Richard N. Velotta

Story Archive

Even with slot machines, McCarran falls short as one of the best airports to kill time in
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
What airport comes to mind when you need to kill time during a long layover? Here’s a two-word hint: Slot machines!
RTC to hold public meetings to discuss future of Maryland Parkway
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
One of Southern Nevada’s busiest streets that's a direct corridor between downtown Las Vegas and McCarran International Airport will be the subject of three public meetings to discuss future transit options. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada has scheduled meetings Nov. 8, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 to discuss transportation on Maryland Parkway.
Potential taxicab strike could put Clark County in 'emergency situation'
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
Negotiators with the United Steelworkers union and the Frias Transportation Management group met today, a day after taxi drivers took to the streets in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center to call attention to stalled contract talks.
Mexican airline launches service to McCarran
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
One of Mexico's fastest-growing air carriers will begin twice-weekly service geared to Mexican leisure travelers between Mexico City and Las Vegas later this month.
Board authorizes extra cabs to be on the roads if drivers decide to strike
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
The Nevada Taxicab Authority agreed to allow Southern Nevada’s 16 taxi companies to operate up to 30 additional cabs each if unions representing drivers of eight companies stage a strike. The measure was approved today in an emergency meeting.
Taxicab Authority considers measures in event of strike
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
The Nevada Taxicab Authority has scheduled an emergency meeting today to consider cab allocations to blunt the impact of a possible driver strike.
Spirit Airlines’ 3rd-quarter earnings beat expectations
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
While most airlines are cutting capacity to become more profitable, the fastest-growing airline at McCarran International Airport in the past year is expanding, and the strategy led to an 11.7 percent increase in third-quarter earnings.
New for your car: logo rims, fuzzy wrap and air mattress beds
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
One of Las Vegas’ largest and best-attended conventions rolled into the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, bringing car enthusiasts and thousands of automotive products together for four days of deal-making.
Skancke to head Las Vegas economic development council
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
The organization that is coordinating Southern Nevada’s economic development strategy has named a longtime transportation expert its first chief executive.
Passenger count at Las Vegas airport down 3 percent for September
Monday, Oct. 29, 2012
McCarran International Airport experienced its steepest month-over-month decline in passenger counts for the year in September, but it is still on track to serve more than 40 million passengers this year.
British Airways begins new nonstop service to Las Vegas
Monday, Oct. 29, 2012
British Airways began nonstop service to Las Vegas from London's Gatwick International Airport today, in what will become the first overseas competitive route to the city by two major international air carriers.
Something about this is scary
Do haunted houses have broad enough appeal to be permanent fixtures in Las Vegas?
Monday, Oct. 29, 2012
I often tell my out-of-town friends that it’s Halloween every day in Las Vegas. Between sexy cocktail servers, bedazzled entertainers and amateur street performers in superhero getups, you never know what you’re going to see when you go out in our city.
Viad reports increases in revenue, earnings
Friday, Oct. 26, 2012
The parent company of convention industry supplier Global Experience Specialists reported increases in revenue and earnings today, and a recent Las Vegas show had a lot to do with it.
Nevada governor urges federal lawmakers to legalize online poker
Friday, Oct. 26, 2012
A day after a prominent sports book director was arrested in connection with an alleged illegal offshore gambling ring, Gov. Brian Sandoval has sent a letter to federal lawmakers supporting a bill to legalize Internet poker.
$100,000 competition hopes to draw tech businesses
Friday, Oct. 26, 2012
A blend of optimists and pessimists, visionaries and doubters, entrepreneurs and investors, all with a common goal – diversifying Nevada's economy by cultivating science and technology businesses – hooked up Thursday night in a historic gathering in downtown Las Vegas.
Caesars Entertainment, Republic Airways pair for gambler vacation packages
Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012
Caesars Entertainment has signed a three-year agreement with Republic Airways to provide charter flights for Caesars customers nationwide.
Rise in international travel has been boon for Las Vegas, report shows
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012
International travel to the United States has doubled in the past 20 years and few places have seen a greater expansion than Las Vegas, the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program said in a report issued today.
Allegiant Travel reports record 3rd-quarter earnings
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., which operates Allegiant Air, reported record third-quarter earnings, boosted by greater passenger capacities, new routes to Hawaii and lower operational costs.
Report: Las Vegas airport ranks 5th for TSA officers fired for theft
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012
The Transportation Security Administration office serving McCarran International Airport had the fifth highest number of officers fired for theft in the country in the last 10 years, a broadcast report says.
LVCVA is flush with cash, signaling a healthier tourism industry
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012
While some are still awaiting a turnaround from the worst economic times they’ve ever seen, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is flush — so flush that the LVCVA board is being asked to increase the authority’s general fund budget by $10.6 million.
More cabs OK’d for SEMA auto parts show
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012
With one of the city’s five biggest conventions of the year on the horizon, the Nevada Taxicab Authority didn’t want to take any chances on poor cab service. It voted Tuesday to allocate additional cabs for next week’s Specialty Equipment Marketing Association show.
Baseball hangs in the balance
Cashman Field lease agreement was a hot topic at the LVCVA’s board meeting
Monday, Oct. 22, 2012
What looked like a routine lease deal between the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas 51s mushroomed into something much bigger. At an LVCVA board meeting, there were accusations, power plays and the threat of losing professional baseball in Las Vegas, plus appearances by a descendent of one of baseball’s greats and the caretakers of a company named for a historic business figure.
Interstate 11 project could include highway on eastern rim of valley
Friday, Oct. 19, 2012
The Nevada Department of Transportation hasn't ruled out building a highway on the eastern rim of the valley as part of the Interstate 11 project, but planners admit it would be an expensive proposition that essentially would complete a freeway loop around Las Vegas.
Employee accuses Taxicab Authority official of sharing confidential information
Friday, Oct. 19, 2012
A longtime employee of the Nevada Taxicab Authority has accused the agency’s administrator of ordering confidential financial information to be sent to a taxicab company employee whose union is in contract negotiations with three cab companies.
Hospitality industry served ideas to improve customer service in Las Vegas
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012
With the marketers of Las Vegas stepping up their games to attract more visitors to the city from overseas, the hospitality industry needs to sharpen its hosting skills to keep customers happy and turn them into repeat customers, a panel of industry experts said.
State approves tax abatements for two companies coming to Southern Nevada
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012
The board of directors of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development on Thursday unanimously recommended tax abatements and deferrals for two companies planning to develop operations in Southern Nevada that would provide more than 300 jobs.
Southwest Airlines sees record revenue for third quarter
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012
Record third-quarter revenue and load factors propelled Las Vegas market leader Southwest Airlines to a profitable quarter, the company reported today.
Two years later, lessons learned from Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012
Two years have passed since the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened over the Colorado River near the Hoover Dam. When it was built, the bridge bypassed 3.5 miles of hairpin-turn roads dotted with pedestrians. But few foresaw a major flaw in the project: When the new four-lane section of U.S. 93 opened, traffic jams formed in both directions on a 4.5-mile, two-lane uphill climb from the Hacienda to the traffic signal at Nevada Highway and Buchanan Boulevard in Boulder City. Boulder City Mayor Roger Tobler now hopes that highway designers can anticipate jams as they move forward developing U.S. 93 into Interstate 11 and building a 14-mile possible toll loop around Boulder City.
Coalition shifts focus from Olympics to bringing other competitions to Nevada
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012
With the U.S. Olympic Committee bagging a U.S. bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, a coalition of winter sports enthusiasts will focus instead on attracting other sports competitions to the state, including the possibility of bringing a curling event to Las Vegas.
Taxi drivers reject labor agreement, authorize strike
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012
Union taxi drivers in a contract dispute with the Frias Transportation Management group have overwhelmingly rejected a labor agreement and authorized union leaders to strike.
Exactly what they’re afraid of
Panelist at Global Gaming Expo says online poker may be just the beginning
Monday, Oct. 15, 2012
Had there been a real table set up for the round-table discussion on the state of the casino industry at the recent Global Gaming Expo, the CEOs gathered around it would have been kicking the shins of Walter Bugno, the head of Spielo International.
Monorail in the black, but it needs an image boost
Monday, Oct. 15, 2012
Former Clark County Manager Pat Shalmy now chairs the Las Vegas Monorail’s board of directors, and former Regional Transportation Commission deputy manager Curtis Myles serves as its president. They and Ingrid Reisman, vice president of corporate communications, sat down with VEGAS INC to discuss what’s next for the transportation system critics love to hate.
Two companies eye move to Las Vegas Valley, bringing 300 jobs
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012
Two companies that would offer more than 300 jobs combined say they're moving to Southern Nevada and could open their doors by the end of the year. Niyato Industries, a Charlotte, N.C., company, and V5 Technologies LLC are planning to relocate.
'What happens here' has been a hit everywhere
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012
While there are dozens of classic examples of ad campaigns gone wrong when they’re translated into foreign languages, “What happens here, stays here” as a pitch for Las Vegas appears to have broad international appeal.
Southern Nevada visitor volume up slightly in August
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012
Visitor volume was up slightly in Southern Nevada in August compared to last year, thanks primarily to conventions that were here this year and not in 2011 and an uptick in auto traffic from California.
Two major conventions extend contracts in Las Vegas
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012
Representatives of two major conventions that annually rank among the top five shows in Las Vegas by attendance and are expected to produce a non-gaming economic impact of more than $1.4 billion over five years have signed new contracts with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, and MAGIC, Men’s Apparel Guild in California, signed deals that will keep them at the Las Vegas Convention Center for five and three years, respectively.
Las Vegas 51s get 10-year lease extension at Cashman Field
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s board of directors went extra innings today to approve a 10-year lease at Cashman Field for the city’s minor league baseball franchise.
Know the rules of the road
Monday, Oct. 8, 2012
It’s evident every time I go for a drive just how bad the motorists of Southern Nevada are. We treat Interstate 15 like a NASCAR track. Not a day goes by that I don’t see a high-speed moving violation on my commute between home and work.
Las Vegas offers religious leaders unique challenges but potential for growth
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012
Hundreds of spiritual leaders have come to Las Vegas to preach, and if their eyes weren’t already wide open to its unique personality and obvious challenges, they needed to be. Their reasons for settling here vary, and they say finding someone with the right personality to preach here can be tricky.
Pastor-in-training chooses Sin City church to develop her skills
Part of her ministry: to confront sex trafficking in Southern Nevada
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012
Kaitlyn Ferguson is taking her first walk along the Las Vegas Strip. Everywhere around her is a world of gluttony and debauchery. It might be the perfect place to develop her preaching skills.
Gaming executives predict industry growth over the next 5 years
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012
Representatives of six gaming companies are optimistic about what the future holds for the industry with expansion and technological advancements leading growth in the next five years.
Doubtful online poker will be passed this year, trade official says
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012
The gaming industry will need a little gambler’s luck to get Internet poker legislation passed in the lame-duck session after the November election, a trade association official said.
Passenger growth expected at McCarran International Airport
Monday, Oct. 1, 2012
After five years of airline capacity bleeding out of McCarran and a corresponding decline in domestic passenger counts, there may now be some good news on the horizon for Las Vegas. Two well-respected aviation analysts expect growth at the airport that serves Las Vegas over the next five years.
Allegiant says safety first
Tower staffing cited as reason for airline leaving Northern Colorado market
Monday, Oct. 1, 2012
Residents of Northern Colorado have been scratching their heads over Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air’s decision to end service to Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport this month. It turns out that a safety issue was behind the decision.
Passenger traffic up at Las Vegas airport for August
Friday, Sept. 28, 2012
McCarran International Airport passenger counts inched upward in August, reversing a two-month trend of slight declines.
Allegiant Air adding flights between Las Vegas and Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air will tap a new Canadian border market later this year with nonstop flights between McCarran International Airport and Plattsburgh, N.Y.
New York challenging Las Vegas in race for tallest Ferris wheel
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
Everybody knows that big wheels roll in New York City. And New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is out to prove it. The mayor was scheduled today to announce construction of a 650-foot Ferris wheel — and they’re calling it that, not an observation wheel — on Staten Island’s north waterfront, just north of the Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George.
Wynn, Encore join luxury hotel association
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore have joined the Preferred Hotel Group, an association of more than 650 independent luxury hotels in 85 countries, in a move to expand sales.
Downtown zip line owner fears Fremont Street Experience officials are trying to take his business
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
The owner of Flightlinez took a risk two years ago when he brought zip lines to Fremont Street. Downtown had not yet undergone its renaissance, the nearby Neonopolis was virtually empty of tenants, and casinos dominated the Fremont Street Experience. Today, the attraction is a soaring success. In fact, it lures so many riders and is so profitable that the Fremont Street Experience itself is reportedly considering taking it over. Ian Green, founder of Greenheart LLC, which runs Flightlinez, recently told VEGAS INC he is concerned that the Fremont Street Experience’s board of directors is developing plans that would eliminate his company as the operator of the attraction.
Strip zip line between Luxor and Excalibur is still a possibility
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
Remember that proposal to develop four zip lines at Luxor and Excalibur? It’s still in play – maybe.