Week in Review: Top News

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The green flag won’t drop on the big race until noon today , but NASCAR’s impact has already been felt in Las Vegas.

The city has gone race crazy all week with driver appearances, a parade on the Strip, and preparations to move thousands of vehicles in and out of Las Vegas Motor Speedway with as little aggravation as possible.

It’s all been building to today’s main event, the Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup race, which one racetrack spokesman called the biggest sporting event west of Texas.

Last year’s Sprint Cup race drew 156,000 spectators and brought in $115.5 million in nongaming spending.

MONDAY

Overhaul unveiled

Gov. Brian Sandoval has unveiled proposals for reforming the state’s public school system and a plan to create a new retirement system for state employees.

The education reforms include a proposed constitutional amendment to offer private school vouchers and a system to grade schools on student performance.

The retirement proposal would cut the amount of money set aside for incoming state workers.

TUESDAY

Parents convicted

After deliberating for three days, a jury convicted Stanley and Colleen Rimer of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their 4-year-old disabled son, Jason, who was left in an SUV for at least 17 hours.

Both also were found guilty of child abuse and neglect. Stanley Rimer was found guilty on six counts, Colleen Rimer on three counts.

They were found with $10,000 in jewelry as they were booked into jail.

Stanley Rimer, who had a public defender at trial, claimed to have $250,000 worth of jewelry and said he planned to use it to make bail.

WEDNESDAY

Wheel big plans

The Strip already boasts a pyramid, a castle, an Eiffel Tower and a CityCenter. Now a developer wants to round things out with a 500-foot Ferris wheel.

Clark County commissioners unanimously approved a use permit that clears the way for developer Howard Bulloch to build a 10-acre amusement park and retail center on property he owns near Mandalay Bay.

The Ferris wheel would become the biggest in the Western Hemisphere and the third-largest in the world and would outstretch the 443-foot London Eye, Bulloch said.

THURSDAY

Probe under way

The Senate Ethics Committee is taking depositions in its probe of Sen. John Ensign, as investigators continue to dig into allegations stemming from the Nevadan’s extramarital affair, a source said.

The source said the gathering of depositions is a step toward the six-senator committee determining whether Ensign violated conduct rules that could result in a reprimand or stronger punishment.

FRIDAY

‘Wilding’ nets prison

Six gang members were sentenced for their roles in the death of Dominique Evans during a string of random, "wilding" style street robberies two years ago.

Antonio Tarrosa, 19, was sentenced to 34 years to life in prison for first-degree murder.

Brian Gonzalez, 21, got 15 to 45 years; and the driver of the car, Matthew Laneave, 20, got 13 to 45 years in prison for second-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy.

Nicholas Medina, 19, and Desiree Palomino, 18, each got four to 20 years in prison for armed robbery and conspiracy, and Cheyenne Carpenter, 20, got two to 11 years for accessory to commit murder and conspiracy.