Mesquite Local News

Posting Date: 02-03-2012

On Friday, January 27th, Mesquite Police Officers participated in a “Joining Forces” event where officers issued citations to motorists for failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians within crosswalks. Many of the drivers who were cited stated that they were unsure when they should or should not stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Crosswalks may be marked or unmarked. Marked crosswalks are typically designated by white lines painted upon the roadway from curbside to curbside or from the edge of one side of the road across to the opposite side of the road. They may be marked with or without a sign.

Nevada law requires a driver of a vehicle to yield the right of way (by slowing down or stopping) to a pedestrian crossing the road within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the road that the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the road as to be in danger. [Read full story]

Abbie Barnard Leads Lady Bulldogs Over Bengals 51-38

Posting Date: 02-02-2012

By Lou Martin

Bulldog Abbie Barnard #14 drives for two of her 23 points Wednesday night
in the ‘Dawg House leading the Bulldogs to a 51-38 win over Bonanza High
School. Photo by Lou Martin.

Point guard Abbie Barnard made her presence know quickly Wednesday scoring five of her game high 23 points in the first minutes of the Bulldogs win over Bonanza High School Bengal’s 51-38. Guard Nikki Arquette started the ball rolling for the Bulldogs hitting the first bucket. Although threatened the Bulldogs would never trail in the game. The Bulldogs led 9-2 before letting the Bengal’s back in by allowing six unanswered points with sloppy ball handling. Coach Chimane Creer called timeout with 2:55 remaining in the period with the Bulldogs up 9-8. Creer put backup center Kourtney Metzger into the game and Metzger immediately blocked a Bengal shot and scored the last four points of the period for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs led 13-8 after one period. Barnard hit the next four points to give the Bulldogs a lead of 17-8. The Bulldogs would only manage one more point in the period to lead 18-15. Sloppy play and poor shooting hampered both teams. [Read full story]

Mesquite Police issue 54 citations and 36 warnings during “Joining Forces”

Posting Date: 02-02-2012

On Friday, January 27th Mesquite Police Officers participated in a “Joining Forces” event which resulted in 54 citations being issued to motorists for various violations. Mesquite had 5 officers in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers roaming the City of Mesquite looking for motorists talking on cell phones, failing to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, and seat belts just to name a few.

The event ran from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and at the end of the day issued: [Read full story]

Bulldog Wrestling Team Defeats Vikings 46-18

Posting Date: 02-02-2012

By Lou Martin

Bulldog Andrew Anderson wrestling at 145 lbs. pins his Viking opponent in 1:37
minutes of the first round Tuesday night in the ‘Dawg House. Photo by Lou Martin

The Virgin Valley High School Bulldog wrestlers easily dispatched the Valley High School Vikings 46-18 Tuesday evening in the 'Dawg House. Although forfeiting four matches in the heavier weight classifications, the Bulldogs lost only one match the rest of the way. Bulldog Andrew Anderson started the Bulldogs off pinning his Viking opponent at 145 lbs. in 1:37 minutes to give the ‘Dawgs a six zero lead. The Bulldogs then forfeited the 152 lb. and 160 lb. weight classes to give the Vikings a 12-6 advantage.

Bulldog Eddie Alemen was pinned by his Viking opponent in the third round after 4:54 minutes of wrestling increasing the Viking lead to 18-6. 'Dawg heavyweight won his match on a forfeit to cut the Viking lead to 18-12. It was all Bulldogs after that as Brock Williams wrestling at 106 lbs. quickly pinned his opponent in 1:54 minutes of the first round.
[Read full story]

Mesquite’s blue skies welcome first Hot Air Balloon Festival

Posting Date: 02-02-2012

By Teri Nehrenz

This balloon is called “Tequila Sunrise,” and is owned by Bill Howe.
Chris Hardy, his crew chief, along with Howe operate Paladin Balloon
Rides in St. George, Utah. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Ask any balloon enthusiast out at the CasaBlanca last weekend what got them into ballooning and the answer 90 percent of the time was, “Well, my first ride cost me a couple of hundred dollars and the second one cost me $20,000.”

I heard that answer a lot but that’s not quite the way it happened for me. I’m hooked but I never got the ride.

It all began with a simple e-mail from my editor Kent Harper.

I thought I had hit the Arizona lottery (as it turned out I was only one number off), but the e-mail began with, “The press has been invited…” I couldn’t believe it, I was going to get to ride in a hot air balloon and tell a story about it. It wasn’t on my “bucket list.” I’ve never been a huge fan of heights, but life doesn’t get much better than being presented with an opportunity like that.

I woke up at 4 a.m. Friday morning to meet my editor at 6 a.m. and such is my luck, it was far too windy to safely launch… so nobody got to fly that day.

I was assigned to hang around and interview some pilots, so I did. I listened to the same answer several times to the question I mentioned above. That’s a good answer but it didn’t tell me much about why people get hooked on ballooning. Then I met Bill Howe.

He called himself “The Ambassador for Ballooning.” I believe him. Howe didn’t tell me the same pat thing I heard from others. Instead, he told me his story. [Read full story]

Lady Bulldogs take a 62-37 bite out of Clark

Posting Date: 02-01-2012

Bulldog guard Nikki Arquette hits for two of her game high 10 points
leading her team over the Pirates 50-24 last week. Tonight, they are at
home against Bonanza. Photo by Lou Martin

The Lady Bulldogs improved their record to 11-9 with a resounding 62-37 win Tuesday over Clark High School in the ‘Dawg House.

The Lady Bulldogs outscored Clark in each quarter out-performing their opponents 14-9 in the first period and earning 12 to Clark’s 5 to finish the first half. The third quarter was closer with Clark sinking 12 points, but still behind Virgin Valley’s 18. Another 18 points in the fourth quarter to Clark’s 11 ended the game at 62-37.

Abbie Barnard was high scorer with 23 followed by Kourtney Metzger with 12. Nikki Arquette scored 8. Josie Grajek and Alora Bonner each had 6 with Amanda Stenberg at 5 and Kirston Tanner with 2.

The Lady Bulldogs play vs Bonanza High School tonight at 6:30 p.m. and play their arch rival the Lady Pirates at Moapa Friday at 6 p.m.
[Read full story]

Exit 120 work in new phase

Posting Date: 02-01-2012

By Robin Cude
Development Services Dept.

Construction of the new West Mesquite Interchange at Exit 120 has been progressing steadily, and with the completion of the Bridge Slide a new phase has begun. The contractor, W.W. Clyde, has developed a traffic plan to help facilitate the ease of traveling through the project during this new phase.

Motorist will notice that the temporary traffic signals that have been controlling traffic flows at the on/off ramps have been removed. The use of flaggers and stop signs will now control the flows throughout the remainder of the project. [Read full story]

Las Vegas man killed in Saturday morning collision

Posting Date: 01-30-2012

The victim of a predawn collision Saturday at Riverside Road and Hafen Lane has been identified by the Nevada Highway Patrol as Robert W. McGrew, 49, of Las Vegas.
McGrew was driving a 1996 Chrysler van west on Hafen Lane about 5 a.m. Saturday when he failed to stop at the intersection with Riverside Road, State Route 170.
His vehicle was struck on the left side by a northbound Virgin Valley Disposal truck.
McGrew was pronounced dead at the scene. The garbage truck driver was not injured.
[Read full story]

Mesquite Balloon Festival soars in first year

Posting Date: 01-30-2012

A fascinating and festive Night Glow event on the grounds of the
CasaBlanca drew a huge crowd Saturday night.

The inaugural Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival Jan. 28-29 did more than bring color and a level of mystique to the city about 80 miles north of Las Vegas.

With two dozen participants involved in yet another “first” for Mesquite, the gala gathering introduced a level of charm while also serving as the focal point of another (CasaBlanca Chief Operating Officer) Randy Black television commercial scheduled to air in the near future.

“This is the most spectacular and majestic thing we ever done in Mesquite and we can’t wait to have it back next year -- and I’m not full of hot air when I tell you that,” Black roared before heading for the sky in the “basket” of a balloon rising above the CasaBlanca’s west parking lot.

From youngsters to senior citizens and everyone in between, the Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival lived up to its expectations even though it was hampered Saturday by winds that prevented the throng of pilots from “launching” equipment that made the film “Up, Up and Away” an international favorite. [Read full story]

VVES Students Get Hot Air Display

Posting Date: 01-30-2012

By Stephanie Frehner

Friday was a special day at Virgin Valley Elementary as 4th & 5th graders enjoyed the chance to see a hot air balloon up close and personal. Click to see a complete slideshow of the day's events. [Read full story]

More . . . HOME/Local News

01-30-2012 - Mesquite Days Events Set for May 3-6

01-29-2012 - CasaBlanca Resort to host third annual BransonFest Out West Feb. 6-8.

01-27-2012 - Dangerfield returns to his roots in athletics

01-25-2012 - Mayor: Mesquite economy ‘not out of the storm’

01-24-2012 - The west side of Falcon Ridge Parkway has been shut down at Pioneer.

01-22-2012 - Northern Utah hot air balloonists heading for Mesquite event Jan. 28-29

01-20-2012 - City council told most voters want smoke-free environment

01-20-2012 - MPD Issues Road Construction Update

01-19-2012 - Money to buy water shares dries up at VVWD

01-17-2012 - Smokin’ Big Chili Challenge II raises about $5,500 for Goodie Two Shoes organization

01-17-2012 - Volunteers needed for Jan. 28-29 Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival