News briefs for May 17, 2001

Thursday, May 17, 2001 | 9:51 a.m.

Car enters funeral procession

A North Las Vegas Police officer was injured Wednesday afternoon when he was hit by a car as he led a funeral procession on his motorcycle.

Randy Laswell was headed south on Eastern Avenue near Tropicana Avenue when a car left a private driveway and crossed through the procession, hitting Laswell, North Las Vegas Police spokesman Lt. Art Redcay said.

Laswell, 30, who has been with the department for more than four years, suffered only severe bruising to his left thigh and shin, is in good condition and is expected to be discharged today.

The driver of the car was cited for causing the accident, Redcay said.

Councilman visits rally at City Hall

North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes made a brief appearance Wednesday near the end of a political rally for him on the steps of City Hall.

Rhodes said he had not planned to attend the event, which included about 20 supporters from the Hispanic community, religious leaders, the North Las Vegas Republicans Club and women's groups.

Rhodes faces former Planning ommissioner Robert Eliason in the June 5 general election.

City Manager Kurt Fritsch said Tuesday that events such as the rally are rarely allowed in or near city buildings.

Nevada law prohibits a person or group from campaigning within 100 feet of entrances to polling places during early voting, which began Wednesday.

Rhodes left shortly after the rally to attend a City Council meeting.

Casino plans put on hold

Plans for a proposed North Las Vegas casino are on hold for another three weeks as the City Council considers new information that was presented shortly before Wednesday's meeting.

Millennium Gaming and Mendenhall Family Trust would like to build a hotel at the southwest corner of Craig and Losee roads but had asked for more time from the council to hammer out details that had held up the start of construction.

A representative for Millennium Gaming asked the council to wait another three weeks to review an operating agreement he submitted shortly before the start of the meeting.

The proposed project requires a change of zoning from industrial to commercial. Neighbors have expressed opposition to the casino.

It will be considered again June 6.

Arraignment delayed for driver

The arraignment of a Las Vegas man indicted by a Clark County grand jury in the deaths of three people in a hit-and-run accident has been delayed until May 23.

Mitchell Dettloff, 36, said at his scheduled arraignment Wednesday that he had not read the May 9 indictment and needed additional time to discuss it with his attorney Mace Yampolsky.

At 8:30 a.m. on May 23, Dettloff is expected to enter a plea before District Judge Sally Loehrer, who is hearing Judge Joseph Bonaventure's calendar in his absence. The case has been assigned to Bonaventure.

Dettloff, held in the Clark County Detention Center on $2.2 million bail, is charged with causing an April 22 accident on U.S. 95 that took the lives of Holly Barton, 33, her son, Benjamin Barton, 8, and Brian Lee Cooper, 30. James Barton, 32, was seriously injured in the accident.

Metro Police Officer Shawn Allen

was listed in good condition today at University Medical Center recovering from injuries suffered in a Monday evening motorcycle accident. Allen, 35, was hit while riding his motorcycle on Buffalo Drive near Sahara Avenue about 6 p.m. when another driver ran a stop sign and collided with the officer, police said. Allen suffered a broken leg and collarbone in the accident.

Kathy Apple, executive director of the state Board of Nursing

since 1996, has resigned to become director of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Gov. Kenny Guinn said Wednesday. The national council is a nonprofit organization that represents 61 nursing boards. Apple's replacement has not been named.

The Clark County School District's

chief financial officer is a finalist for the superintendent post of the Spokane Public Schools District 81 in Washington. Walt Rulffes said Wednesday he is one of four finalists for the position to lead the 35,000-student district. Rulffes, a former administrator in the Spokane district, said he was recruited to apply for the position.