Aphids should disappear when temperatures rise

Q: I attempted to grow watermelons for the first time last summer and everything was looking good until it got hot. These tiny black specks appeared on the back of some of the leaves. I was told it was aphids but they weren’t sure. I hope you can see them clearly from the picture I’ve attached. Should I use insecticidal soap as recommended or something else? 

Renewable credits help renters go green

One of my recent columns prompted a reader named Paul to write, “I want to move toward a greener lifestyle, especially want to incorporate solar. But since I am renting a house, I’m concerned there’s little I can do without installing things on a house I don’t own. Any ideas?”

Ready, Set, Plant

It is that time of year that Las Vegans love. Temperatures are starting to climb, but they are not so high that you are forced to stay indoors all day and night next to the air conditioner.

Is anti-bacterial soap safe? FDA will tell us this year

Federal health regulators are just now deciding whether triclosan — the germ-killing ingredient found in an estimated 75 percent of anti-bacterial liquid soaps and body washes sold in the U.S. — is ineffective, or worse, harmful.

Fishing report, May 2

■ LAKE MEAD — While the water is warming and the shad are moving in, striper fishing remains inconsistent. Vegas Wash and Echo Bay are producing smaller stripers for anglers fishing anchovies off the bottom. Many of the fish seem to be in good shape.

Physical by smartphone becoming real possibility

WASHINGTON — It’s not a “Star Trek” tricorder, but by hooking a variety of gadgets onto a smartphone you could almost get a complete physical ­— without the paper gown or even a visit to the doctor’s office.

Rural officials in Nevada would rather kill coyotes than study them

County commissioners in rural northeast Nevada say they’d rather kill coyotes than study them. Predator-control advocate Mike Laughlin, of Elko, is among those upset about a state Department of Wildlife proposal to use a $3 fee on hunting tags to help fund a $100,000 study on coyotes.

Lindsay Lohan checks into rehab facility

LOS ANGELES — Lindsay Lohan has checked into a rehab facility to comply with her sentence in a misdemeanor driving case, but her arrival there was not without drama.

Mentally ill patients stack up at local hospitals

Upheaval involving improper patient discharges at Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital is affecting Clark County hospitals now struggling with an influx of the mentally ill.

BLM begins new court-ordered Ruby Pipeline review

Federal land managers have begun a second environmental review of a 678-mile natural gas pipeline stretching from Wyoming to Oregon after a federal court said the first evaluation failed to make sure rare fish would be protected.

Spinner baits perfect for spring bass

Larry Brinker has been fishing for Lake Mead’s largemouth bass most of his life, but unlike those anglers who tend to hold their hard-earned knowledge close to their vests, Brinker is one of those rare souls who doesn’t mind opening his tackle box of learning for the next guy.

California wildfire slowed, but worse conditions await

BANNING, Calif. — Firefighters were able to beat back a powerful wildfire that bore down on a dry Southern California city, limiting the damages to a single house and curbing the threat to hundreds more.

Kentucky child’s shooting part of urban-rural gun debate

BURKESVILLE, Ky. — As Stephanie Sparks cleaned the kitchen, her 5-year-old son, Kristian, began playing with a rifle he was given last year. She stepped out onto the front porch, poured grease out of a frying pan for the dogs and “heard the gun go off,” a Kentucky coroner said.

Tortoises ready to have wild time begin new life in desert

A handpicked group of 32 desert tortoises gave up life in captivity Wednesday to try their luck in the desert between Las Vegas and Pahrump. But they won’t have to go it alone.

Seven rules for keeping your job search on track

The economy is starting to turn around, but competition for open jobs remains fierce. For job hunters, the mental and financial stresses mount every day they remain unemployed. To keep job-search momentum high and attitudes positive, it’s important to follow a few simple steps from the experts.

Tips to navigate the real estate landscape and find the perfect home

For most Americans your home is the biggest ticket item you will ever purchase. It’s no wonder that people can take months, and sometimes even years, to find the perfect home. When you walk into a house that’s on the market, many times the homeowner or real estate agent has “staged” it to ensure that you focus on the home’s greatest assets and overlook its flaws. Your job is to look past all that to see if this house is right for you.

DIY for your IRA: What you should know about self-directing

Ups and downs in the current market and recent corporate and banking scandals have prompted many people to seek ways to have more control over their retirement funds. Self-directed IRAs allow consumers to use their knowledge and expertise to invest in assets beyond stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

Aging-in-place upgrades that look great and make sense

Do the words “aging in place” and “home improvement” conjure images of institutional-looking grab bars in bathrooms and overhead kitchen lights that could illuminate an airport runway? Here are a handful of aging-in-place upgrades that shout “fabulous” instead of “fogey.”

Simple steps to a healthier heart

For millions of Americans, the battle against heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions goes on year-round. The steps to achieve better heart health can be simple. Experts agree that heart disease can be both preventable and controllable with the appropriate lifestyle changes.

Take advantage of tax credits to stretch home improvement dollars

What better way to get money back than to save on your taxes? A host of energy-efficient home improvements are eligible for federal tax breaks. If you’re planning summer home improvements, here are some facts about energy efficient upgrades and available tax credits.

Flip-flop fans: Hard, cold facts about your favorite hot weather footwear

No matter how much you adore your flip-flops, they shouldn’t be all-occasion footwear. Sometimes, they can lead to sore feet or even severe injury. The secret to safely enjoying flip-flops through summer is two-fold. First, find the right style, and second, know when to wear flip-flops and when to wear something else.

Father’s Day gift ideas to make Dad feel like a king

You need to come up with the perfect Father’s Day gift this year. But combing through the vast array of items on his wish list can be a challenge. Here are some great ideas to make your selection easier – and make any dad feel like the king he truly is.

Fun tips for fantastic family vacations

Family vacations are always a great time for family bonding and exploring new places. With some careful planning, the trip can be packed full of fun from the minute you lock the front door to the minute you arrive back home, exhausted and ready to share stories of your adventures with friends and family.

Stretching your summer entertaining dollars

Warm weather is “special occasion” season. Whatever your event – a wedding, graduation party, family reunion or July 4th fete – summer celebrations have one important thing in common. Everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck. Here are timely tips to stretch your entertaining dollars this summer season.

May 2013
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
MOST READ