Print edition for April 4, 2001

Letter: Grand Canyon air tour industry over-regulated: Recent actions by the federal government to eliminate the last of the "scenic" air tour routes flown by Southern Nevada air tour companies will have precisely the impact the president has vowed to reject. When combined with earlier federal rules imposing caps, curfews and other restrictions on air tour flight, the economic impact on these small companies will easily exceed $2 million annually. What small business can survive in such a burdensome regulatory environment?

Clarification: Clarification

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Hospitality honchos treated to tours, treats: Elizabeth Foyt; We can be justly proud of Las Vegas and its stellar record for innovation in the hospitality industry. Last week worldwide industry leaders in travel, hospitality, entertainment, food, gaming and tourism, in recognition of this elevated level, converged on our city for the first annual Millennium Hospitality Summit.

Malls court hungry customers on the move: BY Max Jacobson; Food courts differ from mall to mall, but there are persistent similarities. Nearly all of them, for instance, have either a Burger King or McDonald's. They also a feature Sbarro, an Italian kitchen that serves hot pizza dough rolls brushed with garlic butter, big meatballs, stuffed and regular pizzas and a variety of pasta.

Letter: Williams owes Garcia an apology: I am concerned about other aspects of Williams' outburst. It now seems that Edison Schools everywhere, most notably in New York and San Francisco, are under attack by radical black politicians. "Profit" becomes an obscenity and there is never mention of the fact that Edison Schools have yet to turn a profit.

Health briefs for April 4, 2001: The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, D.C., offers a 32-page booklet, "Free & Low Cost Prescription Drugs," that provides information on how and where to receive free and affordable prescription drugs for $5.

PurchasePro exececutive: E-commerce still growing: Kevin Ferguson; Despite Wall Street's skeptical view of technology stocks, electronic business-to-business commerce is the wave of the future, a PurchasePro executive told a group of tourism and hospitality executives at a Las Vegas luncheon last week.

Fed loans offered for homes in rural areas: Angela Soo; Before paying a down payment on a house in rural Nevada, homebuyers should check if they qualify for government loans available to low-income residents through the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Direct Homeownership Program.

Letter: Press must hold Bush in check: Not only does the GOP control all truth and science, but the last election shows they control the meaning of the Constitution and state law, too. The conservatives have demonstrated that they will do whatever it takes to advance their agenda. At present the only dissent is a disorganized group of Democratic senators, a soon to be replaced minority in the Supreme Court, and the free press.

Community briefs for April 4, 2001: Chrissi Vincent of Chaparral High School, Cameron Ball of Greenspun Middle School and Casey Marek of the Meadows School won their respective age groups in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area's water-safety poster contest.

Just the two of us: Some area couples opt for childfree lives: Kirk Baird; She gets along with them and, as a 31-year-old school counselor at Cashman Middle School, deals with them almost daily.

California Indian casino opens with Las Vegas management: PALA, Calif. -- An Indian tribe on Tuesday opened California's first new permanent casino complex since last year's passage of an initiative legalizing tribal gambling.

51s promise a whole new look for fans: Victoria Sun; Attending a Las Vegas 51s game should be a markedly different experience for baseball fans this season.

Boggs McDonald prevails: Diana Sahagun; In the most bitterly fought race during the Las Vegas Valley's municipal primary elections, Lynette Boggs McDonald had to fend off accusations of being a "career bureaucrat" and allegations that she may have acted unethically in flying to a Notre Dame football game.

Sunken beltway will keep peace in rural area: Homeowners in the orchard-filled Gilcrease ranch area emerged victorious when the Clark County Commission agreed to depress a section of the planned northern leg of the Las Vegas Beltway.

Welcome to Dodgertown: Steve Guiremand; The 51s' probable lineup:

Prosecutors attempt to refute witness' testimony: Kim Smith; A man prosecutors suspect helped Margaret Rudin kill her husband and dispose of his body re-took the stand this morning over the objections of defense attorneys.

Stratosphere profit rises, tower adding 1,000 rooms: The owner of the Stratosphere hotel-casino in Las Vegas, controlled by financier Carl Icahn, saw net revenues rise 8 percent to $132.8 million, as results improved in every major business line.

McCarran on-time performance called lacking: The report said three out of 10 flights don't arrive or depart on time at McCarran, placing it each month in the bottom half of 30 U.S. airports with more than 5,000 operations per month.

Stupak sued by son over accident, in turn sues insurer: In a Clark County District Court suit filed Friday, Stupak, who said he had a valid motorcycle and automobile insurance policy at the time of the accident on March 31, 1995, sued Progressive Insurance Co. of Cleveland and its subsidiary Progressive Northwestern Insurance Co., alleging he was sued by his son after their insurance adjustors allegedly failed to respond to Nevada's claims for more than $100,000 in damages.

DA argues that killer shouldn't be spared death: CARSON CITY -- Condemned killer Thomas Nevius is not mentally retarded and does not deserve commutation of his death sentence for killing a Las Vegas man and assaulting his wife, the Clark County district attorney's office says.

Telecom firm's stock plunges on rumors of bankruptcy: "Chapter 11 rumors are absolutely false," said Bill Price, director of corporate media relations at the Murray Hill-based company. "They are ridiculous and (are) pushing people into a panic that does not exist."

Both sides await fate of NAACP chapter: Jace Radke; The fate of the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP rests in the hands of three members of the organization's National Board, who will make a recommendation on whether to revoke the branch's charter.

Voters take away council's pay raises: Jeffrey Libby; Boulder City council members will have to make due with their current salaries, as voters Tuesday approved a referendum that rejected midterm salary increases the council voted itself in June.

Business briefs for April 4, 2001: A Las Vegas pest control company sued a former employee and his company, alleging he used its proprietary company information to start a rival business.

Super-speed train might be two years away: CARSON CITY -- A ride aboard the proposed 240-mph super-speed train from Las Vegas to Southern California might be more exciting than the roller coaster atop the Stratosphere hotel-casino, says Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas.

Legislators mull timing of proposed pay raise: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Should Clark County commissioners get a 39 percent pay raise in the midst of a softening economy?

Rhodes only council member to face a runoff: Kris Hill; North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes expected a tight race against Robert Eliason, and he got one.

Sexual assault suspect accepts a plea bargain: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man arrested in November for allegedly drugging three women and then videotaping his sexual assault of them cut a deal with prosecutors moments before jury selection was to begin in his trial.

Bidding war possible for big U.S. insurer: However, London-based Prudential said today that its plan to acquire American General for $20 billion "remains in full force and effect," raising the possibility of a trans-Atlantic bidding war.

Big LV casino operators detail plans for spending: Caesars, Venetian expansions top lists: David Strow; Park Place Entertainment Corp. is earmarking funds toward the construction of a fifth hotel tower at Caesars Palace, one month after receiving approval from Clark County to move forward.

Two candidates win majorities in unique voting: Jeffrey Libby; In a mathematical teaser, two candidates for Boulder City Council managed to win a majority of the primary vote Tuesday, avoiding the need for a runoff in the general election in June.

Business-to-business in spotlight: Vegas firm's stock hurt on news of downgrade: Kevin Ferguson; Internet business-to-business purchasing firm PurchasePro of Las Vegas and its national competitors Ariba and Commerce One are seeing their stock prices plunge this week on new worries about the entire technology sector.

News briefs for April 4, 2001: Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., will join four other senators, led by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., on a congressional trip to Mexico for a visit with President Vicente Fox.

Airline service worsens: Jonathan D. Salant; WASHINGTON -- Airline flights arrived behind schedule more often and more passengers complained about service despite industry promises to improve, a new study says.

'Hollywood Squares' slots to premiere at Harrah's casinos: Under the agreement, Harrah's will have the exclusive right to operate Hollywood Squares slots for a 60-day period following its approval in each jurisdiction. The introduction will be accompanied by a "comprehensive, national multi-media marketing campaign." Afterwards, WMS will have the ability to place the slots in competing casinos.

Hospital funding formula for indigent care studied: Adrienne Packer; An antiquated formula that determined which Las Vegas Valley hospitals would be compensated for treating indigent patients soon will be revamped with hopes a newer system will improve accessibility to medical care.

LV company stays on Nasdaq: Acres was notified in February that its shares would be delisted from the Nasdaq exchange, as the company did not meet the $2 million minimum net tangible assets requirement necessary for listing on the Nasdaq. Acres appealed this decision and requested a hearing with Nasdaq officials.

Softball: Rebels take two from UC Riverside: The Rebels will get back into conference play on Friday as they host BYU in a doubleheader at noon at the Rebel Diamond. UNLV will then entertain Utah on Sunday at noon.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Bid N Ask - Training at Hollypark, draws good box for short 2-furlong dash, Delahoussaye for Dutton here. Joxer - Enriquez aboard Harrington trainee, bred to win early, good box to start from in this. Value Play -- Square Cut Diamond

Columnist Victoria Sun: Invensys champ Andrade cries foul when snubbed by Masters: Victoria Sun; The 2000 Invensys Classic winner Billy Andrade was furious when he learned last month he would not be invited to play in this year's Masters.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Hopefully, this is it for the XFL: Dean Juipe; As products are introduced into the marketplace, they have to gain acceptance and increase their sales as time goes on.

Elsinore posts profit: The results were a marked improvement over the net loss of $414,000, or 8 cents per share, reported in the year-ago quarter. Elsinore said the increase was largely the result of a settlement payment received from the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians, which earlier terminated an agreement to have Elsinore manage a casino near Palm Springs.

Editorial: Work card changes on the right track: Background checks were started decades ago in part to curb the mob's hold on hotel-casinos, but it's highly doubtful that organized crime views kitchen help as a lucrative area to tap. It also isn't as vital to require work cards of employees who are in jobs that could be found anywhere else outside a casino -- especially restaurant employees. And as the Business License Department noted, the $35 work card application fee can be a hardship for some of those applying for work, such as dishwashers, since they may have little money to start with.

NHRA racers stress safety: At first glance, it might seem that NHRA Winston Drag Racing -- in which the Nitro Top Fuel and Funny Cars reach speeds in excess of 300 mph -- is the most hazardous form of motor sports.

County briefs for April 4, 2001: Clark County Commissioners postponed until April 17 a public hearing on an ordinance that would prohibit new-car dealerships from being open on Sundays.

Obituaries for April 4, 2001: George T. Alleman Sr., 88, of Boulder City died Friday in Boulder City. He was born April 22, 1912, in Bakersfield, Calif. A resident for 22 years, he was a retired superintendent for public works, a Navy veteran and a member of the Boulder City Gem Club.

Library district tries again for bonds: Adrienne Packer; The Clark County-Las Vegas Library District will try one last time Thursday to persuade the county's Debt Management Commission to approve placing a $46.5 million bond question on this summer's municipal ballot.

Columnist Larry Dixon: Drag racers hoping for big encore at Speedway: Larry Dixon; Well, we're back for another shot at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and I couldn't be more excited. When the National Hot Rod Association made its return to the desert last year, it was a huge success.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Look hard to find wagering on baseball wins: Think the Diamondbacks' second-half swoon was no fluke and that they're destined to finish with fewer than 87 wins?

Columnist Peter Benton: Lyon, Buckley top LVCC fields: Peter Benton; Scott Lyon won the President's Cup at the Las Vegas Country Club last weekend after recording net rounds over the par-72 layout of 66-65 -- 131. His 65 on Sunday included a hole in one on the par-3 seventh hole.

Deal signed with Action Gaming: PDS received the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute "Double Play Blackjack" and "21 Stud," games that PDS plans to incorporate into its digital table game system. Both will allow traditional table game players to play multiple hands of blackjack and/or poker simultaneously.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Wildlife group has made big strides: Paula DelGiudice; The annual meeting of the National Wildlife Federation is this week in Washington, D.C. I have had the opportunity to serve as chair of the board of directors for the past two years. It may have been the fastest two years of my life. The first time I ran for the board was the last time that Lute Olson's Arizona Wildcats won the NCAA basketball championship. I remember it well because our annual meeting in that year (1997) was held in Tucson.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.

Editorial: Don't let taxpayers pick up tab: Not only is it unfair to give elected officeholders the ability to use government funds to essentially promote their candidacies, but it also is wrong to waste taxpayer money for what amounts to taxpayer-financed campaigning. So it shouldn't seem that unusual that the city adopted these restraints. For that matter, Congress has similar prohibitions on government-paid mass mailings close to an election.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: Fishing has shown no improvement over the past week as anglers continue to have trouble catching striped bass while the action has been fair for channel catfish and largemouth bass.

Tuesday's prep results: BASEBALL

Columnist Jon Ralston: Las Vegas politics is truly a money market: Or perhaps it was all those voters being impressed with their accomplishments.

Valley incumbents cruise to victory: Diana Sahagun; Challengers across the Las Vegas Valley learned Tuesday night about the power of incumbency.

Two incumbents to face stiff challenge in general: Two incumbents seeking another term as Mesquite city councilmen have advanced to the June 5 general election, but they face strong challenges from three candidates supported by the mayor who last August survived a recall.

State aid to schools faces ax: CARSON CITY -- After hearing a gloomy economic forecast, key members of a Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee said they might have to slash, rather than increase, state aid to public schools.

Laughlin power plant running: After three consecutive weeks of mechanical problems, both generators at Laughlin's 1,580-megawatt Mohave Generating Station are up and running, Southern California Edison employees said Tuesday.

Property values at risk if nuke dump approved: CARSON CITY -- Trucking nuclear waste through Las Vegas would lower nearby property values anywhere from 3.2 percent to more than 33 percent, a city official said Tuesday.