News briefs for April 11, 2003

Friday, April 11, 2003 | 9:25 a.m.

Fight over food leads to killing

A 42-year-old man died after being stabbed while taking food out of a common refrigerator, but no charges have been filed, Metro Police said.

Detectives arrived at an apartment in the 500 block of North First Street about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Metro homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

The identity of the victim was not released, pending notification of family.

The victim was a former tenant at the complex, and the 76-year-old landlord confronted the man as he was trying to take food. A violent struggle occurred, Monahan said.

An investigative report will be forwarded to the district attorney's office for review, but no arrests were made, Monahan said.

$26 million in school grants set

Nevada is expected to receive $26 million in federal grants over the next six years for education programs that raise reading achievement.

Gov. Kenny Guinn announced Thursday that Education Secretary Rod Paige has awarded $4 million to Nevada for the first year of a multiyear "Reading First" program.

The grant is to help schools and districts implement scientifically proven methods of instruction to raise reading achievement. The program targets kindergarten through third grade.

20-degree drop, rain in forecast

Temperatures next week are expected to be 20 degrees lower as a cold winter storm moves into Southern Nevada Sunday and Monday, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Along with the cooler temperatures, rain could arrive as soon as Sunday night and there could be showers throughout the week.

After an expected 83 degree high today, daytime temps should drop into the 60s next week. Lows will hover in the 40s.

Security guard charged in shooting

A Las Vegas security guard has been charged with attempted murder after shooting a 20-year-old man who confronted him, Metro Police said.

Officers were called to the 1000 block of McWilliams Avenue about 5 p.m. on Thursday after reports of a man shot, Metro homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

The victim had confronted a security guard for an apartment complex, accusing him of being an informant, Monahan said. The victim then punched the security guard in the face.

The guard chased the victim down a flight of stairs and witnesses reported hearing a gunshot, Monahan said.

The victim was in grave condition at University Medical Center.

Dominic Jones, 33, was arrested and taken to the Clark County Detention Center.

Reservists families offered food aid

The Clark County School District will offer free and reduced-price meals to children of military reservists who have experienced a loss of income because of the war with Iraq.

Only the portion of the deployed service member's income available to the household will be counted as income. This exception may allow some families to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Applications are available at all schools.

RTC seeks budget hike of 13.5 percent

The Regional Transportation Commission presented a tentative budget to the agency's board Wednesday that calls for a 13.5 percent increase in funding for the local bus system.

The budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, is penciled in at $112 million, Terry Cordell, the agency's chief financial officer, said.

Next year the agency will try to reverse several service cuts imposed because of the agency's tight financial condition, he said.

The agency board scheduled a public hearing on the RTC budget May 15.