Local news briefs for November 22, 2000

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2000 | 10:40 a.m.

Alleged purse snatcher critical

A teen suspect in a purse-snatching incident at a Searchlight casino Tuesday remains in critical condition at University Medical Center after the car he was in crashed while being pursued by the California Highway Patrol.

Metro Police responded to the Searchlight Nugget casino Monday on a reported purse-snatching, where witnesses said that the suspect drove off in a green late model Saturn with Nevada plates.

Police put the description out, and the California Highway Patrol spotted the car about 20 miles south of the Nevada-California border on U.S. 95, Metro Sgt. Chris Darcy said.

A chase of about 2 miles ensued, before the Saturn left the roadway and rolled several times. The 15-year-old suspect was thrown from the car and was helicoptered, along with the 16-year-old driver, to UMC, police said.

The 15-year-old remains in critical condition, and the 16-year-old is expected to be treated and released, a UMC spokesman said.

Duo to head landscape panel

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack is co-chairing a new Nevada Department of Transportation landscaping committee with Secretary of State Dean Heller.

The Landscape Advisory and Aesthetic Steering Committee was formed at the request of Gov. Kenny Guinn and is led by Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa.

The committee's first meeting was held to introduce the NDOT's new landscape architect, Don Payne, and to discuss potential ideas for establishing a blueprint to landscape Nevada's roads.

The areas identified for landscaping are city streets, urban freeways, the Las Vegas Beltway, Summerlin Parkway, rural highways, rest stops, and maintenance facilities.