Carson briefs

Domestic violence programs gain grant

The federal Department of Justice has awarded $1.18 million to Nevada for programs to prevent and stop violence against women.

The money is part of $117 million being distributed nationwide under the Violence Against Women Act.

"No one should have to endure the pain of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault," said Attorney General John Ashcroft in announcing the award. "These funds will help women who have been victims of violence to regain their dignity, their confidence and their lives."

Under terms of the so-called STOP grants, 25 percent of the money must go to law enforcement, 25 percent to prosecution and 5 percent to the courts.

Another 30 percent is for victim services and the remaining 15 percent for distribution at the discretion of the state.

Anti-tax group asks court for extension

A group pushing a petition that would repeal taxes approved by the 2003 Legislature has taken its battle to get more time to Clark County District Court.

Nevadans for Sound Government, headed by Republican George Harris and members of the Independent American Party, claims they have been illegally obstructed by several public agencies in their attempts to gather petitions. The group argued that interference prevented it from gathering the necessary 50,000 petition signatures to make the ballot by Tuesday and asked the Nevada Supreme Court to order Secretary of State Dean Heller to give it 60 more days.

The Supreme Court refused to grant the extension, saying organizers should first have gone to district court and presented any evidence to support those claims.

They did so Wednesday, saying the Department of Motor Vehicles, UNLV and the Citifare bus system in Reno have illegally prevented signature gathering.

The court has taken no action.

Two candidates withdraw from races

Reno Republican Glenda Mixer officially withdrew her challenge of incumbent Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, in District 32.

That district covers parts of Humboldt and Lander counties as well as northern and eastern Washoe County.

David Holmgren of Hawthorne withdrew his candidacy for the Northern Nevada Senatorial District seat after filing closed May 14. He had filed for the office a week earlier as an Independent American Party candidate but discovered he didn't live in the district.

- Staff reports