Daily Archives: January 19, 2021

The Las Vegas Raiders will need a new tight end coach in 2021, as current tight end coach Frank Smith is leaving to join Brandon Staleys staff in Los Angeles. Smith has done a great job with the tight end group during his three years with the team, helping develop star Darren Waller, while also getting good growth from Foster Moreau.

With Los Angeles, Smith will be the run-game coordinator, staying within the division to coach for one of the Raiders rivals.

This past season, Smith also had the luxury of having Jason Witten as part of the group, and while his arrival stunted some of the growth for Moreau, he was seen as having an extra coach in the room. A sure-fire Hall of Famer, Witten does not have the physical gifts to be a tight end in the league anymore, but would he work as a coach at the NFL level?

With Smith leaving for the Chargers, Witten would be a guy the Raiders may decide to vet for the position. However, nobody has any idea whether or not he wants to be a coach, or whether or not Jon Gruden would trust him with a young tight end room in that capacity, a position group that is a strength for the team.

Also, elite players dont always translate to good coaches, so that is another thing to consider. Witten was an elite player in this league for many years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and the word is that he helped the young group in a big way this past season.

Gruden brought Witten in this season due to the fact he could be a leader in the tight end room, so a transition to being the teams position coach would not be that far-fetched.

Witten is definitely done being a contributor on Sundays within the white lines, but having him on the coaching staff would be a positive for this team. Gruden is building a culture in Las Vegas with players and coaches he can trust, and Witten definitely earned the head coachs trust during the 2020 season.

Witten as the TE coach in 2021? Why not.

Continue reading here:

Las Vegas Raiders: Would Jason Witten work as the new TE coach? - Just Blog Baby

Published Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 | 3:51 a.m.

Updated 2 hours, 39 minutes ago

BERLIN (AP) The Boeing 737 Max will be approved to resume flights in Europe next week, following nearly two years of reviews after the aircraft was involved in two deadly crashes that saw the planes grounded worldwide, the head of the European aviation safety agency said Tuesday.

Patrick Ky, executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, told reporters the planes will be permitted to fly so long as they meet conditions specified by the agency and that pilots are up to date on their training.

It will be cleared to fly again from next week, he said at an online event hosted by Germany's Aviation Press Club.

The planes were grounded in March 2019 following the crashes of a Lion Air flight near Jakarta on Oct. 29, 2018, and an Ethiopian Airlines flight on March 10, 2019, killing a total of 346 people. Investigators determined that the cause of the crashes was a faulty computer system that pushed the planes nose downward in flight and couldnt be overridden by pilots.

Changes mandated by EASA, based in Cologne, Germany, include a recertification of the plane's flight-control system, called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, which was not a part of previous 737 models.

When EASA published its proposed air worthiness directive for the Max in November, Ky said the agency's review of the aircraft began with the MCAS but went far beyond.

He said the agency reviewed the entire flight control system and broadened its assessment to include all aspects of design that could influence how the flight controls operated, which resulted in other changes required.

It also investigated human factors, which led to new pilot training requirements to ensure they are familiar with all aspects of the aircraft's flight control system and will react appropriately to typical failure scenarios.

The proposed air worthiness directive was open for public comments for a month, which have now been analyzed and incorporated into the final air worthiness directive where needed, Ky said.

We expect to publish it next week, which means that the Max will be cleared to fly again in Europe from our perspective, he said.

Airlines will still need to ensure their pilots have received the training needed to fly the plane, and that the maintenance and changes necessary have been carried out after the long grounding. Some EU states will have to lift their own individual grounding notices as well.

The 737 Max returned to the skies in the United States last month, after the Federal Aviation Administration approved changes that Boeing made to the automated flight control system.

It has also been allowed by Brazil to resume flights, and Transport Canada said earlier this week that it had been cleared to start flying again Wednesday.

Read the rest here:

European aviation agency: 737 Max to be cleared next week - Las Vegas Sun

Published Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 | 5:43 a.m.

Updated 47 minutes ago

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 24-30

Jan. 24: Fiddler Doug Kershaw is 85. Singer Ray Stevens is 82. Singer Aaron Neville is 80. Singer Neil Diamond is 80. Actor Michael Ontkean (Twin Peaks) is 75. Country singer-songwriter Becky Hobbs is 71. Comedian Yakov Smirnoff is 70. Actor William Allen Young (Code Black, Moesha) is 67. Keyboardist-turned-TV personality Jools Holland (Squeeze) is 63. Actor Nastassja Kinski is 60. Drummer Keech Rainwater of Lonestar is 58. Comedian Phil LaMarr (Mad TV) is 54. Singer Sleepy Brown of Society of Soul is 51. Actor Matthew Lillard (Scooby-Doo, Shes All That) is 51. Actor Merrilee McCommas (Friday Night Lights, Family Law) is 50. Singer Beth Hart is 49. Actor Ed Helms (The Office) is 47. Actor Christina Moses (A Million Little Things) is 43. Actor Tatyana Ali (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) is 42. Guitarist Mitchell Marlow of Fliter is 42. Actor Carrie Coon (Leftovers) is 40. Actor Daveed Diggs (black-ish) is 39. Actor Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin) is 37. Actor Mischa Barton (The O.C.) is 35.

Jan. 25: Country singer Claude Gray is 89. Actor Leigh Taylor-Young (Peyton Place, Soylent Green) is 76. Actor Jenifer Lewis (The Preachers Wife, The PJs) is 64. Actor Dinah Manoff (films Grease, TVs Empty Nest) is 65. Drummer Mike Burch of River Road is 55. Singer Kina (Brownstone) is 52. Actor-TV personality China Kantner is 50. Actor Ana Ortiz (Devious Maids, Ugly Betty) is 50. Drummer Joe Sirois of Mighty Mighty Bosstones is 49. Guitarist Matt Odmark of Jars of Clay is 47. Actor Mia Kirshner (The L Word, 24) is 46. Actor Christine Lakin (Family Guy, Step By Step) is 42. Singer Alicia Keys is 41. Actor Michael Trevino (The Vampire Diaries) is 36. Bassist Calum Hood of 5 Seconds to Summer is 25. Actor Olivia Edward (Better Things) is 14.

Jan. 26: Sports announcer-actor Bob Uecker is 86. Actor Scott Glenn is 82. Singer Jean Knight is 78. Actor Richard Portnow (Trumbo, The Sopranos) is 74. Drummer Corky Laing of Mountain is 73. Actor David Strathairn is 72. Musician Lucinda Williams is 68. Percussionist Norman Hassan of UB40 is 63. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres is 63. Keyboardist Charlie Gillingham of Counting Crowes is 62. Guitarist Andrew Ridgeley (Wham!) is 58. Singer Jazzie B. of Soul II Soul is 58. Actor Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill) is 57. Actor Bryan Callen (The Goldbergs) is 54. Gospel singer Kirk Franklin is 51. Actor Nate Mooney (American Odyssey, Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia) is 49. Actor Jennifer Crystal (House, Once and Again) is 48. Drummer Chris Hesse of Hoobastank is 47. Actor Gilles Marini (Sex and the City) is 45. Actor Sara Rue (Mom, Less Than Perfect) is 43. Actor Colin ODonoghue (Once Upon a Time) is 40. Guitarist Michael Martin of Marshall Dyllon is 38.

Jan. 27: Actor James Cromwell (Murder in the First, Babe) is 81. Drummer Nick Mason of Pink Floyd is 77. Singer Nedra Talley of The Ronettes is 75. Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov is 73. Country singer Cheryl White of The Whites is 66. Guitarist Richard Young of The Kentucky Headhunters is 66. Actor Mimi Rogers is 65. Guitarist Janick Gers of Iron Maiden is 64. Actor Susanna Thompson (Arrow) is 63. TV host Keith Olbermann is 62. Singer Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies is 60. Keyboardist Gillian Gilbert (New Order) is 60. Actor Tamlyn Tomita (TVs Teen Wolf) is 58. Actor Bridget Fonda is 57. Actor Alan Cumming (Spy Kids) is 56. Singer Mike Patton (Faith No More) is 53. Country singer Tracy Lawrence is 53. Rapper Tricky is 53. Guitarist Michael Kulas of James is 52. Comedian Patton Oswalt is 52. Actor Josh Randall (Ed) is 49. Country singer Kevin Denney is 43. Drummer Andrew Lee of St. Paul and the Broken Bones is 35. Drummer Matt Sanchez of American Authors is 35. Actor-musician Braeden Lemasters of Wallows (TVs Men of a Certain Age) is 25.

Jan. 28: Actor Nicholas Pryor (Risky Business) is 86. Actor Alan Alda is 85. Actor Susan Howard (Dallas) is 79. Marthe Keller (Marathon Man) is 76. Actor Barbi Benton is 71. Director Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption) is 62. Guitarist Dave Sharp of The Alarm is 62. Singer Sam Phillips is 59. Guitarist Dan Spitz (Anthrax) is 58. Bassist Greg Cook of Ricochet is 56. Gospel singer Marvin Sapp is 54. Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is 53. Rap artist DJ Muggs with Cypress Hill is 53. Rapper Rakim is 53. Actor Kathryn Morris (Cold Case) is 52. Humorist Mo Rocca is 52. Keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna of Fitz and the Tantrums is 51. Singer Anthony Hamilton is 50. Singer Monifah is 49. Actor Gillian Vigman (The Hangover films) is 49. Keyboardist Brandon Bush (Train) is 48. Actor Terri Conn (One Life To Live) is 46. Rapper Rick Ross is 44. Singer Joey Fatone of N Sync is 44. Actor Angelique Cabral (Life in Pieces) is 42. Actor Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) is 42. Singer Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys is 41. Actor Vinny Chhibber (The Red Line) is 41. Actor Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) is 40. Rapper J. Cole is 36. Actor Alexandra Krosney (Last Man Standing) is 33. Actor Yuri Sardarov (Chicago Fire) is 33. Actor Ariel Winter (Modern Family) is 23.

Jan. 29: Actor Katharine Ross is 81. Actor Tom Selleck is 76. Singer Bettye LaVette is 75. Actor Marc Singer is 73. Actor Ann Jillian is 71. Drummer Louie Perez of Los Lobos is 68. Singer Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band is 68. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is 67. Country singer Irlene Mandrell is 65. Actor Diane Delano (The Ellen Show, Northern Exposure) is 64. Actor Judy Norton (The Waltons) is 63. Guitarist Johnny Spampinato of NRBQ is 62. Drummer David Baynton-Power of James is 60. Bassist Eddie Jackson of Queensryche is 60. Actor Nicholas Turturro (NYPD Blue) is 59. Singer-guitarist Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera is 57. Director-actor Ed Burns is 53. Actor Sam Trammell (True Blood) is 52. Actor Heather Graham is 51. Actor Sharif Atkins (White Collar, ER) is 46. Actor Sara Gilbert is 46. Actor Kelly Packard (Baywatch) is 46. Actor Justin Hartley (This Is Us) is 44. Actor Sam Jaeger (Parenthood) is 44. Former The View co-host Jedediah Bila is 42. Actor Andrew Keegan (Party of Five) is 42. Actor Jason James Richter (Free Willy) is 41. Guitarist Jonny Lang is 40. Singer Adam Lambert (American Idol) is 39. Country singer Eric Paslay is 38.

Jan. 30: Actor Gene Hackman is 91. Actor Vanessa Redgrave is 84. Country singer Jeanne Pruett is 84. Country singer Norma Jean is 83. Horn player William King of The Commodores is 72. Musician Phil Collins is 70. Actor Charles S. Dutton (Roc) is 70. Actor Ann Dowd (The Handmaids Tale) is 65. Comedian Brett Butler (Anger Management, Grace Under Fire) is 63. Singer Jody Watley is 62. Actor Wayne Wilderson (Veep) is 55. Country singer Tammy Cochran is 49. Actor Christian Bale is 47. Guitarist Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket is 47. Actor Olivia Colman (The Night Manager) is 47. Singer Josh Kelley is 41. Actor Wilmer Valderrama (That 70s Show) is 41. Actor Mary Hollis Inboden (The Real ONeals) is 35. Actor Kylie Bunbury (Pitch) is 32. Actor Jake Thomas (Lizzie McGuire, AI) is 31. Actor Danielle Campbell (The Originals) is 26.

Continue reading here:

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 24-30 - Las Vegas Sun

Associated Press

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 | 12:05 a.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. Federal authorities arrested a woman whose former romantic partner says she took a laptop from House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the riot at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.

Riley June Williams was arrested Monday, according to a Justice Department official. Its not yet known when her initial court appearance will be.

The FBI said in an arrest warrant Sunday that Williams hasn't been charged with theft but only with illegally entering the Capitol and with disorderly conduct.

FBI officials said a caller claiming to be an ex of Williams said friends of hers showed him a video of her taking a laptop computer or hard drive from Pelosi's office. The caller alleged that she intended to send the device to a friend in Russia who planned to sell it to that country's foreign intelligence service, but that plan fell through and she either has the device or destroyed it. The FBI says the matter remains under investigation.

Pelosi's deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, confirmed Jan. 8 that a laptop was taken from a conference room but said it was a laptop that was only used for presentations."

Williams mother, who lives with her in Harrisburg, told ITV reporters that her daughter had taken a sudden interest in President Donald Trumps politics and far-right message boards. Her father, who lives in Camp Hill, told local law enforcement that he and his daughter went to Washington on the day of the protest but didn't stay together, meeting up later to return to Harrisburg, the FBI said.

Williams' mother told local law enforcement that her daughter packed a bag and left before she was arrested, saying she would be gone for a couple of weeks. She also changed her phone number and deleted a number of social media accounts, the FBI said. Court documents don't list an attorney for her.

Excerpt from:

Woman accused of theft from Pelosi's office during riot - Las Vegas Sun

As the start of college basketball season approached last fall, the West Coast Conference, like other leagues around the country, exhaustively examined how games could be played safely amid a pandemic in enclosed spaces.

The WCC doesnt sponsor football, so ensuring that basketball games could be played was critical, even while knowing there could be spikes in COVID-19 cases during the winter months.

Honestly, we considered every scenario. If someone had a crazy idea, we tried to chase it down, said WCC commissioner Gloria Nevarez. No matter how crazy the idea sounded, we tried to see if it could be a reality.

One of those scenarios considered, widely reported in late October, was playing in a bubble in Las Vegas. That made sense in many ways, since the WCC plays its annual WCC Tournament at Orleans Arena every March.

The NBA managed to pull off a bubble in Orlando, Florida, in order to finish its interrupted season last summer. Could the WCC replicate that?

Well, thats easier said than done.

The WCC considered many options, including pods, back-to-backs, travel partners, a bubble, and a single site, in order to safely create a basketball season.

When you say bubble, the NBA had a true bubble. It was a hermetically sealed bubble. What we were looking at was a single site, Nevarez said. Of course, wed have really tight restrictions, probably higher than the local regulations. But we knew we couldnt pull off a true, NBA-style bubble. Thats just a massive undertaking. What we were looking at was a single site that would solve a lot of issues. There are multiple jurisdictions you have across the states and counties. Thats a challenge.

Among the many challenges in pulling off the WCC season included handling the officiating of games, with referees, not connected with the schools in any way, traveling in and out of different regions. There are television production trucks and staff that travel as well.

If you were at a single site, you could solve those issues, Nevarez said.

On the other hand, NBA findings and surveys have revealed that having student-athletes and coaches locked up in hotels for two or three weeks at a time can be detrimental.

NBA players struggled with the mental health aspect of it, Nevarez said. These adult men are somewhat further along in the maturity spectrum than the college players are in a lot of cases. So it was a whole, comprehensive look at a lot of moving pieces.

BYU deputy athletic director Brian Santiago, who oversees mens basketball, was involved in the many discussions.

For sure, (the bubble) was something that was on the table, he said. There were multiple conferences around the country looking at those bubble scenarios.

Santiago said pulling off a bubble would have been extremely difficult and complex.

When you look at those scenarios, you have to look at whats in the best interests of the student-athletes. We try to make all of our decisions on whats best for them, he said. When it came down to it, it wasnt really feasible. It wasnt financially feasible for the conference or the schools in the conference. I also dont think it was logistically feasible.

Is it really the best thing to quarantine? Can you have a true bubble if you go to Las Vegas? Can you have a true bubble in the hotel? The NBA was able to do it because they were able to spend unlimited resources down in Florida to make sure it happened.

The lengths that they were able to go, resource-wise, is not a feasible situation for college basketball, he continued. Not only for the student-athletes, but you have coaches that youre asking them to leave their families for a month at a time. You start looking at taking these student-athletes away for a month, it was too complicated.

Ultimately, as the start of conference play got closer, it became clear that teams were settling into the routine of frequent testing, playing nonconference games, flying to different locations, and the protocols.

Student-athletes were at least in their own beds and had the social interaction of their teams and the familiarity of their campuses, Nevarez said. At the time, we were feeling good about how were traveling and the institutional protocols to stick with the status quo, knowing that wed have interruptions.

We had also seen how football was making it work. You just had to be ready to go every weekend. Take a look at the schedule whos idle, whos on pause? Ready, go. Thats where we ended up.

The WCCs basketball liaison, Aaron Woliczko, the senior associate commissioner of mens basketball and sport administration, has been busy since the pandemic started.

Hes a gym rat, Nevarez said of the former Pacific player, assistant coach and head coach at Montana State. In a normal year, he creates the conference schedule and oversees creating schedules for all of our sports. He creates a schedule and oversees the officiating.

In this year, if that guy had a dollar for every mock schedule and concept he drafted up and then lit on fire, he could be retired. He has been amazing. Hes active every week as teams go on pause, working to match up idle teams and assist in rescheduling postponed games. His life is 24-7 since we left the tournament last March.

Other conferences have come up with their own scheduling formats. The Mountain West Conference, for example, has its teams playing back-to-backs, two games against the same opponent during the week, cutting down on travel, travel expenses and travel-related logistics.

Everybody was trying to figure out what was the best way and the safest way to get these games in, Santiago said. Everybodys gone to their own scenario to try to get their games in. The WCC has decided they were going to do the status quo and do the schedule as is and schedule make-up games as necessary.

Certainly in the first two weeks, there were a number of games postponed that have had to be rescheduled. Thats been very interesting.

At one point, half of the leagues teams were on pause due to COVID-19 issues. BYU, for example, had its first three conference games postponed. But games are being rescheduled.

I think its going as best as we can expect, Nevarez said. Obviously, there are so many unknowns. Youre always going to have that random case where an official didnt get their test back on time. Or someone on a team had a false positive. But our folks are really working through it. I couldnt be more pleased with the collaboration and the cooperation and the flexibility that weve had between the leadership at our institutions, specifically our athletic directors.

Theyve been amazing. BYU agreeing to play the No. 1 team, Gonzaga, in the nation on a day-and-a-halfs notice? Wow. Thats everybody rolling in the same direction. Our schools have been phenomenally flexible, always with the best interest of our student-athletes first and foremost, but ready to do what theyve got to do.

There is less than two months until the WCC Tournament is scheduled to tip off in Las Vegas (March 4-9 at Orleans Arena), featuring 20 teams 10 on the mens side and 10 on the womens. During a normal year, theres also thousands of fans, officials, conference and school administrators, media and television production staff to worry about.

What is Nevarezs outlook for this years tournament?

In this environment, we have contingency plans behind everything because thats just the prudent thing to do. Right now, were optimistic, she said. We have four other leagues that are tipping off in Vegas. We began meeting regularly with them, in order that were coordinated and all sharing the same information.

The city of Las Vegas will begin reviewing this week the large gathering protocols and permissions. Were still tracking in a positive direction. In a normal year, I would be saying, Oh my gosh, its Jan. 15, the tournament is just around the corner. In COVID, thats a lot of time. Weve shown that we can pivot if we have to move it to a campus or do whatever. But right now, were full steam ahead working on Vegas.

Were planning on it without fans, she said. If we can have fans, great.

Its extremely important that the tournament is played, in terms of revenue generated, exposure, and helping catapult teams into the Big Dance as long as it can be done safely.

The tournament is definitely the crown jewel of our conference operations and events. It is a sold-out event every year. Last year, it was amazing, Nevarez said. Its been sold-out every year since we began in Vegas (in 2009). Its been amazing. Thats the biggest feel-good about the student-athlete experience.

Secondly, our ESPN exposure during that event is amazing on both the mens and womens side. Were very fortunate. Leagues our size dont have that kind of tournament exposure. Typically, we send multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. Our WCC event has definitely been a platform to doing that in a lot of years.

How difficult will it be to pull off a conference tournament during a pandemic? Theres still a lot of uncertainty.

I think theres a lot still up in the air. Theyre planning for a bunch of scenarios, with or without fans. Theyre looking at every option and trying to figure out which is the safest. Its got to be (resolved) over the next month or so, Santiago said. Theyre looking forward to a tournament but everybodys waiting to see how its going to play and what the protocols are in Vegas, whether or not theyre going to try to create a mini-bubble for the tournament.

To do that, then you have to have everybody at the same hotels, he continued. There are a lot of logistical things that need to be worked out. Theyve got to see where things are at with COVID. Were all in a holding pattern. I dont think anybody has answers as to how its going to play out for sure.

And there are other intriguing issues to consider, such as what if teams play an unequal number of regular-season league games due to COVID-issues? Seeding could be determined by win percentage and tie-breakers could be determined by the NCAAs NET rankings.

Those are issues that could make seeding in the NCAA Tournament troublesome as well.

But after the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled, everybody just wants it back in March. The NCAA has announced that the Big Dance will be held entirely in the state of Indiana, with the Final Four scheduled to be played in Indianapolis.

BYU coach Mark Pope is on board with that plan. Last years tournament was canceled due to the virus and the Cougars were set to return to the tournament as a single-digit seed.

Im just grateful that people are trying every way possible to make the NCAA Tournament a safe reality, Pope said.

I like it because theyre trying to figure out how to have a tournament, Santiago said. I hope for the student-athletes sake that they get to play in it.

More here:

Why the WCCs Las Vegas bubble didnt materialize, and whats the outlook for the leagues crown jewel - Deseret News

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- Siegfried Fischbacher, the longtime Las Vegas performer of "Siegfried and Roy", died Wednesday night. He was 81.

Fischbacher died at his Las Vegas home Wednesday night from pancreatic cancer, according to publicist Dave Kirvin.

German news agency dpa said Thursday that Fischbacher's sister, a nun who lives in Munich, confirmed his death of cancer. Sister Dolore told dpa that her brother was at home in Las Vegas. She says said she spoke with her brother on the phone before he died and they prayed together.

German newspaper Bild reported earlier this week that Fischbacher was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and was in hospice care in Las Vegas.

Fischbacher performed alongside Roy Horn in "Siegfried and Roy." Together, Horn and Fischbacher captivated audiences with death-defying tricks and larger-than-life tigers beginning in the 90s.

Horn died of COVID-19 in May.

"Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend, Fischbacher said in a statement at the time of Horn's death. "From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried."

Siegfried and Roy began in Las Vegas in 1967 atFollies Bergre, Hallelujah Hollywood and Lido de Paris. Their show "Beyond Belief" headlines the New Frontier in 1981. The duo rose to fame in their 14-year run at The Mirage, which began in 1990.

The act included white tigers, white lions, leopards, jaguars and more. The Siegfried and Roy legacy continues at The Secret Garden at The Mirage, which houses big cats and dolphins.

We did what we did out of love, not for success or money, Fischbacher once said, according to Kirvin. We had a deep respect for each other. We literally raised each other: I created Roy and Roy created Siegfried.

Feld Entertainment CEO Ken Feld, also a former Siegfried and Roy producer, mourned the deaths of the iconic duo:

Today, the world of magic said good-bye to one of its greatest innovators. Siegfried Fischbacher, as part of the world-renowned duo Siegfried and Roy, took the art of magic to new heights through spectacular illusions while always maintaining his mastery of the close up, sleight of hand magic he developed as a young man. My father, Irvin and I first met Siegfried and Roy in 1977, collaborating with them on groundbreaking television productions and their first headline production, Beyond Belief, at The Frontier hotel in Las Vegas. Ultimately, this led to world tours and our ground-breaking show at The Mirage which redefined live-entertainment in Las Vegas. But perhaps Siegfrieds most important legacy will be his commitment to mentoring and inspiring magicians from around the world and championing the artform he loved for generations to come.

Gov. Steve Sisolak released a statement on Fischbacher's death:

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our legendary illusionist Siegfried Fishbacher. He was a Master of the Impossible and an exemplary Nevadan whose contributions alongside the late great Roy Horn - helped shine a bright spotlight on Las Vegass entertainment industry to the world. Kathy and I send our love and condolences to his family, friends and loved ones at this time.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman released a statement with her husband, former mayor Oscar Goodman:

We are just crushed to have lost Siegfried our wonderful friend and giant entertainer. Anyone who came to town, their request was always, I must see Siegfried and Roy! They put Las Vegas on the map not only as spectacular illusionists but also as breeders, trainers and caretakers of royal felines which grew to be an enormous part of their performance. Visitors to their personal home had the thrill of seeing the habitat where so many cubs were born and raised. And a trip to the Mirage Hotel and the Secret Garden was a treat one never could forget. More importantly than anything, Siegfried was the kindest and most loyal friend and a beautiful individual. What is calming now is to realize is that he is back with his life partner, Roy Horn, and at peace. You are loved, dear Siegfried.

MGM Resorts tweeted condolences following Fischbacher's death:

Kirvin said funeral services for Fischbacher will be private, but there are plans for a public memorial in the future. In lieu of flowers, Kirvin asked donations be made to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Visit link:

Siegfried Fischbacher of Las Vegas illusion act 'Siegfried and Roy' dies at 81 - FOX5 Las Vegas