Top News

A state fire marshal's investigator and former state trooper was shot and killed during a standoff with Henderson police.

Eric Thatcher's brother, Ron, said he had been depressed and suicidal before the shooting.

During a visit with his brother on Wednesday, Eric Thatcher brandished a gun, his brother said, and intended to kill himself.

By Thursday, Eric's condition had deteriorated. The police were called. Thatcher began firing through his windows.

Negotiations failed. Police returned fire at least once. When police entered, Thatcher was dead. It is unclear who fired the fatal shot.
Monday

trial under way

A product liability lawsuit connected to the hepatitis C outbreak opened with the plaintiff's lawyer railing against the pharmaceutical companies.

The lawsuit, by Henry and Lorraine Chanin, claims Teva Parenteral Medicine and Baxter Healthcare Services sold vials of propofol that were larger than necessary, which tempted medical workers to reuse them.

Public health officials have blamed the outbreak on medical workers reusing single-dose medicine vials on multiple patients.

The medical companies' lawyer disputed claims that profits were valued over care.

Tuesday

Viva the King of Pop

Cirque du Soleil will be bringing a Michael Jackson tribute show to the Strip sometime in 2012. The show could feature holograms or 3-D effects, according to an official announcement.

"Technology is evolving at a very rapid pace. We hope that between now and 2012, when we open the show, technology will be even more sophisticated, that people will have the feeling Michael is onstage," said Cirque President Daniel Lamarre.

No announcement was made on which venue would host the show after a touring version travels the country in 2011.

Wednesday

Developer gets deal

Clark County commissioners approved an agreement with developer Jim Rhodes that lets him apply for "major projects" at least 700 acres in size on land near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

The agreement would allow higher density housing than current rules allow for.

His representatives say he will allow public comment before drafting a plan for a subdivision to include million-dollar homes with sweeping views of Red Rock and the valley from atop the mesa.

Thursday

Superintendent search

The Clark County School Board modified a highly criticized timeline to replace the district's outgoing superintendent.

The board had planned on replacing Walt Rulffes by Dec. 1. But board Vice President Carolyn Edwards said the board might consider appointing an interim superintendent in June.

Backers of Jim Rogers, the former chancellor of the state higher education system, pushed the board to consider appointing him while a full search for a new superintendent is conducted.

Friday

GOP Senate debate

Six Republican candidates squared off in Reno in the first U.S. Senate debate .

The candidates mostly agreed on the issues, with the only tension coming after GOP candidate Danny Tarkanian accused front-runner Sue Lowden of voting for "pork" projects as a state senator, driving up spending.

"There's a big difference in this race between myself and Senator Lowden," Tarkanian said in the forum.

Lowden responded, "I don't know what he's talking about."