Local news briefs for December 18, 2000

Monday, Dec. 18, 2000 | 12:07 p.m.

Police investigate fatal shooting

Metro Police homicide detectives continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a homeless man found lying in a parking lot in the 1900 block of H Street.

The 40-year-old victim was found dead in the parking lot about 12:15 p.m. Sunday, but initial investigation has turned up no witnesses or a motive for the homicide.

Residents in the neighborhood near Washington Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard told detectives that the victim was homeless and frequented the area often. They also reported that they saw the victim standing with several people before the shooting, police said.

The name of the slain man was not released this morning pending notification of his family.

Investigators would like to talk with anyone who might have been with the victim, or anyone who has any information as to who is responsible for the shooting. Homicide detectives can be reached at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Help needed to name fire victim

Henderson Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who was found dead in the aftermath of a Friday morning fire.

The man, who police say was probably homeless, was known to camp in the desert area northwest of Gibson and Sunset roads. The man's body was found in the remains of a burned tent near Gibson and Sunset after firefighters extinguished a brush fire about 4:15 a.m.

Arson investigators say that the fire appears to have been accidental. The man has not yet been identified because of the extent of his burns, investigators said.

The man appears to have been using a black bicycle with a small, white, two-wheeled trailer to get around. Anyone with information on the identity of the man is asked to call police at 565-2000 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Teen killed riding on streets

A 19-year-old man riding an off-road motorcycle on North Las Vegas streets was killed Friday night when he lost control of the dirt bike and crashed into a block wall.

Robert L. Feely lost control of the motorcycle while heading east on Galisteo Court approaching Willis Street, eventually colliding with a wall, North Las Vegas Police said.

He was not wearing a helmet and struck his head on the sidewalk, dying instantly, police said.

The motorcycle was not equipped with lights and was not legal to drive on the street, police said.

Contract signed for McLaughlin

CARSON CITY -- Jack McLaughlin, who has headed the Berkeley United School District in California since 1994, has signed a contract to become Nevada superintendent of public schools, succeeding Mary Peterson, who is leaving Dec. 31.

McLaughlin, who will be paid $94,700, will be on the job by Feb. 1, says David Noonan, an education official for the University of Nevada, Reno who conducted the nationwide search for a replacement for Peterson.

The state Board of Education voted Dec. 9 to offer the job to McLaughlin, one of four finalists. Some board members expressed doubt he would take the post, since he had previously turned down a job in Oregon.

McLaughlin, 59, said, however that the Nevada job was a "great opportunity" and he intends to meet with "all the stakeholders," including teachers, parents, principals, superintendents, legislators and Gov. Kenny Guinn.

He will take over just before the Nevada Legislature convenes on Feb. 5.

Clean-air measure gets approval

The Air Pollution Control Hearing Board has unanimously approved a resolution that will attempt to stop government entities from using reformulated fuel gasoline as clean-burning alternative fuel.

The board accepted the resolution of its vice chairman, Jack Greco, who also claims the Clark County Health District has failed to purchase clean-fuel natural gas or propane vehicles for its fleet.

Greco said in his document that the entities, including the Clark County School District, have circumvented the original intent of numerous clear air act regulations by fueling vehicles with alternative fuel acquired from other areas and buying diesel vehicles and passing them off as clean-air alternative buses.

The school and health district's reformulated fuel comes from Arizona and Greco, a former longtime gasoline service station owner, says there is little difference between that fuel and what the public purchases at local pumps.

The resolution now goes to the Clark County Health District Board and the Nevada Environmental Commission, Greco said.