Las Vegas news briefs for November 15, 2002

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 11:25 a.m.

Beltway section put on fast track

The Regional Transportation Commission board voted Thursday to include the Las Vegas Beltway from Decatur Boulevard to Buffalo Drive in its list of area-wide major projects.

The inclusion means that the RTC and Clark County can accelerate plans to build the road into a full, interstate-compatible highway, RTC General Manager Jacob Snow said.

Slots approved for Strip terminal

The RTC board approved slot machines for its South Strip Transfer Terminal now under construction.

The $14 million terminal, which will bring together bus routes serving the south parts of the Las Vegas Valley with routes traveling the Las Vegas Strip, is scheduled to open in June 2003.

Senator enters no-contest plea

Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, entered a no-contest plea in an industrial insurance coverage case, but called the state's prosecution of him a "witch hunt."

Washington, who won a third term earlier this month, said he felt it was better to enter the plea than to fight the misdemeanor charge that he failed to provide workers compensation coverage for employees at his charter school, called the Nevada Leadership Academy.

Fire destroys two homes

Las Vegas firefighters doused a two-alarm fire that destroyed two homes under construction near Centennial Parkway and Jones Boulevard on Thursday night.

Fire investigators estimate damages to the two homes at $200,000.

The cause of the fire is unknown. Firefighters discovered a pickup truck parked between the two homes, but whether it sparked the blaze is unknown.

There were no injuries.

Three questioned after body found

Metro Homicide detectives are investigating a body found Thursday night in the desert near Vegas Valley Drive and South Hollywood Boulevard.

An officer on patrol noticed three people standing near a car parked in the desert and stopped to investigate. The officer saw a body in front of the car, covered in a blanket.

The three people were being questioned by detectives, but are not considered suspects, police said.

$8 million sought for Fremont St.

Fremont Street Experience LLC is hoping the Las Vegas City Council will go to bat for it and ask for $8 million from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to help out with upgrades for the downtown attraction.

Fremont Street Experience signed a $14 million contract with a Korean technology company, LGCNS, and Korean LED screen manufacturer DMT to build what could become the largest LED screen in the world.

Winget nominated for U.S. marshal

The White House has sent to the Senate the nomination of Metro Police Undersheriff Richard Winget for U.S. marshal for Nevada.

No date has been set for a vote. The nomination must first get through the Senate Judiciary Committee and then be approved on the Senate floor.