Today's News

Sometimes it seems as if there’s a rule in politics that officeholders must run for re-election — or at least leave the question open until the very end. But if it’s a rule, Las Vegas Mayor Alfonso Ortiz is ignoring it.

This week, Ortiz, just five months into his two-year term, revealed that he doesn’t plan to run again in 2012.

The city of Las Vegas’ staff is recommending that the city return more than $600,000 to Highlands because of overcharges on natural gas bills.

The City Council will take up the issue at its meeting today.

In its documentation, the staff doesn’t say how the city would pay back the money. But Mayor Alfonso Ortiz said Monday that it wouldn’t be in a lump-sum payment.

“The city can’t afford that kind of money,” he said. “We’ll work out something, making a payment arrangement.”

Offensive fireworks helped Las Vegas Little League’s 10-11 All-Star softball team make this a July to remember.

The team finished as state runner-up to Petroglyphs in the recent state tournament held in Santa Fe, falling to that defending champ in a best two-out-of-three series for the championship.

Earlier, LVLL’s girls — managed by Gary Sanchez —  had brought home the District 4 title.

All along, the team hit well and put up a bunch of runs on the boards.

I would like to comment on the fiestas this year.

There are 15 couples from Denver, Colo., who stay at the Sunshine Motel and there are four couples who stay at the Best Western motel for the fiestas. This was our 17th year in a row going to the fiestas.

I would like to let you know that we had a great time this year. We especially like the fact that the tree was not closed off this year for some of the elderly to sit and watch the entertainment you had.