Associated Press
Hundreds Stranded When Crash Shuts Down Burning Man Highway
RENO — A fatal crash shut down a rural highway leading to the Burning Man festival in Nevada’s desert, snarling traffic for hours and temporarily stranding hundreds of festivalgoers at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
The victim of Sunday’s crash was identified Monday as 61-year-old Lonnie Richey of Carson City.
A preliminary investigation indicates he was driving a pickup southbound on a county road near State Route 447 when he crossed the yellow lines and hit a northbound RV. Two RV occupants were treated for minor injuries.
KOLO-TV reports nearly 800 festival-goers spent Sunday night at the airport or found local motel rooms with help from local airport and tourism officials.
Most boarded buses Monday bound for the celebration 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Reno.
Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin says about 20,000 Burners are expected to travel through the airport this week.
Officials Warn of High Yeast, Mold in Some Pot Products
LAS VEGAS — Nevada officials are warning that some marijuana sold at three Las Vegas recreational pot shops showed high levels of yeast and mold and should not be consumed.
The Nevada Department of Taxation says some flower and pre-rolled joints sold at Acres Medical, The Apothecary Shoppe and Blackjack Collective between July 11 and August 19 tested higher than legally allowable levels for yeast and mold.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal says there have been no reports of any illness related to the products yet and the state has sent samples to an independent lab to check the results.
State officials are warning people to avoid consuming the product, particularly if they have suppressed immune systems or are susceptible to yeast or mold.
Evacuations Lifted at Fire Along California-Nevada border
RENO — Authorities say a fast moving wildfire on rural land along the California-Nevada border burned one home before crews were able to slow its spread.
Fire spokesman Adam Mayberry says the blaze about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Reno, Nevada was 50% contained Sunday morning.
It broke out Saturday in California’s Lassen County and quickly spread across the state line. Flames have charred 3.8 square miles (9.8 square kilometers) of dry brush.
Residents in the small Rancho Haven community were evacuated but residents were allowed back in on Sunday.
Meanwhile authorities lifted all evacuations after a Northern California wildfire destroyed seven homes and damaged five others.
Officials said the blaze in rural Shasta County near Redding was 80% contained Sunday.
The 600-acre (240-hectare) blaze hasn’t grown since Thursday.
Nevada Governor Urges Deal; Teachers Stop Strike Planning
LAS VEGAS — A Nevada teachers union has paused teacher strike preparations in the Clark County School District following a news conference from the state governor.
Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak urged the school district Friday to reach a deal with its teachers to avoid a strike.
Sisolak says the district came to legislators multiple times with different funding estimates, but never requested money for the professional development program created in 2016.
Officials say participants were told they could collect a $5,400 salary increase after completing three years of professional development. More than 2,500 teachers participated.
District officials say it’s offering a one-time payment over $5,000 to all employees who qualify, if they can find the funds and the program is replaced.
The union says a Sept. 10 district-wide teacher strike is still on the table.
Cost of Spherical Vegas Strip Venue Put at $1.2 Billion-Plus
LAS VEGAS — Company and project officials are estimating the costs of a spherical entertainment venue under construction on the Las Vegas Strip at between $1.2 billion and $1.7 billion.
Madison Square Garden Co. President Andrew Lustgarten disclosed cost projections Tuesday along with quarterly company earnings.
The 18,000-seat arena, called MSG Sphere, is a partnership between MSG and Las Vegas Sands, the owner of the adjacent Venetian and Palazzo resorts.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the company and general contractor AECOM are negotiating a final cost.
It could be more than four times the $375 million it took to build T-Mobile Arena, which opened in 2016 about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) down the Strip.
MSG Sphere is scheduled to open in 2021 with a huge interior wraparound LED screen and immersive audience experience technology.
Las Vegas Hooters Hotel-Casino Sold, Will Become OYO Hotel
LAS VEGAS — The Hooters hotel-casino off the Las Vegas Strip has been sold to an Indian hotel company and will be rebranded as the OYO Hotel and Casino.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the hotel change is set to begin in September.
OYO and Highgate purchased the hotel from Junius Real Estate Partners and Trinity Hotel Investors LLC.
Spokeswoman Rachel Henry says the OYO will keep the Hooters restaurant in the rebranded hotel. Highgate will manage the property and Las Vegas-based Paragon Gaming will oversee the casino.
Terms of the deal have not been released.
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