News briefs for Oct. 27, 2003

Monday, Oct. 27, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

Linen cart catches fire at hotel

Paramedics treated one hotel guest for minor smoke inhalation after a linen cart fire Sunday in a tower of Sunset Station, fire department officials said.

A fire sprinkler doused flames and damage was limited to the cart and a small third floor area, Henderson Battalion Chief Doug Koopman said.

Some hotel guests were instructed to remain in their rooms after the alarm sounded at 5:22 p.m., and dozens of other guests were prevented from returning to their rooms while Henderson and Clark County firefighters investigated.

Firefighters think a cigarette or ashes from an ash tray ignited trash on the housekeeping cart, Koopman said. Damage was estimated less than $5,000.

Guilty plea made in stock fraud case

Thomas Becker, 52, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Phillip Pro to securities fraud in a penny stock scheme.

Homer Langrill, 50, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to the same charges on Tuesday.

Becker was the chief executive officer and board member of Greater Northwest Research & Development, a publicly traded company licensed in Florida and doing business in Nevada.

Langrill, who had been convicted of wire fraud in Virginia and served more than four years in prison, had devised a scheme with Becker to offer false information about the corporation into the market between Jan. 30, 2002, and the end of February 2002.

Becker has been released on bond pending sentencing. Langrill is in federal custody.

SBA reopens office for flood loans

The Small Business Administration temporarily will reopen its Las Vegas disaster office at 9 a.m. Tuesday to help Clark County flood victims apply for emergency loans to repair property damage before the program expires Nov. 3.

The office, at the Las Vegas West Service Center, 3001 Ronemus Drive, will be open 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. through Friday, and on Nov. 3, and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to figures released by the agency, the SBA has approved 34 disaster loans for nearly $1 million to homeowners, renters and businesses that sustained damage from the Aug. 19 floods. For information, call (800) 488-5323.