Category Archives: Las Vegas

A man has been arrested in a Las Vegas casino after his wifes body was discovered at her Pennsylvania home, per CBS News.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that Arthur Guty Jr. was arrested on Tuesday.

According to local ABC affiliate WTAE, Guty's wife, Nicole Zambrano, was reported missing last week before being found dead at her home in Uniontown on Monday.Local news outlet WPXI reported that police said they believe Zambrano had been dead for several days before her body was found.

Per WTAE, authorities said Guty, 55, was found at the Mardi Gras Casino and he was carrying $100,000 in cash. Police said they found Guty by pinging his phone to the Las Vegas area.

Lt. Thomas Kolencik of the Uniontown Police Department told the outlet that Zambrano was discovered with a gunshot wound to a vital part of the body at her home.

Arthur Guty Jr. / Facebook

In a separate statement, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said authorities believe Guty was on his way out of the country with a significant amount of cash and was going to avoid, or try to avoid, any responsibility for what happened here.

Aubele told PEOPLE that the investigation into Zambrano's death is ongoing. "We believe Nicole's murder was intentional and premeditated," he said. "We will prosecute this matter to the fullest extent of the law, and we will secure the justice Nicole deserves."

Per CBS News, Guty is facing charges of criminal homicide and aggravated assault.

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Zambrano was reported missing by her coworkers at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort after she failed to show up to work for a few days.

Kolencik told WTAE an investigation began Friday when police conducted a welfare check at her home. "He [Guty] couldnt explain the whereabouts of his wife and when he did give us information it wasn't accurate," said Kolencik.

"It's not the way you want to start off 2024," Kolencik continued, per the outlet. Our prayers are with the family, the victim, and we still have a little bit of work to do, but we're certain we're going to make an arrest soon.

Uniontown Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Guty on Monday night.

A spokesperson for the Uniontown Police Department and the Fayette County District Attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further information.

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Man Arrested in Las Vegas After Wife's Body Is Discovered at Pa. Home - PEOPLE

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) An arrest report is shining a new light on the suspect who fired more than 70 shots from a hotel balcony near the Strip on New Year's Eve.

Jon Letzkus, 45, made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, where a Clark County judge set bail at $500,000.

According to an arrest report, Metro officers responded to a call regarding an explosion near the MGM Signature Tower on 135 E. Harmon Ave. around 5:55 a.m. on New Year's Eve.

Details came from multiple witnesses who described "explosions" coming from the area, and arriving officers determined that the noises were coming from the higher floors of the MGM Signature Hotel. Gunshots were heard in the area upon officers' arrival, and efforts to search for the suspect inside the hotel were immediately launched.

Additionally, officers began efforts to provide safety for hotel guests in the area.

One witness told police that the explosions were actually a person shooting a handgun in the second tower of the hotel, possibly the 26th floor. The witness claimed that he had observed the suspect "firing indiscriminately" from his balcony, from his room in the 3rd tower on the 31st floor. The witness then said the suspect reentered his room and watched as the windows of the room "shattered" as the suspect continued to fire his weapon.

SWAT teams arriving at the scene would soon locate the room where the suspect was believed to be firing. After obtaining a search warrant, officers were able to evacuate surrounding rooms and enter the suspect's unit. The suspect was gone on arrival, though a dog was located in a locked bathroom, along with multiple impacts and shell castings.

Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Jon Letzkus after finding a pill bottle with his name on it in the hotel room, as well as interviewing a hotel staff member who confirmed she checked him into the room.

"She described that she had two encounters with him because he returned to her to get another room key. She stated that Letzkus' hands were shaking when he handed items to her," the report noted. "He also inquired about their policy of asking to see identification when obtaining a room key."

Letzkus was apprehended by police after surveillance footage showed a subject matching his description at the Pizzeria at MGM. He was taken into custody without further incident.

During an interview with Letzkus, police note in the report that he began talking about his wife, whom he had been estranged from after 13 years of marriage. The report read, "Jon explained that she filed for divorce approximately two months ago and ever since has been trying to 'ruin' him,"

Police say Letzkus went into "great detail" about his and his wife's marital issues and noted that he was "extremely upset" while speaking about it. "He was screaming, crying, face turning red, neck veins protruding, and his fists clenched."

He also told police that his wife, who he claims "reported a false domestic violence situation that resulted in a restraining order," had been sending someone to "case" his house after he refused to be served by the local sheriff's office. He claims he bought a firearm identified as a Glock 17 with a 10-round magazine (single stack) for protection at that time.

"Jon later stated that he was expertly trained with guns and loved them, but he would never hurt anyone with them. He stated he was more of a danger to himself than anyone else," the report reads.

Letzkus said he had initially driven out to Las Vegas to avoid being served. After hearing someone knock on his door, the suspect said he believed there were "two individuals hiding out of sight" behind the door, who would try to "throw him off the balcony to kill him" if he opened the door. He responded by placing heavy furniture from the room in front of the door and "began building legos" to calm himself down.

Letzkus continued making questionable claims to police, claiming that water began pouring from the ceiling, which he believed was security's attempt to "flood his room to drown him." He also claimed that he believed security was repelling from the floor above to gain entry into his room. He also told police that he believed his room was bugged.

Letzkus then claimed he attempted to get the attention of nearby police officers by taking out his firearm and began shooting out of his room. The report noted, "Jon explained that he shot at an 8-degree angle into the air. He would slightly step out onto the balcony and shoot. Jon was very specific about how he shot the rounds. He did not want them to be confused with fireworks."

Letzkus only stopped shooting after his gun jammed.

Police also noted that, during the interview, Letzkus would go off on tangents about things he believed he saw or heard and told police that he witnessed "cats in suits with machine guns walking in the hallways." He also asserted feeling "under physical threat and referenced PTSD and having night terrors."

Surveillance video would show Letzkus running through the hallway of various floors in the hotel, placing ammunition in piles on the floor, discarding luggage in the stairwell, and changing clothes.

According to MGM Resorts, the damage caused by Letzkus is estimated to be over $100,000, but the total is expected to be higher as damage continues to be discovered and assessed. He is estimated to have fired 71 shots in total.

Prosecutors asked the judge for a risk assessment and a $1,275,000 bail, while defense attorneys argued that the bail was "far outside his reach" and, in turn, asked for monitoring and a $5,000 bail.

His bail currently sits at $500,000. He is due back in court on Jan. 17, 2024, at 10 a.m.

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REPORT: Accused gunman 'fired 71 shots', caused $100K+ in damage to hotel room - KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas

WWE star Shotzi went straight from the wedding chapel to the wrestling ring!

The professional wrestler, 31, revealed on Instagram that she tied the knot with boyfriend Jesus Alfaro in Las Vegas on Friday, right before she was set to perform at the WWELiveHoliday Tour at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Since the show must go on, she arrived at the venue and battled it out in the ring still wearing her wedding dress and veil.

Ash Urbanski/ Instagram

Shotzi (whose real name is Ashley Louise Urbanski) explained the wild sequence of events in a series of posts documenting her whirlwind wedding day.

"JUST MARRIED! When I realized I would be performing in Vegas, we decided to elope before the show," she wrote in the first post, alongside photos of herself and her new husband sporting matching "Just Married" leather jackets and showing off their rings.

"It was very spontaneous and so perfectly us. I loved every second of it. Ill post something a little mushier later, but its now time for an action-packed reception!" she continued, referring to the WWE event.

Her next post a collaboration with WWE featured a video of the newlyweds savoring the happy moment after their impromptu nuptials at the Little White Chapel Tunnel of Love.

"It was perfect! Elvis was amazing!" she gushed to Alfaro, before glancing at her phone and exclaiming, "Oh, I'm going to be late for the show. We've gotta go!"

WWE captioned the video, "Congrats @shotziwwe! She got married AND still made it in time for the show ."

Shotzi followed up with a video capturing her running into the wrestling arena in her wedding dress and carrying her bouquet, before giving Alfaro a passionate kiss. She then climbed up onto the ring ropes and triumphantly put her arms up in the air as the crowd cheered.

Then it was time for the bride to get down to business. Another video showed Shotzi taking on several other female wrestlers in the ring, and as it turned out, her bridal attire didn't crimp her style at all. In fact, at one point in the action, she tore off her veil and began swatting her opponent with it.

"What a wild night!" she wrote in the caption.

Ash Urbanski/ Instagram

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Shotzi also shared a glimpse of her and Alfaro finally getting a chance to celebrate their marriage after the WWE show. In a fun clip, the two performed a karaoke version of the B-52s hit "Love Shack" in a bar.

"I have so many wedding photos and videos to share but here is what we did after the wedding and directly after my match. The LOVE SHACK is open!" she declared.

The couple received a flood of messages from fans and friends including Shotzi's fellow WWE stars. Actor and retired pro wrestler Dave Bautista wrote, "F--- yes!! Live like theres no tomorrow! Love it. Congrats!!"

Natalya Neidhart said, "So happy for you both!" while Brie Garcia commented with a series of heart emojis.

Shotzi, who signed with WWE in 2019, made her SmackDown debut in July 2021.

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WWE Star Shotzi Wrestles in Her Wedding Dress After 'Very Spontaneous' Las Vegas Elopement: 'What a Wild Night!' - PEOPLE

A woman is mourning her husband and the father of her seven kids after he died in a carjacking in the southwest valley of Las Vegas last Wednesday.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMP), authorities were notified around 3:46 a.m. about a shooting near Placid St. and Maulding Ave. They later learned that the suspect, Justin Davidson, 36, was allegedly shooting a rifle in the wash area behind his parents residence.

In a release shared by the police, they reported that Davidsons parents were awakened by the shots and headed towards the wash area. When they approached, Davidson allegedly shot the rifle towards them, killing his mother. His father went to his truck and Davidson allegedly shot at the fleeing vehicle.

LVMP said in its statement that when authorities arrived at the scene, Davidson began shooting at them from a hidden location. They added that he then commandeered a running patrol vehicle and fled the scene.

Davidson ended up on the 7300 block of South Durango Drive after police lost track of him during their pursuit. That was when he abandoned the police vehicle and later allegedly carjacked several citizens in a truck at gunpoint, said the LVMP, which added that those citizens were not harmed.

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The suspect then fled in the stolen truck to the 8500 block of Blue Diamond when he arrived at a gas station and allegedly carjacked another persons SUV, the authorities said.

LVMP added that Davidson, who was in the stolen SUV, then pulled up alongside a van in the area of Durango Dr. and Mistral Ave. He fired into the van, causing it to stop, according to authorities.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Davidson exited the SUV and ran to the passenger side of the van allegedly holding a long gun, said the LVMP.They added that Davidson then allegedly shot the van again, entered the vehicle from the passenger side, and pushed the victim out.

Officers fired their weapons at Davidson, who was struck several times and then drove off, per the release.

The victim who was pushed out by Davidson later died at the scene, said the LVMP.

After the van carrying Davidson came to a stop, the suspect did not comply with authorities demand to exit the vehicle, the LVMP said. When there was no further movement in the van detected, law enforcement moved in and Davidson was declared dead.

GoFundMe

The carjacking victim who died was identified as Jerry Lopez, 39, per a GoFundMe page established for his family.

According to the fundraiser description, Lopez was driving to work at the time of the incident. About four minutes up the street from his house, he pulled over after noticing police cars with flashing lights and sirens coming his way.

Upon stopping, the suspect who was fleeing from the police approached Lopez's car and allegedly shot and killed him. Then, he ran over Lopez with the vehicle, leaving the car totaled, per the GoFundMe description.

"Jerry was the heart of our family, and while we cannot bring him back, your support ensures his love and legacy continue to guide us," Jerry's wife, Karen Lopez, wrote on the GoFundMe page, which, as of Monday, raised nearly $400,000.

On Thursday, Karen spoke to Fox affiliate KVVU about the incident. She explained that she found out her husband of 13 years died after going to look for him after realizing he never made it to work.

There were so many people walking around and I just hoping that he was a witness and that they tried to take the car and he was answering questions, and I was praying that was going on, Karen said.

That's when she was told the news. She told the outlet, My stepdad had to catch me because I just collapsed in the middle of the road and kind of passed out because I couldnt handle it. It didnt seem real."

"The guy just walked up, shot my husband and threw him out of the vehicle, ran him over and took our vehicle, she added.

In the interview, Karen also noted how she and Jerry adopted six out of seven of their kids from the foster care system. Their oldest child, she said, is only 11 years old.

She told KVVU that there were kids that needed a home and we had a home. We were supposed to grow old together and raise them together.

She also explained how her husband, a driver for a medical company, recently found out he was being promoted. And because of the promotion, Jerry and Karen had spoiled their kids with presents for Christmas.

"He was just so proud to have a business card with his name and title he was just so proud, Karen shared. He was so happy to be able to start giving them out to his clients obviously I told him I wanted to frame one for him."

According to the LVMP, authorities in their investigation found a notebook with a diagram of a potential ambush situation indicating Davidson was prepared for an armed confrontation with law enforcement.

It added that investigators also discovered tactical equipment, prepper supplies, numerous military manuals, and documents regarding police responses to mass casualty incidents at two residences linked to the suspect.

Authorities said an investigation is ongoing, with the incident being examined by theLVMPD Critical Incident Review Team.

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Dad of 7 Killed in Las Vegas Carjacking: 'We Were Supposed to Grow Old Together,' Mourns Widow - PEOPLE

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man arrested after a shooting near a Las Vegas Strip hotel on New Years Eve did not appear in court Monday due to medical reasons, according to court records.

Jon Letzkus, 45, faces 74 criminal counts including gun charges and destruction of property, records showed. Seventy-two charges are for discharging a weapon in a prohibited area.

On Sunday morning, police received reports of several gunshots possibly fired from an MGM Signature Towers balcony near Koval Lane and Harmon Avenue. Onlookers reported more than 30 police cruisers and an ambulance on the scene. An eyewitness told 8 News Now that the activity began around 6:30 a.m.

No public threat after Strip shooting, man taken into custody, police say

SWAT also responded to the shooting.

When investigators determined the room from which they believed the gunfire had originated, police said officers began a slow and methodical search of the units. Officers found a handgun and ammunition.

Letzkus was taken into custody just minutes after the release of his photos.

Police called the shooting an isolated incident and reiterated that no one was targeted by gunfire or hurt.

Letzkus is scheduled to make his first appearance before a hearing master Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.

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Man accused of shooting near Las Vegas Strip hotel did not appear in court - Yahoo! Voices

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. For the second consecutive season, quarterback Jarrett Stidham will finish his year starting a Week 18 game on the grass of Allegiant Stadium.

But after starting for the Raiders in last season's finale, he'll face them on Sunday in a Broncos uniform with plenty on the line. A victory in Las Vegas would give Denver its first winning season since 2016 and Stidham his first road win as an NFL starter.

After Wednesday's practice, Stidham said he's excited for the matchup and noted that he spent plenty of time battling against the Raiders in practice last season.

"Obviously, [I'm] excited," Stidham said. "I spent a year there and made a lot of relationships with a lot of people. But I'm here now, so I'm looking forward to playing against those guys. I did it in practice, obviously, all last year. I'm just excited to get back in there on the opposing sideline and try and score some points and hopefully win."

Head Coach Sean Payton said part of this week's preparation has included working with Stidham on silent snap-counts, though Stidham's experience at Allegiant Stadium provides some familiarity.

"Obviously, he's familiar with this stadium we're going to," Payton said. "You go through the crowd noise. I would say today's the first day where we're in shotgun with him on a silent snap count. There are little nuances that obviously are more cadence-driven, and we'll work through that."

In his two starts with the Raiders, Stidham completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 584 yards and four touchdowns against the 49ers and Chiefs. Payton said the All-22 tape of Stidham's performance against San Francisco "opened a lot of people's eyes," and months after his Las Vegas finale, Stidham signed with the Raiders' AFC West rival.

Even with the impact that his starts as a Raider made on the arc of his career, Stidham said he doesn't view the upcoming Week 18 game as an audition for a future starting role.

"I'm not looking at it as an audition or anything like that," Stidham said. "I have a certain job to do, certain thing to do on each and every play, and ultimately, we've got to go out and win. That's what I'm focused on doing my job [is] to help those other 10 guys on offense move the ball and score points. That's how I'm looking at it."

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Broncos Notebook: QB Jarrett Stidham 'excited to be back' in Las Vegas, eager to help Broncos earn win vs. former team - DenverBroncos.com

From A-list entertainers and big-budget stage shows to celebrity chef fine dining experiences andluxury hotels, pools and casinos to breathtaking canyons, plains, forests and mountains, Las Vegas offers an experience like no other city. Here are some of the best things to do on your next visit.

Rolling into Las Vegas (Spanish for "the meadows") behind the wheel as a Sin City first-timer is a classic experience arrive after dark and approach from the south for maximum "wows" and the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas Sign, then cruise the 4.2-mile section of Las Vegas Blvd between Russell Rd and Sahara Ave, known the world over as "The Strip."

Take in Luxor's glowing beacon, New YorkNew York's Statue of Liberty, Bellagio's dancing fountains, Paris' Eiffel Tower, theMirage's erupting volcano and the gleaming beacon of The STRATtower.

Then visit ancient Rome at Caesars Palace and stroll down the LINQ Promenade, with its eclectic selection of fun boutiques, pubs and eateries, and the world's largest Ferris wheel, the High Roller.

Where to get tickets for the STRAT, the High Roller and the LINQ Zipline

Vegas is synonymous with world-class entertainment. Queen Celineaka Celine Dion, who previously retired,is making a comeback beginning in November 2021, and a host of big-name artists take up residencies here.

The hottest ticket in town, though, remains Cirque du Soleil. Whimsical costumes, aerial acrobatics and synchronized swimming create an electrifying atmosphere. Splash out on the original aquatic spectacular "O",Chinese martial-arts-inspired "K", musical tributes to the Beatles (LOVE), circus spectacular "Mystre".

Find out more about shows at the MGM Grand

In Las Vegas, celebrity chefs share star status with top entertainers, but few casino resorts feature as revered a culinary line-up as Palazzo and Venetian, whose lauded dining rooms include Napa Valley wunderkind Thomas Keller's bistro Bouchon, LA trendsetter Wolfgang Puck's steakhouse Cut, and original Food Network personality Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse (with a Cajun twist).

A selection of more casual offerings, including B&B Burger & Beer and Sushisamba, are accessible even to those who havent won big at the tables.

In 2011, when Vegas hosted the Electric Daisy Carnival (giant of the EDM world), attendance exceeded 230,000.

Casino operators soon seized a long-sought opportunity to reverse the visitor slump Vegas had endured since the 2008 economic meltdown: the everyday punter didn't have cash to burn on blackjack or risk on slot machines anymore, but wanted to escape the stresses of life more than ever.

Post-festival, MGM Grand's megaclub Hakkasan coaxed world heavyweight DJs Calvin Harris, Tisto and Steve Aoki into residencies, and today Vegas rivals Ibiza as a dance-party destination.

The 8 best parks in Las Vegas

In the race for the best resort swimming pool in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay's impressive "beach,"featuring 2700 tons of imported southern Californian sand, artificial 6ft-high waves, a "beachfront"casino and a lazy river you can float down before catching a summertime concert under the stars, wins hands down.

But don't let that stop you from attempting to sample every one of Vegas' ubiquitous pool-bars, from MGM Grand's Wet Republicto Encore's ultra-chic Beach Club and Caesars Palace's time-tested Garden of the Gods.

What to see and do at Mandalay Bay

Anchoring The Strip's northern extent, The STRATs glitzy, three-legged tower is the tallest of its kind in the USA. There's no better place to get a bird's-eye perspective on Las Vegas than from this vertical metropolis resembling a flying saucer on a pole.

Ride the country's fastest elevators up to the observation deck (869ft) at sunset or have a cocktail in the slowly revolving 107 SkyLounge. Nighttime is best for the biggest scares on the tower's thrill rides, or be a daredevil in the daylight and do a SkyJump free-fall.

Everything you need to know about the STRAT

This is a town where they tear down perfectly good buildings for no reason. The wrecking balls of The Strip swing ceaselessly, which is precisely why a trip to retro downtown is so satisfying.

Antique neon signs are given pride of place along Fremont St, and old-school casinos like the Golden Nugget and the El Cortez harken back to the Rat Pack era. Don't miss the Neon Museum, where even more Vegas history is lovingly preserved.

After cocktails on The Strip have stripped you of some serious cash, head to downtown's buzzing Fremont East Entertainment District. Start at Container Park to browse the stalls with an open container of IPA, chat with tatted-up locals and get your bearings amid trippy industrial art.

From here, happily spill out into the messy late-night bars along Fremont St. First Fridays 'round these parts are local legend: community-arts-festival-turned-street-parties, which give the nearby Arts District a mini-Carnival makeover onyou guessed itthe first Friday of the month.

Tired of smoky casinos? Detour from The Strip for a breath of fresh air and a fix of eco-conscious design at this educational museum complex.

The Springs Preserve is situated on the site where now-dry natural springs once fed Las Vegas and wheresouthern Paiutes and Old Spanish Trail traders set up camp.

Family-oriented attractions include the Origen Museum, the Nevada State Museum and the Desert Living Center, plus hiking trails, wildlife viewing, botanic gardens, a healthy-living cafe and a weekly farmers market.

How to survive a trip to Las Vegas

Recalling an era when the word "atomic"conjured modernity and mystery, the Smithsonian-affiliated National Atomic Testing Museum is a testament to the period in US history when the fantastical and destructive power of nuclear energy was tested just outside Las Vegas.

After visiting the museum, it's almost possible to imagine 1950s gamblers and tourists picnicking on Downtown casino rooftops while mushroom clouds rose on the horizon. Step down into the deafening Ground Zero Theater, which mimics a concrete test bunker.

Changing with the seasons, Bellagios conservatory displays ostentatious floral arrangements, installed by crane through a soaring 50ft-high ceiling.

Streaking down the center of Vegas' Glitter Gulch historical district Downtown, this five-blockpedestrian mallis lined with old-school casinos and topped by an arched steel canopy.

Hourly from dusk until midnight, the 1400ft-long canopy turns on a six-minute light-and-sound show. The shows are ridiculously cheesy but mesmerizing if you're drunk.

It's even more exhilarating if you happen to be zooming by on the zip-line cables attached to the 12-storySlotzilla, a slot-machine-themed platform at the mall's eastern end.

Slip away from the madness inside theFlamingoswildlife habitat, out back behind the casino. Over a dozen acres of pools, gardens, waterfalls and waterways are filled with swans, exotic birds and ornamental koi (carp).

Here, Chilean flamingos and African penguins wander around, and palm trees and jungle plants flourish in the middle of the desert.Glimpse pink feathers at the Tropicana (attached to birds, not an exotic dancer).

Just a short drive (13 miles) from The Strip,Red Rock's dramatic vistas are revered by Las Vegas locals and adored by visitors from around the world.

Formed by extreme tectonic forces, it's thought the canyon, whose 3000ft red rock escarpment rises sharply from the valley floor, was formed around 65 million years ago.

A 13-mile, one-way scenic loop drive offers mesmerizing vistas of the canyon's most striking features. Hiking trails and rock-climbing routes radiate from roadside parking areas.

The 8 best day trips from Las Vegas

It's hard to say what's more impressive: the museum's physical location in a historic federal courthouse where mobsters sat for federal hearings in 195051, the fact that the board of directors is headed up by a former FBI special agent, or the thoughtfully curated exhibits telling the story of organized crime in America.

The museum features hands-on FBI equipment and mob-related artifacts, as well as interviews with real-life Tony Sopranos.

What to expect at the Mob Museum

The boys from Las Vegas' very own minor league team theAviators hit fastballs here during the summer months, aiming for the Spring Mountains visible beyond the stadium.

Soar above West Las Vegas, with The Strip on one hand and Red Rock Canyon on the other with a one-of-a-kindballoon ride.

You might also like:Best free things to do in Las VegasThe best 8 parks in Las VegasThe art of downtown Las Vegas

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The 17 Best Things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada - Lonely Planet

Coroners in Las Vegas have identified human remains found in Lake Mead as its waters recede as those of a 39-year-old man who drowned nearly half a century ago.

The Clark county coroner said the remains were those of Donald Smith, a 39-year-old Las Vegas resident who drowned in April 1974. Officials ruled the death accidental.

The identification was based on DNA analysis and reports from the original incident, the coroner said.

A human bone was discovered last October in Calville Bay, by a diver who directed officials to the area.

It was the sixth set of remains discovered since May 2022, when a severe drought started to lower water levels dramatically.

Families boating, paddling and picnicking have come across haunting remains as the water reaches historic lows.

Along with human remains, the receding waters have revealed a second world war-era boat and a B-29 plane.

Three sets of partial remains come from a body found in May, when a couple boating on the lake came across a barrel with a body in it.

Intact clothing helped officials determine those remains dated back to the late 1970s or early 1980s. Local historians have speculated that the remains may be evidence of a victim of the mafia, who were known to dispose of bodies by cramming them into barrels.

One other set of remains has been identified. Thomas Erndt, a 42-year-old father, drowned in 2002 while swimming late at night. His remains were found on the popular Boulder Beach last summer.

Melanie Rouse, the Clark county coroner, told the Guardian in December Erndts family expressed gratitude over the recovery and identification as it gave them a sense of closure.

Thats one of the reasons why we continue to do what we do being able to provide closure and being able to return these unidentified individuals back to their families and provide them with a name, Rouse said.

Regarding the identification of Donald Smith, Las Vegas police said they did not have family contacts, the Associated Press reported.

Last year was one of the driest years on record in Las Vegas, as the American west experienced an unprecedented drought. Lake Mead, the largest US reservoir and a key water source for 25 million people, was just 26% full.

A giant bathtub ring could be seen along the lakes perimeter, showing just how low the level had fallen.

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Human remains revealed by shrinking Lake Mead identified half a century ...

FBI documents reveal details about Las Vegas mass shooter including possible motive that led to 60 people dying  KLAS - 8 News Now

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FBI documents reveal details about Las Vegas mass shooter including possible motive that led to 60 people dying - KLAS - 8 News Now

Las Vegas saw 38.8 million visitors last year, a 20.5 percent boost compared with 2021. But the double digit percentage increase was not enough to beat the citys 2016 record of 42.9 million visitors.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority also reported Tuesday that the city had more than twice the number of convention attendees in 2022 than in the year prior, hosting nearly 5 million people.

Overall hotel occupancy led the nation at 79.2 percent rate for the year, while the national average was at 63 percent, according to the LVCVA. Even though a room occupancy rate of 79.2 percent is good compared to its peers, it is well below the citys record 90.4 percent achieved in 1996 and again in 2007.

Clark County reported an average daily room rate of $170.98, up 28.9 percent from pre-COVID 2019. Gaming win in the county was $12.79 billion, beating 2021s record of $11.45 billion.

One more record could land the number of passengers using Harry Reid International Airport.

Reid officials havent yet reported December figures, but the 11-month total of 48.3 million passengers is just 3.2 million shy of the 2019 record of 51.5 million.

Kevin Bagger, vice president of the LVCVA Research Center, chalked up 2022 as a good year.

From the initial shadow of the omicron variant to record-shattering room rates later in the year, Las Vegas enjoyed a robust recovery trajectory across core tourism indicators in 2022, Bagger said. With December 2022 visitation just 4.6 percent shy of December 2019, the year closed out with 38.8 million visitors, 20.5 percent ahead of 2021 and 8.7 percent under 2019s tally.

But he added occupancy and room rates were what shined the most.

For the year, weekend occupancy reached 89.3 percent, 8 points over 2021, and 5.6 points below 2019, he said. While midweek occupancy reached 74.7 percent, up 14.2 points vs. 2021 but down 11.6 points vs. 2019.

The annual average daily room rate hit $171, he said, 24.5 percent higher than 2021 and 28.9 percent ahead of 2019. RevPAR revenue per available room reached about $135 for the year, 47.6 percent higher year over year and 14.9 percent ahead of 2019.

Travel to Las Vegas was boosted by several major sporting events such as the NFL Pro Bowl in February, the NFL draft in April, a full season of the Raiders and international soccer games that featured global giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Chelsea, among others.

Travel to the destination also became more accessible with the lifting of international travel restrictions paired with the addition of three new airlines and 36 new markets at Reid International.

Big year ahead

Bagger and the LVCVA believe the strong finish to 2022 portends a big year in 2023.

He said the city is facing $3.2 billion in major development planned throughout the resort corridor. Fontainebleau Las Vegas is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2023 with 3,700 rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.

The $2.17 billion MSG Sphere at The Venetian is under construction and scheduled to open the second half of 2023. It will feature 17,500 seats, an exosphere with 580,000 square feet of programmable lighting and the largest and highest-resolution LED screen on earth.

Several renovations and reinvestments will also occur this year, including room remodels at New York-New York and The Mirage rebranding to Hard Rock Hotel as well as renovations to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Major international sporting events are also on tap for what the LVCVA refers to as the Greatest Arena on Earth this year, including the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday, LEtape by Tour de France on May 7 and the inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 16-18.

Gaming industry analyst John DeCree of Las Vegas-based CBRE Equity Research said in a Tuesday report to investors that his company expects favorable trends to continue.

The Strip is now firing on all cylinders, with continued growth in gaming volumes, including signs of an early recovery in international play, such as baccarat, and higher room pricing as the rebound in group and convention business accelerates, DeCree said. We remain bullish on the fiscal year 23 outlook, particularly in first-quarter 2023 as the comps remain easy.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.

Originally posted here:

Las Vegas casinos, tourism got a big boost in 2022