Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 13

Reno Evening Ga mis evenings Phone (702) 786-8989 Reno, Nevada, Friday, March 12, 1976 Thirteen' fytfog top? Here'o oorae fiipo for Ahe weekend Contempt order The man acquitted last June of involvement in the $1 million robbery of a Reno bank was jailed Thursday after being held in contempt of court for refusing to answer grand jury questions that related to that robbery. Edward T. Malone refused to answer a series of questions during a federal grand jury session. Malone is serving a two-year sentence on a gun charge, however, stemming from his arrest in the $1 million ofloto Boaoto. Blood drive A community service project unique in America will take place in the Governor's Mansion in Carson City when Mrs.

Mike O'Callaghan invites the general public in April 1 to become voluntary blood donors. It will be the second annual "Governor's Blood Donor Day" to be held in the historic mansion on South Mountain street. The first, held last April 1, drew more than 400 voluntary donors to make the event the biggest single mobile drawing of blood in the state, she said. Teen auditions Teen-age performers are being asked to audition tonight or Saturday for the Culture Vultures Talent Attack, the youth talent showcase being staged by and for teens in the Pioneer Theater March 30. Auditions will begin at 7 tonight and resume at 2 p.m.

Saturday in the Washoe County Library Auditorium. aintor faozos Spring-like weather got the old green thumb "Cool it," says Ron Gustafson of the agriculture extension service at the University of Nevada-Reno. "The weather can still get nasty." If you must get out in the yard this weekend, Gustafscn recommends limited gardening activities, o- Soil conditioning can begin if the ground is dry, he says. This includes tilling or spading, working In compost and garden humist but not fertilizing. Don't do any fertilizing until the first part of April, he advises.

Now is also the time for cleaning up last year's debris the old petunias, etc. and pruning the fruit trees, he says. Fruit trees must be pruned before they begin to grow, he explains. Gustafson also says it is time to start seedlings such as tomato and pepper plants in the house. He advises care in purchasing those bareroot plants that come in a clear plastic bag at the supermarket.

Don't buy them if there is any indication of sprouting or leaves, he warns. There's an old adage not to put in the garden until the snow melts on Peavine usually during the first two weeks of June. This holds true for leafy vegetables, says Gustafson. But root-type vegetables such as carrots and radishes can be planted as early as the middle of April. Ornamental plants such as Juniper can be planted around April 1 to April 15.

Don't uncover bulbs or trim roses for another month. Spring's almost here, but not quite. Flu death A 73-year-old Sparks man Wednesday became the fourth person to die in Washoe County this year of complications Involving influenza. Sparks police said the victim had been under treatment for a heart condition and flu and recently was released from the hospital. County Health Officer Dr.

Edward Gallagher previously said the actual number of fatal flu victims might not be known for some time. His office has reported just one; the others were reported by police. Uvm novfer preview fever. Homeowners are advised not to be too hasty, however, in putting in their gardens. (Gazette photo) Kathy Kozloski, clerk at the Albers store on Timber Way in Reno, looks over the stock of power lawn mowers in preparation for spring Gravel pit Door-to-door with geiger counters Beatty combed for radioactive 'hot stuff the dump site to this town, known as the "burro capital of the world," 11 miles to the north, is the first known incident of its sort involving waste dumps, NECO President Jim Neel said.

The firm runs four of the six nuclear waste dumps in the country, and handles most of the waste from nuclear-powered Navy ships, nuclear power reactors and hospital or commercial facilities. Trounday said all "hot" materials are being taken back to the site, which has been shut down pending further investigation. That means no new shipments have been allowed to the site, a 15-acre plant which has been operating since 1962. The plant is ringed with a high barbed wire fence and a guard dog patrols the compound when employes aren't present. apparently contaminated by radiation.

A large cement patio at a local saloon had to be cut up and hauled off because the cement had been mixed in a contaminated concrete mixer. Also found were some tools, compasses and other discarded U. S. Navy gear which had radium-coated dials, and large metal cannisters used to ship materials to the dump. Dick Sorenson, the saloon operator, was upset about the loss of his patio, and said he and other reisdents weren't alarmed by the search activities.

But Roger Trounday, chief of the state Human Resources Department and in charge of the search, said the steps were necessary to protect the estimated 400 persons in the area. The unauthorized removal of property from By BRENDAN RILEY Associated Press Writer BEATTY Investigators armed with geiger counters are continuing a door-to-door search in this tiny desert town following the apparent theft of radioactive materials from a nearby nuclear waste dump. No health hazard has been reported, officials said Thursday. Three of the seven employes at the waste dump one of just sue such sites in the nation have been fired, including the site manager. Top executives of the firm, Nuclear Engineering were being flown in from headquarters in Louisville, and elsewhere.

The search has already turned up a "hot" clock and a measuring scale and wood paneling mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Organized crime unit running out of cash WILLIAM NAGEL Crime seminar planned What are crimes? Who are the victims? How does justice work? fostered crime where there was none. The suit seeks a court order barring the defendants from harassing and intimidating the plaintiffs, ordering defendants to give the pair access to public records regarding the sheriff's investigation of them, ordering the sheriff to account for money spent to date, and requiring the sheriff to show cause in the future when he wants to spend public funds for investigation. Drakulich previously filed a federal suit against the crime unit under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking to acquire data collected by the crime unit. That suit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Bruce Thompson.

Stan Drakulich and Jim Slattery joined in a U.S. District Court suit seeking to force an accounting by Galli of federal money spent investigating them through the crime unit. Scott said he thinks the unit has done some good over the past Vk years, but funding at the local level will be difficult to find. "When it was started, we warned Galli that funds may not be available when the federal grant comes to an end," Scott said. "Frankly, I don't see the unit ending, but at what level it will continue is unknown." The commissioner said the board has not made any commitment regarding funding if Galli's efforts to extend the grant fail.

In the second court complaint against the unit, the two former senators complain of Galli tactics "best suited to Nazi Germany." The suit also names as defendants Gov. Mike O'Callaghan and several officials of the federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA). "Galli has used public funds, including LEAA funds, to finance a campaign of harassment and intimidation under the guise of investigating organized crime," the suit alleges, "but in reality, Galli has conducted a campaign against defendants for opposing (him) politically." In violating Drakulich's and Slattery's civil rights, the suit asserts, the sheriff has created and The tentative Washoe County budget for next year contains no funding for the Washoe County Sheriff's Organized Crime Unit now supported by a federal grant. A three-year Law Enforcement Assistance Administration grant is scheduled to end June 30, but to date county commissioners have not agreed to pick up the cost of the unit County Commission Chairman Dick Scott said this morning that Washoe County Sheriff Bob Galli has applied for a 100 per cent extension of the grant which funds the controversial unit. "As far as I know, Galli has not received any word on his request," Scott said.

Thursday, former state senators Elected officials were told Thursday that highway projects are "dead in the water" until the entities agree to acquire access to a proposed gravel pit to furnish construction material. Russ McDonald, county manager, told members of the Washoe Council of Governments the only way to get delayed projects off the ground is for elected officials to instruct county and city administrative officers to resolve a purchase plan. Trial postponed The Washoe murder trial of baby-killing suspect Gerald M. Curtis was postponed Thursday for 10 weeks. Dist.

Judge James Guinan rescheduled the trial for May 17 to allow Curtis to appeal the loss of a pre-trial motion to the state Supreme Court. Curtis, 31, is charged in the October 1975 slaying of 2-year-old Kenneth T. Butler of Reno. Drag strip plan The Reno Airports Advisory Commission Thursday tabled a request by the Reno Police Department and Comstock Sertoma Club to use an abandoned runway at Stead Airport for an auto drag strip. The commission delayed making a decision pending more detailed information on how the strip would be operated.

Malpractice bill WASHINGTON AP) Legislation which could alleviate medical malpractice insurance problems has been introduced by Nevada Sen. Paul Laxalt. The bill "could be an important first step towards relieving the medical malpractice insurance difficulties facing the health care system," Laxalt said. Aggie opposition The idea to combine the state departments of agriculture and commerce "is not a viable alternative at all," state Agricultural Director Tom Ballow said Thursday. But Mike Melner, director of the Department of Commerce, said he would not mind taking over agriculture at all, if that's what the legislature wants.

The proposal originated with state planning coordinator Bruce Arkell, whose office is working with a special legislative committee to reorganize all state agencies dealing with natural resources and conservation. Mayor candidate Gazette Carson City Bureau A 68-year-old semi-retired mining engineer who says he is for "planned, orderly growth" and against "slurbs has become the third candidate for the office of mayor of Carson City. By "slurbs," said Harold W. Cole, he meant "excessive' growth." Cole, a former Las Vegan who has lived in Carson City for the past two years, said he would work for economy in government and planned city expansion. "I believe the city is going to be entering a new phase in coming years and new blood is needed, he said.

Carson Mayor Eugene Scrivner announced recently he would not seek a third term. Two other candidates have filed for the office thus far Ron Swirczek and Joseph Littlefield. Carson crash Gazette Carson City Bureau Carson City's new K-Mart (Silver City) Shopping Center opened Thursday with a bang more precisely a collision between a motorcycle and a car which resulted in 17-year-old Davey Lee Riley hospitalized with a fractured left lee' Riley, of 979 Koontz Lane, Reno, was reported in satisfactory condition at Carson-Tahoe Hospital. Carson's Janice Thomas, who drove the auto, suffered no injuries, according to a highway department spokesman. The spokesman said the accident occurred at the Fair- Before Nevada Supreme Court Newsstand case List argues for death penalty to be filed Those are among the 3uestions scheduled for iscussion Saturday during an all-day conference at the Center for Religion and Life.

The conference Crimes, Victims and Justice is being sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee under a grant from the Nevada Humanities Committee. During the morning session, Irv Joyner will speak on "Community Choices: Crime and Punishment or Relief and Prevention." Joyner is the director of Criminal Justice Priority Commission on Racial Justice, United Church of Christ. Responding to Joyner's talk will be Nevada Atty. Gen. Bob List, Brad Crase, director of the Crime Prevention and Community Relations Division of the Reno Police Department; Armand Austan, a graduate student at the University of Nevada-Reno and a former inmate of the Ohio State Prison and Judie Monk, director of Woman Associates and Rape Crisis Line.

During the afternoon session, William Nagel will speak on "In Our Name and For Our Protection? Nagel is the executive vice president of American Foundation, Institute of Corrections. A former deputy prison warden, he had written "The New Red Barn" and other books on the philosophy and history of corrections in America. Respondents to Nagel will be Nevada State Sen. William Raggio, R-Reno, a former Washoe County district attorney and past president of the National District Attorneys' Association, and Alden Kelley, director of the Knox County (Ohio) Legal Services Program and a former inmate of the Nevada State Prison. Gazette Carson City Bureau Atty.

Gen. Bob List appeared before the Nevada Supreme Court today to argue what an aide called "the most important test" of Nevada's capital punishment (deathpenalty) law. It was List's first personal appearance before the Nevada Supreme Court since taking office as attorney general. Among other things, List addressed himself to the contention of attorneys for Nevada State Prison inmate Raymond Wallace Shuman that not only is the state law unconstitutional, but so are all such executions. Capita punishment "is the only remaining form of torture authorized in our civilization," Mike Griffin, Shuman's attorney argued in prehearing briefs.

Its abolition "would be a major milestone in the long road up from barbarism," he said. With regard to the 1973 Nevada death penalty law, Griffin said it violates the intent of the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court (Furman vs. Georgia; decision which holds that the question of whether one man gets death and The death penalty, he said, is in effect in over 36 states and has served as both a "permissable sanction" and "society's expression of moral outrage" throughout the history of this and other nations. Shuman was sentenced to the gas chamber in May 1974 after being convicted by a Carson District Court jury of dousing fellow inmate Ruben Bejarano with paint thinner and setting him afire following a cellblock dispute.

Bejarano, a Washoe County man, died several days later at a California burn center after reportedly naming Shuman as his assailant in a dying declaration. Shuman was prosecuted under a provision of the 1973 law which mandates death for murder committed by an inmate serving a life sentence without possibility of parole. If Shuman is not executed, List said in his brief, "there is nothing to Krevent him from committing further einous murders of his fellow inmates or other persons." another gets a lesser sentence should not be left to the discretion of a jury. Griffin contends that such discretion not only applies in Nevada's trial courts, but is present in every aspect of the state's criminal justice procedure, dating back to the time when the defendant is first charged with the crime. List, in his responding briefs, has argued that, in effect, the nation's entire criminal justice system is on trial in the Shuman matter.

He said such discretionary matters as whether or not to charge an individual, the crime to charge him with, plea bargaining and executive clemency are integral parts of the system. Doing away with them, he said, could result in "a computerized system of Justice" in which "human understanding" plays no part. He said a guilty verdict and a death sentence now result from "a decision by consensus of those participants in the system" and that death is imposed only when there is unanimous agreement all along the line. Briefs will be filed during the next month in a case against the City of Reno brought by four independent newsstand operators fighting city attempts to remove their stands from public sidewalks. Washoe District Judge John Gabrielli Thursday continued a restraining order he issued last month to prevent the city from removing the stands.

Reno attorney Dan Olguin, representing the newsstand operators, argued that the city ordinance prohibiting sale of merchandise, including newspapers, on public streets is unconstitutional. He cited a California case brought by the California Newspaper Publishers Association against the City of Burbank. The California court ruled the ordinance prohibiting the distribution of newspapers through the use of newsracks on public property was "overbroad" and unconstitutional. The City of Reno is contending the' newsstands, located in front of the Primadonna and El Cortez, could be a safety hazard since they are on public sidewalks. view Road entrance to the new center, which was jammed with vehicles and shoppers following ribbon-cutting ceremonies earlier in the day Auto crushed I HO IF THERE'S AWTMIN6 1 THIS IS 60NNA THINK OF H0U) I DON'T NEEP, IT'S A ALL THE PLANS I HAP I PROBABLY" WON'T 0E 5H0RT5T0P WITH HI5 FQK THE BA5E8AU.

SEASON TO PLAtf AT WM8LEPON LE6 IN A THIS Sparks motorist Donna Frazee, 20, had a brush with death Thursday when a truck-tractor crushed her Volkswagen north of Reno. Police said she was to be released after treatment at the U.S. Veterans Hospital. The side of her small sedan was hit by the truck on Parr Circle as she left a driveway. She was temporarily trapped in the wreckage between the truck and a parked car.

The truck driver was identified as James R. Sharkey, 24, of 325 Grove Reno. She lives at lOOSSbragia Way.