Casey Harrison
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I cover breaking news and other things for @ReviewJournal. Ex @lasvegassun, @detroitnews, @NevadanNews. Raised by @thesnews. No affiliation with any pawn shops.
Articles by Casey Harrison
Black Hawk helicopter tied to influencer spotted in Las Vegas
A former military helicopter registered to a company managed by a popular social media influencer was spotted parked on a dirt lot in south Las Vegas this week. The 1981 Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter was parked inside a fenced-off dirt lot on Pebble Road near Bermuda Road as of Wednesday morning. Federal records show the helicopter is registered to FLT Services LLC, which is based in Woods Cross, Utah.
Lombardo check rejected as evidence during Fiore hearing
A $5,000 check written by Gov. Joe Lombardo for a statue honoring a slain Metropolitan Police Department officer was not admitted as evidence Tuesday during disciplinary proceedings against suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline denied a request from special counsel Thomas Donaldson to admit the check because Donaldson failed to provide a foundation for it to be considered as evidence.
Former Las Vegas Councilwoman denies misusing donations during judicial discipline hearing
Suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore denied using donations for personal expenses and testified in an appearance Monday that she believed a developer had paid for a memorial statue honoring a slain Metropolitan Police officer. Fiore’s comments came on the first day of a hearing before the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, which charged her with three violations of conduct rules related to actions that led to a 2024 guilty verdict on conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
Michele Fiore denies misusing donations at Nevada hearing
Suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore denied using donations for personal expenses and testified in an appearance Monday that she believed a developer had paid for a memorial statue honoring a slain Metropolitan Police officer. Fiore’s comments came on the first day of a hearing before the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, which charged her with three violations of conduct rules related to actions that led to a 2024 guilty verdict on conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
Jury deliberates flamingo abuse case
A Clark County jury has begun deliberating in the trial of a Canadian man accused of stealing a flamingo and injuring it during a stay at a Las Vegas Strip resort. Closing arguments wrapped up shortly before 11:30 a.m. Mitchell Fairbarn, 33, of Ontario, faces two felony charges of cruelty to animals. Authorities alleged Fairbarn stole a flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo resort’s habitat early March 3, took it back to his hotel room and tortured it.
Henderson police violated state law with delayed notice of inmate’s 2024 death, city says
The Henderson Police Department did not formally notify the City Council of an inmate’s December 2024 death until two months later, violating a state reporting requirement, according to the city. The department, then led by Chief Hollie Chadwick, was required to report the death within 48 hours, a city spokesperson said. Chadwick, who was fired as Henderson police chief in March 2025, is now running for mayor of Henderson against incumbent Michelle Romero.
UNLV regents appoint Chris Heavey permanent president with $628K salary
UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey’s job title got a little shorter. The Board of Regents voted 10-3 on Friday to appoint Heavey UNLV’s permanent president under a three-year contract. Heavey will earn a base salary of $627,816 per year, plus annual allowances of $8,000 for transportation, $18,000 for housing and $5,000 to host guests, according to backup documents included with Friday’s meeting agenda. The contract will take effect on Saturday and expires on Oct. 31, 2029.
Henderson mayor touts milestones in State of the City address
During Wednesday’s annual State of the City address, Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero announced a new partnership between the city and St. Rose Dominican Hospital to provide housing and specialized medical care to people recently released from the hospital. Romero said the collaboration will help establish a “Recuperative Care Navigation Center” at the hospital’s Rose de Lima campus, near East Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway.
Could the botched execution of Christa Pike be repeated in Nevada? Some have concerns
The failed execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee has been “the talk of the town” among prisoners on Nevada’s death row at High Desert State Prison, one of them said this week. “It scares me to death, because then I’m going to end up in a situation like this young lady,” said Pedro Rodriguez, 47, who was sentenced to die in 1999 for his role in the robbery and fatal shooting of Kimberly Fondy, a paraplegic woman in Sparks. On Sept.
Las Vegas man sentenced in fatal shooting of father
A Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his father was sentenced this week to up to five years in prison. Along with the prison term for voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon, District Judge Michelle Leavitt also imposed a suspended period of probation for Bishop Deshotel not to exceed three years, court records show. Deshotel pleaded guilty on Aug. 26.
UNLV faces undefeated North Dakota State in first-ever matchup
One team will leave Allegiant Stadium with its first loss in Mountain West play on Saturday when UNLV hosts undefeated North Dakota State in the first-ever meeting between the programs. The Bison (5-0, 2-0) are coming off a 28-0 rout over Wyoming for the team’s first conference win since leaving the Football Championship Subdivision’s Missouri Valley Conference in the offseason. They are one of 15 remaining undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Henderson police to detail shooting that left man dead —WATCH LIVE
The Henderson Police Department is expected to provide additional details about a police shooting last week that left a man dead. Police Chief Reggie Rader said Tuesday that a briefing will take place 11 a.m. Thursday at the substation located off East Sunset Road near Boulder Highway. Ropati Tauiliili, 48, was shot and killed by officers Julian Diaz and Thomas Whitney in the 6000 block of Eastern Avenue on Saturday. The officers were identified in a news release Monday.
Family Court rematch pits former judge against incumbent
A former Family Court judge who lost his seat in the 2024 election is challenging the incumbent who succeeded him. Attorney Paul Michel Gaudet was appointed to the Department N seat in March 2023 by Gov. Joe Lombardo after the death of Judge Mathew Harter. Gaudet was defeated by Kerri Maxey, a former public defender, in the 2024 special election to finish Harter’s term.
UNLV special teams seek tweaks after mistakes against Cal
Late in the second quarter of UNLV’s 39-31 win over Cal at Allegiant Stadium last Saturday, Rebels punter Matt Choules was presented with an opportunity he had never seen before in his young football career. The redshirt freshman from Canberra, Australia, was lined up on the right hash mark with 5:32 left in the second quarter on fourth down ready to boot his fourth punt of the game. There was also a massive gap on the left side of the field.
Criminal trial for Henderson councilwoman postponed
A judge agreed Tuesday to delay criminal proceedings for Henderson Councilwoman Carrie Cox, who is seeking re-election, until after the November election. Cox’s trial was initially scheduled to begin Oct. 19. But District Court Judge Nadia Krall granted a request from Cox’s attorney Joshua Tomsheck to move the trial start date to Feb. 8, 2027. Tuesday’s hearing was scheduled after Tomsheck filed a motion on Sept.
Coroner’s office releases autopsy report for David Vander Meer
An autopsy report released Monday revealed details about how a Las Vegas charter school counselor died by suicide in the Clark County Detention Center. David Vander Meer, who recently had been accused of killing his wife, 28-year-old Bernadette Vander Meer, decades ago at Zion National Park, used two strips of bedding to hang himself, according to the report.
‘A complicated map’: Henderson candidates push Boulder Highway updates
With campaign season in full swing and Henderson’s Reimagine Boulder Highway project underway, Councilwoman Carrie Cox and mayoral candidate Hollie Chadwick have taken it upon themselves to spread awareness about the project’s roadwork and traffic disruptions.
Judge to hear request to delay Henderson Councilwoman Carrie Cox’s trial
A judge could decide next week whether to delay the criminal case of Henderson Councilwoman Carrie Cox at the request of Cox’s attorney. On Tuesday, District Court Judge Nadia Krall will hear attorney Josh Tomsheck’s motion to push back the start of a jury trial that is scheduled to begin Oct. 19, according to court records. The motion was filed without opposition from prosecutors.
Albritton, Thompson compete for Henderson Municipal Court seat
The race for Henderson Municipal Court Department 1 has come down to an incumbent and a lawyer who serves as a substitute judge. Judge Alicia Albritton and attorney Gary Thompson are both on the Nov. 3 general election ballot after advancing from the June primary. Albritton, who was appointed to the bench in 2022, received 21,725 votes, while Thompson received 15,756 votes. Municipal Court judges in Nevada serve six-year terms.
Allmon and Cory face off for new Henderson Justice Court seat
A Clark County prosecutor and a Henderson assistant city attorney are competing for a newly created seat on Henderson Justice Court. Michael Allmon and John Cory are each vying to become the justice of the peace for Department 4, which is being established to help handle the court’s growing caseload.The pair advanced to the Nov. 3 general election after defeating two other candidates in the June primary. Early voting for November’s election will run from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30.
ICE inquired about using Henderson police training facility, according to meeting agenda
Immigration and Customs Enforcement inquired about using a law enforcement training facility jointly owned by Henderson and Boulder City, according to an agenda for a meeting of the facility’s executive committee. But the item was pulled from the Tuesday meeting’s agenda because it had been put there prematurely, a city of Henderson spokesperson said, adding that the existing agreement between Henderson and Boulder City that governs the training facility does not permit the proposed arrangement.
Henderson homeowners want builder to fix houses they say turned pink Original
A group of Henderson homeowners said they are preparing to sue a homebuilder because several houses in an Inspirada neighborhood have turned pink, which they suspect is due to a paint defect. Robert Nanos purchased his house on Stanza Street, near Bicentennial Parkway and Via Firenze, from Century Communities in 2018. The house was originally beige but has been discolored from years of sun exposure, Nanos said during a Thursday interview.
California lawmaker’s aide detained by immigration officials at Las Vegas airport
An aide to a California state lawmaker was detained last week by federal immigration officers at Harry Reid International Airport, according to multiple officials. Ho Yin Mo, of Hong Kong, was taken into custody on Sept. 17 during a targeted enforcement operation at the Las Vegas airport, an unnamed Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a Wednesday statement. Mo is being detained at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, a representative for the facility said Wednesday.
High Desert inmate dies at hospital in northwest Las Vegas Valley
A High Desert State Prison inmate died last week at a hospital in the northwest Las Vegas Valley, according to state corrections officials. Rodrigo Macias, 43, died Thursday at the Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, the Nevada Department of Corrections said in a news release. An autopsy was requested. Macias was serving a sentence of 36 to 96 months at High Desert for possession of a stolen credit card and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, according to the release.
CCSD monitor found incompetent to stand trial on sex charges
A Clark County School District campus monitor who was facing criminal charges related to allegations of sexual misconduct with a pupil has been found incompetent to stand trial, according to court records.
3 identified in fatal shooting near UNLV
Authorities have identified three people who were shot dead last week in a murder-suicide near UNLV’s campus. Ibrahim Jihar, 69, and Jimea Mahmoud, 64, both died from multiple gunshot wounds, and their deaths were ruled homicides, the Clark County coroner’s office said Tuesday. Abdelhafiz Abdelgader, 40, died from multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
‘She was such a happy person’: Las Vegas woman dies at 106
At 106, Manuela “Dolly” Diaz lived to be one of Clark County’s oldest residents. And she did it with a smile on her face, her loved ones said. “She was such a happy person, and I think that was the key to her longevity,” granddaughter Tracy Bias said. “She was very healthy and she loved to live life.” Diaz, of Las Vegas, died from complications of pneumonia on Aug. 18, according to Bias, 58, and her sister Carleena Shumway, 62, who spoke about their late grandmother in an interview Thursday.
Detective: Henderson SWAT officer shot man 14 seconds after breach
A Henderson Police Department SWAT officer fatally shot a 71-year-old man 14 seconds after officers breached his Las Vegas home to execute a search warrant in 2025, a detective said Thursday. Bruce Ayer died on June 26, 2025, after Henderson SWAT officer Michael Stevens shot him twice at his home in the 3800 block of Casa Colorado Avenue in Las Vegas, Detective Nickolas Papacs said during a fact-finding review of the shooting at the Clark County Government Center on Thursday.
Henderson considers allowing restaurants to sell alcohol to go, for delivery
Restaurant industry and business leaders asked the city of Henderson on Tuesday to consider allowing establishments to sell alcoholic beverages to go or for delivery.
Lawsuit: CCSD failed to protect student from teacher accused of sexual abuse
A lawsuit filed in federal court accuses the Clark County School District of failing to protect a 13-year-old former student from a junior high school math teacher accused of sexual abuse and grooming.
Former Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs transferred to Reno transitional housing
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs was transferred earlier this month to a minimum-custody transitional housing facility in Reno, a state corrections official said. Ruggs, 27, was approved as a “community trusty” in July and was transferred to Northern Nevada Transitional Housing on Sept. 4, Nevada Department of Corrections spokesperson Teri Vance said in a Friday email.
Metro: Man left dog in hot car during argument with ‘sugar momma’
A Las Vegas man is accused of leaving his dog to die in a hot SUV while he argued with his “sugar momma,” according to a Metropolitan Police Department arrest report. Eric Lee Ward was arrested at Metro headquarters and booked at the Clark County Detention Center on Tuesday on suspicion of willfully or maliciously torturing or maiming an animal resulting in death, the report said.
City of Henderson announces resignation of 2 assistant city managers
Two Henderson assistant city managers are resigning, a spokesperson said Wednesday. Assistant City Manager Angela Summers’ last day is scheduled for Dec. 3 and Assistant City Manager Alyssa Rodriguez’s last day is Sept. 23, the city’s public information office said in an email. Summers and Rodriguez were still listed Wednesday on an organizational chart on the city’s website as two of the three assistant city managers who report to City Manager Stephanie Garcia-Vause.
‘That same feeling of dread’: Las Vegas man recalls 9/11 at World Trade Center
Las Vegas resident John Glock remembers his last time at the World Trade Center. It was Sept. 11, 2001. One of the trains on his commute from Long Island to Manhattan was 40 minutes late that day. Glock’s bosses were out of town for a conference, and he was irritated at the thought of his co-workers thinking he was taking advantage of their superiors’ absence. Glock said he arrived at the World Trade Center at about 8:40 a.m., moments before American Airlines Flight 11 flew into the north tower.
Lawsuit alleges MGM failed to protect guest from spa massage therapist
A lawsuit filed by a Tennessee woman alleges that MGM Resorts International and other MGM-related entities were negligent and failed to protect her from a spa employee who sexually assaulted her during a massage at an MGM Grand spa in 2024. The woman alleged in a complaint, filed Friday in District Court, that she was visiting the MGM Grand spa Sept. 7, 2024, when she was sexually assaulted by massage therapist Steven Thomas during a massage appointment scheduled by her husband.
Authorities ID Burning Man festival attendee who died in ambulance
The Washoe County medical examiner’s office has identified a Burning Man festival attendee who died. Armando Ramirez, 51, of Truckee, California, died Friday in an ambulance while being transported from the festival for medical care, Washoe County spokeswoman Bethany Drysdale said in a Tuesday email. The medical examiner’s office released Ramirez’s name a day after Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said an unidentified person died while “in transit” to a Reno hospital.
Foul play not suspected in two Burning Man deaths, authorities say
Foul play is not suspected in the deaths of two men who died at this year’s Burning Man festival, authorities said Monday. Sampson Tshombe was pronounced dead by a doctor on festival grounds Thursday, and another man, Craig Mann, was found dead inside a trailer on Saturday, Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said in a press release.
Man, 62, dies days after being struck by van in east Las Vegas, police say
A 62-year-old man died several days after he was struck by a van last week in the east Las Vegas Valley, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Fernando Rolon was pronounced dead by medical staff at University Medical Center on Saturday after suffering life-threatening injuries following a crash Sept. 1 on East Mountridge Drive, east of North Hollywood Boulevard, Metro said in a news release Monday.
Henderson: 5 of 21 Sphynx cats seized from breeder have died; 6 taken from freezer
Five of the 21 Sphyx cats that were seized last month by Henderson animal control from local breeder Shanti Cloonan have died, a city spokesperson said Friday. “Out of the 21 Sphynx cats rescued, five of them passed away after the seizure due to their severe illness and failing health,” the city’s public information office said in an email. A spokesperson added six dead cats were impounded from a freezer in Cloonan’s residence. The city announced the seizure on Aug.
Metro tributes slain officer Abdelnabi amid opening of new substation
The Metropolitan Police Department’s newest substation has only been open for a few days, but officers are already filling it with reminders of a fallen colleague. Inside the briefing room at Hollywood Area Command on Thursday, a table displayed many tributes to officer Austin “Zade” Abdelnabi, who was gunned down in the line of duty Aug. 4.
Henderson City Council votes to eliminate retirement subsidy program
The Henderson City Council voted Tuesday to end an employee benefit program that subsidizes retiree health insurance premiums because officials said it’s projected to run out of money in just over a decade.
Henderson to consider ending employee retirement health care subsidy program
The Henderson City Council is considering ending a retirement health care subsidy program used by many city employees that officials say is financially unsustainable and to move them to an existing health savings account program.
Henderson police’s revolving door of chiefs marked by probes, controversy
Newly confirmed investigations into Henderson’s top police leaders follow years of controversies, internal probes, lawsuits and leadership turnover at the city’s police department. The city of Henderson confirmed Aug. 22 that it had asked state investigators look into allegations involving Police Chief Reggie Rader and Deputy Chief Matt Murnane. The city said Aug. 24 that Murnane has been on leave since Aug. 18, but did not release information about the scope of the investigation.
Complaint seeks transparency on Henderson officials’ consulting work
A Henderson man who ran unsuccessfully for mayor this year is calling for more transparency about consulting relationships involving the mayor and other City Council members that he says have led them to recuse themselves from votes on local matters. Adam Price, president of the Henderson Democratic Club, filed a complaint against Mayor Michelle Romero to the Nevada Commission on Ethics on Aug. 3.
Bail set for woman accused in fatal DUI crash near Strip
A judge on Thursday set bail for a woman who is accused of hitting and killing a motorcyclist while intoxicated near the Las Vegas Strip earlier this week. Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure set bail for Angela Denley-Dick, 55, at $25,000 cash Deputy Public Defender Max Berkley, who was appointed to represent Denley-Dick. If Denley-Dick posts bail, she will be placed under high-level electronic monitoring, and will be ordered to not drive, abstain from drugs and alcohol and stay out of trouble.
Woman accused in fatal DUI crash told police she smoked marijuana ‘several days prior’
A Texas woman accused of hitting and killing a motorcyclist while under the influence of marijuana in Las Vegas on Sunday told police she smoked several days prior, according to Las Vegas police.
Las Vegas man arrested in 2008 killing on eve of victim’s wedding
A Las Vegas man was arrested last week in connection with a killing that happened 18 years ago in San Francisco, according to police. Derreyl Goode, 40, was arrested in Los Angeles on Aug. 17 with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Task Force, the San Francisco Police Department said in a press release announcing the arrest.
Lawsuit: Henderson negligent in inmate’s 2024 death
A lawsuit alleges that the city of Henderson failed to provide adequate supervision and should have intervened sooner to prevent the 2024 death of a Henderson Detention Center inmate who died by suicide. Jaime Chrusch, 36, died on Dec. 6, 2024, six days after he was arrested and booked into the Henderson jail on suspicion of domestic violence, according to a complaint filed Aug. 17 in District Court.
Owner of Las Vegas dog training business arrested after bulldog dies
The owner of a Las Vegas dog training business is facing criminal charges after police said a bulldog traveling in an unlicensed company cargo van died from complications of heat stroke last month. Michael Martenies, owner of Sit Means Sit Dog Training, was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Thursday after turning himself in at Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, according to an arrest report released Monday by Las Vegas Justice Court.
Volunteer search and rescue group ‘a force multiplier’ for Southern Nevada first responders
As kids and parents wandered between booths during a block party at the Durango Hills Community Center in the northwest Las Vegas Valley on a recent afternoon, Red Rock Search and Rescue volunteers had a simple message for them. If you get lost, hug a tree and stay put. Volunteers know they’ll never learn whether those conversations prevent someone from needing to be rescued. But that’s the point.
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