News briefs for May 25, 2001

Friday, May 25, 2001 | 11:25 a.m.

Latest case not from Fallon

The latest case of childhood leukemia under investigation by the Nevada State Health Division will not be included in the Fallon cluster, state epidemiologist Dr. Randall Todd said Thursday.

The child had not lived in Fallon and did not meet the criteria for being included in the investigation into 14 confirmed cases of childhood leukemia, Todd said.

The Health Division is operating a community information line to answer questions about the leukemia cluster. The number is: (888) 608-4623.

Homeless man sought in slaying

Metro Police are searching for a 39-year-old homeless man in connection with the slaying of a homeless woman Wednesday.

Lynn Thorson, 39, apparently was hit in the face by a homeless man and fell against a block wall about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Main Street and Owens Avenue. They apparently were fighting over a blanket. Thorson was taken to University Medical Center, and she died Wednesday.

Detectives have necessary probable cause to arrest Michael Kennedy in connection with Thorson's slaying, said Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro's homicide unit.

Several other homeless people witnessed the incident and summoned help for Thorson, police said.

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

Two planning posts filled

Two positions have been filled in the Las Vegas Planning and Development Department.

Chris Knight, manager of the Comprehensive Planning Division since 1997, has been promoted to deputy director of the department.

Knight has directed the Town Center project and assisted with the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition. He also managed forecasts for long-range planning, updated the city's plans and developed elements for the Las Vegas 2020 Master Plan.

The city has also hired John Koswan to serve as the Current Planning manager.

Students forced to evacuate

Fifty-six students from Greenspun Junior High School were forced to evacuate a school bus when it caught fire after it was struck in the rear by another vehicle Thursday afternoon.

One child was taken to St. Rose Dominican Hospital for minor bruises, but no one else on the bus was injured, said Officer Valerie Klein, a Henderson Police spokeswoman.

The accident happened about 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Pecos and Pebble roads. The bus had slowed for a turn when it was struck by a pickup, Klein said.

The engine of the pickup caught fire, and the blaze spread to outside the back of the bus, Klein said.

Bruno Marvelli, 24, of Henderson was charged with leaving the scene of an accident.