Reporter’s Notebook

THE CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS 1,900 PORTABLES TO PROVIDE EXTRA CLASSROOMS AT OVERCROWDED CAMPUSES. School Board member Larry Mason this week wondered what happens to portables that are no longer needed.

The answer from Paul Gerner, the associate superintendent for facilities, should interest anyone wanting to start a trailer park or who just loves a good inferno.

"I think eventually, somewhere down the line, if we have 800 or 900 (available) portables, there will be a massive portable fire sale, maybe just a massive portable fire," Gerner said at a workshop Wednesday.

JAMES HAUG

SAY WHAT YOU WILL ABOUT THOSE ANNOYING JUNK E-MAIL SCAMMERS. At least they keep up on current events. Heck, they might even be newspaper subscribers.

A recent spam sent to just about everyone at the Review-Journal had that ripped-from-the-headlines feel.

Or maybe it's not a scam at all.

Maybe there really is a "Madoff refund committee" dedicated to the "victims/investors of Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme."

It's worth considering. After all, they are offering $500,000 or more, "depending on how you were badly affected one way or the other."

Just tell us where to send our Social Security Number and PIN!

HENRY BREAN

A PROLIFIC CAR THIEF WAS SENTENCED WEDNESDAY TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE AFTER 28 MONTHS.

Prosecutors said the man was caught stealing a car and was released on his own recognizance.

He then was caught stealing another car and released again.

You'll never guess what happened next: Yep, another car theft.

This all happened within about a 10 month period.

When asked by District Judge Doug Smith if he had anything to say before he was sentenced, the man said, "It's not my thing. I'm obviously not very good at it."

FRANCIS McCABE