Week in Review: Top News

Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval and the Democratic-controlled Legislature agreed to a $6.2 billion general fund budget Wednesday that reduces government spending but avoids drastic cuts to education and social services.

The two-year budget was balanced in part with about $620 million in taxes Sandoval and other Republicans hoped would sunset. But Democrats said the revenues were necessary to lessen the impact on teachers, college students and the poor.

In exchange for Republicans agreeing to extend the taxes, Democrats accepted a slate of reforms to education, collective bargaining and public employee benefits.

Sandoval said the deal would be enough to avoid "massive teacher layoffs and unacceptable increases in class size."

The compromise budget was forged after five days of round-the-clock negotiations and months of fighting between lawmakers and the governor, an ongoing confrontation that included student protests outside the Legislative Building and heated confrontations in hallways and private meeting rooms.

MONDAY

Hang up and drive

Cellphone users beware: State lawmakers approved a bill that would outlaw the use of hand-held cellphones and texting by all drivers starting Jan. 1.

Under the bill, police would start issuing warnings to violators on Oct. 1, but fines would not be imposed until next year.

Violators would be assessed $50 fines for the first offense, $100 for the second and $250 for the third and subsequent offenses.

TUESDAY

Father scolded, jailed

After scolding Stanley Rimer for more than 30 minutes about his failings as a father, District Judge Douglas Herndon sentenced him to eight to 30 years in prison in the death of his 4-year-old disabled son.

Rimer and his wife, Colleen, were convicted March 1 after a two-week trial on charges that included involuntary manslaughter.

Jason Rimer died after being left in a hot SUV for 17 hours in 2008.

WEDNESDAY

Desai trial delayed

U.S. Magistrate Peggy Leen has put off the federal health care fraud trial of Dr. Dipak Desai and his office manager until May 22, 2012, in a move that gives Clark County prosecutors the first crack at trying the physician at the center of the hepatitis C outbreak.

The local trial is set for March 12, 2012.

THURSDAY

Thomas case tossed

A judge dismissed a 10-count indictment against former University Medical Center chief Lacy Thomas, who prosecutors alleged steered $10 million in no-work hospital contracts to his Chicago friends.

In his seven-page decision, District Judge Michael Villani declared Thomas' indictment "unconstitutionally vague."

District Attorney David Roger said he was "very disappointed" with the ruling and promised an immediate appeal.

FRIDAY

Rory Reid to pay fine

Rory Reid must pay a $25,000 fine from his own pocket to settle accusations he skirted campaign finance laws, under a deal announced by Secretary of State Ross Miller.

Miller didn't reveal financial details of the settlement, but two sources familiar with the case said the fine was $25,000 in personal money.

As part of the settlement, Reid had to acknowledge his failed 2010 gubernatorial campaign may have violated the law, one source said.

Reid was accused of funneling $800,000 through several dozen shell political action committees to skirt limits on campaign contributions.