News briefs for March 21, 2001

Wednesday, March 21, 2001 | 11:02 a.m.

County tables benefits resolution

A resolution to express support for state legislation that would allow Clark County to extend insurance benefits to employees who have domestic partners was tabled Tuesday by the County Commission.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to hold off on the resolution until they track the progress of a bill sponsored by Rep. David Parks, D-Las Vegas. Parks' bill provides for the statewide recognition of reciprocal beneficiary relationships.

Commissioner Erin Kenny, who opposed tabling the item, said the existing state statute that does not allow the county to offer benefits to same-sex couples is outdated.

"We need to send a message to the Legislature that we support the notion of us being able to extend those benefits," Kenny said.

Hearing scheduled on Sunday hours

Clark County commissioners set a public hearing for April 3 to discuss a proposed ordinance that would prohibit auto dealerships that sell new vehicles from being open on Sundays.

The ordinance, recommended by Commissioner Erin Kenny, targets dealerships that sell new cars regardless of whether they also sell used cars. Used car dealers were left out of the proposed ordinance after arguing they must be open seven days a week to survive.

The ordinance was drafted after newer car dealerships began opening on Sundays, breaking an unwritten agreement to close on that day.

DOE assesses NTS locations

The U.S. Department of Energy has prepared an environmental assessment for three locations at the Nevada Test Site proposed for the state's first wind farm.

The three locations at the site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, include Shoshone Mountain, Pahute Mesa and Skull Mountain for a wind-power project worth $80 million to Southern Nevada's economy over the next three to five years.

Once built by commercial company MNS Windpower, the wind farm with 500 turbines, each 180 feet tall, would operate for about 35 years and require up to 30 employees as operators.

The Test Site serves as an outdoor laboratory in which scientists and students can conduct research on environmental issues in a controlled, secure space. Since underground nuclear experiments ceased in September 1992, the Nevada Test Site Development Corp. has been seeking new enterprises at the site.

The environmental assessment is available at the DOE's public reading room at 2621 Losee Road in North Las Vegas, or on the Internet (www.nv.doe.gov).

Convicted killer sent to California

Kenneth Kimes, convicted of killing a wealthy Manhattan widow, was extradited to California from New York to face additional murder charges, according to the New York state Department of Correctional Services.

Kimes arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday, a corrections spokesman said.

Kimes and his mother, Sante Kimes, both former Las Vegas residents, were charged in Los Angeles for the 1998 murder of business associate David Kazdin. Police believe Kazdin was killed after he found out the Kimeses had forged his name on a loan. They allegedly took $200,000 from the loan account.

Kenneth Kimes could face the death penalty if convicted in California.

Both Kimeses were serving time in New York for killing Irene Silverman, 82, and conspiring to steal her $7 million Manhattan town house.

New York Gov. George Pataki and California Gov. Gray Davis agreed last year to have the Kimeses extradited. On March 13, 2001, the Clinton County Court in New York ordered Kenneth Kimes' extradition.

Extradition proceedings against Sante Kimes are pending.

Inmate pleads guilty to killing

Ely State Prison inmate Gilbert Jay Paliotta, 26, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole Tuesday for the 1998 killing of his cellmate.

Paliotta was convicted of murder after Raywalt Becker was found dead, his throat slit from ear to ear, on July 21, 1998.

The state originally sought the death penalty but agreed not to seek it in exchange for Paliotta agreeing to plead guilty. Paliotta is currently serving five consecutive 30-year sentences for a string of armed robberies in Clark County in the early 1990s.

Man found shot to death

Metro Police Homicide detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred at an apartment complex near Swenson Street and Twain Avenue Tuesday night.

Police found a man dead, from an apparent gunshot wound, between two of buildings at the Shelter Island Apartments, 3770 Swenson St.

Witnesses told police the victim was being chased through the complex by another man who shot and killed him about 7:15 p.m., Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

Police said evidence at the scene suggested the shooting might have involved drug activity, but the cause of the shooting is yet to be determined.

Residents in the complex told detectives the victim had been known to visit the complex. The slain man had not been identified as of this morning.

The suspect is described as black, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a stocky build and he may have a ponytail. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and dark pants; he was seen running from the complex with another man.

The man's slaying was the 35th homicide so far this year in Metro's jurisdiction, compared to 24 homicides at the same time last year.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call homicide detectives at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Victim in L.A. police shooting arrested

A man who won a $15 million settlement after being shot and paralyzed by Los Angeles Police has been arrested on drug charges.

Police said Javier Ovando, 23, was traveling through Nevada with five others on March 13 when their car was stopped for speeding. They said Ovando was carrying $50,000 in cash and that marijuana and cocaine were found in the car.

The six were booked on charges including transportation of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and cocaine trafficking.

Ovando was freed on $26,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court on April 17. His attorney, Gregory Moreno, denied Ovando was transporting drugs but that Ovando withdrew the money from his bank account and was going to Las Vegas to gamble. He said the money was part of Ovando's settlement, the largest Los Angeles has ever paid in a case of alleged police misconduct.

In 1996 police officers shot Ovando and allegedly planted a gun next to him. The case came to symbolize allegations that officers in the city's Rampart station beat, robbed and shot suspects.

An investigation led to charges being dismissed or overturned in about 100 cases, and to the convictions of three officers.

Man is 36th slaying victim

A 21-year-old man was killed this morning when a rival gang member started shooting, Metro Police said.

The 21-year-old and two other men were on the 5200 block of Industrial Road near Russell Road, on their way to visit some women at a motel when rival gang members were seen, said Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro's homicide unit.

The three men apparently were attempting to leave the area when the rival gang members started shooting at the group. The 21-year-old man was struck, Petersen said.

The man's two friends drove him to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Petersen said. The slain man's name was not released this morning pending notification of his family.

Although police believe the shooting was gang-related, Petersen said it is not related to slayings and shootings attributed to gang retaliation in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Carey Avenue.

The man's slaying was the 36th homicide so far this year in Metro's jurisdiction, compared to 24 at the same time last year.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Metro's homicide unit at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

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