Vol. 2, No. 6
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Jan. 15, 2005
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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The Buzz Around The Silver State
As compiled by our correspondents
Elko County
It's Cowboy Poetry Time Again
(Elko) --- Snow and ice have no affect what-so-ever on cowboy poets. They will be gathering by the hundreds beginning January 22, in the cowboy capital of the west, Elko, Nevada. This is the 22d annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and festivities are scheduled all about the town centering at the Elko Community Center.
Singing, poetry, readings of western literature, even some skits and plays will be offered during the run. Youth programs begin on January 17, and they include studies on cowboy life and culture.
The weeklong event is open to the public, but many of the programs require purchased tickets. Contact the Elko Chamber of Commerce for more information.
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Douglas County
Look Out Washington, Here We Come -- There Will Be Tigers On Parade
(Gardnerville) --- They have $70,000 in their war chest, and the 87 members of the Douglas County High School Marching Band, The Tigers, are on their way to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President George W. Bush. The festivities take place January 20, so the band just squeaked in with the needed money.
According to band director Bill Zabelsky, they are just a bit shy of the total amount needed, but he says the band can make up any difference when they get home. He said these kids are born fundraisers.
Money came from hundreds of donations, including large ones from GE Energy, the Douglas County Commissioners, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Posse.
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Washoe County
A Grant Designed To Allow Courts And Journalists To Get Along?
(Reno) --- The National Judicial College at the University of Nevada, Reno will be home to the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media following a grant of $2.3 million from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.
According to a release from the foundation, high profile court cases like the recent Peterson murder trial, and the upcoming Michael Jackson case have created a need for courts and journalists to know how to deal with each other.
For years Don Reynolds operated the Donrey Media Group, with newspapers, radio, and television outlets in several states, particularly, Nevada. Reynolds had radio and television outlets in Reno and Las Vegas, and Newspapers in Las Vegas, Ely, and Carson City. There were also outdoor advertising companies, that is billboard companies associated with Donrey.
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Clark County
Cameras In Cabs Regulations May Be Lost. On Purpose?
(Las Vegas) --- Following the brutal death of a cab driver in Las Vegas last year, public pressure forced the Taxicab Authority, the agency that regulates cabs in Clark County to approve rules that would force cab companies to put cameras in their taxis. Unfortunately, the rules did not expressly forbid the use of audio recording devices, and complaints of possible privacy issues have come forward.
Some, including Las Vegas columnist Steve Miller, believe this was done with forethought. He has written that the Authority knew by not forbidding the use of audio recording devices, the issue would die. A legislative review of the camera rule has now come forward and said, if there is no express prohibition on the audio devices, they will not accept the regulation.
At this time, it appears the Taxicab Authority has no plans to rewrite the regulation. As it stands, if the legislature does not kill the camera regulation within the first 30 days of the session, then the regulation will stand.
The Nevada American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also has privacy issues since the cameras-in-cabs regulation does not forbid audio devices. If the regulation does stand, look for court cases to begin.
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Gates Victim Of Microsoft Glitch
(Las Vegas) --- During the spectacular International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Bill Gates, he of Microsoft infamy, tried to show off some new products. They wouldn't work. Oh, oh. A problem with a Microsoft program? Unheard of.
A Microsoft engineer attempted to intervene and make the program work. It didn't.
The show this year has been hailed as one of the best in recent years.
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The Capital, The Silver One
Do Not Call Enforcement Seems To Be Working
(Carson City) --- Most are familiar with the National Do Not Call program that has reduced dinnertime phone calls dramatically, but there is also a Nevada program. According to Attorney General Brian Sandoval, two Nevada companies have been charged with breaking that law.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection brought the action against Alaskan Quality Services, with offices in Las Vegas and Arizona, and a company using two names, Vegas Valley Air Duct and Big Al's Carpet Cleaning. That company is owned by Ronald J. Marino.
Nevada's new Consumer Protection advocate, Adriana Escobar Chanos says, "This is the first real test of Nevada's Do Not Call law." She went on to say, "The law has worked to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls."
Escobar Chanos says, "There may be occasion to enforce by action due to disregard of the law and the express wishes of consumers."
To find out more about the national program, go to http://donotcall.gov, and in Nevada, go to http://ag.state.nv.us.
According to Escobar Chanos, "The State is seeking a court order against each company halting further illegal practices and awarding civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation." Other fees and costs may also be collected.
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White Pine County
Ghost Train Of Old Ely Gets Full Makeover
(Ely) --- Wintertime is an excellent time to do needed repairs on locomotives and passenger cars on the Northern Nevada Railway, according to shop hand Bobby Peartree. Work is taking place on locomotive #93, and most importantly, on locomotive #40. Known as the original ghost train of old Ely, #40 is getting a complete refit. Peartree, writing a note in place of railroad museum director Mark Bassett, tells us about the work, in these words.
"The appliances (parts that perform various functions such as the air pump), jacket (metal shield for the insulation) and insulation, and boiler tubes are all removed. The goal between now and the first of February is to put #40 back together."
Peartree understands steam driven railroad trains as can be attested to by the way he describes what will actually take place during the refit. "All 150 plus boiler tubes need to be installed, the boiler hydro tested, the insulation and jacket put on, and all of the appliances put back on the locomotive as well as other work." He says, "A lot of hard work is ahead of us."
Peartree says old #40 will be in service in February. Winter doesn't slow down the museum's railroad train operations. Polar Bear Trains will run January 15 and 16, 22 and 23, and 29. Special photo trains are scheduled to run February 4, 5, and 6.