News briefs for April 8, 2004

Thursday, April 8, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

NLV backs hunt for more water

North Las Vegas is following the lead of the Southern Nevada Water Authority in a bid for access to more water, as well as changes to drought-induced restrictions on car washing and misting systems.

The City Council on Wednesday unanimously supported the federal Lincoln County Land Act, which, among other actions, would identify potential utility corridors for water lines, city acting Director of Utilities David Bereskin said.

Changes to water use restrictions on car washing and misting systems were introduced Wednesday and are scheduled for a council vote on April 21.

The changes, which mirror those approved about five weeks ago by the Water Authority, would allow homeowners to wash their cars once a week so long as they use a nozzle that shuts off when it isn't being used, Bereskin said.

Also, residential misters could again be used, and commercial misters could be turned on in June, Bereskin said.

Water use restrictions went into effect across the Las Vegas Valley earlier this year in an effort to save water as the area suffers through a four-year drought.

County considers billboard limits

The Clark County Commission introduced an ordinance Wednesday that will allow billboards south of St. Rose Parkway and north of the North Las Vegas city limits along Interstate 15.

The move is the latest in a yearslong effort to change the rules for billboards in the unincorporated county, but differs from many of the rules adopted in the last year in that it would actually allow some new billboards.

In February Commissioner Bruce Woodbury proposed a total ban on new billboards within the county.

The ordinance introduced without discussion Tuesday would allow new billboards only in those areas along I-15. Woodbury has said he believes those areas -- which already have many billboards -- would be appropriate for new signs.

Both the total ban and the alternate proposal are scheduled for public hearings April 21 at the regular county commission meeting.

Appeal denied in pimp case

Robert Buford Jr. picked the wrong woman in Las Vegas in an effort to become a pimp.

Buford approached Metro Police Officer Jennifer Osborn Feb. 13, 2003, while she was working undercover as a prostitute at the MGM Grand.

Buford started to give Osborn pointers on how to approach potential clients and how to double her salary. He told the undercover officer he could teach her the game and asked her to go to another hotel to "work the carpet."

Buford was arrested, convicted of one count of pandering and sentenced to 12 to 34 months in prison.

The Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday denied his appeal. Buford maintained he never offered to pimp the officer and never asked her to have sex with him or other men.

The court said, however, there was "sufficient evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" presented at the trial.