Local news briefs for December 7, 2000

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

Man stabbed outside Sahara

A 36-year-old man was in critical condition after being stabbed several times this morning outside the Sahara hotel-casino.

The man was stabbed outside the casino about 5:20 a.m., then staggered into the resort and collapsed, Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro Police's homicide unit said.

Hotel surveillance video shows the victim being chased by two men to the front of the casino, Petersen said.

The man was stabbed numerous times. Police don't have any information on the identity of the suspects or a motive for the attack.

Anyone with information in this crime is asked to call Metro's homicide unit at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Las Vegas man dies in accident

A 19-year-old man died Wednesday night after he lost control of his motorcycle on Sahara Avenue near Walnut Road.

Jeremy M. Figueroa of Las Vegas was apparently traveling east on Sahara Avenue about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday at a high rate of speed. As he was going around a curve, he drifted across the center and right lanes and hit a curb, Metro Police said.

Figueroa apparently lost control, rode up on the curb and as the motorcycle went on to its side, he was ejected. He died at the scene, police said.

Figueroa's is the 94th fatal accident in Metro's jurisdiction this year.

New chief appointed

CARSON CITY -- Lt. Gary Metz, who has been with the legislative police force for nine year, has been named its chief, succeeding Wayne Hurte, who retired in November because of health problems.

Metz, who will be paid $55,000, heads a full-time force of eight officers, which is expanded to about 20 during sessions of the Legislature.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, announced the appointment this week. There were eight applicants for the job, he said.

Metz was with the Los Angeles Police Department from 1962 to 1984, then served as a fraud investigator for a bank in Southern California for five years before moving to Nevada.

Results same in judge race

CARSON CITY -- Attorney Robert W. Lane is still the winner after a recount in the race for district judge in the Fifth Judicial District was completed Wednesday.

Lane picked up two votes for a total of 6,882, and his opponent Kirk Vitto gathered three more votes for a total of 6,855, the secretary of state's office said.

The judgeship was created by the 1999 Legislature and covers Esmeralda, Mineral and Nye counties.

Ex-Sparks teacher pleads in sex case

A former female teacher at Sparks High School pleaded guilty Wednesday to having sex with a male student and could face up to five years in prison.

Diane Flanary, 31, earlier admitted the sexual relationship with the 17-year-old student last spring. She had a baby and told the student she thought he was the father, but DNA testing later proved he was not.

Flanary pleaded guilty in Washoe District Court to unlawful sexual conduct by a school official with a minor. She faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.