Local news briefs for August 2, 1999

Monday, Aug. 2, 1999 | 10:40 a.m.

Reward increased in year-old case

One year after the shooting death of a 16-year-old, the boy's family has doubled a reward for the capture of the man accused in his killing.

The family of Joey Cornell, who was killed in a hail of gunfire that wounded two other teenagers July 16, 1998, is offering $10,000 for the arrest of Gonzalo Hernandez Villalobos.

One week after Cornell's death Judge Kelly Swanson issued an arrest warrant for Villalobos. Witnesses told investigators Villalobos trailed the three boys in a car before shooting them. Police believe the shooting was related to an ongoing feud between the victim's and Villalobos' families.

Villalobos may have returned to his native El Salvador. But he has family in Las Vegas, and police hope that he may try to come back to the United States.

Villalobos is 38, 5-feet-6 inches tall, 180 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information may be eligible for the $10,000 reward plus a $1,000 reward from the Secret Witness program. Call Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Man drowns in park's pond

A man trying to cool off from a hot Las Vegas day drowned in a pond at a valley park Friday.

The Las Vegas Fire Department responded to Lorenzi Park, off West Washington Avenue near Rancho Drive, just after 2 p.m. after witnesses saw a man go into a lake and not come up.

A Hispanic man believed to be 40-years-old reportedly went into the pond behind the park's fieldhouse, fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

"The victim started struggling and another man went in to pull him out according to witnesses," Szymanski said. "When the rescuer got to where the man was he couldn't find him in the murky water."

Firefighters used a maintenance boat to search the lake, and after about 90 minutes found the man dead about 15 feet from the shore in 9 feet of water.

The case is still under investigation.

Motorcycle driver killed in crash

A North Las Vegas man was killed Friday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with an all-terrain-vehicle that came out of the desert and onto Alexander Road.

Steven Vargas, 45, was driving in the 4000 block of Alexander near Valley Drive when the all-terrain-vehicle pulled out in front of him, North Las Vegas Police said.

Vargas attempted to avoid the ATV, but could not, police said.

Officers administered CPR to Vargas, who was taken to University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The 15-year-old driver of the ATV suffered a broken arm and a concussion, police said.

Las Vegas meeting times changed

The Las Vegas City Council will begin its meetings at a new time and a new day beginning this week.

The live broadcasts of the meetings, however, will still be found on Channel 4.

Beginning Wednesday, the council plans to hold its meetings on the first and third Wednesday of each month. This is a change from the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Meetings will also begin an hour earlier. The morning session will start at 9 a.m. and the afternoon session at 1 p.m.

Police search for van

Metro Police are looking for a Chevrolet van in connection with a fatal shooting Friday morning.

A witness reported seeing a white Astro van pull in front of an apartment in the 1900 block of Goodwill Street just as shots rang out, police said.

Police arrived at the scene at about 11:30 a.m. and found Danyal Galvin, 22, of Las Vegas, shot to death in front of the apartment building.

A witness reported seeing part of the van's license plate number, 196WF, but could not make out the third letter, police said.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call police at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Red Horse Squadron returns

The 820th Red Horse Squadron arrived at Nellis Air Force Base Saturday from conducting humanitarian missions in Albania. There were 59 military personnel on the mission.

Assistance still available

Clark County residents and business owners who suffered property damages and losses from the July flooding may be eligible for federal and state financial assistance.

Call (800) 462-9029 or (800) 462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired.

For people who have already registered, they can get additional information by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency at (800) 525-0321, or (800) 462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired.