Phil Scherer

Editor at Las Vegas Optic

Editor at the Las Vegas Optic. Loves to talk about the Cardinals, Blues and Titans! Survivor and Big Brother addict.

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Articles

A local perspective: Intent vs. Impact

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

Sometimes in our lives at home and at work we come up with solutions, without fully thinking through all the actual problems. We see one problem staring us in the face, but don’t recognize several other problems waiting right under the surface. These things may not impact us directly so we don’t recognize them, while the people around us struggle with an entirely different set of problems. I like to call this intent vs. impact.
Local baseball and softball players selected for All-Star teams

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

Baseball and softball players from Robertson and West Las Vegas will compete against the best players in the state this weekend in Rio Rancho as part of the New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-Star teams. Seniors from across the state were selected for these teams, which will compete Friday and Saturday. From West Las Vegas, baseball player Daniel Bustamante and softball players Ysenia Esquibel, Aliana Otero and Alexis Pacheco will compete.
City tables 'entertainment district' resolution after public outcry

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

A resolution aiming to create an entertainment district within the Douglas Avenue corridor of Las Vegas was tabled by the City Council last week, after more than a dozen local residents expressed their displeasure with the proposal and pleaded with the governing body to examine the repercussions before moving forward.
Robertson baseball finishes as state runner-up; West falls in semis

2 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

Robertson High School baseball finished as the Class 3A runner-up at this year’s state tournament, while West Las Vegas advanced to the semifinals. The Cardinals, attempting to repeat their state championship from 2024, put up a fantastic fight all weekend at the state tournament, defeating Tularosa in the quarterfinals and East Mountain in the semifinals, before falling 7-1 against No. 1 seed New Mexico Military Institute in the title game, 7-1.
Las Vegas man accused of sexual exploitation of a child

2 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

A Las Vegas man faces two felony charges after Valencia County authorities allege he possessed sexually explicit images of a child under 16 years old, and solicited that same child for sexual intercourse between September 2023 and March 2024. Javan Gallegos, 27, was arrested by Las Vegas police on May 15 following a joint investigation that took place over a full year.
City Council to discuss recommended charter changes Wednesday

2 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

The Las Vegas City Council will discuss proposed changes from the Charter Committee at Wednesday night’s meeting, including increased compensation for members of the Governing Body, increasing the number of city councilors and how department heads are appointed. All proposed changes will be placed on the ballot for November’s municipal election for voters to make the final ruling.
Robertson, West softball still in championship battle

3 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

The battle for the state softball championship in New Mexico is one of the most chaotic in any sport. With a double elimination format and multiple paths to the championship game, teams have to work extra hard to claim the ultimate prize. But the simplest path is to just continue to win and advance, something both Robertson and West Las Vegas did this past weekend as they are among the last four teams left standing on the championship path.
West baseball advances to quarterfinals

3 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

The West Las Vegas Dons baseball team advanced to the state quarterfinals this past weekend, taking down Navajo Prep in two consecutive games to escape the first round of the tournament. They will be joined by Robertson in this week’s quarterfinals, as the Cardinals earned a first-round bye with a top-four seed.
Villanueva man sentenced to 11 years in prison for murder

4 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

A Villanueva man was recently sentenced to serve more than 11 years in prison for the murder of Alejandro Rodriguez after pleading guilty in late 2024. The shooting took place in December 2023. Gary Hicks, 60, took a plea deal to avoid going to trial on the murder charge, which was reduced from a first-degree murder charge to second-degree murder as part of the agreement. He was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison, but seven years were suspended as a result of the plea.
A local perspective: Nothing beats a local success story

1 month ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

There are few things I enjoy more than seeing local success stories. Whether it is people from Las Vegas owning local businesses, making a name for themselves on the local music scene or venturing out into the world and doing even bigger things, I love seeing people from Las Vegas succeed. When most people think of small towns, they have a distorted view of what life looks like.