Local briefs

Women dies after collision near parkway

A Las Vegas woman died as the result of a two-car collision at Rampart Boulevard and Summerlin Parkway Thursday morning, Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Scott Flabi said.

Carol A. Baker, 41, died at University Medical Center after the accident that occurred as she turned left toward the on-ramp of the parkway, Flabi said.

The 17-year-old driver of the second car and his 14-year-old sister were not seriously injured, Flabi said.

Witnesses told investigators Baker was turning on a red light when the accident happened.

Warrant issued in kidnap and rape

A warrant has been issued for a man in connection with the Aug. 29 abduction and rape of a Las Vegas woman.

Lt. Tom Monahan of the Metro Police Sexual Assault Unit, said Brian Michael Jones, 42, is charged with seven counts of kidnapping, sexual assault and battery with the intent to commit sexual assault.

Jones is a white male, 5 feet 11 inches and weighing about 180 pounds. He has brown hair, blue eyes and a prominent nose.

Anyone with information should call the police at 229-3421 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Alzheimer's patient from Tucson sought

Metro Police are asking for help in locating a missing person who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

Investigators say Ralph Rice, 61, of Tucson, Ariz., was visiting Las Vegas with family members when he became separated from his wife at Fitzgerald's hotel-casino at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Rice was last seen wearing a white straw cowboy hat, a long-sleeve button shirt with pin stripes, blue jeans and brown cowboy boots. He also was wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a Western-style belt with the name "Ralph" on the back.

Rice is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches, 195 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information should contact the Missing Persons Detail at 229-4172.

Suitcase prompts City Hall evacuation

Las Vegas City Hall was evacuated for about 30 minutes Thursday afternoon following an employee's discovery of an empty suitcase.

The 10th-floor tower was evacuated as a precaution shortly before 4 p.m., but the Municipal Court and Metro Police offices across the civic center's plaza were not affected.

Authorities checked the suitcase but found it was empty with no explosive devices inside. Employees were then allowed to return to their offices.

Security has recently been increased at City Hall with visitors to the 10th-floor offices of the City Council asked to sign in and wear badges and with the posting of signs prohibiting weapons anywhere in the complex.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said security measures have been tightened in the wake of the shooting at the Los Angeles area Jewish day-care center and the office shooting in Atlanta.

Mining school honors Gibbons

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., has been selected alumnus of the year by the Mackay School of Mines at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Gibbons, to be honored Sept. 25, earned a bachelor's degree in geology from the school in 1967 and received his master's degree in 1973.

He served three terms in the Nevada Assembly and is in his second term in the House of Representatives.

He serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Mining Caucus, whose aim is to establish strong support for the industry, including equipment manufacturers and support services.

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