IN BRIEF

douglas county schools

Justices uphold firing of security officer

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the firing of Douglas County School District security officer Greg John, who was suspended after he was accused of unprofessional behavior, including making racial and sexual remarks about students and staff members. He also was accused of sexual harassment by a female teacher, and of obtaining confidential student disciplinary records.

John eventually was fired and sued the district, claiming it violated his right to free speech and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He argued that his alcoholism constituted a protected disability. But the Supreme Court ruled that his activities were not protected.

AMERICAN INDIAN ANTIQUITIES

Sparks joins agreement to protect petroglyphs

The city of Sparks has joined a cooperative agreement to protect a rocky site featuring more than 200 panels of American Indian petroglyphs.

The City Council unanimously voted Monday to join the protection effort for the Court of Antiquity with Washoe County and the Nevada Department of Transportation. Local, county and state governmental agencies, under the guidance of the Nevada Rock Art Foundation, are trying to acquire the site along Interstate 80 from the transportation department and develop a master plan for it.

It is owned by the transportation department, because the site is just below the freeway.

BIDDING TO START AT $5.9 MILLION

McCain's former home to be sold at auction

A former home of Arizona Sen. John McCain is scheduled to go up for auction next week.

Higgenbotham Auctioneers International said Saturday that bidding on the Phoenix house will start at $5.9 million. The 2-acre property has been appraised at more than $12 million.

The house has 13 bedrooms, 14 baths, two guest homes, a Mediterranean resort style pool and spa area, a seven-car air-conditioned garage and 10 fireplaces.

The auction is to be held live at the house Saturday, along with Internet bidding.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Man's body found below South Rim

Officials at Grand Canyon National Park said Saturday a man's body was found 200 feet below the canyon's South Rim.

Park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge said the man was spotted over the edge in an area east of the South Rim Village. She said rangers rappelled down to the man's body and prepared it for transport out of the canyon via helicopter.

The National Park Service is investigating the death.