Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002 | 11:04 a.m.
Mayors express transport concerns
The U.S. Conference of Mayors on Wednesday sent a letter to President Bush expressing concern over transporting high-level nuclear waste from reactors across the country to Yucca Mountain.
The conference has not taken a position on the selection of Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham recommended the site to President Bush Feb. 13, and Bush accepted it Feb. 15.
The conference's leaders initiated the letter on Feb. 22 at the request of Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin. Griffin and 18 other U.S. mayors signed the letter, including New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, conference president.
"We are concerned the DOE has not yet fully researched the methods for the transportation of nuclear waste," the letter says. "Regardless of the final repository location, we have serious concerns about the transportation of spent nuclear fuel from reactors all over the country to Yucca Mountain or any other repository. These shipments will travel through America's cities past our schools, homes and places of business."
Bryan to head new D.C. office
Lionel Sawyer & Collins, Nevada's largest law firm, will open an office in Washington, D.C., in March, with former Sen. Richard Bryan heading up the operations, the firm has announced.
The firm, which employs 80 attorneys, also announced that attorney Key Reid, son of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the assistant majority leader, will work out of the new Washington office, as will former Nevada Attorney General Brian McKay, a major figure in the state Republican party.
"The expansion of our clients' interests in issues before the Congress and federal agencies has made it necessary for us to serve those interests with daily on-site presence," said Samuel Lionel, who co-founded the firm 35 years ago with late Nevada Gov. Grant Sawyer.
Bryan, who also served as Nevada attorney general and governor, will continue to practice at the firm's offices in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City as well as direct the Washington office, the firm said. Bryan joined Lionel Sawyer & Collins in January 2001.
State officials will probe county action
The Nevada Department of Public Safety and the state fire marshal Tuesday started an investigation into the actions of the Clark County Fire Department before, during and after the deadly model rocket fire in October.
County Manager Thom Reilly last week asked for the review of the fire, which has been the center of document-shredding allegations and an admitted failed inspection follow-up at the AeroTech model rocket plant.
Reilly said once he receives the completed investigation, he will decide if more action is necessary.
A fire at the AeroTech plant on Palm Street, near Boulder Highway and Sahara Avenue, on Oct. 15 caused about $12 million in damage, killed one AeroTech employee and injured two others.
Jones, Miller make private deal
Former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones and former Councilman Steve Miller have settled their longtime legal battle over comments she made during the 1991 election when they were both candidates for mayor.
The Nevada Supreme Court said Wednesday the two have agreed to dismiss both of their appeals from a 29-day District Court jury trial last August.
Miller sued Jones originally claiming he had been defamed by a political flier that indicated cocaine might have been found in a vehicle he was driving. A four-week trial in Las Vegas found for Jones.
District Judge Michael Cherry awarded Jones $36,268 in fees and attorney costs as the prevailing party.
Miller appealed the decision, claiming Cherry had allowed improper evidence into the trial. Jones appealed, suggesting the fees and costs were two low.
After a conference with Settlement Judge Lester Berkson, both sides agreed to abandon their appeals. The agreement between the two is not public.
Victim identified as LV man, 24
A man killed Wednesday when his car crashed into a street sweeper was identified as 24-year-old Hoke Fineaganofo of Las Vegas.
Fineaganofo crashed into the back of a street sweeper on Tropicana Avenue near Harrison Drive about 3:40 a.m. Wednesday. The street sweeper was going about 5 mph and had flashing yellow and red lights on it, Metro Police said.
Fineaganofo didn't slow down or change lanes, police said. He was taken to the University Medical Center but died at 6:35 a.m. Wednesday. The street sweeper driver had minor injuries.
Stabbing victim called 911
A woman killed Monday in her home as she called 911 saying her estranged husband was in the house was identified as 33-year-old Maria C. Lopez.
Lopez was found stabbed to death in her home in the 2500 block of Winwood Street, near Smoke Ranch Road and Jones Boulevard. Saul Lopez was arrested and booked into the Clark County jail on a murder charge, Metro Police said.
Maria Lopez had a temporary protection order against her estranged husband, ordering him to not come near her or her children. A 6-year-old boy was in the home at the time of the slaying. He was not hurt, police said.
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