Week set aside to honor jurors

The Nevada Supreme Court has proclaimed May 2 Law Day and the week of May 2-6 Jury Appreciation Week.

Chief Justice Nancy Becker said courts across the state will celebrate the participation of citizens in the jury process.

"Jury service is not only a responsibility of citizenship but also a privilege," she said. "It is a cornerstone of our Democracy. Those citizens who give their time to make the system work deserve our thanks."

She said the courts have worked to implement new rules giving jurors a more active role in the court process as well as increasing the jury pay from $15 to $40 a day.

Congress to turn over two historic cemeteries to state

Congress has approved legislation transferring two Nevada cemeteries over to the communities where they are located.

The Kingston Cemetery will become property of Lander County and the Maiden's Grave Cemetery will be taken over by Eureka County.

"These two cemeteries have existed since the 1800s, long before the creation of either the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management," said Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.

He said local officials have to "jump through unnecessary regulatory hoops to operate and maintain these historic cemeteries."

He said they belong in local control and that's what his legislation does.

"I am pleased that Congress saw the importance of this legislation and the simple fairness of transferring these historic graveyards back to the communities that have buried their loved ones there since the 1800s," he said.

Carson man admits to possession charge

A Carson City man who was caught shoplifting from Wal-Mart admitted one charge of possession of a controlled substance on Tuesday.

Nathan Daniel Laplante, 24, was arrested March 21 after he tried to take a shopping cart containing $400 in goods from the store.

He then ran to a van being driven by his girlfriend.

LaPlante admitted he had methamphetamine and a pipe in his possession when he was arrested.

Judge Dave Gamble ordered LaPlante tested, and during the process, LaPlante admitted to using methamphetamine since he had been released on his own recognizance from jail.

"There's no doing your best about telling the truth. You're either telling the truth, or you're lying - that's easy," Gamble said. "Quitting methamphetamine is hard. If you don't stop, you will either die, or I will send you to prison."