Local news briefs for October 23, 2000

Monday, Oct. 23, 2000 | 11:27 a.m.

Syringes used in two holdups

Henderson Police are investigating two holdups over the weekend in which the robbers used syringes filled with a liquid as weapons.

A man approached a clerk at about 7:40 p.m. Friday at Blockbuster Video holding a syringe containing an orange liquid. He demanded money and then lunged at the clerk with the needle. He fled on foot across Sunset Road with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

The robber was described as a white man, 5 feet 9 inches, with a medium build, reddish-brown hair, a goatee and was wearing thick reading glasses. He also had a tattoo on his right forearm.

On Saturday about 6:15 p.m., a man went into a coffee house on Mall Ring Circle and asked the cashier for change. Once the register was open, the man pulled out a syringe that was labeled AIDS. The man took an disclosed amount of cash and fled on foot, police said.

He was described as a white man, approximately 6 feet tall, with brown curly hair and a full beard. He was wearing a dark short-sleeve shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information about these robberies can call Henderson Police at 565-8933 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Teen killed in one-car crash

A Henderson teen died from injuries sustained in a one-car accident Friday, Henderson Police said.

Dairen Wright, 16, was a passenger in a car driven by 18-year-old Christopher Sobalvarro, who apparently lost control on Horizon Ridge Parkway near Green Valley Parkway and crashed into a light pole, police said.

Wright and Sobalvarro were taken to University Medical Center. Sobalvarro was treated and released. Wright died in the hospital later Friday night, police said.

Arts to receive some special help

Art lovers in Nevada can support the arts in education while displaying their passion on their car bumpers.

A new license plate designed by Beth Finta, a Las Vegas elementary student, is now available. It features two coyotes howling at the moon, a cactus, and the phrase "Rich in Art."

Money from the purchase of each plate, $15 of the $51 initial cost, and $10 of each $20 renewal, will go to the Nevada Arts Council and VSA Arts of Nevada. Personalized plates will cost $86 initially and the renewal fee will be $40 annually.

For more information call the Nevada Arts Council at (775) 687-6680 or visit the council's website (dmla.clan.lib.nv.us).

The state Board of Regents

accepted a $400,000 donation Friday from the LandWell Co. that will be put towards the development of the Nevada State College at Henderson. This gift will be used specifically to finance the architectural planning for the college's first building.

Motorists can expect more delays

related to the Interstate 15 and Sahara Avenue widening project. The left turn lane on the I-15 southbound off-ramp to eastbound Sahara will be closed at least 15 months beginning Sunday evening. The right turn lane to westbound Sahara will stay open.

Desert Inn Road will be closed

8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday between Swenson Street and Joe W. Brown Drive and Paradise Road. The road will reopen Nov. 25. The sections affected are being closed while the steel superstructure of the Las Vegas Convention Center's new South Hall is being built over Desert Inn.