Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003 | 11:22 a.m.
Truck plunges into Colorado River
A tractor-trailer crashed through a guardrail while crossing the Laughlin Bridge and plunged into the Colorado River about 8:50 this morning, the Clark County Fire Department said.
Two men fell into the river and were rescued by fire department personnel. They were not hurt, a spokesman said.
The truck, which was carrying produce, had 20 gallons of diesel fuel in its tank, but authorities said it didn't leak into the water.
Metro Police's Laughlin substation reported that the bridge would be closed until further notice.
Man falls into mine shaft
A man fell into a mine shaft in Sandy Valley about 9 a.m. this morning, and Metro's Search and Rescue team and the Clark County Fire Department were responding to the scene.
The man fell down a shaft at the top of a pass on the west side of the valley, a fire department spokesman said.
It was unknown whether the mine was a working or abandoned mine.
Writ filed over Williams' conviction
The attorney for Jessica Williams has filed a motion in District Court hoping to overturn the woman's conviction in the traffic deaths of six teenagers.
John Watkins filed a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus Tuesday alleging that Williams' conviction, based on the theory that she was driving under the influence of a prohibited substance, is unconstitutional.
Williams in 2001 was convicted of having drugs in her system when her van ran off Interstate 15 and killed six teens, who were working on a cleanup crew as part of their sentence for minor juvenile violations. She is currently serving an 18- to 48-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors alleged Williams took Ecstasy and smoked marijuana before the accident.
In the writ Watkins contends the conviction hinged upon two chemicals -- THC and carboxylic acid.
But according to the writ, carboxylic acid -- the metabolite into which THC breaks down -- is not a prohibited substance in Nevada.
"When a case has been submitted to a jury on alternative theories and one of the theories is unconstitutional, the verdict must be set aside," the writ contends.
Body found in garbage bin
A maintenance man at an apartment complex at Fourth Street and Charleston Boulevard found a woman's body inside a garbage bin Wednesday, Metro Police said.
The worker discovered the body about 2 p.m. at the Charleston Plaza apartments. The body appeared to be that of a black woman, but the cause of death was not apparent, Lt. Tom Monahan said. The body had probably been there a day or two, he said.
Detectives searched a first-floor apartment after neighbors said the victim might have lived there. They also searched a white Cadillac parked near the complex after getting consent from the owner.
The identity of the victim will be released by the Clark County coroner's office after the family is notified, officials said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the Homicide Section at 229-3521.
WIC program to get additional $766,000
Nevada will be getting an additional $766,000 for the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, nutrition program, Agriculture Secretary Anne Veneman has announced.
For 2003, the state was allocated $25 million for the program. For 2004, Nevada will receive $25.76 million.
Third Street will reopen on Friday
After days of closure for reconstruction, the section of Third Street between Bonneville and Lewis avenues is expected to reopen Friday.
The Las Vegas Public Works Department suggests Fourth Street as an alternative for northbound travel and Casino Center Boulevard for southbound access.
The city also closed four miles of Ann Road between Jones and Rainbow boulevards through Tuesday for $17 million in road repairs.
Traffic is being detoured north to Tropical Parkway for east-west travel. Residents on Ann Road can reach their homes.
Charges reduced over 'Bumfights'
Charges facing four filmmakers accused of videotaping fistfights and humiliating acts involving homeless people were either dismissed or reduced to misdemeanors by a judge.
Superior Court Judge Larrie Brainard ruled Wednesday that there was insufficient evidence and dismissed felony battery and soliciting charges. He ordered the four defendants, who are from Las Vegas, to stand trial on one charge of conspiracy to stage an illegal fight and three of them to stand trial on the charge of conspiracy to commit battery.
The defendants -- Ryan McPherson, 19; Zachary Bubeck, 25; Daniel J. Tanner, 21; and Michael Slyman, 21 -- have pleaded innocent. If convicted, the defendants could face up to one year in jail on each charge.
They will be back in court Feb. 5.
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