Firefighters made quick work of a fire that engulfed two homes. It happened Tuesday afternoon in the northeast part of our valley.
It was just before 4 p.m. when a massive, two-alarm fire got started near Stewart and Sandhill.
Smoke could be seen all across the valley. Authorities say there was no one hurt in the fire.
There's no word on what started fire.
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It looks like 22,000 participants are expected to turn out this Saturday in Downtown Las Vegas, for the annual Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
And among them will be some of the youngest breast cancer survivors in Southern Nevada. Eye on Health spoke with one of them about her unexpected journey.
Henderson resident, Brandi Merryman is a young mother of two. And also, at age 31, a breast cancer survivor. It was August of last year, while she was breast feeding — that she noticed a lump. Soon afterwards, to her complete dismay, she was undergoing surgery.
“In denial, I guess. I didn't think it was real – like just a big dream. When they told me, I was, I can't think anymore,” she said.
Merryman joined a young support group at the Breast Care Center at Sunrise, where nine other women between ages 25 and 40 share in this uncommon experience.
According to the American Cancer Society, the median age for breast cancer is 61 — with only 2-percent being diagnosed between ages 20 and 34.
The impact can be devastating. Merryman, however, says she's developed a much greater sense of awareness for what's really important in life. And that each moment spent with her children is more precious than ever before.
“It has changed my life tremendously – all aspects – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It has really, really changed my life for the better,” said Merryman.
Merryman will be at this weekend's Race For The Cure — along with others from the young survivors support group.
It's her way of doing what she can to help ensure that future generations are free of breast cancer.
“That's why it's important that people go out and support the races, support these organizations. Because we don't want it to happen to our kids. We want to make sure it's gone by then,” she said.
The 13th Annual Susan G Komen Race For The Cure will be this Saturday. The 5K run starts at 8:15 a.m., and the 5K walk and 1-mile race start later.
We will also be carrying the event live, beginning at 8 a.m. on our sister station, Las Vegas One. Our coverage begins from Downtown Las Vegas at 8 a.m. Saturday.
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Eyewitness News has learned a person has been shot near a shopping area. The shooting took place near the shopping center on J St. and Monroe.
The victim has non-life threatening injuries and is being transported to a local hospital.
Police are looking for two black males who reportedly left the scene in a gray Pontiac Bonneville.
It's the city's official groundbreaking Thursday for a major 61-acre project in downtown Las Vegas called Union Park.
Plans for the property include everything from a hotel and casino to a world jewelry trading center. There will be commercial and residential space.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has been pushing for this project to help revitalize the downtown area. The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute will be the first completed part of the project.
The land near Grand Central Parkway and Main Street, which used to be the railroad yard, has sat vacant for years.
Mayor Goodman hopes the development will help change the negative stereotype of downtown Las Vegas.
“We're the entertainment capital of the world, the tourist destination, the best of everything to become a great community that celebrates great medicine, great art. It is something that one would bet against a little while ago,” said Goodman.
Last month, Goodman showed Senator Harry Reid around Fremont Street. They toured the historic Las Vegas post office, World Market Center and other downtown facilities. Senator Reid said it was nice to see new development going through despite the tough economic times.
Construction on the infrastructure of the project will begin immediately. Construction is expected to be finished by 2012.
Monday was the last day for families to play in much of Lorenzi park. The 60 acre park is about to get an 11-million dollar face-lift from the city of Las Vegas.
About half of the park will have to be shut down for at least a year… But as Jonathan Humbert tells us… While decay has taken over what's often called a “jewel” in the heart of the city… The new version should be impressive:
If you are a long time observer of Lorenzi park, it seems wherever you look, what's old can be new again. The fences are going up and the new look Lorenzi is about to get underway — a chance to talk about old memories for Michael O'Neal and his wife Allison.
“Every weekend, we brought our flashlights and we stayed over until Sunday morning,” said Michael.
Those school-age adventures have given way to today's decay. Problems popping up out of the ground.
“Driving by the streets and I see the tennis courts. They look pretty rundown,” said Michael.
It's the park's broken promise according to councilman Ricki Barlow. “It really gets under my skin. We as a community must do better and teach our kids.”
Now in place of those problems, Barlow and the city are spending $11 million on upgrades to the fields and tennis courts, severing the old ties that bind. Yet there is a cost.
“It's just a little sad that it's going to be closed,” said Grandpa Roy Johnson. He and granddaughters Angelica and Breann are happy the park is boosting its image. “It's been going down.”
Now they are bothered they will have to go elsewhere for a full year until the new park is complete. “The kids still like to come, and hopefully they'll come back,” said Johnson.
For the winged watchers and their young ones, though – a temporary annoyance.
The city is using $11.4 million in funds from land it sold to the Bureau of Land Management. The park's new additions are expected to be finished in a little more than a year — only the east side will be closed. The pond, museum, amphitheater and senior center will not be affected.
Email your comments to Legislative Reporter Jonathan Humbert.
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In an effort to make sure every child is immunized, there will be a series of free shot clinics during the month of April.
Investigators continue to search for leads in a gang-related shooting at a Las Vegas bar that killed one person and injured two others.
Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument involving two groups of men early Saturday morning at Bugsy's Supper Club of Las Vegas. They say one man was found dead in the parking lot from multiple gunshot wounds and two other men were shot in the leg. The victim's name was not immediately released.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Not only are patients wondering how long it's going to take to get their medical records back from Metro, their attorneys want that question answered as well.
Attorneys representing patients who have filed lawsuits against the doctors met on Friday as they prepare for a class action lawsuit. One of the main concerns is how to get medical records.
Dozens of attorneys who met say they need access to their patients' records, especially the billing records. But they too are going to have to wait some more.
Originally the Southern Nevada Health District told Eyewitness News last week that a contract to hire a third party vendor to organize the patients files would be discussed at a board of health meeting on April 24.
But Friday, a representative from the health district says that's no longer the case. He says now Metro is responsible for hiring a vendor. But whoever is in charge, these attorneys want answers.
“I have 225 infected patients. I've been able to get the records for one client from Metro, and I think everyone is having the same type of difficulty,” said attorney, Robert Eglet.
As soon as the health district representative made that announcement, we immediately called Metro for verification. They have yet to return our calls.
When a third party is hired to organize these files, it is still unclear who will foot the bill. There's a chance the county will have to do it, with some possible help from the city. The attorneys would like to see the doctors who are responsible pay for the bill.
We'd like to remind you the health district has only confirmed seven cases of hepatitis C, linked to the current health crisis. Even though this is frustrating for everyone involved, there is some good news for patients.
Saturday, the health district is holding a Hepatitis C Community Forum to answer any questions patients may have on the investigation or on hepatitis C. It is free and open to the public. Informational booths will open at 8:30 a.m. with the first session starting at 9 a.m. The second will begin at 1 p.m. Both will be held at the Health District, which is located at 625 Shadow Lane.
Also, on Monday, LasVegasNOW.com will stream Las Vegas One's coverage of the Legislature Committee on Health Care, starting at 9 a.m.
Email your comments to Reporter Melissa Duran.
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The lucrative wiring is found in air conditioning systems, utility substations, light poles and more. Criminals see copper as a shining opportunity and quick cash.
Long stretches of highway in the valley have no working street lights for several miles. The copper wiring has been ripped from the poles. Crooks take it to scrap yards to cash in. It costs the city of Las Vegas more than 1 million a year to replace the copper.
“These are tough times and people are watching their pennies,” said Mayor Oscar Goodman.
The mayor is familiar with the courtroom, but Thursday he went against a defendant as a victim advocate on behalf of the taxpayers. Thirty-one-year-old Scott Helm is just one criminal who's ripped off the city for the sake of copper.
“The people who steal it have to be punished severely,” said Goodman.
The last big hit for the city was at Firefighters Memorial Park. Rikki Jones walks her dogs there daily. She was surprised to learn desperate thieves will even steal copper from the park honoring fallen heroes. She says the lack of lighting is a safety issue.
“It's dangerous. You don't know who's going to be. There's a lot of places you can go and no one can see you, so it can be a place for robbers and stuff too,” she said.
Last Friday, copper crooks came and they started ripping, cutting, and pulling, leaving most of the park in the dark. Crews got the lights back on at a hefty price of $6,000.
With documents from the city already forecasting a bleak economic outlook, and proposed budget cuts bringing delays in streetlight response and repair times, copper capers are a concern.
“If it's copper, they're ripping it out,” said Metro Lt. Robert Duvall. Police are making sure recycling centers are keeping records and following the law.
“We hold them to the letter of the law, thereby preventing less of an opportunity for thieves to get paid by stealing copper,” he said.
Goodman hopes thieves will see defendants like Helm and get the message. He was ordered to pay more than $8,000 in restitution and spend more than a year behind bars. His ex-girlfriend says he, like so many other copper thieves, was hooked on methamphetamine.
Email your comments to Reporter Aaron Drawhorn
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Time is running out if you want to take part in this year's Helldorado Parade. Anyone who wants to enter a float, marching band, or walking group into the parade must submit an application by Monday, April 28.
It's free to enter. Entries will be judged on several categories including themes, creativity, and their relation to city's 103rd birthday.
The parade will be Saturday, May 17 in Downtown Las Vegas.
Entry forms must be received by the city no later than Monday, April 28. Entry forms can be obtained online at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/helldorado or by calling (702) 229-6501.
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RIGHT NOW IN Downtown Las Vegas
(Wendell P. Williams Elementary School)
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94° (falling) |
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