Print edition for April 11, 2001

St. Rose Parkway project unlikely to be altered, state, city say: Jeffrey Libby; State transportation officials have agreed to re-evaluate sound studies along a 1,500-foot section of St. Rose Parkway in response to an outcry from Henderson residents living alongside the $60 million widening project.

Covert cops: Metro goes undercover for traffic enforcement: Keith Paul; The driver of a little white car apparently didn't pay attention to a homeless man standing on a busy corner as the motorist blew through a red light Tuesday. But the homeless man had a lot of interest in the motorist.

Vietnam vet loses $11 mil. lawsuit: Jace Radke; An $11 million libel lawsuit filed by a Vietnam veteran and former Las Vegan against CNN and Time magazine was dismissed in federal district court last week.

Benefits measure reopens marriage debate: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The definition of marriage was disputed at the polls last fall as proponents of Question 2 won the first step in designating the union as one between a man and a woman.

Legislative briefs for April 11, 2001: The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a bill Tuesday that would make certain settlement information related to lawsuits against government entities public.

Review: Just swing away, Renee: Geoff Carter; Grade: Two and a half stars

Editorial: Drug court offers a lot of promise: That is why it was encouraging that the 1999 Legislature approved Gov. Kenny Guinn's request to let some state prisoners be eligible for the local drug court programs. The individual is still considered an inmate, but he is allowed to work in his community while also undergoing treatment. More than 122 state prisoners last year were screened for entry into Clark County's drug court, but only 16 were admitted into the program that started last December.

CART teams resist returning to Indy: Mike Harris; The decision by CART team owner Barry Green to field a car for Michael Andretti in the Indy Racing League's Indianapolis 500 has made many wonder if the rift in American open-wheel racing is finally closing.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Celebrity aprons star at Starry,Starry Night: Elizabeth Foyt; Fun and festive, yet seriously dedicated to helping Nevada citizens of all ages and with disabilities, Starry, Starry Night, a benefit dinner and dance for the Nevada Association for the Handicapped, was a complete success.

Auto racing schedules, winners and point standings: Feb. 18 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Michael Waltrip)

Letter: Guinn praised for power moves: As usual the Sierra Club is making noises to block siting of Nevada power facilities as they did successfully for a decade in California. At the same time some unknown Red Rock Council chairman wants solar, wind and geothermal. There is no geothermal here; it's up north. Solar and wind have failed California because of the cost and the fact that they cannot produce the amounts of power needed. So governor ignore this noise and charge ahead with our blessing.

This week's races: BUSCH

Letter: Assemblyman going places we wouldn't dare go: You print things almost every day that deserve letters from your readers. Most subjects get no response. I would guess that's because most of your readers are too busy working, too exhausted from work or just too preoccupied juggling the obligations of everyday life in our ever more politically correct, kinder and gentler, diversity-embracing, team-playing society.

Letter: Sensitive areas need protection: There are many wonderful areas nearby that make one proud to live in Southern Nevada. These areas are under pressure from a growing population. It is important that future generations have wild and natural areas for themselves to enjoy. One way to assure that they do is through designating some of the public lands as wilderness.

Lawmaker seeks audit for NDOT: CARSON CITY -- Suggesting that Clark County is being shortchanged in highway construction funds, Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus called for an audit Tuesday of the state Transportation Department.

Editorial: Let's close unfair 'Net tax loophole: This would be a step in the right direction, but it should be noted that Congress could make things right immediately by ending this loophole. Not only should individuals pay their fair share of taxes -- including those that include Internet sales -- but brick-and-mortar stores that do collect sales taxes should no longer be put at a competitive disadvantage with their Internet rivals.

LV casino executive establishes literary prize: The award is being called the "Glenn Schaeffer Prize in Modern Letters," though the Mandalay Resort Group president said he hasn't decided if he wants the NZ$60,000 ($24,800) prize named after him. It will be administered through the International Institute of Modern Letters, with co-headquarters at UNLV and Victoria University in New Zealand.

Tax bill pits Henderson against LV, county: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Southern Nevada governments lined up on opposing sides of a tax bill Tuesday.

Petition probe charges denied: CARSON CITY -- Five-term Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, vehemently denies the wrongdoing alleged by an investigation into an initiative petition she spearheaded last year to break up the Clark County School District.

Company calls lawsuit baseless: Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Shuffle Master Inc., which has the bulk of its operation and 72 employees in Las Vegas, was sued this week by Innovative Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas, which develops computer-based systems to display graphics and advertisements on machines.

Caesars project to include Colosseum replica: David Strow; In recent years Las Vegas has become famous for re-creating the wonders of the world along the Strip; the Eiffel Tower, the canals of Venice, the Statue of Liberty, the pyramids of Egypt.

California man arrested on casino bad check charges: Donald D. Lukens, 50, was arrested Monday after an unrelated hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Barbara. He and his wife filed for bankruptcy there last month, listing more than 500 creditors and debts of nearly $47 million, the Times said.

Two of three pit bulls are euthanized: By Emily Richmond; Two pit bulls that entered a Las Vegas home and killed a family pet were euthanized Tuesday. A third dog involved in the attack could be put to sleep as early as today, animal control officials said.

Death penalty reforms cleared by panels: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- With questions mounting about whether the death penalty is applied equally or is cruel punishment, two proposed reforms have cleared legislative committees.

Construction now set for Lake Las Vegas centerpiece: David Strow; Currently, the view outside the new Lake Las Vegas welcome center is of barren desert overlooking the southern finger of a 320-acre desert lake.

Goynes gives his support to Eliason: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas City Council candidate Robert Eliason may have been given the boost he needs to beat his opponent in the June 5 general election, with the announcement that former City Councilman Theron Goynes has endorsed him.

McDonald welcomed by Ward 1 constituents: Diana Sahagun; In his first community meeting since he was cleared by a District Court judge on a charge of abusing his office, Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald proved he still has strong support from residents.

Two nuke measures opposed: CARSON CITY -- A parade of witnesses told a legislative committee Tuesday that proposals on the transportation and storage of nuclear waste in Nevada would signal a weakening of the state's opposition to Yucca Mountain.

LVCVA, vendor at odds over convention center food contract: Negotiations have stalled with the Las Vegas Convention Center's food service provider and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's board of directors is reluctantly considering putting the contract out to bid.

Heilig-Meyers closing remaining Vegas-area stores: Grace Leong; Bankrupt Heilig-Meyers of Richmond, Va., today said it will pull out of the Las Vegas market by closing its three remaining local furniture stores and will lay off a total of local 30 workers by late August.

State wraps up its murder case: Kim Smith; The state Tuesday ended its case against Margaret Rudin with the testimony of a Metro homicide detective, who told jurors about a variety of items seized following her arrest.

Actress mourns special brother Davis: For his 70th birthday, Bob Davis received from his sister-in-law, actress Tippi Hedren, two gifts: an expensive gold chain and something of perhaps greater value.

Columnist Peter Benton: PGA Tour has a worldly look: Peter Benton; It seems that every time one watches golf on TV, commentators allude to the "International Invasion," and they are indeed correct.

Education briefs for April 11, 2001: Richard Flaherty, dean of UNLV's College of Business, entered the hall of fame at Arizona State University's College of Business Faculty for his 21 years of contributions to the school in Tempe, Ariz.

Community briefs for April 11, 2001: Senior citizens can ask questions and voice their complaints in a town hall meeting to be hosted by Mayor Oscar Goodman at 1 p.m. May 23.

Woman, 39, killed in crash: Donna Moran was a front-seat passenger in the 1996 Chrysler Sebring driven by John D. Moran, 39, no relation to the noted Las Vegas attorney and the late sheriff of the same name, police said.

News briefs for April 11, 2001: An 11-year-old girl remains in critical condition today at University Medical Center, after Metro Police say she accidentally shot herself in the head with her grandmother's handgun.

Governor backs Nevada fliers: Earlier this month the FAA issued new flight routes over the Grand Canyon that could cut scenic tours for operations based in the Las Vegas area. The U.S. Air Tour Association, which represents the majority of the city's canyon touring companies, filed suit in the Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., to try to block implementation of the new routes.

After successful start in big leagues, hard-throwing Prokopec joins 51s: Steve Guiremand; Sputtering out of the gate with a 1-5 record and five-game losing streak, the Las Vegas 51s can definitely use a spark.

Public benefits from wholesale produce: Max Jacobson; Few people are aware that these companies will sell to the public, but quite a few of them do.

Vote of confidence: Steve Addy; UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro has received a contract renewal through June 2002, university president Dr. Carol Harter told the Sun.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Golfers pay more and play less: Dean Juipe; As a resort city that once was well behind the curve, Las Vegas can never have too many golf courses.

Wrestling: Western Jr. Regionals being held at MGM: In the event, being held through Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden, nearly 2,500 participants from across the country will be competing for championships. Nearly 30 local wrestlers are in the field. The massive tournament includes the U.S. Freestyle Nationals, the U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals, the U.S. Women's Nationals and the U.S. Veteran's Nationals. ESPN2 will televise the event on a delayed basis.

Banks set to become Rebel: Steve Addy; The Rebels won't add any basketball recruits today, but they have gotten a fresh commitment from one November signee and a strong vote of confidence from another.

LVCVA subsidizes Shriners' convention: In early July about 14,000 Shriners will meet in a Las Vegas convention, their visit underwritten by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Coyotes earn split in Fullerton tournament: At Santa Ana, Ronnie Burkey hit a three-run home run to left field to cap a seven-run rally in the top of the ninth inning as the Coyotes (40-6) stunned top-ranked Santa Ana College, 10-6.

LV tech firm official arrested: Thuc Tri Nguyen, 36, was charged with nine felony counts of securities fraud and racketeering.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Affirmed Judgement - Stevens scales Hess trainee for downhill opener, draws good outside post in small field, Judgement here Affirmed for winners circle. Flying Stuka - Training at Hollypark, Blanc aboard this one-of-two Aguirre-trained 'hidden entry' here, good spot. Value Play -- Bandofpearls

Fallon expects aid from hearing: A U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing Thursday into a dozen childhood leukemia cases could lead to more aid for Fallon.

Obituaries for April 11, 2001: Michael Joseph Biesiada, 69, of Las Vegas died April 4 in Henderson. He was born July 16, 1931, in Detroit. A resident for seven years, he was a machinist for a manufacturing firm.

Official: Fire won't halt casino opening: Jim Hughes, vice president and general manager of the Palms, at Flamingo Road and Valley View Boulevard, said damage to the resort was "minimal" and was confined to a rubber membrane across the casino roof and some facade damage to a stairwell.

New 'NewsOne at 9' co-anchor brings decade of experience: Jeff Gillan has spent the past 11 years as a weeknight co-anchor on the Madison, Wis., ABC affiliate, WKOW. Gillan graduated from Georgetown University and obtained a master's degree in journalism from American University before starting his television career in 1986 in Fort Smith, Ark.

PCL Box: Portland-Las Vegas: E--Riggs, Cookson, Perez. DP--Portland 1, Las Vegas 2. LOB--Portland 7, Las Vegas 9. 2B--Crespo, Nicholson, Perez. HR--Riggs (3), Gilbert (1). S--Perez. SB--Crespo, Prieto.

PurchasePro exec sells shares at a loss: He sold the shares in mid-March at an average of $10 a piece. He paid an average of $16.10 a share, a company spokesman said.

Tuesday's prep results: BASEBALL

Pilot, businessman Manning dies at 51: Manning died at his home in Bloomington, Utah, on Thursday. He was a 22-year resident of St. George.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Charity tournament to help fund pet sanctuary: Victoria Sun; Her passion for golf parallels her passion for animals and she needs your help.

Nevada congressional delegates praise Bush: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's delegation in Congress, in the state this week during a legislative break, were relieved today that 24 U.S. spy plane crew members detained in China appear to be headed home.

Attorneys to help students on Law Day: This year's theme is "Protecting the Best Interests of Children." Las Vegas youth were encouraged to create a poster, a short essay or both that embodied the theme.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Misunderstood bill crucial to local governments: CARSON CITY -- In this place, which even Lewis Carroll couldn't have imagined, the bills that seem the most innocuous and/or appear to be abstruse usually are the most incendiary.

Nellis called safe bet: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada lawmakers in Congress predict Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base and Fallon Naval Air Station would likely be spared from a list of base closures now being considered by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.