RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that nationally, more than 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024.

Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness.

Here in Nevada more than 10,000 homeless people were counted, which is an increase from 8,600 last year.

“It’s very terrifying,” says Marie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities.

“On a daily basis we can see upwards of 100 individuals, seniors, families, people who are coming in and most often what they’re asking for is some form of rental assistance,” says Baxter. “They’re facing eviction, their rents have gone up, or they’ve had a change in their circumstances.”

Baxter says that they have seen an increase in homeless grandparents, who are stepping up to take care of their grandchildren:

“A lot of grandparents are raising their grandchildren and they’re on a fixed income to start… They were barely getting by as it was, but now their food bills have gone up because they’re feeding their grandchildren, or their nieces or their nephews,” says Baxter.

HUD reports also look to blame soaring rents, and the end of pandemic assistance and officials also say the Maui fires and other natural disasters contributed to the rise.

However, homelessness among veterans dropped nearly 8% nationwide to an all-time low.

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Las Vegas Hells Angels motorcycle club members accused of targeting a rival club in a Henderson highway shooting can be prosecuted as gang members under state law, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The 2022 Memorial Day shooting on Interstate 11 — which Clark County prosecutors alleged targeted Vagos Motorcycle Club members — injured seven people.

Addressing that case, the higher court ruled that there was enough probable cause to classify the Hells Angels as a criminal gang.

Indicted Hells Angels members included local chapter President Richard Devries.

District Court Judge Tierra Jones in 2023 dismissed some of the charges the suspects were facing, including racketeering, gang enhancements and 20 of 25 shooting-related counts.

Jones had sided with defense attorneys who had argued that the indictment failed to properly specify which defendants engaged in alleged racketeering activities.

Police told a grand jury that investigators recovered 25 spent bullets on the highway.

Jones noted that prosecutors only presented evidence from a witness who testified that one of the suspects fired five rounds.

Defense attorneys countered that the state failed to consider exculpatory evidence that some of the Vagos members had guns and that one of the indicted suspects, Rayann Mollasgo, had also been shot.

‘Criminal gang’

“We conclude that this was an error because the State presented at least slight or marginal evidence to support a reasonable inference that Hells Angels members commonly engage in felony-level violence directed at rival motorcycle clubs, such that that group constitutes a criminal gang,” Supreme Court justices wrote in their ruling.

Added the higher court: “Because the District Court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”

The other Hells Angels members indicted were Stephen Alo, Russell Smith, Aaron Chun, Cameron Treich and Taylor Rodriguez.

After Jones’ ruling, they still were facing 17 charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Roneric Padilla, who also was indicted, was charged with accessory to commit a felony.

The Vagos group was returning to Las Vegas from Hoover Dam in a ride commemorating the holiday when Hells Angels motorcyclists rode behind the victims, according to prosecutors, who allege the Vagos were ambushed.

The suspects broke up the victims’ group and then shot at individual riders, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors alleged that the shooting might have been in retaliation for a California shooting that killed a Hells Angels motorcyclist, an accusation challenged by Vagos members during a grand jury hearing.

Nsc Hells Angels Decision by Las Vegas Review-Journal on Scribd

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.

Honored among the state’s best, Boulder City High School girls soccer stars Makayla Nelson and Abbey Byington were named to the All-Southern Nevada team.

An honor usually presented to 5A and 4A players, Nelson and Byington were among seven 3A players to make the 54-player team.

“I am very proud of Mack and Abbey’s accomplishments this year,” head coach Kristin Shelton said. “I’m not surprised they were honored as top players in the state, as they absolutely deserve it. Their talent is obvious and I’m so happy it was recognized by others.”

A dynamic scorer with a state-leading 58 goals, Nelson was named a second-team All-Southern Nevada selection after being named 3A Mountain league’s most valuable player.

Helping the Lady Eagles to a 15-4-1 record, Nelson was named to the 3A All-State first team, after generating 15 assists as well this past season.

“I can’t say it enough that Mack was a force to be reckoned with this year,” Shelton said. “Not only was she our leading scorer, she was just an all-around great student-athlete and leader. Every other coach in our league knew her by name and agreed that she was most deserving of Player of the Year.”

Named an honorable mention selection, Byington was named to the 3A Southern region second team after generating 30 goals and 16 assists this past season.

Honored by the 3A, junior Sancha Jenas-Keogh was a first-team 3A All-State selection after being named defensive player of the year for the Southern region.

Emerging as a breakout presence on both sides of the ball, Jenas-Keogh generated eight goals and eight assists, along with 20 steals.

“Sancha blew everyone away defensively this year,” Shelton said. “Her speed is unmatched, which is why she was able to shut down so many top players in our league. I am extremely excited to have her for one more season and really look forward to continue watching her soccer success.”

Named to the Mountain League second team for the Eagles was senior Abby Francis (eight goals, 12 assists) and juniors Josie Cimino (six goals, seven assists) and Leonesse Williams (six assists, 48 steals).