News briefs for November 13, 2001

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001 | 9:15 a.m.

Mustang collides with tractor-trailer

Metro Police are investigating an accident between a car and a tractor-trailer Monday that left a 33-year-old Las Vegas man in serious condition.

Police said Trey Tomisk was driving his 2001 Ford Mustang south on Grand Canyon Drive and apparently failed to stop at Rome Boulevard, striking the left side of an International tractor with two trailers, driven by Avelardo Soto of North Las Vegas.

Tomisk was airlifted to University Medical Center with serious injuries. Soto, 46, was also taken to UMC with moderate injuries.

Fire-sniffing dog needs operation

Josie, the yellow Labrador retriever who retired in August after 10 years as the Clark County Fire Department's fire-sniffing dog, has cancer.

The fire department cannot pay the $1,300 needed to remove Josie's tumors because she is retired.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to help pay for an operation to remove the tumors is asked to contribute to the Clark County Firefighters Burn Foundation account at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.

During her tenure, Josie responded to about 250 fires, 90 percent of which were determined to be arson.

'48 Hours' will air trial segment

The CBS news magazine "48 Hours" will air a segment about convicted murderer Margaret Rudin Friday evening.

Rudin was convicted May 1 of first-degree murder in the December 1994 death of her multimillionaire husband, Ronald Rudin. She is now serving a 20-year to life prison sentence.

Producers for "48 Hours" were in Las Vegas for the duration of Rudin's 10-week trial. The show is scheduled to air Friday at 10 p.m. on Channel 8.

Prosecutors believe Margaret Rudin and an unknown accomplice shot Ronald Rudin to death in his bedroom, decapitated him and then burned his remains inside a trunk near Lake Mohave.

Rudin's attorneys argued that the physical evidence disproved the state's theory and Ronald Rudin's business associates had more to gain from his death.

Ralston, lawmakers are honored

Three people have received the Clark County School District's Crystal Apple Award for their support of public education during the 2001 Legislature.

Receiving the awards were Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Reno; Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, and Jon Ralston, Las Vegas Sun columnist and host of the Sun's television news program, "Face to Face with Jon Ralston," which airs on Las Vegas ONE, Cox cable channels 1 and 39.

"Without their hard work and support, many of our legislative proposals and bills would not have been approved," said Joyce Haldeman, the School District's executive director of government and community relations.

Ralston received the award for covering education issues in his column and during his television show, the district stated.

Smith was instrumental in passing Assembly Bill 201, which encourages parental involvement in schools. James worked in the Legislature to pass several fee increases to help funding for the district.