News briefs for June 17, 2003

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

Homeland security funds go to state

Nevada received $17.9 million in federal money for homeland security projects as part of a grant program, officials announced Monday. Nevada applied for the money in May after Congress approved an $80 billion Iraqi war budget, which also included money for homeland security projects in states.

Nevada emergency management officials have said the money would be used to better secure electricity and water systems as well as pay for local responder training and equipment in Nevada cities and counties.

Nevada also received about $6.7 million for homeland security projects as part of the federal fiscal year 2003 budget, which began Oct. 1. The new Homeland Security Department has asked Congress for a $4 billion budget in the next fiscal year, but it is not yet known how much of that money will be funneled to the states.

Reward offered in woman's slaying

The family of murder victim Gina Holliday announced Monday that they are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of her killer.

Holliday, 20, of Henderson was found dead Feb. 1, 2001, in the desert just southeast of Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. Her hands were bound and she had been shot, police said. Her green 1986 Cadillac was found the next day, stripped of its tires and sound system.

More than two years have passed without any significant leads in the case.

"We're hoping this money will make somebody come forward," her mother, Cheryl Holliday, said. "This was a senseless killing."

Holliday has two sons, Edward, 4 and Xavier, 3, who live with Holliday's sister, Geneva, in Atlanta. Her sons are beginning to ask questions about what happened to their mother, Cheryl Holliday said.

"This needs to be resolved. I want to give closure to her sons, but there will never be closure for me," she said. "Gina was my baby."

The family raised $5,000, and got a $5,000 boost from the Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation. The memorial foundation was established in memory of three people who were found slain in Yosemite National Park.

Anyone with information on Holliday's murder is asked to call Metro homicide at 229-3521 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.