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THEFT CHARGES-GAMBLING PROBLEM
NDOT employee arraigned in Fallon
(Information in the following story is from: Lahontan Valley News, http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com)
FALLON, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada Department of Transportation employee in Fallon has been arraigned on charges he used a state credit card to support his gambling habit.
Justice of the Peace Pro Tem William Lawry on Thursday appointed attorney Jacob Sommer to represent Tal Pierre Smith after Smith said he could not afford a lawyer.
The Lahontan Valley News reports the judge also scheduled a May 1 preliminary hearing for Smith.
Smith is accused of using the state credit card to buy about $250,000 worth of items he later pawned or sold to support his gambling addiction.
He has been charged with four felony counts of theft and one felony count each of misconduct by a public officer and fraudulent appropriation of property.
EARTHQUAKE-NEVADA
Minor earthquake shakes Hawthorne area
HAWTHORNE, Nev. (AP) — A minor earthquake shook the Hawthorne area on Sunday morning, but there were no reports of damage.
The University of Nevada, Reno Seismological Laboratory says the magnitude-3.1 temblor at 8:35 a.m. was centered 10 miles east of Hawthorne and 140 miles southeast of Reno.
A string of quakes has been reported in the area over the last two months.
In April 2011, a swarm of 400 temblors was reported near Hawthorne over a one-week period, with the strongest at magnitude-4.6.
Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the nation behind California and Alaska.
TODDLER KILLED-CRASH
Toddler hit, killed by vehicle in Las Vegas ID'd
(Information in the following story is from: KSNV-TV, http://www.mynews3.com/index.php)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — An investigation continues into the death of a toddler who was struck by a vehicle outside the Las Vegas trailer park where her family lives.
The Clark County coroner's office on Saturday identified the victim as 22-month-old Clara Stephanie Castrejon-Jimenez.
Neighbor Alan Delgado tells KSNV-TV there was a disagreement between adults in the home and the child's mother took off in her car.
He says the girl apparently was hit by the vehicle Thursday night after she left the home and followed her mother.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the driver remained at the scene and alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the 9:30 p.m. accident.
Child Protective Service is investigating the case and assisting police.
MOUNTAIN TOURISM-TAHOE-UTAH
Tahoe tourism officials borrow ideas from Utah
(Information in the following story is from: Tahoe Daily Tribune, http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/)
STATELINE, Nev. (AP) — Tourism officials from several key Lake Tahoe agencies have paid a visit to Park City, Utah, to catch a glimpse at how another mountain town operates and manages its major challenges.
Participants had the chance to explore several facets of the city, including public transportation, parking issues, and community- and tourism-based projects.
TahoeChamber, in partnership with the North Lake Tahoe Chamber, spearheaded this year's Trek to Park City, which took place April 2-5. Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority executive director Carol Chaplin estimates 20 people from the Lake Tahoe area went on the trip.
After an overview of Park City on the first morning, the group set out for a tour of the revitalized downtown district.
Other activities over the next two days included riding on the city's public transit, meeting with city leaders and discussing how to elevate health and wellness and the performing arts in Tahoe.
PAYDAY LOANS-IDAHO-NEVADA-UTAH
ID, NV, UT have among highest payday loan rates
(Information in the following story is from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A report says Idaho, Nevada and Utah have among the nation's highest interest rates for payday loans.
The study released last week by the Pew Charitable Trusts found their rates are so high mainly because they're among only seven states that impose no legal limits on them.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Nevada payday lenders charge an average 521 percent annual interest on their loans. Idaho leads the nation at 582 percent.
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