News briefs for March 13, 2002

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 | 11:15 a.m.

Sarnowski named executive director

David Sarnowski, chief of the criminal division in the state attorney general's office, has been named executive director of the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission.

Sarnowski, 49, replaces Alan Rabkin in the $118,000 a year job. Rabkin resigned to return to private law practice.

The appointment was announced Tuesday by Frank Brusa, chairman of the discipline commission that oversees the conduct of judges. Sarnowski will also be general counsel for the commission.

He has been in his present position since December 1989 and has worked in the attorney general's office since July 1984. Before that he was an attorney for the state Industrial Insurance System and its predecessor, the Nevada Industrial Commission.

He has argued twice before the U.S. Supreme Court -- one a death penalty case and the other on the issue of habeas corpus appeals.

Sarnowski has taught law enforcement related courses for the State Bar of Nevada and the National Judicial College. He will begin in his new position March 25.

More security sought at facility

The Capitol Police will look at beefing up security in the parking lot of the Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas after Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa complained there "were all kinds of incidents" in the area.

Sgt. Brad Valladon, acting chief of the police division, said he would talk to the sergeant in charge and may assign more patrols to the parking lot.

Valladon told the state Board of Examiners Tuesday there has been 24-hour security at the Sawyer building since it opened in 1995.

Valladon reviewed the security measures at state buildings in Las Vegas, Carson City and other parts of the state.

Awards to be given Thursday

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa will recognize the Nevada Women's Role Model Award recipients from Southern Nevada at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.

The recognition ceremony occurs during Women's History Month. This year's theme is "Women Sustaining the American Spirit."

The five Southern Nevada honorees are Karen Clyne, director of St. Rose Dominican Hospital Home Health Services; Helena Garcia, real estate consultant and principal Camino Al Futuro, a bi-lingual life skills training center; Nancy LaCombe, a Clark County elementary school counselor; state Sen. Ann O'Connell; and Connie Ross, executive director of corporate advertising and publicity, Imperial Palace.

Gasoline prices rise across state

Gasoline prices soared statewide over the past month as refineries adjusted production methods to change to summertime fuel, AAA Nevada said.

Statewide, prices have increased 8 cents a gallon in the past month to an average of $1.34 for regular self-serve unleaded.

The AAA survey said Carson City led in both the increase -- 12 cents -- and the per-gallon cost -- $1.40. Elko had the bargain gas at $1.25, up a penny, followed by Las Vegas at $1.29, a 7-cent increase.