Local news briefs for March 29, 2000

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 11:34 a.m.

Motorcyclist dies in morning crash

A 52-year-old motorcyclist died this morning after driving into a parked car at Lake Mead Hospital, North Las Vegas Police said.

The man, whose name was not released, drove his motorcycle into the parking lot on the north side of hospital about 4:25 a.m. He then lost control of the motorcycle, hit the right fender of a legally parked car and was thrown into a parking median, police said.

Investigators suspect that some sort of medical condition caused the accident and may have caused the man's death. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Reid backs new breast cancer bill

WASHINGTON -- Sen Harry Reid, D-Nev., was scheduled to join several other members of Congress today to introduce legislation that would fund $150 million over five years for studies that would analyze the links between environmental factors and breast cancer.

About 1,000 cases of breast cancer of 182,000 nationwide are estimated to be diagnosed this year in Nevada, Reid said in a written statement. Roughly one in five women die from the disease.

Doctors suspect toxins in the environment may contribute to breast cancer, but little research has been done, Reid said.

The grants would fund up to eight research centers nationwide.

Informer sings in NY muder case

NEW YORK -- The FBI informer who turned in the mother and son accused of murdering an Upper East Side woman testified Tuesday that the two defendants had called him to New York to take over an apartment building, evict the tenants and change the locks.

The informer, Stanley Patterson, a Las Vegas maintenance man, testified during the seventh week in the trial of Sante and Kenneth Kimes, whom prosecutors have charged with murdering Irene Silverman.

Patterson said that in the months before Silverman was last seen, he sold the Kimeses four guns and taught them how to make a silencer out of a potato. Then on July 1, Patterson said, Sante Kimes called him and asked him to come to New York. He arrived on July 5, the day prosecutors have said the Kimeses murdered Silverman as part of a plot to steal her Upper East Side mansion.

Patterson testified that the Kimeses first met with him on Feb. 28, 1998, when they hired him to move them from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

Silverman's body has never been found, forcing prosecutors to try to build a circumstantial case.

Summer camps begin registration

Registration begins Monday for three one-week resident camps in July at Camp Lee Canyon.

Lee Canyon Arts Camps, for children ages 8 to 12 is July 9-15. Omnicamp: An Adventure in Science for ages 8-12 runs July 16-22, and On the Edge Camp for teens 13-15 is July 23-29.

The camps cost is $250 for the art and science and $300 for the teens.

Parents may hold a space with a $90 deposit from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Park office, 2601 E. Sunset Road or 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Call Sunset office at 455-8200 or Desert Breeze at 455-8334.

LV attorney has eye on judgeship

Attorney Phil Beuth has announced his candidacy for Family Court Judge in Department I.

Beuth plans to kick off his campaign at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Street Station hotel-casino.

Beuth, who was a businessman for 20 years before becoming a family law attorney, says he wants to work hard to meet the needs of the job through continuing education and legal research.

To RSVP for the kickoff party call 894-5335.