IN BRIEF

TRANSIT SERVICE

Reno ballot question to set bus service level

Regional Transportation Commission officials in Reno say people can expect bus service cuts of up to 25 percent if a ballot question fails in the November election.

The commission already plans to cut 7 percent of its services next year.

Washoe County voters are expected to decide in November whether to increase the county's sales tax by one-eighth of one cent. The money would go to mass transit.

David Jinkling, the commission's public transportation director, says the tax would allow the commission to avoid cuts and restore some services. The projected cuts if the ballot question fails would amount to roughly $3.2 million.

Officials say a sour economy has dropped sales tax revenue, which funds 70 percent of transit operations.

DRUG-RELATED MASSACRE

Mexican man wanted in 19 deaths captured

A Mexican national wanted in connection with the 1998 drug-related massacre of 19 people in the Baja California resort town of Ensenada has been captured and turned over to Mexican authorities, U.S. immigration officials in Los Angeles said Sunday.

Officers confronted Jesus Ruben Moncada, 33, at his Los Angeles home Thursday night as he took out the garbage.

Moncada, who did not resist arrest, was taken into custody on administrative immigration violations and was returned under heavy security Friday to Mexico, where he faces first-degree murder, attempted murder and kidnapping charges.

Moncada told officers he fled to the United States in 1998, illegally crossing the border near San Ysidro, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Prosecutors contend Moncada was a high-ranking member of a Felix Arellano gang, which carried out the killings to prevent the rival gang's marijuana-smuggling operation from becoming too competitive with theirs.

DISTRESS CALL

Authorities discover lost illegal immigrants

At least 12 illegal immigrants have been rescued in a desert area near Gila Bend in Phoenix.

The Maricopa County sheriff's office said the immigrants were found Sunday morning.

A sheriff's office spokesman says the search began Saturday night near the Barry M. Goldwater Gunnery Range, which runs along the Mexican border.

The Arizona Republic Web site reports the search is ongoing for another five to seven people who might be lost.

Authorities said they think the rescue mission was prompted by a 911 distress call.The rescued have been taken to a Phoenix area hospital for treatment.