Reno court building dedicated to former judge, boxing referee

RENO - Former Reno judge and boxing referee Mills Lane was honored Tuesday in a ceremony at the justice center to be named in his honor.

"One thing we all know is, we love Mills Lane," Rep. Jim Gibbons said. "We remember those good days."

Lane, 67, who suffered a stroke nearly three years ago, took part in the ceremonies, but did not speak. His son, Terry, said it was just his father's second public appearance since the stroke. Lane earlier rode in a Reno rodeo parade.

Lane, who formerly served as Washoe County district attorney and district court judge was praised by Gov. Kenny Guinn, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and current District Attorney Dick Gammick along with Gibbons, R-Nev.

The ceremony took place in the existing court building next to the site of the Mills B. Lane Justice Center that will house Reno's municipal courts and district attorney offices.

The new $43 million justice center is expected to be completed in about one year and will be connected to the existing court building.

Washoe County Commission Vice Chair Bonnie Weber said Lane brought national attention to Nevada and Reno through his syndicated television program "Judge Mills Lane" and as the third man in the ring for 102 championship fights, including the 1997 heavyweight match in which Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear.

Terry Lane said his father has improved since undergoing treatment with injections of stem cells from his own bone marrow in Ukraine - treatment not readily available in the United States.

"He doesn't speak much, but sometimes comes up with words and phrases that surprise us," he said. "His spirits and energy are the things that are really improving."

Lane, hobbling with a cane and his right arm in a sling, nodded to acquaintances and bobbed his head as they spoke to him.

The stroke damaged the part of Lane's brain that controls speech and the right side of his body.