Las Vegas news briefs

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1997 | 11:30 a.m.

CHANUKAH BEGINS -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., will join tonight with members of the Jewish community in marking the beginning of Chanukah. In honor of the eight-day festival, Reid will take part in lighting the Grand Menorah, a giant ceremonial candelabra, which is a central symbol in the story of Chanukah. The 5 p.m. ceremony will take place at the Fremont Street Experience, at the corner of Fremont Street and Casino Center Boulevard. Last year, nearly 1,000 people attended the ceremony. Along with the candle lighting, festivities will also include live music, a children's choir, and traditional holiday food treats.

AIRMEN RETURN -- Thirty-eight Nellis Air Force Base airmen from the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron returned early this morning from service in Taszar, Hungary. The squadron, which flies the unmanned reconnaissance plane called the Predator, has been providing aerial reconnaissance in support of Bosnia peacekeeping operations since Oct. 1, 1996. The 11th has flown 348 operational missions over Bosnia for a total of nearly 2,800 flying hours. The 11th will be on call to return to Taszar within a few days if conditions within a few days if conditions in Bosnia deteriorate.

PHONE REFUNDS -- Small businesses, mostly in the Reno-Carson City area, who used the EqualNet Corp. long-distance telephone service, are entitled to refunds, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Monday. EqualNet, based in Houston, has agreed to pay $225,000 to consumers in 11 states to settle allegations that it switched companies' long-distance service without their knowledge. Nevada will be entitled to almost $21,000. Businesses that may have been victimized should call the attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection in Las Vegas at 486-3786 or Carson City at 687-6300.