Vol. 2, No. 17
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July 1, 2005
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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The Buzz Around The Silver State
as compiled by our correspondents
Clark County
Commute Time About To Become Almost Acceptable On 95
(Las Vegas) --- A thrilled Senator John Ensign (R-NV) speaking from Washington, D.C. announced that agreements had been reached between the Sierra Club, Nevada Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, and work on U.S. Highway 95 in Las Vegas would resume.
"We can all breathe a sigh of relief today," the senator said. "Although we will never get back the past year of standstill, it is time to look forward."
Work has been blocked following a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club in 2002. The Federal Ninth Circuit Appeals Court halted all work last July, but Senator Ensign has been working with all parties, even to offering an amendment to the National Transportation Bill, and brought the work halt to a halt.
"Today is a great day for those of us who know the frustration being stuck in traffic on U.S. 95," he said.
Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters joined in the celebratory rhetoric. "Today's announcement is about more than getting the U.S. 95 widening project back on track," she said. "It's also about keeping Las Vegas parents, commuters and truckers on the move."
Highway 95 hosts as many as 12,000 vehicles an hour during commute hours, usually at far less than the posted speed limit. Overall, 190,000 vehicles travel the corridor daily.
Governor Kenny Guinn said "The agreement allows for the addition of new lanes and construction of high occupancy lanes in each direction." The governor went on to say, "This has always been one of the most important highway projects for southern Nevada and one of my highest priorities."
It isn't known as we go to press when construction will begin.
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Lincoln County
Huge Conflagration Nears Caliente -- More Than 900 Firefighters On The Line
(Caliente) --- While fire officials remain confident that they will be able to stop what's being called the Duzak Fire from taking up residence, residents of this desert community of 1200 continue to watch a large column of smoke get nearer and nearer. So far this fire, claimed as the nation's largest, has burned 195,000 acres so far.
All told there are eight fires burning in southern Nevada, fueled by grasses and brush made strong by a long and wet winter and spring. Fire officials are saying they have never seen as much grass as they are seeing this year.
Disturbances spawned in the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico are moving through Arizona and southern Nevada bringing some winds and very little rain. Caliente is just over 100 miles from Las Vegas. Fire officials believe all the eight fires were started by lightning rather than being caused by humans.
At this time there is no indication when the blaze might be brought under control. Firefighters are not estimating the amount of containment either. "It's all up to the wind," as one firefighter on the line said.
Burning outside campgrounds is prohibited throughout Nevada at this time. According to officials, with the Fourth of July holiday about to be in full swing, the danger from human caused fires increases ten-to-one hundred-fold.
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Lyon County
Fernley-Lassen Railroad Depot Added To National Register of Historic Places
(Carson City) --- The Fernley-Lassen Railroad Depot has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James announced today. The National Register is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.
Constructed in 1914, the Fernley-Lassen Depot was in use until 1985, when the Southern Pacific Railroad ceased operations there. The building was sold to the Fernley Preservation Society the following year.
“We were delighted to assist the Fernley Preservation Society in nominating the depot to the National Register,” State Historic Preservation officer Ron James said. “The building played a significant role in northern Nevada’s transportation history and is a rare surviving example of a wood-frame passenger and freight depot.”
The Southern Pacific Railroad built the depot in Fernley to serve the Red River Lumber Company in Lassen County, California, reinforcing its rail delivery system in the tri-state area of Nevada, Oregon, and California. The railroad also served remote agricultural communities in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada.
This depot is the only remaining example in Nevada of Southern Pacific’s Common Standard Plan #22 combination depot. It has six passenger entrances, three each on the north and south sides. The main floor of the depot still has its passenger waiting room, operations office, baggage room, employee break room, and freight room. The second floor was used as the stationmaster’s living quarters.
“Unlike railroads built in the populated eastern states, many western railroads built their lines through sparsely-settled territory,” said Rebecca Ossa, architectural historian with the State Historic Preservation Office, and author of the nomination. “Housing was a critical component for railroad employees moving to undeveloped station stops and ‘combination stations’ were developed to incorporate the business needs of the railroad with living quarters for employees.”
For a current list of properties in the State Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places, visit the State Historic Preservation Office’s website at http://www.nevadaculture.org (click on SHPO).
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Washoe County
County Commissioners Select New Public Defender
(Reno) --- Washoe County Commissioners selected Jeremy Bosler as the new Washoe County Public Defender. Bosler has been one of two Chief Deputy Public Defenders since 2002 and has worked with the office since 1993.
“First, I would like to thank the County Commission for placing their trust in me,” Bosler said. “I would also like to thank Jennifer Lunt for her service as the interim Public Defender. The Washoe County Public Defenders Office will continue its commitment to protecting the rights of the indigent accused.”
Bosler earned his law degree from the California Western School of Law and received a BA from the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Board interviewed three candidates recommended by two screening committees appointed by Commissioners. The other candidates interviewed by Commissioners were Jennifer Lunt, Washoe County Chief Deputy Public Defender and Philip DunLeavy of Southern Nevada.
Several public comments and Commission comments were made supporting each of the candidates who made presentations and answered questions.
The Community Screening Committee selected six applicants for their interviews from a list of 16, and chose Bosler and Lunt to be interviewed by the Commission. The County Screening Committee interviewed seven of the applicants and then recommended Lunt, Bosler and DunLeavy to interview before the Commission.
The Public Defender’s position became available when Michael Specchio retired April 8. Specchio had been Public Defender since 1992. The Public Defender’s Office of 51 full-time employees includes 30 attorneys, five investigators, a polygrapher, a mitigation specialist and support staff. The Public Defender’s Office makes 34,000 court appearances per year.
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Centennial Celebration Planned For Historic Virginia Street Bridge
(Reno) --- The Reno Historical Resources Commission and Historic Reno Preservation Society will host a public party celebrating the 100th Birthday of Reno’s historic Virginia Street Bridge on Sunday, July 17th from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Sierra Arts Gallery in the Riverside Artists Lofts, 17 S. Virginia Street.
The artists lofts are housed in the historic old Riverside Hotel building, which sits at the site of Lake's Crossing, a toll crossing of the Truckee River. The old bridge, some have suggested it should be torn down and rebuilt, sits at the crossing site. Before being called Reno, the Biggest Little City in the World was known as Lake's Crossing.
The 100th birthday celebration includes free birthday cake, stories of “Wedding Ring Bridge” and Reno in 1905, a participatory toss of “faux” wedding rings, and valuable prizes. Distinguished speakers include the Honorable Judge Peter Breen, Washoe County Clerk Amy Harvey, City Councilman Dan Gustin, History Professor Alicia Barber, and Mella Harmon, Curator of History at the Nevada Historical Society.
Construction on the famed bridge began in July 1905. By 1910, the bridge was the nationally-recognized symbol of Reno’s lucrative divorce trade. The myth of new divorcees throwing their wedding rings into the Truckee River from the Virginia Street Bridge can be traced as far back as 1927. Popularized in fiction and film, the historic bridge is an icon of Reno’s notorious past, earning international acclaim as the “Wedding Ring Bridge.” The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 1980.
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Elko County
Water/Sewer Rate Increases In Store For Elko Residents
(Elko) --- The Elko City Council is listening to arguments from citizens who oppose suggested increases in their water and sewer bills. Water is expected to go up by $4.50 per month while sewer fees may rise by as much as $10 per month.
Water fees haven't been raised since 1995 and the last sewer fee increase took place in 1997. The increases are expected to bring much needed revenue to the city; as much as half a million more income by way of the water increase and as much as 1.3 million from the sewer hike.
The Elko City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday in City Hall. Meetings begin at 4:00 p.m.
There is opposition from many areas including that from Assemblyman John Carpenter (R-Elko) and many in the business community.
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Storey County
Independence Day Festivities Planned In Virginia City To Include Fireworks
(Virginia City) --- A grand parade reminiscent of something from the Comstock's glory days is to begin at Noon on July 4. Forming near historic Fourth Ward School, the parade will meander down C Street to end at Miner's Park where other festivities will be underway including a bar-b-que.
Fireworks that night will commence at about 9:00 O'clock. Along with the parade, picnic, and fireworks a Comstock Civil War reenactment is planned, and the famous Comstock Cowboys will be performing a free outdoor concert prior to the fireworks. The concert is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in the Delta Parking Lot.
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White Pine County
State Expected To Take Over White Pine County Finances
(Ely) --- The financial integrity of White Pine County may be in jeopardy, and members of the County Commission along with the District Attorney and White Pine Controller have had meetings with the Nevada Taxation Department to see what can be done about it. The Committee on Local Finance is a subdivision of the taxation department and will make recommendations.
If it is determined that the County is facing "severe financial emergency" as outlined in NRS 354.685, a full audit of the County's finances by an outside independent auditor will be called for.
The next meeting between County representatives and the state is scheduled for July 27. If the state does take over finances, it's expected there may be severe cuts in hours, in services, and possibly in the early retirement program. There are also agreements between the City of Ely and White Pine County that may have to be looked at.
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