Local news briefs for April 11, 2000

Tuesday, April 11, 2000 | 10:19 a.m.

Henderson man killed in accident

A 37-year-old Henderson man was killed Monday when he was hit by a car as he crossed a street in a marked crosswalk.

The accident happened about 6:50 p.m. on Stewart Avenue at the intersection of Page Street, Metro accident investigators said.

Timothy Wentzel was crossing Stewart southbound at Page when he was hit by Myron Mosley, 19, of Las Vegas, police said.

Mosley was headed west on Stewart and tried to brake and swerve when he saw Wentzel, but was unable to avoid hitting him, police said.

No charges have been filed, but police are continuing their investigation. The accident was the 22nd traffic-related fatality in Metro's jurisdiction this year.

Ozone water system being installed

The Southern Nevada Water Authority began last week installing an ozone process to disinfect Lake Mead's water.

A 40-by-15-foot venturi meter brought from Canada will replace a 10-foot-wide tube that has been operating at the plant since in 1971.

After drinking water flows through the tube, ozone bubbles through the water. The gas kills dangerous microorganisms and improves the water's taste and odor. The process should be ready by 2002, officials say.

Forest Service invites comments

U.S. Forest Service officials are hosting an open house this week to give residents a chance to ask questions or comment about the national road-management policy.

The policy updates current regulations governing Forest Service roads, puts priority on maintaining and rebuilding heavily used roads, and let unneeded roads return to a natural state. The policy is different from the draft environmental impact statement for the controversial roadless initiative proposed by President Clinton.

Open houses are being conducted throughout the state. The local meeting is 4-8 p.m. Thursday in the Las Vegas Library's multipurpose room, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Error in CAT passes corrected

Commuters who use 30-day full-fare and reduced-fare CAT bus passes will not have to replace those printed with an incorrect expiration date.

The computer error occurred last week, the Regional Transportation Commission said, noting that it affects passes with an April 29, 2000, expiration date.

Fare boxes have been reconfigured to allow the passes to be used for the full 30 days from the activation date, the RTC said.

House votes to honor GIs

WASHINGTON -- The American GI is the Person of the Century for the 20th century, the House voted 397-0 on Monday.

In separate action, the House voted 399-0 to officially honor and recognize government-employee civilians and military personnel who served in Southeast Asia from Feb. 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975.

Neither resolution carries the weight of law.

"Twenty-five years ago, the Vietnam era officially ended with the infamous fall of Saigon," said Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who served as a combat pilot in Vietnam. "We then turned away from this sad chapter in our national history. But we cannot, we dare not, turn away from those who have written that history with their blood, their pain and their heroic sacrifice."