Las Vegas' Channel 8 Honor Community Partners with Awards

Community Partners Honored by Channel 8 News at Tuscany Hotel & Casino:

July 2009 - Linda Branch, for years of work in managed care/geriatrics as a driven advocate in social work before starting her own business as a customer service and executive coaching educator and trainer.

June 2009 - Paul DeLorey, for his commitment to improving the quality of life for children in foster care.

May 2009 - Emory Nihipali, for his passion in bringing the Aloha Spirit to Las Vegas.

April 2009 - Maite Salazar, for managing her own communications business and volunteer work with a number of organizations like the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Nevada Microenterprise.

March 2009 - David Dahan, President of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and a member of its Board of Directors.

February 2009 - Jo Cato, for her dedication to urban programs and neighborhood-specific efforts such as helping women who have been released from prison start their own businesses.

January 2009 - Otto Merida, founder of the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

December 2008 - Stacey Wedding, for her outstanding volunteer work and self battle with Diabetes.

November 2008 - Tracey Trolle, for her support of our Native American people in arts, music, cultural awareness training and ability to reach people in need.

September 2008 - Theron Goynes, who served as a classroom teacher, school administrator, Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of Directors of several community organizations, Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of North Las Vegas.

October 2008 - Alex Bernal, who established the Vegas Rebels basketball team to encourage troubled, at-risk makes into positive activities to impede their participation in gang life.

The 2009 Community Spirit Award Program was hosted by master of ceremonies Paula Francis and Gary Waddell. There was a fabulous lunch served at the Tuscany Hotel & Casino July 8, 2009 with the entire staff of Channel 8 All Star News Cast.

2009 BET Awards Making History in the wake of Michael Jackson's Death

This years BET Awards turned out to be a history making event. Thursday June 25, 2009 we walked out of meetings, turned on blackberries, were driving in our car, or interrupted by a NEWS FLASH. Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead in an hour of arriving at UCLA Medical Center. Everyone around the world wanted to stop what they were doing and rush to the hospital.

Daily slashing and bashing in the streets of Iran, even that violence came to a halt for a second when they heard Michael Jackson had died. Michael's last interview was with Essence and he was scheduled to go on a 50 concert Tour starting in London in July. Now his entire life and death is a MYSTERY...!

Back to the BET Awards. They were very fortunate enough to be the first to give tribute and honor to Michael Jackson after his Final Curtain Call...! From the beginning to end it was Hot, you have to be from or love the west coast to understand. Baby Boy, New Edition and Bobby Brown, Tevin Campbell and Maxwell wrapping it up with all the ladies weak in the knees, I had no complaints.


Hate is very contageous. If you are optomistic and do not cast judgement regardless of what your views are then you have been vaccinated. There was some slack from viewers for the rushed show with people lined up for miles trying to get in and get a glimpse of the action. The media antics were even more rediculous. You should have seen the calls and rants from people wanting to buy, trade and sell credentials. All I can say is WOW, I can't believe they are still doing that. Following Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo and Google it's all relative. You either love or hate and it shows in their reviews. If you don't believe me just watch and read the news instead of videos and listening to ipods and texting all day.


Vanessa McConnell ...VNewz...