Local news briefs for April 12, 2000

Wednesday, April 12, 2000 | 10:59 a.m.

Maid attacked at Strip hotel

Metro Police detectives are investigating the sexual assault of a 26-year-old maid at Mandalay Bay Monday afternoon.

The maid was reportedly making her rounds cleaning up guest rooms at the resort when a man entered the room she was working in and sexually assaulted her, Metro Sgt. Chris Carroll said.

"She was working with the door open, as maids usually do, when the suspect came in," Carroll said.

Police are checking the guest registry at the hotel but are unsure if the suspect was staying there.

Judge dismisses charge against teen

The teen charged with the murder of his father had a sexually related charge dismissed Tuesday by a Juvenile Court judge.

Judge Robert Gaston dropped the charge of voluntary sexual conduct between a prisoner with another against 15-year-old Conan Pope, said his attorney, Deputy Special Public Defender Kristina Wildeveld.

Pope and another inmate at the Clark County Detention Center, Reginald Fox, 26, were accused of having a sexual encounter in the jail in January. In March Fox was sentenced to three years of probation for the offense.

Pope has been charged as an adult in the Jan. 6 shooting death of his father, Frank Pope. A trial on the murder charge is scheduled to begin Nov. 13.

Judge reverses police closure

A nude dance club could reopen as early as this weekend because of a temporary restraining order issued Tuesday by a federal court judge.

The Forbidden Club, 3100 Sirius Ave., was closed by Metro Police on March 26 after two empty bottles -- they at one time apparently contained alcohol -- were found on the premises, which is not licensed to serve alcohol.

U.S. District Judge Johnnie Rawlinson, who issued the restraining order, will hear arguments for a preliminary injunction on May 30.

The club's attorney, Allen Lichtenstein, who filed a federal lawsuit last week against the police for the closure, said the club "probably will reopen this weekend." He said the police found no alcohol at the club.

"The police acted without any due process whatsoever," Lichtenstein said.

IRS agent, dentist hit with charges

A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment charging a Las Vegas Internal Revenue Service officer and a dentist with conspiracy, bribery and bribery of a public official.

Named in the indictment are IRS officer Donald J. Hyde and Dr. Thomas R. Gonzales.

An investigation conducted by special agents of the Treasury Department's inspector general for tax administration alleges that Hyde received free dental work and treatment from Gonzales in exchange for tax abatements.

The indictment states that Gonzales' tax liability was reduced by about $20,000, and also charges that Gonzales paid for a round of golf for himself and Hyde at Shadow Creek Golf Club.

The bribery charges carry a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and the conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years.

MASH's facility closing down

MASH Village's 250-bed winter shelter is scheduled to close Saturday.

This was the second consecutive year that the temporary shelter was erected to provide shelter for homeless men during the winter months.

The funding for the shelter was provided through the joint efforts of the city of Las Vegas, Clark County, the United Way, the Las Vegas Founders golf foundation and the Las Vegas Parrot Head Club.

Lake area sees fewer drownings

National Park Service statistics show that drowings and other deaths in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area declined last year.

The previous year 39 people died in the recreation area including 12 in boat accidents, while last year there were 22 deaths, and only one from a boating accident, recreation area Superintendent Alan O'Neill said.

A dozen people drowned in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave during 1998, but that number dropped to eight last year.

"Our preventative education programs appear to be working. We just need to keep it up," O'Neill said. "All in all, we are pleased with the direction our safety and law enforcement efforts are going, and I think the results demonstrate our dedication."

Golden Eagle pass to increase

Beginning April 18 the price of an annual Golden Eagle Passport for national parks will be raised $15.

The passport will now cost $65 and will still be good at all federal entry fee sites and will continue to be a part of the congressionally authorized fee demonstration program.

The one-time $10 fee for the lifetime Golden Age Passport, given to permanent residents of the United States 62 or older, will remain the same.

Deal made with Test Site foundation

The Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation has gained an affiliation agreement with the Smithsonian Institution.

The agreement allows the foundation to exchange exhibits and artifacts with the Smithsonian including materials related to the Cold War and the nuclear age.

The foundation in a joint venture with the Nevada Atomic Testing History Institute is scheduled to open a 59,000-square-foot museum at 2621 Losee Road in late 2001.

Buffalo project nears completion

The $5.9 million Buffalo Drive storm drain project is nearing completion with work expected to be finished by mid-May.

The project to install storm drains and drop inlets on Buffalo between Peace Way and Twain Avenue is one phase of the overall Lakes Durango detention basin and outfall system.