Print edition for September 2, 2000

Election officials predict good turnout in boring post-holiday primary: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY - The secretary of state's office is hoping that half Nevada's active, registered voters will make it to the polls next Tuesday - but history suggests otherwise.

Illiteracy problem targeted: Lee Scrivner; Gov. Kenny Guinn and leaders from Nevada businesses and nonprofit organizations will address the problem of illiteracy in Southern Nevada Friday during the 2000 International Literacy Day Dinner at the Imperial Palace.

Home-schooled brothers create lasting projects: Lee Scrivner; Jill Tietjen's last name sounds like "teachin.' "

Annual Mah Jongg tournament returns to Las Vegas: An even dozen and going stronger than ever.

County races enliven primary: Because Nevada incumbents rarely get defeated in preliminary election contests, Tuesday's statewide primary is not apt to create many political tremors.

Columnist Susan Snyder: A somber wartime anniversary: For 50 years Korean War veteran Robert Cochrane says he has been haunted by the truth about a war that remains a mystery to even his own children.

Flud of Emotions: Kirk Baird; Ron Flud is the the first to admit it: He's the one person you don't want to see.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'Nebulae' rep strikes back: Kate Maddox; The producers of the defunct production show "Nebulae: The LifeForce" are hoping to recoup some losses after their unceremonious departure last week from the Showroom at the Venetian.

Hospitals losing Catholic identity: Stacy J. Willis; When the Las Vegas area's only Catholic hospital completed a new branch in Henderson this summer, there was a disagreement about the opening ceremony.

Blood fight splits tribe: Greg Tuttle; As a child, Debra Faria didn't know she was poor. The wooden shack without plumbing or electricity that she shared with her elderly grandmother and four brothers was no different than the wooden hovels her neighbors called home.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Who will win on Primary Day?: IT'S HARD to discern which is dumber -- voting up to two weeks before an election, before you have all the information, or predicting the outcomes of balloting before votes are cast.

Columnist Jeff German: Binion witnesses to get just rewards: TIME IS running out for witnesses in the Ted Binion murder case to claim the reward money.

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Wrong righted; family stays united: Sandra Thompson; THE NEVADA Supreme Court overturned 16 years of legal precedent when it reversed a Family Court judge's ruling in a controversial guardianship case.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Fighting Mother Nature: THE CEMETERY in St. Maries, Idaho, where my mother and father rest, has a reminder that forest fires leave behind more than scorched land. A large circle of small gravestones mark the place where firefighters, who died in action, are buried. Natives of the Idaho Panhandle and western Montana know the cost of wildfires. They also have learned that long, hot, dry weather spells, followed by lightning without rain, result in deadly fire seasons. This is just the way things have been happening before and since records were kept.

Letter: Officials could do more to clean up roads: Increasing the fine amounts assessed to violators would be a deterrent. Also, collect money for the extra cost of monitoring the roads, i.e., the road to Apex particularly.

Letter: FBI agent offers a view of hope: Why is it that those people are so much easier to find on the lower end of the pay scale? Is it just the sheer numbers that allow their statistical possibility? Or does dangling that carrot of a large salary, or as in the case of "Survivor," the million-dollar prize, cause responsible, faithful and legitimate behavior to not be an option. Ashley's willingness to write and publish his views gives us a little hope, and I thank him for that.

Letter: Pappas family is victimized: While this may be true, I would still like to ask how any dollar amount can be measured against the unalienable right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Despite the "generous" offer from Goodman, nothing can justify this unconstitutional action by the city nor guarantee that similar actions will never be perpetrated on its citizens in the future.

Editorial: Gridlock over drugs a bitter pill: Earlier this year Nevada asked more than 800 insurance companies to consider bidding on its program. But only one company did -- and even that firm wasn't licensed by the state. So state officials took another run at it, asking insurance companies to reconsider. Last week Nevada state health officials announced that five insurance companies have submitted bids this time. While this is an improvement, even if the companies are able to provide a plan that offers a $40 a month benefit, it still falls short. This modest amount is dwarfed by the actual costs -- sometimes thousands of dollars ...

Ralph Siraco's selections for Sunday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Wild And Erotic - Won by a nose for $16,000 in last, claimed and now drops in class, going for third win in a row. Dawn's Moonlight - Set pace and close third in last, should be out winging again, bug boy Baze returns. Value Play -- Tuta Niche

PCl Box: Stars 9, River Cats 5: E-Milliard (20). DP-Las Vegas 2. LOB-Sacramento 9, Las Vegas 5. 2b-Bellhorn (16), Hart (1), LaRocca (40), Radmanovich (31), Alvarez 2 (11), Curl (25), Fraraccio (2). HR-Faggett (6).