Print edition for December 6, 1998

Making subsidized housing safer: Erin Neff; The Las Vegas Housing Authority currently has no way of knowing whether it is allowing convicted murderers, rapists and kidnappers to live next door to law-abiding single mothers in subsidized apartments and homes.

Palm City advances despite concerns about ground water: Lisa Snedeker; There is a cluster of palm trees, acres of open desert and the remains of a former gravel pit where graders are pushing around dirt. Off in the distance is the 2,000-acre Clark County wetlands park.

Cold spell brings snow to Las Vegas: By 8 a.m. snow coated yards and buildings. The light snowfall was responsible for a number of minor accidents. A section of U.S. 95 near Downtown Las Vegas was closed briefly.

County wary of increase in TB cases: It was bad enough that their son Christian, then 10 months old, was hospitalized for seizures attributed to the disease. But Richard Smith also was fired from his construction job, and several friends and even some relatives disowned them. They were mystified because they had no idea how they became infected.

Letter: What happened to protection?: Is anyone in the Real Estate Division supposed to care to exercise any authority on behalf of troubled owners? Gov. Bob Miller, who appointed the administrator in the Real Estate Division, has shown no interest.

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: Of unfunny Republicans and odd art: Scott Dickensheets; Do elephants laugh?: Quick, name a funny Republican! Writer P.J. O'Rourke, sure. And Bob Dole when he's on a Viagra bender. Rush Limbaugh? No, I mean intentionally humorous, which rules out Limbaugh, Gordon Liddy, Phyllis Schlafly and nearly everyone else to the right of Al Gore. Isn't that odd? Almost daily, the White House offers up tons of material so absurd, so kooky, so begging-for-skewering, that even Bob Hope's gag writers could make it funny. We should be seeing an era of Republican comedy; clearly, we're not.

Editorial: Endorse a better idea for planning: As the Sun's Scott Reeder reported Thursday, under the proposal decisions that impact several government jurisdictions would be referred to the coalition for advice before a local governing body, such as the city of Las Vegas or Clark County, takes action. The area's traffic congestion, haphazard zoning decisions, overcrowded schools and polluted air all point to a need for better planning to improve Southern Nevadans' quality of life.

Editorial: Robinson starts new era for UNLV football: Just as important as his winning record, though, is how he conducted himself off the field. Coaching under the bright-light scrutiny of the Los Angeles media and in the face of demanding alumni, Robinson was a gentleman and showed amazing temperament under difficult circumstances.

Box score: Arizona State 79, UNLV 70: 3-Point Goals: 4-12 .333 (Keefe 2-2, Daniels 1-3, Dickel 1-3, Marion 0-1, Simmons 0-1, Stewart 0-2).

Letter: Younger generation needs clean slate: We in the over-50 class have grown numb to the sins and sinners of the world, and generally push the "off button" when enough is enough. If minds are sponges, ours have long ago become saturated. Young minds are not as fortunate.

Letter: Teacher shortage? He's unconvinced: With licensing reciprocity between our states Nevada is willing to certify me at the secondary but not at the elementary level. Why? According to the Office of Teacher Licensing, because I didn't student-teach at the elementary level and/or have three years of full-time elementary teaching experience, I'm not qualified to teach at that level.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Hyde nor hair of sanity: The headline in Thursday's Las Vegas Sun read: Reid blasts Hyde panel's "witch hunt." It referred, of course to Nevada's senior senator, Harry Reid, who in his newly elected position as Democratic whip was speaking out against what most sane people in America believe is much ado about nothing.

Fast facts about 'A Christmas Carol': WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23; 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 13, 19 and 20.

Letter: Other side of the coin should be noted: Why? In the last few months HUD has bought more than 10 homes in a small community and has been placing low-income families in these homes. (I think it's wonderful that low-income families are given the opportunity to own a home.)

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Proving child abuse can make for a tough case: Sandra Thompson; "What can I do ... Who can help my child?"

Columnist Jeff German: Binion probe will again take on a high profile: Some say that's about to change.

Letter: Homeowners board aren't tyrants: All homeowners are made aware of these documents prior to close (NRS 116.4103). This means that in all cases homeowners should be well aware of the rules of a particular association and can opt to not close based on that knowledge.

'Humbug!' helper: The place carries a faint odor of wet paint and more resembles an auto repair shop than a repertory rehearsal hall.

Letter: Renters of homes as helpless as those in condos: Unknown to me, the homeowner apparently didn't make any further mortgage payments and the home was foreclosed and sold at auction. I got an eviction notice on a Saturday morning giving me three days to move out.