News briefs for Sept. 5, 2003

Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 | 11:01 a.m.

High court denies medical appeal

The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday denied an appeal from a Las Vegas woman who was left blind as the result of a medical procedure.

Anya Duke's appeal was based on a malpractice lawsuit filed in 1991 against Dr.Roger M. Simon and the Retina Consultants of Nevada.

Duke was asking the Supreme Court to hear her case en banc, meaning as a whole court. Duke was hoping the justices would hear her case and allow numerous amounts of evidence back into court, including expert testimony that she is blind.

She said her next move is to return to District Court for a new trial, as the high court granted her a new trial.

Duke said she will begin writing new pleadings to get a court date.

Gorman kicks off building campaign

Bishop Gorman High School's efforts to raise $25 million to help pay for its new campus in southwest Las Vegas kicked off Thursday with $10 million already in the bank, school officials said.

The new school on 35 acres off Hualapai Way near Russell Road is expected to cost between $35 million and $40 million and will be paid for in part by bonds from the Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas and in part by private donations, said Rachel Wilkie, spokeswoman for the school.

To donate to the building fund contact the Bishop Gorman Development Office at 732-1945, extension 363.

Decatur Boulevard crossing U.S. 95

will be closed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday while workers install steel girders for the new Decatur bridge structure. The Nevada Department of Transportation recommends drivers detour to Jones or Valley View boulevards.

Starting Monday, Maryland Parkway

will be closed at St. Rose Parkway for eight weeks in order to complete the first phase of the St. Rose widening project. Drivers are advised to detour to Pyle Avenue to Spencer Avenue to St. Rose Parkway instead.

North Las Vegas Police

have been awarded a grant of nearly $1.9 million from the Justice Department, which will help in the hiring of 25 new police officers, Chief Mark Paresi said.

Nevada has sold more than $200 million

in bonds, going ahead with a move that was delayed July 19 when lawmakers could not reach agreement on an education budget and taxes. The first bond sale, for $23 million in water refunding bonds, was won by Lehman Brothers. The second, $20 million in university refinancing bonds, went to Zions First National Bank. Citigroup won the third and fourth series of bonds, a total of $92 million in open space, parks and cultural resources bonds. The open space bond sales were approved by voters in 2002.