Unusual Request
The attorney who led Nevada in the legal fight over nuclear waste storage had an unusual request. According to the website of his law firm, Joe Egan had arranged for his ashes to be spread across the volcanic terrain of Yucca Mountain, with the proclamation, radwaste buried here only over my dead body. The 53-year-old Egan died last Wednesday of stomach cancer. He had been the lead attorney in the Nevada case against Yucca Mountain since 2001. The law firm has not said how his wishes will be carried out, and the Department of Energy has not commented. The DOE wants to store spent nuclear fuel at the Yucca Mountain site 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
05/13Accident Remains Under Investigation
Metro police say one person was critically injured Monday night just after 10 p.m on Durango Drive near Mountains Edge Parkway. According to investigators, two people were seen fighting in a Ford Mustang when the driver came to a sudden stop on southbound Durango. Another car, unable to stop smashed into the back of the Mustang then hit the passenger who had just gotten out of the car. The injured passenger, 39-year-old Aron Hernandez, was taken to University Medical Center with critical life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation.
05/13Sen. Heck Returns
Las Vegas state senator, Joe Heck returned home Monday night after serving time in Iraq. Senator Heck is also a doctor. He spent three months in Iraq treating soldiers and civilians alike. Family and friends greeted him warmly upon his arrival at McCarran International Airport. Heck says his time in Iraq made him more supportive of the war and the sacrifice being made by the young men and women serving there. He is expected to run for reelection to Senate District Five this fall.
05/13High Winds
Gusty high winds swept through Southern Nevada yesterday and are expected to dwindle in our Valley today. The National Weather Service says the highest gust was reported at 46 miles an hour, and caused delays in departures at McCarran International Airport. Winds up to 40 miles an hour were also reported in Pahrump accompanied by reduced visibility from blowing dust. Clark County Air Quality officials speculate that dust and wildfires from other states caused the haze that blanketed the city early Monday but the winds helped clear it out. A wind advisory remains in effect for the Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and Laughlin areas until 4 p.m. today.
05/13Sinatra Tribute
Frank Sinatra, a perennial Las Vegas favorite, died in May 1998. Our town plans to honor the legendary crooner on the tenth anniversary of his death. Today at noon one Sinatra offspring, Tina, will help launch the new Frank Sinatra postage stamp. She and the artist who designed the stamp will join in a dedication beside the fountains of the Bellagio hotel on the Strip. The new stamp gets two other sendoffs in New York City and in Hoboken, New Jersey, his hometown. The United States Postal Service is printing about 120-million of the new 42-cent stamps. Wednesday will be Frank Sinatra Day in Las Vegas. At midnight tonight, most major resort marquees on the Strip will post a special tribute to the man who helped define Sin City as the entertainment capital of the world.
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