News briefs for Nov. 26, 2003

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

Smith to run against Gustavson

Former assemblywoman and lobbyist Debbie Smith of Sparks has announced she will run for the Democratic nomination next year in Assembly District 30 to try to unseat four-term Republican Assemblyman Don Gustavson.

Smith served one term before being defeated by Gustavson by 36 votes in 2002 when their districts were combined under reapportionment in 1991.

During the 2003 Legislature, Smith lobbied for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Operating Engineers Union and the Service Employees International Union. In addition she represented the Academic Standards Council, of which she is a member, at the Legislature.

Smith made her formal announcement Monday at a dinner party for Washoe County Democrats. Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, joined her in making the formal announcement.

The district includes parts of Sparks and Sun Valley, north of Sparks. It has 8,030 Democrats and 6,557 Republicans with 2,954 nonpartisans.

Last week, Gustavson, 60, was acquitted in Justice Court in Sparks on a domestic violence charge that he pushed, kicked and dragged his wife, Sharon, during an argument a year ago in their Sun Valley home.

Dirt bikers elude Highway Patrol

A man riding a dirt bike led state troopers on a chase Tuesday before getting away, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.

About 9:30 a.m. troopers spotted two men on dirt bikes traveling the wrong way on the northbound side of Interstate 15 near Blue Diamond Road, State Route 160.

Both men tried to outrun police. One of the bikers escaped quickly.

Troopers chased the other man, who drove his bike through a hole in a fence on the side of the highway, Trooper Angie Wolff said.

"Our guys managed to get through the same hole in the fence" near I-15 and SR160, Wolff said.

After traveling along several streets including Wigwam Avenue, Las Vegas Boulevard and Pebble Road, the second man got away as well.

Troopers said he was dressed in silver and blue gear to match a silver dirt bike with blue streaks. The bike should have significant damage on its side from the crash.

Troopers are asking anyone with information to call 486-4100.