Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

IN BRIEF

DEADLY JAYWALKING

Man struck, killed by CAT bus identified

A pedestrian who was struck and killed by a Citizens Area Transit bus Saturday night while jaywalking has been identified as 34-year-old Elias Zavala-Nevarez, according to the Clark County coroner's office.

Witnesses told police that Zavala-Nevarez was cutting through stopped traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard near Cheyenne Avenue when the light turned green. The CAT bus approached the intersection and hit Zavala-Nevarez, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

NEAR MARYLAND, TROPICANA

21-year-old man stabbed in altercation

A 21-year-old man was fatally stabbed Sunday night after a confrontation at an apartment on Maryland Parkway near Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas police said.

The stabbing occurred about 8:50 p.m. inside of an apartment in the 5000 block of South Maryland Parkway, police said.

Police said two groups had confronted each other there, and that one victim was stabbed and another beaten.

The victim's identity was unavailable Monday. Another male was injured during the conflict and was taken to Sunrise Hospital and treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

Police are searching for a suspect who fled the area in a large black vehicle. Anyone with information about the killing can contact police at 229-3521 or 385-5555.

SUN CITY ANTHEM

Henderson community beset by tree killer

Someone, believed to be armed with a power or chain saw, is alarming a Henderson retirement community by raging against an odd target: trees.

The discovery around Feb. 21 of dozens of pines, flowering plums and oaks on Sun City Anthem Drive near Thunder Bay Avenue that were apparently felled by a saw-wielding vandal has mystified residents as to the motives of the serial tree killer. It's the second act of vandalism on trees in Sun City Anthem in the past six months.

"We have no idea. I can't imagine a person doing this for any reason," said Favil West, treasurer-secretary of the Sun City Anthem Community Association. "The first time (back in November), we thought that perhaps some people were randomly vandalizing. This time, there has to be a purpose, because it's the same trees, same area, same everything."

West said that 80 to 100 trees were cut during the latest episode. Some of the trees were only partially cut and knocked over by winds, West said.

The association is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction.