Local Briefs

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

* POLICE OPEN HOUSE -- The public is invited by Metro Police to its First Tuesday open houses at the department's five substations. Metro will have a training academy staff member at each substation. The officers plan to talk about the academy and show the same short training video police recruits are shown during their orientation. Each open house will be from 7-9 tonight at these locations: 831 N. Mojave Road (between Bonanza Road and Washington Avenue); 2300 E. St. Louis Ave. (behind the DMV at Atlantic Street and St. Louis Avenue); 6208 Hargrove Ave. (Jones Boulevard and U.S. 95); 5925 W. Spring Mountain Road (just east of Jones Boulevard); 401 S. Fourth St.

* SUSPECT IN CUSTODY -- An anonymous tipster put police on the trail of a 31-year-old man wanted on a slew of drug charges. Secret Witness received information Monday that Thomas Rodda was staying with his sister in an apartment in the 2400 block of St. George Street, near Las Vegas Boulevard North and Carey Avenue in North Las Vegas, police said. The Criminal Apprehension Team, a joint effort of local and federal law enforcement, responded and took Rodda, also known as John Martinez, into custody without incident. Rodda was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on warrants for trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Metro Detective Michael Karstedt.

* HOLIDAY CELEBRATION -- Clark County will hold its second annual "Holiday Celebration" Wednesday at the Government Center amphitheater. The festivities start at 6 p.m. and include live music, holiday cookies and beverages, craft activities for kids, a visit from the big elf himself and the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree. The Government Center amphitheater is at 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, just west of downtown Las Vegas. For more information, call 455-3265.

* SPARKS BOND -- Sparks officials are considering asking voters to approve a bond issue to finance new buildings, streets and other construction projects. City administrators have a wish list of more than $30 million in projects, but Finance Director Terri Thomas expects the proposed bond issue would range from $10 million to $13 million. "The city must invest in itself every seven to 10 years," Thomas said. "But the city manager has made it clear that the bond will only be used for the city's bare essential needs." Any bond sale must be authorized by the Debt Management Commission and be approved by voters.