Anger management for former UFC champion no April Fool’s joke

Histrionic hairdo Donald Trump still leads the polls in the Republican presidential primary. No April Fool’s joke can possibly top that.

Instead, check out these notes from the Boulevard:

Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit UNLV next week as he stumps for the “It’s On Us” campaign, a White House initiative focused on reducing sexual assault on college campuses. Las Vegas is one of three stops planned.

Biden is also expected to make at least one appearance at a campaign fundraiser during his brief visit.

ROAD OUTRAGE: From the you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up file comes the news that former UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones on Thursday in Albuquerque court was ordered to take “anger management and driver improvement classes” and perform additional community service in connection with his hit-and-run incident.

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. But it’s not an April Fool’s joke.

I’m no expert, but isn’t a lack of anger management pretty much integral to the UFC job description?

HAPPY COUPLE: It’s never too late for a love story, as the tale of Debra Ayala and Charles Trahan illustrates.

Together for 25 years, the couple didn’t feel compelled to tie the knot. Then Ayala was diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer.

Thanks to the nonprofit “Wish Upon a Wedding,” which facilitates nuptials for couples in medical crisis, and the folks at Red Rock Resort, Ayala and Trahan were scheduled to be wed Thursday evening with a ceremony and reception at Salute Trattoria.

JUMP BALL: As you know, everyone is entitled to my opinion. And my view of the haunting of UNLV’s basketball program by the ghost of Jerry Tarkanian was universally appreciated by readers.

April Fool’s.

Rebels fan Arthur Nisenson immediately broke into his best defensive stance, writing in part, “I have always enjoyed your commentary in the RJ, until today, concerning UNLV basketball. Your story regarding UNLV basketball is so off base, it’s funny, and only lets the public know that you have no knowledge of basketball.”

That explains my terrible jump shot.

“Instead of welcoming our new head coach of the Rebels, and wishing him well, you continue to write a story comparing him to Jerry Tarkanian, who is a legend in coaching, and can not be compared to many coaches in the country,” Nisenson said. “As your story continues, you then give Chris Beard a sarcastic welcome to Las Vegas, and make a statement like, ‘You can’t say you weren’t warned.’”

COUNTY HEALTH: According to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Nye County is the second unhealthiest county in the state. Mineral County, with a population of approximately 4,600, is the least healthy.

But according to a NevadaSmith survey, you can still get great, juicy cheeseburgers at Socorro’s Burger Hut in Mina, and great grub on special occasions at the American Legion Post 19. Mineral County may be unhealthy, as are most places in Nevada, but Hawthorne remains about the most patriotic town in the country.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Still fielding calls from UNLV fans who were made to feel like rubes after the unsuccessful courting of Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin. … U.S. Sen. Harry Reid may be coming down the home stretch of his long career, but it isn’t stopping him from stumping energetically for favored candidates. … After five years, Wayne Newton has announced his return to the Strip at Bally Las Vegas. Rumors that Reid and Newton will share the stage are unconfirmed.

John L. Smith’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Contact him at 702-383-0295 or jsmith@reviewjournal.com. On Twitter: @jlnevadasmith