The string of holiday season killings in the Las Vegas Valley continued Saturday morning when two security guards were gunned down inside a hotel room at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur hotel-casino.
They left us in 2017 and might be gone, but will never be forgotten. Here’s a look back at some of the people with ties to Las Vegas who we lost in 2017.
Here are the Top 10 Las Vegas entertainment stories of 2017 10. Proposed Symphony Park art museum gets $1 million in state funding 9. The Smith Center celebrates fifth anniversary 8. Imagine Dragons “Believer” tops charts for 29 weeks 7. The Killers get their first No. 1 record 6. “Magic Mike Live” debuts at Hard Rock 5. Cirque du Soleil buys Blue Man Group 4. A British millionaire finishes restoring the Liberace mansion 3. UNLV’s Black Mountain Institute purchases Believer Magazine 2. Ghost hunter Zak Bagans opens his Las Vegas Haunted Museum 1. Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel jumps into the national spotlight
The Las Vegas Victims’ Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was set up on behalf of Clark County to accept money for victims of the Las Vegas shooting. 100% of donations to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund will go to three categories of victims: 1. The families of those who were killed in the shooting and people who sustained permanent brain damage and/or permanent paralysis resulting in continuous home medical assistance 2. People who were physically injured as a result of the shooting and first admitted to a hospital on or before Oct. 10 for at least one night between Oct. 1 and Dec. 15 3. People who were physically injured as a result of the shooting and who were treated on an emergency or outpatient basis on or before Oct. 10. Here is the timeline for the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund: Jan. 2, 2018 – Jan. 31.: Claim forms to be submitted to fund administrators along with required documentation. Feb. 1 – Feb. 26, 2018: All telephonic meetings requested with fund administrators completed. March 1, 2018: All claims to be reviewed by fund administrators and recommendations for payments to eligible claimants submitted to LVVF committee. March 5, 2018: Distribution of payments to approved eligible claimants begins on a rolling basis. Visit LasVegasVictims.org for more information and to donate
A new opioid law takes effect New Year’s Day, and some doctors are worried. Under the law, new prescriptions are capped at two weeks.
The top 10 Las Vegas news stories of 2017
10. Mannequin used to catch suspect in killings of two homeless men 9. Controversy over plans to develop homes on open spaces like golf courses 8. The execution of Scott Dozier was scheduled, then canceled 7. O.J. Simpson released from prison 5. Trials and acquittals in the Bundy case 4. A rising number of sex arrests among CCSD employees 3. Recreational marijuana sales start in Nevada 2. CCSD uncovers $60 million budget deficit and makes hundreds of staff cuts 1. The Route 91 Harvest festival shooting leaves 58 dead and more than 500 people injured
Police arrested Nichole Zimmerman after a woman was struck and killed in a Henderson Walmart parking lot on Thursday.
Nevada sports books lost a record $11.4 million on baseball in November after bettors cashed on the Astros beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 and on futures wagers on Houston to win the World Series. It was the largest baseball loss ever suffered in a month by the state’s sports books, according to Michael Lawton, the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s senior research analyst. The books’ previous record baseball loss was $6.2 million in November 1999, when bettors cashed their winning tickets on the New York Yankees following their World Series sweep of the Atlanta Braves. The state’s casinos won $909 million overall, including $274.7 million on penny slots.
Disney isn’t alone in reevaluating its Do Not Disturb policies following the mass shooting. The Orleans Hotel and Casino on the Strip changed its policy on the Do Not Disturb signs and will now check on guests if they have the signs up for two consecutive days. Wynn Resorts Chief Marketing Officer Michael Weaver said in a statement to the Review-Journal in October that Wynn Resorts implemented a 12-hour policy “shortly after the recent tragedy.” Steve Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts Ltd., described the policy to Fox News in October, as “a room goes on ‘Do Not Disturb’ for more than 12 hours, we investigate.”
A “terroristic threat” led to an arrest after a showing of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” on December 15 at AMC Town Square 18 on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas’ top 10 business stories of 2017 10. SpeedVegas crash brings lawsuits and an OSHA fine 9. Construction on Resorts World Las Vegas gets busy 8. McCarran International Airport on pace to shatter record of 47 million passengers 7. More Strip hotels join the pay-for-parking bandwagon 6. Wynn Resorts snaps up 38 acres on the site of the Alon project 5. Fontainebleau finally sold, new owner calls work in progress Project Blue 4. Caesars Entertainment emerges from 2-year odyssey through bankruptcy court 3. Faraday Future abandons planned site of manufacturing plant at Apex 2. Raiders formally announce move to Las Vegas, conduct groundbreaking Nov. 13 1. Oct. 1 shooting leaves 58 dead, causes short-term uneasiness in tourism industry while long-term effects remain uncertain
Three men armed with knives attacked a Las Vegas couple. The home invasion robbery happened just after midnight in a southwest Las Vegas neighborhood. The robbers stole a 2017 Tesla Model S, and the homeowner was hit by the car as the robbers escaped.
A man had a dead cougar in his luggage at McCarran International Airport. TSA agents found the carcass Tuesday night.
A horse skull found in Gypsum Cave in mountains east of Las Vegas in 1930, was so well preserved, it was thought to be a modern horse or burro. It sat tucked away on a museum shelf overlooked until recently. It turned out to be 13,000 years old and scientifically significant: the most complete skull ever found of a “New World stilt-legged horse.” Eric Scott, an ice age horse expert at California State University, San Bernardino.
Here is the Review-Journal’s 2017 all-state football team. First Team Offense: QB Cade McNamara, Damonte Ranch (6-1, 196) First Team Offense: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bishop Gorman (6-3, 195) First Team Offense: RB Abel Carter, Carson (5-10, 195) First Team Offense: RB Jayden Perkins, Virgin Valley (6-0, 200) First Team Offense: RB Tawee Walker, Mojave (5-8, 190) First Team Offense: RB Aubrey Washington, Legacy (5-9, 170) First Team Offense: WR Dru Jacobs, Damonte Ranch (6-2, 180) First Team Offense: WR Dakota Larson, Spring Creek (6-2, 175) First Team Offense: WR Jalen Nailor, Bishop Gorman (6-0, 180) First Team Offense: WR Marquez Powell, Liberty (6-4, 185) First Team Offense: TE Brevin Jordan, Bishop Gorman (6-3, 245) First Team Offense: OL Eric Brown, Green Valley (6-5, 335) First Team Offense: OL Jacob Isaia, Bishop Gorman (6-2, 280) First Team Offense: OL Ryan Madole, Damonte Ranch (6-2, 185) First Team Offense: OL Isaiah Palelei, Sierra Vista (6-0, 310) First Team Offense: OL Beau Taylor, Bishop Gorman (6-4, 270) First Team Offense: ATH Deago Stubbs, Arbor View (6-1, 180) First Team Defense: DL Crishaun Lappin, Liberty (6-1, 265) First Team Defense: DL Adam Plant, Bishop Gorman (6-5, 250) First Team Defense: DL Eric Schmitz-Moran, Reed (6-1, 220) First Team Defense: DL Charles Tuavao, Reed (6-5, 295) First Team Defense: DL Elijah Wade, Arbor View (6-6, 245) First Team Defense: LB Daniel Bellinger, Palo Verde (6-6, 210) First Team Defense: LB Siaosi Finau, Reno (6-0, 245) First Team Defense: LB Amere Foster, Legacy (5-8, 225) First Team Defense: LB Palaie Gaoteote, Bishop Gorman (6-2, 235) First Team Defense: LB Brandon Kaho, Reno (6-3, 220) First Team Defense: DB Octavian Bell, Liberty (6-0, 185) First Team Defense: DB Isaiah Herron, Arbor View (6-2, 180) First Team Defense: DB Jordan Lee, Bishop Gorman (5-11, 185) First Team Defense: DB George Moreno, Reed (5-11, 180) First Team Defense: DB Allan Mwata, Liberty (5-11, 180) First Team Defense: K/P Derek Ng, Bishop Gorman (5-8, 175) Second Team Offense: QB Cameron Emerson, Reed (6-1, 190) Second Team Offense: QB Kenyon Oblad, Liberty (6-3, 190) Second Team Offense: RB Taariq Flowers, Del Sol (5-8, 185) Second Team Offense: RB Brandon Kaho, Reno (6-3, 220) Second Team Offense: RB Aubrey Nellems, Shadow Ridge (6-1, 205) Second Team Offense: RB Jason Painter, Spring Creek (5-10, 175) Second Team Offense: WR Tai Allison, Damonte Ranch (6-3, 185) Second Team Offense: WR Dalton Kincaid, Faith Lutheran (6-5, 200) Second Team Offense: WR Cedric Tillman, Bishop Gorman (6-3, 210) Second Team Offense: WR Cervontes White, Liberty (5-10, 180) Second Team Offense: TE McCallan Castles, South Tahoe (6-5, 228) Second Team Offense: OL Vehekite Afu, Reed (6-2, 220) Second Team Offense: OL Ben Dooley, Churchill County (6-5, 260) Second Team Offense: OL Troy Fautanu, Liberty (6-5, 275) Second Team Offense: OL John Keeley, Reed (6-3, 270) Second Team Offense: OL Ryan Miller, Bishop Manogue (6-3, 225) Second Team Offense: ATH DiaMante Burton, Canyon Springs (5-8, 150) Second Team Defense: DL Lorenzo Brown, Desert Pines (6-3, 230) Second Team Defense: DL Zach Elefante, Arbor View (6-2, 240) Second Team Defense: DL Kenneth Holbert, Legacy (6-1, 265) Second Team Defense: DL Logan Hutcherson, Reno (6-0, 209) Second Team Defense: DL Chandon Pierre, Bishop Manogue (6-4, 240) Second Team Defense: LB Kyle Beaudry, Liberty (6-1, 210) Second Team Defense: LB Richie Garcia, Damonte Ranch (6-2, 205) Second Team Defense: LB Jahssiah Maiava, Sierra Vista (5-10, 190) Second Team Defense: LB Logan Rollins, Sunrise Mountain (6-0, 225) Second Team Defense: LB Jeffrey Ulofoshio, Bishop Gorman (6-0, 220) Second Team Defense: DB TyRay Collins, Chaparral (5-8, 150) Second Team Defense: DB John Harper, Mojave (6-4, 155) Second Team Defense: DB Josh Hong, Faith Lutheran (6-1, 175) Second Team Defense: DB Kyu Kelly, Bishop Gorman (6-1, 155) Second Team Defense: DB Sean McCormick, Churchill County (5-9, 170) Second Team Defense: K/P Tanner Kalicki, Carson (6-2, 180) Coach of the Year: Abraham Gonzalez, Mojave Honorable Mention:
Here is the Review-Journal’s 2017 all-state girls volleyball team. First Team: Sydney Berenyi, Silverado First Team: Whitley Brow, Foothill First Team: Kylie Gibson, Bishop Gorman First Team: Talyn Jackson, Douglas First Team: Karson Nakagawa, Reno First Team: Whittnee Nihipali, Shadow Ridge First Team: Mary Redl-Harge, Bishop Manogue First Team: Maggie Roe, Boulder City First Team: Kaila Spevak, McQueen First Team: Tommi Stockham, Bishop Gorman Second Team: Sasha Bolla, Coronado Second Team: Parker Buddy, Reno Second Team: Taylor deProsse, Bishop Manogue Second Team: Arien Fafard, Palo Verde Second Team: Madison Karcich, Coronado Second Team: Naomi Harris, Durango Second Team: Sarah Lychock, Bishop Gorman Second Team: Abby Olsen, Green Valley Second Team: Siara Roberts, Centennial Second Team: Kizzy Rodriguez, Shadow Ridge Coach of the Year: Amy Schlauder, Durango Honorable Mention:
What has 12 bands, more than 80,000 firework devices and some 330,000 guests from all over the world? “America’s Party” 2018. Las Vegas’ recurring New Year’s Eve bash is back and better than ever, officials say. Specifics for the event, which occurs on the Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, were unveiled Thursday at Fashion Show mall. For the 11th year in a row Fireworks By Grucci is orchestrating the launching of fireworks across seven hotel-casino rooftops stretching from the Stratosphere to the MGM Grand. Beginning at midnight, pyrotechnics will light up the Las Vegas skyline for eight minutes. The explosions will be choreographed to songs by artists including Eric Clapton, Judas Priest and Bruce Springsteen.
An attraction when it opened in 1998 near the Nevada-California state line, Primm’s outlet mall has fallen on hard times.
Nevada’s top water regulator puts a moratorium on domestic wells in Pahrump, where the water table has been in decline since the 1950s.
Singer Pia Zadora might have a swanky room named for her at Piero’s Italian Cuisine, but the place she really holds dear is her home in The Ridges of Summerlin. Her son, Jordan Kaufer, appears as Santa Claus in his mother’s show at Piero’s Italian Cuisine in downtown Las Vegas. Zadora lives with her third husband, Michael Jeffries; her 20-year-old son from her second marriage, Jordan Kaufer, and two dogs, Snowflake and Merle Singer Pia Zadora says she loves “everything Christmas,” and her home in The Ridges is decked out for the holidays. The star of stage and screen welcomed Real Estate Millions into her 7,000-square-foot, five-bedroom home to talk about her Las Vegas history. Pia Zadora works in her music studio at her Summerlin home. She performs at the iconic Piero’s Italian Cuisine in downtown Las Vegas. A portrait of Pia Zadora by Andy Warhol is displayed over the living room bar. Memorabilia includes a framed photo of one of Pia Zadora’s first modeling jobs, an ad for Dubonnet wine, her 1985 Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Performance and the 1982 Golden Globe Award for Best Female New Star of the Year.
Here is the Review-Journal’s 2017 all-state girls soccer team. First Team: Hannah Anderson, Reed First Team: Marcella Brooks, Centennial First Team: Mackenzie Corkill, McQueen First Team: Makenna Curcuru, Coronado First Team: Deja Erickson, Arbor View First Team: Hannah Ferrara, Arbor View First Team: Ava Gotchy, Galena First Team: Gianna Gourley, Bishop Gorman First Team: Kaitlyn Kowalchuck, Coronado First Team: Hannah Lee, Bishop Gorman First Team: Kendra McAninch, McQueen First Team: Olivia Packer, Palo Verde First Team: Ryan Sabol, Green Valley First Team: Ava Seelenfreund, Truckee First Team: Jaden Terrana, Bishop Gorman Second Team: Taylor Book, Coronado Second Team: Kaitlyn Carrington, Pahrump Valley Second Team: Alysa Caso, Coronado Second Team: Taylor Cox, Bishop Gorman Second Team: Carlee Giammona, Palo Verde Second Team: Saipress Jones, Rancho Second Team: Chloe Keenan-Merlo, Reno Second Team: Gabriella Lancaster, Legacy Second Team: Allyssa Larkin, Arbor View Second Team: Lillie McGuire, South Tahoe Second Team: Addison Riddle, Centennial Second Team: Caitlyn Rueca, Bishop Gorman Second Team: Madison Stenslie, Faith Lutheran Second Team: Shea Sundalli, Galena Second Team: Alexandra Trinidad, Sunrise Mountain Honorable Mention:
800 steel posts in place on the Las Vegas Strip. 7,500 still to install in 2018. Posts will stop a 15,000-pound vehicle going 50 mph.
The first lien was filed Tuesday on Strip gunman Stephen Paddock’s house in Mesquite. The lien, $213.73, is for unpaid water service.
Here is the Review-Journal’s 2017 all-state boys soccer team. First Team: Jaffet Corona, Hug First Team: Juan Estrada, Western First Team: Joel Garcia, Truckee First Team: Juan Pablo Herrera, North Tahoe First Team: Hudson Huckfeldt, Palo Verde First Team: John Lynam, Coronado First Team: Bryan Martinez, Sunrise Mountain First Team: Eduardo Martinez, North Valleys First Team: Miguel Mendoza, Chaparral First Team: Jaime Munguia, Durango First Team: Bryan Munoz, Sparks First Team: Corrigan Neville, Bishop Gorman First Team: Marcos Plata, Sunrise Mountain First Team: Jaime Rodriguez, Wooster First Team: Joel Sanchez, Desert Pines Second Team: Juan Arredondo-Alvarez, Western Second Team: Angel Arreola, Sunrise Mountain Second Team: Bradley Bolduc, Coronado Second Team: Caden Buckley, Bishop Gorman Second Team: Gael Delangel-Parra, Durango Second Team: Eduardo Gomez Meza, Wooster Second Team: Edgar Guillen, Wooster Second Team: Abi Lopez, Truckee Second Team: Presten Manthey, Palo Verde Second Team: Christian Martinez, Carson Second Team: Koby Mattson, North Tahoe Second Team: Sebastian Ramirez, Eldorado Second Team: Efren Ramirez Ledezma, Carson Second Team: Ben Stang, Liberty Second Team: Tyson Tesfamariam, Durango Honorable Mention:
The Vegas Strong Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed by the Nevada resort industry after the Oct. 1 Las Vegas shooting The fund intends to donate to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund as well as to “support long term needs of the community.” Those needs have not yet been defined The Vegas Strong Fund has collected more than $12 million, including commitments
Many Pomeranians found their fur-ever homes for the holidays The Animal Foundation and the Vegas Golden Knights hosted a Pucks for Paws event, to kick-off the adoption of 164 Pomeranians found abandoned in Sandy Valley. 5 dogs were available at auction, while 10 more were available in a raffle to benefit Animal Foundation. The dogs were named by Golden Knights players and donned small Knights sweaters. The other Pomeranians will be available through an online raffle, open through Jan. 1
ESPN President John Skipper Resigns Due to Substance Addiction ESPN made the announcement on Monday and release the following statement from Skipper: I have struggled for many years with a substance addiction. I have decided that the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of my problem.” I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down. George Bodenheimer, who served as president from 1998 until 2011, will reprise the role in replace of Skipper.
Here is the Review-Journal’s 2017 all-state boys tennis team First Team: Axel Botticelli, Palo Verde First Team: Rua Elmore, Western First Team: Zach Haas, Truckee First Team: Lucas Hammond, Gorman First Team: Christian Hess, Galena First Team: Artem Iermolov, Clark First Team: Caiden Jacob, Desert Oasis First Team: Tyler Parlade, Desert Oasis First Team: Michael Pasimio, Clark First Team: Simran Shah, Clark Second Team: Justin Finseth,The Meadows Second Team: Sebastian Frace, Coronado Second Team: Ben Goodman, The Meadows Second Team: Zach Larson, Truckee Second Team: Connor Mikkelson, Boulder City Second Team: Andre Pappas, Boulder City Second Team: Jacob Smith, Bishop Manogue Second Team: Zac Sullivan, Coronado Second Team: Mikael Tiilikainen, Reno Second Team: Noah Warren, Truckee Coach of the Year: Richard Coop, Palo Verde Honorable Mention:
Jayden Atkin (Palo Verde)
William Boyden (Reno)
Brian Capp (The Meadows)
Ryan Chang (The Meadows)
Lucas Colfer (Reno)
Ethan Collinsworth (Reno)
Michael Doerr (Spanish Springs)
Turner Drummond (Truckee)
Ryan Elezra (Green Valley)
Breton Erlanger (Boulder City)
Myles Getto (Churchill City)
Patrick Hogan (Truckee)
Boen Huxford (Boulder City)
Preston Jorgensen (Boulder City)
Ben Lieberman (Green Valley)
Blake Malkovich (Churchill City)
Dawson Martin (Spanish Springs)
Alfred Murillo (Desert Pines)
Ahmed Nadeem (The Meadows)
Treasure Nyame (Desert Pines)
Nicholas Rinehart (Reno)
Jose Ruiz (Desert Pines)
Peyton Sachs (The Meadows)
Sam Soderborg (Palo Verde)
Stefan Sretenovic (Foothill)
Mickey Sullivan (South Tahoe)
Lucas Tong (Incline)
Travis Weber (Foothill)
Las Vegas Lights FC made an interesting hire in coach José Luis Sanchez Solá, aka Chelís. Here are five fun facts about the coach. 1. Chelís is a childhood nickname, after a classmate played with his name “Jose Louis.” 2. He is the first person to coach in the first and second divisions of U.S. and Mexican soccer. 3. He claims to have never sat down during a match. 4. His Twitter account has 170,000 followers. 5. He says he had offers to coach in Central America and Saudi Arabia, but chose to come to Las Vegas.
The National Finals Rodeo continued its annual 10-day run in Las Vegas on Friday for the ninth performance Here’s a look at the ninth go-round Bareback riding: 1. Jake Brown, 87.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Molly Brown, $26,231 Steer wrestling: 1. Scott Guenthner, 3.3 seconds, $26,231 Team roping: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.3 seconds, $26,231 each Saddle bronc riding: 1. Ryder Wright, 87 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Kitty Whistle, $26,231 Tie-down roping: 1. Shane Hanchey, 6.8 seconds, $26,231 Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.43 seconds, $26,231 Bull riding: 1. (tie) Trey Benton III on Rafter H Rodeo’s Nose Bender, 88 points, $42,308 each Bull riding: 1. (tie) Boudreaux Campbell on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Reveloution, 88 points, $42,308 All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $319,337