News briefs for February 17, 2004

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004 | 10:03 a.m.

Remains recovered from Jean dry lake

Human skeletal remains were recovered from a desert area east of Jean on Saturday after a hiker discovered them while walking with his dog the night before.

The remains were recovered four miles from the highway near a dry lake bed, according to police.

Detectives said because of the extreme measures taken to dispose of the body, they believe the deceased was the victim of a homicide.

Although the victim remains unidentified, detectives said the victim may have been a teenage female.

Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 385-5555 or the homicide section at 229-3521.

State awaiting federal money

Nevada's potential $1.6 billion in transportation funding passed the Senate last week, but still has several steps to go before becoming final.

In addition to the overall funds for the state, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., included $70 million per year for safety improvements on roads near schools, according to his office.

Reid sits on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is one of the committees writing the bill.

The national Safe Roads to School program encourages student to walk or bike to school. A study by the Surface Transportation Policy Project found that only 18 percent of today's children walk or bike to school compared with 70 percent of their parent's generation.

Congress needs to renew a multibillion transportation bill that expired last year. Before this week's Presidents Day recess, the House extended the law until June 20. The extension still needs to be approved by the Senate.

The Senate passed its first version of this year's bill Thursday, but the House Transportation Committee still has not approved the House's version of the bill.