News briefs for June 21, 2001

Thursday, June 21, 2001 | 10:15 a.m.

Former senator has neck infection

Former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., is recovering from an infection in his neck at a Reno hospital.

The former Nevada governor is being treated with intravenous drugs at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. A hospital spokesman would not comment on Bryan's condition, but family members said he is improving.

Bryan is a former two-term senator and Nevada governor.

County delays action on measure

Clark County commissioners delayed action Wednesday on a controversial ordinance that would have restricted billboards in unincorporated areas of the county.

A proposed ordinance backed by Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates was strongly opposed by the billboard industry. Two months ago the industry supported another proposed ordinance backed by Commissioner Erin Kenny.

The issue will go back on the commissioners' zoning agenda for discussion and possible adoption July 18.

Mark Fiorentino, a land-use attorney working with the billboard industry, said the delay would help all parties discuss and possibly reach a compromise on the proposed restrictions.

Government buys Dreyfus estate

A bitter, four-year battle over ownership of the Dreyfus mansion on Lake Tahoe has ended with the federal government buying back the 12,000-square-foot mansion for $575,000.

The sellers of the Dreyfus estate, the Park Cattle Co., will donate proceeds of the sale to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe.

Convicted killer facing new charge

Convicted murderer Sante Kimes appeared in court in Los Angeles Wednesday, a day after being extradited from New York to stand trial with her son for a 1998 killing that could bring the death penalty.

In court, Kimes, 66, agreed to have her arraignment postponed until June 28.

Kimes and her son, Kenneth, 26, former Las Vegas residents, are charged with the March 1998 shooting of David Kazdin, 63, whose body was found in a trash bin near Los Angeles International Airport.

Police believe he was killed after he discovered the Kimeses had forged his name on a loan. They allegedly took $200,000.

The Kimeses were sentenced in New York to 120-year prison terms for the murder of 82-year-old Irene Silverman after conspiring to steal her $7 million Manhattan townhouse and other possessions.

Gagnier to retire from union post

Bob Gagnier, 65, will retire July 2 after 30 years as executive director of the state of Nevada Employees Association.

He leaves following what he describes as the best legislative session state workers have had since 1985.

State workers came out of the session with 4 percent raises in each of the next two years, plus another longevity step worth nearly 5 percent for the most experienced state employees.

Gagnier is only the second executive director for the association, representing 4,000 state workers. He was hired in November 1970 from the Washington State Employees Association.

The association board has interviewed five potential replacements.

Boy, 5, hit by pickup dies

A 5-year-old boy hit by a pickup as he attempted to cross the street died Wednesday.

Lee Moran Jr., who was at the corner of of Twain Avenue and Cambridge Street Tuesday with his mother, ran into the crosswalk when the walk sign changed and was struck by a pickup, Metro Police said.

The driver, Edwin T. Hu, 36, told police that he had a green light.

Moran was taken to University Medical Center, where he died Wednesday at 11:50 a.m., hospital officials said.

No charges have been filed in connection with the accident and the investigation is continuing.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call Detective William Johnson at 229-3538 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.