Local news briefs for November 16, 2000

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000 | 10:48 a.m.

Benson charged a second time

A man accused of stalking entertainer Jerry Lewis was charged Wednesday in Clark County District Court.

Gary Benson, 57, could face a life sentence if convicted a second time after prosecutors charged him with violating a stalking order under the state's habitual criminal law.

The Sheridan, Wyo., man was released from a Nevada prison in September 1999 after serving a six-year sentence for stalking Lewis. He was arrested six months later when the comedian received a letter that said, "Dear Jerry. Your Dead. Your friend, Gary Benson."

Benson pleaded innocent to the latest charge and a Jan. 22 trial date has been scheduled.

Flowers to appeal dismissal by judge

Gennifer Flowers will appeal the dismissal of her lawsuit against President Clinton, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and two former top Clinton aides.

Flowers claimed in a lawsuit that she was defamed by Clinton aides George Stephanopoulos and James Carville following her 1992 revelation of a 12-year affair with Bill Clinton. The lawsuit also claimed Mrs. Clinton organized a smear campaign against Flowers, who now lives in Las Vegas.

The lawsuit was dismissed in August by U.S. District Judge Philip Pro, who said Flowers' claims were unfounded and barred by the statute of limitations.

Flowers filed a notice of appeal Wednesday seeking a review by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Law enforcement to target speeders

Officers from the four Las Vegas Valley police departments will be out in force for speed enforcement during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Starting Wednesday and going through Nov. 26, officers from Metro, Henderson and North Las Vegas police along with Nevada Highway Patrol, through the "Joining Forces" program, will be checking the speeds of area drivers, officials said.

The program, funded by grants, puts two officers from each agency on the streets to target traffic problems.

The officers, all working overtime, will be on streets around area malls on Nov. 24, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year. The officers will also be on Las Vegas Boulevard South, Craig Road and Interstate 15 during the other days of the holiday, officials said.

Ward 3 residents to meet with Reese

Leaders of Ward 3 neighborhood associations will have the opportunity to participate in Las Vegas City Councilman Gary Reese's roundtable session tonight at Desert Pines Golf Course.

The event is the first roundtable in which neighborhood association presidents will meet, network and discuss issues that are important to them and their respective neighborhoods. It will also be the first community meeting for Reese since being named mayor pro tem this morning.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the golf course's meeting room, 3415 E. Bonanza Road at Pecos Road.