💰 Who earns more than the sheriff? His deputies

💰 Top Cop, Yes; Top Dollar, No

As head of the state’s largest police force, you’d think Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill would be Nevada’s highest-paid cop. But he’s not even the top-earner in Metro. Because the sheriff’s salary is set by the Legislature (at $176,685), several other officers outearn him, as do cops in Henderson and North Las Vegas. [Review-Journal]

🌽 Vendor Bender

The 2023 Legislature passed a law that would allow licensing of street food vendors. But it won’t take effect until municipalities draw up their own regulations — as was brought to a head by the recent Taser-involved confrontation between a Metro cop and a food hawker, the video of which went locally viral. [Nevada Independent]

• Context: We covered this issue from the vendors’ perspective as well as from the regulators’. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🛵 Police, Family at Odds in Wire Death

It sounds like a terrible way to die — a 16-year-old mini-biker was killed last week when he rode into a wire on a bike path near Lake Mead and Pecos. Metro concluded it was a tragic accident — that a wire on the ground was thrown up by his bike. The family insists it was strung across the path, making this a homicide. [Review-Journal]

On Every Vegas Freeway …

* * * *

💧 As are many, reader Bob G. is skeptical of Southern Nevada’s water regime:

“Force homes to conserve drastically. Reduce the size of private pools. Install a climbing rate structure that doesn't include commercial and industrial users. In the meantime, encourage growth with water squeezed out of homeowners and residents. Something isn't adding up.”

• For additional insight, environmental journalist Daniel Rothberg answers three questions about basic water literacy. [Hey Las Vegas 📧]

🪩 Me, I love the giant eyeball — but what do you want to see on The Sphere?

Nancy H: “A laser light show to music.”

Melanie: “I would love to see an astronomy or astrology show.”

Brian J.: “A huge sporting event — what a way to ingest that experience!”

Jacqueline B.: “Amber Alerts posted briefly would be very useful.”

Michael V: “Lower ticket prices. (But we know that’s not happening.)”

Diane Y.: “Not ads!!!”

Patti L.: “They really need to turn it off, as it is going to cause all kinds of accidents. … Most ridiculous thing they ever did.”

• Related: How the darn thing works. [Hey Las Vegas 📧]

🧩 After Hours Escape Room | Friday | 6:30-8 p.m.

If life itself isn’t enough escape-room action for you, bring your team of up to five to this version devised by library staff. Register at 702-507-3900. [Sunrise Library, in Sunrise Manor; free]

🎸 Mayhem Vegas Rock Festival | Friday | 8 p.m. to midnight

The bands Danger Love, Strippers Lie, and Midnight Cabaret join up with burlesque performers Brawling Beauty and Steffi Scott for an evening of rock 'n' ooh-la-la. [Saddle N Spurs Saloon, Smoke Ranch and Jones; no cover]

🦫 Beaver Walk | Saturday | 5:30-7:30 a.m.

Did you know that nature’s favorite dam-builders live in the Las Vegas Wash? This early-morning stroll will look for evidence of their activity. [Wetlands Park; $5]

Las Vegas, Are You Ready to Rock?

As local musicians compete for a slot in next month’s Life is Beautiful festival, our cool-hunting music lovers — co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler, and producer Layla Muhammad — enthuse about their favorite Vegas-based acts in the Rising Stars lineup: AKASHAA, MaeJoy, Pure Sport, Michael Richter, Lennon Roach, and Viaje Nahual. Readers, start your playlists!