IN BRIEF
NO SEAT BELT
Driver dies in early morning one-car crash
A woman died after the car she was driving struck a telephone pole in North Las Vegas early Saturday.
Sean Walker, a spokesman for the North Las Vegas police department, said speed "appeared to be a factor" in the single-car accident about 3 a.m. near Civic Center Drive and Evans Avenue.
Police said the driver, the car's only occupant, was ejected from the four-door Saturn. "The woman was not wearing a seat belt," said Walker, adding that investigators believe the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Police had not determined the speed of the car or if alcohol was involved, Walker said. The driver's name was not released.
This is the 15th traffic-related fatality in North Las Vegas in 2007. In 2006, there were 29 traffic fatalities, the most in the city's history.
CLARK COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Las Vegas attorney elected party chairman
John Hunt, a Las Vegas attorney, is the new chairman of Clark County Democrats.
He was elected Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas at party headquarters on Valley View Boulevard. Hunt soundly defeated Ken Lange.
"Clark County Democrats have a huge job ahead of us," said Hunt, who ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 2002. "The Jan. 19 caucus represents our best opportunity to change the course of our country."
Hunt replaces Liz Foley, who didn't run for re-election.
Also elected was a new executive board: Joe Bifano, first vice chairman; Vicky Birkland, second vice chairwoman, and Dwayne Chesnut, third vice chairman.
On hand for the elections was Bonnie Jacobs, president of the Clark County Young Professional Democrats.
"We're getting a lot of new members, and a lot of excitement is being created," Jacobs said.
1894-S COIN
Dealer delivers dime worth $1.9 million
John Feigenbaum didn't sleep at all during his cross-country flight to deliver a dime worth $1.9 million.
Feigenbaum, 38, of Virginia Beach, Va., is a rare coin dealer, and he was flying from San Jose, Calif., to New York City with an 1894-S dime, one of only nine known to exist.
He picked up the dime, one of only 24 known to be coined in 1894 in San Francisco, on Monday from the seller's vault in Oakland. He delivered it to the buyer's vault the following day, in Manhattan.
Feigenbaum said he and the seller's agent will split a 6 percent commission on the dime, which is encased in a 3-inch-square block of plastic.
Shortly after boarding the plane, Feigenbaum transferred the dime from his pants pocket to his briefcase.
He kept checking to make sure the dime was safe by reaching into his briefcase to feel for it. "It's the Holy Grail of coins," he said.
STOLEN BAIT
Fisherman arrested after stabbing sea lion
A fisherman was arrested Friday, accused of stabbing a sea lion with a steak knife after the animal stole his bait.
Hai Nguyen, 24, was expected to be arraigned this week on a charge of felony cruelty to animals.
The sea lion, a 6-foot female weighing about 150 pounds, was severely wounded and was later euthanized.
Authorities said the case also was being investigated by the U.S. attorney's office for possible federal charges under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Police said Nguyen was fishing off a Newport Beach, Calif., pier about 12:30 p.m. when the sea lion apparently snatched the bait from his fishing pole.
"It was close enough so he could just reach out and stab it in the water," police Sgt. Evan Sailor said. "A number of people witnessed it and called police."
