Reporter’s Notebook

SOME REVIEW-JOURNAL READERS believe everyone deserves a piece of the multibillion-dollar federal bailout, even low-level traffic offenders who don't pay their tickets.

David Drum recently appeared in court to pay more than $20,000 in traffic fines. Court officials agreed to place Drum on a payment plan. After his court hearing, he said court officials also knocked about $5,000 off his bill, inspiring a few comments from readers.

"Looks like Clark County is helping with a $5,000 bailout," wrote Larry. "Surely the Fed can come up with the other $15,000."

DAVID KIHARA

CRISS ANGEL MIGHT WANT TO MAKE SOME HOCKEY FANS DISAPPEAR.

At the Las Vegas Wrangler's annual Midnight Hockey event last week, the announcer went through one of his many "we welcome our special guests" segments, this one including employees or guests of the Blue Man Group, Treasures Gentleman's Club and various Cirque shows. There were loud cheers for Treasures and polite applause for everything else. Everything except "Criss Angel Believe." For that, the crowd had nothing but boos. Loud, long boos.

Louder and longer, in fact, than any boos directed at the Ontario Reign, who were beating the Wranglers 1-0.

ALAN CHOATE

CLARK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WERE DISCUSSING a proposal to offer employees unpaid leave to save labor costs.

Commissioner Bruce Woodbury chimed in, "After this week, I want to let you know that Commissioner (Chip) Maxfield and I will voluntarily take unpaid furloughs."

The two incumbents attended their final commission meetings last week before leaving office.

SCOTT WYLAND

LAME DUCK INTERIOR SECRETARY DIRK KEMPTHORNE began his speech Wednesday morning by complimenting water managers who gathered to hear him at Caesars Palace.

"It is 8 a.m. ... Las Vegas doesn't start until 8 p.m.," he said. "I heard some of you stayed up all night, just in excited anticipation of this speech."

HENRY BREAN