News briefs for Feb. 4, 2003

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 | 11:14 a.m.

Stabbed girl, 10, leaving hospital

The 10-year-old Mesquite girl who was left paralyzed after she was stabbed two weeks ago may be discharged today from University Medical Center, hospital spokesman Rick Plummer said this morning.

After she is discharged from the hospital, Brittney Bergeron will be transferred to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center, a long-term care facility that has more than a dozen locations in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson.

Brittney Bergeron and her sister, Kristyanna Cowan, 3, were stabbed Jan. 22 in their trailer. On Wednesday a judge will hear arguments in the dispute over Kristyanna's remains. Her mother, Tamara Bergeron wants her cremated in Las Vegas, while her father, David Cowan, wants her buried in California.

On Monday Gov. Kenny Guinn signed extradition papers that would return Beau Maestas, 19, and his sister Monique, 16, who are charged in the attacks, to Nevada. The paperwork needs to be signed by Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.

Woman missing from cruise

An FBI spokeswoman said Monday there is no indication of foul play in the case of a Las Vegas woman who went missing while on a cruise to Mexico last week.

Roberta Pagan, 35, was last seen on Thursday on the Carnival cruise ship Elation at the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, FBI spokeswoman Laura Bosley said.

Bosley said Pagan was traveling with her husband, who has been questioned by authorities.

"At this point there's no indication of foul play, but we're not ruling anything out," Bosley said.

Bosley said investigators also have not determined whether Pagan left the boat on her own.

Carnival Cruise Lines officials could not be reached for comment.

Pay hikes for sheriff, DA sought

Bills have been introduced both in the Senate and Assembly to raise the pay of district attorneys and sheriffs in Nevada retroactive to Jan. 6.

Both bills would boost the salary of the Clark County district attorney from $100,800 to $155,744 and the sheriff from $84,000 to $134,362.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins sponsored Assembly Bill 28 and the Senate Government Affairs Committee introduced Senate Bill 53.

Driver killed in crash on beltway

A 36-year-old man was killed at about 7 a.m. Monday on Losee Road at Las Vegas Beltway eastbound after he drove into the path of another car, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Andres Madrid-Flores of Las Vegas was stopped at a stop sign on Losee at the beltway when he pulled out into the path of a car heading east on the beltway, Trooper Jim Olschlager said. Madrid-Flores' car went over an embankment. He died at the scene.

A passenger in his car was taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit, where he was in critical condition Monday. The driver of the eastbound vehicle suffered minor injuries.

The cause of the crash appears to be Madrid-Flores' failure to yield at the intersection, Olschlager said.

North Las Vegas Planning Commissioner

Nelson Stone filed as a candidate for City Council Ward 2 on Monday. Ward 2 is currently represented by Councilman William Robinson, who is running for re-election.

A woman identified

by the Clark County coroner's office as Carol Miller, 58, of Las Vegas was found dead Monday in a construction area near Far Hills Avenue and Las Vegas Beltway. Miller's body was found by construction workers about 10:30 a.m. Anyone with information is asked to call Secret Witness at 385-5555.

The Clark County coroner's office

identified a woman shot and killed in a parking lot Monday as Guadalupe Leal, 37, of Las Vegas. Leal and two others were shot outside the El Matador restaurant at Maryland Parkway and Sahara Avenue about 4 a.m. A 19-year-old man was critically wounded and a 34-year-old man suffered non life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made, Metro Lt. Tom Monahan said.