News briefs for August 21, 2002

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002 | 9:54 a.m.

NLV man shot in neck

A 50-year-old North Las Vegas man was in serious condition this morning after he was shot in the neck during an argument with his wife Tuesday, police said.

Police were called to a home in the 700 block of West Lone Mountain Road about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday on a report of a person shot. Officers found Leland McPherson had been shot with a small caliber gun, police said.

McPherson and his wife, Mickie McPherson, 43, had been arguing when the quarrel became physical. Mickie McPherson locked herself in a bedroom and warned her husband not to enter, saying she had a gun, police said.

Leland McPherson ignored his wife's warning and forced his way into the bedroom and was shot, police said.

Leland McPherson told police he had hit his wife prior to being shot and did not want to press charges. Mickie McPherson was questioned Tuesday and released. The case will be reviewed by county prosecutors to determine if charges will be filed in the shooting and reviewed by city attorneys to determine if domestic battery charges will be filed, police said.

Woman suffers smoke inhalation

A 36-year-old Las Vegas woman was taken to University Medical Center suffering smoke inhalation Tuesday morning after an accidental bedroom fire in a home at 1904 Sunland Ave., near Shadow Lane and Alta Drive, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Firefighters saw heavy flames coming out a front window of the one-story wood frame home. The fire gutted a bedroom and caused smoke damage throughout the house. Damage is estimated at $10,000.

The woman said she was trying to light a cigarette and it caught the bed on fire. The fire was ruled accidental from careless smoking.

The American Red Cross is assisting a family of four.

Dust increases air pollution

Air pollution was a health threat again on Tuesday, blamed on dust particles -- from roads, construction sites and disturbed lands -- filling Las Vegas Valley skies.

Seven of 22 monitoring stations reached unhealthful levels of dust. The worst was Craig Road and Interstate 15, according to the Clark County Department of Air Quality Management.

People with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, were warned not to exercise outdoors.

The National Weather Service predicted more wind, cooler temperatures and cleaner air today.

Man dies after being hit by car

An 82-year-old man died Tuesday night after he was struck by a car driven earlier that day.

Lazandro Villagas-Lopez was in the crosswalk at Civic Center Drive at Taylor Avenue about 11:25 a.m. Tuesday when he was hit, North Las Vegas Police said. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died at 9:27 p.m.

The driver, an 18-year-old woman who did not have a driver's license, told police her view was obstructed by another vehicle. The woman hit the man, who was carried on the hood of her car for about 55 feet before she was able to stop.

No charges have been filed as the investigation is continuing.