In Brief
FELONY CHARGES
Drug trial starts for son of 'Mafia Cop' Eppolito
The drug trafficking trial for the son of "Mafia Cop" Louis Eppolito started Tuesday in the federal courthouse in Las Vegas.
Anthony Eppolito and Guido Bravatti each face felony counts of distributing methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The charges stemmed from the federal investigation of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, who were convicted in 2006 of carrying out hits for the Lucchese crime family while working for the New York Police Department.
Both men moved to Las Vegas in the early 1990s after retiring.
During the first day of trial Tuesday, a jury was seated, both sides presented opening statements, and the first witness began testimony.
OVERDOSE DEATH OF STUDENT
Man wanted in Denver arrested in Las Vegas
A man wanted by Denver police in connection with the criminally negligent homicide of a university student was arrested Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Raymond Renkert, 46, was arrested near U.S. Highway 95 and Tropicana Avenue by a U.S. Marshals-led fugitive apprehension team.
Renkert is wanted in the May death of a student who overdosed on drugs in his apartment, according to a news release by the U.S. Marshals.
Renkert is accused of hiding the body in a closet for about six days until it was found by Denver police.
He was arrested without incident.
CLARK COUNTY WORKERS
Unpaid leave program extended 'til mid-2010
Clark County employees are free to take more time off in the coming year, though they won't get paid for it.
Commissioners on Tuesday approved extending the voluntary unpaid leave program through June 30. This is the second time the board has extended the furlough program since it was created in December.
The furloughs have saved the county more than $1.5 million, County Manager Virginia Valentine said.
Employees now will receive credits through the Public Employees Retirement System for the first 96 hours of unpaid leave they take, because of a bill that passed in the last legislative session.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENT
Woman killed on lake ID'd as 22-year-old
A California woman killed Saturday evening on Lake Mohave has been identified as Delilah Moles, 22, who was fatally injured when she was struck by a boat propeller.
The Chino Hills woman was on a pontoon boat with friends and family when she fell off over the bow when everyone onboard moved forward, causing the bow to go underwater, officials said.
Moles disappeared under the boat and was found after the vessel passed over her.
Moles was taken to a launch ramp, where medical responders pronounced her dead at 6:08 p.m.
The incident remains under investigation.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAN
Lake Havasu cliff diver dies after hitting rocks
A man from Costa Mesa, Calif., was fatally injured Saturday in a 200-foot leap from the Copper Canyon Cliffs on the California side of Lake Havasu.
The San Bernardino County sheriff's office identified the victim as John Kissel, 43.
Deputy Jeffrey Cross said Kissel dove from the cliffs at the popular boating spot at 4:40 p.m. He said Kissel suffered fatal injuries when he struck the rock face of the cliff about one foot above the water.
Cross said an off-duty firefighter and an off-duty nurse rendered first aid. Kissel dead at the scene.
