Local news briefs for November 28, 2000

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000 | 10:11 a.m.

Nevada State branch held up

Henderson Police are investigating a Monday afternoon robbery at the Nevada State Bank, 4600 E. Sunset Road.

The robbery occurred shortly before 1 p.m. when a man handed a teller a note demanding money, police said.

The robber, described as a white man between 40 and 45 years old, escaped with an undisclosed amount of money. He is further described as about 5 feet 10 inches tall, clean shaven with dark hair.

Anyone with more information is asked to call the police at 565-2009 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Man charged in fatal break-in

Metro Police have charged a man in connection with a May home invasion robbery that left one man dead.

Carlos Coello, 31, was detained in Miami Beach, Fla., on Thursday, and was booked in absentee on charges of murder, and two counts each of robbery, kidnapping and home invasion with a weapon.

Coello and Yosvani Lopez are accused of breaking into a home in the 900 block of North Ironwood Drive on May 13, then pistol whipping and tying up two victims who were sleeping inside, police said.

The male victim was able to free himself, confronted Lopez with a knife and fatally stabbed him, police said. The victim then confronted the second suspect with Lopez's gun, firing at the man as he ran, police said.

Coello's return to Las Vegas is pending extradition proceedings in Florida.

City Hall gets into the action

Although taxis line up in wait for customers at Strip hotels, trying to hail one to go to a doctor's appointment can leave customers waiting.

With so many citizens registering complaints about inadequate taxi services for residents, Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald has devised a way to make sure the gripes are heard.

Boggs McDonald has forged a partnership with the Nevada Taxicab Authority so that complaints that come in to City Hall are forwarded to the agency.

When citizens have complaints, they should provide their name, address, a contact phone number, which cab company they called and the date, time and type of service they requested.

Citizens can call the Taxicab Authority around the clock at 486-6532 with complaints or questions. If residents call the council offices, the complaint will be forwarded to the authority through a new Council Action Request.

The CAR system also forwards complaints to Metro Police and the Las Vegas Housing Authority.

BLM to hire 1,700 for crews

The Bureau of Land Management plans to hire about 1,700 employees for firefighting and fire management over the next few months in the wake of a severe wildfire season in the West.

About half the positions will be permanent year-round jobs, and the other half will last up to six months, Larry Hamilton, director of the BLM's Office of Fire and Aviation, said.

The BLM's announcement follows last week's notice by the U.S. Forest Service, which is hiring 126 new firefighters in Nevada and eastern California.

Those interested in temporary BLM jobs may check the Internet (www.blm.gov) or call the BLM's seasonal job line at (303) 236-6706.

For permanent full-time positions, the Internet site is www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years or older, and may have to pass a physical fitness and/or drug test.

Baca named acting director

Sylvia Baca, assistant secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management, has been named acting director of the Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency that controls most of Nevada's open land.

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt announced the appointment on Monday. Baca replaces Tom Fry, who retired from federal service Friday.

Baca served a seven-month stint from January through August 1997 as interim director of the BLM, replacing Mike Dombeck, who was appointed U.S. Forest Service director.

The Senate confirmed Baca as assistant secretary in February. She joined the Interior Department in 1995 as deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management.

A native of New Mexico, Baca served as finance director for the city of Albuquerque before joining the Clinton administration in 1995.