Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 | 9:28 a.m.
Former Sun writer charged in sex case
Former Sun columnist Timothy McDarrah was arrested Tuesday in New York City and charged with trying to solicit sex from an FBI agent posing as a 13-year-old girl on the Internet.
McDarrah wrote the Vegas Beat column for the Sun from Sept. 6, 2002, to Sept. 20, 2004. He left to write the "Hot Stuff" column for Us Weekly. The magazine said it has suspended him without pay pending the outcome of the charges.
Federal officials said McDarrah was arrested after going to the building the agent described at the girl's home. He was charged with one count of using the Internet to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Guinn names chief of communications
Steve George, a longtime public information officer in state government, has been named director of communications for Gov. Kenny Guinn.
George, 50, will replace Greg Bortolin, who resigned to join the gubernatorial campaign of Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson. George will earn $97,363 a year.
George worked as public information officer for the attorney general's office and has been with the secretary of state's office since 2002.
Guinn said, "Steve will be able to hit the ground running and bring the same fine work ethic he exhibited during his previous state service."
Minor quake hits northern Nevada
MINDEN -- A small earthquake rattled northern Nevada early today, startling residents in the Douglas County-Carson City area.
Preliminary estimates from the University of Nevada, Reno seismology lab put the temblor at magnitude 3.8.
It occurred at 8:09 a.m. and was centered about nine miles east of Johnson Lane.
There were no immediate reports of damage, though many people reported feeling the temblor and some items falling off shelves.
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