Associated Press
1 Killed, 1 Hurt in Sparks Crash Near Middle School
SPARKS — Sparks police are investigating an early morning crash that killed one person and injured another.
Police say the driver lost control of a vehicle that hit a parked car on Prater Way near Dilworth Middle School at about 1:15 a.m. Monday.
A passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to a local hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
Sparks police say a preliminary investigation indicates both speed and alcohol appear to have been factors in the crash.
No names have been released.
Plane Crash Wreckage Found; ‘No Known Survivors’
RENO — Authorities say a small plane believed to have two people aboard crashed in northwestern Nevada and that there were “no known survivors.”
Officials said searchers found wreckage Thursday in mountains south of Pyramid Lake after the plane crashed earlier Thursday after leaving Reno for Nampa, Idaho.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said there weren’t any known survivors but didn’t immediately release any information about who was aboard the missing plane.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that two people were believed to be aboard.
The Sheriff’s Office said volunteers found pieces of wreckage along a ridge line near Virginia Peak.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board said they’ll investigate the crash.
Prison for Gun Trade Show Worker who Stole 65 Firearms
LAS VEGAS — A former Las Vegas trade show worker who pleading guilty to stealing three machine guns and more than 60 other firearms at the U.S. gun industry’s biggest annual convention in January has been sentenced to two years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II also ordered 27-year-old Jamikko Foster Thursday to complete 1,000 hours of community service and two years’ probation following his release.
Foster admitted he stole silencers, handguns, rifles, machine guns and dozens of suppressors while he was working in Las Vegas at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s 2019 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade show known as the “SHOT” show.
Federal agents recovered all but two of the 65 stolen weapons during a search of Foster’s residence in February.
A co-defendant, 28-year-old Eduardo Limon, also pleaded guilty. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 24.
Pet Store Owners Please Innocent to Reno Animal Mistreatment
RENO — The owners of two pet stores in Reno and Sparks have pleaded not guilty to several charges of mistreating animals.
Lawyers for Michael Schneider and Leilani Tau-Schneider also filed a motion last Wednesday seeking to dismiss the charges or reduce them from felonies to misdemeanors.
Both are accused of practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Tau-Schneider also faces one count of torturing and/or killing an animal.
The two own Puppies Plus on South Virginia Street in Reno and Puppy Love off Sparks Boulevard in Sparks.
Attorney Richard Cornell told the Reno Gazette Journal they deny that many of the alleged incidents ever occurred.
Tau-Schneider maintains the torture charge is based on hearsay from a former employee that cannot be submitted in court.
Washoe County District Attorney spokeswoman Michelle Bays says the state remains confident in its evidence against the two.
Ex-Gov. Sandoval Joins Tahoe Fund’s Special Advisory Panel
INCLINE VILLAGE — Former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has joined a new advisory council for a nonprofit conservation group that funds environmental projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Tahoe Fund leaders announced this week the former Republican governor has agreed to serve on its Council of Special Advisors.
Former Tahoe Fund board chairman Tim Cashman says Sandoval has been a champion of Lake Tahoe for many years. He says they’re thrilled he’s joined their effort to build a sustainable future for the lake.
Sandoval says he’s a long-time fan of the Tahoe Fund and looking forward to a chance to bring his experience to the table.
The group founded in 2010 raises private money to fill funding gaps created by a continued decline in public money for environmental projects at the lake.
Reno Mayor Announces Plan to Jump Start Housing Construction
RENO — Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve (SHEE’-vee) has announced an ambitious plan to jump start the construction of 1,000 homes in 120 days.
Schieve said last Wednesday the pilot program would help combat the city’s housing crisis by deferring fees the city charges for such things as sewer hookups and road infrastructure until the back end of the project.
The deferrals would be provided as loans worth $8,400 per unit to be repaid under a predetermined agreement with the city.
Eligible developers must have already completed construction of at least one multi-family housing project worth at least $10 million.
They also must plan to build a minimum of 30 townhouses, apartments or condominiums in designated “opportunity zones” and begin construction within 18 months of execution of the city agreement.
Schieve intends to present the plan to the city council Oct. 2.