News briefs for August 30, 2001

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

Dust levels reported high

The Clark County Health District reported unhealthful dust levels for sensitive residents in Green Valley today.

The dust reached 133 particles per cubic yard of air at 7 a.m. Individuals with asthma or other chronic lung diseases may be affected, a health advisory said.

Food company recalls beef

IBP Inc. is recalling 500,000 pounds of ground beef from 35 states, including Nevada, and the District of Columbia, saying it may be contaminated with the deadly E. coli bacteria.

The recall was voluntary and no illnesses have been associated with the meat, IBP said Wednesday, adding that it presents no danger if properly handled and thoroughly cooked. The government recommends cooking all ground beef to 160 degrees to destroy bacteria.

The contamination of the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria was discovered through samples collected by the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The beef was produced Aug. 7 in a Dakota City plant and distributed in 5- and 10-pound packages.

Union official is indicted

A business representative for the United Steel Workers of America Local 711A has been indicted on charges of embezzling nearly $25,000 in assets belonging to the union's members.

David S. Manes is named in the grand jury indictment that charges him with 153 counts of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets totaling $24,923.42, between May 29, 1997, to Aug. 30, 1998.

Local 711A represents about 280 cab drivers in Las Vegas, and its operating revenues came from monthly membership dues, according to the indictment.

The indictment alleges that Manes wrote 20 unauthorized salary checks to himself varying in amount from $500 to $1,000. The indictment also alleges that charges were made on the union's American Express account and its Office Depot account.

Herrera breaks his ankle

Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera will be hobbling around the County Government Center for the next several weeks after breaking his ankle during a pickup basketball game.

Herrera suffered a hairline fracture when he fell to the floor Wednesday morning after dunking the ball at the Sporting House athletic club.

The congressional candidate said he will wear a soft cast for four to six weeks and will not need surgery.

Democrats launch national campaign

Hispanic voters tend to be Democrats, and for that reason the Democratic National Committee is making voter registration drives in Hispanic communities a top priority, the DNC's chairman said Wednesday.

Speaking with reporters by way of a conference call, Terry McAuliffe said only 25 percent of voting-age Hispanics voted in last year's presidential election.

He said there is a good reason why his party wants to increase that percentage.

McAuliffe also said the DNC will be running ads on Spanish-language television stations leading up to the talks between President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox, which begin Sept. 5. He said the ads call for legalization for working, tax-paying undocumented immigrants, and an expanded temporary worker program for future immigrants.