Joe Schoenmann

Story Archive

CenturyLink customers, enraged by billing error, take it out on county officials
Friday, Sept. 30, 2011
If your cable bill feels a little heavy this month, there’s a reason. But it has nothing to do with Clark County, even though commissioners have been fielding dozens of calls from CenturyLink customers irate over additional charges.
Increased demand driving new development in Las Vegas' core
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011
Real estate specialist Jack LeVine has during the past four months seen an intense and growing interest in downtown real estate. It reminds him of the mid-2000s boom, when on the first day a home was listed for sale, 10 potential buyers would offer bids.
For Water Authority, $500 an hour seems A-OK
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011
The Southern Nevada Water Authority will begin scrutinizing the wages paid to an attorney who works for the agency on bond matters, after a board member expressed astonishment at the way the Water Authority keeps track of its money.
County to consider sale of 9,000 acres to Chinese energy company
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011
The Clark County Commission directed staff today to consider a Chinese energy company's offer to purchase additional county land for a massive solar energy plant and solar-cell factory near Laughlin.
Could a mining operation save financially troubled shooting park?
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011
Gravel mined from the Clark County Shooting Range could save the financially troubled facility from being turned over to private interests or closing altogether.
Chinese energy company seeks more county land for 'eco-city'
Monday, Sept. 19, 2011
The Chinese energy company seeking to build a massive solar energy plant and solar-cell factory near Laughlin wants more land for the project. ENN Mojave Energy Corp. wants all 9,000 acres of available Clark County land about 12 miles south of Laughlin, not 5,400 acres as first reported in June.
Attorney adds volume to noise flap at Fremont East
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011
The rattling of sabers in the battle over a proposed downtown noise ordinance has grown louder with the hiring of a prominent attorney/former state senator by a downtown nightclub owner.
Want your grass back? Plant it, water authority says
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011
The Southern Nevada Water Authority approved a measure Thursday that some say could undermine years of water conservation efforts. In a 6-1 vote, the Water Authority agreed to allow homeowners and businesses to convert desert landscaping back to turf if a property owner is willing to reimburse the agency for rebates paid to induce the change to so-called xeriscape, effectively reversing a key agency water-saving program.
County not waiting on SEIU to make wage decisions
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011
After three months of negotiations, Clark County is far from agreeing to a contract with its largest employee union. County officials have already filed a labor complaint against the 5,000-strong Service Employees International Union, accusing the union of “dragging its feet.”
County rebidding jail project after district court ruling
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011
A decision by county commissioners Wednesday promises to put a spotlight on the differences in cost between projects bid with “project labor agreements” in force — which are typically more expensive — and those without.
Developers: A UNLV stadium could be built without raising taxes
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011
The public-private partners behind a proposed on-campus stadium at UNLV say they are developing a plan to build it without raising taxes. University administrators and Majestic Realty Co. have been working on a formula to allow the project to move forward.
Lake Mead pipeline vote leads to fall of Water Coalition
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011
All but dead. As of Sept. 30, that will be the status of the Clean Water Coalition, an entity that has had little mandate for almost two years.
Commissioner stunned by conservation group's coffers
Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011
Jaws dropped Tuesday when Clark County commissioners learned that a county conservation program has banked more than $50 million in research funds, with more than $40 million not targeted for anything.
Bali Hai Golf Club would disappear under developer's plan
Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011
After hours of talk about leases, failing golf courses and the American way, Clark County commissioners voted to let Bill Walters redevelop 140 acres of county-owned land that includes Bali Hai Golf Club.
County agrees to reality show for coroner's office
Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011
The science of figuring out how someone died will be the true focus of a “reality” TV show featuring the Clark County coroner’s office. We believe it can showcase some of the unidentifieds we want identified,” the coroner said.
Clark County coroner's office the setting for a reality TV show?
Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011
We all meet death one way or another. But do we really want to watch it week after week, then day after day if it goes into syndication? The Clark County Commission this week will consider a proposal that focuses on this issue.
Some question need for new rules to protect desert tortoise
Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011
A study of Clark County’s protections for desert tortoises and other wildlife could lead to higher fees for development and an expansion of the area covered by the protections. Although still in its early stages, a proposal to modify the county’s Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan could raise the fees from $550 to $1,600 an acre; expand by up to 200,000 acres the area covered by wildlife restrictions; and reduce the number of animals designated for research, from several dozen to fewer than 20.
Councilman's call for more quiet downtown is met with resistance
Friday, Sept. 2, 2011
A Las Vegas city councilman’s push to curtail noise at a downtown music venue threatens to derail development of the Fremont East District, critics say.
Unification Church 'means business' with Las Vegas facility
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011
When Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a massive warehouse near McCarran International Airport a few weeks ago, he thought he was dedicating a new boat-manufacturing company’s facilities.
Political retort amid contract debate raises eyebrows
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011
A flip comment about campaign contributions and lobbyists during the Regional Transportation Commission meeting last week left a few elected officials stunned and slightly miffed.
County approves Rhodes' planned project near Red Rock
Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011
Hundreds of people showed up at the Clark County Government Center on Wednesday to protest a plan by Jim Rhodes to develop some 3,000 acres off Blue Diamond Road, near the Red Rock National Conservation Area.
Sports complex proposal in Henderson a 'done deal'
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then one more time? Would-be arena developer Chris Milam is now courting Henderson officials in an effort to build a $2 billion stadium complex near the M Resort.
Water District contract sparks flap
Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011
County commissioners are growing increasingly frustrated that some taxpayer-supported agencies aren’t putting a high-enough priority in hiring Nevada-based companies for work in Clark County.
Caesars set to break ground on $500 million Strip project
Linq development to include observation wheel, entertainment district next to Flamingo
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011
Construction will begin this month on a $500 million mid-Strip development that will include a 550-foot observation wheel — developers insist it not be called a Ferris wheel — and a restaurant-entertainment district linking the Imperial Palace and Flamingo resorts.
County hopes to curb 'disorder' on Strip
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
If it seems a little uglier on the Strip these days, don’t blame plump tourists stuffed into Spandex and Hawaiian shirts, or the fleshy advertisements everywhere you look. Police say they're now dealing with a growing number of tip-seeking costumed characters and unlicensed vendors.
Frustration is spelled C-o-l-l-i-n-s at meeting
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Unless you enjoy deducing the meaning of a zoning-ordinance amendment or watching lobbyists prostrate themselves before elected officials to obtain development waivers, government meetings aren’t all that interesting. But one moment of levity and one of pure frustration made last week’s Clark County Commission meeting worth watching.
Under microscope, county firefighters taking less sick leave
Thursday, July 21, 2011
About six months after an arbitrator pointed out what he thought was obvious misuse of the sick-leave system, and after Clark County adopted stricter rules, firefighters aren’t calling in sick nearly as much as they used to.
Might NLV need to lean on Las Vegas for help?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The last visitor any city wants knocking on its door is the state Taxation Department. It means the city can’t balance its budget. It means the state might step in and fix the budget itself. In short, it means the city hasn’t done its job.
Citizens weigh in on state of affairs in North Las Vegas
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Recent news that North Las Vegas’ finances could be taken over by the Taxation Department, along with a story listing some of the decisions that have led to this point, prompted several calls and emails. North Las Vegas residents are angry.
Ladies' night remains legal, despite anti-discrimination law
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
With the stroke of a pen last month, Gov. Brian Sandoval made it illegal to discriminate based on gender.
As state eyes takeover, 5 reasons North Las Vegas is in financial trouble
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Last week, state officials said they might have to take control of North Las Vegas’ finances. City officials acknowledged that if things continue the way they are, the city won’t be able to make payroll starting in October.
$6 billion news escapes some Laughlin residents, but not for long
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
It could be the biggest thing to hit Laughlin since, well, ever. But word that Clark County will enter negotiations with a Chinese energy company planning a $6 billion solar-generating plant hadn’t drawn much attention Tuesday.
County backs proposed solar energy farm near Laughlin
Construction could begin this year or early 2012
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Clark County will begin negotiations with a Chinese company that wants to bring a massive solar energy farm and a factory to manufacture solar panels to Laughlin.
Clark County could send Legislature scrambling to fill budget hole
Friday, July 1, 2011
Let’s say Nevada’s attorney general agrees with Clark County and tells state lawmakers that they were wrong and must refund the $102.5 million they took from the county over the past two years. What then?
Solar project could be start of diversified economy
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Laughlin might soon find itself at the center of Nevada’s economic recovery, as a Chinese power company is seeking approval to build a solar panel manufacturing plant, industrial park and solar array there.
40 Clark County attorneys likely to be forced out of union
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Some Clark County attorneys whose jobs include working on contracts, drafting code and providing legal advice during public meetings won’t be members of a union any longer.
Many occupations finally spared onerous work-card requirement
Sunday, June 26, 2011
More than two years have passed since Clark County’s Business License Department set out to save money and make it easier for people to find jobs by reducing work-card requirements for several employment categories.
Residents say treated water is disgusting, but NLV says ‘no smell here’
Friday, June 24, 2011
Amber Blake’s plan for the perfect Father’s Day was scuttled by a most unlikely culprit — the knee-weakening stench wafting from the Sloan Channel into her backyard.
Clark County firefighters' on-duty boot drives likely snuffed
Friday, June 17, 2011
Clark County firefighters’ efforts to collect money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association are likely ending — at least while they are on duty.
Boondoggles? A look at 10 controversial public projects
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Few would argue that trash pickup, paved streets, law enforcement, mail delivery and schools are not fitting ways to spend tax dollars. But for every Hoover Dam, flood control channel, McCarran International Airport or Las Vegas Beltway, there is a government project that divides public opinion.
Measure that blocks government lawyers from unionizing fuels debate
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
An attempt by state lawmakers to prohibit doctors, lawyers and supervisors whose salaries are paid by taxpayers to unionize has laid the groundwork for a fight over exactly who is covered by the law.
Supporters disappointed in candidate’s mudslinging
Sunday, June 12, 2011
There was some head-shaking over the Las Vegas Ward 3 City Council campaign of Adriana Martinez, including among some donors to Martinez’s campaign such as Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak.
Is desert sign an eyesore or exercise of owner's rights?
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A test of Nevada’s claim as the libertarian seat of the United States is emblazoned on the Black Hills, just south of Boulder City. In gigantic white letters, painted into the hardscrabble brown of the Mojave Desert, are the words: PRO GUN CLUB/OPEN TO PUBLIC/7 DAYS.
Anger left in wake of film tax bill’s demise
Saturday, June 11, 2011
To hear Jason Watkins tell it, a bill to lure movie productions here using tax incentives — and the prospects for further developing a local film industry — went down the drain because of Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas.
Zappos would pay less for City Hall building under amended agreement
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Zappos is going to pay the city of Las Vegas less than originally planned when it moves its headquarters from Henderson to the current Las Vegas City Hall building downtown.
As votes came in, Goodman, Giunchigliani went about their day
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Instead of standing outside polling places shaking hands or knocking on doors to get every possible supporter to the polls, Carolyn Goodman spent most of Election Day popping in and out of her campaign headquarters, running errands — to the bank and dry cleaners — and writing thank-you notes to donors.
Giunchigliani makes final push in race for Las Vegas mayor
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Fighting against a “brand,” Chris Giunchigliani is taking her years of service into the last day of the campaign today against Carolyn Goodman, wife of Oscar Goodman, for the seat of Las Vegas mayor.
Metro Police officers, prosecutors in labor standoffs
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The labor tensions continue, as a second public employee union is at impasse with management.
Remapping trick: Keeping county commissioners in their districts
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Fred Kessler knows federal voting laws so well he’s been hired 11 times to redraw electoral district lines. He’s done it twice for North Las Vegas; six times for Las Vegas; twice for the Legislature and once for Clark County.
Should county go after $180 million appropriated by the state?
Some Clark County commissioners want to consider a lawsuit to recoup the funds
Thursday, June 2, 2011
With the Nevada Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the state’s pilfering of $62 million from a local agency, some county commissioners want to discuss suing the state for $180 million taken from county coffers.