IN BRIEF

Gibbons creates commission to recommend crime solutions

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has signed an executive order creating a panel of government, law enforcement, business and civic leaders to tackle crime.

Gibbons says the Nevada Crime Commission will research and recommend solutions to crime problems and act as an advisory body to the governor.

It also will monitor the effect of crime on the state economy, help develop programs to reduce recidivism and increase public awareness and prevention campaigns.

All members will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Gibbons signed the executive order Thursday.

NEW ZEALAND MUD SNAIL

New aquatic invasive species found on boat at Lake Tahoe

A new aquatic invasive species has surfaced at Lake Tahoe: the New Zealand mud snail.

The species was discovered on a boat at an off-ramp inspection station near U.S. 50 in Meyers on May 25.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials say they’re concerned because the snails could hurt Lake Tahoe’s fishery.

The snails are typically transferred from water body to water body through nonmotorized boats such as canoes and kayaks.

The species has turned up elsewhere in California, including the Central Valley and Owens Valley.

Unlike zebra and quagga mussels, mud snails do not affect water infrastructure and cling to boat engines.

The TRPA is stepping up inspections of boats at Lake Tahoe in an effort to keep out aquatic invasive species .

SOME INJURIES REPORTED

Separate collisions close Interstate 15 near Mesquite

The northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 15 near Mesquite closed Friday night because of separate collisions, the most serious involving five motorcycles and a vehicle, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Trooper Joseph Fackrell said the most severe crash occurred about 8:50 p.m. on I-15 south near mile marker 109, about 13 miles south of Mesquite. Fackrell said one person was airlifted to University Medical Center in critical condition. One person also needed to be extracted from the vehicle. Fackrell didn’t know the extent of that person’s injuries.

Fackrell said that about the same time as the first collision, there also was a three- or four-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes, also at mile marker 109.

Two people were transported to a nearby hospital with what were thought to be nonlife-threatening injuries, according to the highway patrol.

The highway was not expected to reopen for several hours, the highway patrol said late Friday night.