IN BRIEF
AGE-RESTRICTED COMPLEX KILLING
Man arrested in death of 68-year-old woman
Las Vegas police on Wednesday arrested 61-year-old Fredrick J. Mendoza in the March 3 stabbing death of his neighbor at an age-restricted apartment complex in the southwest valley.
Rita Kremberg, 68, was found dead in her apartment at Destinations, 3925 Jones Blvd., just north of Flamingo Road, after she had not been seen for more than a day.
Mendoza was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and charged with murder with a deadly weapon in which the victim was older than 65. He was also booked on an outstanding warrant for domestic violence.
NEVADA-CALIFORNIA LINE
Casino-lodge owned by Reno mayor burns
The Topaz Lodge and Casino on the Nevada-California line in Southern Douglas County will be closed for an unknown length of time following a fire Tuesday night.
The fire broke out in the attic area and is tentatively attributed to an electrical short.
Several fire departments responded and had the fire under control about one hour after it was first reported. There were no injuries.
Rob Cashell, who owns the lodge with his father, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, said he is confident the casino and restaurants will not be closed long.
Rob Cashell says there is a lot of cleanup and mopup to do, and there is a lot of smoke and water damage that will have to be dealt with.
The lodge has a staff of about 150 employees.
BURNING CIGARETTE BLAMED
Woman hospitalized after duplex fire
A woman who was injured and required resuscitation during a duplex fire near Green Valley Parkway and Horizon Ridge Henderson was hospitalized Wednesday night, authorities said.
The fire broke out at the duplex at 437 Golden Gate St. about 9:30 p.m. and was started by a burning cigarette, officials said. The damage was estimated at $65,000.
The woman was initially taken to St. Rose Siena Hospital but was later transported to University Medical Center.
The Fire Department wouldn't release any further information on the victim, citing privacy laws.
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.
Betty Ford 'recovering well' from surgery
Former first lady Betty Ford was recovering Thursday from unspecified surgery, the office of the late President Ford announced.
The surgery occurred earlier in the week and she was "recovering well" at Eisenhower Medical Center, the statement said.
No other information will be released for several days, according to the statement.
The former first lady is 88. Her birthday is Sunday.
After her husband's death on Dec. 26 at age 93, she went on an arduous cross-country trip accompanying his body for services in California, Washington, D.C., and Michigan.
First lady from 1974 to 1977, she came to earn wide respect through her frankness as she battled breast cancer, arthritis and addictions to drugs and alcohol.
