In a matter of days, thousands of Clark County teens will be turned loose from schools as the summer break begins. Finding meaningful and economical activities for those teens could help keep them out of trouble.

“I think that's when kids start getting in trouble,” said Mary Moody, a Cheyenne High School freshman. ”When there is really nothing to do, you kind of have to do stuff they think is fun, it's not always the right thing, I guess.”

Moody and her friends get creative trying to fill the summer months and stay cool and safe.

“We've gone ice blocking, take a block of ice and ride it down a hill,” she said.

“We take like giant tarps and we go down to hills in Centennial and we do giant slip and slide,” said Emily Herdt, a 15-year old freshman.

For the less creatively minded, the city and county offer affordable summer programs.

“One of the big things we have is our open swim. Karate is very popular.” Aaron Turnier runs the aquatics programs for the North Las Vegas rec centers. Because the community is so transient, his staff has gone door-to-door to let parents in the neighborhood know the pools and gyms are there — and virtually free.

“Parents that are working may not feel comfortable with leaving their kids here, and we are trying to let them know that the rec centers we have are safe, the kids will be safe,” he said.

But in the end, they all agree that parents and kids both need to make a little effort.

“You have to try sometimes, if your bored you have to get out there and do something about it, you can't just sit down and complain, not just go out and do something bad,” said Moody.

Most of the programs at the North Las Vegas rec centers are full.

But for just $3, the I.D. card gets you access to pool and the gym all summer long. Turnier says if you're a teen and you don't like the programs they have, they are very open to suggestions.

Warmer weather and a sluggish economy could be putting more homeowners are risk for a burglary and there is one way burglars are entering homes that you might not suspect.

In at least one North Las Vegas neighborhood, thieves were able to access a home through the garage door. Police say the thieves can bend the garage door and access the release cord.

“People forget that thieves look for easy ways to get into people's homes,” said Officer Jose Montoya, Metro. He encourages homeowners to take a quick look around their home and they to spot vulnerabilities and then fix them.

One easy fix is putting longer screws in the front door frame.

“They are going to have a heck of a time kicking that in but if it's just a 3/4 inch piece of pine frame with a 1/2 inch screw anyone can put a size 10 shoe up against thing or shoulder the door, it will bust the frame right out,” said Joe Esposito, Liberty Lock and Key.

Another tip is putting out a “beware of dog” sign to scare away thieves.

“What you basically want to do is give your house the look of being more burglar proof than your neighbor's house,” Esposito said.

tThe more difficult you make it for the thief, he is just going to go somewhere else,” said Montoya.

He adds that thieves don't want to work too hard to break into a house. They are more likely to look for an easy target.

Montoya also encourages homeowners to form a Neighborhood Watch program.

“Start a Neighborhood Watch and with this being a 24-hour town and people working different times of the day and night, Neighborhood Watches become that much more effective,” he said.

Neighborhood Watch is a free program. If you would like more information, call Metro at 828-3111.

Two Nevada development groups have filed a lawsuit against D.R. Horton Inc., claiming the nation's largest homebuilder has missed payments on a large master-planned community.

November 2005 Land Investors LLC and Summerset Development Services LLC filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Clark County District Court.

The groups claim DRHI Inc., a subsidiary of Fort Worth, Texas-based D.R. Horton, has failed to pay more than $4 million plus interest in costs related to the Park Highlands development in North Las Vegas.

November 2005 is a partnership including Olympia NLV Associates and divisions of American West Homes, Astoria Homes and Standard Pacific Homes.

The group is developing a 2,675-acre, 16,000-home residential community in the suburban outskirts, 15 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Mark Ferrario, said DRHI failed to meet the terms of an infrastructure contract.

“My client is concerned about DRHI's failure to meet its financial obligations,” Ferrario said in a statement. A spokeswoman for D.R. Horton did not return a call seeking comment.

Construction for Park Highlands began in January 2007 and is slated for completion in 2009. Developers say the project has not been sidelined by the dispute with DRHI.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

The National Park Service says the death of a 22-year-old Mexican man at a Lake Mohave beach appears to be a drowning.

Adolfo Conchas-Rodriguez' body was recovered from about 10 feet of water after he disappeared Thursday while swimming at Cottonwood Cove near Searchlight, a town about 50 miles south of Las Vegas.

The Clark County coroner did not make an immediate ruling on the cause of death.

Park Service Chief Ranger Mary Hinson says it doesn't appear alcohol or drugs were a factor. She says Conchas-Rodriguez was not wearing a life vest, and called the case a presumed drowning.

Officials said he had been visiting family members in North Las Vegas.

Lake Mohave is the reservoir formed by Davis Dam on the Colorado River. The case was the second drowning and 12th fatality this year at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
   
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama was in Las Vegas Tuesday as part of a campaign swing through three western states. He talked with some Las Vegans about one of the biggest problems many will ever face — the possibility of losing their homes to foreclosure.

Close to 100 invited guests showed up for the appearance at the College of Southern Nevada. Senator Obama wasted no time jumping into the subject of foreclosure. Guests say after hearing his speech, they now have hope.

“We can't afford another president who doesn't stand up for working people. I believe it is time for a change. Time Washington went to work for working people. And that's why we're here today, because we want to bring about that change,” he said.

Before the town hall meeting, Senator Obama visited a local family at their home. Like many others in the valley, they are facing foreclosure and are trying to stay afloat. After that visit, Senator Obama talked to supporters at CSN on this very subject.

He called for a more open and honest housing market, one that gives borrowers accurate information about their mortgage options.

“For him to come here and talk about one of the biggest problems this valley is facing, I think he is ahead of the curve — ahead of his time. Time for change and hopefully he does some of the things he is looking to do,” said Las Vegas realtor Jamerson Holloway.

After his speech, Obama took questions from the audience, all focusing on the housing market. Residents were able to give Obama some suggestions on how they would like to see the housing market changed to better protect homeowners.

On the republican side of the race, President Bush is stepping in to help McCain. Air Force One arrived in New Mexico Tuesday morning. Bush attended a closed door fundraiser — and another in Arizona for Senator McCain.

McCain joined Bush for the second of those fundraisers, but spent the morning campaigning in Denver where he was interrupted by protesters. While the demonstrators were escorted out, the crowd replied with a chant of its own.

Senator McCain will be having a town hall meeting in northern Nevada Wednesday. It'll be in the morning at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

Senator Clinton talked to voters in Montana Tuesday. That state holes its primary in a week. Although Obama leads Clinton in delegates and the popular vote, Clinton is still trying to convince the Democratic Party's superdelegates to swing her way.

Clinton would reduce Obama's lead if she can secure the delegates that were stripped from Michigan and Florida after the states moved their primaries up.

Obama mentioned Republican candidate John McCain several times during his speech, criticizing McCain's lack of knowledge of the current economic crisis. He also mentioned Senator Hillary Clinton when talking about how she wanted to fix the housing crisis.

Obama's next stop is Colorado.

Email your comments to Reporter Melissa Duran

Parents are being urged to be extra cautious when it comes to their children and water. Already this year, two children have drowned in swimming pools and there have been 13 near drownings.

Getting in the pool is by far the easiest way to beat the heat. It can be a lot of fun, but is can also be dangerous.

The North Las Vegas Fire Department and Safe Kids teamed up Monday morning to hold a mock drowning drill and to try and teach parents and kids about pool safety. Parents and kids got a chance to see just how scary a situation can be if the proper precautions aren't taken.

“When you have a little child, it really hits home,” said Bill Gagnon.

Safety experts say one of the biggest mistakes parents make is complacency. Parents overestimate their child's swimming ability or think someone else may be keeping an eye on the child. Even in public pool situations, where there are lifeguards, parents are urged to watch their child.

“The biggest problem I see is definitely parents. I can't tell you how many kids I have pulled up. They've gone under because the parents turned their back,” said Xia Higbee, lifeguard.

“When you are out at the pool with your kids, you are not reading a magazine, on the phone, running back in the house to get Kool-Aid, you are out there actively watching the kids because it just takes a second for someone to go under,” said Jeanne Cosgrove, Safe Kids.

A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the number of children under the age of five drowning in pools and spas has increased in recent years.

There are some other safety steps you can take while out at the pool:

• Always make sure there is adult supervision
• Make sure the pool has a barrier around it like a fence
• Know CPR and teach your kids how to use 911
• Have life jackets and other devices nearby
• Give children swim lessons
  
• CPR Classes are offered through the American Red Cross
• The YMCA offers swim lessons
• Most city and county public pools offer swim lessons

A North Las Vegas family says they are lucky after their missing 9-year-old was found alive. The boy had been missing since Saturday night and was found Monday in California.

The family of Patrick Rimsey, known by his family, as Da-Da, say he trusted the man who took him from his grandmother's home. For two days, there was no sign of the boy until early Monday morning.

Marjorie Finks is the grandmother of Patrick Rimsey. The boy was last seen with 19-year-old Farid Bermejo Saturday night in a North Las Vegas neighborhood, but then both disappeared. Police say Bermejo took the boy in a stolen car.

“It's been nerve wrecking. My daughter hadn't been sleeping, eating, or resting. But she left with a little smile on her face. She'll be more happy when she gets him in her arms,” said Finks.

The boy's family didn't waste any time in gathering together once they learned of the news. Finks says her grandson does know his alleged kidnapper.

“They are not really good friends. He would come over, but not for him to be just taking him like that because he's 19 and he's only 9,” she said.

But a savvy 9-year-old, from what California authorities have told her.

“He was smart enough to think to jump out of the car while the car was going. He was trying to pull him in the car, the car was swerving – that's when the highway patrol noticed it. He was in the middle of the street running and the dude was running behind him trying to catch him,” said Finks.

This anxious grandmother has yet to talk to her grandson. She is now focusing on the healing process for him.

“He was scared, crying. They say he has scratches on his face, but they don't know if he tried to rape him or whatever,” she said.

The boy's grandmother says Bermejo may have some mental issues. “A lot of people go around saying he's slow in the head, but he knows what he's doing if he's got a 9-year-old child.”

And it's that 9-year-old boy who has a loving family who can't wait for him to get home.

North Las Vegas police have a detective in California who will be trying to get Bermejo back to Las Vegas. The investigation is on going, so the charges are unknown at this time.

Email your comments to Reporter Chris Saldana.

Clark County School Police and North Las Vegas Police are investigating a shooting at Cheyenne High School.

Officers say this all stemmed from a fight between a student and non-student. The two apparently had a conflict in their neighborhood that spilled over to the campus. The person came onto the campus and fired several rounds in the parking lot.

Several students witnessed shooting, and there were no injuries. School police say there are no victims and officers are looking for the suspects.

A few years ago, sky-high real estate prices caused a crisis in affordable housing. To help, a new low income family complex was inaugurated with great fanfare. Now some residents say the complex has gone way off track.

But management is fighting back, saying it is just a few disgruntled residents who are creating controversy where none exists.

It started as a low income housing complex intended only for grandparents who were raising their grandchildren. Three years later that mission is a thing of the past and some current residents say the quality of life is deteriorating.

In 2005, balloons were flying high over the David J. Hoggard Family Community. Named for a former head of the local NAACP chapter, dignitaries were on hand for the grand opening celebration.

At 63, Charlie Robinson is one of a handful of seniors still left raising grandchildren here. She's still fond of the early days, “Halloween, Thanksgiving — everything was decorated.”

But times have changed. The 100-unit complex now accepts anybody who meets low income guidelines.

“There's nobody to help the seniors. Like I said, there's nothing for the kids,” she said.

In March, resident Cindy Hammonds submitted a petition with more than 30 signatures which purported to lay out a whole range of additional problems. Among the complaints: a rent increase, coercion and harassment by management, even bugs.

“You know it's a nightmare. For me it's been a nightmare,” she said.

Property Director Dora Lagrande strongly refutes every single complaint listed in the petition.

“In terms of the raise in rent, we cannot raise the rent unless the state HUD gives us a rent increase,” she said.

Lagrande also contends the residents who signed this petition were never shown the specific list complaints.

Resident Jennifer Waterhouse signed the petition, but she's backing management's side of the story.

“You know, I can't even remember what it was about. It wasn't a big deal, so that's why I signed it. I have no problems here at all,” she said.

As for the original mission of seniors raising grandkids, Lagrande says there just were not enough qualifying seniors to ultimately fill this complex. Rather than leave units vacant, Lagrande says the State Housing Division ordered the complex opened to all qualifying low-income families.

“I don't think we view it as a failure. I mean, we made an attempt and they could not afford the three bedrooms. They can still apply here. There's nothing precluding them from applying,” she said.

Dora says management remains proud of it's record here and wants their residents to call it home, even if some residents don't see it that way.

“Slumlords. That's the perfect word,” said Hammonds.

The property manager say Hammonds, the woman who started the petition drive, has now been evicted by court order for failing to pay her rent on time.

The Hoggard complex gets federal tax credits and sits on land leased by the Las Vegas Housing Authority. Hoggard, and several other similar facilities, are run by a non-profit group headed by former Las Vegas City Councilman Frank Hawkins.

Email your comments to Investigative Reporter Mark Sayre

A fire at an abandoned restaurant has been burning nearly all morning. Dozens of firefighters from three agencies near Nellis Air Force base have been called in.

The fire started just before 9 a.m., and it's still flaring up. The Chinese Village Buffet was boarded up. The firefighters are still working very hard to make sure it doesn't start back up. Every once in a while they find a pocket of flame.

Firefighters from North Las Vegas, Clark County and the city all responded. The problem was in the back of the building where some unique architecture made it hard for firefighters to haul hoses in and out — exhausting shift after shift of firefighters in a very unfamiliar kind of fire.

“It is very dangerous for our firefighters to go into a building that has been reconstructed because we deal with false ceilings, false floors that we don't even know are there. It can be dangerous because you think you are dealing with one situation, and it turns out to be totally something different,” said Scott Allison of Clark County Fire.

In a rare move, firefighters resorted to cutting holes in the outside of the building and shooting the water in, rather than trying to haul the hoses through tight corners.

This is a very unpredictable structure fire. Firefighters have started to put away their resources only to find that they have to bring them back out to battle more smoke and fire.

As to how it started, firefighters say its only speculation at this point — but it was a boarded up building and typically it's a problem with the homeless. People in the area have told us they see homeless in and out of there all the time.