Nevada AP News Digest

Monday, July 15, 2002 | 7:30 a.m.

Here are the top Nevada stories in sight at this hour for PMs of Monday, July 15. If you have questions about stories, call News Editor Tom Tait in Las Vegas at (702) 382-7440. For reruns, contact the AP Service Desk at (212) 621-1595.

HEADLINES:

New fire blows up near Topaz Lake in Sierra

Firefighters battling blaze in remote canyon west of Las Vegas

High bail rules in Clark County's high-profile vehicular cases

Nevada employs highest percentage jail and prison staff

WILDFIRES:

New fire blows up near Topaz Lake in Sierra

RENO, Nev. - A dwindling number of fire crews battling a 550-acre blaze in the Sierra were strained further Sunday when a new tower of smoke loomed, threatening the evacuation of a gambling lodge that was a haven for evacuees from an earlier fire.

BC-NV--Nevada Fires. 615 words.

By Tom Gardner.

Firefighters battling blaze in remote canyon west of Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Firefighters were battling southern Nevada's first major wildfire of the season Sunday that forced residents from their homes in a remote, drought-stricken area about 50 miles west of Las Vegas.

BC-NV--Lost Cabin Fire. 475 words.

By Lisa Snedeker.

With AP Photo.

CRIME AND COURTS:

High bail rules in Clark County's high-profile vehicular cases

LAS VEGAS - High bail has become the rule of the road in Clark County's high-profile vehicular court cases. A Las Vegas Review-Journal survey of other jurisdictions in Nevada and surrounding states found bail is typically set at lower amounts in fatal drunken driving cases.

BC-NV--High Bail. Developing.

Nevada employs highest percentage jail and prison staff

RENO, Nev. - Nevada leads the nation in the percent of state and local employees who work in jails and prisons but ranks near the bottom for the percent of teachers. Nevada State Education Association Executive Director Ken Lange calls it a case of "pay now or pay later."

BC-NV--Nevada Prisons. 375 words.

PEOPLE:

Las Vegas mayor and wife receive minor injuries in car wreck

LAS VEGAS - Mayor Oscar Goodman and his wife were involved in a car wreck Sunday that sent the couple to the hospital with minor injuries.

BC-NV-Mayor Wreck. 240 words.

The AP