Local news briefs for June 19, 2002

Wednesday, June 19, 2002 | 10:30 a.m.

Two no-parole life terms given

One of six men accused of shooting a rival gang member to death last year was given two consecutive no-parole life terms Tuesday.

Ashley "Face" Bennett was sentenced in connection with the March 2001 shooting of Joseph "Doughboy" Williams. Two other men have also been convicted in the slaying, but charges against three other men were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Anthony "Wacky G" Gantt received a 20-year to life sentence earlier this month and Lailoni Morrison is awaiting sentencing.

Gantt, 17, told jurors during Morrison's trial that he, Morrison, Bennett, and three others fired on Williams because he was a member of a rival gang.

Williams was struck 16 times.

Judge to hear both David Parks

District Court Judge Mark Gibbons will listen to arguments Thursday from two men named David Parks vying to represent Assembly District 41.

The incumbent David Parks, D-Las Vegas, is petitioning to remove the challenger David Parks from the primary election ballot because, the assemblyman claims, the other Parks does not live at the address he listed in filing papers as his residence.

Gibbons will decide whether the challenger Parks' residency is legitimate and whether he can remain on the ballot for the September Democratic primary.

The assemblyman is the state's only openly gay legislator and has been targeted by anti-gay activists, including Tony Dane, who accompanied the challenger David Parks to the clerk's office when he filed.

Fire restrictions imposed at lake

National Park Service Superintendent William Dickinson said fire restrictions are being imposed indefinitely at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area because of drier than normal conditions.

Fires, campfires, burning wood and charcoal fires are banned. Portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed.

Smoking is banned, except in enclosed vehicles, at a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet wide with all flammable material removed.

Smoking on the water within the recreation area is not banned, Dickinson said.

Using fireworks within the recreation area is always prohibited.

Violations of the prohibitions may result in fines of up to $5,000 and/or a six-month prison term.

Court denies woman's appeal

CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas woman who posed as a federal immigration officer to defraud potential immigrants lost her appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Maria Romero was sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered deported to Mexico on her guilty plea to two counts of false impersonation of a federal officer.

The court, in an opinion written by Judge Jane Restani, said sentencing guidelines were properly considered in setting the term for Romero.

Law would make donations easier

Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday to make it easier for companies to donate surplus firefighting and personal protection equipment to volunteer fire departments.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., co-sponsored the legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del.

The Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act lowers the civil liability to donations of surplus firefighting equipment by raising the liability standard for donors from "negligence" to "gross negligence."

The bill would save taxpayer money by encouraging donations and consequently reducing the taxpayers' burden of purchasing expensive equipment for volunteer fire departments.

The donated equipment must still meet all original specifications before it can be sent to volunteer fire departments.

Woman killed in crash identified

A 37-year-old Las Vegas woman killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday has been identified as Julie Marie George.

George was riding a 1991 Harley-Davidson motorcycle Sunday about 10:50 a.m. on Sunset Road near McLeod Drive, apparently didn't stop at a red light and crashed into the side of a 1990 Ford Thunderbird driven by 37-year-old Jeffrey Nath, Metro Police said.

George was taken to University Medical Center, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, police said.