News briefs for July 18, 2001

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 | 10:14 a.m.

County GOP gets new chairman

The Clark County Republican Party elected Steve Wark as its new chairman Tuesday evening.

Wark, a grass-roots organizer for the party, bested John Hambrick, a retired federal worker, to replace former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren as chair.

Jack Close, a former state assemblyman, was elected vice chairman; North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon was elected finance chairman; Orlando Sanchez, building services manager for the city of Las Vegas, was elected membership director; and Diane Dickerson was elected press secretary.

Also elected were Kyle Stephens as precinct organization administrator; Joanna Wesley as events coordinator and John Stanhagen as treasurer.

Man pleads guilty in friend's death

An 18-year-old Las Vegas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed one of his friends in October.

Christopher David Sobalvarro could receive probation or a one- to four-year prison sentence when sentenced by District Judge Donald Mosley on Sept. 13.

According to Henderson police, Sobalvarro lost control of his vehicle on Horizon Ridge Parkway near Green Valley Parkway and crashed into a light pole.

Dairen Wright, 16, a passenger in the car died at University Medical Center from injuries suffered in the crash.

Sobalvarro was treated at the hospital and released.

Pair to speak to Young Democrats

Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera and state Assemblyman Mark Manendo will speak Thursday at an inaugural meeting for two new chapters of Young Democrats of America.

UNLV and Clark County of Southern Nevada Democrats will host a kick-off pizza party, where students can join the newly-formed college chapters. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Metro Pizza, 2250 E. Tropicana Ave.

Herrera is a UNLV graduate and Manendo graduated from CCSN.

The UNLV and CCSN Democrats are the newest chapters of Young Democrats of America.