Print edition for April 2, 2001

Busch runs best race: Kurt Busch overcame a spin early in the race and finished a career-best fourth place in Sunday's Harrah's 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Columnist John Katsilometes: A quick trip to the edge: The mayor has an edge to him.

Forget library fines, return the books: Angela Soo; All 23 Las Vegas-Clark County Library District branches will celebrate amnesty week through Saturday, which would waive any current or existing fines up to $25 that library users haven't paid.

Taking it outside: Organization fights to preserve ecologically sensitive areas: They call it the hole in the doughnut a burgeoning city surrounded by 7 million acres of public land.

Trends for April 2, 2001: Lisa Ferguson; When was the last time you read a really good poem one of the classics? We're going to take a guess and say probably in your high school literature class.

Aladdin cash flow inadequate to cover debt-service requirements: David Strow; The Aladdin reported cash flow of $14.2 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31. That was an improvement over the negative cash flow of $3.2 million posted by the resort in the quarter ending Sept. 30. But it was still well below the levels the Aladdin must consistently reach to make payments on its huge debt load without continued capital infusions.

Birth announcements for April 2, 2001: Hennah to Jennifer and Michael Ramit.

Editorial: Western views not monolithic: The fissure among Western governors probably was best displayed during a recent conference they held to discuss ways to help stem the energy crisis that has taken its toll on that region. The governors representing states from the West Coast -- California, Oregon and Washington -- all wanted federal regulators to take a more active role in halting skyrocketing energy prices. But their brethren in the Rocky Mountain states stood firm with the Bush administration, arguing that price controls would actually make the situation worse.

Why is Guinn on utilities' side?: This seems strange when one considers that their combined annual salaries were under $400,000 and that both resigned from the company. I cannot understand the governor's actions. You would think he would be more concerned about the impact of the rising costs from ill-managed utility companies upon the state's consumers, both businesses and homeowners.

Letter: Bush proposal should strike fear in seniors: For instance, is Mr. Kane aware that Bush's "contingency fund" is none other than the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, so "his promise to keep Washington from raiding seniors' retirement and health care programs" is a big lie right off the bat. This contingency fund makes these trust funds available for borrowing to spend in the general budget (in essence providing funds available for tax cuts)!

Three council appointees face voters for first time: Diana Sahagun; Three Las Vegas City Council appointees face election for the first time Tuesday to keep positions they have held for less than two years.

Arizona makes an emotional appeal: Steve Addy; MINNEAPOLIS -- There is no way to miss the billboard just outside the Metrodome. It contains a small Arizona logo and a simple two-word message: "Four Bobbi."

Future of NAACP is in doubt: The hearings will focus on last November's disputed election and the possibility that the local branch's charter could be revoked.

Lawsuit vowed in police killing of teen: Keith Paul; The parents of a teen shot by a North Las Vegas Police officer have vowed to file a civil rights lawsuit following a corner's inquest that cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.

Nonpriest to lead Georgetown: Wife of ground-breaking educator is Las Vegas native: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Las Vegas native Theresa DeGioia has been an aide to former President Bush, a university fund-raiser and soon, a first-time mom. But beginning July 1, she'll play her oddest role yet -- the first First Lady of Georgetown University.

Parents to receive annual school accountability reports: The profiles provide a summary of student performance and special programs at schools for 1999-2000. The annual reports are part of school accountability requirements under the Nevada Education Reform Act. They also are used to develop plans to improve student achievement.

Reservations contract signed: Utell, a provider of reservation and marketing services, said it will represent 14 Park Place properties, including Caesars Palace, Bally's Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas and Flamingo Las Vegas.

School district says long-term subs number is wrong: Terry Webster; The local teachers' union has exaggerated the number of students in Clark County who are being taught by long-term substitutes, a Clark County School District official says.

Spoonhour stays busy at Final Four: Steve Addy; MINNEAPOLIS -- New UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour hasn't arrived in Las Vegas for good, but he has begun rebuilding the Rebels from afar.

Prep Schedule: MONDAY

UNLV tennis notes: Aztecs snap Rebel men's streak at four: Only five players made the trip for the Rebels, who fell to 11-7 overall and lost their first Mountain West Conference match in three tries. The Aztecs improved to 9-9 and 3-0 in the league.

Depositions on tap in AG probe: Key depositions are scheduled this month in a District Court lawsuit that has raised allegations the Nevada attorney general's office conducted a secret intelligence investigation of gaming regulators.

Report will illuminate situation at Aladdin: David Strow; Fresh light into the struggles of the $1.2 billion Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip will be provided today when the resort's holding company issues its annual report.

Fliers sue to block new routes: The Federal Aviation Administration, which ordered the new routes a week ago, has 10 days to respond to the motion filed Friday in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. by the Mountain States Legal Foundation on behalf of the U.S. Air Tour Association.

Three LV casino operators on list of nation's largest firms: Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. surpassed automaker General Motors Corp., rising to No. 1 from No. 3 with the company's highest-ever $210 billion in revenue for 2000. GM, which had revenue of $184.6 billion, fell to No. 3.

Power giants call off merger: The deal, announced last July, had been considered by Wall Street analysts to be on the rocks since March 19 when the companies issued a statement that issues had arisen over managing the combined company and the value of some assets.

Retiring Bank of America chief will be remembered as 'emperor of banking': Sara Silver; Hugh McColl conquered the U.S. banking industry with unending drive, brilliant strategy and military-style maneuvering. Just 15 years after taking charge of tiny North Carolina National Bank, McColl turned it into one of America's largest consumer banks, Bank of America, with $645 billion in assets. It's the second-largest bank in Nevada after Wells Fargo.

Interest rates cap urged: CARSON CITY -- Interest rates as high as 240 percent per year are being charged on loans to some of Nevada's most vulnerable residents, and an Assembly committee has been urged to cap the rates.

Recent gaming industry appointments and promotions: Howard Liszt, an advertising and marketing veteran from Minneapolis, and Ken Robson, a Virginia private investor, were appointed to the board of directors of Shuffle Master Inc.

Four die in weekend killings: Jace Radke; Four people were killed over the weekend in unrelated homicides that Metro and North Las Vegas police continue to investigate.

College inspires unusual designs: Jennifer Knight; The unveiling of the three finalists in the Nevada State College at Henderson architectural contest showed that this will be no ordinary college.

State computer may have dispensed wrong pay: CARSON CITY -- A computer system in the state Labor Commission's office might have caused construction workers on public works projects in Las Vegas to be incorrectly paid, a legislative audit shows.

Lawmakers' hands tied on funding requests: Erin Neff; If the Legislature had the ways and means to fund much-needed projects around the state, it would happily appropriate the $326.8 million requested this session.

Surge in senior gambling alarms experts on addiction: David Crary; ATLANTIC CITY -- The chartered bus from Brooklyn was just one of hundreds that roll into the depots of Atlantic City's huge casinos each day. The passengers disembarked, some spry and feisty, a few inching down the steps with their canes.

Tough decisions remain at midpoint of session: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Legislature reaches its halfway mark Thursday, when the $130 per day pay for lawmakers is terminated and legislators must start making tough choices.

Voters to decide on council raises: Jeffrey Libby; Boulder City councilmen in recent weeks have taken to reciting in detail the long hours they work for the city to take home a $22,000 annual paycheck.

NASCAR Harrahs 500 Results: At Texas Motor Speedway

Williams faces at least 20 years: Kim Smith; After hearing from more than a dozen grief-stricken family members and a repentant Jessica Williams, District Judge Mark Gibbons Friday sentenced Williams to 18 to 48 years in prison for the March 2000 deaths of six teenagers.

Brazilian Grand Prix Results: At Sao Paulo, Brazil

Longtime LV performer Shauntee killed in traffic accident: Jace Radke; There wasn't much that singer Kenny Shauntee liked to do more than perform.

XFL Box: Demons-Outlaws: LV-Smart 1 run (pass failed), 1:42.

Obituaries for April 2, 2001: He is survived by his wife, Shirley; one daughter, Bonnie Musser of Apple Valley, Utah; one son, Bob Baker Jr., of Las Vegas; and one grandson.

Technology briefs: Kozmo, the online delivery company, is in talks to purchase PDQuick, a privately held Internet grocer operating in 30 communities in Los Angeles and around Orange County.

Reid's stock falling despite victory: Dean Juipe; David Reid is a pleasant man who has had a fine career in boxing.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Mileage no deterrent at UNLV: Dean Juipe; I've been thinking of old people all weekend and it's Carol Harter's fault.

Louisiana makes the dockside status of all riverboats official: Alan Sayre; Riverboat status line By the Associated Press Here is a rundown of Louisiana's 14th riverboat casinos and how their dockside status changed:

Outlaws blow shot at playoffs: Spencer Patterson; Rod Smart chose the moniker on his jersey to warn opponents they would hate him, and Sunday the Las Vegas Outlaws running back had a chance to make the San Francisco Demons do just that.

NCAA Tournament notes: Duke's Duhon downed, not out: Steve Addy; MINNEAPOLIS -- Had it been a cartoon, a tall lump would've risen on Chris Duhon's head and birds would have circled it in a chirping halo.

Rio casino said to be turning corner: David Strow; One of the key factors preventing Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment Inc. from reporting a big year in 2000 was quarter after quarter of poor results from the Rio hotel-casino.

Rudin jurors hear DNA expert testify: Kim Smith; Jurors in the Margaret Rudin trial returned this morning to hear more about the blood evidence prosecutors hope will convince them to convict her of murder in the death of her husband six years ago.

Columnist Steve Addy: Battier a real hero: Steve Addy; Greetings from Minneapolis,

XFL standings: x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched conference

Building codes not up for quakes: Local building codes, which require homes and other buildings to be at least 5 feet from fault lines, are not enough to protect Southern Nevadans from earthquake danger, according to scientists and engineers meeting in Las Vegas last week.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Texan earns $120,000 prize: Ralph Siraco; Tommy Castillo is a unique person. After Saturday, he is also a rich one.

Crime briefs for April 2, 2001: Two Las Vegas men were convicted of multiple crimes Friday in connection with the October 1996 deaths of a local couple.

NHRA ticket sales dragging: By all accounts, last year's inaugural National Hot Rod Association event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was an unqualified success.

Rally calls for more education funding: Terry Webster and Ed Koch; Saying that state lawmakers have let teachers down by not passing measures that will increase salaries and make the state more competitive in bidding for quality educators, the local teachers' union is putting more heat on the Legislature.

Early voter turnout low; 12% expected Tuesday: Diana Sahagun; Turnout for early voting in the upcoming municipal election was low, but Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said the numbers aren't necessarily disappointing. What's more, he said, the service continues to fulfill a need.