MetroWatch A daily look at people, places and events making news in the Reno-Sparks area, including the most recently filed crime reports. 20 -THURSDAY AUGUST 27,1999 a 2 Guinn appointees quit to go into private business mm mm sw was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He'll divide his time between Las Vegas and Reno. Prior to his present job, Erquiaga was with the I toward I in Las Vegas. Before that he served as deputy secretary of state and as also in charge of elections.
Erquiaga said he's Icavingon good terms with Guinn and may be working with the administration in the future on community service pro STEAD VALLEY GOLDEN I VALLEY VERDI adHgvMOGUlJ toport mi 15 I- stituent services director since Guinn took over in January, is going to work with a land a development company in Las Vegas. They're the first two of Guinn's Erquiaga appointees to depart the administration. Urquiaga said he was approached 1 Police are trying to find out what caused a fire inside Smith's grocery store Thursday evening. What police do know is that a fire broke out in the toilet paper aisle of the store shortly before 6 p.m. Heavy smoke filled the store, forcing the evacuation of all customers and employees from the store in the 1300 block of Baring Boulevard.
Aug. 24 Prater Way, 2100 block, 8:31 p.m. possession of controlled substance. N. McCarran Boulevard, 600 block, 1 0:31 p.m.
petty theft. Aug. 25 Coney Island, 200 block, 8:59 a.m. DUI. Oddie Boulevard, 2100 block grand theft.
6th Street, 300 block, 5:59 a.m. domestic battery. Inmate population Thursday: 906. Design capacity: 871. Additional in-house arrests, work programs, hospitals and other temporary programs: 482.
Bookings on Wednesday: 59. Bookings included: trafficking controlled substance, 1 non-suffi- Reno man By Mike Henderson Rl.NO GAZETTE-JOURNAL A 36-year-old Reno man was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life sentences for sexually molesting two brothers, ages 5 and 8. Donald A. Weizenecker, who holds an engineering degree and worked as manager of a manufacturing company, must serve at least 30 years in prison before becoming I for molesting 2 boys con Reno Gazette-Journal jimmr id Today's Question! Should the use of cocaine or other illicit drugs 25 years ago disqualify someone from being president of the United States? Results as of 9 p.m. Thursday 7,801 votes 5,446 yes 2,353 no Log onto www.RGJ.com and respond to this question through the Gazette-Journal Insta-Poll.
Answers will register automatically and readers can view instant results of the poll. In addition, readers are encouraged to provide additional comments on the subject at hand, as well as other topics, at the RGJ.com Digital Sounding Board. A selection of those comments, signed by the authors, will be reprinted in the Gazette-Journal. Story ideas can be phoned in at 324-0225. ext.
1490. Suggestions for additional discussion topics can be sent to the Online Editor through RGJ.com. In addition, the Gazette-Journal welcomes letters to the editor, which can be sent in several ways: Directly through www. rgj.com; e-mailed at rgjmail nevadanet.com; via fax at 775-788-6458; or through traditional mail at P.O. Box 22000, Reno, NV 89520.
Letters should contain daytime phone numbers and addresses. Truck, pickup crash at U.S. 395 leaves 1 dead One person died Thursday afternoon when a pickup and a loggingtruckcollidedonU.S. 395 near Herlong, Calif. California Highway Patrol released few details of the accident that occurred about 1:15 p.m.
The highway was closed for about 30 minutes, officials said. Traffic on the highway backed up until after 5:30 p.m. as troopers slowly let vehicles pass. CALIFORNIA LOTTERY Fantasy Five Thursday's Thursday's picks: 8, 6, 3 picks: 5, 16, 18, 21,37 Super Lotto Wednesday's picks: 11, 1 6, 26, 43, 44, 45. 1 ticket hit from Los Altos.
Jackpot estimated at $8 million. JACKPOTS Totem Pole $2,220,185 Quarters Deluxe $1,158,836 Super Megabucks $10,760,195 Cool Million Quarters $860,169 Megabucks $11,808,420 Jeopardy $412,634 Quartenn ania $1,113,756 Nevada Nickels $242,221 California Lottery information can be obtained by calling (800) LOTTERY or (800)568-8379. USS Soubarissen A093: The reunion will be held Oct. 17-20 at the Biloxi Beach Resort Inn, Biloxi, Miss. Contact Ben Burney at or Don at (775) 356-8548.
USS Gatling (DD-671): The 14th annual reunion for shipmates of the U.S. Navy Destroyer is Oct. 7- 10 in San Diego, Calif. Details: Gene Woodward, 2376 Scothch-town Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 or (757) 721-6028. LST: All crews of Navy and Coast Guard landing craft from World War 11 to the present are invited to a reunion Aug.
29-Sept. 2 in San Diego. Details: Bob Garner, NC52, Box 362, Hemphill, Texas 75948, 800-228-5870. World War II veterans: Veterans who served in China, Burma and India during World War II are sought by the China-Burma-India Veterans Association for a reunion Sept. 1-8 in Cincinnati.
Write Melvin McMullen, 120 W. 49th San Bernardino, Calif. 92407-3202, explaining the name of your CBI unit and the location of your overseas service. USS Maryland: Men who served on the battleship will have a reunion Sept 4-9 at the Embassy Suits, Minneapolis. Details: Dick Beaman, (831) 722-4966, or Bill Richter, (612) Id' jects.
VVilkins, of Reno, worked on the Guinn campaign and prior to that as a member of the Senate campaign for John Ensign. As constituent services director earning more than $40,000 a year, he worked as an ombudsman fielding calls from people who had complaints about or wanted help from state or other government agencies. SPANISH -SPRINGS I Ouwa ibv" 1 'Sun 5 VALLEY v-X Gazette-Journal The father, also asking for the maximum sentence, said the boys have been left "frightened, confused and embarrassed" by their experiences. One of the boys will need "extensive counseling" for years to come, said Deputy District Attorney Cindi-Elaine Heron. "He stole two innocent lives," she told Elliott.
"These children will be in their own prison forever." pect said he had to have this amount of money to keep his wife alive. Investigators said they could not confirm whether Smith's wife was ailing or if that was a ruse. The amount of money taken has not been disclosed. The suspect fled the bank on foot. Several sheriffs deputies and FBI agents searched neighborhoods around the bank after the robbery but the suspect could not be located.
Cancer Thrift Shop: Is seeking volunteers with cashier and retailing experience to help run the shop. The group is a non-profit, self-funded organization that pays rent and utility bills for cancer patients in northern Nevada. Details: 882-7331, Daun. St. Mary's Hospice: Volunteers can join a 10-week class starting Aug.
16 in Carson City. Classes are 3 hours per week. Volunteers will offer companionship to sick and dying patients. They do not provide medical care. Details: Nancy, 884-8900.
Washoe County Library: Volunteers are needed to sort books for the Booksale Bonanza. There are two training sessions at 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 25 and 2-4 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Sierra View Library in Old Town Mall, 4001 S.
Virginia. Details: 785-4585. Tri County Fair: Volunteers are needed to take entries and decorate booths for this event taking place Sept. 1-5 in Winnemucca. Details: (775) 623-5071 or (800) 962-2638.
Hug Sharp, 323-7574; Keith Odle, (775) 272-71 05 or mail to P.O. Box 1941, Sparks, NV 89432. Tonopah High School: The class of 1979 seeks information on graduates to plan a reunion. Classmates should contact Valerie Barrington, 4576 Canyon Ridge Lane, Reno NV 89503, 746-9739, or email vsb61 aol.com. Western Nevada Community College: The WNCC Alumni Association is seeking current information on graduates.
Call Helaine Jesse, 887-3164, to be added to the mailing list for the biannual alumni newsletter and invitations to school functions. TODAY'S FOLLOW-UP PEOPLE AND EVENTS 11 IAT HAVE MADE HEADLINES by Partners, a major advertising and public relations firm ith strong political connections, and it cient funds check, 1 bank robbery, 1 failure to appear, driving with license revoked, 1 grand larceny, 1 possession of open container, possession of marijuana, 1 criminal contempt, battery with a deadly weapon, 1 petty larceny, 1 ex-felons change address, 1 possession of cocaine, 1 resisting a public officer, 1 failure to comply, 1 DUI, child neglect, stalking, domestic battery, failure to obey, 1 fugitive from justice, 1 trespassing, 1 battery, 2. Inmate population Thursday morning: 56 boys, 14 girls. Recommended total maximum: 44. Bookings on Wednesday and Thursday morning: 13.
Bookings included: reckless driving, 1 violation of a court order, vehicle burglary, domestic battery, runaway, possession of illegal firearms, 1 petty larceny, 1 possession of alcohol, 1 Reno: Main, 455 E. Second desk, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays; work cards, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday; report pickups, 1 0 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; telephone, 334-2175; Reno crime reports should be filed at Central Substation, Lake and Plaza streets, in the National Bowling stadium, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
daily. sentenced eligible for parole, Washoe District Judge Steven Elliott said. It was the maximum sentence available to the judge after Weizenecker pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on a child and one count of lewdness with a child under the age of 14. Weizenecker was living with the boys' mother. The mother and her ex-husband, who is the father of one of the boys, gave emotional testi Bank on North Stewart Street.
The Carson City Sheriffs Department released pictures of the suspect taken from bank surveillance cameras during the robbery. Those pictures resulted in numerous tips to the department and the FBI, Chief Deputy Bernie Curtis said. Those tips led to a federal warrant for Smith's arrest. Smith was arrested without incident at his home about 10 p.m. Donner hike guides: Guides are needed for the 7th annual Donner Party hike Oct.
9-10. Guides need to attend a one-day training hike in September and be prepared to present historical highlights while on the trail during the event. Details: (530) 587-2757 or (775) 322-7216. American Evergreen Foundation: Volunteers are needed to participate in reforestation projects. People of all ages needed to spend a day and improve the environment.
Details: 841-5553. Nevada Hispanic Services: The agency seeks committed volunteers to serve on its board and bilingual volunteers to assist clients. Call Jesse, 826-1818. Special Olympics: Volunteers are needed to help athletes with physical or mental disabilities with athletic events for all four seasons. Details: 241-0514, Lynne Arnn.
The Continuum: A reliable piano player is needed to play all types of songs from oldies to folk to pop for seniors. Needed for one hour a bers. Contact: (775) 945-3502, (775) 945-5623 or (775) 626-8631. McClatchy High School: The class of 1 974 will hold its 25-year reunion Aug. 28.
Contact: Debbie Staley, (916) 689-4262. Reno High School: The class of 1 974 is planning a 25-year reunion on Aug. 28. Classmates should contact Shelly Henderson, 348-6375. Reno High School: The class of 1970 is planning a 30-year reunion in the summer of 2000.
Classmates, contact Kris Hargrove, 826-6636 or Kris Averett, 825-5181 or krisnhbn.reno.nv.us. Sparks High School: The class of CARSON CITY (AP) Dale Erquiaga, director of the state Department of Museums, Library and Arts, and Chad VVilkins, a member of Gov. Kenny Guinn's executive stall, are quitting to go into private business. Erquiaga, 36, ho has been in his current post for six months, said Thursday he'll join Partners as director of public relations. Wilkins, 25, who has been con Suspect in murder of Reno bartender bound over for trial A Reno judge Tuesday bound over for trial the second of tw men charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of a Reno bartender.
Reno Justice of the Peace Fidel Salcedo said at the close of a preliminary hearing that evidence against Raymond Cur-rington, 30, was sufficient to have his case transferred to Washoe District Court for further action. His codefendant, Calvin Marshall, 32, previously had been boundoverfortrialintheJunc25 stabbing death of David Klochn, 46, at Mr. O's Corner Bar, 1495 S. Virginia. Both men were arrested June 26 after police found what they said was evidence from the robbery in the motel room the men shared.
Customers in the bar prior to Kloehn's slaying helped police draw composite pictures of the men, who were found at Circus Circus Hotel Casino less than 24 hours after the incident. Dr. Kathy Raven, a pathologist, testified during Marshall's preliminary hearing that Klochn had been stabbed more than 60 times, mostly in the head and neck area. Washoe voter post down to 6 candidates Washoe County commissioners will interview six finalists in September for the Washoe County voter registrar job, including acting registrar Dan Burk. The commission this week accepted a short list by consultants DMG-Maximus including the top election officials for the following counties: Allan J.
Benek, of Geauga County, Ohio; Margaret Jurgensen, of Douglas County, Brad R. Nelson, Mohave County, and J.R. Perez, of Guadalupe County, Texas. In addition, Dana C. LaTour, election administrative officer for Alaska, made the list.
Burk has been acting registrar since Laura Dancer resigned after the November election recount for the U.S. Senate race. Counting problems delayed results of the Nov. 3 balloting for nine davs. Braille transcribers: A volunteer group needs skilled WordPerfect 5.1 or 6.0 typists to produce documents to be translated into Braille for blind and deaf-blind people in the U.S.
and other countries. No knowledge of Braille is required but is helpful. Details: 358-2456. Youth director: Wing A Prayer dance company is searching for a volunteer youth director to be available 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and p.m.
Thursdays. Some travel involved. Must have own vehicle. Details: 324-1082. Sierra Safari Zoo: Men and women age 1 6 and older are needed to assist in feeding, cleaning and exercising the animals.
Other opportunities include guiding field trips, taking animals out to the community for special events, clerical, landscaping and gardening, public relationsmarketing and writing grants. Details: 677-1101. Adult literacy: Truckee Meadows Community College needs volunteers to help in its adult literacy Edward C. Reed High School: The class of 1977 will celebrate "the big 40" at 7 p.m. Sept.
1 1 at the Truckee River Bar Grill, 1113 California Ave. Details: Clay, 358-4584. Eldorado High School: The class of 1979 will hold its 20-year reunion this coming fall. Contact: 746-4330. George Whittell High School: The class of 1 984 will hold its 1 5-year reunion Sept.
24-26. Contact: (775) 267-5117. Hug High School: The class of 1979 is planning a 20-year reunion, Aug. 27-28. Contact: Mireya Reyes, 335-5300 ext.
238. John F. Kennedy Senior High School: The class of 1974 will hold its Bank robbery suspect arrested in Douglas County mony at the sentencing. "We all gave him our love and our trust and he violated that in the most horrible way possible," the mother said, asking the judge to impose the maximum sentence. She said her sons suffer migraine headaches and have had frequent nightmares since the incidents.
"It's hard to see the loving, trusting children that they used to be," she said. "Don's destroyed all that." Wednesday. He was taken to Washoe County Jail where he is being held on the federal charge without bail. Bank employees said the suspect came into the bank about 2:55 p.m. and displayed what appeared to be an explosive device in a brown briefcase.
He also had another weapon with him, Curtis said. He then told the bank manager that she had 20 minutes to collect a specific amount of money. The sus week. Details: 829-4700, Denise or C. Citifare: Volunteer Ambassadors are needed to help passengers find their way on Citifare, especially during special events and service changes.
Training and a ticket to ride on Citifare will be provided. Details: 348-0400 ext. 155. New-To-You Computers: Volunteers are needed to move, sort and inventory donated computers; repair andor upgrade donated computers and help on the sales floor. The income from the store is used to provide services to people with disabilities.
Details: 324-6892, Paul. Jerry Lewis Telethon: Volunteers are needed to answer phones, coordinating food and drinks, helping with pre-Telethon mailings, distributing posters, transporting supplies, greeting guests, escorting sponsors, tallying pledge slips, addressing envelopes, videotaping and logging the show and manning the clean-up committee. Details: 333-6789. 1 989 is planning its 1 0-year reunion for Sept. 3-6.
Classmates should contact Jennifer Blair-Cockrum, (303) 404-0967, 2998 W. 1 1 th Ave. Circle, Broomfield, CO 80020; or e-mail jblairco ball. com. Sparks High School: The class of 1979 will hold its reunion Aug.
27-28. Details: Cory Sprague Avery, 825-8661 or email wcaverypowernet.net. Sparks High School; The Sparks Hi Alumni and Former Students Association is planning a Y2K reunion for all classes June 23-25, 2000. Need volunteers, class lists, band members and military service. Details: Neil Baker, 828-41 1 1 Bev By Patti Steele RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL A72-year-oldDouglasCountyman has been arrested and charged with robbing a Carson City bank Aug.
1 8. Tips led Carson City Sheriffs investigators and FBI agents to James Russell Smith, who lives in the Johnson Lane area of north Douglas County, reports said. He is accused of robbing the Wells Fargo classes. Tutors work one-on-one with students to help them improve their reading and writing to a GED level. Classes are held at TMCC's Old Town Mall education center.
Details: 829-9033. Crisis Call Center: Volunteer training for the center begins Oct. 6. The training lasts four weeks. The center is a 24-hour crisis intervention, suicide prevention and referral hotline facility.
Details: 784-8085. Ron Wood Family Resource Center: The Carson City center needs adult volunteers to participate in its "success in Schools" program. Volunteers work with elementary school children to ensure their success in school. Volunteer duties include individual and group tutoring, reading to classes and helping with artscrafts. Details: 884-2269.
VistaCare Hospice: Volunteers are needed in the Carson City, Fernley and Fallon areas to give comfort to patients and families during a life-limiting illness. Details: (775) 825-5008. 25-year reunion Aug. 28 at the Sacramento Hilton Inn, Sacramento, Calif. Details: (916) 433-5206.
Lazaer School: A "jingletown" reunion for years 1 91 0-1950 is Oct. 16. This is a dinner-dance. Details: Howard Gabriel, (510) 357-2460 or (510) 351-5128. Mineral County High School: The class of 1969 will hold its 30-year reunion Sept.
4-5. Contact: Wanda (Freeman) Millsap, (775) 945-3298, P.O. Box 684, Hawthorne, NV, 89415. Mineral County High School: The class of 1979 will hold its 20-year reunion in the early fall. The reunion committee is looking for class mem i.