Yang Guanyu/Xinhua via AP

In this photo released by Chinas Xinhua News Agency, spectators watch as a Long March-5 rocket carrying the Tianwen-1 Mars probe lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern Chinas Hainan Province, Thursday, July 23,2020.

Associated Press

Thursday, July 23, 2020 | 8:30 a.m.

BEIJING China launched its most ambitious Mars mission yet on Thursday in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet.

Engines blazing orange, a Long March-5 carrier rocket took off under clear skies around 12:40 p.m. from Hainan Island, south of China's mainland. Hundreds of space enthusiasts cried out excitedly on a beach across the bay from the launch site.

This is a kind of hope, a kind of strength, said Li Dapeng, co-founder of the China branch of the Mars Society, an international enthusiast group. He wore a Mars Society T shirt, and was there with his wife, 11-year-old son and 2,000 others on the beach to watch the launch.

Launch commander Zhang Xueyu announced to cheers in the control room that the rocket was flying normally about 45 minutes later. The Mars rover has accurately entered the scheduled orbit," he said in brief remarks shown live on state broadcaster CCTV.

Chinas space agency said that the rocket carried the probe for 36 minutes before successfully placing it on the looping path that will take it beyond Earth's orbit and eventually into Mars more distant orbit around the sun.

Liu Tongjie, spokesman for the mission, said in a press briefing that the launch was a key step of China marching towards farther deep space. He said that Chinas aim wasnt to compete with other countries, but to peacefully explore the universe.

It marked the second flight to Mars this week, after a United Arab Emirates orbiter blasted off on a rocket from Japan on Monday. And the U.S. is aiming to launch Perseverance, its most sophisticated Mars rover ever, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, next week.

Its amazing that another nation has launched the case for Mars, said Dr. Katarina Miljkovic, a planetary scientist at Curtin University in Australia, adding that the world was no longer in a space race. Its more like this marathon of space that we all want to be running.

Chinas tandem spacecraft with both an orbiter and a rover will take seven months to reach Mars, like the others. If all goes well, Tianwen-1, or quest for heavenly truth, will look for underground water, if its present, as well as evidence of possible ancient life.

This isnt Chinas first attempt at Mars. In 2011, a Chinese orbiter accompanying a Russian mission was lost when the spacecraft failed to get out of Earths orbit after launching from Kazakhstan, eventually burning up in the atmosphere.

This time, China is going at it alone. It also is fast-tracking, launching an orbiter and rover on the same mission instead of stringing them out.

Chinas secretive space program has developed rapidly in recent decades. Yang Liwei became the first Chinese astronaut in 2003, and last year, Change-4 became the first spacecraft from any country to land on the far side of the moon.

Conquering Mars would put China in an elite club.

There is a whole lot of prestige riding on this, said Dean Cheng, an expert on Chinese aerospace programs at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

The launch was gutsy, said Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The next challenge is for the probe to be "still working when it gets to Mars and survives entry and landing.

Landing on Mars is notoriously difficult. Only the U.S. has successfully landed a spacecraft on Martian soil, doing it eight times since 1976. NASA's InSight lander and Curiosity rover still operate today. Six other spacecraft are exploring Mars from orbit: three American, two European and one from India.

Unlike the two other Mars missions launching this month, China has tightly controlled information about the program even withholding any name for its rover. National security concerns led the U.S. to curb cooperation between NASA and China's space program.

In an article published earlier this month in Nature Astronomy, mission chief engineer Wan Weixing said Tianwen-1 would slip into orbit around Mars in February and look for a landing site on Utopia Planitia a plain where NASA has detected possible evidence of underground ice. Wan died in May from cancer.

The landing would then be attempted in April or May, according to the article. If all goes well, the 240-kilogram (530-pound) golf cart-sized, solar-powered rover is expected to operate for about three months, and the orbiter for two years.

There is uncertainty even after the rover lands on Mars, said Liu Tongjie. For instance, if there is a sand storm, it needs to modify its mode of work to prevent sands falling on solar panel, which will affect its ability to get energy, he said.

Though small compared to America's hulking, car-sized 1,025-kilogram (2,260-pound) Perseverance, it's almost twice as big as the two rovers China has sent to the moon in 2013 and 2019. Perseverance is expected to operate for at least two years.

This Mars-launching season which occurs every 26 months when Earth and Mars are at their closest is especially busy.

The UAE spacecraft Amal, or Hope, which will orbit Mars but not land, is the Arab worlds first interplanetary mission. NASA's Perseverance rover is up next.

At no other time in our history have we seen anything like what is unfolding with these three unique missions to Mars. Each of them is a science and engineering marvel, the Space Foundations chief executive officer Thomas Zelibor said in an online panel discussion earlier this week.

China's road to Mars hit a few bumps: A Long March-5 rocket, nicknamed Fat 5 because of its bulky shape, failed to launch earlier this year. The coronavirus pandemic forced scientists to work from home. In March, when instruments needed to be transported from Beijing to Shanghai, three team members drove 12 hours to deliver them.

While China is joining the U.S., Russia and Europe in creating a satellite-based global navigation system, experts say it isnt trying to overtake the U.S. lead in space exploration.

Instead, Cheng of the Heritage Foundation said China is in a slow race with Japan and India to establish itself as Asias space power.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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China launches ambitious attempt to land rover on Mars - Las Vegas Sun

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas teacher is in need of a new heart. Kryn Cooper Sanders is a teacher at Goynes Elementary Stem Academy. She has been teaching for 23 years and has been part of the Goynes family since 2005.

Early into last school year, Sanders was diagnosed with the flu and then pneumonia. In March she was diagnosed with viral cardomyopathy.

Her name has been added to the United Network Organ Sharing Transplant List.

In the meantime, A GoFundMe has been set up for her to pay medical expenses and help her family as well:

Were just trying to support her and let her know that she needs to take care of herself and that everything else will get taken care of, said Melissa Rea, teacher.

We just wanted her to know how important she is to all of us she has impacted my life, said Nicole Zobrist, a friend.

I wish I can give her my heart, but I need it still, Finn, one of her students said.

Sanders has four little boys staying with relatives from California. As for her husband he is working in Las Vegas and commuting to California.

So far, her GoFundMe has raised more than $14,850. If you would like to contribute, go here.

Visit link:

Teaching community steps up to help Las Vegas teacher who needs a new heart - KLAS - 8 News Now

For more information about the city's reopening plans, please visit http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/welcomeback.

Gov. Sisolak announces mandatory face covering policy in public

Bars, pubs, taverns, distilleries, breweries and wineries that dont serve food in Nevada counties listed below must close effective July 10 at 11:59 p.m.These counties are considered to be Elevated Disease Transmission counties. Bar tops & bar areas within restaurants and food establishments in these counties must also close to customers. They will be evaluated again in two weeks on Friday, July 24.

Elevated Disease Transmission Counties:Clark County, NevadaElko CountyHumboldt CountyLander CountyLyon CountyNye County, NevadaWashoe County, Nevada

Additionally, statewide, all restaurants and food establishments - pubs, breweries, distilleries, wineries - which are licensed to serve food, must not seat parties larger than 6 people, indoors and outdoors. Food establishments should encourage outdoor dining.

Visitors

There are currently not travel restrictions in place but we recommend staying tuned to the latest news from our governor's office here: https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/info/travelers-visitors/

Getting Tested

Here is a list of testing locations:https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/find-covid-19-testing-in-nevada/

If you are positive for COVID-19, you will receive a text message from 844-990-0029 with additional information. The Health District asks that you answer the call so we can prevent more infections in our community.

The city has made adjustments to its services in response to the coronavirus outbreak.The public can call 702-229-CARE (2273) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The line will give callers automated options on weekends.

The below list will be regularly updated.

Municipal Court

The city of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Municipal Court's top priority ishealth and safety of our staff and visitors.We are taking precautions due to COVID-19, including extending continuance to those who are not comfortable visiting the Regional Justice Center, who may be exhibiting potential signs of illnessor who are in a high-risk category.To avoid high-risk crowding, the traffic windowsare closed until further notice.If you need to make apayment, or reschedule your court date and cannot do so on our website, please call 702-229-5257.

Effective March 16, 2020, Municipal Court will accept court filings and continue to operate managing cases bytheparameters set forthin this order.

Sewer Services

The citywill waive sewer bill late fees and property liens normally filed on delinquent sewer bills until 30 days after the current city emergency declaration ends. Those who are employed or not suffering financial hardship are encouraged to keep current on their sewer bills.

City of Las Vegas sewer bills may be paid online at https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/sewer. Those with questions regarding sewer bills may email sewerservices@lasvegasnevada.govor call 702-229-1289.

Assistance

Small Business Grants

A new Business Preparedness Grant created by the city of Las Vegas using $2 million in CARES Act fundsthrough July 31, or until sufficient applications have been received. Since we had many businesses apply during the first grant program, we will be giving priority and reviewing those applications for eligibility.There is no need to re-apply. Business owners will be required to sign an affidavit. Submissions will not be considered without it. For more information visit lasvegasnevada.gov/reopeninggrant.

Housing Assistance

Clark County has launchedits Cares Housing Assistance Program . The program is available to all residents of Clark County (which includes city of Las Vegas residents). The program serves residents who have suffered substantial financial hardship and now lack sufficient income or resources available to pay their housing costs because of the COVID-19 emergency or the response to that emergency. For more information visit https://helphopehome.org/clark-county-cares-housing-assistance-program/

The state of Nevada is also providing rental assistance:https://housing.nv.gov/

Moratorium On Evictions Through Duration OfState Of Emergency

Governor Steve Sisolak signed an emergency directive putting a moratorium on all residential and commercial evictions in the State of Nevada through the duration of the State of Emergency. This directive does not constitute free rent or mortgage. For more information, visit https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gov.-Sisolak-Guidance-Directive-008-Evictions-Updated-on-3-30.pdf

On June 25, Governor Sisolak signed Emergency Directive 025 will gradually lift the moratorium on evictions.He alsostronglyurged landlords and tenants to work togetherand collaborateon repayment plans.

Directive 025lifts the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures imposed by Directive 008 in phases by allowing residential evictions and foreclosures to resume in full on September 1fornon-payment of rents and no cause evictions.Late fees or penalties for non-payment of rent or mortgage payments may not be charged retroactively.

The directivereinstates residential summary evictionsand unlawful detainer actionsprior to September 1forcertain causes other than non-payment of rent.These caused based actions do not include non-payment of rent, but include holdover tenants, tenants at will, waste, unlawful business, nuisance, violations of controlled substance laws, and violations of lease conditions other than non-payment of rent.

For commercial tenancies and mortgages, landlords and lenders can again charge late fees, initiate lockouts, or start eviction actions for non-payment of rent or foreclosure proceedings beginning July 1.

The Governorstrongly encouragesthat all landlords and tenantsworktogether on repayment plans.The Nevada Attorney Generals Officehascreateda template Lease AddendumandPromissory Note toassist andencourage landlords to work with tenants on a repayment planto keep people in their residencesand to avoid overwhelming the courts.

This voluntary document is intended to help landlords receive delinquent rental amounts while helping keep tenants in their homes or places of businessunder a payment plan for back due rents that they can afford.

Additionally, the Nevada State Treasurers Office is workingon coordinatingastatewiderentalassistanceprogram to help residential and commercialtenants, withthegoal of having theresidentialprogram up and running by mid-Julyand the commercial program shortly thereafter.

Other Help

NV Energy, Southwest Gasand the Las Vegas Valley Water District are willing to work with customers right now.

Republic Services remains fully operational in Southern Nevada with no changes to residential collection service at this time. Bulk pickups are continuing as scheduled. For more information, visit http://www.republicservicesvegas.com.

Three Square Food Bank has emergency food centers at 15 schools and 43 other locations for anyone who needs help.Three Square is offering grocery delivery for those in need that are 60+. Visithttp://threesquare.org/helpor call 702-765-4030 to see if you qualify.

Lost Pet ReunificationFees Waived

To help families who might be struggling, fees will bewaived for when the owner picks up their lost petas long asownership can be verified and required documentation provided.This applies to animals that arepicked up by city of Las Vegas Animal Control officers and taken to the Animal Foundation. Call the shelter at 702-955-5932 for more information.

Have You Been Exposed?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new virus called SARS-CoV-2. The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, persistent coughand shortness of breath. Most people with COVID-19 will have a mild disease but some people will get sicker and may need to be hospitalized.Please click here if you think you have been exposed to or are developing potential symptoms.

Unemployment

Governor Steve Sisolak instructed the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), Employment Security Division to waive the work search requirement and the 7-day wait period for approved unemployment insurance benefits.

To file for unemployment in the State of Nevada, please use the online application available 24/7 athttp://ui.nv.gov/css.html. People unable to file online may file via telephone by calling a UI Claims Call Center between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Northern UI Call Center: (775) 684-0350; Southern UI Call Center: (702) 486-0350; Rural areas & Out-of-State: (888) 890-8211.

Online users can refer to the resources listed onui.nv.govand the updatedNV Unemployment Insurance (UI) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document athttps://detr.nv.gov/Page/COVID-19_(Coronavirus)_Information_for_Claimants_and_Employers.

ThePUA program is one provision under the federal CARES Act and is designed to offer unemployment benefits to independent contractors and others historically unable to qualify for traditional unemployment insurance benefits:www.employnv.gov.The new filing system is independent of the traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI) system and will facilitate a streamlined method for the public to file for PUA benefits. Claimants will have a dedicated call center for all PUA related questions with a new phone number: 1-800-603-9681.

The following individuals may be eligible for PUA:

Claimants must also be able and available for work as defined in state law, must have prior earnings in Nevada or a job offer to work in Nevada and must not be eligible for any UI benefits, including regular UI, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, and State Extended Benefits.

We want your stories about how the Las Vegas community is coming together to help each other. Fill out this form: https://cityoflasvegas.link/InItTogetherSNV,Big or small, if it makes you smile, we'd like to know about it!

Donate blood. There is a dire need in our community right now.Visit http://RedCrossBlood.orgorhttps://www.vitalant.orgtomake an appointment.

Nextdoor, the private social network for neighborhoods, has a help map where you can ask for help or offer help to your neighbors.

The city of Las Vegas is coordinating with Clark County andthe Southern Nevada Health Districtto address health risks posed by the pandemic. Standard precautions already in place at the Courtyard Homeless Resource Centerincludefrequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, making hand-washing stations availableand providing alcohol-based hand sanitizers.Anyone who needs help can visit lasvegasnevda.gov/homeless.

Isolation-Quarantine Complex

The joint Clark County-City of Las VegasISO-Q(Isolation and Quarantine) Complex at Cashman Center began taking patients April 13, and is scheduled to close June 30.The complex served as a safe place that 234 individuals experiencing homelessness used to quarantine, ensure that others were not infected and in some cases recover from COVID-19.

Complex staff also oversaw the administering of 846 COVID-19 tests, and helped a total of 20 COVID-19 positive individuals recover. In addition, more than 17,000 health screenings have occurred at the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center since April 13.

Clark County and the city of Las Vegasjointly fundedthe facility. In addition, The Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas LIFE assistedwith processing donations for the complex.

Is Our Water Safe?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, like the flu, which is spread person to personthere is no indication that transmission can occur via drinking water supplies.

Southern Nevadas drinking water is treated using a combination of ozonation, filtration and chlorination, which are on the leading edge of water treatment processes and effective at removing contaminants from water. To ensure your water meets or surpasses drinking water standards, we also monitor water quality around the valley 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority & Las Vegas Valley Water District do not anticipate any current scenario that would interrupt water availability to our community.

We are committed to ensuring your water quality, reliability and security because we know you depend upon it every day.

Rumor Control

For a full list from FEMA, visit https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control.

Is 5G Cell Phone Technology Linked To The Cause Of Coronavirus?

A worldwide online conspiracy theory has attempted to link 5G cell phone technology as being one of the causes of the coronavirus. Many cell towers outside of the U.S. have been set on fire as a result;5G technology does NOT cause coronavirus.

I Got A Call, Text, Or Email Saying I Could Get Financial Help. Is It Legitimate?

There have been reports that scammers are pretending to be the government, contacting people by robocall, text message, email and other outreach. These scammers say they can get people financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then ask for money or personal information, like your Social Security, bank account or credit card number. This is aSCAM.

Dont trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money or personal information. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. The Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, U.S. Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control staff never charge for disaster assistance.

The Federal Trade Commissionscams pagehas tips to help youavoid scamsonline, on thephone, by text andthrough email. If you see a scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission:ftc.gov/complaint.

Listen to the city coronavirus podcast update

Watch the KCLV coronavirus video update.

Follow the Health District on Twitter.Subscribe to their tweets by clicking on the bell on their profile here.

Follow the Health District on Facebook.

Official information about travel and major events via theLVCVA

Official updates from CCSD

Official info from the CDC

Or subscribe to the weekly CDC newsletter.

If you have been victimized by any crime related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please report your experience to the Attorney Generals Office (ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/) and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or by e-mailing the NCDF atdisaster@leo.gov. In your email, please provide the following information:

Excerpt from:

Coronavirus Update From City of Las Vegas

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Instruction

Excerpt from:

fox5vegas.com | FOX5 Local. Las Vegas

The best way to enjoy Las Vegas, saving time and money, is with a vacation package. By bundling together hotels and flights, you will often be able to take advantage of preferential rates, as opposed to standard single rates when booking separately. You will also save time matching hotel availability to your flights. If flexibility isnt your priority, Las Vegas vacation packages could leave you more money to spend in the city itself, rather than on getting there.

Booking a Las Vegas flight and hotel package is an efficient way to save on stress and cash. For the best deals and rooms, its advisable to search for Las Vegas vacation packages during quieter periods. Traveling during the week is generally more affordable than at weekends, and by booking earlier you can help avoid higher rates. The July-August Monsoon season is a good time to find Las Vegas travel deals, as most travelers opt to visit during spring and fall when the weather is hotter and dryer. Its also a good time to get away from the concrete and visit the surrounding valleys, mountains and national parks in cooler weather.

Whilst searching for Las Vegas travel deals, be sure to check out seasonal activities. Most crowd-pulling events such as the NASCAR race, the Super Bowl, and the Rodeo happen during fall and winter as well as major conventions such as the Consumer Electronics Show and the Magic International.

The Aria Resort and Casino is one of the classiest hotels on the Las Vegas strip, offering private cabana rental alongside a range of first-class, dedicated amenities to make your Las Vegas getaway feel special. The resort is just a 10-minute drive from McCarran International, and offers a 24-hour taxi and limo booking service. If you book a Sky Suite with the hotel, luxury transfer to and from the airport is included.

The Venetian Resort Hotel is a luxurious, whimsical Las Vegas creation. Housed in a sprawling Italianate palazzo, it boasts an on-site grand canal complete with gondolas, renaissance mall, spacious, eco-friendly suites and 10 outdoor pools. The hotel is just 12 minutes by car or taxi from the airport, and it offers a wide range of transport options, from a taxi booking service to a Grazie shuttle service (free for Gold and Platinum members), running every half hour between 6.am and 6.30pm.

Marriots Grand Chateau, 15-minutes walk from the strip, boasts spacious family rooms, free valet parking, kids activity rooms and a birds-eye view of central Las Vegas. Just a ten-minute drive from the airport, head north onto McCarran Airport Connector, carry on to Swenson Street, then left onto E Harmon Ave. The Chateau offers free valet parking.

The Mandarin Oriental offers cozy family rooms and a range of child-oriented services, from childrens afternoon tea to the arrangement of certified babysitters, to ensure a stress-free stay for the whole family. The hotel is around a ten-minute drive by cab or car from the airport and is located right on The Strip.

The Desert Rose Resort, just 2 blocks from the southern part of the Strip, is a great choice for couples on a budget. It boasts a range of contemporary condominium suites with private patios or balconies. As it doesnt host on-site bars or clubs, its ideal for those looking for something quieter. Just seven minutes from the airport by car, head north onto McCarran Airport Connector then left onto E. Tropicana Ave. After 1.6 miles, turn left onto Duke Ellington Way the resort is on the right.

The MGM Grand attracts some of the worlds most famous acts to its numerous nightclubs and showrooms. With pool complexes, a range of signature bars and restaurants, and generously-sized suites, its an ideal honeymoon resort. The resort offers tax assistance and features on shuttle service routes to and from the airport (just 7 minutes away, though usually longer via shuttle). If driving from McCarran International, head north onto McCarran Airport Connector and left onto E. Tropicana Ave., then right onto Audrie St. and left towards the resort entrance.

The Wynne Las Vegas is a dazzling luxurious resort, featuring a full casino, dozens of boutiques and matchlessly designed amenities. The hotel doesnt offer a free shuttle service, but is located directly on the Strip, and is easily reachable (around 12 minutes) from McCarran International via cab or hired car.

The Four Seasons in Mandalay Bay offers glorious views of the surrounding desert mountains from chic, Art-Deco suites. Alongside stellar on-site restaurants, guests can enjoy tailored treatments in the Forbes Five Star Spa. Limo, taxi and rental car services are available for airport transfers (around 12 minutes away) and beyond.

The Mardi Gras Hotel and Casino is located 5 minutes from the Monorail and offers free shuttles to the Strip and airport transfers (between 7am and 10pm). It also offers free service level parking and a friendly full-service bar and restaurant. From the airport, simply head north on Paradise Road for 2.3 miles. The hotel is on the right.

The Circus Circus Hotel, Casino, and Theme Park is just 5 minutes drive from the Convention Center and offers free entertainment nightly. The hotel is just 8 minutes away from the airport by cab, or half an hour way via line 108 bus.

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Las Vegas Vacation Packages from $134 - Search Flight ...

Las Vegas (CNN) Las Vegas Boulevard -- the world-famous Las Vegas Strip -- is the central artery of Sin City and the main line to a majority of the city's best sights, gambling, food and fun.

With neon signs and dancing fountains along an eight-mile stretch of awesome, the Strip delivers sensory overload.

It's best to start at the beginning, at the southern end of the Strip. From south to north, here are 15 of our favorite attractions on one of the most famous roads in the world.

1. 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada' sign

Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau

The iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" sign serves as Sin City's unofficial welcome mat.

This neon beacon has greeted visitors at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard since 1959, when commercial artist and prolific sign designer Betty Willis designed it as a gift to the city. Because Willis never trademarked her work, merchandising companies have been able to replicate it on t-shirts, mugs and other tchotchkes.

The sign was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, and it's one of the most popular selfie spots in town. It also served as the site of a makeshift memorial after the mass shooting at a country music concert in October 2017.

"Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada," sign, Las Vegas Boulevard, South. Las Vegas, NV 89101.

2. Luxor Hotel & Casino

This 1990s-built pyramid isn't one of the seven wonders of the world, but it stands out in a town where copycatting New York, Paris, Venice and other iconic destinations certainly is a compliment.

Inside, guests ride inclinators instead of elevators to their rooms, and people-movers ascend and descend at 39-degree angles along the corners of the pyramid, creating a rocking sensation that makes riders feel like they're on a boat.

3. The Park

Francis and Francis/Courtesy MGM

One of the newest additions to Sin City, this $100 million urban oasis between the New York-New York and Park MGM (the soon-to-be-renamed Monte Carlo) hotels stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard back to T-Mobile Arena.

Along the way, brick walkways wind past the Las Vegas outpost of Shake Shack and other open-air restaurants, a walk-through water feature that evokes parting the Red Sea and "Bliss Dance," a 40-foot-tall statue of a dancing woman. The area is hopping before home games for the NHL's Golden Knights, the first pro sports team in Vegas history.

4. Public art at City Center

While Las Vegas isn't known for its art scene, MGM Resorts has invested $40 million over the last 10 years in public art at the 67-acre City Center complex.

Notables include Maya Lin's "Silver River," which hangs behind the registration desk at Aria Las Vegas and depicts the course of the Colorado River; and Glacia, a piece on the ground floor of The Shops at Crystals composed of 15-foot-tall ice columns rising anew each morning and melting in different patterns throughout the day.

A third piece, named "Big Edge," comprises more than 200 kayaks, canoes and other water vessels.

City Center, Las Vegas, NV 89109; between the Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Harmon Avenue.

5. Fountains of Bellagio

Water that dances like ballerinas. Cannons that shoot water hundreds of feet in the air. Yes, the fountains that span the artificial lake in front of Bellagio Las Vegas have become one of the most iconic Vegas sights. It's no wonder this is where the characters from the 2001 version of "Ocean's 11" met to celebrate their big heist.

The spectacle, designed by a company poetically named Wet, opened with the property in 1998 and today comprises more than 1,000 fountains in all, some shooting spray more than 450 feet into the air. The fountains go off weekdays every 30 minutes between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and every 15 minutes between 8 p.m. and midnight. They are even more frequent on weekends.

Unless you've got a bird's eye view from a balcony suite at The Cosmopolitan, arrive early to secure a prime standing-room only spot along the Strip.

6. Fall of Atlantis show

Drama is in full effect at this free animatronic spectacle inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The 11-minute show tells the story of the Lost City of Atlantis, and what happens when the ailing King Atlas must decide which of his children should rule.

Audiences are treated to video screen supplements, fireballs, a 20-foot winged dragon and props by set designers who worked on "Thor" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." There are even fish tanks with real, live fish. The show debuted in 1997 and was updated in 2013. Shows start every hour between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.

7. LINQ Promenade

In between, the Promenade is home to the Strip's only In-N-Out Burger franchise, a West-Coast outpost for the bowling alley/concert venue Brooklyn Bowl and a Beverly Hills-based Sprinkles bakery that sells cupcakes from an ATM. A zipline is expected to open later this year.

8. Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo Las Vegas

This zoo-like oasis in the courtyard of the Flamingo Las Vegas is home to more than 60 exotic birds (including Chilean flamingoes, of course), 20 turtles and 300 fish.

The free attraction opened in 1995, and it's a great place to escape from the hubbub of the Strip and the nearby LINQ Promenade. To see the animals in their most active states, swing by for one of the twice-daily feedings, held in a section dubbed "Pelican Island" at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

9. The Mirage Volcano

Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Mirage

Fireballs, water cannons and booming percussion riffs highlight the free "eruptions" at the volcano that fronts The Mirage along Las Vegas Boulevard.

The soundtrack is a collaboration between Mickey Hart, former drummer for The Grateful Dead, and Zakir Hussain, an Indian musician who is a master of a drum called the tabla.

The volcano dates back to the hotel's opening in 1989. It was updated with new beats in 2008. Pyrotechnics go off Sunday-Thursday at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., with an additional show on Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m.

10. The Venetian's canals

Baritones boom out Italian love songs as they paddle past. Couples canoodle in gondolas as they glide by. You can't get more Venetian than this outside of Italy.

So when Sands Corp. CEO Sheldon G. Adelson built The Venetian, he spared no expense to replicate the iconic waterways. Gondola rides are available in two spots: outdoors in a canal that runs along Las Vegas Boulevard, and indoors along the 285,000-gallon Grand Canal, which passes beneath bridges and past piazza cafes.

Most of the stripe-shirted gondoliers sing upon request, and photo packages are available to capture the moment for posterity.

11. Adventuredome

The main attraction at family-friendly Circus Circus Hotel & Casino is the Adventuredome-a glass-enclosed big-top with five acres of diversions. Rides include two roller coasters (including one that drops at 1.5 vertical-G), a half-dozen spinning rides, virtual reality experiences and a carousel.

The Adventuredome also sports a carnival midway with more than 40 games, an arcade, mini-golf, bowling and clown shows. The best value is a per-person discounted all-day wristband.

12. Gold & Silver Pawn Shop

Reality television fans flock to this working pawn shop, which has been the backdrop for the History channel's television series, "Pawn Stars," since 2009.

Time it right and you might even catch film crews capturing Rick or Corey Harrison examining items or yelling at customers. The queue of people outside the shop is a telltale sign that cameras are rolling. Over the years the retail floor has grown to include branded souvenirs, a sure sign of television success.

13. Fremont Street Experience

Fremont Street Experience

Fremont Street Experience is the heart of downtown Vegas; a five-block pedestrian-only entertainment district with everything from the SlotZilla, the world's largest slot machine, to a zipline. Actually, the zipline starts inside the slot machine.

There's also a zombie-themed maze and live music every night. Looking down on all the mayhem is Viva Vision, a 1,500-foot-long video screen with 12.5 million LED lights and a booming sound system.

The best way to take it all in? Slowly, with a yard-long frozen margarita in hand.

14. Downtown Container Park

More than 40 repurposed shipping containers just east of Las Vegas Boulevard have been turned into a popular spot for shopping, dining and nightlife.

Don't miss the craft cocktails at the whiskey-heavy Oak & Ivy, and be sure to take the 33-foot-long slide down from the three-story "treehouse" in the center play area.

The giant fire-breathing praying mantis sculpture out front was apparently too cool to burn. (It was created for the Burning Man festival by aerospace engineer and artist Kirk Jellum.)

15. The Neon Museum

The Hard Rock Cafe sign was dismantled in 2017. It now has 1,500 new bulbs, 4,000 feet of neon tubing, and a new permanent home at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas.

If neon could talk, it likely would be able to regale every visitor with colorful stories about Rat Pack-era Las Vegas.

Actually, the more than 200 neon signs sit in a lot called the "Boneyard" do tell the history of Las Vegas at this one-of-a-kind museum downtown.

Visitors can explore this collection only through an hour-long guided tour.

Among the highlights: Old signs from the fronts of Caesars Palace, as well as the old Stardust. All guests enter the facility through the circa-1961 mid-century modern visitor center, which actually is the former lobby for the La Concha motel. Tours are best at night, when 11 signs light up.

In February, the museum opened an augmented reality experience that incorporates high-tech projectors and Rat Pack-era music to reanimate many other iconic signs.

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Las Vegas Strip: The 15 attractions you must see | CNN Travel

The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) will be holding an event on July 28 for the 40th annual Vegas Perspective, taking place for the first time virtually.

The virtual meeting will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Perspective is the regions premier source for community and economic development information, analysis, and forecasting.

The event will include speakers to discuss COVID-19 and the impact the economy will have moving forward.

Speakers include Jim Murren, chair of the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force and, previously, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, as well as Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst at Applied Analysis. Each of their presentations will be followed by a Q&A portion moderated by Derrick Hill, LVGEA 50 Chairman and VP of Cox Business and Hospitality Network, and Shannon Petersen, Executive Vice President/Corporate Banking Manager, Nevada State Bank.

Attendees will receive a digital copy of the Perspective Data Book publication.

To RSVP, please contact Danielle Smith (danielles@lvgea.org) to receive your registration and individual sign-in link.

Those who have registered have the opportunity to submit questions for consideration.

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Las Vegas event to address COVID-19 response and Vegas economy - KTNV Las Vegas

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Las Vegas Local Breaking News, Headlines | fox5vegas.com

More than 1,100 cases of the coronavirus were reported in Nevada on Wednesday, as the number of deaths tied Tuesdays official state count the largest increase of daily reported deaths since the start of the pandemic.

According to data from the Department of Health and Human Services, 28 additional deaths again were reported as the official number across Nevada on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 704.

However, due to differing reporting cycles between state and local health agencies, the daily recorded deaths were slightly different at 31 on Tuesday and 25 on Wednesday.

Of those 25 deaths reported by local agencies, 24 occurred in Clark County, according to data from the Southern Nevada Health District.

The discrepancy comes from three deaths reported by Washoe County on Tuesday afternoon but not recorded in Tuesdays total from the state health department.

The reporting delays by state and county health agencies make it unclear when the 25 new deaths recorded locally on Wednesday occurred.

Additionally, a count of the number of deaths from local and county agencies shows that 705 people have died across Nevada. The discrepancy comes from Nye County, which was reporting six deaths, while the state showed only five in the county.

The fifth and sixth deaths in Nye County were both reported on Monday, and county spokesman Arnold Knightly confirmed on Wednesday that the total was accurate.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services data, an additional 1,129 cases were reported across Nevada on Wednesday, raising the total cases in the state to 38,657. The totals from local agencies put the count a bit higher, at 38,661.

Tuesday saw the largest number of deaths reported in a single day across Nevada, with the official count from the Department of Health and Human Services at 28 additional deaths.

Wednesday also was the third day in a row that Nevada reported the highest number of combined suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the state since the state of the pandemic, with an additional seven hospitalizations since Tuesdays data. The number of combined and suspected hospitalizations on Wednesday stood at 1,102, according to state data.

Tuesday also was the second day in a row with the highest number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Nevada, according to the state data.

Both the state and Southern Nevada Health District also redistribute new cases and death data after daily announcements in an attempt to show when a patient started experiencing symptoms or when a death occurred.

The county data also comes with a disclaimer that daily totals may be skewed when a large number of laboratory tests are reported late.

In Clark County, an additional 1,032 cases were reported on Wednesday, bringing the county total to 33,057, according to data from the Southern Nevada Health District. The death total in the county was at 577 on Wednesday.

An estimated 23,401 people in Clark County have recovered from the virus, according to the health district.

The statewide infection rate on Wednesday continued to climb, reaching 9.63 percent, according to the state data. Experts consider the rate the number of cases divided by the number of people who have been tested a better indicator of the outbreak trends in Nevada than new cases.

The rate had been declining for more than two months before hitting a low of 5.20 percent on June 17. It has risen every day but one since then.

As of Wednesday, 401,440 people in Nevada have been tested for the virus, according to the state health department.

Nye County on Wednesday reported an additional 19 cases, bringing the county total to 270. All of the new cases were in Pahrump, the county said.

In other developments:

Updated numbers from the Clark County Detention Center show that as of Tuesday, 152 inmates have tested positive for the virus, 49 of whom remained in custody. On Wednesday, there were four more reported cases of Metropolitan Police Department employees who have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 132. There are 61 Metro employees waiting on test results, and a total of 662 employees have received a test.

At the Nye County Detention Center in Pahrump, at least 40 percent of the inmate population has tested positive for the virus, with 41 inmates testing positive as of Wednesday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees account for at least 32 of the confirmed cases, according to the federal agency.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.

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Nevada ties daily record with 28 more reported COVID-19 deaths - Las Vegas Review-Journal

UPDATE JULY 20 4:30 P.M. Las Vegas police now say the only vehicle they are looking for is a white Dodge Ram. The other vehicle they were looking for has been eliminated as being involved.

13 Investigates searched online data and found that police have responded to 111 reports of crime since the shutdown and reopening of the Las Vegas Strip because of the coronavirus pandemic.

They have responded to calls about robberies, burglaries and assaults.

A month prior to the shutdown from mid-February to mid-March they investigated 183 reports for the same types of crimes in the same geographic area.

In the month since the Las Vegas Strip, there have been 167 reports.

ORIGINAL STORYLAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed a shooting on Las Vegas Boulevard near Bellagio and Paris casino-resorts.

Upon arrival, police officers located shell casings in the area but no victims.

RELATED: BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Detectives are currently on scene investigating the matter.

Las Vegas Boulevard is currently open to traffic.

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Las Vegas police searching for truck after shots fired on the Strip - KTNV Las Vegas

Even on the radio, you could feel Bart Torres smile over the airwaves.

I always remember that smile, and how much he loved Las Vegas, former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Monday of Torres, who died Sunday morning of a heart attack at his Las Vegas home. He was 54. I always enjoyed being with Bart, who was a really good guy in a tough, tough business.

Plans for a service for Torres are pending.

For 20 years ending in December 2018, Torres was host of the Highway Vibe radio show on The Highway Radio Network, KYYZ-FM, 99.7, in Las Vegas. He was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in September 2018 and by then had become very well-known in Las Vegas entertainment circles.

Torres spent a few years as a videographer for Ronald Reagan, after Reagan left office, and some of his work is presented at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Bart adored him. He was such a kind man, Torress wife, Ricki, says. He always asked about me and our new son. Bart had a lot of great memories working for Reagan. At events, he would most always get to meet the best of the best. So we have lots of video and pics with so many important people. And Nancy was very sweet to him as well, and always made sure he had eaten at the event since hed be working. They were such kind people.

In his youth, Torres also befriended Col. Tom Parker, Elvis Presleys legendary manager, an early radio guest. He insisted Bart call him Uncle Colonel, Ricki Torres said. Our middle son is actually named for him, Cole Parker Torres We always promised the colonel if we had another son, it would be his namesake.

For decades in Las Vegas, Torres voice, and zeal for the city, often accompanied tourists as they drove in from Southern California. Originally called Highway Radio, it was the only Vegas FM station motorists could tune in to on the drive from Barstow.

Goodman was a favored and frequent guest, and the two became close friends.

Whenever Carolyn and I would drive to Coronado, we would stop at Peggy Sues Diner on our way there, and on our way back, Goodman said, referring to the 50s-styled diner near Barstow on Interstate 15. Whenever wed stop there, the staff would tell us, We heard you on the radio with Bart!

Torres interviewed dozens of performers and newsmakers over the years, headliners ranging from Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, Celine Dion and George Carlin. He sat with such Vegas resort icons as Sheldon Adelson and Steve Wynn. Torres show broadcast from several Las Vegas venues, and from Los Angeles.

Torres had a recent history of heart problems and had suffered a heart attack in July 2019. He had a pacemaker implanted in March. He and his wife, Ricki, visited Laughlin on Saturday, riding a wave runner along the Colorado River.

We had fantastic fun. He was doing great, he had been to the doctor on Tuesday and everything seemed perfect, Ricki Torres said. He was eating healthy, walking 8 miles a day.

But on Sunday, Torres awoke at 5 a.m. with chest pains and asked his wife to call an ambulance.

He passed before he ever left our driveway, Ricki Torres said. I didnt even get to say goodbye, or be with him at the end.

The couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on June 9. It was a big deal for him, and for us, Ricki Torres said, adding that Torres was looking forward to turning 55 in August and had been cleared to vacation in Hawaii in November.

Torres is survived by three sons, Conner, 26; Cole, 22; and Cameron, 19.

Asked how her husband would want to be remembered, Ricki Torres said, I think he would want to be remembered as a good guy, a good person. He worked hard at being a good person.

John Katsilometes column runs daily in the A section. His PodKats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.

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Vegas broadcaster Bart Torres of Highway Vibe dies at 54 - Las Vegas Review-Journal

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A prominent Soul and Blues singer by the name of Bobby Jonz has died from COVID-19. Jonz, who was born Bobby Jones, lived and performed his legendary blues numbers in Las Vegas.

Jonzs record company released the following statements:

It is a sad day for Loveforce International Records, said Loveforce International CEO Mark Thomas. Covid-19 has claimed the life of one of our anchors, our beloved Bobby Jonz.

Bobby Jonz was like a brother to me, said recording artist Billy Ray Charles, who wrote In The Mood For Love. He will be missed by me and the entire blues community.

Jonz passed away Monday, July 21, at the Veterans Hospital in North Las Vegas. He was born Bob Willy Jones in Farmerville, Louisiana on January 2, 1936. He emigrated to Chicago in 1959 and, in a short time, replaced Blues Hall of Famer Junior Wells in the Blues Hall of Fame Blues band The Aces.

Jonz had a series of single recordings released by local Chicago labels throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He had several Southern Soul albums released during the 1980s and 1990s. He had hits with In The Mood For Love and Sneakin & Freakin.

Jonz recorded under both Bobby Jones and Bobby Jonz during his life. He was 84 years old.

Jones leaves behind an ex-wife, several children and grand children. He also leaves behind a wealth of music. Plans for a funeral and/or memorial service are pending due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Las Vegas blues and soul performer Bobby Jonz dies of Covid-19 at age 84 - KLAS - 8 News Now

A North Las Vegas man angry about having to wear a mask on a public bus is accused of smashing out the windshield of the bus in retaliation, police said.

Jason Easterbrook, 58, was arrested July 14 on suspicion of damaging transportation property, according to Clark County Detention Center records.

A Las Vegas police arrest report for Easterbrook states police were called to the area of Mojave Road and East Charleston Boulevard at 7:05 a.m. for a report of an RTC bus being damaged. A bus driver said a passenger, identified by police as Easterbrook, had attempted to board a bus without wearing a mask.

Easterbrook was told to put on a mask by the bus driver before boarding on the bus, an officer wrote. Easterbrook initially put it on but took it off as soon as he was seated inside the bus.

The bus driver told Easterbrook to put the mask back on and Easterbrook got angry, police said.

Easterbrook kicked the doors of the bus at a stop, then got off, picked up a rock and threw it through the front windshield of the bus, damaging and shattering it, police said.

There were no injuries. Police said Easterbrook was arrested a short distance away and that he confessed to throwing the rock.

Easterbrook claimed that the bus was his property and he needed to make renovations to it, a report states.

A criminal complaint in the case has not been filed. A status check on the case is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Contact Glenn Puit by email at gpuit@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GlennatRJ on Twitter.

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Man accused of damaging RTC bus after being told to wear mask, police say - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Two juveniles were arrested after a man was killed at a west Las Vegas valley convenience store early Saturday morning, police said.

Officers were called to the 8600 block of West Sahara Avenue just before 1 a.m. in response to a call from the victim, with multiple gunshots heard during the 911 call, the Metropolitan Police Department said in a release Sunday. When they arrived, officers found the man unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The victim and suspects arrived in the parking lot in the same car and the two suspects tried to rob the man in the car, the release said. The man ran into the convenience store and asked an employee to call 911, police said.

While he was on the phone with the dispatcher, police said the man walked out of the store and was shot multiple times by one of the suspects.

The release said the suspects each face one count of robbery and one count of open murder.

The Clark County coroners office will release the victims identity and cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information can contact Metros homicide section at 702-828-3521 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

Contact Alexis Ford at aford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0335. Follow @alexisdford on Twitter.

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2 arrested in connection with fatal shooting in west Las Vegas valley - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Las Vegas parents accused of street racing in a crash that killed their 1-year-old son have been charged with second-degree murder, prosecutors announced Monday.

The recklessness and wanton disregard both parents exhibited in this incident is unacceptable, District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement. They caused the avoidable death of an innocent one-year-old boy and endangered the lives of many others who were on the roads that day.

Cameron Hubbard-Jones, 23, and Lauren Prescia, 23, both of Las Vegas, were in court Monday morning, when Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Suzan Baucum set bail at $100,000 for each of them. They face charges in the July 12 crash at Rampart and Lake Mead drives that took the life of their son, Royce Jones.

Authorities said Prescia was driving while intoxicated at an approximate speed of 121 mph when her vehicle, in which her son was a passenger, slammed into a pole at the intersection. She was apprehended at the scene.

On Monday, Deputy District Attorney Frank LoGrippo said her blood alcohol content after the crash was 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit for drivers in Nevada.

A speed contest

Hubbard-Jones was arrested Wednesday after a police investigation determined that the two were street racing at the time of the crash. LoGrippo said Hubbard-Jones was driving about 115 mph at the time of the crash.

Both cars were engaged in a speed contest, LoGrippo said. A street race. They were racing. They were speeding together.

The prosecutor said Las Vegas police obtained video evidence from cameras at street intersections, along with witness statements. Each parent faces charges of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon; reckless driving; and child abuse, neglect or endangerment resulting in substantial bodily harm.

If released on bail, the two are to have no contact with each other, Baucum said. They also will be prevented from driving and will be placed on electronic monitoring.

Hubbard-Jones defense attorney, Damian Sheets, said the facts will show that his clients vehicle was far behind Prescias at the time of the crash. He described Prescias behavior as careless and reckless.

The child is not in the care, custody or control of my client, Sheets said. The state is proposing a theory that basically makes my client responsible for the actions of somebody else who was in direct care and control of the child and in direct care and control of the vehicle.

Sheets said that in the moments after the crash, Hubbard-Jones drove up to the devastating scene and immediately tried to render aid to his child.

Prescias attorney, Daniel Hill, said his client is a lifelong Las Vegas resident with no criminal history. Shes worked at a dermatology business for the last two years.

The charges remain presumptively false at this time, Hill said.

Domestic battery conviction

Court records show that Hubbard-Jones is on probation for a domestic violence attack against Prescia on Dec. 10, 2018.

A police report obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said police were called to the couples residence for a report of a domestic dispute and officers immediately encountered Hubbard-Jones, who told officers that he had messed up and explained hed battered his girlfriend multiple times.

Prescia initially refused to cooperate with police, but officers interviewed a witness who reported seeing Hubbard-Jones attacking Prescia with closed fists in an argument over Hubbard-Jones spending money at a strip club.

The next day police went to MountainView Hospital after learning that Prescia was treated for injuries there. A doctor told officers that Prescia had suffered a temporal fracture on the left side of her skull, a nasal fracture and various bruising across all around her face and body.

Hubbard-Jones was convicted in 2019 of battery with substantial bodily harm and battery constituting domestic violence for the attack on Prescia. He received a suspended sentence of 12 to 34 months in prison and was on probation in that case at the time of the crash that killed his son.

Deadly weapon enhancement

The murder charges filed Monday include what is known as a deadly weapon enhancement. In this case, the weapon references the vehicles that Prescia and Hubbard-Jones were driving.

A conviction of second-degree murder in Nevada carries with it potential sentences of either 10 to 25 years or 10 years to life in prison. However, a conviction involving the use of a deadly weapon could add years of prison time.

Meanwhile, the practice by the Clark County district attorneys office of charging vehicular crimes suspects with murder in certain cases is controversial.

The Nevada Supreme Court recently heard arguments on the practice in the case of Ronald Leavell, who is appealing a second-degree murder charge in a 2017 crash. As of November, Clark County prosecutors had filed murder charges against at least seven motorists accused of causing deadly crashes.

Wolfson said the district attorneys office is trying to send a message to the public that driving under the influence will not be tolerated.

I do not know what else we can do to stop people from making the potentially deadly choice to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Wolfson said in his statement. I am at a loss as to why a person would have such disregard for their own childs safety.

Contact Glenn Puit by email at gpuit@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GlennatRJ on Twitter.

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Parents charged with murder in crash that killed 1-year-old boy - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The following is a roundup of breaking news from around the Las Vegas valley.

5:38 A.M.Las Vegas firefighters say nobody was hurt during a fire at a vacant home on Elm Avenue shortly before 4 a.m. The department shared photographs of the fire on Twitter early Wednesday. No word yet on estimated damage costs.

5:30 A.M.Roads remain closed near Las Vegas Boulevard and Windmill Lane following a crash shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Police say a man was hit by a car and left to die.

The man was visiting from out of state with his friend, according to authorities. The two got into an argument and during the argument, he ran out into the street, police say.

No word on a suspect at this time. The crash remains ongoing and investigators say roads may be closed for several hours. Avoid the area.

Las Vegas police: Man hit by car, left to die near Las Vegas Boulevard, Windmill

Area near the crash:

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Breaking News Blog Las Vegas breaking news for July 22, 2020 5:35 AM, Jul 22 - KTNV Las Vegas

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Ingrid Zarate Albarran is an American success story come to life, a young immigrant who overcame poverty to graduate from UNLV and land a job offer from one of the worlds most prominent accounting firms.

But her career may be derailed before it even begins, due to President Donald Trumps racist immigration policies.

Zarate is among hundreds of thousands of recent grads and other job seekers whose futures were cast in doubt last month when the Trump administration expanded a freeze on green card applications through the end of the year. The moratorium, which initially applied only to applicants outside the U.S., was extended to all applications in June.

For Zarate Albarran, who had applied for a green card, that news came as a crushing moral blow. With her application on hold and with her current visa set to expire in January, shes now facing possible deportation early next year instead of taking the next step toward the American dream.

I feel like Ive done everything I can, she said during a recent interview with the Sun. I got the best grades I could, and Ive done as much as I can for this community that I consider my home. And I feel like its still not enough.

Lets state this loud and clear: Not allowing someone like Zarate Albarran to enter the American workforce not only runs counter to our nations values, its a self-inflicted wound to our economy and our prestige as a land of opportunity.

Zarate came here with her family at age 13 from a small town in Mexico, and not long after, she and her mother received a visa for victims of criminal violence.

Residing in a small apartment in Las Vegas except for a couple of occasions when they were forced to live out of their car the mother-daughter team did whatever was needed to get by. They cleaned houses and did landscaping work, with Ingrid translating for customers.

Zarate Albarran earned straight As in high school at Del Sol Academy of the Arts and graduated as valedictorian of her class but felt college was beyond her grasp: The family couldnt even spare the money for application fees. But mentors stepped in to encourage her to apply for scholarships, and she followed their lead. She landed a number of scholarships, enrolled at UNLV and continued to rocket through her schoolwork.

While juggling a part-time job, she also volunteered nearly 400 hours with the Public Education Foundation and competed with a team that won the National Institute of Management Accountants (NIMA) national competition in which students present solutions to business challenges. She then started a campus chapter of NIMA that quickly grew to 95 members and hosted more than 30 events.

She graduated with a 3.94 GPA and was named one of UNLVs Outstanding Graduates of 2020.

That got her on the radar at Ernst & Young, which offered her a job as an external auditor and agreed to give her a corporate immigration sponsorship.

Things were looking great until June 22, when the Trump administration expanded the hold on green cards. Trump portrayed the move as a way to protect some 550,000 American jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

But putting Zarate Albarran and others like her in limbo is patently unfair. These are Americans in every sense but having a piece of paper. Theyve embraced our values of hard work, education and self-sufficiency. Theyve pulled themselves and their families up the ladder. Theyve contributed to our communities, our church congregations, our schools and more. There is little doubt Zarate and those like her make America stronger and better.

Surely, Republicans can recognize that those who play by the rules and excel have earned a place in the land of opportunity.

Last week, even the Trump administration seemed to acknowledge this, when it rescinded a directive that would have snatched visas from international students whose coursework would be done fully online. That move came amid withering criticism of the directive, with advocates saying it was unfair to students and would hurt colleges financially. Reportedly, aides close to Trump became convinced that the order was a cruel overreach, which is saying something when even these people recognize that something is a bad idea, you know its awful.

But while international students appear safe for now, the same cant be said for immigrants who arent here on international visas and instead are hoping to obtain green cards or extensions of certain visas. Theyre in limbo.

As for Zarate, shes decided to go back to UNLV to pursue a masters degree. She says Ernst & Young has pledged to bring her aboard when the time is right which is commendable and she feels protected at the university. Thats a justifiable belief, given that UNLVs strong advocacy for immigrant students has helped make it one of the nations most ethnically diverse universities.

Meanwhile, Zarate is working with an attorney in hopes of staying in the U.S. Asked where she would go if she were deported, she doesnt have a ready answer.

I dont know, she said. To me, this is home. This is where I learned everything. These are my friends. This is my community.

As she waits for an outcome, she says she plans to advocate on behalf of fellow students who are in her situation.

I just wish I could talk to (Trump) like Im talking to you, she said, adding that she would explain to him that his actions are jeopardizing the futures of a lot of great students great GPAs, great role models who want to contribute.

Its a message that Nevadas leaders should hear, as should voters nationwide. People like Zarate have worked as hard as anyone to achieve the American dream. No American should stand by and let this happen.

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Crushing the dreams and ambitions of immigrants is un-American - Las Vegas Sun

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) The threat of pop-up thunderstorms over the mountains from midday through the afternoon will lead to elevated fire danger, and that's prompted a Red Flag Warning for Southern Nevada until 9 p.m.

PREVIOUS: More rain on the way? Lightning animates sky above Las Vegas Monday

Although winds will be limited to 10-20 mph from the south on Tuesday, gusty outflows from any thunderstorms that form could range from 30-40 mph and that could spread any additional fires that are sparked by lightning.

Due to the marginal nature of the humidity, something called "dry lightning" is possible today, where the rain evaporates before reaching the ground but lightning strikes still occur.

13 First Alert Weather | Check current conditions

It's possible that the National Weather Service will extend the Red Flag Warning through Wednesday because winds will gust to 30 mph around Las Vegas as even drier air pushes in from California.

Make sure to follow meteorologists Justin Bruce and Dani Beckstrom on Twitter for updates around the clock.

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Red Flag Warning: Weather conditions pose elevated fire danger in the Las Vegas area - KTNV Las Vegas

The following is a roundup of breaking news from around the Las Vegas valley.

5:38 A.M.Las Vegas firefighters say nobody was hurt during a fire at a vacant home on Elm Avenue shortly before 4 a.m. The department shared photographs of the fire on Twitter early Wednesday. No word yet on estimated damage costs.

5:30 A.M.Roads remain closed near Las Vegas Boulevard and Windmill Lane following a crash shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Police say a man was hit by a car and left to die.

The man was visiting from out of state with his friend, according to authorities. The two got into an argument and during the argument, he ran out into the street, police say.

No word on a suspect at this time. The crash remains ongoing and investigators say roads may be closed for several hours. Avoid the area.

Las Vegas police: Man hit by car, left to die near Las Vegas Boulevard, Windmill

Area near the crash:

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Las Vegas breaking news for July 22, 2020 - KTNV Las Vegas

Las Vegas has its first ghost kitchens, and while their inception was unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic, they fit neatly with the current zeitgeist.

Ghost kitchen actually is a bit of a misnomer; its not the kitchens that are ghosts, but the restaurants they serve. As far as the customer is concerned, such restaurants exist only on the internet, where their menus are posted for delivery-only service.

Peter Klamka, CEO of Cordia Corporation, said Cordias Virtual Dining Brands division was planned before the pandemic and its attendant shutdowns.

The overarching story was, prior to COVID, the shift to delivery was real, Klamka said. Lots of people dont want to eat out anymore. Foot traffic was already declining.

A really good concept

Indeed, a pre-pandemic study by the National Restaurant Association reported that 52 percent of adults said takeout or delivery food was essential to their way of life; 10 years ago, only 27 percent thought so. In just two years, the study found, 80 percent of casual-dining operators said their delivery sales had increased.

Before the coronavirus, we were already doing crazy increases in delivery, affirmed Christine Bergman, a professor of food science and nutrition in the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV. I guess the apps have made it so easy. You put in your credit card, and with two or three clicks, food shows up at your door.

And Bergman pointed out that the idea isnt new.

The thing I find fascinating is that this is a really good concept, she said, its just that consumers havent known about it. I always think about when I was a kid in school and we learned about commissary kitchens. You think about hospitals having a main kitchen and delivering individual meals to individuals in rooms. Its just like restaurants are doing right now.

Bergman said she also saw the concept in Cambodia about 10 years ago.

We were sitting in what we thought was a restaurant, she said. There were these guys running around the back, carrying boxes. Finally I found somebody who could translate for me and found out they had no kitchen. In town, there were two or three of these really big kitchens and they delivered food directly to people in the hotels and to several what I thought were full-service restaurants, but they werent. The model has been around for a while. To me, the question is whats driving it now.

Clearly not done yet

Whats driving it, Klamka said, is that push for delivery, which has only increased in recent months.

The pandemic has accelerated the shift to delivery faster than anyone thought possible, he said.

Cordias ghost kitchen concepts, which launched about three weeks ago, are Vegas.Pizza and KO Sports Bar, the latter a takeoff on all of the boxing and mixed martial arts action in the city. The former is sort of self-explanatory; the latter features selections such as the Weigh In Chicken Caesar Salad and the Yo Adrian Cheesesteak.

Klamka said plans initially were to have the kitchens in warehouse space, but they currently operate out of The Blind Pig on Dean Martin Drive, a Cordia restaurant.

Post-COVID, theres no need to rent any space, he said, because the demand on The Blind Pigs kitchen isnt excessive. No. 2, by the time I get to the point where I need to rent space, the price will go down dramatically.

Klamka said after Cordia announced the new concepts, they heard from restaurants in other parts of the country interesting in licensing the names. Vegas.Pizza, he said, has interest from operators in Cleveland and Los Angeles.

I think well be able to leverage that, he said. In todays world, anything that contributes to the bottom line is quite helpful.

While theyre catching on in cities including New York and Los Angeles, ghost kitchens still are a rarity in Las Vegas. They use third-party delivery services, which Bergman said could be perceived as a negative.

The thing that confuses me are these third-party aggregators, she said. Theyre charging up to 30 percent (to the restaurants) and they charge the customer. I dont know how sustainable that will be.

Were clearly not done yet. Theres going to be a lot of changes related to this. And if we can get it to a point where the delivery fees are not so crazy expensive, itll be sustained and I guess the skys the limit. Will people even eat in restaurants anymore?

Contact Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0474. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.

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Las Vegas ghost kitchens conceived before the COVID-19 pandemic - Las Vegas Review-Journal