News briefs for March 11, 2005

Friday, March 11, 2005 | 9:56 a.m.

Socioeconomic data set every year

A new American Community Survey will soon give communities across Nevada access each year to key socioeconomic data that has, until now, been available only once a decade.

The U.S. Census Bureau began mailing the survey nationwide to 250,000 addresses per month since January.

In addition to providing up-to-date information about local needs, the survey will also help ensure that communities receive their fair share of more than $200 billion in federal funds awarded each year to areas based on Census Bureau numbers.

Households selected for the survey will receive questionnaires by mail. The Census Bureau will make a follow-up call if the questionnaire is not returned.

Concerns about the legitimacy of the American Community Survey can be answered by contacting the Census Bureau toll-free at: (800) 852-6159.

Berkley attends Spanish memorial

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., represented Congress in Spain this morning for that country's memorial for the 191 people killed in the attacks on a train in Madrid a year ago today.

The House passed a resolution late Thursday that Berkley, along with Rep. Thaddeus McOtter, R-Mich., introduced in February expressing condolences for those killed in the attack. They sit on the House International Relations Committee.

The two headed to Spain Thursday evening and participated in the official ceremony today. Berkley is expected to return to the United States on Sunday.

Cancer institute to open in Sparks

The fledgling Nevada Cancer Institute is scheduled to open its satellite office in Northern Nevada on Tuesday, the institute announced.

The 2,300-square-foot suite of offices in Sparks will be devoted to outreach and education efforts -- providing information about cancer to patients, family members and the general public, the institute said in a news release.

"We want to help cancer patients and their families navigate the health care system to help them get resources," said Susan Robinson, the institute's manager of Northern Nevada operations.

The institute's flagship facility is under construction in Summerlin. The 140,000-square-foot center for research and treatment is scheduled to open in July.

In addition, Gov. Kenny Guinn has asked the Legislature for $10 million for a cancer research center in Reno connected to the institute and the University of Nevada system.

The institute hopes to become Nevada's first nationally recognized cancer center. So far, more than $100 million has been raised from mostly private donations.