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- 💲 Ex-Director of LVMPD Foundation Faces Theft Charges Over Misappropriated Funds
💲 Ex-Director of LVMPD Foundation Faces Theft Charges Over Misappropriated Funds
Issue #288 - September 20, 2024
John Wu
20 Sep
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📆 Weekly Local Events for September 2024
Regular weekly events in or near Summerlin, Las Vegas are listed below.
Visit here to lookup specific venue information or for upcoming and/or non-weekly events on Meetup.
Monday
Monday Classes At Latin Blendz: (Every week on Monday @ 10AM)
Socially Vegas - Monday Night Bowling @ The Orleans Bowling Center: Must arrive/check-in before 7pm; 7 - 10pm (Every week on Monday); COST (CASH Only) $10 for 2 games (includes shoes) COST: $12 for 3 games (includes shoes)
Monday Night TRIVIA at ReBAR, 1225 S Main St, Las Vegas: (Every week on Monday @ 7PM)
Tuesday
Sand Volleyball Intermediate, Rusty and Old Time Players @ Aloha Shores Park (NW), Cheyenne & Buffalo, 7550 Sauer St, Las Vegas: (Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8 PM)
Run Drink Las Vegas - Weekly Tuesday Run @ Frankie’s Uptown patio: 7PM (Every week on Tuesday), FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @rundrinklv FOR THE LATEST WEATHER/TIMING UPDATES
Wednesday
Business Leads Group - Networking Breakfast @ Summit Restaurant, Eagle Crest Golf Course, 2215 Thomas W Ryan Blvd, Las Vegas: Cost $20 cash, 7 - 8:30 AM (Every week on Wednesday)
Early Risers Toastmasters Meeting (In-Person - Summerlin Egg Works / Online Event: 7 - 8 AM (Every week on Wednesday)
Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club - Wednesday Morning Ride @ Einstein Bagels: 9 - 11:30 AM (Every week on Wednesday)
Speakers & Leaders of Summerlin Toastmasters Meeting, Summerlin Egg Works, 2025 Village Center Cir, Las Vegas: 12 - 1:30 PM (Every week on Wednesday)
Thursday
Abundance Business Networking Group Online Event: 7 - 8:30 AM (Every week on Thursday). Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for networking. Steps to access our BNI Online™ Virtual Chapter Meeting, visit website.
Las Vegas Real Estate Investors Association - Weekly Power Lunch For Real Estate Investors: 11 AM - 1 PM (Every week on Thursday). Request to join here.
Free Salsa Classes @ Feel The Music Dance Studio: 7 - 8 PM (Every week on Thursday). Visit the website to register online.
Summerlin Bitcoin Happy Hour, SG Bar, 9580 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas: 6:30 PM (Every week on Thursday)
Coed Soccer - Summerlin: Crossings Park, 1111 Crestdale Ln, Las Vegas: 7:30 - 9:45 PM (Every week on Tuesday/Thursday)
Friday
Find Your Yoga Las Vegas - Flow & Yin W / Noé Hilyard @ Yoga Sanctuary: 6 - 7:15 PM (Every week on Friday) View Yoga Sanctuary's full schedule.
Swing Dancing in Las Vegas Vintage and Modern Swing Dances @ The Mint Tavern: 7:30 - 8:30 PM (Every week on Friday)
Saturday
Vino Las Vegas Wine & Yacht Club Brunch: 9 AM - 2 PM (Every Saturday and Sunday)
Find Your Yoga Las Vegas - Saturday Morning Meditation with Practitioner Selina Kelly @ Yoga Kandy, LLC. Cost: Love Donation $5-$10 suggested. 11 - 11:45 AM (Every week on Saturday)
Sunday
Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club - Sunday Morning Ride @ Einstein Bagels: 9 - 11:30 AM (Every week on Sunday)
Vino Las Vegas Wine & Yacht Club Brunch: 9 AM - 2 PM (Every Saturday and Sunday)
Level 1 West Coast Swing @ 2580 N Rancho Dr, North Las Vegas: 7 - 8 PM (Every week on Tuesday); Drop in Rate is $15, Monthly pass is $50; Register online.
⛽ Las Vegas Gas Prices
💲 Ex-Director of LVMPD Foundation Faces Theft Charges Over Misappropriated Funds
Thomas Kovach, once at the helm of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation, is now facing 19 counts of theft after allegedly misdirecting nearly $350,000 from the foundation to another nonprofit, Project REAL, where he also held an executive role. From this amount, Kovach reportedly paid himself $182,000 without proper authorization.
The accusations claim that from April 2018 through November 2022, Kovach moved funds without the consent of the foundation's board, manipulating the accounting records to cover his tracks. This information surfaced in a document submitted to the Las Vegas Justice Court, detailing how these financial transactions were hidden in the foundation's financial reports.
Dominic Gentile, representing Kovach, argued that while funds were indeed transferred to Project REAL and subsequently to Kovach, these actions were legally sound, and his client was entitled to the compensation he received.
Karen Marben, who took over as the executive director of the LVMPD Foundation in September 2023, has since introduced robust financial oversight measures to prevent future discrepancies. Marben emphasized her commitment to transparency and donor trust, ensuring that funds are used strictly for the foundation's mission to support Metro's programs.
Upon discovering these "questionable activities," Marben reached out to the foundation's board, which claimed no prior knowledge of these transactions, leading to an investigation.
Project REAL, the recipient charity where Kovach also worked, is reportedly in significant debt due to these financial dealings. Mike Kamer, the current director, revealed the financial strain this has placed on the organization, indicating that Kovach's salary from the donations left Project REAL struggling financially.
Despite the scandal, Marben remains optimistic about regaining community trust through accountability and has received continued support from major donors, who remain committed to the foundation's cause despite the allegations against its former director.
🏀 Aces' Bench Dominates in Season Finale, Gustafson Shines
In a display of depth and teamwork, the Las Vegas Aces, without their celebrated "Core Four," cruised to a 98-84 victory over the Dallas Wings in their last regular-season game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Megan Gustafson, typically coming off the bench, seized the spotlight by scoring a career-best 24 points along with seven rebounds.
The game served as a showcase for the Aces' reserves. With the Aces' playoff position as the No. 4 seed already secured thanks to an earlier win by the Connecticut Sun, Coach Becky Hammon decided to rest stars A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum. The strategy paid off; the team shot effectively, with a 46.7% success rate from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc.
Megan Gustafson credited her teammates for her stellar performance, emphasizing the team's unity and readiness. "My teammates were finding me in great positions to score," Gustafson remarked, underscoring the bench's capability.
Tiffany Hayes, stepping into the starting role, also had a standout game with a season-high 21 points, further proving her worth as a top contender for the Sixth Player of the Year award.
The Aces will now face the No. 5 Seattle Storm in the playoffs' first round, with the first game set for Sunday evening.
Despite missing key players like Arike Ogunbowale due to illness and Teaira McCowan due to suspension, the Wings couldn't capitalize, ending their season on a low note. Dallas struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 9-31 record.
The confidence from this win is palpable in the Aces' camp. "They should have a lot of confidence not only in themselves but in each other," Hammon noted, pleased with her team's direction as they head into the postseason. The Aces have hit their stride, winning nine of their last ten games, with most victories coming by significant margins.
Other game highlights included Queen Egbo's impressive performance off the bench, marking her best game since joining the Aces, and a dominant second quarter where the Aces outscored the Wings 30-15, setting a season-high for first-half points.
Even in absence, A’ja Wilson's impact was celebrated as teammates wore shirts supporting her MVP candidacy during warmups, acknowledging her record-setting season where she became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a season.
🎰 Red Rock Resorts Eyes Cactus Land for New Luxury Development Post-Rate Cut
Following the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates by half a percentage point, there's heightened speculation that Red Rock Resorts, known for its upscale Station Casinos brand, might accelerate its expansion plans. According to a report by Carlo Santarelli from Deutsche Bank, this financial adjustment could prompt Red Rock to expedite development on either its 128-acre plot at Cactus Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard or its 49-acre site at Inspirada.
In a detailed analysis shared with investors, Santarelli highlighted Red Rock's strategic contemplation, particularly favoring the Cactus land for what could be a grandiose venture akin to the Red Rock Resort itself. He also mentioned the upcoming Durango Phase II and a smaller-scale project designed for the affluent Anthem community at Inspirada.
The analyst's insights came post a meeting with Red Rock executives, where the company's stable market position was emphasized, alongside the addition of approximately 45,000 new customers from the recently opened Durango. Despite positive local market conditions, Santarelli acknowledged potential challenges like seasonal variations and the impact of significant events like the Olympics and the U.S. presidential election on consumer spending.
Red Rock Resorts' management expressed a cautious optimism, recognizing the benefits of lower interest rates on potential real estate and development costs, which could fuel their growth in the Las Vegas locals market. However, they also noted the need to navigate through economic uncertainties, including the effects of the election cycle on consumer behavior.
This strategic pivot comes at a time when Red Rock is already managing the development of a new tribal casino in California, indicating a robust expansion strategy despite the noted economic headwinds. Santarelli maintains a "buy" rating on Red Rock's stock, suggesting confidence in the company's ability to capitalize on the current financial climate for future growth.
❎ Trump and Harris in Dead Heat in Nevada as Election Approaches
In the critical swing state of Nevada, the presidential race is intensifying as both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris find themselves locked in a virtual tie, according to the latest poll conducted by Emerson College Polling and The Hill. With each candidate garnering 48 percent support, this poll reflects a neck-and-neck competition as of the latest survey conducted on Thursday, showing minimal change from a previous poll where Harris led by a single percentage point.
This poll is part of a broader snapshot across swing states, where Trump shows slight leads in Georgia, Arizona, and Wisconsin, while Harris edges out in North Carolina and Michigan, albeit by narrow margins. Pennsylvania also sees Trump with a slight lead over Harris.
The Nevada poll engaged 895 likely voters, providing a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent, capturing a diverse electorate with significant portions of Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
After the exit of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the race, the dynamics in Nevada have remained largely unchanged, suggesting little immediate impact on voter preference between the two main candidates. Political analysts from UNLV note that Harris's support has remained robust, neither diminishing nor growing significantly.
Despite the poll numbers, Nevada voters slightly lean towards expecting a Harris victory in the presidential race, with 50 percent anticipating her win compared to 48 percent for Trump.
The poll also dives into the favorability ratings of both candidates, where they are nearly equally liked and disliked, indicating a polarized electorate.
Kenneth Miller, a polling expert from UNLV, cautions against over-reliance on public polls due to their potential inaccuracies, especially in a state like Nevada known for its demographic fluidity and transient population. This makes predicting outcomes particularly challenging.
Beyond the presidential race, Nevada's Senate race is also heating up with Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen leading her Republican challenger Sam Brown. Meanwhile, Governor Joe Lombardo's approval ratings hover below 40 percent, reflecting mixed feelings about his governance.
As November looms, the race in Nevada underscores the broader national contest: incredibly tight, deeply divisive, and potentially hinging on turnout and last-minute voter sentiment shifts.
Summerlin South, NV Demographics
What is the population of Summerlin South?
What are the employment statistics in Summerlin South?
How many households are there in Summerlin South?
What are the median and average incomes in Summerlin South?
How many homeowners and renters are there in Summerlin South?
What is the level of education in Summerlin South?
What is the marital status of Summerlin South residents?
What are the most common means of transportation in Summerlin South?
Methodology & Disclaimers
Demographic data shown in this section was gathered from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release, the 2022 American Community Survey. The information is updated yearly, as soon as new data is made available by the US Census Bureau.
No representation, guarantee or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information modified or aggregated for specific neighborhoods and/or zip codes.
Zip codes included in this demographic data: 89135
Summerlin Area Command - Week Ending: September 6, 2024
Courtesy of The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
📌 🏠 Summerlin South - August 2024
*Median Sold Price By Bedroom Count
This is the middle price for which all homes in the area were sold based on the number of bedrooms. Half of all the homes sold were below this price, and half were above.
Visit here to see the entire report.
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Until next time, John Wu.