Dave Toplikar

Story Archive

Medical marijuana issue tangled in courts, Legislature: Attorneys predicting Nevada Legislature will clarify law; Monday, July 9, 2012; A ruling that Nevada’s medical marijuana law is unconstitutional has put the issue before the state Supreme Court and has lawmakers again pushing to clarify how patients can legally obtain the drug.
Teaching the shadowy art of cyber war: Nellis AFB school aimed at taking the high ground on cyber battlefields; Friday, July 6, 2012; As the Air Force faces up to the threat of attacks on computer networks and communications, it has developed a new cyber war school at Nellis Air Force Base designed to fight guerrilla tactics of cyber-terrorists.
Local motorcycle clubs file civil rights lawsuit against police: Clubs name Metro, North Las Vegas police as defendants; Tuesday, June 26, 2012; Saying their civil rights have been violated, a group of motorcycle clubs — including some that local police consider to be criminal gangs — has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Las Vegas and North Las Vegas police departments and several officers.
Dog that killed baby still caged in Henderson: Documents show Supreme Court has tried unsuccessfully to have the case mediated; Friday, June 22, 2012; The fate of Onion, the dog that killed a Henderson baby in April, is still unclear as lawyers for a group that wants to save it continue to try to get the Nevada Supreme Court to take up the matter.
Union balks at city's plan to review Las Vegas fire department: Wednesday, June 20, 2012; Despite a charge from the president of the firefighters union that it was an attempt to “dismantle” the fire department, a new study of the city’s fire department was approved Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Council.
North Las Vegas to pay $6.8 million to house inmates at Las Vegas jail: Wednesday, June 20, 2012; The Las Vegas City Council today approved an agreement to start housing jail inmates from North Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Detention Center.
Makeup artists' lawsuit doesn't powder over dispute with Cosmetology Board: Wednesday, June 20, 2012; All Lissette Waugh and Wendy Robin wanted to do was teach the art of makeup application in the Las Vegas area. But the state of Nevada said they couldn't do so without first obtaining cosmetology licenses or having their businesses licensed as cosmetology schools, even though Waugh and Robin say their craft has nothing to do with cosmetology.
Las Vegas makeup artistry teachers challenge state licensing board in lawsuit: Instructors say their constitutional rights have been violated; Tuesday, June 19, 2012; Two longtime Las Vegas area makeup artistry teachers are challenging the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology’s contention they need to be licensed as cosmetology or aesthetics instructors, saying that requirement is unconstitutional.
Firefighters battle blaze at condos near Green Valley Ranch Resort: Monday, June 18, 2012; Henderson firefighters were battling a blaze late this afternoon at the Mission Ridge condominiums just south of the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson. Firefighters were called to the scene at 4:27 p.m. Monday about a structure fire, and flames were still showing as of about 5:15 p.m., according to Kathryn Hooper, public education and information officer for the Henderson Fire Department.
Las Vegas plugging into solar energy: Latest project one of many ways local governments stretching energy dollars; Monday, June 18, 2012; Josh Bettencourt smiled from under his wide-brimmed hat as the southern Nevada sun blazed across the 25-acre solar array he has been installing in northeast Las Vegas. "Solar technology is changing so fast. It's really pretty incredible,” said Bettencourt, manager of the photovoltaic project under construction next to the city of Las Vegas’ wastewater treatment plant near Vegas Valley Road and Nellis Boulevard.
Horses to remain at Wayne Newton’s estate, judge rules: Thursday, June 14, 2012; Wayne Newton’s herd of 51 Arabian horses will get to stay on the Casa de Shenandoah property, a Clark County District Court judge ruled today. “It’s truly one of the finest herds in the world,” the longtime Las Vegas entertainer said outside the courtroom after a hearing this morning. “It took 50 years to create this herd. People come from all over the world to see them and buy them. We’re very proud of them.”
Judge denies Mayweather's request to leave jail early: Wednesday, June 13, 2012; A Las Vegas judge has denied undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s request to serve the remainder of his 90-day jail sentence for domestic abuse under house arrest.
Erik Scott's family files lawsuit against Costco in shooting death: Family files lawsuit naming Costco employee as a defendant; Friday, June 8, 2012; The family of Erik Scott, who was shot and killed by three Metro Police officers in 2010 at a Summerlin Costco store, have decided to return to state court after dropping a federal lawsuit earlier this year.
Judge Valorie Vega says ethics charges lack merit: Friday, June 8, 2012; Clark County District Judge Valorie Vega said Friday she intends to fight state judicial ethics charges filed against her for the way she conducted a 2010 murder case, saying the claims lack merit. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline announced Friday that three counts of judicial misconduct were filed June 5 against Vega. She is accused of manipulating the schedule of a 2010 child abuse murder retrial so it didn't conflict with her personal schedule.
Las Vegas speedway revving up for Electric Daisy Carnival: Music-dance fest expected to draw 345,000 over three nights; Friday, June 8, 2012; The name Electric Daisy Carnival has a benign ring to it, like a cross between a geeky tech convention and a flower show. But the three-night music-dance festival that will reverberate this weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is one of the biggest DJ-driven music events of its kind in North America — and it could generate upward of $136 million for the Clark County economy.
North Las Vegas fighting arbitrator's ruling on police medical benefits: City claims award could push it into 'abyss of insolvency'; Tuesday, June 5, 2012; Attorneys for the cash-strapped City of North Las Vegas will try to convince a judge Friday to delay an arbitrator's award to a police officer's union that attorneys say could "push the city into the abyss of insolvency."
With inquests stalled, Metro Police releasing internal deadly force reports: Monday, June 4, 2012; Metro Police will start releasing use of deadly force documents that have never before been public, Sheriff Doug Gillespie announced today. The reports are being released as coroner’s inquests into officer-involved shootings have been stalled because officers are challenging changes to the process they say make the inquests adversarial.
Air quality officials issue advisory for blowing dust: Weather service issues Red Flag Warning for wildfires; Monday, June 4, 2012; With winds expected to gust as high as 45 mph today, Clark County air quality officials are asking the owners of construction sites to try to hold down the amount of blowing dust.
Couple to be arraigned in District Court in cab driver death: Searchers continue looking for Keith Goldberg with drone; Wednesday, May 23, 2012; A Henderson couple accused of killing a cab driver and disposing of his body in the desert are expected to be arraigned soon in Clark County District Court on murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges.
Judge sets hearing for man accused of botched Bellagio blackjack heist: Michael Quinn Belton appointed a public defender; Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Michael Quinn Belton, the man tackled by Bellagio employees as he was fleeing from an alleged robbery in the casino Saturday night, will have his preliminary hearing in early June in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Windy and dry, with highs climbing into mid 90s for Las Vegas: Fire weather watch issued for Las Vegas for Thursday; Wednesday, May 23, 2012; After a couple of days of 100-plus degree temperatures, Las Vegas will get a break from the heat today.
Mayor Goodman to open city's new Business Success Center: Center part of Las Vegas' business incubator program; Tuesday, May 22, 2012; Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman will be among local business, government and university leaders on hand Friday to formally open a new one-stop resource center to support entrepreneurs and economic development.
Las Vegas sets high temperature record as triple-digit heat continues: Cooler weather moving in Wednesday, forecasters say; Tuesday, May 22, 2012; After tying a 70-year-old high temperature record Monday of 104 degrees, Las Vegas will get another blast of triple-digit heat this afternoon.
Judge to consider motions regarding dog that killed baby: New York-based organization continues trying to rescue dog from being euthanized; Monday, May 21, 2012; The fate of Onion, a dog that killed a 1-year-old Henderson boy in April, remains in the hands of a Clark County District Court judge. Judge Joanna Kishner will consider two motions Friday that could decide whether the animal is euthanized.
High to hit 102 degrees in Las Vegas: Cooler weather moving in Wednesday, forecasters say; Monday, May 21, 2012; It might be a good time to stock up on the ice — the burners are getting turned up in Las Vegas today and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will soar more than 10 degrees above normal both days, hitting 102 degrees at McCarran International Airport, the weather service said.
Trial rescheduled for man accused of belt-beating death of woman: Victim's mother told police man was her daughter's pimp; Friday, May 18, 2012; It’s been about a year and a half since 20-year-old Alicia Lee, whose mother told police she was a prostitute, was found dead in her central Las Vegas Valley apartment, beaten to death with a belt and wrapped in a blanket.
Cooler temperatures move into Las Vegas: Clear skies expected for Sunday's solar eclipse; Friday, May 18, 2012; Get set for a great weekend to celebrate Las Vegas' cowboy-themed Helldorado Days and for viewing the solar eclipse: clear skies and cooler temperatures are on the way to the region.
Judge sets trial for mom pleading insanity in daughter's stabbing death: Thursday, May 17, 2012; A Las Vegas mother charged with stabbing her 6-year-old daughter to death with a pair of scissors last March will have her trial next year in Clark County District Court.
New trial set for men charged in 9-year-old girl's shooting death: Previous death penalty trial for Kenneth Reid Jr. and Marcus Larry ended in hung jury; Thursday, May 17, 2012; Two men who just went through a nearly month-long murder trial in the 2009 alleged gang-related death of a 9-year-old North Las Vegas girl — which resulted in a hung jury earlier this month — will have to wait until June 3, 2013, for their new trial.
Wind advisory, Red Flag Warning issued for Las Vegas Valley: High temperatures topping 100 degrees today, gusts up to 50 mph; Thursday, May 17, 2012; Hot temperatures climbing into the 100s, with gusty winds and blowing dust are in store today for the Las Vegas Valley, according to the National Weather Service.
Las Vegas renames two city parks to honor community leaders: Thursday, May 17, 2012; The Las Vegas City Council decided to rename Freedom Park, located a 850 N. Mojave Road, as Gary Reese Freedom Park. And the council renamed Doolittle Park, 951 W. Lake Mead Boulevard, as the Kiango Isoke Palacio Park at Doolittle Complex.
Ross: Homebuying program 'brought back hope' to Las Vegas: Wells Fargo 'Neighborhood LIFT' down payment program draws 320 prospects; Wednesday, May 16, 2012; A recent privately funded program aimed at helping Las Vegas residents buy a home won accolades Wednesday from the Las Vegas City Council. “You brought back hope," Ward 6 Councilman Steve Ross told the organizers of the recent NeighborhoodLIFT event, which took place at the Riviera.
Temperatures to hit 100 again today in parts of Las Vegas Valley: Forecasters: First official 100-degree day expected Thursday at McCarran; Wednesday, May 16, 2012; Las Vegas will make another push toward triple digit heat again today.
Las Vegas City Council approves relatively 'flat' budget for 2013: Budget has minor deficit that will be handled by reserves, city manager says; Tuesday, May 15, 2012; The good news is that, unlike recent years, there won’t be any employee layoffs or cuts in programs or services next year for the city of Las Vegas. But there are some budget problems coming up the following year — the city will have to pay about $16 million more for the Metro Police budget and will also have to begin paying on the debt for the new $185 million City Hall.
Man gets life sentence in fatal Las Vegas shooting: Tuesday, May 15, 2012; A man who pleaded guilty to shooting two people — killing one of them — last year in a Las Vegas apartment complex was sentenced to life imprisonment Tuesday in Clark County District Court.
Hot, dry and windy for Las Vegas: First official 100-degree day expected on Wednesday at McCarran; Tuesday, May 15, 2012; Hot and windy weather is on the way again to the Las Vegas Valley today, with temperatures hitting the 100s again in parts of the valley.
Trial set for man shot by Henderson Police officers: Tony McNeill pleads not guilty to assault and weapons charges; Monday, May 14, 2012; By the time Tony McNeill will stand trial on assault and weapons charges, it will be nearly 11 months since three Henderson Police officers shot him Dec. 26 outside his condominium after he allegedly pointed a rifle at one of them.
Triple-digit temperatures heading this week to Las Vegas Valley: East side of the valley expecting to hit 100s through Thursday; Monday, May 14, 2012; It might be a good week to stock up on the ice and the sunscreen — sunny skies and hundred-degree heat is heading to the Las Vegas Valley this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Judge says dog that killed 1-year-old boy can be euthanized: Group seeking to save dog plans to file appeal; Friday, May 11, 2012; Despite the efforts of a New York-based animal rescue group, Onion — the dog that attacked and killed a 1-year-old boy last month — is still set to be euthanized by Henderson Animal Control.
Goodbye haze, hello warm weekend: Highs in Las Vegas to climb to upper 90s Sunday for Mothers Day; Friday, May 11, 2012; Much more sunshine — and much less dust — is in the forecast today for the Las Vegas area, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Trial set for two accused of fatally shooting man in roadside robbery: Police: Men were seeking money to buy methamphetamine; Thursday, May 10, 2012; Two men charged with fatally shooting a man during a roadside robbery last month in eastern Las Vegas will have to wait in jail for more than a year before their case goes to trial.
Man sentenced to prison in brother-in-law’s shooting death: Thursday, May 10, 2012; Ricky Saldana will serve at least six years in prison in connection with the death of his sister’s estranged husband, who was shot nearly three years ago in an eastern Las Vegas Valley neighborhood.
Husband of slain Las Vegas teacher gets life sentence: Judge says 51-year-old Mark Franta will be eligible for parole in 10 years; Thursday, May 10, 2012; Mark Franta was given a life sentence Thursday morning for second-degree murder in the 2010 strangulation death of his wife, Marybeth Franta, a 49-year-old Las Vegas junior high school teacher and equestrienne.
Las Vegas heating up to near 100 degrees: Winds make a return, with southerly gusts up to 30 mph today; Thursday, May 10, 2012; Get ready for another warm day — temperatures will climb into the upper 90s this afternoon in Las Vegas, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist. "We'll make another shot at 100 degrees," Janison said.
Tentative plea deal still in works for teen charged in teacher's death: Court hearings set for this week for other defendants charged in 2010 death of high school teacher; Wednesday, May 9, 2012; One of three remaining defendants charged with multiple felonies in the Oct. 20, 2010, robbery and death of Timothy VanDerbosch, a Las Vegas high school teacher, has had her case delayed for another 90 days.
Warming into the 90s for Las Vegas: Winds expected to be light today as temperatures begin to climb through weekend; Wednesday, May 9, 2012; It might be a good time to head for the pool — dry weather with temperatures warming to well above normal are heading to Las Vegas, according to the National Weather Service.
Jury selection begins for man in death of alleged drug dealer: Attorney: Case involves 'unseen population' who live in city's tunnels; Tuesday, May 8, 2012; It’s been more than four years since Marty DeVone James Jacobs — an alleged crack cocaine dealer known by "J" to his customers — was found mortally wounded.
Isolated wind bursts, lightning and thunderstorms move out of Las Vegas: Clearing, with highs in upper 80s expected this afternoon; Tuesday, May 8, 2012; A few more strong breezes will dust up the Las Vegas area today, but not nearly like they were on Monday, says Kevin Janison, KSNV-TV meteorologist.
Judge declares mistrial in murder case involving shooting death of 9-year-old girl: Jurors say prosecutors' case relied too heavily on witness statements, needed 'less hearsay and more facts'; Monday, May 7, 2012; A Clark County district judge declared a mistrial Monday afternoon in the murder case of two men accused in the 2009 fatal shooting of a 9-year-old girl in North Las Vegas, ruling that the jury was “hopelessly deadlocked” after four days of deliberations.
2 indicted in roadside robbery, shooting death of man: Prosecutors: Victim killed during holdup to get money for methamphetamine; Monday, May 7, 2012; A Clark County grand jury has indicted two men on murder charges in the April 17 shooting death of Manuel Torres-Garcia, whom police allege the men shot in a robbery to get money on their way to buy methamphetamine.