News briefs for September 17, 2004

Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 | 11:09 a.m.

Two more cases of West Nile seen

Two more Clark County residents became ill as a result of West Nile viral infections over the past week, raising Southern Nevada's total number of reported cases to 20, the Clark County Health District reported this morning.

Of those, 12 have been confirmed by specialized testing, and eight are considered probable cases of the virus, based on symptoms and a preliminary test.

Statewide, 36 people have been sickened by the potentially fatal virus, which is spread by mosquitoes.

Officials have said they expect the rate of infection to slow as fall approaches and the weather cools because mosquitoes' breeding season comes to an end.

Cause unclear in Wynn garage fire

Clark County fire investigators have not been able to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed building materials last month in the parking garage of the Wynn Las Vegas, which is under constuction on the Strip, department spokesman Bob Leinbach said.

He said that despite a thorough investigation, authorities could not pinpoint a specific cause of the Aug. 25 blaze.

The flames and smoke were confined to an 800-square-foot area on the fourth floor of the garage. It originated in a pile of 8-inch wide PVC pipe, Leinbach said. PVC contains hydrocarbon and burns easily, he said.

Retirees endorse Gallagher

Democratic Congressional candidate Tom Gallagher was endorsed Wednesday by the Alliance for Retired Americans, a group of 3 million seniors, including 14,000 Nevadans.

The group has concerns about the Medicare prescription drug plan, an issue that Gallagher has made one of the cornerstones of his campaign. The AARP backed the drug plan as an enhanced benefit for seniors.

Opponents of the new drug plan argue that it is complicated, doesn't give the government authority to negotiate for the cheapest drug prices and leaves gaps in coverage for some seniors, depending on how much they spend each year on drugs.