Top News
Dozens of young boys might have fallen victim to a longtime Boulder City teacher and coach who has been charged with 72 child pornography-related counts, Boulder City Police Chief Thomas Finn said Friday.
As detectives from the Boulder City and Henderson police departments combed through computers and videotapes seized from the home of 46-year-old Charles Richard “Rick” Rogers, Finn said the case is one of the largest he has dealt with.
He “conservatively” estimated that dozens of boys might be involved, but as of Friday afternoon, detectives had not positively identified any of the alleged victims.
Rogers has spent more than 20 years as a youth soccer coach in the town and most recently taught science at Garrett Middle School. He has been a foster parent for two children since 1996.
MONDAY
CONVICTED IN CRASH
A Clark County jury convicted Steven Murray of killing 55-year-old Patricia Hoff and seriously injuring Porsche Hughes when he hit a bus shelter on Boulder Highway near Flamingo Road on July 7.
Hughes, a mother of two, lost both legs in the crash.
Murray faces 25 years to life in prison because of four drunken driving convictions he racked up in Texas during the 1990s.
TUESDAY
UNEVEN RHODES
James Rhodes, one of Las Vegas’ most successful and controversial developers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The petition in the name of the Rhodes Companies also listed 31 affiliated companies that are seeking protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Rhodes developed Rhodes Ranch in southwest Las Vegas and Tuscany Village in Henderson. He drew the ire of environmentalists with his Red Rock Country Club development, and he made headlines again when he was linked to, but never charged in connection with, the federal corruption case against former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny.
WEDNESDAY
A TAX ON BAD NEWS?
Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley said a new fiscal analysis further underscores that lawmakers will need to raise taxes to keep the doors of schools open and the doors of prison cells locked.
The analysis predicts that state revenue between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011, will be as much as $500 million less than estimated just five months ago.
THURSDAY
NO SLUMP AT BOX OFFICE
The movie industry should see strong summer returns despite, or perhaps because of, the economic slump, filmmakers and theater owners predicted as ShoWest wrapped up in Las Vegas.
Box office numbers so far show audiences haven’t cut going to the movies from their budgets during tough times.
FRIDAY
BAN BURNS BARS
Bar and restaurant owners said profits have plummeted and they’ve been forced to lay off workers because of a smoking ban approved by voters in 2006.
The ban also has cost the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority $41 million in business, according to testimony on a bill that would modify the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act.
Critics of the bill say public health takes precedence over smokers’ rights.