Week in Review: Top News

Police arrested Anthony Carleo, 29, accusing him of robbing the Bellagio casino of $1.5 million in gambling chips. They said he bragged about the robbery, tried to sell stolen chips to an undercover cop, and blew so much money in the casino that he was treated as a high roller.

On Dec. 14, a helmeted motorcyclist stole the chips from the casino and sped away.

Carleo, son of Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge George Assad, reportedly told a Bellagio dealer three days before the robbery that robbing the casino could be done.

"All you need is a black mask and a motorcycle, and I have a motorcycle," the dealer told police he heard Carleo say.

Monday

UMC in Trouble

If University Medical Center can't get its financial act in order, it is possible that the county hospital will close and the poor will get vouchers for medical care elsewhere, Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said.

That worst-case scenario was projected by consultants when Sisolak asked what could happen if UMC is unable to stop losing money.

The law requires the county to care for the indigent. Largely because of this, UMC lost $72 million in 2010.

Tuesday

A Stadium for UNLV?

Plans to build a stadium, retail complex and thousands of housing units on the UNLV campus were announced, though few specifics were offered.

Backed by Craig Cavileer, president of the Silverton Casino, and business partner Ed Roski, chairman and CEO of Majestic Realty, the proposal includes a 40,000-seat domed stadium, 600,000 square feet of retail space and 3,000 units of on-campus housing.

The project would be privately financed, but with a tax district set up to allow the developers to keep taxes collected there. It would require approval of the Board of Regents and the Legislature.

Wednesday

Big names in race

Carolyn Goodman and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani joined a crowded field of more than a dozen candidates looking to replace Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who is being term limited out of office.

The race first goes to a nonpartisan primary April 5. If a candidate wins 50 percent or more, that person wins. Otherwise, the top two finishers will head to the June 7 general election.

Thursday

Firefighter time off

The North Las Vegas Fire Department exceeded its allotted budget for overtime just six months into the current fiscal year.

That, with reported sick leave abuse by Clark County firefighters, motivated the City Council to postpone a scheduled vote on contract concessions with its firefighters union.

More than 230 Clark County firefighters took excessive sick leave in 2009, some missing one out of every six shifts . Roughly 40 percent of about 600 firefighters who work 24-hour shifts took at least 10 sick days. A dozen missed more than 30 shifts.

Friday

Bruno takes a deal

Pop singer Bruno Mars took the first step toward resolving his felony cocaine possession case. Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, waived a preliminary hearing on a drug possession charge.

The case was moved to District Court, with an arraignment hearing scheduled for Feb. 14. Mars is expected to plead guilty and be placed on a year of probation. He must pay a $2,000 fine, perform 200 hours of community service, attend drug counseling and stay out of trouble.