News briefs for March 21, 2002

Thursday, March 21, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

House committee approves land

The House Resources Committee has passed legislation to create a 3,000-acre shooting range on Bureau of Land Management property in northern Las Vegas Valley.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., a committee member, said the full House could vote on the legislation this spring. The bill would turn over the federal land to the county for development of a shooting range for sportsmen and police officers.

State receives government grant

Nevada has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Justice to help victims of crime pay for their medical bills, counseling, funeral costs and lost wages.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said Congress approved a 20 percent increase in funding after the events of Sept. 11. He said the money will "help the state ease the suffering for those who have been traumatized by criminal acts."

Woman found in car in NLV

A 40-year-old woman was found dead in a parked car Wednesday morning near Owens Avenue and Bruce Street.

The woman was spotted slumped in the car in the 1700 block of Hoover Street about 10:45 a.m., North Las Vegas Police Sgt. Frank DeMartino said.

"There were no outward signs of trauma, so we're waiting for the coroner to complete an investigation into the cause of death," DeMartino said.

The woman was found in the car's passenger seat with a blanket, police said.

The woman's identity is not being released pending notification of family.

Fall may have killed woman

Metro Police have identified a woman who was found dead last month in a remote desert area near the base of Sunrise Mountain.

Lisa Dawn Natale was found Feb. 24, and detectives estimate that she may have been dead for up to two weeks before she was discovered.

Her death appears to have been accidental, possibly caused by a fall, Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Faster Internet service offered

A local company will enhance video, data and telephone services for the Clark County School District's communication system.

Cox Nevada Telcom LLC, an affiliate of Cox Business Services LLC/Hospitality Network Inc., has announced plans to provide materials to develop an improved network for the School District.

The contract for wide area network includes all schools and administrative facilities within Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City.

Teachers and students will have high-speed Internet access to educational opportunities and more efficient e-mail allowing students, teachers and parents to communicate.

Low level makes rocks a threat

Lake Mead is 22 feet lower than it was last year at this time, and the National Park Service is warning boaters that hazards such as rocks and reefs are just inches below the water's surface.

Launch ramps at Pearce Ferry, Ariz., and Government Wash have been closed due to low water levels.

"Lake Mead's drop is a result of dry conditions in the Upper Colorado River Basin," said Bob Walsh, reclamation chief of external affairs for the Lower Colorado River Region.

Boy, 15, dies after car hits bus

A 15-year-old Las Vegas boy died Wednesday night after the car he was riding in crashed into the back of a Citizens Area Transit bus.

A 17-year-old boy was driving a 1988 Honda CRX on East Lake Mead Boulevard near Civic Center Drive about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when he crashed into the rear of a stopped CAT bus picking up passengers, North Las Vegas Police said.

A 15-year-old passenger, Julio Chavira, died at University Medical Center shortly after the accident. The driver was listed in fair condition. The bus was occupied by the driver and eight passengers. One passenger complained of back pain and was taken to a hospital.

Witnesses told police the Honda had been racing with another car just moments before the collision.