Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 1

Enjoy winter's beauty on sleigh ride LOCAL LIFE, 1C ENO GAZETTE -JOURNAL ONUNEATRGJ.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2011 75 CENTS 2011 LEGISLATURE TRUCKK RIVER nnn rv nr i mm raws Reno vote creates flood plan agency W(B DGrD tit is Group includes Sparks, Washoe LAND DEAL Washoe County commissioners Tuesday authorized a $4 million deposit and negotiations to buy the last large section of land needed for the Truckee River flood control project in the east Truckee Meadows, a ribbon of land along the Truckee River at the University of Nevada, Reno Main Agriculture Station. One option is to buy 90 acres of pasture along the river and build a large berm. The other would be to buy 1 20 acres, including the UNR meatpacking plant, a veterinary center and eight other buildings, and tear down the aging By Susan Voyles svffvlf.srg.com The Reno City Council on Wednesday joined Sparks and Washoe County in approving a new government agency to oversee the Truckee River flood control project. The vote was the last step to create the Truckee River Flood Management Authority. A letter will be sent to inform the Army Corps of Engineers, so Congress can start funding the proposed $1.6 billion project this year.

In the 5-2 vote, Dwight Dortch and Sharon Zadra were in the minority, saying they did not want to create a new government agency when governments should be cutting back and consolidating operations. But others on the council said the new agency to be overseen by two elected officials each from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County represents regional, consolidated government. Under the agreement, board decisions must be unanimous, so no two entities can gang up on the third. Dortch also said the flood control agency has not really turned over control of SEE FLOOD, 6A MARILYN NEWTONRGJ Gary Winkle, father of convicted DUI offender Jessica Winkle, testifies against state Senate Bill 72 that clarifies how much time those convicted would spend in prison. Jessica Winkle served a few months in prison before being released to house arrest.

Once it was determined that she had not served the minimum sentence, she was reincarcerated. State seeks to clarify two-year minimum sentence for felony TAXES FOR CONSTRUCTION JOBS The Building Jobs Coalition is seeking sales, gasoline and property tax increases to help pay for state infrastructure projects that would employ some of the thousands of unemployed construction workers. 4A DUI SERIES RGJ'S STAND The Legislature must stand by its word about the minimum sentence of two years for felony driving under the influence. 9A DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE DUI SERIES Log on to RGJ.comdui to download a digital structures. Then, UNR could use the money to build new ones, said Naomi Duerr, flood control manager.

But Laurel Stadler of the Northern Nevada DUI Task Force told the panel that drinking and driving is a crime, not a mistake. "A young man was killed," Stadler said of Jessica Winkle's Sept. 20, 2008, crash that left 2 1 -year-old Hudson Post dead on the Mount Rose Highway. "How hurtful is it for the parents of these victims to see the offenders at the grocery stote? "Dead is dead is gone is final." Chairwoman Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, said the committee needed to review more material on the issue and consider Senate Bill 72 later. The bill is among about a half dozen to SEE DUI, 6A By Martha Bellisle mbdliskrg.com The parents of a 21 -year-old woman returned to prison after a Reno Gazette-Journal investigation found that many drunken drivers who caused death or serious injury were released after serving only months told Nevada lawmakers Wednesday that she is not a "demon." "She was just a young girl who made a mistake," Gary Winkle, Jessica Winkle's father, told the state Senate Judiciary Committee while testifying against a bill that would clarify language in a driving under the influence law to ensure that impaired drivers who kill or injure someone spend at least two years in prison.

booklet of the award-winning series of stories PUi about drunken driving in Northern Nevada Fired couple wins IGT case STAFF REPORT Shawn and Lena Van Asdale, intellectual property attorneys formerly employed by slot-maker International Game Technology, earned a $2.2 million federal court jury award in a whistle-blower lawsuit against the company. The Van Asdales were terminated after raising questions regarding patents and possible shareholder fraud in IGT's $1.4 billion acquisition of Anchor Gaming in 2001. The 10-day trial concluded late Tuesday with the jury ruling in favor of the Van Asdales, awarding damages of $955,597 to Shawn Van Asdale and $1,270,303 to Lena Van Asdale. See full story on page 7 A. Airport fare increases rank 4th in U.S.

cent); and Dallas Love Field (34 percent) during the past decade. Last year, the Reno average increase was about $15, or 5.25 percent, and below the national average of 10.67 percent. Las Vegas came in just under the national average last year, with an increase of about $23, or 2010, it was $305.63, an increase of 31.5 percent, according to a report released by Research and Innovative Technology Administration's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The increase at the airport trailed Burbank, Calif. (42.1 percent); Lubbock, Texas (40.6 per 10.55 percent.

"This 31.5 percent increase is over a 10-year period," said Brian Pratte, airport air service manager. "If you straight-lined that growth rate, the compound annual growth rate is only 3.15 percent per year." See full story on page 7 A. STAFF REPORT The rate of airfare increases for Reno was fourth-highest in the nation since 2000, but below the national average in 2009-1 0. In 2000, the average price of a ticket departing Reno-Tahoe International Airport was $232. In JODATS WICK READ i jfHi Hj Bill i'- WAR WIDOWS MUST REMARRY FOR BENEFITS A government policy known as the "widows' tax" says a military spouse whose loved one dies from a service-related cause can't collect both survivor's benefits and annuity benefits from insurance unless they remarry.

NATION WORLD, 2B HIGHER FOOD PRICES FORECASTED IN U.S. With U.S. corn reserves at a 15 -year low and with those of wheat, coffee, soybeans and other food staples dwindling, food companies are warning of retail price increases. BUSINESS, 7A All TMCC nursing graduates pass national license exam All of the 7 1 graduates who received associate degrees in nursing from Truckee Meadows Community College in 2010 passed the National Council Licensure MFIACI Examination for Registered IvCwwt Nurses exam. AttiifiJ Karen Fontaine, director of TMCC's nursing program, said the graduates' 100 percent pass rate "not only shows the rigor of our program our students to be RNs, but it also shows that our program provides a strong foundation for clinical nurses who later go on to serve this community." SEND YOUR GOOD NEWS TO goodnewsRGJ.com.

MCQUEEN RUINS SENIOR NIGHT FOR HUSKIES After a close first half, the Lancers pulled away for a 56-47 win over Reno in Northern 4A boys basketball. SPORTS, 1D RISE IN STROKES AMONG YOUNGER AMERICANS The first nationwide study of stroke hospitalizations by age shows they rose dramatically among the middle-aged. NATION WORLD, 2B INSIDE TODAY For convenient home delivery: 800-970-7366 -4 TODAYS WEATHER. High 49 Low 21 Forecast, page 4B WEATHERROAD UPDATES Log on to RGJ.comweather. 4C 5C 5C 6C 6C 4D Local 1-6A Comics Obituaries 6A Crossword Business 7-8A Voices 9A Movies NationWorld TV Grid Lottery 4B Sports Local Life 1-6C 0 9 .,..1, 201 1 Primed on recycled paper.