News briefs for March 17, 2000

Friday, March 17, 2000 | 12:02 p.m.

Review panel takes up problem

A state review panel today was to deliberate and approve or deny an application for a proposed Spring Valley casino.

The panel action is the first test of Senate Bill 208, a law designed to limit encroachment by casinos into residential neighborhoods. The Clark County Commission in January approved the 300-room hotel to be developed by Triple Five Nevada Development Corp.

The Las Vegas Sun will post the panel's decision on the web at www.lasvegassun.com this afternoon.

Results of autopsy awaited

An autopsy was performed Thursday to determine what killed a 48-year-old man shortly after Nevada Parole and Probation officers arrested him Wednesday afternoon, but the results were not released this morning.

An officer went to 404 Bandera Drive Wednesday on a routine home visitation of 22-year-old Jason McCrea, who was on probation for a previous drug-related conviction. The officer, after smelling suspected marijuana in the garage and hearing several voices, left and returned with four other officers about 2:30 p.m., said Kevin Malone, a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety spokesman.

Officers arrested McCrea, his father, Kenneth McCrea, and a woman on drug-related charges. While handcuffed, Kenneth McCrea started complaining of chest pains. He was taken to Lake Mead Hospital and died about an hour later, Malone said.

Clark County coroner's office officials said they are still trying to locate "legal next of kin" this morning before information about the cause of Kenneth McCrea's death can be released.

Woman says she is fine

A 41-year-old tourist reported missing since Sunday has contacted a friend in Texas, saying she left Las Vegas and was fine, Metro Police said.

Cathy Marie Pulliam was vacationing in Las Vegas with a friend when she said she was going to a hotel gift shop and was not seen again.

Ethiopia nuptials called illegal

A federal jury Thursday convicted a woman who was accused of arranging a marriage for a relative so he could become a U.S. citizen.

Yeshi Admasu was convicted of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and one count of making false statements.

Admasu was accused of asking Las Vegas resident Rebecca Gaddis to marry her former brother-in-law, Minichl Admasu Abetew, and of flying Gaddis to Ethiopia in November 1998 for the marriage.