Reporters’ Notebook

During Tuesday's primary election, a man who had just cast his ballot stopped to answer a question from a reporter: Was there a particular race that drew him to the polls that day?

"Well," the man said, "I'm African-American."

Then he laughed.

HENRY BREAN

At last week's media event for the Las Vegas Mob Experience, Tropicana President Tom McCartney made a dramatic entrance involving fog machines and music from the film classic "The Godfather."

However, it was all an act.

"I'm a grandfather, not a godfather," he said.

ALAN CHOATE

In Nevada's least populous county, government workers are expected to multitask and stretch every dollar.

"Everybody pretty much does, not that we really want to," said Esmeralda County Sheriff Ken Elgan as he helped install new radar equipment in his own patrol vehicle.

The comment drew a glance from deputy Tony Philips, who smiled and said, "If you ever find a sheriff that has enough money, call me."

HENRY BREAN

North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck wants it clear: She did not scream in terror while being attacked by a mockingbird outside City Hall.

"I did not scream," Buck insisted when asked about the pesky birds, which have taken to dive-bombing people -- mainly women -- coming in and going out of the building.

"I made some kind of surprised noise," she said, "like 'Aaaaaaah!' It wasn't a scream. It wasn't a screech. It was just a startled exclamation."

LYNNETTE CURTIS

District Judge Kenneth Cory couldn't help but riff a little after learning a jail inmate in his court belonged to a Las Vegas street gang called Every Woman's Fantasy.

"These gangs must be running out of names. That isn't going to strike fear into anyone," the judge said.

Every man and woman in the heavily crowded courtroom erupted in laughter.

Except the gang member.

DOUG McMURDO