News briefs for August 29, 2002

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 | 9:25 a.m.

Body of woman found in desert

A Clark County employee discovered the body of a woman while driving on an unpaved road near Rainbow Boulevard and Warm Springs Road about 11 a.m. Wednesday, Metro Police Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

The woman was wearing an orange top with yellow sleeves and the word "Bebe" inscribed on the front. She also wore a pair of black cargo pants with the letter S on the right pant leg.

The cause of death was not apparent. The woman has not been identified.

Anyone with information or who can assist with the identity of the woman is asked to call Secret Witness at 385-5555 or Metro's Homicide Section at 229-3521.

Man killed in crash near Laughlin

A Las Vegas man, 33, was killed and two others injured in a one-car rollover on Needles Highway south of Laughlin about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday, Metro Police officers said.

Officers said that evidence at the scene indicated the 1995 Jeep sport utility vehicle was driving fast northbound on the highway. The vehicle left the right side of the road, prompting the driver to over-correct.

The vehicle crossed the center line and rolled over off the highway, killing one of the passengers, Daniel John Burne, officers said.

Raul Mendiola of Las Vegas, believed to be the driver, was taken to Bullhead City Hospital in Arizona, then airlifted to University Medical Center's Trauma Unit with serious injuries. His age was unknown.

Carlos Lopez, 22, a passenger, suffered minor injuries.

Police said alcohol may be a factor in the accident. No charges have been filed until the investigation is completed by Metro. This is the year's 91st fatality in Metro's jurisdiction.

Supreme Court rejects appeal

The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed the second appeal of Bill J. Stone, convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting of a 20-year-old Air Force officer on a desolate desert road in Clark County in 1996.

Stone suggested his attorney was ineffective at the District Court trial, but the court denied his petition for a new trial.

Stone was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for the murder of Benjamin Blonde, who was shot twice in the head. He was an officer from a California base.

Only half of eligible voters registered

Secretary of State Dean Heller says that only half of the people eligible to vote in Nevada have registered.

He said Wednesday that figures from the state demographer's office show there are 1,654,000 residents who are over 18, and that there are 830,000 registered voters.

Heller said he hoped the number of registered voters will increase before the November election.

Man sentenced in road killing

A 25-year-old Las Vegas man was sentenced to 12 to 30 years in prison Wednesday in connection with a 6-year-old road rage case.

Chief Deputy District Attorney David Wall said Travis Earl Runion pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and battery with substantial bodily harm for the October 1996 shooting death of Josh Pendergraft, 16.

Runion had been convicted of first-degree murder, but the Nevada Supreme Court overturned the conviction in December 2000 because of faulty jury instructions, forcing the state to try the case again or strike a deal.

According to police, Pendergraft was a passenger in a 1988 Oldsmobile when a large white vehicle with a man and woman inside pulled up next to him at Stewart Avenue and Pecos Road and the drivers got into an argument.

Runion, then 19, the driver of the white car, fired several rounds at the Oldsmobile, striking Pendergraft in the head and a backseat passenger in the back.

Pendergraft died four days later at University Medical Center. The backseat passenger survived his wounds.

IBM grant will aid teacher training

IBM has issued a grant worth $1.5 million to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the Nevada Education Department and the Clark County School District to improve teacher training in the state.

The money will help in setting up online tools for teacher collaboration. The idea is to create technology programs that allow teachers to share strategies, talk with peers and share information about curricula and classroom development.

The grant is aimed at helping the three agencies to implement President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, which calls for more school accountability, stronger local control and an emphasis on proven teaching methods.

The $1.5 million will come in the form of technical expertise, technology and cash.

Drive on for more blood donors

A Las Vegas blood bank is urging area residents to donate blood to prevent another shortage this holiday weekend.

Because of poor donor turnout this summer, United Blood Services, the second largest nonprofit blood provider in the country, has had to rely on other centers to meet the needs of 19 area hospitals.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. Donors under 18 must have a parent's permission.

For more information or to make an appointment, call United Blood Services at 233-9620.

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