Las Vegas came in 6th in Esquire magazine's "America's Best Restaurant Cities". Leading the pack was NYC, followed by Chicago, San Francisco, New Orleans, and L.A. rounded out the top 5.

A drunk driver called Henderson police and told them he was drunk and needed a ride. When cops showed up, he took off in a car and was chased from Henderson into Las Vegas, where spike strips didn't stop him. He was finally stopped with a PIT maneuver in front of the Wynn hotel after he called police again and said that if he had a gun, he would shoot the police. Police ended up shooting him with bean bags before taking him into custody.

Gov elec Brian Sandoval has turned down a cost of living raise associated with his new position and has taken a pay cut equal to that of other state workers.

320,000 visitors were expected for New Years Eve with hotel occupancy expected to be 98%. Lots of fireworks, parties, and big names are in town. As a lucky sign for Las Vegas, celebutard Paris Hilton is not expected to be in town.

The Daily Beast reports that Las Vegas ranks #36 in the drunkest cities in the US. Personally, I think that we are #1 in drunk drivers which is exaggerated by bad driving when those drunks are sober.

OJ Simpson's co-defendant CJ Stewart will get a new trial and is expected to plead No Contest in a plea deal next week.

The Hard Rock Resort agreed to pay $500,000 in fines and $150,000 in investigation costs regarding an allegation that their Vanity night club sold drugs, provided rooms for illegal activities, and a a huge list of other charges.

The Golden Nugget casino is installing a vending machine that sells gold bars. It will be the second in the nation.

Salvation Army workers reported to work after the Christmas Holidays. They called an armored car to pick up their red kettle money that totaled over $13,000. When they opened the safe, the money was gone. No signs of forced entry point towards an inside job. Stations Casinos donated $13,000 to cover the loss and the Golden Gate casino donated an additional $14,000.

Former Las Vegas Locomotives player, Brandon Joyce, was shot and killed in a robbery at a Bass Pro Shops, outside of St Louis. He was the son of former St Louis Cardinals punter, Terry Joyce.

The new Hoover Dam bypass bridge is causing traffic backups in Boulder City, because the heavy flow of 4 lanes of traffic narrows down to 2 lanes through the city. Boulder City wants 18-wheelers to go back to the Laughlin route that they have been using the last few years.

You have until April 22, 2011 to cash in any $25,000 chips from the Bellagio. The casino is discontinuing that denomination in response to a recent robbery.

Thanks for the heads up on the Bellagio chips, I'll have to get all mine out of my underwear drawer and cash them in.

I don't recall 9f I read this here or in the newspaper but there are only a few of those $25,000 chips in 'honest' hands.

I'm pretty sure that the casino knows who has them.

It is somewhat of a surprise to me that the gaming commission allows those high denomination chips to leave the casino.