Local News

Residents on Lee Drive wanted passing motorists to slow down on their street. But some don’t like the city’s solution to the problem.

Last year, the city finished a roundabout at Lee and Kierig Street, along with medians on the approach to the intersection. The roundabout includes 22 signs, many more than are usually posted at a roundabout.

At last week’s Las Vegas City Council meeting, Public Works Director Carlos Ortiz wanted direction on what to do with the intersection, saying he had received conflicting signals.

Mayor Tony Marquez has asked the state attorney general to investigate billing adjustments made by former Utilities Director George DuFour, which the mayor’s administration suggested were made “without legal authority.”

The city isn’t building its case on a law or ordinance, but rather on an internal policy drafted nearly two decades ago.

Clyde Pickett has lived at his property northeast of town for 43 years. These days, he has to contend with trash flying onto his land.

About a decade ago, the city built its transfer station next to Pickett’s property, and since then, people living in the area have complained about garbage ending up on their land.

Of course, the problem gets much worse this time of year when the winds pick up.

Last week, Pickett took a reporter to his fence line. All along were bags and other pieces of garbage that clung to the barbed wire.  

On Feb. 2, someone ran into the control box for the traffic lights at University and Grand avenues. The lights have been out of order ever since.

The cost of repairs will be $20,000 to $30,000, said Christina Romero, the Department of Transportation’s spokeswoman. That is so high the department decided to make the intersection a four-way stop until it completes a project to improve that area of Grand Avenue, she said.

Such improvements may not be finished until 2010 or 2011.

“It will be an extended temporary fix,” Romero said.