Norm Clarke, sports writer and columnist, has died

Norm Clarke, a well-known journalist, has died after a long fight with prostate cancer. He was 82 years old. Clarke passed away on Thursday at a hospice center in Las Vegas. His brother, Jeff Scheid, confirmed the news. Clarke was famous for his work covering sports as an Associated Press writer in the 1970s. He reported on the Cincinnati Reds, who won back-to-back World Series titles during that time. Later, he became a popular entertainment columnist in Las Vegas, where he started his "Vegas Confidential" column in 1999. His writing included celebrity news and stories about athletes. Clarke famously reported on Britney Spears' brief marriage in 2004 and Michael Jackson's return to Las Vegas in 2006. He was known for his colorful style and was recognized by readers throughout the city. Before his retirement in 2016, Clarke built a reputation as a serious reporter while also enjoying the excitement of gossip journalism. He often said that he wanted to be remembered as a dedicated reporter first. Clarke's journalism career began in Cincinnati, where he quickly established his talent for breaking news. In addition to sports reporting, he covered major news events, including a tragic fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in 1977, which resulted in 165 deaths. His dedication to getting stories led to many memorable moments, including a long run through traffic to report on the fire. Clarke was born in Terry, Montana, and faced challenges early in life, losing his father to cancer and his right eye in an accident. Despite these setbacks, he pursued a career in journalism and found success. He even published a memoir titled "Power of the Patch," which aimed to inspire young readers. He is survived by his brother, sister, and wife, Cara Roberts Clarke. A memorial service will be announced at a later time.