Nevada briefs

     UNLV to join forum
     for would-be teachers
     
      Southern Nevadans interested in the future of the teaching profession are invited to UNLV to watch a video conference Thursday featuring U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley.
      "A National Forum: Attracting and Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century" will be beamed via satellite from Washington, D.C., to a number of viewing points across the nation.
      At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the forum may be viewed from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Classroom Building Complex, Room A-110.
      During the forum, Riley, a teacher, a college administrator, and Terry Dozier, a former National Teacher of the Year, will discuss how to attract and prepare quality teachers based on the ideas of award-winning teachers from across the country.
      For more information, call Tresa Harrell in the College of Education at 895-0889.
     
     Local NAACP to pick
     officers on May 20
     
      The Las Vegas branch of the NAACP has set May 20 as the date to hold its new election for officers.
      The national office of the organization voided the results of the previous election following allegations that the incumbent presidential candidate was unfairly favored.
      The complaint was filed by candidate Barbara Robinson, who lost to the Rev. James Rogers by a vote of 103 to 43. Robinson cited several irregularities in her complaint.
      The new election will take place at the Las Vegas NAACP branch at 600 W. Owens Ave. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information call 657-0599.
     
     Elko County moves
     up class start in 1998
     
      ELKO -- Elko County school pupils will get a full week for spring break two years from now, but they'll have to start classes in August of 1998 to do it.
      The board voted 4-2 in favor of beginning the 1998-99 school year Aug. 31 of 1998 after deciding that delaying the start until Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day, would not leave enough time for the required number of classes as well as holidays and breaks.
      This school year began Sept. 3 and next fall's classes start Sept. 2, which both are the days after Labor Day. Pupils and teachers get a four-day break in April.
     
     White Pine County
     sees renewed growth
     
      ELY -- White Pine County is growing, and that means new businesses and new homes after several years of stagnation, according to the head of the Regional Planning Commission.
      Bob Swetich said plans are on the drawing board for a new Arby's and for an expanded IGA store.
      While the once moribund Robinson Project is producing copper again, Swetich said, the recovering economy should help attract light industry to the Ely area, helping reduce the county's dependence on the boom-and-bust of mining.
     
     Brother succeeds
     dismissed coach
     
      FALLON -- Dismissed Churchill County High School softball coach Steve Richards may still be able to get in a few words about how the team is run.
      His successor is his brother, Mike.
      The Churchill County school board voted a month ago against renewing Steve Richards' contract after 12 years.
      Several people spoke in his favor two weeks ago but the decision stood and was made final on Thursday after another public hearing and a closed personnel session.