News briefs for June 13, 2005

Monday, June 13, 2005 | 11:06 a.m.

Metro officer involved in crash

A Metro Police motorcycle officer and another motorcyclist suffered minor injuries when they collided Saturday morning.

Police reported that Officer Michael Laythorpe clocked Ryan Parker, 22, speeding on a 2005 Honda CBR600 sport bike along Hacienda Avenue west of Jones Boulevard around 7:40 a.m.

Laythorpe attempted to stop Parker, and Parker lost control of his motorcycle as he braked. Parker fell off the bike, which slid into Laythorpe's Harley Davidson, police said.

Laythorpe was treated at University Medical Center.

Man killed after being hit by van

A man was struck by a van and killed this morning as he ran diagonally across Charleston Boulevard near Fourth Street, Metro Police said.

The collision occurred at 7:26 a.m. The driver, a 48-year-old man, hit his brakes but couldn't avoid hitting the jaywalker, Sgt. Tracy McDonald said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

It doesn't appear the driver was speeding or was impaired, McDonald said. The collision is still under investigation. The victim's name was not released this morning.

Dead woman's car is located

Metro Police now have the car of a 21-year-old woman who was found dead in an apartment complex on Decatur Boulevard and Sahara Avenue about 3:40 a.m. Friday.

Shelby Ako's white 2004 Kia Rio was found near where she worked later Friday, police said. Police are going over the car meticulously to see if there is any evidence in or on it related to the homicide.

Ako's sister found her dead in the apartment they shared at the Painted Desert complex, 2851 S. Decatur Blvd., near Sahara. Police had not reported any arrests in connection with the case as of this morning.

Mail found could be linked to theft

Police recovered a box of mail Sunday that they believe could be connected to a theft of equipment from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The mail was found behind a building under construction on the corner of Industrial Road and Warm Springs Road. The stolen equipment was recovered at the same building earlier this month.

"The only thing that makes people think there might be a connection is the location," said Tim Bedwell, a spokesman for the North Las Vegas Police Department. He said it was too soon to say whether there is a connection.

Metro Police recovered the mail and will work in the investigation with various agencies, Bedwell said, including North Las Vegas Police and the U.S. Postal Service.

A North Las Vegas DMV office was broke into March 7. A stolen computer, with the personal information of nearly 9,000 people, and license-making equipment were recovered June 1. Authorities said none of the information was taken off the computer.

Police have not made any arrests in connection to the theft.

Housing project is approved

CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Finance has agreed to issue $9.9 million in non-taxable mortgage revenue bonds for a proposed 176-apartment project for limited income families in North Las Vegas.

The state housing division and North Las Vegas are co-sponsoring the project at 2500 E. Cheyenne. It is being developed by PacifiCap Corp. of Portland, Ore.

There are to be one- and two-bedroom apartments at the Sierra Point Apartment Project; to be eligible to live there, people must not earn more than 50 percent of median income.

The board on Friday also agreed to increase from $14.7 million to $16.3 million the mortgage revenue bonds for the 238 apartments for senior citizens at Cheyenne and Jones streets in Las Vegas.

The board had approved the original amount last year. There will be 92 one-bedroom and 146 two-bedroom apartments plus a clubhouse, swimming pool and spa.

The complex is being developed by Gekakis Inc. This project is expected to be completed in late 2006 or early 2007, said Lon DeWeese, chief financial officer for the state housing division.

Fence exhibition visits Gardnerville

The Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville will be among the first places in the nation visited by a Smithsonian Institution exhibition on fences.

Museum officials said Friday the "Between Fences" exhibition will officially open to the public Oct. 1. A special preview for members of the Douglas County Historical Society and invited guests has been scheduled for Sept. 30.

The traveling exhibition, which runs through Oct. 23 at the Gardnerville museum, focuses on how fences have defined and shaped American life. The event is part of the Smithsonian's "Museum on Main Street" project, which targets rural museums.

The historical society has announced plans to incorporate photographs of fences taken by area residents. A photo contest is also being planned.

"This is a big deal for us," said Grace Bower, the society's vice president. "It's prestigious to have a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian."