News briefs for August 30, 2002

Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

Probation given in credit scam

Kelly Geib, 33, has been placed on five years' probation and ordered to repay the $68,875 she bilked from four victims in a credit scam.

District Judge Jeffrey Sobel also said Geib, who owned and operated the now-defunct National Consumer Credit Inc. in the late 1990s, must serve up to three weeks in prison each year of probation and perform 16 hours of community service a month.

Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Delaney said Thursday that the office received numerous complaints that Geib used the money consumers paid her to negotiate with and pay off their creditors for her own personal needs.

Tim Hay, chief of the state's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said consumers should be cautious in hiring a credit repair company. He said these companies cannot make all of a person's credit problems disappear.

He said residents, before hiring a company, should call the state Consumer Affairs Division to make sure the company is registered and bonded.

Willow Creek protection in place

The U.S. Forest Service today announced emergency action in Willow Creek, about 30 miles northwest of Las Vegas, to protect the area's natural springs from further environmental damage.

Part of the Spring Mountains National Recreational Area, Willow Creek is a unique and sensitive habitat for many species of plants, birds, insects and other animals, Fores Service spokeswoman Beth Short said.

Environmental damage occurring in the creek prompted the Forest Service to take action, Short said. Wild horses and off-road vehicle traffic have damaged the creek.

In addition, wildland fire danger is still extremely high and restrictions on open flames and smoking cigarettes outside of vehicles will be continued.

A four-foot fence will help protect about six acres of Willow Creek.

The Forest Service has already placed interpretive signs around the creek to inform the public of the project, Short said.

The creek's flow attracts elk, wild horses and deer as well as supporting birds and plants.

Guns & Hoses will square off

Southern Nevada firefighters and police officers will meet on the baseball diamond at 2 p.m. Saturday for the eighth annual Guns & Hoses baseball game at Cashman Field.

Tickets are $8 each and available at fire stations throughout Clark County and at the Cashman Field ticket office. All proceeds benefit the Injured Police Officers Fund and the Clark County Burn Fund.

UNLV dean honored by group

The dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' College of Business has been appointed to a three-year term at the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Rich Flaherty is also a member of the American Accounting Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and chairs the Accounting Accreditation Committee and peer review task force for the AACSB.