News briefs for Nov. 23, 2004

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 | 9:21 a.m.

Towing service had a busy day

During Sunday's rainstorm the tow truck company contracted by the Nevada Highway Patrol for November doubled its business as hundreds of accidents occurred on slick Las Vegas Valley streets, a dispatcher said.

"We were slammed all weekend with calls," Sunrise Towing dispatcher Christine Matanza said Monday.

Sunrise Towing recorded 60 calls, when a typical Sunday brings around 30 calls.

Metro Police handled 299 accident calls between 10 a.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday, Sgt. Chris Jones said.

The official rainfall total for Las Vegas recorded at McCarran International Airport was 1.04 inches Monday.

The storm system moved east into New Mexico, and the forecast for the rest of the week calls for cooler than normal temperatures but no more rain until the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Room for 200 made in shelter

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada opened 200 beds in its winter shelter Monday for homeless men. Beds, blankets, showers and hot meals are now available at the shelter each evening from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Catholic Charities officials said they opened the shelter early because of the increasingly cold nights. The shelter is funded by local government through April 22.

The shelter is located at the nonprofit center's main property at 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Construction to close street

Silverado Ranch Boulevard between Bermuda Road and Pollock Drive will be closed for street improvements overnight tonight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., a Clark County Public Works travel advisory said.

The same area will be closed overnight Wednesday, Sunday and Monday.

During scheduled construction, this section of Silverado will be open to local traffic. Through traffic will not be able to use the street, however. If weather conditions permit, the work should be finished by Dec. 1, officials said.

They said the closures are necessary to protect construction workers relocating utility conduits.