Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 27

LOTTERY 2D OBITUARIES 8D BUSINESS 9-12D MARKETS 9-11D ill SATURDAY, JANUARY 31,1998 RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL LINDA L. DONO, CITY EDITOR: PHONE, 788 6302 CIRCULATION: 786-8744 CLASSIFIED: 348-7355 ALSO COVERING NORTHERN NEVADA AND THE WEST "Renublicaii radio Mite targets labor ads Nevada GOP: Spots back proposed law to require member consent for political use of union dues. Friday promoting its drive to outlaw using labor union dues for political purposes without members' consent. The spots, airing in Reno and Las Vegas through Sunday, target "soccer moms" and in one, two women talk about how the money unions pour into political elections could go toward "shoes for Tommy." "This is to show a choice in using union money. The decision should be the worker's, not the union boss'," said GOP spokesman Charles Muth of Las Vegas.

Curiously, the ads are running even before petitions for a referendum have been submitted to the secretary of state's office. GOP officials said concerns over the exact wording have put off the collection of signatures until Monday. At least 46,764 signatures are needed to put the issue before voters in November. The party's leading candidate for governor, Las Vegan Kenny Guinn, opposes the campaign on the grounds that there are greater issues needing his attention. The initiative drew criticism from Reno union official Andy already do with a majority vote." Dan Rusnak, business manager of Local 169 of the Laborers International Union of North America in Reno, estimates that on average, about $3 per month in dues from a member of his union would go for political purposes.

"If they're worried about workers' paychecks, whv don't they come out in favor of higher minimum wage," he said of Republican advertisements promoting the initiative petition. State AFL-CIO leaders in Las Vegas have vowed to launch a retaliatory petition to require a stockholder vote before corporations, notably Nevada's publicly traded hotel-casinos, could give money to political campaigns. But Barbano opposes the coun-termeasure, saying he believes voters would perceive both initiatives as fair and approve both. But he said businesses have far greater flexibility to funnel money into politics using other means while unions are strapped by stringent laws governing their operations. "You're playing right into their hands," he said.

Barbano, campaign manager for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas. "War has been declared," Barbano said Friday. "It's pure union-bashing. Any worker can go now and say they don't want their money used for political purposes.

This is a right-to-work state. You don't have to belong to unions." "So what's the purpose? You're eliminating majority control in unions," he said. "People should have a say over how organizations' money is spent. And they Reno event features fancy firearms Nevadanswant more Calif, input on saving Tahoe By Bill O'Driscoll RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL The Nevada Republican Party launched a radio advertising blitz IN AND AROUND OUR TOWN We invite readers to submit items by calling the number listed below or faxing to 788-6458. Watch for "Our Town Tuesday through Saturday.

Hot August Nights officers for 1998: president Chris Kilian, vice president Cheryl Moss, secretary Sherry Vielie and treasurer Rich Martucci Members of Truckee Meadows Quitters have stitched more than 1 ,700 quilts for babies in the neonatal unit of Saint Mary's hospital since 1991. Diane McKiddie made 1 00 of the 392 quilts donated in 1997 and recent community donations will allow the group to purchase the makings of 250 more quilts. The program was founded by Quilters member Molly-Ann Groebe. Miguel Sepulveda, owner of the Spanish-English newspaper of AHORA, is in Washington, D.C., at the Federation of Hispanic-Owned Newspapers executive board meeting. Sepulveda is national secretary of the National Federation of Hispanic-owned Newspapers.

"The Donner Party Chronicles," Gazette-Journal staffer Frank Mullen's account of the doomed Donner party, has been nominated for the prestigious Western Heritage Book Award of the Cowboy Hall of Fame at Oklahoma City, Okla. Mullen's series about the ill-fated Donners appeared in 1996-1997 in the Gazette-Journal, where he is a general assignment writer, to mark the 1 50th anniversary of the tragedy. The Nevada Humanities Committee published the book. For details, call the committee at To submit items: Call 324-0225; punch 5627 when asked, orfax to 788-6458. mm r- ri By Jeff DeLong RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Buoyed by California's plan to spend more than $116 million to protect Lake Tahoe over the next fiscal year, a panel of Nevada lawmakers nevertheless insists that communication between the two states must be improved to save the lake.

Key members of the Legislature's Committee to Review the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency said Friday that they will push to get California legislators to join oversight of the bistate organization formed to protect Tahoe. "We're certainly going to exhaust every step necessary," said Assemblyman Brian Sandoval, chairman of Nevada's oversight committee. Formation of a new committee including lawmakers from both stales is one possibility worth exploring, Sandoval said. The oversight panel by late May will prepare a list of Tahoe-related recommendations for the 1999 Legislature and was briefed Friday on TRPA's plans to fix Tahoc's troubled environment. The agency has identified some $900 million worth of work needed over the next decade to keep the lake from turning green, including erosion control projects and wetlands restoration.

Dennis Machida of the California Tahoe Conservancy told the panel of plans for a 1998 referendum to sell $95 million in bonds, the most ever proposed for Lake Tahoe. The why they do some of joining the profession. "Now I see that they're not all like that and I understand why they do some of the things they do," he said. "I've gotten a better understanding of the details involved in being a cop." Hug vice principal of curriculum Mark Williams said about 75 percent of the school's students live outside city limits in areas patrolled by the sheriffs office. "It gives them an appreciation of what's involved in police work and that's a message they can spread to their friends," he said.

Students will take a mid-term and a final exam based on the material they've learned. Most of the classes are lectures and discussion of the i Sandoval Legislature Committee to Review TRPA: Assemblyman Brian Sandoval, R-Reno, chairman; Assemblywoman Vivian Freeman, D-Reno; Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden; Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas; Sen. Michael Schneider, D-Las Vegas; Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon.

state also plans to double its budgetary commitment to nearly $22 million for pay for projects at the lake. California's increased commitment comes on the heels of President Clinton's environmental summit at the lake. Clinton then promised to double federal funding spent to protect Lake Tahoe. TRPA's $900 million wish list would be funded with $297 million from the federal government, $275 million from California and $82 million from Nevada, with the private sector and local governments providing the balance. Some speculated California would balk at providing its share and the $116 million commitment discussed Friday was welcome.

But top TRPA officials complained Friday that they continue to struggle for money for year-to-year operations. Both states contribute to TRPA's $3.7 million annual budget, but getting the money from the two legislatures is growing increasingly complicated and time-consuming, said Jim Bactge, TRPA executive director. The Nevada Legislature has had a TRPA oversight panel in existence for years but California has never established such a body. issues and demonstrations by the bomb squad, K-9 unit, and RAVEN the sheriffs office helicopter patrol are planned. The kids also are encouraged to sign up for a four-hour ride-along with deputies.

Often, kids have inaccurate ideas about how law enforcement works, said sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Bob Towery. "They see what's on TV, and that's not always a realistic portrayal of what we do on a day-to-day basis," Towery said. Royle said they tried to launch a similar after-school program at Galena High, but few students responded. Hug principal Ben Zunino worked with deputies to include the class in the elective choices.

Royle said the class will expand to cover two semesters next year. He also hopes to add tours of the courts, Wittenberg Hall, Washoe County Jail and sheriffs WASHOE SCHOOLS Investigators: Skeletal remains likely those of man lost in flood Class helps teens see cops' point of view Mark StudyvinReno Gazette-Journal Ii LL "Now I understand the things they do. Hug High sophomore Ryan Ashton whole," said Deputy Brent Royle, who created the course with Deputy Mark Duncan. "We hope to give them a better understanding of what we do, and in turn, we'll get a better insight into what they are about, what their concerns are." The class is taught by a host of volunteer deputies, sheriffs staff and representatives from the district attorney's office. Lessons cover topics including search and seizure, specialized patrol units, search and rescue, community policing and drug and alcohol enforcement.

Sophomore Ryan Ashton took the class to learn more about what police do. sard he had a negative opinion of officers before he took the class, but would now consider UNDER COVER: The Walther PPKS above was engraved by Don Scarberry of Fairbanks, Alaska. Scarberry is one of the exhibitors at the Firearm Engravers and Gunmakers Exhibition at Reno's Silver Legacy Resort Casino Grand Ballroom. At right, Norma Ortiz inspects the detailed engraving on a Smith Wesson Magnum at the exhibition, which continues through Sunday. The national gathering features craftsmen from both the American Custom Gunmakers Guild and the Firearm Engravers Guild of America.

The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15 per day, or two days for $25.

near the river to return to his office at CDS on North Edison to retrieve photographs of his late fiancee. Snelling, who distributed free newspapers and informational handouts, had not been seen since. He was one of two men swept away in the flood. In November, a skeleton found on the East Fork of the Carson River was identified as Frederick Pinard, 59, of Gardner-ville. Pinard went into the raging river Jan.

2, 1997, while attempting to shore up the bank to protect the Riverview Mobile Home Park. The new remains were taken to the Washoe County Coroner's Office and determined to be those of an adult man, although the exact cause of death is unknown. Positive identification is expected through dental records when they are available to law enforcement. Until a positive ID is made, investigators will continue to treat the case as a criminal investigation. Anyone having information is asked to contact Investigator Phil Brown at 687-3779.

By Patti Steele RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL A skeleton found Jan. 24 north of Mustang Ranch Road could be the remains of Michael Snelling of Reno, who disappeared during last January's flood, the Nevada Division of Investigation reported. A Peri Ranch employee looking for stray cattle contacted the Storey County Sheriffs Office when he discovered the skeleton partially exposed above ground in an open field south of the Truckee River and east of Lockwood, NDI said. The open field was under water at the time of the 1997 flood, investigators said. NDI contacted the Reno Police Department's missing person section and has been gathering information to determine whether the remains are Snelling's.

Snelling was reported missing Jan. 6, 1 997, by neighbors who said he was driving a company-owned white International pickup. Friends said the 53-year-old needed to drive over a washed-out road By Jennifer Crowe RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Hug High senior Kimberly Morello was irate last year when police searched her Jeep Cherokee because it was similar to a suspect vehicle in a string of mailbox thefts. Police believed something like a baseball bat was used to vandalize mailboxes and she had softball bats in the vehicle. But Morello, now a student in an introduction to law enforcement class, has a better understanding of hy she was stopped.

"I can see their point of view," the 18-year-old said after Friday's lesson on reasonable suspicion and probable cause. That's the goal of the new elective offered at Hug. The Washoe County Sheriffs Office, one of the school's partners in education, started the class in the hopes of developing better communication with teens. "We're trying to give them an overview of law enforcement as a The majority of these 2350 Tips to prevent gag feltes Animal control personnel investigate 80 to 90 animal bites a month in 1 Washoe County. 3vX bites can be eliminated it you: Always ask permission before petlin someone's dog.

Please turn to page 8D for a complete obituary listing and other news of record. Mary Frances Benedict, 85, of Sparks Betty Jeanne Fortune Boyd, 82, Fallon Antonio C. D'Andrade 74, Reno Elmer Renwick Foss, 88, Reno Ingeburg Johanna Schroder Fredericks, 76, Reno RayLandon, 81, Reno Victoria Dawn Roy, 3, Reno Darleen J. Cline Stevenson, 59, Lcmmon Valley Remember that not every dog that wag its tail is friendly. Hotel room burglary investigation leads to recovery of stolen items Investigation of a rash of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows hotel room burglaries has led to the recovery of hundreds of pieces of skiing equipment, 60 bicycles and computers in Rio Linda, Calif.

Placer County sheriffs deputies arrested Thomas Ledbetter, 39, of Rio Linda on an outstanding warrant and for driving on a suspended license when they stopped his van Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, Sacramento sheriffs deputies on Friday began trying to match recovered items with burglary cases. Placer Detective Sgt. Bill Langton said that after the room burglaries, resort officials started watching for suspicious people. On Thursday, Olympic Village security officers confronted Ledbetter when he was seen try ing door knobs at the inn.

He fled in a van but was caught by deputies. Hoosier hits $1 0.6 million Super Megabucks jackpot An expectant mother from Indiana became the first winner of the Super Megabucks jackpot, hitting a Reno Hilton machine for more than 1 0 million Friday night. Laura Backman, 26. of Aurora, said she had put about 100 in a three-coin 1 machine opposite the hotel gift shop when she won the $10,595,144 jackpot. She got 1 million on the spot and the rest over 30 years.

Backman, six months pregnant, said she had walked past the machine several times during the day and it caught her eye. She was playing the machine while her husband was at the Safari Club International show at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno. International Game Technology launched the game in September. Never tease a dog. Don't pull on the dog's tail or ears.

Don't bother a dog while it is eating or sleeping. Always let a dog come to you and smell you first when meeting a new dog. Don't try to pet stray dogs; they are unpredictable. Be careful around a mother dog. She is protective of her young ones.

Be extremely cautious when assisting injured dogs. It's best to call Washoe County Animal Control at 858-1616, Carson City Animal Services at 887-2171, Douglas County Animal Shelter at 782-9061. Nevada: For current road and highway conditions east of the Truckee Meadows and in the Sierra Nevada, call 793-1313. California: Inside the state, call 1-800-427-7623 toll-free. From other states: 916-445-7623.

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