Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 15

METROWATCH 2B LOTTERY 2B COMMUNITY 4B OBITUARIES 5B 15) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1996 RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL MARK LUNDAHL, CITY EDITOR: PHONE, 788 6305; FAX 788-6458 CIRCULATION: 786-8744 CLASSIFIED: 348-7355 ALSO COVERING NORTHERN NEVADA AND THE WEST 'Reno police see progress against gangs Monthly report: Though recruitment has risen 1 0 percent, deputy chief says, fewer violent crimes have been committed 1995 1996 Active members 486 510 Active associates 452 524 Total members 938 1 ,034 Homicides 4 0 Attempted homicides 4 3 Sexual assaults 1 7 Robberies 7 13 Burglaries 12 18 'Figures for each year through October. increased programs has helped in keeping the level of violence dow n. "We had such a positive summer, I think we all were surprised," said Julia Ratti, head of the Gangs Alternative Partnership. "Everyone got involved." Berry said no city devotes as much effort to controlling gangs as Reno while recognizing that gang membership is not against the law. "On a regular basis, we get phone calls from other communities asking for our annual report, stats and different programs.

We're not out of the woods yet, but we're making the right effort." Community Action Team intelligence show 53 1 active gang members in May and 510 in October. Last October there were 486. There would be even more gang members if it weren't for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, which has deported more than 100 people in a year, he said. Since last August, INS agents have been working closely with CAT to identify and deport gang members who are in the country illegally.

So far this year, Reno has had no gang-related homicides and the number of shots attributed to gangs dropped from 47 at this time last year fewer violent crimes. "Felony gang crime has steadily gone down over the year, including homicides, drive-bys and shots fired," Berry said. "Even though we have more membership than a year ago, we have less violence." Gangs committed 198 felony offenses and police files based on to 43. Residents working with gang-affected youth say commitment to 'Anything that cuts our tax base will Wildlife plan reduces be a shock to the county treasury' Churchill farm jobs He said police provide gang members and at-risk youths with alternatives through a variety of community-sponsored programs. One local organization is try ing to attack gangs in a new way, he said.

"Junior League is working on a fund-raiser to buy a graffiti-removal machine." He said the goal is to remove graffiti anywhere in the city within 24 hours. "People (gang members) can't mark up their territory. They can't say, 'This is my They can't communicate." RENO CITY GOVERNMENT Planning panel puts River Inn proposal on hold By Susan Voyles RENO GAZETTE-JOURN AL The Reno City Planning Commission put a hold on plans to revive the River Inn Hot Springs resort Wednesday night to sec if there's a way to restrict the property from becoming a a full-fledged hotel-casino. Commissioner David Rigdon wants to keep the property's current zoning of arterial-commercial zoning for the 19.6-acre site on West Fourth Street. Plans to open the casino, finish building the spa and eventually build 300 motel rooms would be considered as a nonconforming use.

City planners had recommended a zone change to hotel-casino to reflect the use. But with the property historically changing hands, Rigdon is worried that a future owner 30 years later could tear down the motel units and build a 30-story, high-rise hotel-casino. Commissioner Jerry Turner said the hotel-casino zoning could be signal to others that the city is entertaining hotel-casinos outside downtown and focal centers such as near the Reno-Sparks Center. A hotel project, for instance, is now awaiting a new zoning code ordinance change before it could build at the West McCarran and Interstate 80 interchange. That change would allow hotels to locate outside downtown or the focal centers.

"It could open up a Pandora's box," Turner said. So the commission voted to postpone a zoning decision until Dec. 4. In the meantime. Acting Community Development Director Donna Kristaponis is to rule on whether the River Inn qualifies as a nonconforming use.

Deputy City Attorney Michael Halley said he believes the project doesn't conform because the casino use was abandoned in 1 967. However, the project had approval for a casino in the 1980s when George I. Benny built a casino and then went bankrupt. Planning manager Laura Tuttlc said a bankruptcy "stops the clock" on all active permits because the owner no longer had control. Rigdon emphasized that he doesn't want to stop the project just to curb its potential use.

"People are very interested in seeing this open back up." Another hurdle the project faces is gaining approval from Union Pacific Railroad for an overpass over its tracks to get to the resort. SEA Engineers are currcntlv designing an overpass and ramp that would create a 22-foot tunnel for trains. But Commissioner Mark De-See RIVER on page 3B By Phil Barber RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL The community is controlling Reno youth gangs despite a 10 percent increase in recruitment, a police official said Wednesday. In releasing a monthly gang report, Deputy Chief Ondra Berry cited IN AND AROUND OUR TOWN Editor's Note: We invite readers to submit items by calling the number listed below or fax to 788-6458. Watch for "In andAroundOut Town" daily.

The Washoe County School District wants suggestions for names for the two remaining elementary schools to be built with 1 992 bond money. The schools will be built on Sidehill Road in Sun Valley and at the south end of Paradise Park. The Paradise Park school is scheduled to open in fall 1997. The Sun Valley school is scheduled to open for the 1 998 school year. Two hearings will be held for the public to make name suggestions: 7 p.m.

Nov. 13 at Palmer Elementary School, 5890 Klondike in Sun Valley, and 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Agnes Risley Elementary, 1900 Sullivan Lane, Sparks. Residents can also make suggestions in writing by obtaining a nomination form at the communications office, 425 E.

Ninth or by calling 348-0371 Forms are also available at Lois Allen, Sun Valley, Palmer, Risley, Cannan, Mitchell, Kate Smith or Glenn Duncan Elementary Schools. The late Leslie B. Gray will be honored Nov. 15 at 1 1 a.m. at a tree planting in his memory at San Rafael Park, sponsored by the Republican Round Table.

Details: Mary Ann Coleman Gov. Bob Miller has appointed 29-year state employee Sharon Murphy as the director of the Department of Personnel. Murphy will take over for the retiring Barbara Willis early next month. The Elko native is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and has worked for the state since 1967. She has worked for the Department of Personnel, Department of Motor Vehicles, Welfare Division and the Gaming Control Board, where she is current chief of the administrative division.

Attention young skiers: Sky Tavern Junior League Program is now up and running and taking applicants. Registration is now available at the old Southside School, 190 E. Liberty St. Call 323-5 125 for A free introductory class on astrology and the birth chart is p.m. Nov.

16. at the Sierra View Branch of the Reno Library community room, Old Town Mall. Dave Carrothers, an astrologer with 10 years experience is featured. Details: To submit items: Call 324-0225, punch 5627 when asked or fax to 788-6458. AIRBORNE: Birds take flight from Program aims to bolster Lahontan Valley wetlands near Fallon.

not affect our area in a kind way." An environmental impact statement prepared for the federal government's ater purchase program predicted that the lost ag income would be offset by $1.2 million in annual income gains by people selling their water rights. It estimated that the water purchase program would create 168 new jobs. Five years ago, the Lahontan on part of Vista Boulevard David B. ParkerReno Gazette Journal tile photo Valley had a population of 18,000 people and 7,190 jobs, according to a 1992 study conducted by the Nevada Division of Water Planning. The Fallon Naval Air Station directly accounted for 2,153 of those jobs with a total personal income of $47 million.

Agriculture accounted for only See WETLANDS on page 3B Ingraffia said. Should the speed limit on Vista be reduced, Ingraffia said, motorists will be given a grace enod of 24 hours rather than face lmediate citations. kforc any changes can be anecteu, tne sparks uty Louncii will have to give its approval. That's something Councilwoman Cindy Henderson said she would have no trouble doing, although she wants to see the speed limit raised on Vista north of Sparks. She said the area of Vista between Los Altos Parkway and Wingficld Springs should be raised to 45 mph.

"There is nothing out there," she said. "It is hard for people who live out there to drive 40." the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge That's a lot of jobs and money for Churchill County and its 22,000 residents to lose, community leaders and government officials said Wednesday. "Anything that cuts our tax base will be a shock to the county treasury," said Shirley Walker, director of the Churchill County Economic Development Authority. "The loss of jobs ill limit sought able weight, said John Zabala, traffic technician. "If you go by the volume of accidents, I think there is a need to lower the limit." Of those, 5 1 accidents occurred on Vista Boulevard itself, Zabala said.

He explained that other collisions happened at cross streets like Vista and Prater or Vista and Interstate 80, where 19 accidents are documented. "If you take those side streets into consideration there could be more than what I have listed here." From January to August of this year, Zabala said, seven accidents have taken place. Last year, the city closed out the books with a total of 11. The speed reduction is supported by the Sparks Police Depart- prepared for winter in the outdoors 445 0Hk By Faith Bremner RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has unveiled its long-term plan to buy up water rights from farmers for Lahontan Valley wetlands.

The program will lead to the elimination of 404 agricultural jobs and reduce total annual farm income by $3.8 million. Lower speed By Robert Anglen RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL The once rural Vista Boulevard has changed, becoming a residential thoroughfare with connecting streets to schools and subdivisions. It also has become too dangerous to drive at 45 mph, according to Sparks traffic engineers who want to reduce the speed limit to 40 mph from Prater Way to Pah Rah Mountain Park. "Now that we have sidewalks, pedestrians and school kids out there, it does need to be changed," said Edward Ingraffia, traffic engineering associate. "The use of the street is changing." A seven-page list of 110 accidents on Vista Boulevard since 1989 gives the argument consider Be SPARKS Glendale Greg Reno Gazette-Journal mcnt, which during a traffic study clocked motorists traveling more than 60 mph on the boulevard, Please turn to page 5B for a complete obituary listing and other news of record.

Joseph Baldecehi, 80. Incline Village Kent Ezra Buchanan. 49, Reno Rose Marie Austin Condie, 93, Pioche Robert Corey, 74, Carson City David F. Dickinson, 82, Haslett, Mich. Robert Hardy Jamieson.

68. Reno Donald Melville Vance, 75, Reno Man busted in Battle Mountain in Oregon child support case A man authorities say owes more than $60,000 in back child support to his ex-w ife in Oregon has been arrested in Battle Mountain. Stephen Casperson, 35, of Battle Mountain was arrested after Lander County sheriffs deputies stopped him for driving a vehicle without license plates or insurance. A warrant issued for Casperson last week listed 1 6 counts of criminal nonsupport dating back to 1 99 1 authorities said. Officials in McMinnville, said Casperson would not be extradited to that state to face charges if he agrees to begin making $800 payments.

Summer Gleason, an attorney in Yamhill County's Family Support Division, said Oregon officials have been trying to find Casperson foryears. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has launched the Nevada EnvironmentalRecycling Hotline an automated information service that will provide immediate and up-to-date information on how, where, and when to recycle. Callers ho dial 1 (800) 94-REUSE and enter their zip code will be directed to the nearest collection center for a variety of recyclable materials. The Hotline also will have a listing of upcoming environmental events and household hazardous waste management. The hotline operates 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.

The program is jointly funded by America West Airlines and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection. Similar programs are used in other states. Don't go alone. A partner can help withiwpes and survival if you get lost. tic Carry the proper equipment, infJtatffljKTjkncy ski ''Ps for cross country skiing and snowshoet tcfciis arifc a spare drive belt for snowmobilinp.

Youyjnay hajre fe walk out. Bring a survival kit wthiatch Js or aghter in a waterproof container! Whtle, a jsftjnal mirror, an emergency spacaplanke aut aid kit, a knife, a working flashlight, i-map aftd a cqfnpass. A citizens band radio is a good opti to coflslctef Leave aTSote if your vehicle saying where you went and when you wttWje back. Know the weather forcast. Don't go out in bad weather.

Dress warmly with at least three layers of clothing for the upper body. Pack dry clothes if possible. Synthetic fleece or wool clothing is better than cotton, which can trap moisture next to your skin. Take water and energy food like candy or granola bars. Wear sunglasses and take sun screen.

Nevada: For current road and highw ay conditions east of the Truckee Meadows and in the Sierra Nevada, call 793-1 31 3. California: Inside the state, call 1-800-427-7623 toll-free. From other states: 916-445-7623.