Northern Nevada Briefly 6/24

Two women enter pleas to stealing packages

MINDEN (AP) - Two women accused of stealing packages off doorsteps in several Northern Nevada communities around the holidays face up to four years in prison when sentenced this summer.

Thirty-four-year-old Evelyn Aceves and 40-year-old Alisha Ezell also could be given probation on their pleas to fraudulent use of a debit card when sentenced Aug. 10 in Douglas County District Court. They entered their pleas Monday.

Authorities say a half-dozen thefts occurred in Douglas County and others were reported in Carson City and Reno.

The roommates were arrested after they tried to use gift cards in Wal-Mart in December that were reported stolen.

Police reports say the women admitted taking the items because they were short of money to buy Christmas gifts.

Nevada eyeing when judges can hear donors' cases

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Nevada Supreme Court is giving a state judicial reform commission until July 20 to issue a report about when state judges should step aside from cases involving campaign donors.

The review of the issue by the state's Commission on the Amendment to the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that elected judges must removing themselves when contributions from interested parties create an appearance of bias.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling centered on a West Virginia Supreme Court justice who remained involved in a lawsuit filed against a company that contributed generously to his election campaign.

Five hurt in airport accident in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Officials say two workers remain hospitalized after five men were hurt in a construction accident at the McCarran International Airport international terminal project.

Airport spokesman Glenn Gardner says one man was being treated for injuries including a punctured lung after the accident just before 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Gardner says Nevada Occupational Safety and Health officials are investigating why a horizontal structure of reinforced steel rods collapsed around the men as they were building it.

The five men work for Pacific Coast Steel, a subcontractor on the $2.4 billion terminal project. The terminal is expected to open in 2012.

The project was marred by the death of a paving company employee in February.

More news at

nevadaappeal.com.