Holiday closings

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000 | 10:48 a.m.

This year marks the first time Nevada Day will be celebrated not on its date of admission, Oct. 31, but on the last Friday in October. Voters in 1998 decided to change the observation date in effect to boost economy of Carson City, where the Admission Day parade has been held since 1938. The change allows many Southern Nevadans, including high school bands, a better chance to participate in the weekend parade that they usually missed when Oct. 31 fell midweek. In 1864, during the Civil War, Nevada was admitted to the Union. In 1891 Gov. Roswell Colcord signed a bill making Oct. 31 a judicial holiday, where no state court business could be conducted. In 1939 the Nevada Legislature recognized the state's birthday as an official state holiday.

Here's what's open and closed Friday:

Safety: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Administrative offices closed.

Utilities: Open: Sprint, Southwest Gas, Nevada Power, Cox Cable. Closed: Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Government: Closed: Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, North Las Vegas, Clark County, state, courts. Open: Federal offices, federal courthouse.

Schools: Closed, no classes: Clark County public schools, Community College of Southern Nevada, UNLV.

Mail: Open, deliveries as usual: United Parcel Service, U.S. Postal Service.

Newspaper: Sun afternoon editions published as usual. Sun offices open.

Transit: Downtown Transportation Center: Open. City Trolleys: Holiday schedule (two trolleys in operation instead of three) Citizen Area Transit: Public buses on regular schedule.

Libraries: Closed: Las Vegas-Clark County District, Henderson District, North Las Vegas District. Open: Boulder City Municipal.

Garbage: Republic Services pickups as usual.

Matrimony: Marriage License Bureau open 24 hours, starting 8 a.m. Friday, closing midnight Monday.

Financial: Banks: Up to individual banks whether they will open or close Friday, according to the Nevada Division of Financial Institutions. Brokerage firms: Open.

Parking: City metered parking spaces are free.