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- BREAKING NEWS -
Posted: September 23, 2008 12:00 PM
Former Lake Havasu City mayor Bob Whelan has died in a Las Vegas hospital. It occurred earlier this morning. His death comes as a surprise to his friends. Lake Havasu Mayor Mark Nexsen says the death was a complete surprise. His passing is believed to have been from natural causes, but details are not in at this time. Whelan was also owner of Campbell Boats. He just held a grand opening recently. Nexsen says he “will be sorely missed and our prayers go out to his wife, Judy, his family…it came as quite a shock.”
Gumball-like Object Causes Quite A Stir
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ - The Desert Valley Elementary School campus was placed on lockdown yesterday, due to a custodial worker finding an object later said to be "pepperball" that had activated -- with the smoke from the object making its way into the school's ventillation system.
"At about 2:30pm we got the call -- it came in as a janitor on the roof of the school who sat on a red capsule and his leg is now burning," Public Information Officer Larry Tunforss said. After several fire department units, including a HazMat truck, as well as several police officers responded to the scene, "it turns out that when the janitor was working on an air conditioning unit, he finds what almost looks like a gumball," Tunforss said. As the man descended down a ladder, the "pepper ball" opened in his pocket.
Pepper balls are used by law enforcement and are paintball-like capsules used to disperse pepper spray.
Tunforss said when the worker went into the custodial bathroom, he tried to move the air away from his pants, which sent the pepper spray into an air handler. The smoke went into a neighboring room, where another worker was affected.
Tunforss said both men were treated at the scene and released and no students were "within a hundred yards" during the incident, which happened in a custodial area of the school. Officials are investigating where the "pepperball" came from and how it got onto the roof of the school.
County
Says Voter Registration Surge Continues
MOHAVE COUNTY, AZ - Although only 18% of registered voters in Mohave County cast their ballot in the September 2nd primary, there has been a continuous surge in the number of new registered voters. Administrative Supervisor of Mohave County Voter Registration Kim Stewart said, “We are seeing close to a thousand new voters each month...On August 4th, we had close to 99,000 active registered voters. As of [Friday, September 19th,] we have 101,183 registered voters in the county.”
Stewart added that during the last breakdown by party, with 100,559 total residents registered, there were 41,875 Republicans, 26,895 Democrats and 31,789 others, most of whom are
independent or non-partisan.
"During the last month, Republicans increased by around 300, Democrats increased by close to 200 and the total of independents and other parties increased by 400,” Stewart said.
The last day residents can register to vote in the updcoming November 4th general election is Monday, October 6th. Stewart added that “anyone who has changed addresses must reregister by then. They must show an Arizona driver’s license, valid Arizona I.D. card, U.S. passport or birth certificate as proof of citizenship. Anyone who wants to register or wants to update a registration can go to www.servicearizona.com, or fill out a new paper form that can be obtained at any county office, library or an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office."
Residents who want to check on their registration status or just want general election information can call the county's voter registration department at (928) 753-0767.
Spring Trial Set For Kingman Doctor
KINGMAN - Defense attorneys plan to challenge a local Court ruling in the sex offense prosecution of Dr. Ilangovan Govindarajan, 43. During a September 19 hearing, Ken Huls told Mohave County Superior Court Commissioner Lee Jantzen a Special Action will be filed with the Court of Appeals challenging Jantzen’s rejection of the defense motion to remand the case back to the Grand Jury.
Jantzen denied the defense motion to stay legal proceedings while the remand question is taken up with the higher court. Instead, Jantzen directed attorneys to continue working the case, scheduling trial to begin next April 7. Prosecutor Megan McCoy said the trial will take at least two weeks, while Huls said the defense expects a three to four week trial given likely extensive cross examination of witnesses and alleged victims.
Dr. Govan, as he’s known in the community, is charged with 32 counts of sexual abuse and assault for alleged offenses involving female health care workers. Dr. Govan has maintained his innocence since the allegations surfaced.
Legal proceedings and the Kingman Police Department investigation have revealed that the Dr. was previously reprimanded by Kingman Regional Medical Center for conduct involving women. Dr. Govan has voluntarily surrendered privileges to practice at the hospital, though he’s free to see patients on his own provided he is chaperoned during visits with female patients.
Two Electric Utilities Combine Forces In Nevada
NEVADA - Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power (which mostly covers the northern part of the state) will join forces and do business under the name Nevada Energy, Inc. Since both companies are publicly traded, the company says it will need shareholders' approval for the change.
Company president and CEO Michael Yackira said Monday the merger won't mean a loss in jobs and about the only things affected will be logos and letterheads. The company says it will continue to focus on a statewide three-part energy strategy -- including energy efficiency, solar power and conservation and renewable resource development. Customers in Laughlin and Searchlight will see the name NV Energy Inc. on electric bills within 60 days.
Nevada Energy now serves a 54,500 square-mile territory that stretches from Reno to Laughlin and supplies electricity to nearly 2.5 million customers statewide.
Meehan Case Enters Damage Phase
KINGMAN - Attorneys presented opening statements Monday in Kingman in the damage phase of a family’s wrongful death lawsuit against Lake Havasu City. Plaintiff attorney Charles Richards told the Mohave County jury that millions of dollars should be awarded to Ryan Meehan and his parents.
The jury, during the previous liability phase of the trial, determined that Meehan was 82% at fault and that Lake Havasu City was 18% at fault for a single vehicle rollover that severely injured Meehan in 2006. Plaintiffs argued that former Lake Havasu police officer Leo Grillas followed too close and too fast and should have terminated his pursuit of the vehicle that was targeted for a speeding violation.
The defense countered that Meehan was at fault because he was driving under the influence of alcohol when he committed the speeding violation and led Grillas on the chase that ended when Meehan rolled his mother’s Chevy Blazer. Meehan suffered a severe brain injury when he was thrown from the vehicle and his head struck a house.
Plaintiff attorney Charles Richards told the jury that the accident and injury leaves Meehan requiring nearly constant life long care and supervision.
``Ryan is a young child trapped in a man’s body,” Richards said. ``He’s confused and he’s irritable and he can’t understand.”
Richards asked the jury to award the Meehan family $626,000 for initial medical expenses, $4.6-million for future medical care and up to $3-million for wages he’ll never earn. Richards said it will be more difficult for the jury to award damages by placing a value for how Meehan and his parents have essentially lost their expectation for normal relationships with one another.
Defense attorney William Fairbourn said Meehan has only himself to blame for his injuries. He said Doctors will testify that Meehan was not wearing his seatbelt when he drove drunk and crashed and would not have been so severely injured had he buckled up.
``All of these problems came about for lack of wearing a seatbelt,” Fairbourn told the jury. ``The failure to wear a seatbelt greatly increased the injuries.”
Richards said that Meehan always wore his seatbelt and must have been buckled in during the wreck.
The jury is asked to determine whether Meehan wore his seatbelt and total economic damages. Mohave County Superior Court Judge James Chavez will consider those findings and the previous 82-18% fault determinations in calculating whether and how much money Lake Havasu City and its insurance provider owe the Meehans and their lawyers.
Possible Fraud Case Involves BHC And Havasu Stores
TRI-STATE - Police in Bullhead City are investigating a fraud case that occurred at K-Mart last July.
"Two men, who are believed to be Hispanic, said they were from the 'Christian Emergency Help Fund for the Handicapped and Disabled' and presented a letter explaining the virtues of the organization and the need to assist the less fortunate," Public Information Officer Emily Montague said. She added that on the same letterhead the suspects gave K-mart a "Promissory Letter of Guaranty of Payment" signed by the organization’s President, Margaret D. Emerson.
Detectives have learned that the two men bought some items at the store along with several gift cards for around $575, then gave the business a phony purchase order.
"The same illegitimate charity organization has also defrauded K-marts in Lake Havasu City and Las Vegas." Montague said. She adds detectives cannot confirm that the organization exists and urges other businesses to be cautious.
Anyone with information on this case should contact the Bullhead City Police Department at (928) 763-9200 or the non-emergency dispatch number after hours at (928) 763-1999.
MOHAVE COUNTY, AZ - Although only 18% of registered voters in Mohave County cast their ballot in the September 2nd primary, there has been a continuous surge in the number of new registered voters. Administrative Supervisor of Mohave County Voter Registration Kim Stewart said, “We are seeing close to a thousand new voters each month...On August 4th, we had close to 99,000 active registered voters. As of [Friday, September 19th,] we have 101,183 registered voters in the county.”
Stewart added that during the last breakdown by party, with 100,559 total residents registered, there were 41,875 Republicans, 26,895 Democrats and 31,789 others, most of whom are
independent or non-partisan.
"During the last month, Republicans increased by around 300, Democrats increased by close to 200 and the total of independents and other parties increased by 400,” Stewart said.
The last day residents can register to vote in the updcoming November 4th general election is Monday, October 6th. Stewart added that “anyone who has changed addresses must reregister by then. They must show an Arizona driver’s license, valid Arizona I.D. card, U.S. passport or birth certificate as proof of citizenship. Anyone who wants to register or wants to update a registration can go to www.servicearizona.com, or fill out a new paper form that can be obtained at any county office, library or an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office."
Residents who want to check on their registration status or just want general election information can call the county's voter registration department at (928) 753-0767.
Spring Trial Set For Kingman Doctor
KINGMAN - Defense attorneys plan to challenge a local Court ruling in the sex offense prosecution of Dr. Ilangovan Govindarajan, 43. During a September 19 hearing, Ken Huls told Mohave County Superior Court Commissioner Lee Jantzen a Special Action will be filed with the Court of Appeals challenging Jantzen’s rejection of the defense motion to remand the case back to the Grand Jury.
Jantzen denied the defense motion to stay legal proceedings while the remand question is taken up with the higher court. Instead, Jantzen directed attorneys to continue working the case, scheduling trial to begin next April 7. Prosecutor Megan McCoy said the trial will take at least two weeks, while Huls said the defense expects a three to four week trial given likely extensive cross examination of witnesses and alleged victims.
Dr. Govan, as he’s known in the community, is charged with 32 counts of sexual abuse and assault for alleged offenses involving female health care workers. Dr. Govan has maintained his innocence since the allegations surfaced.
Legal proceedings and the Kingman Police Department investigation have revealed that the Dr. was previously reprimanded by Kingman Regional Medical Center for conduct involving women. Dr. Govan has voluntarily surrendered privileges to practice at the hospital, though he’s free to see patients on his own provided he is chaperoned during visits with female patients.
Two Electric Utilities Combine Forces In Nevada
NEVADA - Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power (which mostly covers the northern part of the state) will join forces and do business under the name Nevada Energy, Inc. Since both companies are publicly traded, the company says it will need shareholders' approval for the change.
Company president and CEO Michael Yackira said Monday the merger won't mean a loss in jobs and about the only things affected will be logos and letterheads. The company says it will continue to focus on a statewide three-part energy strategy -- including energy efficiency, solar power and conservation and renewable resource development. Customers in Laughlin and Searchlight will see the name NV Energy Inc. on electric bills within 60 days.
Nevada Energy now serves a 54,500 square-mile territory that stretches from Reno to Laughlin and supplies electricity to nearly 2.5 million customers statewide.
Meehan Case Enters Damage Phase
KINGMAN - Attorneys presented opening statements Monday in Kingman in the damage phase of a family’s wrongful death lawsuit against Lake Havasu City. Plaintiff attorney Charles Richards told the Mohave County jury that millions of dollars should be awarded to Ryan Meehan and his parents.
The jury, during the previous liability phase of the trial, determined that Meehan was 82% at fault and that Lake Havasu City was 18% at fault for a single vehicle rollover that severely injured Meehan in 2006. Plaintiffs argued that former Lake Havasu police officer Leo Grillas followed too close and too fast and should have terminated his pursuit of the vehicle that was targeted for a speeding violation.
The defense countered that Meehan was at fault because he was driving under the influence of alcohol when he committed the speeding violation and led Grillas on the chase that ended when Meehan rolled his mother’s Chevy Blazer. Meehan suffered a severe brain injury when he was thrown from the vehicle and his head struck a house.
Plaintiff attorney Charles Richards told the jury that the accident and injury leaves Meehan requiring nearly constant life long care and supervision.
``Ryan is a young child trapped in a man’s body,” Richards said. ``He’s confused and he’s irritable and he can’t understand.”
Richards asked the jury to award the Meehan family $626,000 for initial medical expenses, $4.6-million for future medical care and up to $3-million for wages he’ll never earn. Richards said it will be more difficult for the jury to award damages by placing a value for how Meehan and his parents have essentially lost their expectation for normal relationships with one another.
Defense attorney William Fairbourn said Meehan has only himself to blame for his injuries. He said Doctors will testify that Meehan was not wearing his seatbelt when he drove drunk and crashed and would not have been so severely injured had he buckled up.
``All of these problems came about for lack of wearing a seatbelt,” Fairbourn told the jury. ``The failure to wear a seatbelt greatly increased the injuries.”
Richards said that Meehan always wore his seatbelt and must have been buckled in during the wreck.
The jury is asked to determine whether Meehan wore his seatbelt and total economic damages. Mohave County Superior Court Judge James Chavez will consider those findings and the previous 82-18% fault determinations in calculating whether and how much money Lake Havasu City and its insurance provider owe the Meehans and their lawyers.
Possible Fraud Case Involves BHC And Havasu Stores
TRI-STATE - Police in Bullhead City are investigating a fraud case that occurred at K-Mart last July.
"Two men, who are believed to be Hispanic, said they were from the 'Christian Emergency Help Fund for the Handicapped and Disabled' and presented a letter explaining the virtues of the organization and the need to assist the less fortunate," Public Information Officer Emily Montague said. She added that on the same letterhead the suspects gave K-mart a "Promissory Letter of Guaranty of Payment" signed by the organization’s President, Margaret D. Emerson.
Detectives have learned that the two men bought some items at the store along with several gift cards for around $575, then gave the business a phony purchase order.
"The same illegitimate charity organization has also defrauded K-marts in Lake Havasu City and Las Vegas." Montague said. She adds detectives cannot confirm that the organization exists and urges other businesses to be cautious.
Anyone with information on this case should contact the Bullhead City Police Department at (928) 763-9200 or the non-emergency dispatch number after hours at (928) 763-1999.
Too
Good To Be True? – Never! When nice things happen, it’s in the “Good News Report.” TSN is zeroing in on positive, uplifting stories with a special type of news reporting. We all know there are plenty of bad things happening out there on a daily basis. Is the good news being overlooked or too often put aside? The “Good News Report” will focus on uplifting and yes -- feel-good stories. It might be about something heroic in which a life is saved, a dog finding its way back home after a 400 mile journey, a new business opening up providing jobs and a better economy for the Tri State, or a good deed that is worth remembering. The “Good News Report” will air news from the area, state, region, nation, and world and show that sometimes hidden out there among the bad, are many special happy occurrences worth reporting. If you know of something personally or hear of a story being unnoticed, perhaps from the Internet, let us know. It might make the “Good News Report” and thus, make others feel better that day as well. Please send your ideas to rgalloway@maddog.net. |
DIGITAL DRAGSTER
Phoenix driver Keith Ahart, owner of the alcohol-powered street rail called "Second Urge," waits behind the starting line for his chance at the 1/16th-mile long strip on Beale Street as part of the Kingman Street Drags. Organizers from Route 66 Wings and Wheels, who helped put on the fifth-year event this past Saturday and Sunday, say over 16,000 spectators attended the two-day spectacle in downtown Kingman. (Photo: Paul LaVoie)
TODAY'S
GOOD NEWS STORY -- Help For Nursing Home Residents The federal government has expanded a special coupon program make the transition easier to digital television broadcasting for nursing home residents and users of post office boxes. Here’s what’s happening -- after February 17, 2009, all full-power TV stations in the U.S. are required to stop broadcasting their old analog signals. That means anyone who gets programming through an antenna and does not have a newer-model digital TV set will now need to buy a special box that converts the digital signal to analog. For most consumers, the government is offering two $40 coupons per household that can be used to buy these boxes. But people who live in nursing homes or whose mailing address is a post office box are not eligible. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which runs the coupon program, has paid close attention regarding nursing homes, saying they ''constitute a vulnerable community that may rely on free, over-the-air television to a greater degree than other members of the public.'' So –there are now new rules -- -nursing home residents will be allowed to get one coupon. A family member or representative from the nursing home can apply for the coupon on the resident's behalf. The change is for residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities and assisted living facilities. Residents who use post office boxes were initially excluded from the coupon program over concerns about possible fraud. However, now, applicants who use a post office box will be able to get two coupons through the normal application process. They will be required to provide their physical residence in addition to their post office box number. |
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