News briefs for March 4, 2005

Friday, March 4, 2005 | 9:37 a.m.

Racing leads to critical injuries

A 20-year-old Las Vegas man was in critical condition this morning after he lost control of his car during a street race, forcing it to roll over several times, Metro Police said.

Witnesses told police James Magsino was racing another vehicle eastbound on Sunset Road just west of Jones Boulevard about 1 a.m. today when he lost control of his 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. The car then rolled several times in a desert area alongside the road.

Magino had to be cut out of the vehicle by firefighters and was tgaken to University Medical Center. His passenger, 17-year-old Victor Laosy, was treated and released from UMC for moderate injuries.

The crash remained under investigation this morning by Metro's accident investigations section.

Delays expected on Desert Inn Road

Drivers on eastbound Desert Inn Road should prepare for backups early next week as the Clark County Water Reclamation District continues inspecting and repairing miles of underground pipes.

One eastbound lane on Desert Inn from Wynn Road to Valley View Boulevard will close Sunday and is expected to reopen Tuesday morning, according to the water district. Most of the work will take place underground and will be accessed by manholes along the roughly quarter-mile route.

Future closures next week are planned for westbound Desert Inn from Valley VIew to Polaris Avenue from March 9 to 12. One westbound plan is expected to be closed.

Another northound lane is expected to be close March 20 and 21 on Industrial Road to the elevated portion of the Desert Inn arterial.

Red Flag back at Nellis next week

Southern Nevada residents may notice an increase in the numbers of military flights taking off and landing at Nellis Air Force Base in the next week.

The base's quarterly Red Flag training exercise is scheduled to last through March 11, Nellis officials said.

The exercise includes about 100 aircraft ranging from B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to F-16 Falcons, and sorties will be launched day and night in the coming days.

Arts celebrated at festival Saturday

Dance, drama, art and music will be celebrated Saturday at the third annual Northeast Region Fine Arts Festival, featuring the work of Clark County School District students.

More than 700 students in grades K-8 are expected to participate. Performances will include musical ensembles, dance groups and displays of student artwork. Art teachers from the district's northeast region will also lead hands-on activities and demonstrations.

A variety of cultural art forms will be on display, including Mariachi bands and African folk dancing.

The festival is free and open to the public and will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Canyon Springs High School and the Leadership and Law Preparatory Academy, 350 E. Alexander Road.

Flood control oversight planned

Reno and Sparks would share oversight with Washoe County on flood control issues under a proposal being considered by the three governments.

Officials from the two cities, who have complained progress has been too slow since the last flood in January 1997, said combined oversight is their main goal.

"The issues confronting this project will require the leadership of all three agencies to resolve," said Shaun Carey, Sparks city manager. "This is the No. 1 priority for our community."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing a $300 million project designed to alleviate the kind of damage caused 8 years ago when the Truckee River overflowed, causing $700 million damage.