Local news briefs for March 21, 2000

Tuesday, March 21, 2000 | 11:07 a.m.

Patient sues over alleged assault

A former Valley Hospital and Medical Center patient has filed a lawsuit in District Court against the hospital stating that because of its negligence she was sexually assaulted in January 1998.

According to the lawsuit, the woman -- called Jane Doe in the lawsuit -- was a patient in the hospital when a male patient known to enter other patients' rooms came into her room and "attacked, assaulted, sexually assaulted and otherwise injured and terrorized" her.

The lawsuit claims the hospital failed to properly train and supervise its security staff.

The woman is seeking unspecified damages.

High winds whip Las Vegas Valley

Gusts of up to 56 mph whipped through the Las Vegas Valley Monday, and the National Weather Service says winds of 20 to 25 mph are in the forecast through Wednesday.

A blast of air toppled a 250-foot crane used to built a roller coaster at the Sahara Hotel. As the crane fell, it crushed a fence and landed in a parking lot near Wet 'n Wild water park, delaying the construction of the roller coaster for about a month.

On Sunday night the National Park Service rescued occupants of a houseboat at Lake Mead as the wind raised white caps there. No injuries were reported.

The next storm system is due in Southern Nevada Saturday with more wind on Saturday and cloudy skies on Sunday, but it is expected to move east faster than this one, Adair said.

Woman arraigned on murder charge

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- A woman accused in the death of a 4-day-old baby believed to have been her son has been arraigned on a charge of first-degree felony murder.

Rebekah Jolynn Woods, 34, was arraigned Monday before 5th District Judge G. Rand Beacham. Beacham left her bail at $250,000 cash only and assigned attorney Douglas Terry to handle her case.