Happening in Henderson: Shootings Shock Center Street as City Approves South Valley Apartments

This week on Happening in Henderson, Mark and Joleen peel back the "Safest City" labels to confront a tragic wave of violence on Center Street and a disturbing trend of road safety incidents that have the community on edge. We balance the heavy headlines with a look at the City Council's unanimous move toward affordable housing and the fifth annual School Summit, questioning whether local leadership is finally hitting its stride or just running in circles. From the inspiring mission of a local chocolate shop to Mark Davis's impact on youth mental health, we cover the stories that define our neighborhood--plus a soggy Halloween forecast that might just turn your holiday plans into a literal washout. Join us for a grounded, slightly cynical, and deeply local look at the growth, the grit, and the occasional truffles making news in Henderson.

What is Happening in Henderson?

Welcome to Happening in Henderson, the weekly show where hosts Mark and Joleen serve up Henderson’s news with equal parts insight, cynicism, and sharp-edged humor. From local headlines and community events to crime updates, school district drama, weather forecasts, sports highlights, and brutally honest restaurant reviews, nothing is off limits.
Whether you’re a lifelong local or new to the 890xx life, this is the place to stay informed… without falling asleep.

MARK: Welcome to Happening in Henderson for Monday, October 26th, 2026. I'm Mark.

JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. Today, we're tracking a tragic weekend of violence in a local neighborhood, the city's move toward affordable housing, and an overtime loss for the Golden Knights in Columbus.

MARK: It's been a heavy few days for the neighborhood around Center Street. We're looking at three people shot and killed in less than twenty-four hours in the exact same area. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder if the 'Safest City' labels we like to brag about are starting to peel off the welcome sign.

JOLEEN: yeah

MARK: Police were out there Friday morning in the 1000 block of Center Street, near Lake Mead Parkway and Warm Springs. They found two people dead, and luckily, they managed to get a suspect into custody pretty quickly for that one.

JOLEEN: It's absolutely terrifying, Mark. This followed a shooting just the day before where a woman was found dead in the same neighborhood. I mean, you can imagine the tension in those apartment complexes right now. People are looking at their neighbors, wondering what the hell is going on. HPD is trying to reassure everyone, but when you've got three bodies in one zip code in a single day, a press release doesn't really do much to help you sleep at night. I'm glad they caught the person from the Friday shooting, but the community is still reeling.

MARK: Well, the irony of the situation isn't lost on anyone. While the police are taped off on Center Street, we've got residents in adjacent complexes asking if their kids can even play outside. HPD's message is usually some variation of 'don't worry, these were isolated incidents,' but 'isolated' loses its meaning when it happens three times in a row. It's a grim start to the week, and it's putting a lot of pressure on local leadership to prove they've actually got a handle on the spike in violent crime, rather than just reporting the numbers after the fact.

JOLEEN: And it wasn't just violence from people with guns, either. We're seeing a really disturbing trend on our roads. There was a juvenile on an e-scooter who was hit and killed in a crosswalk on Wednesday evening. The driver's actually been charged now. It's just another reminder that our streets are becoming a literal combat zone for anyone not wrapped in two tons of steel. It's heartbreaking to think about a kid just trying to get across the street and ending up as a police report. People really need to slow the fuck down.

MARK: Speaking of slowing down, did you see that video from Water Street? Someone caught drivers just blowing right through an activated crosswalk. There was a person with a baby stroller standing there, the lights were flashing, and these assholes just kept on driving like they were on a closed track. It's that Henderson special--driving sixty in a thirty-five and treating a flashing yellow light like a personal challenge. It's embarrassing, frankly. We've got the tech for the lights, but we don't have the brains behind the wheels to respect them.

JOLEEN: That video made my blood boil.

MARK: right

JOLEEN: If you can't stop for a baby stroller when the lights are literally screaming at you to stop, you shouldn't have a license. Period. But at least there's some effort being made to honor the people we've lost. This past Saturday, hundreds of people showed up for the annual Three Feet for Pete event. It's a ride to honor Pete Makowski and all the other cyclists who've been killed on Nevada roads. It's a beautiful way to remember them, but it's also a pretty sad commentary on how dangerous it is to just ride a bike in this town.

MARK: It's a noble effort, but a bike ride doesn't fix a lack of infrastructure or a surplus of distracted drivers. We keep seeing these events because the problem isn't going away. I'm skeptical that a yearly ride is going to change the mind of a guy texting while doing eighty on Boulder Highway. But hey, at least it brings people together. Maybe if enough people ride, the city will finally realize that 'road safety' needs to be more than a slogan on a bus stop. It's a start, I guess.

JOLEEN: You're such a cynic, Mark! It's about awareness. It's about showing the city that these aren't just statistics; they're our neighbors. And speaking of the city, they just hosted the fifth annual Henderson School Summit this past Friday. They brought together educators, police, and city leaders to talk about exactly this--student success and school traffic safety. They're actually acknowledging that the traffic around our schools is a nightmare. They're looking at ways to make the drop-off and pick-up lines less of a gladiator arena.

MARK: The fifth annual? So they've been talking about it for five years and we still have kids getting hit in crosswalks? That's government efficiency for you. I'm sure the coffee and donuts at the summit were excellent, though. They talked about 'student success,' which is a nice vague term that lets everyone feel good without actually promising anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they're talking, but maybe after five years of summits, we could move on to actually fixing a single intersection. Just one. For the kids.

JOLEEN: Well, they are looking at physical changes, Mark. They're talking about better signage and more enforcement. And they're not just focusing on traffic. They're discussing the broader sense of safety, especially after that incident at Sierra Vista High where a juvenile was arrested with a gun. I know that's technically Las Vegas, but let's be real, our kids all go to the same places. The summit is trying to get ahead of the curve so we don't end up with more tragedies. It's about coordination, which is something this valley desperately needs.

MARK: Coordination is great, assuming everyone is actually on the same page. Usually, it's just a lot of finger-pointing between the school district and the city council. But since we're on the subject of the city council, they actually did something unanimous last week. They approved nearly four hundred new affordable apartments in the south valley. I'll believe the 'affordable' part when I see the rent checks, but at least they're building something other than another luxury gated community for people who work in California.

JOLEEN: It's actually a huge win for people who are struggling with the housing market here. We've seen prices stay so high for so long that regular workers are getting priced out of the city they work in. Unanimous approval is a big deal. It shows the council is finally feeling the heat from residents who are tired of seeing five-hundred-thousand-dollar homes as the only option. These apartments are slated for the south valley, which is growing so fast it's basically a separate city at this point. We need the density if we're going to survive the growth.

MARK: Growth is just another word for 'more traffic at the Costco on Saint Rose.'

JOLEEN: yeah

MARK: I'm happy for the four hundred families who get a spot, but that's a drop in the bucket compared to what we actually need. And the location--south valley--is just going to put more strain on the infrastructure that's already buckling. But I suppose I shouldn't complain about the city actually trying to solve a problem for once. I'm just curious to see if these 'affordable' units end up being occupied by people who actually need them, or if they'll find a way to make them luxury 'studios' by next year.

JOLEEN: You can't just be happy for one minute, can you? It's a step in the right direction! And while we're talking about businesses doing good, did you hear about the new partnership at that Henderson chocolate shop? It's called Empower Us, and they're hiring people who face barriers to employment. They're gearing up for the holidays right now. It's a sweet shop that's actually creating career opportunities and independence for people who might get overlooked elsewhere. Honestly, I think that's a much better use of a storefront than another vape shop.

MARK: I'll give you that. It's hard to be a dick about a chocolate shop that helps people get jobs. It's a solid concept. They're focusing on empowerment through candy, which, honestly, is a platform I can get behind. If they're hiring for the holidays, it means they're expecting a big rush, which is good for them. It's nice to see a business on Water Street that isn't just trying to sell you a overpriced cocktail or a 'vintage' t-shirt that was made two weeks ago. I might actually have to stop by and buy some truffles.

JOLEEN: You should! Imagine how much better your mood would be if you had a box of handmade chocolates. They're doing great work, and it's those kinds of community partnerships that make Henderson feel like a real neighborhood. It's about giving people a chance. Plus, it's chocolate. You literally can't lose. It's the perfect gift for the holidays, and you're supporting a local mission. I'm definitely going to be doing some of my shopping there this year.

MARK: Don't get carried away. My mood is a structural feature of my personality, not a blood sugar issue. But since we're talking about things that might actually make people happy, let's pivot to sports.

JOLEEN: Raiders owner Mark Davis was honored by Boys Town of Nevada this past Saturday. They held an Impact Gala at the M Resort, which is basically in our backyard. They were recognizing him for his support of youth mental health. It's nice to see the big team owners actually putting some of that massive wealth back into the local community, especially for something as important as mental health.

MARK: Mark Davis getting an award for mental health support is an interesting headline, given the mental health state of most Raiders fans after a typical Sunday. But in all seriousness, it's a good cause. Boys Town does real work, and the M Resort is a great venue for that kind of thing. It's just a few miles from the Raiders' Henderson practice facility, so he didn't even have to drive that far. I wonder if he brought the bowl cut to the gala or if he dressed up. Either way, the youth mental health focus is something we can all agree is necessary.

JOLEEN: Oh, shut up about his hair! He's doing something good. And while we're on sports, the Mayor's Cup International Tournament is wrapping up today. Over five hundred youth soccer teams descended on the valley this weekend. They've been playing at five different parks since Saturday. If you've been wondering why every park in a ten-mile radius is covered in kids in neon jerseys and parents screaming at referees, that's why. It's a huge event for the city, and it brings in a ton of travel money, even if it makes finding a parking spot impossible.

MARK: I noticed. I tried to go for a quiet walk and was nearly trampled by a pack of under-twelve strikers. It's great for the local economy, sure, but I'm not sure our local parks were designed for five hundred teams. It's a logistical nightmare, but I guess it's better than those parks being empty. I just hope all those kids and their families actually spent some money at local restaurants while they were here, rather than just filling up the trash cans with Gatorade bottles and orange slices.

JOLEEN: I'm sure they did. Soccer parents are professional consumers. But they better have enjoyed the weather while it lasted, because things are about to change. Today and tomorrow are looking beautiful--highs in the upper seventies and eighty degrees. It's that perfect desert fall weather where you don't even need a jacket during the day. But if you're planning on being out for Halloween later this week, you might want to check the radar. Things are looking a bit damp for the weekend.

MARK: Here we go. Rain on Halloween. It's like the universe's way of telling kids that their slutty nurse and inflatable dinosaur costumes weren't quite practical enough. Today's high is 77 with a nice east wind. Tuesday we hit 80, which is great. But by Thursday night, the clouds start rolling in. We've got a slight chance of rain showers after eleven pm on Thursday, and then Friday brings a chance of actual thunderstorms. It's going to be a messy end to the week.

JOLEEN: And Saturday! Saturday is the big one. Halloween. We're looking at a high of 71, but the chance of rain showers goes up to 55 percent by Saturday night. Rain showers are 'likely' according to the National Weather Service. Can you imagine? A bunch of soggy kids running around in the rain trying to get candy. It's going to be a disaster for the face paint. Sunday is even worse--high of 65 and more rain likely. It looks like the desert is finally remembering what water looks like, and it picked the worst possible timing.

MARK: Well, maybe the rain will keep the 'Zombie Archery' participants on their toes. That's one of the events at the Henderson Farmers Market this Saturday. I'm not sure how effective a bow and arrow is in a downpour, but it's certainly more authentic to a real apocalypse scenario.

JOLEEN: right

MARK: We've also got the Teenie Weenie Halloweenie on Wednesday and the Masquerade Ball for the fifty-plus crowd on Thursday. It's a packed schedule, assuming everyone doesn't just decide to stay home and watch scary movies instead of getting soaked.

JOLEEN: Don't forget the Trunk or Treat and Haunted at the Ranch on Friday. People have been planning these events for months, so a little rain isn't going to stop them. It just means the 'trunk' part of Trunk or Treat might involve a lot of umbrellas. Honestly, it might be kind of nice to have a moody, rainy Halloween for once. It beats the usual ninety-degree heat we sometimes get. Just make sure you're careful on the roads--Henderson drivers and wet pavement are a combination that usually ends in a lot of bent fenders.

MARK: That's an understatement. Add some rain to the mix, and our local drivers will start acting like they've never seen liquid fall from the sky before. It'll be chaos. Speaking of which, if you're planning on voting, remember that Election Day is coming up next Tuesday, November 3rd. There's even a 'Kids Vote' general election event to get the little ones involved. It's a good way to teach them about civic duty before they grow up and realize it's mostly just people arguing on the internet.

JOLEEN: It's a great way to get them engaged early! And hey, at least the rain should be cleared out by then. Tuesday's forecast isn't out yet, but hopefully, it'll be dry. We've got a lot going on this week, from tragic news to exciting sports and a very soggy Halloween. Just remember to be kind to each other out there. Between the traffic, the shootings, and the rain, everyone's probably a little bit on edge. Let's try not to make it any worse.

MARK: Spoken like a true optimist. I'll just be over here making sure my umbrella actually works and checking the VGK schedule again. It's a long week ahead, Henderson. Try to stay safe, stay dry, and for the love of everything, stop for the flashing lights at the crosswalks. It's not that hard.

JOLEEN: Thanks for listening to Happening in Henderson. If you like what you hear, please follow or subscribe so you never miss an update. We'd love to hear from you, too. You can reach out to us at [e-mail] with your stories, tips, or just to tell Mark to cheer up. We'll be back next week with more of what's going on in our city.

MARK: Cheering up is not in the budget for 2026. See you next week.