Local Endoscopy clinics can be expecting some surprise visitors in the next couple of weeks. State inspectors and experts from the Centers for Disease Control will be showing up to take a deeper look into these practices.

The last few weeks have been pretty busy for gastroenterologist Osama Haikal, taking in new patients and answering questions from people who were possibly exposed to hepatitis and HIV at another Endoscopy clinic in Las Vegas.

“I don't want them to shy away from having a very necessary screening procedure,” said Dr. Haikal.

His Digestive Disease Center in Summerlin got a surprise visit from state inspectors just a few days ago. His office on Desert Inn also got inspected, watching every move inside the procedure room to reviewing their policy manual.

He did nothing to prepare for the visit and was confident nothing wrong would be found.

This ambulatory surgical center was inspected just a few weeks ago and had no problems but some doctors still feel they have a black eye. Thanks to bad practices by others, Dr. Haikal is feeling the effects, trying to calm patient fears.

The problems with the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada has prompted state inspectors and experts from the Centers for Disease Control to take a closer look at 50 ambulatory surgical centers throughout the state.

Dr. Michael Jhung, of the CDC said, “There are some things that never should happen in medical care. One of those things is re-uses of syringes in patients so we are taking it quite seriously.”

Dr. Haikal says while more regular inspections help, what's really needed is a set of guidelines followed by every Endoscopy center, instead of each having a separate policy.

“Sit down and come up with a consensus. This is the policy on how to clean the scope. This is accepted infection control in any facility,” said Dr. Haikal. But for now, his top priority is making his patients see not every doctor breaks the rules.

The CDC inspections begin Thursday. Also, a top Nevada health administrator says the state can do better when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious disease in Nevada clinics.

Richard Whitley with the Nevada State Health Division says his agency will review its inspection policies after it completes a full survey of Nevada's 50 outpatient surgery centers.

Email your comments to Reporter Melissa Duran.

The father of 15-year-old Christopher Privett will attend a Town Hall meeting to talk about school violence on Wednesday night.

The meeting will also feature Sheriff Doug Gillespie, Clark County School Superintendent Walt Rulffes, the Nevada PTA president and a psychologist.

Privett is the high school student who was killed in a drive by shooting near Palo Verde High School in Feb.

The meeting, which is March 12 at 6 p.m., is open to the public and is being held at K.O. Knudson Middle School at 2400 Atlantic Street in Las Vegas. It will provide a forum for community leaders to talk with concerned parents about what can be done to keep schools safer.

Viewers can email questions to the panelists by clicking here or sending text message questions to (702) 210-6608.

Monday has been a record breaker for gas prices, setting an all-time high statewide and in the Las Vegas valley.

According to AAA, drivers in Vegas are paying an average of $3.23 a gallon for regular unleaded, beating the previous record of $3.21 set in May of 2007.

Experts say Las Vegas is one of the most competitive gas station markets in the country. Part of the reason, there are just so many gas stations, and the station owners say they aren't gauging retailers.

One owner said his company doesn't make that much money on gasoline. On average, they mark up gas 5 to 7 cents a gallon from what they pay. Add credit card fees and they aren't really turning that much of a profit.

Many gas stations and mini-marts make their money from gaming inside their stores, but the smoking ban and the overall economy has brought those numbers down as well.

AAA spokesperson Michael Geeser says the cost of crude oil, which has skyrocketed to over $100 a barrel, is bringing up the prices.

“This is not a good time for consumers who drive automobiles. Look around, we all drive cars, especially in the Las Vegas valley, where we are married to the car. Things aren't as close as we'd like them to be, so people are going to be using their cars and gasoline, which is going to cost money,” he said.

Geeser predicts that prices will go even higher because we still haven't entered the peak summer travel season, when demand and prices traditionally see an increase.

AAA says there are simple steps you can take to increase fuel efficiency. They suggest you make sure your car is serviced and well maintained, including checking fluid levels and keeping your tires properly inflated.

Email your comments to Reporter Colleen May

A group of Palo Verde High School students are holding a car wash fundraiser for a student who was killed last month.

15-year-old Chris Privett died after being shot in a drive-by shooting last month.

The car wash is being held Saturday in Summerlin at the Albertson's parking lot at Town Center and Charleston.

It's being held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for only $5 per car.

School violence has parents on edge about the dangers that face their children. Last month, a 15-year-old was shot and killed. Just days later, another teen was shot outside another school.

Tuesday night, Sheriff Doug Gillespie talked to parents about the team effort that's needed to keep guns out of kids hands.

The first Tuesday of every month, Metro police stations open up so officers can hear concerns. Tuesday's meeting was focused on a problem in the schools that has the community worried.

For most who packed the auditorium, their kids are grown. But many are more worried than they've ever been.

“The main reason I'm here tonight is to talk to you about school violence,” said Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie.

Carol Mcintyre and her neighbor, Diane Ireland, sat in the audience listening. From six students getting ambushed at a bus stop, to the drive-by death of Palo Verde freshman Chris Privett, they say this violence must end once and for all.

“It's horrible. It's just unbelievable. I don't understand,” said Ireland.

Both came to help turn the tide.

“Your concerns are mine, believe you me,” said Gillespie.

Gillespie said in the wake of this violence, Metro has beefed up police presence around Clark County high schools. He also made it clear, police can't arrest our way out of this issue.

“The key, so we don't have events like this, is through the prevention and education aspect,” he said.

The sheriff thinks Metro's new school violence awareness program encourages parents to get involved. The two-hour course points out warning signs of possible troubled students.

“It starts at home. If the parents don't know what their kids are doing or what they're up to, that's when the kids get into trouble,” said Mcintyre.

This school year has seen more than enough trouble. They hope kids will learn that guns and school don't mix.

Metro's new course was just developed. It ranges from school violence myths, to advice on how parents can better talk with their children. If you'd like to schedule it for your neighborhood or community organization, contact your local police substation.

Email your comments to Reporter Aaron Drawhorn