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HEALTH OVERHAUL-NEVADA
Audit details problems with Nevada health exchange
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — An audit of Nevada's health insurance exchange cites Xerox for failing many service performance standards as outlined in its contract.
The audit, to be discussed Thursday by the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange board, looked at 540 selected files. It found instances of incorrect subsidy calculations and more than 1,000 consumer invoices in which tax credits were omitted.
Additionally, about 11 percent of claims reviewed did not account for reduced out-of-pocket costs for participants based on income levels.
The 60-page report prepared by Health Claim Auditors Inc. also found that some premium information on the Nevada Health Link website was different than rates listed by the Division of Insurance.
The exchange was given a rating of "fail" in several categories, including call response timeliness and problem resolution.
SUSPICIOUS TEST SCORES
Nev. superintendent to address cheating scandal
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The state superintendent is set to address the Nevada Board of Education about a cheating scandal uncovered at a Las Vegas elementary school.
Superintendent Dale Erquiaga is expected to speak at a meeting Thursday, the day after the state education department announced it was invalidating 2011-2012 test scores at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
An investigation concluded adults had altered standardized test answer sheets, leading to a dramatic increase in test scores at the traditionally low-performing school. The probe didn't determine exactly who corrected the tests.
A school district spokeswoman says Principal Patricia Harris, Assistant Principal Steven Niemeier and Associate Superintendent Andre Denson have been placed on leave. They could face disciplinary action including the revocation of their licenses.
CLOSED GOLF COURSE-RENO PARK
Closed Reno golf course could become new park
(Information in the following story is from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com)
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Residents of a northwest Reno neighborhood are launching an ambitious effort to turn an abandoned golf course into a park.
Once known as the "St. Andrews of the Sierra," the links-style Northgate Golf Club has sat vacant since it closed in 2009.
Homeowner Linda James is among those who want to convert the old cart paths into hiking and biking trails and turn the old clubhouse into a community gathering place.
She tells the Reno Gazette-Journal she's excited because the city recently announced it secured help from the National Park Service and the American Society of Landscape Architects to help residents craft a plan to design and operate the 200-acre site as Sierra Vista Park.
City Parks Director Julee Conway estimates the outside expertise is worth $100,000 to $150,000.
VEGAS HORSE CARRIAGES
Vegas Council clears way for horse-drawn carriages
(Information in the following story is from: KLAS-TV, http://www.klas-tv.com)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas City Council has cleared the way for horse-drawn carriages to return to some parts of the city for the first time in nearly 30 years.
The city banned the carriages in 1985 after a spooked horse ran out of control on Las Vegas Boulevard.
The prohibition later was rescinded and the council approved a series of routes Wednesday proposed by two carriage operators seeking business licenses to resume the rides.
KLAS-TV reports Nevada Voters for Animals President Gina Greisen told the council the practice is both "dangerous and inhumane."
But Marybeth Jalepes of the MB Horse & Carriage Company says there's no reason they can't be made safe if regulated correctly.
The carriages still will be banned on Fremont Street, Las Vegas Boulevard and Maryland Parkway.
PUPPIES SAVED-ARSON CHARGES
Owner pleads not guilty in Vegas puppy store fire
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A pet shop owner pleaded not guilty to fraud and attempted theft charges in a fire at a Las Vegas pet shop where 27 puppies and dogs were rescued by firefighters.
Records show Gloria Lee entered her pleas Wednesday in Clark County District Court on an indictment filed April 16.
She's accused of trying to collect a $3,500 insurance claim for losses from the fire.
Lee and co-defendant Kirk Bills previously pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor arson, conspiracy, burglary and attempted animal cruelty charges that carry the possibility of decades in state prison.
They're jailed on $340,000 bail pending trial July 14.
Prosecutors say video shows them setting a Jan. 27 fire that was doused by sprinklers at Lee's Prince and Princess pet shop in southwest Las Vegas.
SCREWDRIVER STABBING DEATH
Screwdriver stabbing death suspect in custody
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police in Las Vegas have taken into custody a man they suspect of stabbing another man to death with a screwdriver.
Police say the two men got into a fight about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of a thrift store near Rancho Drive and Cheyenne.
The victim died a short time later at University Medical Center from the stab wound he suffered in the chest. The second man is being questioned by detectives but so far no charges have been filed.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
MOB MUSEUM-CASH PAYMENT
Mob Museum makes huge payment in cash, mob style
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman took a cue from the mob in making a huge payment on behalf of the city's Mob Museum.
Goodman presented $1.5 million in cash to the City Council at a meeting on Wednesday. The $100 bills bundled up and stuffed in suitcases are the first of four annual payments the two-year-old museum plans to make to the city.
Las Vegas invested $33 million into renovating a historic former federal courthouse and post office in downtown and launching the museum that leases the space. Executive Director Jonathan Ullman says the nonprofit museum planned to pay back $6.2 million of the city's original investment, and is on track to do so.
The museum has welcomed nearly half a million visitors since launching on Valentine's Day 2012.
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FOREIGN COURTHOUSE VISIT-VEGAS
Delegation from Latin America visits Nevada courts
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Legal officials from seven Latin American countries visited Nevada's busiest courthouse on Thursday to learn about specialty court programs.
The visitors from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela were getting information about alternative court programs that focus on resolving business, juvenile, mental health and complex litigation, as well as cases involving U.S. military veterans and people with mental health issues.
Clark County District Court Judge David Barker was conducting the tour of the Clark County Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas.
The 52 judges in the state's Eighth Judicial District handled an average of 1,840 cases each last year.
The visit was sponsored by the U.S. State Department's Office of International Visitors and arranged by the World Affairs Council of Las Vegas.
JUAN GABRIEL HOSPITALIZED
Juan Gabriel expected to leave hospital soon
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mexican musical icon Juan Gabriel is expected to be released from a Las Vegas hospital this weekend after being admitted there Monday with pneumonia.
A tour publicist said in a statement Thursday that the 64-year-old singer was in very stable condition three days after being rushed to intensive care with fluid in his lungs.
Gabriel had performed a three-hour concert Sunday at the Mandalay Bay resort on the Las Vegas Strip as part of his "Volver" tour.
Shows scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Los Angeles were postponed to May 8 and May 9, respectively. A concert scheduled for Saturday in San Jose, Calif., has been rescheduled to May 16.
Juan Gabriel is one of the best-selling Latin recording artists of all time. His tour began earlier this month.
SANDOVAL-TRADE MISSION
Sandoval leads trade mission to Canada
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Gov. Brian Sandoval is heading a delegation of Nevada business and education leaders on a trade mission to Canada.
Meetings with Canadian officials are scheduled this week in Ottawa and Toronto. Sandoval's office says one focus of the trade mission will be unmanned aerial systems and Nevada's role in helping to develop the technology and applications for the emerging industry.
Other sectors the state will highlight include water technology, indoor agriculture and mining.
Canada is Nevada's third largest trade partner and the governor says the Nevada delegation is hoping to build upon that relationship.
POWER POLE-DUI
Suspected DUI driver arrested, hit Reno power pole
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Reno police have arrested a suspected drunken driver who crashed into a power pole on the city's south side
Police say a sliver truck hit the power pole about 12:45 a.m. Thursday on a section of Old Virginia Road between the Damonte Ranch and South Meadows parkways.
The impact bent the pole and led to some limited power outages in the area.
The driver sustained minor injuries and has been arrested for driving under the influence.
The suspect's name has not been released.
BLACK ROCK STATION
BLM to open Black Rock Station Sunday
WINNEMUCCA, Nev. (AP) — Black Rock Station, the Bureau of Land Management's visitor contact center on the edge of the Black Rock Desert, will open Sunday for the season.
The station just west of Gerlach is at the entrance to Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday as staffing allows. It is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
BLM officials say visitors to the station can find information about the cultural and natural resources in the conservation area as well as important safety and survival tips for venturing out into the remote region.
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