Nevada briefs: Douglas County's violent crime drops and other Nevada news

Douglas County’s violent crime drops by 18 percent

GARDNERVILLE — Violent crime in Douglas County, from the Carson Valley to Lake Tahoe, decreased 18 percent in 2007, Sheriff Ron Pierini said Monday.

The sheriff released Uniform Crime Report Data from the Nevada Attorney General’s office that showed a decrease in violent crime from 2006 despite a 3.31 percent increase in the county’s population.

According to statistics, the 2006 Douglas County population was 50,108 residents, with 85 violent crimes reported. The 2007 county population was 51,770 residents, with 69 violent crimes reported.

Pierini also reported the 2007 crime clearance rate for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was 10 percent higher than the average for Nevada law-enforcement agencies and 6 percent higher than the national average for law enforcement.

Commissioners give the OK to home fire-sprinkler ordinance

STATELINE — Douglas County commissioners last Thursday approved an ordinance requiring automatic fire-sprinkler systems in some homes within the Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District.

The ordinance exempts new structures less than 3,600 square feet from having to install automatic fire-sprinkler systems if the buildings meet fire-flow requirements.

The ordinance requires sprinklers in existing homes if an addition would increase the size of a home to more than 3,600 square feet.

The size requirement does not include so-called “accessory uses” such as garages, decks and covered walkways.

Gas prices may keep Nevadans home during holiday weekend

RENO (AP) — Record high gas prices will keep some Nevadans home over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, according to a new survey.

More than 235,000 Nevadans plan to travel 50 miles or more during the long weekend, a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2007, according to a travel survey released Monday by AAA Nevada.

“Record setting gas prices appear to be playing a big part in the plans of travelers this Memorial Day holiday weekend,” said AAA spokesman Michael Geeser.

“What shouldn’t be forgotten is the fact that a number of businesses large and small across the country depend on summer leisure travelers for a large portion of their annual income.

“If higher gas prices continue, it could have a significant impact on travel-dependent companies throughout Nevada this summer,” he said.

Retail gas and diesel prices reached new records Monday, with the national average hitting $3.79 for a gallon of regular gas and $4.52 for diesel, AAA said. About 190,000 Nevadans said they’ll drive to their weekend destinations, a 0.1 percent drop from last year. Those who plan to fly fell 0.2 percent to 35,000, while nearly 12,000 said they plan to travel by train, boat, bus or rental car.