News briefs for September 20, 2001

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

Man faces charge in teen's death

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man has been indicted in the death of a 17-year-old girl.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas said grand jurors indicted John Giebler on an open murder charge in the death of Amanda Harkness. He also faces a first-degree kidnapping charge and a charge of burglary while in possession of a firearm.

Feds to help fund projects

The Southern Nevada Water Authority Board was expected today to approve an agreement with the federal government to complete two of 16 water recycling plants that irrigate lawns at public golf courses and parks.

The water authority is working with the Bureau of Reclamation to fund the $325 million project. The bureau is contributing $20 million as the first two recycling plants are being built.

The water authority and its member government entities -- Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Valley Water District -- will contribute funds for the remaining treatment plants.

Two plants will reuse 15 million gallons a day, cutting water authority costs to pump fresh water from Lake Mead into the valley and also helping to prevent erosion in the Las Vegas Wash.

List grows by 4,329 in August

The number of active registered voters in Nevada reached 913,450 at the end of August, the highest number since September 2000, Secretary of State Dean Heller said Wednesday.

Heller said 4,329 more voters signed up in August, the third consecutive month of increases.

Democrats continue to hold a 1,973-voter edge over Republicans.

"I like to think that the increasing number of voter registrations and active voters in Nevada signals a growing awareness of the value of voting and political participation," Heller said.