News briefs for Nov. 6, 2003

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 | 11:55 a.m.

Another hearing sought in firings

The union representing two fired Clark County workers has formally requested a third and final hearing to fight their terminations in the so-called "double-dipping" issue.

Clark County this week denied the appeals of two county employees and Assembly members who were fired last month for receiving pay and benefits from both governments during the legislative session last summer. Assembly members Kelvin Atkinson and Kathy McClain both lost their jobs with the county's Parks and Community Services Department after county officials said they inappropriately received pay or benefits while working in Carson City.

The Service Employees International Union Local 1107 requested the next step, an appeal to be heard by an independent arbitrator selected by both the union and the county. Under the terms of the county's collective bargaining agreement, the decision taken by the independent arbitrator would be final, absent a court challenge.

Mickey Mouse paintings returned

Two Mickey Mouse paintings stolen from a local art gallery Sept. 15 have been recovered and put back on public display, according to Metro Police.

Metro Detective Jon Morris of the Retail Crimes Unit said the two paintings, which are worth nearly $800,000 combined, were returned to the Lassen Art Gallerie on the Strip this week.

The first painting, titled "Seaside Romance," was recovered Sept. 30 after a citizen suspected he may have purchased the stolen artwork after reading about the theft in the newspaper.

Morris said the second painting, titled "Sorcerer of the Seas," was recovered Oct. 29 at a residence in western Las Vegas.

At least four other paintings of lesser value were stolen along with the two Mickey Mouse portraits, he said. The value of those paintings ranged from $1,000 each and up.

Morris said all of the paintings have been recovered and returned to the art gallery.

Callers reveal scam on Burton

Metro Police received an overwhelming response from callers who had received a telemarketing pitch using magician Lance Burton's name, police said.

Metro Police is no longer asking Las Vegas residents to attempt to trace the calls by dialing *57, Sgt. Tim Shalhoob of the Tourist Safety Unit said.

The Nevada attorney general's office will review any violations that are discovered.

The telemarketing scam used Burton's name to deceive hundreds of people who believed they had won free tickets to the magician's show at the Monte Carlo.

Woman arrested in stabbing death

Metro Police arrested a 22-year-old Las Vegas woman after they discovered the body of a man stabbed to death in a northwest valley home on Wednesday.

Police arrived about 3 p.m. at a home in the 7800 block of Mission Point Lane, near Cimarron and Ann roads. Officers said that the man's death appeared to be the result of a domestic dispute.

A 1-month-old infant was in the home with them at the time, police said.

Davina Halick of Las Vegas was arrested and charged with murder with a weapon. She was taken to the Clark County Detention Center.

Funding added for facilities

Reps. Jim Gibbons and Jon Porter, both R-Nev., included $25 million for construction projects at Nellis Air Force Base and $9 milion for telecommunications projects at the Nevada Air National Guard headquarters in Reno in a bill approved Wednesday.

A House subcommittee included the funds in the Military Construction spending bill conference report approved Wednesday by the House. The report now moves to the Senate for final approval.

In the report, $11.8 million will go for a vehicle maintenance center at Nellis and $12.8 million for a fuel system for the base. The $9 million will go toward building a facility to support communications and security of the 152nd Airlift Wing of the Nevada Air National Guard at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport.

House honors magicians

Nevada Reps. Shelley Berkley, a Democrat, and Jon Porter, a Republican, introduced a House resolution Wednesday honoring magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn.

Horn was attacked by a tiger during a performance last month. He was moved to UCLA Medical Center last week.

Berkley emphasized the duo's contribution not only to the entertainment industry but to local charities and the preservation of white tigers and lions.

The resolution honors their efforts and wishes Horn a speedy recovery.

Two men sought in shooting death

Two men are being sought in connection with a shooting death late Wednesday outside a motel in the 700 block of North Main Street.

Metro Police responding to a 911 call found the 33-year-old victim lying face down outside a room at the motel, which police did not identify. He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of relatives.

Witnesses told police two men -- both black, 30 to 40 years old -- fled the scene in a 1970s or '80s Datsun 280Z painted with gray primer and with tinted windows, a loud muffler and no plates. One man was described as 6-foot-tall, medium build, bald, wearing a gray and blue plaid shirt and khaki pants; the other was described as 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, bald, wearing a dark shirt and jeans.

Police said witnesses told them the victim and the suspects had an argument, and one or both of the suspects pulled guns and opened fire. Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Homicide at 229-3521.