Laughlin Free Press

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Apr 26 Laughlin Readies for Bikers
The first of more than 70,000 bikers expected to descend on the towns of Laughlin, NV, and nearby Arizona communities have arrived for the annual Laughlin River Run. The five-day event began Wednesday, with motorcycle enthusiasts roaring into Laughlin and the Arizona towns of Bullhead City, Oatman and Kingman.

Law enforcement officers from Nevada and Arizona were ready, wary of a repeat of violence between motorcycle gang members that erupted at a casino during the Laughlin River Run in 2002. The brawl left three bikers dead and dozens injured. Authorities expect the largest number of bikers in the 25 years the event has been held, said Las Vegas Police Lt. Tom Smitley. Bullhead City Police Lt. Steve Smith said said he expects 70,000 to 75,000 bikers to show up this year, based on the area's hotel occupancy.

Uniformed and undercover Metro police officers will be assigned specific areas of Laughlin to ensure safety, Smitley said. In addition, a task force to prevent motorcycle thefts will be on the job. The detail decreased the number of bike heists from 27 in 2004 to just three during the 2006 River Run. "Steal-me" motorcycles with GPS tracking devices will be placed in areas that will be monitored in an effort to catch motorcycle thieves, Smitley said.

The Mohave County, AZ, sheriff's office plans sobriety checkpoints Friday and Saturday nights, and will increase manpower throughout the weekend.

Jan 17, 2007 Hells Angels member gets 51 months
Hells Angels member Calvin Shaefer was sentenced for his role in the 2002 Laughlin River Run brawl between the Hells Angels and Mongols outlaw motorcycle gangs, today announced John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge, Los Angeles Field Division. Six Hells Angels members each pleaded guilty to one count of Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) in October 2006.

On Jan. 12, 2006, in a Nevada federal courtroom, U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan, sentenced Shaefer to 51 months in federal prison to run concurrent with a 54 month sentence Shaefer received previously in Arizona. Shaefer's sentence is a result of a plea agreement reached with the government while on trial with 40 additional members of the Hells Angels operating as part of a racketeering enterprise. During the melee, Shaefer fired a firearm at Richard Nolan and Benjamin Leyva injuring both men.

Five additional Hells Angels are scheduled to be sentenced in February 2007. They include: Rodney Cox who pleaded guilty to striking a Mongol with a wrench; Maurice Eunice who pleaded guilty to shooting a firearm and striking a Mongol; Raymond Foakes who pleaded guilty to kicking a Mongol, which started the brawl between the two outlaw motorcycle gangs; James Hannigan who pleaded guilty to stabbing a Mongol; and Dale Leedom who pleaded guilty to stabbing a Mongol.

Nov 27 Tribal casino tries to dip into Laughlin's customer base by Howard Stutz
When Nevada's first American Indian-run casino opened here in 1995, it didn't draw much attention. The Fort Mohave Tribal Council built the Avi for just $47 million and its 25,000-square-foot casino wasn't considered competition to the corporate-owned properties near the Colorado River gaming community.

But 11 years later, Laughlin casino operators are noticing.

"It doesn't really get reported much, but they've probably been the most active in the market in terms of upgrading their product," Harrah's Laughlin General Manager Wade Fall said of the Avi, which is about 10 miles south of the Laughlin casino cluster near the Nevada-California border. When it opened, the tribe spent $2.3 million to build a bridge across the river to connect the casino with customers in Bullhead City, Ariz.

"They're doing a good job at taking a run at us," Fall said.

The Avi recently doubled the size of the casino and increased the number of hotel rooms to 455.

The Avi also enlarged its banquet and entertainment venues and added an eight-screen movie theater.

The Avi has six restaurants, a private white sand beach on the banks of the Colorado River, a recreational vehicle park and an 18-hole championship golf course.

Avi media manager K. Dee Ignatin said she's glad the competition knows the property is drawing customers.

"We're glad everyone is taking notice," Ignatin said. "We really view ourselves as the only true resort on the river. We're very competitive, but we do work together as a community. The Avi is considered a major competitor."

Because the Avi is a tribal casino, its gaming revenues are private and not included in the statistics reported monthly by the state. However, the casino is regulated by the Gaming Control Board and must comply with all state gaming statutes.

"We don't look at ourselves as a typical corporate entity," Ignatin said. "We can be much more responsive to the customer."

She said visitation has picked up since the expansion finished. Hotel occupancy was better than 90 percent between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Ignatin said.

"Our great strength is our appeal to families," Ignatin said. "We offer free boat parking."

During a recent fireworks show and celebration at the resort, Ignatin said town founder Don Laughlin flew his helicopter overhead.

"Even he's noticed us," she said.

Nov 14 Laughlin September Visitors down 16% from last year
Enough people to populate a small nation poured into Las Vegas in September, setting a record for the month and keeping Southern Nevada on pace to attract 38.7 million visitors this year. The 3.2 million Las Vegas visitors in September, roughly the number of people who live in Armenia, represented a 3.3 percent increase over the previous September record set last year. The increase happened despite a 30 percent decline in convention visitors compared to 2005. "We've had some strong leisure demand coming into the fall," said John Piet, senior research analyst for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

In Laughlin the picture wasn't nearly as rosy. Visitor volume in the riverside gambling town fell to 251,770, nearly 16 percent lower than the previous September.

In Mesquite, an emerging resort community in the northeast corner of Clark County, visitor volume for September rose nearly 11 percent from 2005 to 125,862.

Oct 16 Mirage to sell Colorado Belle and Edgewater properties
MGM Mirage says it plans to sell it's two casinos in Laughlin, Nevada, to a private investment group for 200 million dollars. Las Vegas based MGM Mirage acquired the two properties, the Colorado Belle and the Edgewater, when it bought Mandalay Resort Group in 2005.

Combined, the two Laughlin properties have 2500 rooms and 138 thousand square feet of casino space on the Colorado River. They are two of the 23 hotel/casinos that MGM Mirage owns or manages, including 10 on the Las Vegas Strip.

MGM Mirage operates two casinos in Mississippi, the Beau Rivage in Biloxi and the Gold Strike in Tunica.

Sept 18 Trail Begins for 11 Hells Angels
Jury selection was to begin Monday in the trial of 11 of 42 Hells Angels bikers indicted on racketeering and firearms charges for the brawl in Laughlin that killed three people during Biker Weekend in 2002

Aug 21 Laughlin Resident Arrested on Felony Warrant

Mohave County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Mark Robert Rautenberg, 48, of Laughlin, Nv., early Monday (8/14) evening on a fugitive from justice felony warrant issued out of San Bernardino County in California. Approximately 6:07 p.m. deputies conducted a traffic stop at El Rodeo Road and Calle Del Media and contacted Rautenberg. A record check showed Rautenberg to have an active warrant. Rautenberg was taken into custody without incident. He was transported and booked into the Mohave County District II Substation.

Aug 11 Fiscal Year 2006 Report released
Thursday's figures from the state Gaming Control Board, listing the casino win for fiscal 2006 and for the month of June 2006:

STATEWIDE: $12.2 billion win in fiscal 2006, up 10.8 percent. In June, clubs won $921.1 million, down 3.5 percent.

LAS VEGAS STRIP: $6.4 billion fiscal-year win, up 14.6 percent. June win $454.8 million, down 7.1 percent.

DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $647.9 million fiscal-year win, down 1.8 percent. June win $44.6 million, down 13.2 percent.

NORTH LAS VEGAS: $313.2 million fiscal-year win, up 10.5 percent. June win $23.3 million, down 13 percent.

LAUGHLIN: $627.8 million fiscal-year win, up 4 percent. June win $45.8 million, down 6.5 percent.

BOULDER STRIP: $915.8 million fiscal-year win, up 7.2 percent. June win $67 million, down 13.4 percent.

MESQUITE: $150.7 million fiscal-year win, up 14 percent. June win $12.3 million, up 3.8 percent.

RENO: $774.8 million fiscal-year win, up 5.9 percent. June win $63.8 million, up 1.9 percent.

SPARKS: $170.7 million fiscal-year win, up 5.4 percent. June win $14 million, up 4.9 percent.

STATELINE: $343.4 million fiscal-year win, up 4 percent. June win $27.5 million, up 7.5 percent.

ELKO COUNTY: $263.4 million fiscal-year win, up 6.6 percent. June win $21.3 million, up 0.9 percent.

CARSON-GARDNERVILLE-MINDEN: $124.7 million fiscal-year win, up 4.4 percent. June win $11.2 million, up 7.3 percent.

CHURCHILL: $23.5 million fiscal-year win, up 13.6 percent. June win $1.9 million, up 4.9 percent.

HUMBOLDT: $20 million fiscal-year win, up 5.3 percent. June win $1.7 million, down 4.7 percent

Aug 4 Dry Camping Issue Resolved
RVer's will be allowed back this fall.

Aug 1 Prescott Capital buys Laughlin Mall
Prescott Capital Management, LLC, the investment and asset management unit of The Prescott Group, LLC, announced today its acquisition of a portfolio comprising six outlet center properties totaling 1,336,000 square feet from affiliates of Horizon Group Properties, Inc. of Chicago for $110.4 million, or $82 per square foot of gross leasable area.

The Laughlin property includes 256,741 sf of gross leasable area with additional expansion potential, and is currently 89% occupied. Major tenants include Gap, Reebok, Factory Brand Shoes, Dress Barn, and Oshkosh B’Gosh children’s clothing.

July 29 Hells Angel state case pushed back
A Nevada judge pushed back the long-delayed date of a state murder trial for eight Hells Angels motorcycle gang members to follow a pending federal trial stemming from a deadly 2002 brawl in a Laughlin hotel-casino.

Calvin Schaefer of Chandler, Ariz., and seven other Hells Angels charged in state court are among 42 club members from five Western states awaiting trial on federal racketeering, violence and weapons charges that could carry the possibility of life in prison.

The first 11 defendants in that case go on trial in September before U.S. District Judge James Mahan. Forty-four Hells Angels were originally charged.

July 16 Greenway Trail getting serious
The Laughlin Regional Heritage Greenway Trail System is one step closer to being after a meeting at the Laughlin Civic Center last week. The plans are for a series of trails, fishing docks and even a day use area across from Davis Dam. The day use area could have a manmade lagoon, swim area, kid's playground, fishing areas and bike/hiking paths. A pedestrian bridge is also being looked into for crossing Highway 163 (that's the bridge road).

The public is invited to comment on the project until Aug 13th. Comments may be e-mailed online to adubarton@newfields.com. For regular mail, send comments to: LRHGTS EA Project Manager, NewFields, 8250 W. Charleston Boulevard, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117.

July 11 Casinos keep winning
Nevada casinos beat gamblers for $1.3 billion in May. This was a nine percent gain over the same month last year.

The May win reported was the second highest ever for the casinos. The previous record was set in January 2006, when the clubs pulled in $1.4 billion. May was also the 22nd positive month in a row for casinos.

Major details:

STATEWIDE: $1.13 billion win, up 9 percent.
LAS VEGAS STRIP: $603.8 million, up 10.7 percent.
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $58.3 million, up 0.4 percent.
NORTH LAS VEGAS: $30 million, up 2.2 percent.
LAUGHLIN: $55.1 million, up 7.3 percent.
RENO: $67.2 million, up 3.4 percent.
SPARKS: $14.2 million, up 5.4 percent.
STATELINE: $25.8 million, down 7.6 percent.
ELKO COUNTY: $22 million, down 0.2 percent.
CARSON-GARDNERVILLE-MINDEN: $9.6 million, down 9.5 percent.
CHURCHILL: $2 million, up 6.7 percent.
HUMBOLDT: $1.9 million, up 17.7 percent.

July 7 Harrah's Entertainment may join Hall and Oates lawsuit.
As a result of their last-minute cancellation of Saturday's show at Lake Las Vegas, Hall & Oates could wind up in Clark County District Court. The "blue-eyed soul" practitioners backed out of the show on the floating stage at Reflection Bay on Saturday afternoon, prompting Lake Las Vegas to take legal action, Lake Las Vegas Director of Marketing Cary Krukowski said Thursday afternoon. Krukowski said she expects to have the suit filed by the end of today. Also expected to take action are officials with Harrah's Entertainment - Hall & Oates also canceled a show last Friday at Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheatre in Laughlin

July 5 Edison to abandon Mohave station By Kevin Smith, Daily Bulletin Staff Writer
Southern California Edison announced Monday it has abandoned plans to return its Mohave Generating Station to service.
The coal-fired facility in Laughlin, NV, was shut down in late December for failing to meet air pollution standards. The plant had generated about 7 percent of the Southland's electricity although it reportedly produced high levels of sulphur dioxide emissions

May 18 American approved to buy Flamingo Laughlin for $170 million
A subsidiary of American Real Estate Partners LP won unanimous approval Thursday from gambling regulators to purchase the Flamingo Laughlin hotel-casino from Harrah's Entertainment Inc. for $170 million.

May 12 Casinos Win Big Again
Just over $1 billion in March -- the second-highest monthly win ever. March was the 20th month in a row to show a statewide percentage gain
Details:
STATEWIDE: $1.06 billion win, up 3 percent.
LAS VEGAS STRIP: $546.1 million, up 6.2 percent.
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $59.5 million, down 5.8 percent.
LAUGHLIN: $61.8 million, up 0.4 percent.
RENO: $60.3 million, down 3.5 percent.
SPARKS: $14.4 million, up 2.3 percent.
STATELINE: $20.5 million, down 40.2 percent.
ELKO COUNTY: $23.3 million, up 5.2 percent.
CARSON-GARDNERVILLE-MINDEN: $10.5 million, up 8.5 percent.
CHURCHILL: $2.2 million, up 14.5 percent.

May 10 Sheriff Bill Young says he will not run for re-election.
This morning, Young said that recent family deaths of his Mother and an Uncle plus the death of a Las Vegas Metro Police Sergeant made him realize he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Bill Young was first elected as Clark County Sheriff in 2002. He has indicated he will serve out the remaining eight months of his term. He also has urged Under-sheriff Doug Gillespie to run for the his office.

Las Vegas Metro police operates under Sheriff Young in the Laughlin area.

April 30 "Biker Week" Calm - 111 Arrests includes Big Drug Bust
The annual biker week in Laughlin resulted in 111 arrests and a few major drug busts, no fatalities were reported.

This years 24th "Laughlin River Run" attracted more than 75,000 people to this year's event.

Nevada and Arizona Highway Patrol checkpoints were operated on Friday night and resulted in confiscating major batches of illegal drugs which included 140 pounds of marijuana and over five pounds of methamphetamine.

Authorities said "What's predictable is preventable and that's what we did."

Several law enforcement agencies from California, Nevada and Arizona planned for this event for several months and the result prevented any major breakouts of violence that were prevalent in years past. This annual event was marred by violence in 2002, when a brawl, between the Mongols and Hells Angels motorcycle gangs, turned deadly inside of Harrah's Laughlin Hotel and Casino along with several other altercations along the "Strip."

Even though this years "Biker Week" was the largest in memory, authorities reported that the overall crowd attitude was very positive and friendly. "Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and they seemed to appreciate the police presence at the event" authorities said.

Police made 111 arrests, including 93 for misdemeanors which were mostly alcohol related, for fighting, exposure and disorderly conduct such as spinning wheels. Also reported was 10 arrests on felony charges such as possession of drugs or stolen vehicles and nine misdemeanor arrests for crimes such as concealing a weapon.

There were 89 arrests last year and 127 in 2004.

The number of motorcycle thefts fell to 3 from 13 last year and 27 in 2004 thanks to heavy security at parking areas and the constant surveillance of the Mongols, an outlaw biker gang that had targeted the rally primarily to steal bikes.

April 11 Nevada Casinos Win $1 Billion in February
Nevada casinos won just over $ billion from gamblers during February for a nearly 13-percent gain over the same month a year earlier, according to a new state report.

The win is a record for any February. It was the money left over after gamblers bet nearly $14 billion.

Frank Streshley of the control board says February was the 19th month in a row to show a statewide percentage gain. He adds that factors in the gain included a good Superbowl weekend, the Mosley-Vargas junior middleweight fight in Las Vegas and strong Chinese New Year play.

Details:
STATEWIDE: $1.03 billion win, up 12.8 percent.
LAS VEGAS STRIP: $551 million, up 19.1 percent.
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $53.9 million, down 7 percent.
LAUGHLIN: $57.6 million, up 4.7 percent.
RENO: $61.3 million, up 10 percent.
SPARKS: $13.9 million, up 9.7 percent.
STATELINE: $25.4 million, up 13.7 percent.
ELKO COUNTY: $22.4 million, up 1.6 percent.

April 3 PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE - KINGMAN
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Robert James Dodd, 33, of Kingman. Dodd is wanted for aggravated assault and misconduct involving a weapon, felonies. Deputies responded to a firearms assault call Sunday (4/2) afternoon at the intersection of Thompson Avenue and N Melody Street in Kingman where two adult male subjects were involved in a verbal altercation with Dodd which escalated into a shooting. Investigations determined that Dodd shot numerous times at the two male subjects, hitting one of them, and leaving the scene driving a black Cavalier with black rims and dark tinted windows. The weapon used is described as an assault type weapon. The shot victim is identified as Michael David Bernat, 35, of Kingman, and is currently listed in stable condition at Kingman Regional Medical Center.

Dodd is a white male, 6'0 at 180 lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous. The public should not approach or contact Dodd.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Dodd is asked to contact Detective Parker, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, at (928) 753-0753 or Silent Witness at (888) 227-8780.

Mar 31 Biker Case - Murder Count Dismissed
The Nevada State Supreme Court has dismissed a murder count against 14 Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle gang members. The charge stemmed from the brawl at Harrah's during the 2002 Laughlin River Run that left three bikers dead.

Justices also ordered revisions to many of the 52 remaining counts against biker gang members.

The count charging those accused of being involved in the stabbing death of Mongols member Anthony Barrera was erased because the high court ruled it wasn't quote "precise as to who is alleged to have done what."

Mar 30 Lake Mead NRA Proposes Wireless Telecommunication Facility Plan
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) receives numerous inquiries from wireless telecommunication companies seeking to develop sites within the park to provide cellular phone service. Currently, there are four companies doing business at three existing cell towers located within the park, but demand is increasing. Officials at Lake Mead NRA are proposing to develop a plan to address the park’s future needs.

The proposed wireless telecommunication facility plan would be used to determine the level of wireless coverage appropriate for the park, to identify suitable locations for new facilities, and to develop a strategy for addressing future requests from wireless companies.

Wireless telecommunication companies are required to obtain a right-of-way permit to do business in a national park. In addition, all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act must be satisfied before any new facilities can be constructed on federal land. Completion of a park-wide plan would help satisfy these requirements and facilitate timely responses to future requests.

An environmental assessment will be prepared to identify and evaluate potential alternatives, including no action, for the proposed plan. Officials at Lake Mead NRA are seeking public input on alternatives, issues, and impacts to be addressed in the environmental assessment. Written comments, which must be received by April 30, 2006, should be sent to: Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Attention Compliance Office, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, Nevada 89005.

Mar 24 Nevada Visitors up, Laughlin slips
The number of visitors to Nevada grew nearly one percent last year to an all-time high of 51.6 million.

Tourists to Las Vegas grew 3% to a record 38.6 million. Washoe County, which includes Reno, Sparks and the north shore of Lake Tahoe, took an 8% hit, falling to 5.1 million.

A state tourism spokeswoman said the absence of a women's bowling convention, that does not meet every year, impacted Reno tourism.

The April opening of Steve Wynn's new resort on the Strip may have boosted numbers in Las Vegas. Convention numbers also hit a record high in Las Vegas.

Visitors to Laughlin decreased 4% to 3.9 million and visitors to Mesquite fell 9.4% to 1.6 million. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says visitor numbers to those southern Nevada cities dropped as they focused on attracting higher paying customers.

Mar 23 Arizona Man arrested for stealing Laughlin RV
Tommy Lee Dixon Jr., 20, of Golden Shores. AZ was arrested and charged with criminal damage, domestic violence, two counts of criminal damage and possession of stolen property, all felonies.

Dixon's girlfriend reported to Kingman Police that Dixon kicked open the front door of her residence in the 2800 block of Georgia Ave. and confronted her.

After the altercation the girlfriend said Dixon left the scene driving a large motorhome. Police officers located the motorhome in the downtown area of Kingman and tried to perform a traffic stop.

At that point, Dixon took off in the motorhome, driving erratically and through yards, fencing and striking the roof of one home in the area of Copper Street. Dixon abandoned the motorhome near Turquoise Street, fleeing on foot.

A Mohave County Sheriff's Office police dog and the highway patrol helicopter aided in the search and Dixon was found hiding in the attic of a residence in the 100 block of Oak Street.

The nearly quarter million dollar RV was believed stolen from Everett's RV next to the Horizon Outlet Mall in Laughlin. The RV was at Paul Everett's for servicing. It received substantial damage.

Mar 6 Plant's Future Still Up in the Air
For the Mohave Generating Station, there may be life after death. But nothing's sure yet.

The coal-burning, emission-spewing, 35-year-old power plant at Laughlin was expected to close Dec. 31 because the plant owners, which include Nevada Power Co., have not installed $500 million in pollution-control equipment required under a federal court agreement.

Three environmental groups, who sued the Mohave plant owners, won federal court approval in 1999 for an order that allowed Mohave to continue operation for a few years. But the order also requires the owners to close the power plant at least temporarily if pollution- reduction equipment hasn't been installed by the end of this year.

Feb 23 Laughlin Marina designer wins award
Samuel Wacht, a Calabasas resident and member of the San Fernando Valley chapter of the American institute of Architects, was awarded the Best Community Development award for his design and development of the Laughlin Bay Marina.

Wacht received the prize on Jan. 21 at an awards presentation and banquet at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City.

The Laughlin Bay Marina is the first major new development in Laughlin, Nv. in more than 15 years and the first private marina in Nevada built entirely on private property.

Located on Needles Highway at Casino Drive, the development spans 32 acres with 1,250 feet of frontage on Laughlin Bay Lagoon with direct access to the Colorado River.

The environmentally-conscious marina is the first marina in Nevada designed to comply with voluntary clean marina standards to help protect the natural habitat in the lagoon.

Laughlin Bay Marina offers such amenities as preferred vessel service and launch reservations, 110 boat slips in the lagoon, dry storage and maintenance, facilities for an additional 240 boats and watercraft, a three-lane launch ramp, a lighted boardwalk, shop store, full-service restaurant, cocktail bar and a sandy beach area.

Construction will begin this year on a gated, river-view residential community of 499 condominiums and townhouses, which will include a clubhouse with a fitness center, community pool and spa, barbecue facilities and fire pits.

Watcht formed his architectural firm, Samuel Wacht Associates, in 1957. The firm includes architects, engineers, planners and consultants who provide a comprehensive scope of services for a broad client base.

Watcht has designed projects across the nation, including more than 60,000 housing units, as well as 6,000 units of congregate and healthcare facilities. Other projects designed by the firm include office buildings, self storage facilities, industrial buildings, shopping centers, hotels and casinos.

Watcht is a member of the American Institute of Architect’s National Chapters and the San Fernando Valley Chapter, a previous member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association for Senior Living Industries, American Society on Aging, National Council of Residential Care Facilities and the National Council on Aging.

He has been a faculty speaker for Multi-Housing news, Crittenden Conference Programs and the NAHB. The firm has won numerous design awards.

Wacht received a bachelor’s of architecture in 1955 from USC and resides in Calabasas with his wife, Jo Ann.

Feb 15 High winds close highway to Las Vegas
High winds and blowing dust are forcing the closure of a highway in southern Nevada between Las Vegas and Laughlin.

N-Dot says U-S 95 is closed in both directions between the town of Searchlight and Railroad Pass near Boulder City.

Officials are concerned about visibility for motorists and about high-profile vehicles like trucks and motor homes being blown off the road.

The Nevada Highway Patrol plans to reopen the highway as soon as winds die down.

A wind advisory is in effect until Wednesday night in deserts of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and San Bernardino County, California.

High winds and blowing dust have forced the closure of US 95 in southern Nevada between Las Vegas and Laughlin.

The National Weather Service says visibility might also be limited for motorists on Interstate 15 around Primm and the Nevada-and-California state line.

Authorities also have issued a red flag fire warning due to winds and very low relative humidity.

The weather service says winds out of the southwest should continue to blow through the day Wednesday at 30 miles per hour or more with gusts of over 40.

Feb 14 One injured in Laughlin knife fight
Two males, one Hispanic and the other Black, were involved in a fight outside of Aldape's Market in the Town Center Shopping parking lot.

According to the police the two men have had an on-going dispute. Witnesses say the two were arguing when someone threw a knife to the black male. As he was trying to open the folding knife the Hispanic male rush him causing the black male to cut himself. After the black male cut himself he ran into the market.

A knife was recovered at the scene. The black male was transported to WRMAC and the Hispanic was taken to the substation in Laughlin for further questioning. No arrests have been made but an investigation continues.

Feb 12 Casinos continue win streak
Continuing a strong fiscal year for Nevada casinos, December's gambling win rose 6.5 percent over 2004. Silver State casinos raked in $907.4 million, compared with December 2004's $852.1 million.

Since the start of the fiscal year July 1, 2005, casino win is up nearly 12.2 percent from the equivalent period in 2004-05. Even downtown Las Vegas showed revenue growth for December, up 2.67 percent, although the area is still down 1.7 percent for the fiscal year to date.

Although some regions reported double-digit declines from December 2004, Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley attributed this to the fact that Dec. 31, 2005 fell on a Saturday and may have been excluded from many casinos' reporting periods.

"It's the thing of when they do their slot drops. It's a timing difference," Streshely explained, adding that much of that coin will show up in January's numbers.

For instance, these reporting disparities resulted in North Lake Tahoe showing a 30.4 up-tick in gaming win while South Lake Tahoe displayed a 21 percent decline. Likewise, North Las Vegas and the Boulder Strip showed aberrant downturns of 15.4 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

New Year's Eve was good for table game business on the Strip. Streshley said the craps win was up 32 percent over December 2004, while the roulette win surged by 43 percent and the ever-volatile baccarat by 67 percent.

The narrowest difference in gaming win overall was in Laughlin, down by a quarter of a percent, while Mesquite was the most bullish market, up by over 46 percent.

Jan 1 SoCal Edison to close power plant in Laughlin

A large coal-fired power plant in Laughlin will shut down this weekend rather than undertake expensive pollution-control measures.

Southern California Edison says closing the Mohave Generating Station won't affect its 13 (M) million customers, because it's got other power sources.

Environmental groups won a 1999 court order requiring pollution control upgrades or the closure of the plant by January first, 2006.

Feb 18 - Reward Offered
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is asking your assistance in locating Gerardo Mendoza, 22, of Oceanside, California, and Darlene Gonzalez, 20, of Fort Mohave. This past Saturday (1/22) detectives were called to the 1500 block of Terral Lane in Fort Mohave where Joseph Alan Gravett, 31, of Bullhead City, suffered a gun shot wound and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Mendoza is wanted for the homicide of Joseph Alan Gravett. Mendoza is a Hispanic male, 5'6 at 135 lbs, with brown eyes, a shaved head and possibly wearing a short goatee. Mendoza is often known to wear a blue bandanna. Mendoza has an alias street name of Blackie. He is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Darlene Gonzalez may be with Mendoza and is wanted for questioning. Gonzalez is a Hispanic female, 5’2 at 99 lbs, with brown eyes and brown hair. A two year old Hispanic boy may also be with Gonzalez and Mendoza.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Mendoza or Gonzalez is asked to contact Mohave County Sheriff’s Office at (800) 522-4312 or Silent Witness at (888) 227-8780. A reward up to $500 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mendoza.

Bullhead City, AZ Crime Report

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