State Briefly Aug. 13

State confirms equine case of West Nile virus

(AP) - The Nevada Department of Agriculture says a sick horse from Lyon County has tested positive for West Nile virus.

Agency officials tell the that the tests show it's important for horse owners to vaccinate their animals to protect them from the sometimes deadly mosquito-borne illness.

Mosquito surveillance pools from Lyon, Churchill and Clark counties have shown positive results for West Nile virus that also can sicken people.

There is no human vaccine, however.

Health officials urge people to avoid mosquito infested areas, remove sources of standing water, and to wear pants and long sleeves when outdoors at dusk and dawn, when the insects are most active.

Police: 452 pounds of cocaine not record bust

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Las Vegas police say the 452 pounds of cocaine found during a traffic stop on Interstate 15 was not a record-breaking bust after all.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports it found in its archives a January 1993 bust of 851 pounds of cocaine on a coach bus. Metro police spokesman Bill Cassell confirmed Thursday that an officer misspoke Wednesday when he called the latest one the largest in the state.

Cassell says Lt. Laz Chavez meant to say it was the largest in southern Nevada since the department formed its narcotics section in 2002.

A Canadian man is in custody after police stopped him outside Las Vegas and found the drugs in the truck's sleeper.

Panel says man's exotic cats may have to go

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A battle for a southern Nevada man to keep his two exotic cats and monkey could be shaping up after a town advisory board turned down one pet owner's application.

The Paradise Town Advisory Board this week turned down an application from record producer Jamal Rashid to keep two serval cats and a capuchin monkey on his three-acre property.

Rashid has held a permit for keeping the animals, but neighbors told board members they feared for their safety after two recent escapes.

Servals are native to Africa and can weigh up to 40 pounds. They have the facial features of a domestic cat and spots like a cheetah. Rashid's employees say the animals are declawed.

The application now awaits review from county planning commissioners.

Reid recommends Las Vegas lawyer for judiciary

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is recommending a Las Vegas lawyer for the federal bench.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday reported that Reid forwarded Ariel Stern's name to President Barack Obama.

If nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, Stern would replace U.S. District Judge Philip Pro, who is taking senior status at the end of the year.

The 36-year-old Stern heads the Las Vegas office of the Akerman Senterfitt law firm.