News briefs for Feb. 23, 2004

Monday, Feb. 23, 2004 | 11:08 a.m.

Hikers discover homicide victim

The body of a homicide victim was found by hikers about 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the desert about two miles east of Hollywood Boulevard off Lake Mead Boulevard, Metro Police said.

Juan Solozano-Flores, 22, of Las Vegas died from a head injury and asphixiation, according to the Clark County coroner's office.

Metro Lt. Tom Monahan said Solozano-Flores was probably dead for a day or two before he was found.

Police are asking that anyone with information about this person call CrimeStoppers at 385-5555, or police at 229-3521.

Man dies as car lands in channel

A 63-year-old Las Vegas man died Friday when his car crashed through a construction area and ended up in a flood control channel, police said.

Thomas Canavan was thrown from the 1996 Ford Taurus he was driving, police and the coroner's office said.

The accident happened about 8 p.m. Friday on Pollock Drive near Rincon Road. Witnesses said Canavan struck a concrete barrier where the road narrowed to a single lane due to construction. The car then went over the curb and sidewalk, knocked down a chain-link fence, went down an embankment and came to rest at the bottom of the channel, police said.

House fire ruled accidental

A fire that destroyed a two-story home in the 6700 block of Costa Brava Road Wednesday appears to be accidental, Clark County Fire Department investigators said.

The 3 a.m. fire killed two family pets and sent two residents, one a pregnant woman, to a Las Vegas hospital with smoke inhalation.

Investigators estimate $250,000 in damages and believe the fire started in the garage.

A fire that broke out Friday in an apartment at 10250 S. Spencer St. started in a bedroom and appears to be accidental, investigators said.

The fire caused an estimated $80,000 in damages.

Both fires are still under investigation.

Forum to focus on school issues

Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia will take part in a community forum Wednesday to discuss successes and challenges that have followed the reorganization of the district into five regions more than two years ago.

The forum, moderated by Las Vegas Sun columnist Jon Ralston, will be held at 6 p.m. at Durango High School, 7100 W. Dewey Drive.

The district's five region superintendents will also take part in the event, along with several lawmakers, including state Sen. Sandra Tiffany, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Josh Griffin, R-Henderson.

The event is sponsored by the Educational Outreach Committee of Thurman White Middle School.

Child welfare faces federal review

A federal team will be in Nevada this week for an examination of the state Division of Child and Family Services.

Nevada is one of the final four states to undergo the federal review.

Jone Bosworth, administrator of the state division, said previously no state has passed the inspection and that she does not expect Nevada to pass this time. She said the state will have several years to make improvements to achieve a passing grade.

The inspection will look at the state's conformity with the federal child welfare requirements, determine what is happening to families that deal with the agency and recommend how to make improvements.

Guinn selects energy adviser

A member of the staff of the state Public Utilities Commission has been named energy adviser and director of Nevada's Office of Energy by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The governor selected Richard Burdette, 60, who will earn $93,331. He will replace Carl Linvill, who was appointed by Guinn to the state Public Utilities Commission. The position is located in the governor's office.

Burdette was manager of resource and market analysis for the PUC.

Reno Stead Airport to get renovation

A $10 million renovation project is under way to help the Reno area's No. 2 airport prepare for an expected increase in business.

The project calls for a rebuilt runway at Reno Stead Airport, home to the Reno National Championship Air Races and 200 other tenants.

Also in the works is a new $5 million high-tech instrument landing system, which would allow pilots to land in poor visibility.

Heavier traffic is expected at the airport as Reno-Tahoe International Airport increases daily flights.

"Rather than be down in Reno and mixed with commercial traffic, we hope people will come out here and see the facilities and safety devices, and hopefully some of them will decide to relocate here," airport manager Skip Polak told the Reno Gazette-Journal.