News briefs for November 30, 2001

Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 9:36 a.m.

Scout camp official arrested in LV

Metro Police detectives arrested a former California Girl Scout camp manager Thursday on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor.

James Edward Sanders was taken into custody without incident in a northwest Las Vegas apartment complex, Metro's fugitive unit said.

Sanders had been on the run from Taos, N.M., law enforcement officials since June 25.

Mountain highway a DUI reminder

In observance of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month, STOP DUI began its holiday awareness campaign today by dedicating State Route 157 as Red Ribbon Road, a reminder to motorists not to drink and drive.

The 22-mile stretch of Kyle Canyon Road from U.S. 95 to the Mount Charleston area was to be lined with red ribbons at one-mile intervals. DUI victims, law enforcement officials and dignitaries were to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Metro sued over fraud case

A Reno attorney has filed a lawsuit on behalf of 47 people against Metro Police and Franklyn Perry, the man accused of bilking them out of millions.

According to the lawsuit filed by David Houston, Perry gave each of the people a promissory note but failed to follow through.

The plaintiffs are alleging breach of contract and fraud. They are suing Metro Police as well, alleging the department is "wrongfully and without legitimate authority" holding millions of their dollars.

Police allege Perry told investors he was lending money to high-roller gamblers who had hit their credit limits. Police said he would pay some investors a few hundred dollars a week, calling it returns on their investments.

District Judge Mark Denton last week announced he will appoint a special master to oversee the funds until Perry's criminal and civil trials are concluded.

Perry faces sexual assault charges in an unrelated case. In the financial case, prosecutors say they are preparing it for a grand jury or preliminary hearing.

Former reporter named to post

The Nevada State Democratic Party has named journalist Jeff Burbank as communications director for the 2002 election year.

Burbank, 45, has been a reporter for both the Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Review-Journal. He is also a former writer and editor for the Los Angeles Times, International Gaming & Wagering Business and the Las Vegas Business Press.

Burbank also authored the 2000 book "License to Steal: Nevada's Gaming Control System in the Megaresort Age."

Winter ceremony planned Saturday

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas will graduate 700 students during winter commencement ceremonies Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

UNLV's president will also award honors to Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and James Bilbray, a former Nevada representative who served from 1987 to 1995. UNLV benefactor Jay H. Brown will also be honored during the ceremonies.

Rolls grow by 3,320 people

For the fifth consecutive month, Nevada's voter registration rose in October with 3,320 people signing up, Secretary of State Dean Heller said today.

He said there are now 920,193 active registered voters, with Democrats holding a lead over Republicans -- 383,240 to 381,526. But Republicans hold majorities in 13 of the 17 counties.

The Democrats still have a stronghold in Clark County, where that party has 270,703 voters as opposed to 230,382 for Republicans. Registered voters in Clark County total 603,840, or 66 percent of the statewide total.