Local news briefs for December 29, 2000

Friday, Dec. 29, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.

Residents fight speaker boxes

The Henderson Planning Commission granted Wendy's restaurant a speaker box for drive-through customers, and now Taco Bell wants one too.

But Thursday night, the Planning Commission split 3-3 over the request to even up the competition.

Both fast-food restaurants are located in an area bordering commercial and residential properties just off Green Valley Parkway and Eastern Avenue.

Speaker boxes are prohibited there, but in April 1999 the Planning Commission granted a waiver. The board renewed the waiver in June.

Resident Michael Dandridge said the noise would disrupt his family while they enjoyed their backyard pool.

A representative for Taco Bell, George Garcia, argued that the closest house is 380 feet away. The ability of the speaker box to adjust to ambient noise would keep it quiet, he said.

But planners JoAnn Huffaker and Paul Bunker voiced concern at the stereo-blasting cars and other noises a speaker box attracts.

The City Council will have the last word when it addresses the issue Jan. 16.

Medical benefits may be available

Many Vietnam veterans may not know about benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs that could cover medical expenses for illnesses that may be related to their service.

VA officials are concerned that Vietnam veterans may think illnesses such as prostate cancer are part of the aging process when they might be related to Agent Orange exposure.

The federal government presumes that anyone who served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975 was exposed to the chemical and will treat -- for free -- a variety of illnesses such as respiratory cancers, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, among others.

In addition, children of Vietnam veterans who are born with spina bifida can also receive benefits, including financial help and medical care beginning Dec. 1, 2001.

For more information call the Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000 or visit the website (vabenefits.vba.va.gov).