Local news briefs for March 22, 2000

Wednesday, March 22, 2000 | 11:37 a.m.

Expert: Water supply is safe

A Nevada expert said new samples show water from a Nye County well near the Nevada Test Site is safe and poses no threat to public safety. An earlier sample showed levels of radioactivity 25 times higher federal drinking water standards.

"There is no hazard to the public health," state radiological Director Stan Marshall said Tuesday.

The state, along with Nye County and the Department of Energy, collected more samples about a month ago after the county's independent monitoring program indicated radiation in the ground water.

All results of well tests to date indicate that the radiation is coming from a natural source in the rocks, Marshall said.

Advisory board to hear comment

Las Vegas area residents will have a chance Friday to air public land-use concerns before the Bureau of Land Management's citizens advisory board.

The public comment portion of the board's two-day meeting is at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the BLM field office, 4765 W. Vegas Drive. Comments may be written or oral.

The citizens board, formerly called the resource advisory council, makes recommendations to the BLM on long-range land-use plans and resource management priorities.

New school deemed a milestone

Desert Pines High School was dedicated Tuesday night as a milestone in the redevelopment of a mature neighborhood in eastern Las Vegas.

City Councilman Gary Reese said the new school at 3800 E. Harris Ave. will fit perfectly with the city's master plan and provide resources for the community.

Other recent developments in the area include a new housing subdivision at Sandhill Road and Washington Avenue; a shopping center at Washington and Lamb Boulevard; a Walgreen Drug store at Bonanza Road and Lamb; professional offices at Bonanza and Pecos Road; new fast-food restaurants and union buildings.

The school is the first built by the Clark County School District in an older neighborhood.