News briefs for Sept. 17, 2002

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

Motorcyclist killed in parking lot

A 29-year-old Las Vegas man was killed Monday night when his motorcycle struck a parked car in the parking lot of apartments in the 6200 block of Smoke Ranch Road.

Metro Police said Aaron Robb was driving eastbound in the rear alley of the apartment complex when his motorcycle struck a concrete parking island and a hit a parked Saturn.

Robb was thrown from the motorcycle and struck the car, police said. The motorcycle traveled over the top of the car and landed on its side. Robb was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Robb was not wearing a helmet and alcohol may have been a contributing factor. The accident is still under investigation.

Teenager in crash out of hospital

One of three teenagers seriously injured in an Aug. 30 accident that killed a teenage driver and injured another teen passenger has been released from the University Medical Center, and another could be released today, the hospital said.

Jade Ozawa, 15, was discharged Monday. Her 14-year-old sister, Lauren Ozawa, was in good condition. Hospital officials expect her to be discharged today.

Emily McIntyre, 14, remains in serious condition in the pediatric intensive care unit. She and the Ozawa sisters had arrived at the hospital in critical condition following the accident at Alpine Ridge Way and Lansford Road.

Ryan Sneed, 16, died at UMC on Aug. 30 after the Jeep Cherokee he was driving hit a tractor-trailer. His 15-year-old sister, Samantha Sneed, previously was released from UMC after initially being admitted in fair condition.

All are students at Centennial High School.

Metro Police determined that the cause of the crash was "horsing around." While chasing a pickup truck driven by a fellow Centennial student, Sneed ran a stop sign and collided with the truck, investigators said.

Pact for Medicaid computer studied

Up for final approval by the state Board of Examiners Thursday is a $60.9 million contract to hire a Virginia company to develop a computer system for Medicaid.

The federal government will pay 90 percent and the state will chip in 10 percent toward the work to be done by First Health Services Corp. of Glen Allen, Va. The 2001 Legislature set aside $2 million as the state's share to begin the project, which is expected to take four years.

State officials say the current computer system for Medicaid is antiquated, does not allow for centralized information storage and retrieval and does not meet the requirements of federal law.

The federal government will pay 75 percent of the operational costs and the state will pick up the remaining 25 percent.

Temporary bridges set for U.S. 95

The Nevada Transportation Department is closing U.S. 95 at Valley View Boulevard in both directions from 10 p.m. Saturday until 11 a.m. Sunday.

Motorists are advised to use posted detours to avoid the construction area.

The department is installing two temporary bridges, 210 feet long and weighing 84 tons.

Northbound U.S. 95 traffic will detour at the Valley View off and on ramps, with northbound Valley View traffic permitted to turn right.

Southbound U.S. 95 traffic will detour to Charleston Boulevard and transportation officials recommend exiting at Decatur Boulevard.

Traffic is scheduled to be shifted to the temporary bridges by Oct. 10. The old bridge is scheduled to be demolished beginning Oct. 11.

State gets grant for watersheds

Nevada received $30,000 for protecting watersheds, one of 36 states to receive $94 million in federal funds from the U.S. Agriculture Department.

The funds will help Nevada officials clear clogged waterways, restore plants and stabilize stream banks.

The program is operated by the department's Natural Resources Conservation Service, which provides emergency watershed protection after natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires.