IN BRIEF

POKER ROOM

Police hunt for suspect in robbery at Sahara

The Sahara poker room was robbed Friday afternoon, according to Las Vegas police.

Officer Jacinto Rivera said an armed suspect escaped with an unknown amount of money. No arrests have been made, he said.

Rivera said he did not know what weapon was used in the 5:45 p.m. robbery.

TAHOE PLANNING AGENCY

Delays possible on some major projects

The bistate agency charged with protecting Lake Tahoe has voted to stop accepting applications for certain major development projects until an updated regional plan is adopted.

Despite the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency governing board's action Wednesday, the agency will still accept applications for large projects that do not require changes to the 1987 regional plan.

Once scheduled for approval in 2007, a regional plan update is not expected to be voted on by the board until at least spring 2010.

Joe Stewart, project manager for SMC Contracting, expressed concern over the board's vote. He said the agency's refusal to accept applications for some projects could be "potentially destructive" to the construction economy.

"This would really be a turn in the wrong direction for middle-class people who depend on construction in the basin," Stewart said.

The TRPA also will allow projects that are already in its Community Enhancement Program to move forward.

CAUSE UNKNOWN

Elderly man, in 90s, dies in Reno house fire

Investigators are searching for the cause of a Reno house fire that killed an elderly man.

Fire officials believe the victim was alone when the fire started in the kitchen of a Hidden Valley home late Friday afternoon.

The victim, whose name was not immediately released, was believed to be in his 90s.

RADIO SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT

San Francisco police chief to retire in April

The first woman to serve as San Francisco's police chief said Saturday that she'll retire in April after 32 years with the department.

Chief Heather Fong, the first Asian-American woman to head a major city police force, announced her decision Saturday on Mayor Gavin Newsom's radio show.

Fong, 52, was named to head the department in April 2004. She said it was time to "move on."

CALIFORNIA ADVERTISING

Sandwich chain settles with three counties

The Subway sandwich chain has reached a $645,000 settlement with three counties who sued for misleading advertising and overcharging.

Robert Nichols, a Marin County consumer protection prosecutor, says Subway was not granting customers advertised discounts on food, often by not clearly disclosing restrictions on advertised discount promotions.

The civil action was joined by Sonoma and Santa Cruz Counties.