TAHOE PEDESTRIANS KILLED
CA man pleads guilty to 2 Tahoe pedestrian deaths
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (AP) - A Northern California man faces up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless driving causing the death of an Incline Village couple who was hit in a pedestrian crosswalk at Lake Tahoe in December 2011.
The North Lake Tahoe Bonanza reports Christopher Torii Smith of Grass Valley, Calif., pleaded guilty in Washoe District Court last week in the deaths of Robert and Linda Mathis.
Smith was 25 at the time. His sentencing is scheduled in Reno on Aug. 12.
As part of a plea bargain, Smith's lawyer Michael Becker says he agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. Each charges carries up to six years in prison. But in exchange, prosecutors agreed to allow him to serve the terms concurrently.
HENDERSON BRUSH FIRE
Cause of Henderson brush fire at rec area unknown
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) - Henderson firefighters continue to investigate the cause of a brush fire that sent flames 70 feet into the sky and burned about three acres at the Whitney Mesa Recreational Area over the weekend.
Fire crews were called to the scene about 7 p.m. Saturday after a report of a single palm tree on fire near Sunset Boulevard and Arroyo Grande.
The high winds and dry conditions caused the blaze to spread across Sunset Boulevard and briefly threatened several apartment buildings. But crews were able to bring it under control within about 20 minutes.
The crew of 30 firefighters remained on scene another three hours to make sure all the hot spots in surrounding brush were extinguished.
No one was hurt.
JUVENILE SHOOTING DEATH
Deputies think Dayton juvenile's death accidental
DAYTON, Nev. (AP) - The Lyon County sheriff's office is investigating the shooting death of a juvenile in Dayton over the weekend.
Deputies say a preliminary investigation suggests it was an accidental shooting.
Officers say they were called to the scene on Riverpark Parkway about 11 a.m. Sunday.
No other details have been released. The names of those involved are being withheld because of their ages.
DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS
Whittemore's campaign money trial resumes in Reno
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Was it an offer they couldn't refuse from their multimillionaire boss doing the bidding for arguably the most powerful man in the U.S. Congress?
Or did Harvey Whittemore's employees make voluntary contributions to Sen. Harry Reid because they trusted the former developer and lobbyist they knew as a generous philanthropist who supported universities, charities and medical research?
Whittemore's trial continues in federal court in Reno Monday on charges he broke federal campaign finance laws by funneling nearly $150,000 to Reid's re-election campaign in 2007.
Testimony so far has focused on whether there were any strings attached to the bonuses and gifts Whittemore gave employees at his real estate company while suggesting they contribute to the Nevada Democrat.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
