City of Reno News Stories & Police Blotter ~ August 19th ~ 25th Postings

New!

8-13-2007
They’re Baaaaack….
Giant cows, flying fish and buzzing bees come to Reno...

(From a Great Reno Balloon Race Press Release)

The Great Reno Balloon Race just wouldn’t be the same without the special shape balloons that dot the field. During this year’s event, September 7, 8 and 9, spectators can expect some familiar shapes and some exciting new visitors to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.
Wells Fargo will once again present everyone’s favorite bumblebees, Lilly and Joey. They will lead the pack on all three days as they blaze the path for the Hare & Hound Competition, kissing their way to the finish line.

Thanks to the Wilbur D. May Foundation’s support Hopper T. Frog, a 41-foot giant amphibian, will join Sea Fantasy, an enormous blue octopus, to provide tethered rides benefitting the Children’s Cabinet.

The American Eagle balloon, also funded by the Wilbur D. May Foundation, will rise each morning to carry the American Flag while the National Anthem is sung.

The Balloon Race welcomes additional special shape balloons to delight the 140,000 people who are expected to attend, including the Energizer Bunny standing at an impressive 166 feet; Airabelle, the Northern Nevada Dairymen’s flying cow; Sushi the giant fish, Strawberry and a wildfire safety advocate, Smokey Bear. A division of Frito Lay, the Flat Earth Garden of Dreams, makes its Balloon Race debut this year. This unique special shape balloon features digital artwork and multiple appendages displaying two 14- to 20-foot tall monarch butterflies, a 25-foot tall apple basket, two 14-foot tall tomatoes, a classic barn, five cows grazing and two horses on a vivid blue and green background.

Thanks to the continued support of generous sponsors, the Balloon Race continues as a free event for its 26th year. This year’s major sponsors include: Wells Fargo Bank, the May Foundation, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Harrah’s Reno, Reno.com, Bonanza Casino, Jack in the Box, Great Basin Internet Services, Communications Installation Services Inc. (C.I.S.) of Reno, KRNV News 4, KOH Radio, Bear Industries Printing and Publishing, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Lennar Homes and Shell Oil.

With a special thanks to our underwriters: Club Cal Neva, Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel, Grand Sierra Resort, IGT, Peppermill Hotel Casino, Sands Regency Casino Hotel, University of Nevada, Reno and Muckel Anderson CPAs.

Support the Balloon Race and Win a Chance to Fly
Dawn Patrol Club offers spectators a rare opportunity

Organizers of The Great Reno Balloon Race would like the public to have a chance to win a coveted balloon ride during Dawn Patrol on Sunday, September 9, when the Balloon Race returns September 7, 8 and 9 for its 26th year.

“In recent years, The Great Reno Balloon Race has faced increasing fees, including the rising cost of propane,” said Steve Trounday, Balloon Race President. “This promotion is a great way for us to generate support for the Balloon Race, while presenting spectators with the chance of a lifetime.”

Balloon Race fans can log on to www.renoballoon.com and click on the donation icon. For a minimum donation of $30, entrants will have their names entered into a drawing to win a ride in a Dawn Patrol balloon Sunday, September 9th, weather permitting. The Dawn Patrol show features a handful of balloonists who are qualified to fly in the dark; the balloonists glow, twinkle and fly along with choreographed music and crowd participation. Entrants will also receive an official 2007 Dawn Patrol pin and an invitation to enjoy complimentary refreshments in the Dawn Patrol tent each day of the event.

The 2007 Great Reno Balloon Race will once again take place at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park located just a few miles north of downtown. The Wells Fargo Mass Ascension will take place daily at 6:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday morning festivities begin at 5 a.m. with the memorable Glow Show and Dawn Patrol. For a complete schedule of events and to find out more about this year’s event, visit www.renoballoon.com or call (775) 826-1181.

Labor Day Weekend Saturation Patrols Will Have Zero Tolerance For DUI Drivers

The Reno Police Department will conduct saturation patrols throughout the Labor Day weekend with a zero tolerance for anyone whose driving is a threat to public safety.

8/24/2007
Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes and one that will drive Reno Police Department saturation patrols throughout the Labor Day weekend with a “Zero Tolerance” for anyone whose driving is a threat to public safety.

“There will be no excuses and no exceptions when it comes to anyone who is driving under the influence,” says Reno Police Sergeant Patrick Dreelan. “Anyone caught driving impaired will be arrested.”

A grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety’s “Joining Forces” program supports the Reno Police Departments efforts to reduce the number of drunk drivers on Reno streets and diminish the amount of pain, suffering and deaths resulting from drunk driving, Dreelan says. Nationwide, 17,602 people were killed in 2006 in alcohol-related traffic accidents that involved at least one driver, pedestrian or pedal cyclist, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Those statistics also show that of the 432 traffic deaths reported in Nevada during the same period, 186 people died in alcohol related accidents. And, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report shows that more than 1.4 million people were arrested nationwide for driving under the influence in 2004 alone.

“Area residents and visitors can really help law enforcement by reporting drivers that may be under the influence,” Dreelan says, “and possibly preventing a potentially deadly DUI related accident.” When a potential drunk driver is seen the vehicle license number and vehicle description should be reported to the Regional Emergency Communications Center by calling (775) 334-COPS, according to Dreelan. He says the following are indications that someone may be driving under the influence:

• Rapid acceleration or deceleration.
• Weaving, swerving, wide turns, straddling lanes.
• Sudden stops, delayed starts, driving too slowly.
• Appearing to be drunk, drinking in the vehicle.
• Drivers operating a vehicle with their face close to the windshield,
or who appear to have a lack of peripheral vision.

The Reno Police Department’s saturation patrols will take place in various parts of the City of Reno throughout the Labor Day weekend period and in addition to DUI enforcement will also focus on required seatbelt and child restraint use to minimize injuries and prevent deaths in traffic accidents.

Dreelan says first time DUI offenders face penalties that can include arrest, impounding of the vehicle being driven, two days to six months in jail or community service, a fine of $400-$1,000.00, a chemical test fee, attending DUI school or substance abuse treatment, and participation before a victim impact panel. In addition, first time offenders can have their driver’s license revoked and have to pay license reinstatement and other related feeds and may see a substantial increase in vehicle insurance fees, if the insurance carrier retains the individual as a client. “What people don’t realize is that a DUI arrest and or conviction remain in criminal history files for the rest of their life,” Dreelan says. “Convictions and license revocations remain in an individual’s DMV record for the rest of their life, which can have serious implications when seeking employment.” Repeat DUI offenders face increased penalties, according to Dreelan, “And, there is the added embarrassment, humiliation and potential loss and consequence after informing family friends and employers of a DUI related death or injury accident and or arrest.”

The grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety’s “Joining Forces” program also supports other DUI saturation patrols by the Reno Police Department throughout the year by funding increased overtime for officers to conduct DUI and speed reduction saturation patrols as well as checkpoints that focus on motorists that may be driving under the influence. The traffic safety grant, supported with National Highway Traffic safety Administration (NHTSA) grant funds, has been awarded to the Reno Police department several times over the past few years.

Reno Police Will Be Around Schools As Students Return

Students will return to school Monday and the Reno Police Department will be on hand in and around school zones next week to

8/23/2007
Area students will return to school Monday and the Reno Police Department will be on hand in and around school zones next week to help keep students safe as they go to and from school.
The Reno Police Department will concentrate on patrols in and around school zones from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. as schools go back in session.

In addition to putting students at risk, motorists who violate the 15 mile per hour speed limit in school zones also face citations with potential fines of $220.00. Motorists are also being cautioned to pay close attention to their surroundings by watching for children excited about returning to school that may not necessarily use crosswalks, sometimes run between parked cars and or fail to look both ways as they attempt to cross streets, as well as for students on bicycles in travel lanes.

Motorists are also reminded they are required to stop for school buses as they pick up and drop off children, and to watch for bus signaling devices that are activated when required stops are being made.

In their efforts to keep school children and motorists safe during the heavy school commute periods, Reno Police officers will also be checking to make sure motorists and all passengers in vehicles are using seatbelts as required by law.

Update to Sex Offender Notification

Additional information re Sex Offender Robert Lee Wurgaft

8/24/2007
The Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit (RSONU) is advising the general public of an informational matter related to HIGH RISK (Tier 3) sex offender Robert Lee Wurgaft (Born in 1931). Wurgaft has been assessed as a Tier 3 Sex Offender by the State of Nevada Sex Offender Registry. He is retired and has changed his Nevada Sex Offender Registration status as of Tuesday, August 21, 2007, as he is leaving Reno, Nevada, to reside in Bend, OR.

Mr. Wurgaft was release from the Nevada Department of Corrections in Lovelock, NV, on Sunday August 20, 2007. From the moment he was released from the prison until he left the state of Nevada at 1:30 pm on Thursday August 23, 2007 Mr. Wurgaft was being monitored by the Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit, the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program, the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, and the Winnemucca Nevada Police Department.

During Mr. Wurgaft’s travels in the State of Nevada he was in compliance with all Nevada Sex Offender Registration laws and IS NOT WANTED by any Nevada law enforcement agency.

If anyone see’s Mr. Wurgaft or his listed vehicle(s) (described and pictured in the news release dated August 20, 2007) anywhere in the state of Nevada please immediately contact your local law enforcement agency and then contact the Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit at (775) 334 2007.

Council OKs Art for Neil/Kietzke Roundabout

Construction is to be complete September 13

8/22/2007
The Reno City Council approved plans and funding Wednesday for public art to be installed in the traffic roundabout at the intersection of Kietzke Lane and Neil Road.

The art will include four life-size mule deer bronze sculptures; a buck, a doe and two fawns. The art will be incorporated into the roundabout's center design.

Funding for the art comes from the Ward 2 Central and Ward 2 South Neighborhood Advisory Boards, as part of the Community Pride Grant program. Each year, the eight Reno Neighborhood Advisory Boards receive funding to direct toward neighborhood priorities. The funding decisions are made at the regular Neighborhood Advisory Board meetings, and final approval is required by the Reno City Council. The Ward 2 Central and Ward 2 South boards decided together to provide $30,000 for this public art.

The roundabout is currently under construction and is planned for completion on September 13.

Grants Approved For Reno Police Operations

Grants totalling $289,875.00 were approved by the Reno City Council Wednesday to support continuing Reno Police Department operations.

8/22/2007
Grants totaling $289,875.00 were approved by the Reno City Council Wednesday to support continuing Reno Police Department operations.

The $135,000.00 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Criminal Justice Assistance provides funds to support gang tracking and enforcement activities, as well as other community based projects and purchase of equipment, overtime and personnel costs for the Regional Gang Unit. The unit is comprised of officers from the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. The unit focuses on known areas in which high concentrations of gang members and gang activity are known to exist, as well as proactive enforcement methods in areas recognized for gang membership and narcotics activities.

The Office of Criminal Justice Assistance also provided a $78,000.00 grant to the regional Street Enforcement Team (SET) to support its continuing operations that deal primarily with street level narcotics activities.

The Street Enforcement Team has been in operation since January of 2004, and includes officers from the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the University of Nevada Police Department. The SET unit addresses street level crimes, addressing citizen complaints related to drugs and prostitution, as well as assisting partnering agencies in conducting surveillance operations on high profile, time sensitive cases such as the recent Holly Quick homicide investigation. SET’s focus is on solving crime and community on a regional basis, handling more than 600 neighborhood problems annually.

The $71,375.00 federal Weed and Seed grant through the boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows will be used to continue a Reno Police Department program that places officers in elementary schools in specific areas to promote positive behavior. The program also addresses criminal and negative behavior through special operations, patrols, DUI-safety checkpoints and other activities.

The “Weed” portion of the program is a joint effort between the Reno Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office to identify, target and apprehend violent gang members who are committing crimes. The “Seed” aspect of the program includes direct non-enforcement contact with residents through community policing programs, as well as the “adopt-a-school” program through which Reno Police officers are placed in elementary schools where they make anti-gang presentations, meet with students and student advisors as well as with parents. Through non-enforcement contact with students on the school grounds, the officers become positive role models to help discourage at-risk youth from joining criminal gangs. The officers often deal with other issues as well, such as proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number, student safety and other issues.

The $5,500.00 grant from the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety will be used to help pay for overtime and other support for sobriety saturation patrols on Friday and Saturday nights throughout August and September.

The grant, supported with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant funds, has been awarded to the Reno Police Department several times over the past few years to support the Reno Police Department’s efforts to reduce the number of drunk drivers on Reno streets and diminish the amount of pain, suffering and deaths resulting from drunk driving.