Judge Who Founded Program Ends Retirement There is usually little to cheer about in Drug Court. But cheers abounded last week as Drug Court participants welcomed back to the bench the once-retired judge who founded the program more than a decade ago. Before beginning court proceedings on Wednesday, Senior Judge Jack Lehman, 75, settled into his chair and, with a broad smile, re-introduced himself to about 75 participants who packed the crowded courtroom. "I'm back to stay and I will be handling Drug Court forward into the foreseeable future," he said. "I'm happy to be back." [continues 1042 words]
Kelly Thompson used to think that marijuana should be legalized. Then her mother, Sun Associate Editor and Vice President Sandy Thompson, was killed in August in a car crash caused by a driver under the influence of pot. Now Kelly Thompson has become a vocal opponent of a state ballot measure to make possession of 3 ounces or less legal. "Before any of this happened, I thought, 'Why not? It doesn't hurt anybody. It's all about the right to freedom,' " she said Friday. "But now I think, 'What about my mother's freedom to live?' " [continues 450 words]
Governor Calls Deficit 'Devastating' On his first day officially back to work after prostate surgery, Gov. Kenny Guinn on Wednesday called figures reflecting Nevada's deficit "devastating." Guinn, 66, called a news conference to assure the media he was in good health and has returned to work full-time after a three-week recovery. He underwent the surgery to remove his cancerous prostate Sept. 23. Data Guinn reviewed within the past few weeks show the state's deficit could be well over $300 million, he said. [continues 596 words]
