News briefs for April 7, 2005

Thursday, April 7, 2005 | 11:07 a.m.

Man kills self after holding wife hostage

A Florida man shot and killed himself on Wednesday night after taking his estranged wife and her roommate hostage at a northwest apartment complex and shooting at them after they escaped.

Thomas Lee Hobbs went to the King's Crossing Apartments, 2150 N. Tenaya Way, to confront his estranged wife, Metro Police Lt. Dave Cavalieri said.

Hobbs, who lived in Cape Coral, Fla., allegedly held his estranged wife and her roommate against their will for a brief time before firing a single shot, he said.

The woman and her roommate ran from the apartment and Hobbs fired several shots at them as they fled, Cavalieri said, then he shot and killed himself. The names of the women were not released.

Boulder City fire kills man

An 85-year-old man died in a mobile home fire in Boulder City early Wednesday, city officials said.

Firefighters responded to the Boulder Oaks RV Resort about 3:45 a.m. and found a 1999 Regency motor home on fire. Once firefighters were able to enter they found Leon O'Dell Balch dead, officials said.

It appears the fire was electrical and was caused by a space heater, Capt. Larry Bounty said.

Last land of former shelter transferred

The final piece of the Las Vegas land once the site of the MASH Village homeless shelter was transferred Wednesday to a company that plans to build affordable housing there.

The Las Vegas City Council voted 6-0 to sell 4.8 acres for $10 to HELP Las Vegas Housing Corp. II. The organization plans to build 200 apartments on that piece of the property, which is near the intersection of Main Street and Owens Avenue.

Councilman Michael Mack abstained from the vote because his parents own land nearby.

This was the third transfer of the former MASH land the council has approved.

Last month, the council also approved the sale of 3.2 acres to the Salvation Army for $10. The Salvation Army plans to build as many as 100 apartments for low-income families on the land.

Shade Tree also paid $10 for land on the site. Shade Tree, which provides shelter to homeless and abused women and children, plans to use the property to expand its parking lot and add a playground and patio area.

Collision injures two teens

A tractor-trailer collided with a car Wednesday, sending two teens to the hospital, Metro Police said.

The tractor-trailer was traveling east on Lake Mead Boulevard when it collided with a Honda Accord at the intersection with Linn Lane about 7 a.m., police reported.

Jennifer Hazlett, 17, was driving the Honda and suffered serious injuries. Passenger Shawn Hazlett, 16, was critically injured. Both were taken to University Medical Center.

Police said it appears the Honda failed to yield right of way.