Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003 | 9:18 a.m.
Lunar eclipse on tap Saturday
Saturday evening, weather permitting, a total eclipse of the moon will be visible in Las Vegas.
The eclipse will be visible from anywhere in North America, said Dale Etheridge, director of the Planetarium at the Community College of Southern Nevada, Cheyenne Campus.
While optical instruments aren't necessary, Etheridge said, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope at low power will enhance the experience.
The student observatory at the Cheyenne campus will be open for public viewing at 4:30 p.m. The Planetarium will remain open until 9 p.m., because Saturn will be rising. There is a show inside the Planetarium at 7:30 p.m.
The eclipse will begin at 5:06 p.m. and become total at 5:18 p.m. The total eclipse ends at 5:31 p.m., but the moon will remain partially in the Earth's shadow until 7:04 p.m.
It's a relatively brief eclipse, Etheridge said.
If the weather is cloudy, observing will be canceled, but the Planetarium show will be shown as scheduled. Currently showing is "Dinosaurs!" and "Sky Watch."
Henderson prepares new water rules
Following Clark County's lead, the Henderson City Council is preparing to revise its restrictions on water fountains to allow them at all resorts and strictly limit fountains at business parks and condominiums.
The changes, which are intended to head off requests for exceptions to rules passed earlier this year, were introduced by the council Tuesday and are scheduled for a vote on Dec. 2.
Last month the County Commission passed a nearly identical measure.
The changes are being promoted by the Southern Nevada Water Authority, a regional board that has asked local governments to restrict water use in response to a four-year drought.
Under the proposed change resorts would be excluded from the no-fountains rule. However, fountains at business parks and condominiums would only be allowed to be turned on from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. in order to prevent freezing and allow for routine maintenance.
Service members get phone cards
Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and Sprint presented the Red Cross with 500 phone cards for military members overseas to call home during the upcoming holidays.
Sprint donated the 15-minute phone card at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Gibbons visited with some injured soldiers recovering at the hospital.
"With the upcoming holidays, Sprint has graciously donated hundreds of phone cards to allow our troops to call home," Gibbons said. "Hearing a loved one's voice can mean so much to a soldier, sailor or airman."
Felon arrested in drug case
A six-time convicted felon was captured by Metro Police on drug possession charges Tuesday after trying to lead police on a chase. Fred Walker, also known as Fred Mack, was under police surveillance at Koval Lane and Albert Street when he spotted officers observing him and drove away, police said.
Detectives discovered his car in the 4600 block of Swenson Street. Walker and two passengers had changed cars, police said.
The second vehicle was stopped and police arrested all three people in the car.
Walker was charged with possession of two ounces of crack cocaine, marijuana, a .357 magnum handgun, reckless driving and driving without a license, police said.
Jay Geary, a four-time convicted felon, was arrested on a domestic violence warrant with $15,000 bail.
Juliana Lyons was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and had a parole violation.
State declared disaster area
The Agriculture Department has declared Nevada a disaster area due to losses caused by drought and insect infestation.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said all 17 counties in the state "have sustained sufficient production losses in a single enterprise to warrant a secretarial disaster designation."
This makes farm operators eligible to apply for low-interest emergency loans from the federal Farm Service Agency.
Gov. Kenny Guinn, who asked for the designation, said the farmers have "suffered greatly during the past four years and I'm hopeful that we'll have a good winter to receive the moisture they need."
This was the fourth consecutive dry year, and there also was an infestation of Mormon crickets.
Don Henderson, director of the state Department of Agriculture, said some Nevada producers lost their entire crop last year.
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