Chris Powell briefs the media on what to expect traffic-wise for the first tripleheader NASCAR weekend of the year March 2-4. (Madelyn Reese/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The RTC distributed prizes at several bus stops to mark the agency’s 25th anniversary. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Sgt. Landon Law of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department talks about a plan to reduce crime in a northeast valley neighborhood by restricting vehicle access at its entrances. (Blake Apgar/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas morning update for Thursday, August 10th — VIDEO
1. A shooting on the Las Vegas Strip led to a temporary shutdown of Las Vegas Boulevard overnight. Police say a group of men got into an argument in front of Planet Hollywood Resort and when they were crossing the street toward Bellagio, a man fired one shot. No one was injured and the man was arrested.
2. Las Vegas driving will look different in a few years time. The Nevada Department of Transportation says it plans on creating carpool lanes along Interstate 15 and digital signage around the Spaghetti Bowl will be installed beginning in October. Eventually, the express lane along Interstate 15 will become a general travel lane and a carpool lane will be added.
3. A growth spurt has helped Mesquite become what some call a “Little Vegas”. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mesquite grew nearly 15 percent between 2011 and 2016. Residents are hopeful the growth in the city will lead to more businesses opening and an influx of jobs.
1. A homeless man was shot during a Sunday night shootout in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven. Police say that just before 7 p.m., a shooter in a vehicle opened fire on two people standing in the 7-Eleven parking lot on Rancho Drive near Washington Avenue. One of the men fired back and a homeless man was struck in the crossfire. The two men with guns were arrested and the homeless man is in unknown condition.
2. The Clark County coroner has identified a man shot and killed at an adult store over the weekend. Police say 31-year-old Starsky Tautava entered Adult World around 7 p.m. Friday when a part-time security guard said he recognized the man for previously destroying property inside the business. The two got into an altercation when the guard drew a gun and shot Tautava in the chest. As of Friday night, the guard had not been arrested.
3. Brace yourselves for heavy traffic ahead of EDC weekend. The music festival is expected to clog up I-15 between Craig Road and Speedway Boulevard, which is already facing delays due to construction. Next Monday’s morning commute could also clog with partiers competing with usual work traffic. Officials are warning EDC attendees that traffic and high temperatures can be rough on vehicles and suggest stocking up cars with emergency supplies like water and car chargers.
Las Vegas police, Nevada Highway Patrol and Clark County school police joined to enforce right of way at the intersection Nellis and Cedar, near Richie Rundle Elementary, a school named for a child killed as a pedestrian. Patrick Connolly/Las Vegas Review-Journal
1. A Las Vegas doctor convicted of murder in the 2007 Hepatitis C outbreak has died in prison. Dipak Desai was serving life in prison with the possibility of parole on 27 counts, including second-degree murder. Desai’s lawyer Richard Wright argued that Desai was unfit to stand trial after suffering multiple strokes. The Washoe County coroner’s office is expected to determine Desai’s cause of death.
2. A 9-vehicle crash has closed down southbound traffic on I-15 near Moapa. Clark County Fire Department says five semitrailers and four passenger cars were involved in the wreck at about 2:50 a.m. No injuries were reported but lanes were still closed as of 7:30 a.m.
3. MGM Resorts valets fear for a decrease in income after an announcement that parking rates will rise again. One valet that spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal said his income decreased by $20,000 a year due to parking rates rising, and another said he had to take a second job to pay his bills. Parking rates at MGM Resorts will increase by up to $25 starting Wednesday.