🌱 Robert Telles Representing Himself In Murder Trial + Mortgage Rates

Hey, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunny. High: 64 Low: 43.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and cool. High: 63 Low: 38.

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Here are the top three stories in Las Vegas today:

1. Former public administrator for Clark County Robert Telles, charged with murdering a Las Vegas reporter, wants to represent himself at trial. According to court records, Telles' attorneys Damian Sheets and Baylie Hellman requested to withdraw from the case earlier this month, mentioning a "breakdown in communication between counsel and defendant." His next court hearing is May 3. (Fox 5 Las Vegas)
2. After mortgage rates increased for several months, the Las Vegas Valley is seeing a decline in housing prices and sales due to more homes available and fewer being sold. Last year, the average cost of a single-family home in the area was $435,000; this year, the average price is $425,000. (Fox 5 Las Vegas)
3. Project 150, a local nonprofit, will be opening its second location this summer in Las Vegas to increase services for high school students who are homeless, displaced, and disadvantaged. The organization serves 75 high schools in Southern Nevada and received a $1.3 million donation to add another building, which will include offices, a student education and empowerment center, and warehouse space. "We're excited to have the opportunity to increase services and support to those students in high need of a helping hand and look forward to the next chapter for Project 150," Executive Director Kelli Kristo said. (Nevada Business Magazine)

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Today and tomorrow in Las Vegas:

Wednesday, February 8

• Bruno Mars At Dolby Live At Park MGM (9:00 PM)
• NHS Blood Drive At Silverado High School (7:00 AM)

Thursday, February 9

• Kids Cafe - Free Meals For Kids And Teens At Youth Services Department At Sunrise Library (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Have you seen this man? Las Vegas police are searching for 26-year-old Angel Ortiz, who was last seen on Jan. 29 and might be in severe emotional distress. (News3LV)
• A Wisconsin man had a bit of beginner's luck on Monday when he won the $177,000 jackpot playing Ultimate Texas Hold'em for the first time at Harrah's Las Vegas. (KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas)
• Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Las Vegas area. Available properties range from a 1,496 square-foot, four-bed, two-bath home for $199,000 to a $820,000 home with five beds, five baths, and 3,606 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Las Vegas Patch)

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Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 11)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.