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DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
Democrats eye 15 cities for 2016 convention
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic National Committee has asked Las Vegas and 14 other cities to make a pitch to host the presidential nominating convention in 2016.
The DNC on Tuesday said the party will accept proposals through June 6 and will pick a host city either late this year or early in 2015.
In addition to Chicago and New York, the cities under consideration include: Atlanta; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; Miami; Nashville; Orlando; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City.
Some cities seem more likely than others. For instance, President Barack Obama, who will be leaving the White House in 2017, calls Chicago home and his potential successor Hillary Rodham Clinton is from Illinois. Clinton also represented New York in the Senate.
VEGAS SHOOTING
1 dead, gunman sought in Las Vegas shooting
(Information in the following story is from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police say a man is dead and a gunman is being sought after a shooting in downtown Las Vegas.
Las Vegas police Lt. Dave Valenta tells the Las Vegas Review-Journal that officers responding to reports of gunfire on Harris Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Monday found a man wounded in a parking lot.
The wounded man was taken to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he later died.
Police say the shooting apparently stemmed from an argument in the residential area off Maryland Parkway, about a block east of Cashman Center.
The Clark County coroner's office hasn't released the identity of the dead man, and a description of the assailant and possible getaway vehicle weren't immediately available.
TRASH BIN SLAYING
New trial date to be set in Las Vegas slaying case
(Information in the following story is from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge agreed to postpone trial until next year for three people accused of torturing and drowning a homeless man whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a downtown Las Vegas trash bin.
Attorneys for defendants Emilio Arenas and Theresa Allen told Senior Clark County District Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure on Monday that DNA test results on evidence aren't expected until late this year.
The Las Vegas Sun reports that Bonaventure scheduled a date-setting hearing Wednesday, when co-defendant Peyton Hemingway is also in court.
Trial had been slated to start May 12.
Police say 50-year-old Carl Renae Simon was killed during a dispute over drugs and money.
His body was found Aug. 12 by a man searching the trash bin east of downtown.
RENO CRASH
9 hurt in Reno road crash
(Information in the following story is from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com)
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The Washoe County sheriff's office says nine people were taken to the hospital following a two-car collision on Highland Ranch Parkway in Sun Valley north of Reno.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reports two people were trapped in the wreckage. The accident happened around 6:30 p.m. Monday near a curve at Highland Ranch Parkway and Moonlight Drive.
Sheriff's Sgt. Jack Buell says the injured were taken to Renown Regional Medical Center where they were being treated for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS
Whittemore lawyers say judge can't change order
(Information in the following story is from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com)
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Lawyers for convicted former Nevada powerbroker Harvey Whittemore are arguing that a federal judge cannot change an order allowing him to stay out of prison until his appeal is decided.
Whittemore was convicted last year of making illegal campaign contributions to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks delayed the start of his two-year prison sentence, saying that a campaign finance case at the U.S. Supreme Court could affect Whittemore's conviction.
When the high court ruled April 2 in a way that did not appear to have anything to do with Whittemore's issues, Nevada U.S. Attorney Dan Bogden asked Hicks to reconsider that delayed-prison order.
But the Reno Gazette-Journal reports Whittemore's attorneys filed a response Monday, arguing that a district court's final order cannot be reconsidered.
WINDY VEGAS
Dust advisory issued in Vegas; high winds expected
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Air quality officials in Las Vegas have posted a dust advisory, with windy conditions expected in southern Nevada through the day.
The National Weather Service says winds topping 40 mph could sweep across a wide area including southern Nevada, and California's Sierra Nevada mountains and Owens Valley.
The Clark County Department of Air Quality in Las Vegas is advising residents and construction site operators to take precautions to prevent blowing dust.
Agency officials say high dust levels could create discomfort for children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma.
RENO FLIGHTS
Reno airport announces new summer flights
(Information in the following story is from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com)
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The traveling public will have more options for flying to and from Reno-Tahoe International Airport this summer.
Airport officials on Monday announced more flights to Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, American Airlines plans a new flight, four days a week, to Los Angles beginning June 12.
The carrier also plans to add a third daily departure to Dallas-Fort Worth from June 11 through Aug. 18; and a second daily departure to Chicago's O'Hare Airport during that same time period.
In addition, U.S. Airways, which is currently undergoing a merger with American, will increase its nonstop departures to Phoenix from four to six for the summer with the first beginning June 1 and the second on July 1.
FORESTRY DIVISION-RETALIATION
Nevada settles lawsuit with former forestry chief
(Information in the following story is from: Elko Daily Free Press, http://www.elkodaily.com)
ELKO, Nev. (AP) — A former Nevada Division of Forestry battalion chief who claimed he was fired for speaking out about alleged improper management of firefighting resources in Elko County has settled his lawsuit against the state.
The Elko Daily Free Press reports the state agreed to settle the suit filed by Keith Westengard for $75,000.
A federal judge last week signed an order vacating a trial that had been set for this month.
Westengard claimed his First Amendment right to free speech was violated because he was reprimanded after talking to county officials about forming a new fire district.
He alleged administrators made defamatory comments to co-workers, gave him a negative performance review and placed him on administrative leave without justification.
STRATOSPHERE-MILESTONE
Stratosphere Tower surprises 40 millionth visitor
LAS VEGAS (AP) — It's a long way from Birmingham, England to Las Vegas, and James Kennedy isn't likely forget his first trip to Nevada's gambling metropolis.
Kennedy was treated to a superstar welcome Monday when he became the 40 millionth visitor to the Stratosphere Tower, a famous Las Vegas attraction that stands 1,149 feet.
He was greeted by Stratosphere vice president and general manager Paul Hobson with balloons, an entourage of Stratosphere staff and cameras.
Kennedy was presented a package of "getaway" goodies valued at $2,500.
His prize includes a two-night stay for two in a Stratosphere Suite, dinner for two at the Top of the World Restaurant, show tickets, champagne, $1,149 in free slot play and limousine service.
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