Local news briefs for April 14, 2003

Monday, April 14, 2003 | 10:05 a.m.

Two fires hit apartment complex

The Henderson Fire Department is investigating two fires that occurred over the weekend less than six hours apart in the same apartment building.

Clark County and Henderson firefighters responded to the first blaze at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of North Green Valley Parkway about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, Henderson Battalion Chief Ronald Hague said.

About 3:45 a.m. Sunday, both fire departments responded to a second fire in the same building, Hague said.

The second fire burned through the attic and the roof of the building. Damage was estimated at more than $2 million.

About 35 residents were displaced by the fire and were being assisted in finding housing, officials said.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation, Hague said.

Rain expected in valley tonight

Rain is expected in the Las Vegas Valley tonight, and Mount Charleston could receive six inches or more of snow, National Weather Service forecasters said.

"A little system is coming in," meteorologist Charlie Schlott said. "We can expect a few sprinkles in the valley tonight, nothing heavy."

Weather service forecaster Jon Adair posted a winter storm advisory for the Spring Mountains above 6,000 feet for tonight.

The storm system raked across Northern California and Nevada through the weekend and headed south Sunday night, Schlott said.

The rain should end after Tuesday morning, but temperatures in Las Vegas will stay about 10 degrees below normal. Another chance of rain is due on Friday.

Warmer weather should come with the weekend.

Police search for shooting suspect

Henderson Police said they are searching for a suspect in a shooting late Saturday at a home on Evan Picone Drive.

Reynaldo Martin, 19, was struck once by bullets fired from a handgun and was taken to the University Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, police said. Martin was treated and released.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Matthew Asparatore, 19, on attempted murder charges, police said.

Anyone with information on Asparatore is asked to call Detective K. Simpson at 565-2353, the Henderson Police Department at 565-8933 or CrimeStoppers at 385-5555.

Army official to give update

U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Cody will update the public on the war in Iraq and answer questions at a forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Henderson campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada, 700 College Dr., building C, room 133.

Cody, an operational planner for the Army, will be the featured speaker at the town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev.