Local news briefs for February 1, 2001

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001 | 11:17 a.m.

Ann Road gets a signal today

A new traffic light was turned on this morning at the intersection of Ann Road and Centennial Center, near Centennial Parkway.

At 7 tonight the light will be placed on "red flash" mode to let drivers know that it is a four-way stop before going into full operation the next morning.

This is the first traffic signal installed in the Las Vegas city limits this year.

Public works department staff encourage drivers to proceed with caution while they adjust to the change.

Robbery suspect flees to apartment

A robbery led to the Metro Police SWAT team being called to an apartment building Wednesday night, after the robbery suspect ran into an occupied apartment.

About 5 p.m. the Special Cigarette Market, 3871 S. Valley View Blvd. was robbed, but a worker at the business called police and followed the suspect as he fled the store. The suspect went to the Shadowbrook Apartments, 3851 Wynn Road, near Flamingo Road and Arville Street, Sgt. Chris Darcy said.

Police arrived at the apartments and two people came out of the apartment, but three more wouldn't come out. SWAT officers entered the apartment, and all five people were taken into custody.

Police were still sorting out who was the robbery suspect, and what charges would be filed.

Vice chairman position awarded

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., was elevated Wednesday to a new seat on a congressional panel with key oversight of the mining industry.

Gibbons will serve as the new vice chairman of the House Resources subcommittee on energy and mineral resources.

"He is a true leader on mineral issues," said Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., who announced his appointment.

Nevada Mining Association President Russ Fields said Gibbons has been a strong ally of the industry for years.

The congressman, a former airline pilot and Air Force flier who served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars, earned college degrees in geology and mining at the University of Nevada's Mackay School of Mines in Reno.

Teachers at Reno school diagnosed

An investigation is under way into seven cases of cancer that have been diagnosed among teachers and staff members at Traner Middle School in Reno.

Efforts include environmental testing to investigate asbestos, possible toxic mold in ceilings and other air quality concerns.

The school has 550 pupils, but there have been no signs of unusual sickness among them. The seven cases of cancer come from a staff of 60 faculty and support people.

Of those seven cases, five have been diagnosed since December. Five of the seven are breast cancer cases, one is cancer of the cervix and one is esophageal cancer.

Randy Todd, state epidemiologist, said the state health division will do everything it can to investigate the cancer cases at Traner. He said the cases could be a cluster or could be coincidental.

False health claims being made

Fallon residents are being warned by state health division staff to be wary of phone calls from businesses claiming to sell products approved by the health division.

Residents have reported phone calls from businesses trying to sell them water testing or treatment services that sales representatives have claimed are approved by the health division.

State health division officials said the division has not endorsed any brand, model or type of home water filtration system.

For more information call the health divisions community information line at (888) 608-4623.