DUI enforcement still a major priority, despite dismantling of valley's dedicated strike team

Friday, September 24th, 2021, 10:19pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) - The way major valley agencies are tackling the issue of DUI driving is changing, following the end of the multijurisdictional effort known as the DUI Strike Team.

There have been a growing number of DUI crashes in the valley.

The big question is what is being done to stop the problem, especially now that the DUI Strike Team no longer exists?

The DUI Strike Team was a joint effort between Metro Police and Nevada Highway Patrol.

It was also supported by the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety.

The goal was to stop impaired drivers behind the wheel by being out on the streets.

Even with it now gone, 8 News Now has learned the work from each participating agency continues.

It has been nearly two years since Misha Escobia lost her father, Marcial, in a DUI crash in Las Vegas, near Tropicana and Rainbow.

"There's a constant void there," Misha Escobia said.
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Friday, September 24th, 2021, 7:05am

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) - It was announced earlier this week that three local schools have been named “Blue Ribbon” schools by the U-S Dept of Education. The principals couldn't be prouder, starting with Michael O'Dowd from the Pinecrest Academy Inspirada campus:

“The teachers, the students, the parent are just elated right now. It's really exciting to see: to get a national recognition of what they've been working so hard for over the last five years. And part of that includes the last 18 months over the pandemic.”

And Jennifer Reynolds from Charlotte Hill Elementary who says it's all about the kids:

“It doesn't matter if you're a second language learner, individual with a disability, or if your family has some type of financial problem. What matters is that you are who you are. We're going to find your strengths. We're going to build upon them and we're going to help you reach your potential.”... Read More

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Friday, September 24th, 2021, 5:46am

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- A rollover crash on Wayne Newton Boulevard at McCarran International Airport could cause some delays for traffic heading to Terminal 1 departures Friday morning.

Metro police are investigating the injury crash which happened near Kitty Hawk Way around 4:30 a.m.

Motorists headed to Terminal 1 should allow for some extra time.

There was also a car fire on the Airport Connector near the 215 Southern Beltway around 4:15 a.m. That is no longer causing a traffic obstacle. ... Read More

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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, 10:36pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- UPDATE: A few hours after talking with 8 News Now, a family who was searching for a missing Washington woman last seen in Las Vegas shared the news that she had been found.

"They found Reatha...alive," the family tweeted to 8 News Now reporter Sasha Loftis shortly before midnight Thursday. Reatha Finkbonner had been missing since early September.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Three weeks after a young woman vanished while on vacation in Las Vegas, her family sat down with 8 News Now to share a plea for answers.

Reatha Finkbonner, 30, traveled to the valley from Washington with her fiancé and friends. She was last seen outside Bridger Inn Hotel near Main Street and Bridger Avenue on Friday, September 3, 2021.

Every day she doesn't come home, her family said things got harder. ... Read More

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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, 9:58pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- NV Energy issued a statement asking customers to beware of fraudulent calls and emails.

The company says those sending out scam phone calls and emails are falsely representing themselves as NV Energy and threatening immediate service disconnection and demanding immediate payment, often via MoneyPak card, Venmo, Zelle, and most recently, Bitcoin.

If you receive a call asking for payment of any kind, refuse and report the scam to NV Energy.

For more information on scam protection, or to report a scam, NV Energy has an entire page dedicated to helping customers. You can find that link by clicking HERE.... Read More

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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, 8:47pm

NORTH LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — North Las Vegas police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash sending several people to the hospital.

The crash, which involves three vehicles happened shortly before 8 p.m Thursday night at the intersection of E Cheyenne Ave & N Pecos Rd.

Preliminary investigation determined that a red Chevy Silverado was traveling southbound on Pecos at a high rate of speed. During that time a silver Nissan SUV was making a left turn from Pecos road to travel westbound on Cheyenne Avenue. The red Chevy Silverado collided with the SUV and both vehicles pushed into a silver Ford focus.

Inside the red Chevy Silverado were a male driver and a male passenger. Both the driver and the passenger suffered injuries and were transported to University Medical Center. ... Read More

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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, 7:12pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- A huge day for Golden Knights fans as they are allowed back into City National Arena to watch the team's training camp.

"This is a very intimate opportunity that the Knights do offer to the community to bring us closer and let us know the players, and watch their practice and everything. It's a fun opportunity," Lisa Noeth, VGK fan said.

The parking lot is once again filled with fans excited to see the Golden Knights back on the ice ahead of the San Jose Sharks game on Sunday.

"This is literally the best experience you're gonna have in Las Vegas regarding hockey," Christopher Green, VGK fan... Read More

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