Daily Archives: June 22, 2022

REXBURG A Rexburg man is back home after surviving a shooting in Las Vegas over the weekend.

Kenneth Tyler Sommer was reportedly caught in the crossfire as an argument broke out and was hit three times. Another victim was killed during the incident.

A family member tells EastIdahoNews.com that Tyler, as hes known to friends and family, was on vacation with his wife, Taylor, and a group of friends. On Sunday around 2 a.m., the couple was on Fremont Street in front of a kiosk picking out souvenirs for their kids when a fight suddenly broke out between several people in the crowd.

Its not clear what it was about, but a video from 8 News Now in Las Vegas shows at least three people were involved.

The investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section indicates a fight broke out between several people in the Fremont Experience. During the fight, one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and began firing. The victim who died was involved in the original altercation, according to a news release from the police department.

8 News Now in Las Vegas reports the victim who died was 23-year-old Raymond Renova, a tattoo artist who lived in the area.

As the fighting started, a family member reports Taylor immediately grabbed Tylers arm, who was focused on what he was doing and not paying attention to the fight.

(Tyler) came around the kiosk and he took two steps forward to look (at what was going on). As he starts to turn away, he heard (gunshots) and instantly felt it, according to the family spokesperson.

The first shot hit Tyler right in the abdomen above his belly button. As he grabbed his stomach, a family member says he felt another shot in his right leg below his knee.

He was trying to move out of the way and thats when a third shot hit him in the left foot.

A first he thought his foot got blown off because he said that hurt the most, the family member reports.

But the bullet didnt actually penetrate his foot. It ricocheted off his boots, which you can see in the photo above, and took his legs out from under him, causing him to fall.

It definitely bruised the absolute hell out of the out side of my left foot, Tyler posted on Facebook early Monday morning.

Later, when the shock had worn off, the family member says Tyler described what felt like a burning sensation in his abdomen like it was on fire.

As all of this was happening, the crowd was running away, including Taylor. It only took her a moment to realize Tyler was not with her. She turned around, saw him lying on the ground and ran over to him.

A police officer came to Tylers aid a few moments later.

He was trying to push against Tylers stomach to stop the bleeding and he kept apologizing because he knows hes causing Tyler more pain, but (Tyler) kept telling him, Push as hard as you can. Im a dad. I dont want to leave my kids,' the family member explains. He truly felt like he was dying.

The officer removed his belt to make a tourniquet to stop the bleeding in Tylers leg before he was rushed to the hospital.

Doctors performed surgery on Tylers abdomen and determined the bullet fractured the top part of his pelvic bone but narrowly missed his joints and other vital organs, the family member says.

They also discovered the bullet in his leg fractured the bone, leaving him with a broken leg.

There was a frenzy of people at the hospital and since Tylers injuries were not life-threatening, doctors were forced to move on to other patients, according to the family member.

After two nights, Tyler wanted nothing more than to return home to familiar territory.

A family member says he arrived home around midnight Tuesday morning with the bullets still lodged in his leg and abdomen. He is scheduled to meet with a doctor in Rexburg on Tuesday afternoon.

He cant walk. Weve had to find a wheelchair for him. As long as hes sitting in a wheelchair, hes fine for the most part but we all know he should be lying in a hospital bed, a family member says.

As of Monday afternoon, no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Police are still searching for the suspect, according to 8 News Now.

As the family member recalls everything that took place, shes grateful Tyler is safe, but shes frustrated that first responders have not made him aware of any financial resources that might be available for shooting victims.

Its hard for him to focus on recovering. All he keeps thinking about is how hes going to get his work done. Thats not something he should have to worry about right now, she says.

The family member says Tyler is not one to ask for help or use GoFundMe, but for anyone who feels inclined, she is asking on his behalf to make a donation to Taylors Venmo account to help with medical expenses.

Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section by phone at (702) 828-3521 or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com.

Our attorneys tell us we need to put this disclaimer in stories involving fundraisers: EastIdahoNews.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries.

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Local man shot multiple times while vacationing in Las Vegas over the weekend - East Idaho News

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The Sky and the Las Vegas Aces will meet in the second annual Commissioner's Cup championship game next month.

The in-season title game will be played at the home of the team with the better record which right now is Las Vegas. The Aces failed to clinch the home game, blowing a record 28-point lead against Chicago on Tuesday night. The teams have split their two meetings this season.

The second tie-breaker is point differential in cup games, and the Aces are up 32 points on Chicago in that stat with two games to play.

Seattle won the inaugural Commissioner's Cup last season with the championship game played in Phoenix on a neutral court.

The WNBA added a charitable component to the competition this year with teams earning money for each win they get in the 10 conference games they play.

"It's great that they've added that this year," Chicago forward Candace Parker said. "It adds a new wrinkle and any time you can make money for a charity it's great."

Players will once again compete for a $500,000 prize pool in the title game, with each member of the winning team getting $30,000 and the runner-ups earning $10,000 per player.

"I do love that there's extra incentive for the players," Aces coach Becky Hammon said earlier this month. "Anytime the league can throw a little bit of extra cash the players' way, I'm all for it."

Hammon's Aces also still lead the AP WNBA power poll.

POWER POLL

This week's WNBA poll:

1. Las Vegas (13-2): The Aces have won four straight and lately have been getting dominating efforts from A'ja Wilson. She averaged 25 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 blocks last week.

2. Connecticut (12-5): The Sun are getting strong play off the bench from Brionna Jones, who is averaging 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.

3. Chicago (10-5): Parker has missed the past two games with a knee injury and the Sky will play three games this week.

4. Washington (11-7): When Elena Delle Donne is on the court the Mystics have been one of the best teams in the league going 8-3. Without her in the lineup the team is just 3-4 and struggles offensively. Delle Donne has been taking games off to rest after missing last season following back surgery.

5. Seattle (10-6): The Storm finished their road trip 4-1 and got solid play from Gabby Williams, who will be key to their success this season if she continues to take some of the scoring pressure off Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.

6. Dallas (8-8): Arike Ogunbowale lately has lifted her game, averaging 25.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists to help the Wings win two of three.

7. Phoenix (6-10): A great week by Tina Charles, who averaged 25 points, wasn't enough to get the Mercury more than one victory as they lost two of three games. Phoenix will need consistently strong efforts from Charles, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi to get on a winning streak with three games this week.

8. Atlanta (7-8): A tough road trip left the Dream winless in their last four games, but now they return home to try and get on a roll again.

9. New York (6-10): The Liberty have gotten a huge boost from French guard Marine Johannes. Her play has taken some of the scoring pressure off Sabrina Ionescu. Johannes had a career-high 23 points in a loss to Seattle on Sunday. New York plays two road games this week, one in Connecticut and another at Atlanta.

10. Los Angeles (5-9): After a light week with just one game, the Sparks will have three contests this week. With the practice time they've had the Sparks hope they have corrected their defensive woes. The Sparks are second to last in the league allowing 87.6 points a game.

11. Indiana (5-13): The Fever are set to embark on a four-game trip; Indiana is just 2-6 on the road this season.

12. Minnesota (3-13): The Lynx have lost five straight games but they have been competitive. They suffered a 1-point loss to Las Vegas and a 2-point setback against Seattle. Jessica Shepard has been a bright spot for Minnesota, which is still without Sylvia Fowles (knee injury).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas was voted the AP Player of the Week. Wilson shot 61% from the field last week as well as making all 15 of her free throw attempts and four 3-pointers. Ogunbowale of Dallas, Kahleah Copper of Chicago, Jonquel Jones of Connecticut and Stewart of Seattle also received votes.

SO LONG SUE

Sue Bird announced last week that she'll retire after the season ends. She played herlast regular-season game in New York on Sunday and now returns home to Seattle for the first time after the Storm finished off a five-game road trip. Bird played her entire 21-year career in Seattle.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Mystics at Aces, Saturday. Washington handed Las Vegas one of two losses this season and the Aces will look to avenge that defeat.

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Sky overcome 28 point deficit to beat Las Vegas Aces; teams will meet again in Commissioner's Cup game - CBS Chicago

Ndamukong Suh to the Las Vegas Raiders? Not quite yet, but its starting to look that way.

For weeks now, the Raiders interest in five-time All-Pro Ndamukong Suh has been publicized Things are starting to heat up, though.

Early on in free agency, the Silver and Black added defensive tackles Bilal Nichols and Vernon Butler to their interior defensive line unit. In addition, the front office thought it would be best to retain Raiders veteran Johnathan Hankins, ensuring depth up the middle on the defensive side of the ball.

If bringing in these three starting-caliber defensive linemen wasnt good enough, Las Vegas topped their efforts by selecting not one, but two defensive tackles in the 22 NFL draft, effectively totaling 8 rostered players at the position.

Still, Suh has peaked the Raiders interest for some time. Fortunately for Las Vegas, it appears Suh has replicated that interest. In a tweet made by the former Buccaneer on Tuesday, Suh gives his thoughts on potentially sporting the iconic silver and black colors.

For Raider Nation, this is an exciting development. Suh has not only been a consistent game wrecker throughout his entire career but has been a true pillar of health In fact, since 2012, Suh is the only defense player leaguewide to miss zero contests; One full decade of availability. Read more about Suh here, as I break down the different ways that make him a special player.

Las Vegas has a legitimate chance to get a Hall Of Fame talent up front defensively, manning the middle of the line. Should the two sides agree to terms on a deal, the Raiders defense will take a massive leap forward, now adding a player who shines against both the run and getting to the quarterback.

Suh to Las Vegas is starting to gain momentum, with it looking more likely each day. If the two parties are truly interested in striking a deal, it may not be long until the third-overall pick in 2010 is part of Raider Nation himself.

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Ndamukong Suh to the Las Vegas Raiders is starting to heat up - Just Blog Baby

Everyone in Vegas seems to have a wind story this year.

Maybe its a gust knocking down an unsuspecting pedestrian, a set of patio furniture ending up in a neighbors yard or dust covering your car.

But an analysis of National Weather Service data shows it was surprisingly only a little breezier than the normal spring with the average wind speed between March and May on par with the past 18 years.

Wind gusts between March and May this year, however, stood out. Daily maximum wind gusts averaged 31 mph 3.3 mph higher than the 18-year average and there were four times the number of days with gusts over 50 mph.

On June 12, winds gusting to 67 mph hit the Las Vegas Valley and downed a stoplight.

Fire danger has also increased. The NWS has issued 27 red flag warnings so far this year, up from 17 in 2021.

Meteorologist Trevor Boucher said wind is usually the most common concern we have here in the Las Vegas area, more common even than heat advisories. We issue quite a bit more wind products than any other product.

Areas like Summerlin and Red Rock Canyon on the west side of the valley are some of the most prone to windy conditions due to their close proximity to the Spring Mountains.

Under certain conditions, dry air coming over the top of the mountains can quickly pick up speed as it moves down the other side. Areas closest to the mountainside experience the brunt of these winds before they encounter too many buildings, trees and other sources of friction that can cause them to slow down. Wind gusts up to 45 mph were recorded near Kyle Canyon in the Spring Mountains last Saturday.

I would say Red Rock Canyon is one of the prime examples of the windiest places we have in the county, Boucher says. Wind gusts in the area frequently top 50 miles per hour, fast enough to damage powerlines and break tree branches.

Wind direction also determines the gustiest areas of Clark County on a given day. For example, when the wind comes from the north and down through the Colorado River Valley, towns like Laughlin may be the windiest.

Twelve wind advisories have been issued from Jan. 1 through June 7. By comparison, from 2018 through 2021, the NWS issued an average of eight wind advisories for the Las Vegas Valley in that time. Likewise, there have been two high wind warnings issued for the valley in 2022 the average number from 2018 through 2021 is 1.25 by June 7.

High wind warnings are issued for the Las Vegas Valley when meteorologists expect sustained winds of 40-plus mph or gusts above 58 mph. They issue wind advisories when they expect wind gusts above 40 mph or sustained wind speeds of 30 to 39 mph for at least three hours.

At 40 mph, Boucher says, that will pretty efficiently move your trash cans and things on your porch that arent secured. Winds in the 30 to 39 mph range can cause whole trees to sway and make walking inconvenient.

Combined with the heat, residents may feel like theyre living in a sandy, sweltering air fryer whenever a windy day rolls around.

Wind patterns in the valley

March, April and May are generally the windiest months of the year for the region, according to Boucher.

A lot of that boils down to the changing seasons.

The spring is a transitional time when the jet stream begins moving northward, causing disturbances in atmospheric air that lead to the frequent windy cold fronts we see in the spring.

At the same time, longer days and more sunlight cause surface air temperatures to increase, creating more turbulent air.

A silver lining to these cold fronts like the one this past weekend is a relief from the heat. The temperature fell from a high of 106 degrees on June 16 to 88 degrees on June 19 in the Vegas area as the front moved in.

Boucher says the temperature drop associated with a cold front is almost always associated with wind in the valley. If I knew nothing about the weather forecast, and saw that my colleagues were forecasting a high of 108 on a Thursday and a high of 92 on Sunday, Id think we must be having wind somewhere in there.

As the summer progresses, cold fronts become weaker as the southwest settles into its monsoon season and a more consistent high-pressure air mass settles over the region.

In this season that began June 15 and runs through September 30, strong winds are more often associated with localized afternoon thunderstorms than regional cold fronts. These winds tend to be more short-lived and affect a smaller area than the springs frontal winds.

They can still cause severe damage, however. On August 8, 1989, winds associated with a storm reached speeds of 90 mph the highest recorded wind speeds in Vegas at what is now Harry Reid International Airport, causing millions of dollars in damage in only about 20 minutes.

Public health concerns

Beyond the direct damage that high winds can cause, winds pose other public health threats by spreading dust and smoke through the air. Wind-related public health concerns associated with winds are also exacerbated by the ongoing drought.

Stephanie McAfee, Nevada state climatologist, says that when it hasnt rained in a while, winds can pick up dust as they move across the valley, reducing air quality and potentially triggering dust storms. If its bad enough, visibility can be reduced, making it difficult to see and dangerous to drive.

Windy conditions in hot, drought-stricken Nevada also present a fire hazard. The NWS in Las Vegas frequently issues red flag warnings to indicate that a combination of low humidity, strong winds and dry vegetation pose a significant fire threat.

Brisk southwest winds escalated a fire on June 19 in the city, ultimately burning at least 10 buildings and injuring one, according to a Las Vegas Fire & Rescue spokesman.

The smoke from fires can pose serious health concerns if its low enough in the sky. Im sure that anyone whos been in the Las Vegas Valley for the past two years can remember a day when it was brown because of the smoke, Boucher says.

On smoky days, most people should avoid strenuous activities and limit exposure as much as possible. If the smoke danger is severe enough, officials may caution people to stay indoors, close doors and windows and use an air filter to remove particulate matter from the air.

People with asthma or another respiratory or cardiovascular disease, young children, pregnant women and the elderly are especially sensitive to wildfire smoke and should be diligent about limiting their exposure.

Clark County monitors air quality so people can stay informed about air quality.

Ultimately, while the NWS is good at predicting high winds in a broad sense, wind can be hard to pin down.

Were entering a paradigm of people wanting information on demand, Boucher says. But its super complex to tell people exactly the maximum wind gust theyre gonna get at a given time and location.

Even when high winds are forecasted, he adds, Is it going to be 62 mph wind or 67 mph winds? That kind of information is extremely difficult to pinpoint.

Have questions about science? Send them to me at cpoore@reviewjournal.com.

Colton Poore is a 2022 Mass Media reporting fellow through the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Email him at cpoore@reviewjournal.com or follow him on Twitter @coltonlpoore

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Has Las Vegas been abnormally windy this year? See what experts say. - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The 30th edition of the JCK show in Las Vegas closed on June 13, its attendance numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Thirty thousand attendees from all facets of the jewelry industryover 17,000 from 130 countries, and over 1,800 exhibitors showcasing in more than 20 different show floor neighborhoodsgathered at The Venetian and The Venetian Expo for JCK June 1013, with Luxury welcoming an invitation-only crowd of retailers June 89 before opening to all, and the return of Gems with AGTA Las Vegas opening a day early on June 9.

It was a celebratory and momentous year for the JCK community, which concluded with a round of loud applause from show exhibitors across all the neighborhoods, just like the first edition 30 years prior in 1992, said group vice president of RX Jewelry Group, Sarin Bachmann, in a statement. This edition came full circle with high energy, enthusiasm, and most importantly, connection and commerce. This year we saw an increase in attendance, quality lead generation, customer success on-site and amplified optimism for the future of innovation and trends in the jewelry industry as well as the importance of face-to-face events.

Retailers and exhibitors echoed the sentiments that 2022 was the best JCK show to date.

This was the bestJCK I have been to yet, and I have been to all but one! said Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers. Between the way the floor plan was laid out and the mobile app allowing me to enter a booth number with step-by-step directions to find it, I loved the ease of the mobile app and the clearly marked aisles! I was able to be very productive and enjoyed myself as well, especially at the JCK Rocks eventboth the show and the after-party. Everyone I spoke to was extremely happy!

This years Luxury show brought retailers that were there to do business, including many new retailers. With our mens collection by Marco Dal Maso alone, we opened more than 30 new accounts and had the opportunity to reconnect with many of our current partners. The strategic curation and elevated ambience of the Luxury show and experience far exceeded our expectations. We cannot wait until next year, said Mark Pasdon of Gioelli Group.

Attendees enjoyed the JCK Talks education program, returning this year in a new format with topics like consumer shopping trends; sourcing and sustainability; team building, customer loyalty, and storytelling conversion; NFTs and Web3, and digital fraud prevention; technology and the in-store experience; social media, video content creation, and digital marketing; and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI).

For those interested in catching up on the JCK Talks sessions they might have missed, many were recorded and are available to watch on demand for a limited time to members of JCK Pro (subscribe here). Keynote sessions are available for viewing too.

A Luxury keynote featuring emotional intelligence, performance, and leadership expert Bill Benjamin, was given on Wednesday, June 8, followed by the Luxury keynote on June 9 given by pro football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, A Championship Vision: How Your Achievements Start With Your Vision and Dream.

The JCK opening keynote was given on Friday, June 10, by Swan Sit, former global head of digital marketing at Nike, Este Lauder, and Revlon, dubbed the queen of Clubhouse. Sponsored by Sarine, Sits opening keynote shared insights on innovative platforms and technologies like the metaverse, NFTs, and Web3 that are emerging and disrupting the way retailers engage with customers and tell a brands story.

The Plumb Club kicked off Saturday evening with a 30th anniversary cocktail party celebration, where attendees toasted to three decades of JCK. For the JCK Rocks event on Saturday night, Miguel Cervantes, currently playing the lead role in Broadways Hamilton, as well as current and former Hamilton cast members, thrilled attendees with HamiltonRemix, a high-energy performance of songs from the Tony Awardwinning show. The after-party had a packed dance floor, where cast members mixed with partygoers for a memorable time.

On the show floor, attendees played with new Instagrammable moments and special treats, like a photo booth where attendees got to be on the cover of JCK magazine, a live fashion sketching called Vogue Vignette, an NFT art exhibit created by Rozes, a ribbon station inviting attendees to display the number of years theyve attended the show, a diamond balloon ring sponsored by Diamonds Do Good, a diamond hologram moment sponsored by SRK, and more.

For the first time ever, JCK sponsored the Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) with booths in the Design Collective neighborhood, featuring collections from six of its members: Adore Adorn, Christian Stone, Jam + Rico, JNCY Jewelers, Made by Malyia, and The Personal Jeweler.

History was made at this JCK event, says Adrianne Sanogo, cofounder of BIJC, in a statement. I want to personally thank you for being a visionary and being committed to changing the narrative. This will always be a part of your legacy and ours, for bringing about change and ensuring that everyone in the industry shines together.

Six emerging designers were also hosted at Luxury, through the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative by the Natural Diamond Council and Lorraine Schwartz.

The Womens Jewelry Association (WJA), partners of JCK, hosted the Generating Impact Community Breakfast on Saturday, June 11, featuring a presentation by Karine Bah Tah, founder and CEO of Blue Level Training, an enterprise focused on diversity, equality, and inclusion training. The presentation featured special remarks from Latoya Boyd, WJAs 2020 Female Veteran Grant winner.

In a continued partnership with AGTA, JCK has announced the extended agreement for AGTA GemFair Las Vegas through at least 2025. This is exciting news for AGTA and our members, especially after such a successful show for us at JCK, said AGTA president Kimberly Collins. AGTA GemFair Las Vegas will be located on the main floor next to the Luxury and Plumb Club pavilions at The Venetian Expo.

We are thrilled to bring an important partner such as AGTA back into the fold with an expanded long-term commitment, said RXs Bachmann. We received great feedback on having AGTA back at JCK and are excited to let the industry know they can count on finding AGTA at JCK in Las Vegas for many more years ahead.

Save the date for JCK 2023, with JCK scheduled for June 25; Gems & JCK Talks, June 15, and Luxury, May 31June 5 (by invitation only May 31 and June 1).

Visit lasvegas.jckonline.com for more information.

Photograph by Camilla Sjodin

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That's a Wrap on the 30th Anniversary of JCK Las Vegas JCK - JCK

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Police say a driver is facing a DUI charge after losing control of his car Friday and fatally striking a man riding a bicycle on the sidewalk on Las Vegas Boulevard North near North Pecos Road.

Raymond Perez-Hernandez, 26, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt north on Las Vegas Boulevard North at about 9:23 p.m. when his car failed to maintain a lane of travel and ran off the road right. A collision occurred when the Cobalt stuck the bicyclist, according to a news release from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.

Police did not identify the male victim, who was riding his bicycle east on the sidewalk of Las Vegas Boulevard North when struck. But family members said Abe Cruz Mendibles, 41, of Las Vegas, was the victim.

Medical personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene, police said.

Alex Ramirez said his nephew, Mendibles, was a warehouse worker who had lived in the Las Vegas Valley for the past 21 years.

His nephew once had some legal issues but was living a better life, Ramirez said. He had some problems. We all do, Ramirez said.

Mendibles was living with his girlfriend and their 3-year-old son, Ramirez said. He was clean and working. Just going to work and coming home, helping to raise his son, Ramirez said.

Perez-Hernandez, of Las Vegas, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and then was jailed at the Clark County Detention Center. He appeared in court Saturday on charges of DUI resulting in death, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm.

Bail was set at $100,000, according to court records.

The death is the 72nd traffic-related fatality in Metros jurisdiction this year.

Police said the crash is being investigated by the departments collision investigation section.

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Bicyclist killed when hit by car at Las Vegas Boulevard North and North Pecos - KLAS - 8 News Now

Angel McCoughtry might not be playing in the WNBA right now, but the five-time All-Star is still making contributions in the sport.

This weekend, McCoughtry and Adidas unveiled the Angel McCoughtry Court at Shively Park in Louisville. The court features a color-blocked image of McCoughtry with her arms outstretched. One sideline reads Reach for the stars. McCoughtry, who is from Baltimore but resides in Atlanta, said she chose Louisville as the location for this court because she accomplished so many of her dreams in that city.

Now, on to this weeks power rankings.

(Last weeks rank in parentheses.)

Well get a preview of the Commissioners Cup game Tuesday night when the Aces, who are on a four-game win streak, take on Chicago at home. Their upcoming stretch will be challenging as seven of their next 10 games are on the road. More challenging yet: the bench production. What was once one of the most feared parts of this franchise is practically non-existent. Las Vegas bench contributes less than 14 percent of the teams scoring, assists and steals while playing about one-fifth of its minutes. With a starting five like the Aces, theres plenty of talent to go around, but foul trouble (and suspect officiating) is always a possibility in the WNBA and in those moments, the Aces will need their bench to produce.

The loss to Indiana wasnt great. The fact that Candace Parker has missed the last two games with knee soreness isnt great. (Though coach James Wade said that if these were playoff games, Parker would be ready to go. Theyre wisely taking a long-term approach.) But I still look at the Sky, when fully healthy, as the second-best team in the WNBA. And scarier yet, its still a team thats coming together. Last week, I propped up Emma Meessemans offensive firepower as a bright spot. This week, its reigning WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, who averaged 26 points and seven rebounds on 60 percent shooting over the last two games. In transition, the Sky are a dangerous team, and the fact that the transition game can start with Parker, Meesseman and (oh yeah!) Courtney Vandersloot, makes them so multi-faceted.

The Mystics allowed the Sun to make it a single-digit game late in the fourth quarter Sunday, but when Delle Donne is healthy and this roster is ready to go, there are a lot of options on both ends of the floor. Natasha Cloud has gotten a lot of credit for her 20-game streak of recording at least five assists, but her defense in the Mystics big win over Connecticut deserves some ink. She recorded three steals and one block and matched up throughout the game against Courtney Williams, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner (the latter two have a slight height advantage over the 5-foot-9 guard). Shakira Austin continues to show real improvement (I argued last week she might earn my Rookie of the Year vote). Aerial Atkins had a big facilitating game with six assists against Connecticut. But ultimately, Delle Donne is the piece that makes this team go from a semifinalist to a championship contender. She impacts the game even without touching the ball and changes the way opponents have to think about the Mystics. With Delle Donne healthy, Washington is No. 3. Without her, I think theyre somewhere between No. 5-7 depending on the night.

The separation between Chicago, Washington (with Delle Donne) and Connecticut is slim, and though Vegas has a lead on the trio, I dont think its that huge. That said, when looking at head-to-head results, Chicago has won three of four against Washington and Connecticut, Washington has gone 2-3 against Connecticut and Chicago, and Connecticut has gone 1-2 against Washington and Chicago. So, that speaks to the order of No. 2 through 4 in this weeks ranking. Coach Curt Miller shouldered a lot of Sundays loss to Washington, saying Connecticut never really got into a flow or looked like itself and that started with him because he never found the right buttons to push. That is fair, and what you expect a good coach to say. But for a veteran team, you also expect the players to show a bit more spark through the middle 20 minutes of the game.

For the most part, the Storm have beaten the opponents they should beat, and a 4-1 record on a recent 10-day road trip is nothing at which to scoff. But now, the Storm return home to attempt to win two games in which they might not be favored against Washington and Las Vegas. Seattle hasnt played Las Vegas since its second game of the season, when Gabby Williams (who dropped 23 points and nine rebounds Sunday on New York) went scoreless and Ezi Magbegor appeared to be the stopgap before Mercedes Russell returned to the starting lineup. The Storm have grown since then, and if Magbegor and Williams both show up in big ways, the Storm could be taking down the leagues top team this week.

Momentum is a beautiful thing, isnt it? The Liberty might have lost two of their last three games, but its probably their best three-game stretch this season. If Crystal Dangerfields addition and comfort in this system made Sabrina Ionescu play more like herself (read: dangerous off ball), then Marine Johanns is the player who most raises the bar and allows all players to be more themselves. Sure, those on the receiving end of Johanns passes are realizing theres a bit of an adjustment period to learn youre always open when playing with her. But as her passing and scoring improves, it opens up lanes and shooting opportunities for everyone else. The Liberty still have a chance to be the most-improved team from 2021 to 2022 if this momentum continues.

The Wings cracked a four-game losing streak with back-to-back wins against Phoenix and Los Angeles. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas in scoring in both games. Despite wanting to be a defense-oriented team, the Wings arent winning a ton of games because of their lock-down defense. Its because they have Ogunbowale and two to three others, depending on the night who are going to put up 60-plus points while the Wings outscore you. Ultimately, Dallas goes as its shooting goes: When the Wings effective field goal percentage is 50 percent or better, theyre 6-1.

The addition of guard AD from New York has been a boost as theyve led the Dream in scoring the last two outings. (Its also nice to see such a fantastic recovery from long COVID-19. AD has found minutes and opportunity in Atlanta that they didnt find in New York.) Coming off the bench, they put up 21 points against both Connecticut and Chicago, two single-digit losses for the Dream. ADs scoring also has opened opportunities for Aari McDonald, who had back-to-back career bests in scoring (19 against Connecticut, 20 against Chicago). Even if the Dream end up in the playoffs this year, Atlanta is building a foundation with young talent. Every time these young players experience success (even if it doesnt ultimately end up with a W), its a long-term win.

The Mercury are a tough team to read, and they are (and I know Ive used this joke before but its still fitting) very mercurial. They can score 69 points and win; they can score 94 points and lose; they can turn the ball over 18 times and win; they can turn over the ball five times and lose. They have a roster that oozes with talent, resumes and gold medals, but that doesnt always make for the best teams. Because of the former, you simply cant count them out. Phoenix could turn it around and make another deep postseason run; with that much talent on the roster, how could it not? The Mercury could also fail to make the playoffs this year. Im not sure theres a team with a larger gap between its ceiling and floor than Phoenix.

Kristi Toliver returned for the Sparks over the weekend in Los Angeles loss to Dallas. Given the issues that L.A. faces right now, its hard to see Toliver being the fix-all, but shes definitely a net-positive. The Sparks are on a three-game losing streak, and life isnt about to get any easier as their next four opponents are Washington, Chicago, Seattle and Las Vegas.

Holy NaLyssa Smith! Between her, Howard and Austin, we can definitively say this years rookie class has three players who are potential future face-of-the-franchise talents. Smith put up 26 points and 11 boards Sunday against the Parker-less Sky, giving the Fever their eighth win of the season as they rallied from down 13 at the half. According to Across The Timeline, Smith is just the 10th first-year player in WNBA history to put up 25-plus points and 10-plus rebounds while shooting 60 percent or better from the floor, and shes the first since Aja Wilson did it in 2018.

Jess Shepard had the best game by far of her WNBA career. Behind her 22 points, 19 rebounds and six assists Sunday, the Lynx nearly toppled the Aces. Shepards ninth field goal of the night was a nine-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining to cut the Aces lead to one. Minnesota needed a 3 to force overtime. She owned that fact in the postgame. It was the Lynxs fifth-straight loss and the third-consecutive defeat by four or fewer points. Theres something to be said for a team that is without its eventual Hall of Fame centerpiece (injured Sylvia Fowles) that still nearly catches teams in the top half of the league, but being close doesnt cut it in pro sports or power rankings.

(Photo of Arike Ogunbowale: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)

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WNBA power rankings: Las Vegas Aces back to the top - The Athletic

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas native believes skeletal remains found at Lake Mead last month could be his father who died more than six decades ago.

Daniel Kolod was 22 when he drowned in Callville Bay in 1958. His body was never recovered.

Water levels at Lake Mead have dropped drastically since their peak levels first reached in the 1940s and then again in the 1980s. The lake dropped below 1,044 feet in elevation on Thursday nearly 200 feet below the elevation when it is full.

Lake levels are expressed in altitude, not depth. At its highest levels, the lake is near 1,225 feet.

After he drowned, I was told that he went away, Todd Kolod, Daniel Kolods son, told the 8 News Now I-Team from his home in Spain.

He went out regularly, Todd Kolod said. He ran out of people to give fish to.

Todd Kolod was 3 years old when his father drowned. Daniel Kolod was on a speed boat with a friend when they hit a wake. Both men flipped and fell into the water. Only one survived.

Witnesses found the boat circling on its own about a mile from the drowning site near Swallow Bay, documents reviewed by the I-Team said. Onlookers said they saw Kolod drown in Callville Bay. Crews, including divers and a helicopter, never found his body.

As the lake recedes, more of its secrets are revealed. What once was a popular spot for swimmers and boaters in Callville Bay is now sand littered with debris, including boats, propellers and chairs. Relics from the good times in the lakes past are now visible on its newly exposed shore.

Since the lakes filling in the 1930s, 300 people have drowned in its waters, park service officials said. The number does not reflect the people whose bodies have not been recovered.

In May, kayakers discovered the skeletal remains not far from where Daniel Kolod is believed to have drowned. Police and park officials determined the death was not suspicious.

When I saw Callville Bay, my eyes bulged wide open, Todd Kolod said.

Todd Kolod, watching the news reports from across the Atlantic Ocean, thinks the remains could be his father.

Is something telling you, I really think its him? The I-Teams David Charns asked Todd Kolod.

Im just lining up the clues, he said.

One clue surrounds Daniel Kolods teeth. He was in a car crash a few years before he drowned and lost his front teeth, Todd Kolod said, adding his father wore a partial denture.

The I-Team brought photos of the remains and Daniel Kolods story to Dr. Deborah Staten, owner and dentist at Desert Hills Dental. Staten is certified in helping identify remains from dental records. Oftentimes, teeth are the last resort in trying to identify the victim of a crime because bones do not decay.

Bone and teeth are solid, which is why they become this gold standard for identification because they dont change, Staten said. If it just sat there undisturbed, its probably how it arrived there.

What sticks out to you in this photo, particularly as a dentist? Charns asked Staten.

Well, that there are only four teeth in particular, Staten said.

What can you learn from someones teeth? Charns asked.

Theres a lot, she said. Teeth are a signature basically, just like your fingerprint.

Staten said it is clear the skeleton is missing its front teeth, but she believes the person was missing other teeth before their death.

I feel like those front ones were freshly removed, she said.

Simply based on the photos, Staten could not go any further. The key, she said, is finding Daniel Kolods dental records, but it is almost certain they were destroyed.

There was no DNA testing in 1958. Getting a sample from Todd Kolod today and matching it with the remains is the only way to potentially solve this mystery.

My grandfather, he did everything he could to find the body, Todd Kolod said. I just assumed finding the body was an impossibility.

For a son who does not remember his father, what was once impossible could now be possible with time.

This could be my dad, or my dad could be the next discovery, he said.

In an unrelated case, Metro police and the FBI are working to identify the body found in a barrel in May. The person, believed to be a man, is suspected to have been murdered in the late-1970s or 1980s, investigators said.

The Vegas Justice League, a group of entrepreneurs that have given money to Las Vegas Metro police to help solve cold cases, has offered to pay for the processing of the DNA in that case, league member Justin Woo told the I-Team.

As the I-Team has reported for years, Lake Mead was a popular dumping site for murderers. Police said they suspect they will find more barrels with bodies as the lake recedes. Lake Mead will drop nearly 30 feet from its current level by September of 2023 if forecasts released Thursday are accurate.

Police said they have received many tips about the person who was in the barrel.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 702-385-5555 or at crimestoppersofnv.com/report-a-crime. Information can also be sent via text by sending CRIMENV and then your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers offers a reward for information that leads to an arrest.

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I-Team: This could be my dad, Las Vegas native suspects remains found at Lake Mead might be father - KLAS - 8 News Now