Local news briefs for June 18, 2002

Tuesday, June 18, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Man arrested in shooting of teen

A 22-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested Monday, charged with killing a teenager last week in a suspected drug deal, Metro Police said.

Joseph Borja Cruz was booked into the Clark County jail on murder, attempted murder and attempted robbery charges. Cruz is accused of shooting 17-year-old Thomas Owens to death June 10 and shooting at a girl, who was not hit, Metro Police said.

Owens and the girl were sitting in a car in a parking lot in the 6800 block of East Lake Mead Boulevard. Witnesses told police three men approached the parked car. One of the men pulled out a gun and fired. Owens was hit but was able to drive the car a short distance, police said.

The three men fled. Police suspect the meeting in the parking lot was a drug deal that turned into a robbery.

Ethics panel may contribute money

CARSON CITY -- Members of the state Ethics Commission are free to contribute money to political campaigns, the state Attorney General's Office said.

The legal issue arose when Commissioner Jim Rogers of Las Vegas threatened to quit if he was prohibited from making donations to political candidates.

Rogers, chairman of Sunbelt Communication Co., which owns KVBC-TV Channel 3 in Las Vegas and eight other television stations in the West, could not be reached for comment on the opinion.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Kateri Cavin said the law prohibits ethics commissioners from being actively involved in the work of any political party or campaign.

She said the law prohibits spending time, energy or physical activity -- such as walking precincts, telephoning, or making speaking engagements -- on behalf of a candidate. But it does not stop commissioners from making donations.

Man dies after

crashing into trees

A 68-year-old Las Vegas man died Monday after crashing his car into two palm trees in a median in a single-vehicle accident.

Solomon Jacobson was driving west on Charleston Boulevard near Arville Street about 11:50 a.m. Monday when he apparently entered the center two-way turn lane trying to pass slower traffic, Metro Police said.

Jacobson did not go back into normal travel lanes and drove onto a raised median and struck the trees, police said. Jacobson died at the scene.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Unhealthful ozone levels measured

Five pollution monitoring stations measured unhealthful levels of ozone in Southern Nevada's air Monday.

The Clark County Department of Air Quality Management reported the highest reading at Apex, about 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas. High levels of ozone was also measured at East Sahara Avenue and Nellis Boulevard, Bruce and Owens Avenues, East Craig Road at Interstate 15, and Rainbow Boulevard and Ann Road.

Active children or adults and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma were warned to limit outdoor exertion.

Ozone is a pollutant created when vehicle emissions are heated by sunlight. Southern Nevada's daytime temperatures of 105 degrees or above are contributing to the pollution, health officials said.

Man critical after being struck

Jose Ferrera, 73, is in critical condition after he was struck by a pickup while crossing Maryland Parkway in a wheelchair inside a marked crosswalk, Metro Police said.

Officers from Metro's Traffic Bureau cited pickup truck driver Sara Elsing, 50, of Las Vegas for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The collision is still under investigation.

Witnesses told police the pickup was turning left onto Maryland Parkway from Fremont Street shortly before 7 p.m. Monday.

Ferrera of Las Vegas was taken to University Medical Center.

Man who died in fight identified

A 45-year-old man who died after being found on the ground downtown Sunday was identified as Mauricio A. Romero of Las Vegas.

Romero died shortly after being taken to University Medical Center Sunday. Metro Police were called to corner of Las Vegas Boulevard North and Bonanza Road and found Romero.

Witnesses told police Romero and another man were fighting when Romero collapsed. The other man walked away after Romero collapsed, police said.

Slam 'n' Jam set for tonight

Las Vegas and Metro Police will host Safe Summer Nights Slam 'n' Jam at the West Community Center tonight, an event to promote safe evening programs for children and teens.

The event, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 2050 Sapphire Stone Ave., will allow law enforcement agencies to showcase K-9 units, horse and bike patrols and gang unit.

The city will also host a basketball tournament and offer a slam-dunk contest. Other activities include children's finger printing and photo ID, and face painting.

For more information, call 229-5080.