong in acquiring a piece of land in Arizona and a $100,000 loan to pay for it from a local developer only four months after helping the developer obtain a zoning change.

An angry mom

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006

Adam is a slender 10-year-old, tall for his age - and he is scared.

Porter vs. Hafen

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006

In October 2003, U.S. Rep. Jon Porter voted in favor of giving U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan a $1,500 bonus.

Recorder pick rife with repercussions

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006

Clark County commissioners will pick a new county recorder Sept. 19, raising questions about how they will handle the rare chance to appoint an otherwise elected official.

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006

The largest indoor venue in Las Vegas - the Thomas & Mack Center - would cost at least $125 million to renovate and, even then, would continue to lag behind other similar arenas across the nation in terms of premium seating and parking .

County wants to cut some of mama's apron strings

Friday, Sept. 1, 2006

Clark County occupies an area bigger than New Jersey and boasts one of the most recognizable stretches of real estate - the Las Vegas Strip - in the world.

Eminent domain balancing act

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006

Nevada voters still are waiting to learn whether the state Supreme Court decides to keep an initiative dealing with the hot-button topic of eminent domain on the November ballot.

A cup of Joe from a guy named Gil

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006

Some politicians try to win elections one vote at a time.

'No you don't' to wee-hour 'I do's'

Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006

Clark County could have saved Britney Spears a lot of grief if it had cut the graveyard shift at its marriage license bureau 2 1/2 years ago.

Time to mend fences with the 'status quo'

Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006

A blistering primary contest left Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani standing as the victorious Democratic candidate in Clark County Commission District E.

It's deja vu all over again

Friday, Aug. 11, 2006

Here's a story.

What's that smell? Unkept promises from garbage firm

Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006

The deals looked questionable when signed years ago.

Now, contract extensions that Clark County gave to the local trash company, Republic Services, look - and smell - even worse.

Before you know, county says 'yes'

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006

Be careful about going out of town if you're a Clark County resident. While you're gone, a group home could pop up next door.

Tug of war over room tax

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006

Tug of war over room tax

Telling tall tales

Friday, July 28, 2006

Maybe it was the pressure of their first - and probably only - face-to-face debate. Maybe it was the pressure of being in front of a television camera. Or maybe the two Democratic candidates in the heated Clark County Commission District E race were just trying to pull a fast one.

High price for low buildings

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

When Clark County imposed height restrictions on land surrounding McCarran International Airport, it hoped to prevent safety hazards such as a skyscraper popping up near the end of a runway.

Smut dealers play games with newsrack rules

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Rifle through the 2,800 permitted racks on county sidewalks and you'll find advertisements for strippers, topless clubs and escort services.

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY

Monday, July 17, 2006

Even though the Aug. 15 primary is just a month away, the Clark County elections office has been underwhelmed.

In search of a site, arena task force needs ideas

Friday, July 14, 2006

Finding a suitable site for a new arena is the first of a series of hurdles for the task force studying the possibility of building a state-of-the-art events center in the Las Vegas Valley.

District E campaign gets uglier by the day

Thursday, July 13, 2006

It's the political equivalent of "Girls Gone Wild."

County leaning toward Valentine

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Clark County commissioners plan to name Assistant County Manager Virginia Valentine to the county's top job next week, sources said.

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY

Sunday, July 9, 2006

The local trash company is dumping its controversial policy of paying its truck drivers $4 for each photo they take of overloaded trash containers so that extra fees can be charged for rubbish pickups.

Garbage plan recycled

Sunday, July 9, 2006

Some consumers might think the deal stinks like days-old garbage, but the local trash company could come off smelling pretty good under a proposed plan for local rubbish collection.

County may have heart set on Valentine

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

"You probably have to consider her the favorite," Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said. "She has more high-level experience."

Good foster fit elusive

Friday, June 23, 2006

Meanwhile, the county's shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned children is nearly overflowing, with some foster children sleeping in gymnasiums or offices of county staff. The shelter is home to more than 200 kids, double the number it is designed to accommodate.

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY

Thursday, June 22, 2006

One of the county's largest unions has criticized Clark County's proposed redistricting plan because of its impact on minority populations.

Jaded Justice

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Imagine a series of car wrecks involving the same drivers again and again, but police refuse to investigate whether the drivers are at fault. Instead, police call for better roads.

Charges for trash overages may reek

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Property managers in Clark County are upset that the primary local garbage removal company pays its employees to take photos of overfilled trash containers in order to charge extra collection fees.

Facing a shortage of funds for roads

Friday, June 9, 2006

Nevada faces a $3.8 billion shortfall in highway funding, leaving Southern Nevadans facing an unpleasant choice: higher taxes or gridlock on most major Las Vegas Valley freeways within a decade.

Collins' motive on plant vote questioned

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

But the actions of at least one commissioner suggest they took into consideration more than just land-use issues.

With Deane out, recorder candidates begin trading barbs

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

With embattled Recorder Fran Deane out of the race (and under investigation), the recorder's contest is off to a hot start with a field of 10 candidates.

Commissioners play it safe

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Clark County commissioners have been playing it safe on ethical issues ever since news broke of the G-Sting political corruption case.

Goodman gets ahead of himself on arena issue

Saturday, May 20, 2006

The task force - composed of local business executives, event organizers, UNLV officials and local government staffers who were jointly appointed by the City Council and county commissioners - met for the first time Thursday.

Funding for new court jobs at issue

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

During a special meeting Monday, commissioners approved the creation of 207 positions and passed the county's $1.4 billion general fund budget for fiscal 2007.

Public administrator: Little known, heavily sought

Monday, May 15, 2006

With a high profile office such as Clark County sheriff, it's no surprise when an incumbent's decision not to seek re-election results in a flood of eager candidates at the election office.

County contract talks held up by numbers

Friday, May 12, 2006

Clark County and the union that represents its rank-and-file employees can't even agree on how many people should be at the negotiating table.

Republicans pile on challenges to Deane

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

"I don't think she can win again," said Richard Deeds, 59, a member of the Clark County Republican executive committee and one of four party members who have filed papers to challenge Deane in the August primary.

Bridge has shaky future

Monday, May 8, 2006

Clark County commissioners' showdown with a concrete company could jeopardize the $234 million Hoover Dam bypass bridge.

County to draw new lines despite opposition

Sunday, May 7, 2006

State law does not permit counties to draw district lines based on population figures other than those produced by the U.S. Census Bureau every 10 years, according to an opinion from the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

County hopes to redraw districts to reflect voters

Friday, May 5, 2006

Clark County wants to get rid of the dragon's neck and the finger. But in doing so, it might wind up with three hammerheads.

Snowbirds buried in garbage bills they believe they shouldn't have to pay

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Thousands of part-time residents - and others whose property, for various reasons, is uninhabited all or most of the year - are forced to pay for garbage collection even though they do not receive the service.

Lawyer to help kick off Sober Day USA

Saturday, April 29, 2006

His clients have included many who, because of their drug use, saw their fame turn to infamy - among them, actor Robert Downey Jr. and baseball All-Star Darryl Strawberry.