News briefs for August 3, 2005

Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 | 11:10 a.m.

Motorcyclist killed in Red Rock ID'd

A motorcyclist died Friday after a collision in Red Rock Canyon.

Trooper Angie Chavera, spokeswoman for Nevada Highway Patrol, said the 65-year-old motorcyclist, Ralph Duran, was riding a 1982 Yamaha along State Route 159 when he attempted to pass a 1999 Ford Van as it made a left turn onto the canyon's scenic loop.

"We don't know why he did it," Chavera said.

The motorcycle collided with the van, killing Duran, Chavera said.

Duran's was the fifth traffic death this year along State Route 159, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. The previous deaths included an off-duty Metro Police officer who died last month after he was hit by a tractor-trailer while riding his bicycle along the route. The other deaths were three men who were not wearing safety belts died and were ejected from their vehicles.

One shot during bank robbery

One person was shot and injured during a robbery this morning at the Wells Fargo bank on Eastern Avenue near Tropicana Avenue, Metro Police said.

Metro was notified of the robbery at the bank at 4727 S. Eastern Ave. at 9:42 p.m. Police and FBI agents were still looking for at least one suspect this morning.

It was not clear this morning whether the shooting victim was a robbery suspect. The victim was taken to University Medical Center with a gunshot wound in the stomach and was in critical condition, police said.

Energy Assistance office moves

The program that helps low-income citizens in Las Vegas to pay their rising energy bills is moving its offices.

The state Welfare Division said Tuesday the office of the Energy Assistance Program, which was on North Rancho Drive, has moved to 3330 E. Flamingo Road. The new location expands the office space for additional staff.

The program provides a one-time yearly grant to citizens to help pay their electric and natural gas bills. Residents can stop by the new offices to get their applications or they can call at 486-1404, the same number the program had at the old location.

Vegas Employee of the Year named

Sgt. Brian Wojtkowiak has been named Las Vegas Employee of the Year. Wojtkowiak works in the Las Vegas Municipal Court to locate and arrest domestic violence offenders

Since his hire in 2002, Wojtkowiak has arrested the subjects of more than 700 domestic violence warrants and helped secure an additional 536 warrants, the city reported.

Wojtkowiak, a former Marine, was hired under a grant from the Violence Against Women Act.