News briefs for April 12, 2001

Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

LV man, 29, arrested in death

A 29-year-old Las Vegas man has been arrested in connection with the apparent slaying of his mother, Metro Police said.

Michael Messick, also known as Michael Miller, was arrested Wednesday at the home of his 51-year-old mother in the 2100 block of Quarry Ridge Street near Sahara Avenue and Hualapai Way.

The Clark County coroner's office declined to release the woman's name because a positive identification has not yet been made. The coroner, however, was to examine the body today to determine the official cause of death.

Police received a call at 5:20 p.m. to check on the welfare of the woman who did not show up for work Tuesday or Wednesday. Police arrived to find the woman's car in her driveway and found her body in a bathroom.

Police determined she was the victim of foul play and questioned neighbors, who told them the woman's son, who was living with her, and another man were seen leaving the home earlier that day.

While police officers were at the scene, Messick arrived at the home and was arrested.

Hall monitor charged in case

A 26-year-old West Middle School hall monitor was accused Tuesday of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy he met at the school.

Nakia Matthews was charged with nine counts of statutory sexual seduction. Matthews was arrested at Lake Mead Hospital Medical Center, where he was being treated for injuries sustained during a fight with the victim's family, Metro Police said.

Detectives learned the relationship appeared to be consensual and had been ongoing for about two years, police said.

Collection firms receive approval

The state Board of Examiners has approved contracts between the state controller's office and two private debt collection companies to assist in recovering money owed the state.

OSI Collection Services Inc. and Crisis Recovery Inc. will assist State Controller Kathy Augustine in efforts to recover more than $143 million in delinquent debts to state agencies.

Current legislation proposed by Augustine will, if passed, allow state agencies to refer their uncollected debts to her office, where she would receive the assistance from the private collection agencies.

The legislation also proposes a pilot program with the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety and the Division of Wildlife to improve collections by restricting or suspending vehicle registrations, licenses and permits of offenders.

Professors given Barrick awards

Four members of the UNLV faculty have received Barrick Awards for the 2000-01 school year, recognizing their record of distinguished research or creative activity.

English professors John Bowers and Mark Weinstein and history professor Hal Rothman received the Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award. Each professor also received $5,000.

Tourism and Convention administration professor Zheng Gu received the Barrick Scholar Award. He also received $2,500.

The awards are provided to UNLV by Las Vegas philanthropist Marjorie Barrick.