Print edition for April 13, 2001

Two tax bills are bad news for local governments: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Some Southern Nevada governments got a double dose of bad news Thursday as the Assembly Taxation Committee approved two controversial tax bills that would strip millions of dollars from them.

Books added to Wheels on Meals menu: Kirk Baird; For Eileen Hoger, it's the simple things in life that matter.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Settle in for a warm Easter Sunday: As the song says, "Put on your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it." Easter Sunday is a fine time to join with friends and family for a memorable day.

Churches change attitude toward sex addicts: Stacy J. Willis; Jason Smith was cheating on his wife.

Crime prevention, intervention featured: Community Coalition for Victims' Rights presents workshops: Angela Soo; Anniversary events Here is a schedule of the 25th anniversary events:

Brooks, Allen given nod with film series: Kirk Baird; One went for the funny bone at all cost, assaulting audiences with slapstick comedy, verbal puns, clever gags, setups and anything else to get a laugh.

Cowboy Up: The Village People burst onto the disco scene in 1977, when French music-producer Jacques Morali thought it would be interesting to hire six performers to portray stereotypical American males who sang songs with homosexual undertones.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Bartender mixes Elvis moves with Santa Fe drinks: By Jerry Fink; I've seen fat Elvis, thin Elvis, old Elvis, young Elvis and flying Elvis. Now I've even seen a Wise Elvis -- that would be Dennis Wise, a 46-year-old bartender at the Santa Fe Station's Iguana Bar.

Airline sites grow faster than online travel agencies: Brad Foss; NEW YORK -- Visitor traffic grew faster in the past year at the websites of major airlines than it did at online travel sites, a new study found, and Terry Trippler, a columnist at OneTravel.com, said people like his brother are to blame.

Catholicism aired: Radio show examines complexities of faith: Stacy J. Willis; Apriest and a guy wearing a Notre Dame T-shirt are sitting in front of microphones in a back room at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, waiting for their cue.

Panel urged to warn other states of nuke transport dangers: CARSON CITY -- Alerting the citizens across the nation to the dangers of transporting nuclear waste through their cities is the key to stopping designation of Yucca Mountain as the site for burial of high level radioactive materials, witnesses told the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday.

Southwest Airlines growth in Las Vegas stays on track: DALLAS -- The new executive team taking the helm at Southwest Airlines in June doesn't have any major changes planned for the direction of the company.

Cell phone indictment readied: Kim Smith; A Clark County grand jury could be the first in the nation to hand down an indictment in connection with a fatal wreck believed to have been caused by a distracted cell phone user.

Fallon could become model for studying cancer clusters: FALLON -- A probe into what might have led to a dozen cases of childhood leukemia in Fallon, a farming and military town 60 miles east of Reno, could help officials fashion a blueprint for future investigations into cases of chronic disease that occur throughout the country, senators said after a four-hour field hearing Thursday.

Online travel battle heating up: Southwest looking to dominate web space: DALLAS -- Southwest Airlines is vying to be as big in cyberspace as it is in the nation's airspace.

Regents to question Moore in closed session: Jennifer Knight; The Board of Regents has scheduled a meeting next week with Richard Moore to discuss his performance as president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, according to two higher education system sources.

In money-saving move, Sierra won't pay dividend: Nevada Power Co. owner Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. said today it will not pay its 25-cent quarterly dividend as usual on May 1 in order to conserve cash because of uncertainty about the West's energy crisis.

Compensation delays seen for nuclear weapons workers: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Cold War-era workers who got sick from testing nuclear weapons at the Nevada Test Site might have to wait six months before they see their first checks from a new compensation program.

Henderson defends its pursuit of tax shift: Adrienne Packer; As Clark County braces to lose millions because of a proposed change in the state's consolidated tax revenue formula, Henderson officials continue to defend their quest for the controversial tax shift.

Venerable coach sides with betting-ban foes: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada lawmakers and gaming industry leaders have enlisted a well-known former college coach to publicly criticize a bill that would ban betting on college sports in Nevada.

Nurse midwives find area hospitals unfriendly: Specialized medical professionals who are licensed by the state to deliver babies say they are having difficulty gaining privileges to work in Southern Nevada hospitals.

Editorial: Solving Fallon's puzzle: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who conducted the hearing as the committee's ranking Democrat, and other members of Nevada's congressional delegation ought to be congratulated for helping to bring this issue to the attention of federal authorities. Plaudits also must be extended to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., another committee member who provided valuable input at the hearing. The committee investigation warrants full cooperation by all who live or do business in the Fallon area, including the Fallon Naval Air Station.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Energy debate is good theater: CARSON CITY -- After a week spent here at Sausage Central, the overarching issue of Session '01 has provided a perfect illustration of what is euphemistically known as The Legislative Process. First the simple version: Bill gets written. Political circumstances change. Process comes to standstill. Serendipitous appearance of amendment written by powerful lobbyists. Political circumstances change. Process comes to standstill. Clandestine negotiations ensue. Bill gets changed and passes.

A haven for vets: Director optimistic about July opening: Inside the front door of the yet-to-open Veterans Home in Boulder City a haze of construction dust hangs as workers hustle to complete a job that's a year behind schedule.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Peeps only an exercise in puffery: Happy Easter.

Columnist Kate Maddox: TV types go channel surfing: Kate Maddox; This week's shake-up at KTNV Channel 13 might have a trickle-down effect on another local station. On Monday 13's General Sales Manager John Dalrymple flew the coop for KVVU Channel 5, and most of his co-workers decided to join him.

Editorial: Nevadans protected from pool sharks: One loophole the bill would eliminate is the ability of pool contractors who finance their own projects to foreclose on homeowners who refuse to repay the loans because of shoddy construction. The bill regrettably will not help Nevadans recoup millions of dollars that they have already lost in crooked deals. Because the state did not adequately address this issue in 1997 after receiving hundreds of consumer complaints, victims of the now-defunct Cascade Pools of Las Vegas have had to take their battle to court.

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Forget about TV: Meet the real survivors: Sandra Thompson; When Letha was a teenager running the streets, neighbors thought she'd end up getting pregnant and raising a bunch of kids.

Letter: Casinos feeling energy crunch?: If this is a concern, many of us are wondering why the business places, especially casinos and restaurants, have their air conditioning units set so low. It becomes necessary to take sweaters or jackets along to wear indoors.

Columnist Jeff German: Key witness in lawsuit against AG reported ill: ALL EYES are watching the health of Frank Romano.

Letter: Residents must resolve to fight dump: This project may have been plausible when Las Vegas was a sparsely populated area. Now, with all this growth and further scientific evidence of underground water throughout Yucca and the entire surrounding region, it has become a threat to millions of residents and homeowners.

Where I stand--Mike O'Callaghan: Tough being a Navajo: SHORTLY AFTER this column praised then-President Bill Clinton's release from prison of former Navajo leader Peter MacDonald, a letter appeared in the Navajo Times. New Mexico state Rep. Ray E. Begaye wrote in part:

Columnist Susan Snyder: Politicians using smoke and mirrors: I am a dolt.

Thursday's prep results: BASEBALL

Letter: Thomas a class act: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Many other athletes of his stature run off the field before you can reach them. UNLV can thank Mr. and Mrs. Thomas for giving our kids a great role model.

Letter: View showed the usual case of homophobia: The reader's letter reflects the typical gut-first, brain-last homophobic response of someone with no desire to make reasoned judgment, no knowledge of facts and no willingness to listen to them. The writer's rationale for support of such discrimination is that because homosexuals are, in their private sexual lives, different, (note the reader's use of the more ominous "deviant") they are automatically unfit in every way. And of course they are all pedophiles and dangerous around younger people (statistically, an extremely high percentage of sexually motivated crimes nationwide are committed by heterosexuals).

CART mulls move to Nevada for tax benefits: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The CEO of Championship Auto Racing Teams told state lawmakers Thursday he would consider moving CART's racing operations and teams to Nevada in exchange for tax benefits.

Editorial: Audit of road funds is needed: The time is right for the state to audit the transportation department. That is why we support Senate Bill 415, which would order the department to transfer $10,000 to the Audit Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau. We need to take a fresh look at the planning process used to determine the criteria for building highways and the timetables for completion. That is because some transportation priorities do not make sense.

Judge to rule on whether woman to face trial: Kim Smith; Justice of the Peace William Jansen will decide next week if prosecutors have enough evidence to try a Las Vegas woman for murder in the death of her mother, who was found sealed in a trash can.

A New Yorker-turned-Nevadan ponders Broadway in Vegas: Steve Bornfeld; "Do you, Broadway, take Las Vegas to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to love, honor, cherish and promise to snuggle up alongside pirates, fountains, volcanoes and Siegfried & Roy for as long as you both shall live?

Fallon plays national role in cancer studies: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said this morning that the leukemia-stricken community of Fallon is playing a leading role in changing the way the nation detects and deals with chronic diseases.

Medical pot bill clears committee: CARSON CITY -- A bill establishing the guidelines for persons with chronic or debilitating illnesses to grow and use marijuana has cleared the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Tribute set at Sahara for Shauntee: Clint Holmes, who performed in lounges for years before changing career directions to become a headliner, leads a cast of singers who will appear in the Golden Room at the Sahara to honor Kenny Shauntee with a memorial fund-raiser.

Riviera shareholders to vote on political disclosure: When shareholders of Riviera Holdings Corp. gather for their annual meeting next month, they'll consider a proposal that would require the company to disclose its contributions to candidates for public office.

'Viva Las Vegas' show celebrates 10th anniversary: A decade ago when Dick Feeney decided to produce "Viva Las Vegas," an afternoon variety show then at the Sands, it was expected to be a bust.

Columnist Dean Juipe: More to lose than to gain for Jordan: Dean Juipe; Coincidental or not, a mere one day after Tiger Woods won the Masters and had people talking about the very real possibility he is the greatest athlete in the history of sports, Michael Jordan's boss speculated that the world had not yet seen the last of the Human Highlight Film on a basketball court.

Letter: Cartoon hits nail right on the head: Also in Sunday's paper Tom Greco of the Nevada Department of Transportation acknowledges a ramp that at least three semis have sailed over and then suggests the problem is signs. Granted, truck drivers are not as proficient or courteous as in the past, but three over the edge in less than a year illuminates big problems. A large part of the problem is the people at NDOT and their lack of responsiveness. Maybe Gov. Kenny Guinn can stop practicing the stern look and put on a real face and face everyday problems.

Defects alleged at Summerlin condos: Desert Butte Drive Homeowners Association and Hemet Drive Homeowners Association each alleged numerous defects in their developments, each consisting of 39 unites.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Keeping history alive: THE FLOW OF PEOPLE coming to live and work in Clark County has increased our wealth a hundredfold. I'm not thinking about money but something much more valuable -- new ideas. We who have lived here for several decades should not only welcome newcomers but also take time to listen and soak up the ideas they bring with them.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Brad news is really the pits: Kate Maddox; And here I was all set to write a My Day With Brad entry. Unfortunately my access to the hunky Mr. Pitt was denied.

Clinton wary of Yucca safety: FALLON -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said she is concerned about health and safety standards for a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, but added that she does not oppose the project 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Sentencing set for May: Darwin Ellison will be sentenced to between 5 1/2 and 20 years in prison on May 24 in the death of Rosa Delegado.

Slump continues for Las Vegas gaming supplier: Paul-Son, which operates a manufacturing plant in San Luis, Mexico, reported a loss of $251,000, 7 cents a share, compared with earnings of $118,000, 3 cents a share, in the same quarter a year earlier.

UNLV: Legal fees well-spent money: Steve Addy; Compared to the potential long-term cost, UNLV president Dr. Carol Harter said $218,000 is a small price to escape the so-called "death penalty" for the men's basketball program.

Volleyball: UNLV signs Arizona high school player: Lewis also ran track at Eloy Santa Cruz High School in 2000 where she had a best time of 12.14 in the 100 meter dash. She joins Nikki King as part of the 2001 signing class. King is a 5-9 setter from Desert Vista High School in Phoenix.

Group protests cartoon: LOS ANGELES -- A Jewish human rights group on Thursday denounced a forthcoming "B.C." cartoon as anti-Semitic and called upon the 1,300 newspapers that run the strip, including the Las Vegas Sun, to either withhold its publication or editorialize against it.

Joe Delaney remembers 1990: Santana at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts: Joe Delaney remembers 1990: Santana at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts

Columnist Joe Delaney: Christmas greetings in April from Duke: Joe Delaney; Duke Ellington and I exchanged Christmas greetings each year. Mine were sent in mid-December. Duke sent his when the spirit moved him.

Business briefs for April 13, 2001: RENO -- Sierra Pacific Resources and TC PipeLines LP plan to spend $60 million to almost double the capacity of a natural-gas pipeline to meet surging demand for the cleaner-burning fuel for electricity generation in Northern Nevada.

Metro's rank-and-file to decide which union will represent them: Keith Paul; A Nevada labor-relations board Thursday ordered an election to decide which union would have the right to represent Metro Police's rank-and-file officers.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Rule changes look like trouble: Sal DeFilippo; Several years ago, the NFL made a move to increase excitement in the game by adding a two-point conversion option after touchdowns.

News of the Day: 1990: Story: President F.W. de Klerk announced Saturday that Nelson Mandela would be released from a prison outside Cape Town on Sunday afternoon, ending 27 1/2 years of imprisonment for South Africa's most celebrated black leader.

Company in line for credit upgrade: Phoenix-based Aztar is the owner and operator of the Tropicana on the Las Vegas Strip.

State hails decision over buildings: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has opened the door for the state to help finance its building program, giving it an alternative to spending millions of dollars in renting private space each year.

Caesars selects Starwood over Hilton for rewards program: Caesars has been linked to Starwood's hotel loyalty program for several months now, Park Place spokeswoman Debbie Munch said. This program awards points toward free hotel stays to frequent Starwood hotel customers, with member properties being compensated by Starwood for the free nights.

World famous farm boy: Victoria Sun; Before Greco-Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner shocked the world and upset Russian Aleksandr Karelin to win the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a friend gave him a little warning.

Defense attorney's downtown law office ransacked: Kim Smith; Defense attorney Thomas Pitaro had hoped to spend most of the last three days preparing Margaret Rudin's defense. But instead of talking to police about her murder trial, he spent most of Thursday discussing with them a break-in at his law office.

Prokopec quickly living up to expectations: Steve Guiremand; He didn't throw a no-hitter.

Guinn mulls delay of April 21 execution: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- With a proposed moratorium on the death penalty moving through the Senate, Gov. Kenny Guinn is seeking legal options to delay a scheduled April 21 execution.

News briefs for April 13, 2001: Two boys remained in critical condition this morning after a fire gutted their home early Thursday.

Letter: State needs unity against dump: In the 1970s and '80s there were many politicians and citizens who were pro-nuclear. Given the small population then in Nevada, it is understandable.

Gorman opens with 13-5 win: Spencer Patterson; Last week, Bishop Gorman's baseball team learned the hard way that hosting a prep baseball tournament doesn't guarantee success in the event, dropping all four games in its own Desert Classic, three to clubs from Miami, Fla.

Second regional office planned for Las Vegas area: HCA-The Healthcare Co., Nashville, Tenn., has leased 7,600 square feet at the Las Vegas Sun building, 2275 Corporate Circle Drive, said officials with American Nevada Corp. The Las Vegas Sun and American Nevada are owned by the Greenspun family.

Exhibit eyes war injustices against Italian-Americans: Kimberley McGee; Pride and prejudice led to a secret shame for Italian-Americans during the early days of World War II.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Venus Genus - Desormeaux on Hess trainee, draws good outside post for sprint opener, fits this group. Pine Ridge Road - Baze aboard Baffert trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, a factor here. Value Play -- My Apollo

City plans to party to show itself off: Kris Hill; North Las Vegas in June will play host to an event organizers say will not only showcase the city but could draw as many as 20,000 people.

Full board to hear ethics case: CARSON CITY -- A state Ethics Commission panel found sufficient evidence Thursday to proceed with hearings for a former Clark County manager and current administrator who were accused of misusing government property and staff.

Adams-Ayala fight set for Mandalay Bay: Adams, a Las Vegas resident, is 41-3-3. Ayala, of Fort Worth, Texas, is 31-1. No betting lines or ticket prices are up yet at the resort.

Proposed increase in gaming tax is voted down again: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, a frequent critic of the Nevada gaming industry, softened his plan to tax the big casinos Thursday but it still met defeat -- as it has in several years past.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Hornish evokes images of former superstars: Sam Hornish Jr. is exactly what the Indy Racing League has been looking for: A young American driver with an abundance of talent to carry its banner.

Lower DUI level gets one panel's OK: CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a bill toughening the law on drunken driving, but the bill still faces an uncertain future.

Where I Stand -- Hank Greenspun: Nicklaus' partner not in same club: A poor man doesn't have a chance anymore.

Obituaries for April 13, 2001: Barbara Jean "BJ" Bilyeu, 70, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. She was born Sept. 2, 1930, in Pawhuska, Okla. A resident for 16 years, she was a retired banking operations officer, member of the Order of the Eastern Star and past president of Business Professional Women's Association.

Editorial: Money should go back to the state: In order for the state to maintain sound budgetary policies, we believe the University and Community College System of Nevada ought to return $9 million to the general fund. This surplus was generated for students that never entered the system. Sun reporter Jennifer Knight informed us that the miscalculation was based on old enrollment figures. More specifically, there was lower-than-expected turnout for a union apprenticeship program at the Community College of Southern Nevada, as well as a reduction in free classes that were counted toward enrollment. The result was a decline of about 2,000 students.

Catch A Rising Star settles nicely into new Excalibur home: Joe Delaney; Catch A Rising Star is back in town, at the Excalibur on the second level in the Medieval Village. Unlike its competition at the other hotel comedy clubs, which feature three or four acts, this newest entry is offering two co-headliners, one doing approximately 30 minutes and the other 45.

Lake Las Vegas developer proposes relaxation of gaming licensing rule: David Strow; Henry Gluck believes Nevada gaming authorities aren't doing enough to encourage new companies and new investors to put money into the state's gaming industry.

PCL Box: Portland-Las Vegas: E--Riggs, Branson. DP--Portland 1. LOB--Portland 6, Las Vegas 3. 2B--Gil, Prokopec. HR--Witt (1). S--Burroughs, Prokopec. SB--DeHaan. CS--Riggs.

Bond amendment placed on pool contractor bill: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Consumers who have filed 2,000 complaints against pool contractors are still going to be out millions of dollars, but a Senate bill passed out of committee Thursday will offer protection against future problems.