News briefs for February 22, 2002

Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

Arson blamed in blaze

Arson is to blame for a fire in a vacant house early Thursday morning, Las Vegas Fire Department officials said.

The house in the 3800 block of San Bernardino Avenue near Sahara Avenue and Valley View Boulevard apparently was vacant for at least a month. No one was injured in the fire.

The fire was quickly extinguished but there was heavy fire damage to the living and dining rooms, as well as smoke damage throughout the house.

Ironworker's name released

An ironworker who fell to his death Tuesday at the site of Mandalay Bay's under-construction convention center has been identified as 46-year-old Paul John Graham.

Graham apparently fell between 60 and 100 feet onto a concrete slab Tuesday about 1:30 p.m. The Clark County coroner's office has ruled Graham's death an accident.

Report available for public review

A draft report that assesses the environmental impact of storing Colorado River water in Arizona for Nevada's use is available for public review, the Bureau of Reclamation said.

An agreement, which would last until 2050, allows Nevada to store up to 1.2 million acre-feet of river water in Arizona for future use by Las Vegas Valley residents. The Southern Nevada Water Authority would pay to buy and store the water.

Nevada does not need a pipeline to recover the water. Instead, Arizona would decrease its use of the Colorado River, allowing Nevada to divert some of Arizona's river share from Lake Mead.

Written comments will be accepted on the draft environmental assessments until March 25. Contact Dale Ensminger, contract and repayment specialist, at (702) 293-8659 for more information.

Committee named to advise Guinn

A 10-member committee has been named by Gov. Kenny Guinn to advise him on ways to keep the severely disabled in the community and out of institutions.

Guinn said Thursday the Advisory Committee on Personal Assistance for Persons with Severe Functional Disabilities will help Nevadans of all ages.

Committee members are Jackie Ridley of Las Vegas, David Sims of North Las Vegas, Ralph Baker and Theresa Salaber, both of Yerington, Michael Goodwin, Paul Hickman, Mack Johnson, Marie Kimball and Tammy Sisson, all of Reno, and Kristin Tower of Sparks.

Their terms run until June 30, 2003.

Police probe sex allegations

A priest at a Henderson Catholic church has been suspended as police investigate allegations of sexual misconduct, police and church officials said Thursday.

The allegations were made in January against the priest, who served at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 204 S. Boulder Highway in Henderson, just south of Lake Mead Drive.

Terry Bowler, spokesman for Henderson Police, said the investigation began earlier this month. Citing state law, he declined to comment on the case.

In a statement released Thursday, the Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas said it is fully cooperating with the police and said church officials "acted immediately, taking appropriate measures so that it can continue to serve the needs of parishioners."

The Government Finance Officers Association

of the United States and Canada has recognized the Clark County Regional Flood Control District for its 2001/2002 budget and financial plan. This was the eighth consecutive year that the Flood Control District received the award. The distinguished budget award has been presented by the association since 1984.