News briefs for Sept. 20, 2002

Friday, Sept. 20, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Committee OK's security delays

The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday approved legislation introduced by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., that will allow McCarran International Airport and roughly 40 other airports to miss a Dec. 31 deadline for installing new explosives detection machines.

Congress set the deadline in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, with the goal of checking 100 percent of airport luggage by year's end.

But McCarran and several dozen of the nation's largest airports need more time to renovate to make room for the new minivan-sized machines. After Dec. 31, airports will use bomb-sniffing dogs, increased hand searches and luggage identification procedures until the machines are installed, according to the legislation, which is part of a broader aviation security bill.

The Transportation Security Administration would establish new deadlines with each of the airports, and give lawmakers monthly progress reports, according to the legislation.

The full House and Senate are expected to approve the legislation in the coming weeks.

Casino cheater given 21 months

A man who pleaded guilty to being part of an international cheating ring that bilked casinos in Las Vegas and elsewhere of more than $2 million was sentenced to 21 months in prison Thursday in U.S. District Court.

Kwong On Wong is also responsible, along with the other defendants in the case, for paying $902,566 in restitution.

According to court documents, the group staged elaborate and well-organized cheating schemes involving marking cards while playing blackjack. Wong's job was to mark cards with Vaseline, or crimp them so that the others in on the scheme knew what card was dealt, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Bliss said.

Wong was ordered to turn himself in to authorities on Jan. 3, at which time he will begin serving his sentence.

Red Rock drive to close earlier

The Bureau of Land Management will close Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's scenic drive and Red Spring picnic area at 7 p.m. nightly beginning Oct. 1.

"Our hope is that the new closing times will coincide with the setting of the sun," new Red Rock Manager Tim O'Brien said.

After Nov. 1 the scenic drive and the picnic area will close at 5 p.m.

After March 1 the areas will again close at 7 p.m. and from April 1 to Sept. 30 at 8 p.m.

Dixie Forest visitors surveyed

U.S. Forest Service employees are about to begin a survey of visitors at the Dixie National Forest in Utah to determine what services are being used.

The employees, wearing bright orange vests, will flag motorists at stations for the voluntary survey. Names will not be asked.

"We don't really know how many people use the forest for recreation," Acting Forest Supervisor Randy Swick said. "The more we know about visitors' wants and needs the better we can provide for them in the future."

For more information, call the Forest Service's Sue Kocis at (707) 574-6233.