Week in Review: Top News

In his first State of the State address, Gov. Brian Sandoval on Monday talked of getting Nevadans back to work even as he proposed a $5.8 billion budget filled with deep cuts sure to cost some public sector employees their jobs.

Sandoval promoted new economic development, education reform and government consolidation to revive Nevada and create jobs.

His proposed budget seeks to return spending to 2007 levels, eliminate 19 agencies and shift more burden to counties for social services.

The speech set Sandoval's agenda for his first term and comes just ahead of the Democratic-led Nevada Legislature, which begins meeting on Feb. 7 to review his budget proposal and come up with its own plan.

Although the Republican governor made a pitch for lawmakers to set aside partisan fights, state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford made it clear he would lead Democrats in battle against cuts to education, saying the governor's budget was dead on arrival.

Monday

Ball club on the block

The Las Vegas 51s are for sale, and the owners have put longtime general manager Don Logan in charge of finding a buyer and securing a new stadium deal for the Triple-A baseball team.

Logan, who has worked for the franchise since 1984 and was its general manager for the past 20 years, is stepping down from the position to accept a new role as the team's executive director.

Tuesday

Mourning in Mesquite

Prayers were recited and tears shed at a Mesquite City Council meeting as residents reacted to the death of Councilwoman Donna Fairchild and her husband, Bill.

Police said the 52-year-old councilwoman shot her 62-year-old husband of 21 years, most likely while he slept. She then arranged to have some money, personal items and a note delivered to her mother before she turned the gun on herself.

Authorities were summoned to the couple's home by Donna Fairchild herself, who called 911 to tell police where to find them less than five minutes before she ended her own life.

Wednesday

Mom: Crime not staged

Las Vegas resident Julie Puffinburger took the witness stand and calmly denied allegations that she staged her 6-year-old son's kidnapping in October 2008.

Federal prosecutors allege a Mexican drug cartel kidnapped Cole Puffinburger after his grandfather stole $4.5 million in cartel money, but defense lawyers kicked off the trial by blaming the boy's mother and grandmother for his disappearance, which attracted national attention.

Thursday

New Museum history?

The new state museum in Las Vegas that has been in limbo for several years already would be mothballed until mid-2013 under Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed budget.

The $50 million building is expected to become the state's flagship museum, but there may not be enough money to pay the salaries of people to operate the facility right now.

Friday

No bars for Mars

Bruno Mars won't have to sing his chart-topping song "Grenade" from inside a Nevada prison.

The singer-songwriter will avoid jail time under a plea deal stemming from his September arrest in Las Vegas on a drug charge.

The 25-year-old Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, has agreed to plead guilty to felony cocaine possession and complete drug counseling, one year of informal probation, 200 hours of community service and pay a $2,000 fine.