Local news briefs for April 3, 2000

Monday, April 3, 2000 | 10:38 a.m.

Reid to sponsor funding measure

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and several other members of Congress were scheduled today to introduce a bill aimed at improving technology education in schools. The bill would provide $100 million in its first year to provide teachers with bonuses up to $5,000 if they receive training in information technology.

The Information Technology Act of 2000 also would allocate $100 million for grants to be given to universities, organizations and private firms that create partnerships with schools to provide technology training.

Reid hopes the measure will help create a more tech-savvy work force in Southern Nevada, which is struggling to attract skilled workers from the nation's high-tech areas. Reid unveiled the legislation last month during a visit to Mojave High School in Las Vegas.

Robber dressed as security guard

Henderson Police are investigating a weekend home invasion at an apartment complex in which one of the robbers dressed up as a security guard.

A man in a security guard jacket and two others, one with a handgun, rushed into the apartment as the resident answered a knock on the door of a unit at Morrell Park Apartments on Harris Street Saturday about 10:45 p.m.

The resident was tied up and a pillowcase put over his head while the men ransacked the apartment, police said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Henderson Police 565-2009 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Mother pleads not guilty in case

A Las Vegas woman accused of causing the death of her 5-month-old son more than a year ago pleaded not guilty during her arraignment Friday.

Justice of the Peace James Bixler set a $250,000 bail for Susan Harley at Friday's hearing.

According to a criminal complaint filed March 23, Harley shook or struck her son, Cory, on Oct. 11, 1998, causing fatal head injuries. The baby died a few days later in the hospital.

Driver loses control of car

An 88-year-old man who lost control of his car and killed a pedestrian over the weekend was listed in serious condition this morning.

James Mask of Las Vegas was driving north in the 3300 block of South Maryland Parkway Saturday about 9:30 a.m. when for an unknown reason his car crossed the center lane and started heading north in the southbound lanes, Metro Police said.

The car struck a light pole on the sidewalk, then went into a Burger King restaurant parking lot, where it hit another light pole. The pedestrian was walking from the restaurant to the sidewalk and was struck by Mask's car, police said.

The pedestrian, whose name was not released this morning, died at a hospital a couple of hours later.