Local news briefs for October 18, 2000

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.

Two children die after car wreck

Two children injured in a car accident on Interstate 15 Sunday died Tuesday night at University Medical Center.

A 10-year-old and an 8-year-old were riding in a van driven by their father, Arsenio Tapia, when it crashed near Flamingo Road about 11 p.m. Sunday. In addition, two younger children -- a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy -- were injured when all four were ejected through the windshield, Highway Patrol Trooper Alan Davidson said.

The driver's wife, Julia Tapia, 29, and a 17-year-old relative, Juan Torres, were also riding in the vehicle. The entire family was taken to UMC, except for the father, who fled the scene, Davidson said.

Julia Tapia, her 3-year-old daughter and Torres were all discharged Monday. The 4-year-old boy was still in critical condition this morning, hospital officials said.

The names of the children have not been released.

Troopers believe Arsenio Tapia was injured in the accident based on damage to the steering wheel. He had not been located by this morning.

Language removed from legal forms

Bridgestone-Firestone Tires has removed language from forms that forced people to waive their legal rights for reimbursement of recalled tires, a group of 50 attorneys general that includes Nevada's Frankie Sue Del Papa said.

Del Papa recently joined the group from U.S. states and territories in response to the Bridgestone-Firestone tire recall that has prompted widespread consumer concerns.

At the request of the group, the company has removed from its reimbursement forms language that required consumers to waive their legal rights to take advantage of the program, Del Papa said.

Also at the request of the attorneys general, the company has agreed not to enforce any releases with that language that previously was signed by consumers, Del Papa said.

The tires that are involved in the recall are listed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on its Internet website at www.nhtsa.com.

Oroweat has recalled

its Super Onion bagels due to mislabeling of packages. The bagels contain hazelnuts, but that is not included on the label. In Nevada the bagels are packaged with a red closure tab with the code P4 Oct. 22 imprinted on it. For information, call Oroweat at 800-356-3314.

The Bureau of Land Management

is asking the public for comments on the safest way to close more than 100 abandoned mines in Southern Nevada's mountains. BLM's Deputy State Director Tom Leshendok said the public comment period on the best approach to these abandoned mines will continue until Nov. 11. Copies of an environmental assessment prepared by the BLM are available from its state office in Reno, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman

will hold his monthly open-door meeting with constituents at 10 a.m. Friday at City Hall. The meeting will be held a week early this month because city offices will be closed Oct. 27 for Nevada Day. All residents are invited to ask Goodman questions or comment on city issues.