Print edition for August 8, 2001

Family affair: Steve Guiremand; A look at UNLV freshman QB Scott Turner:

County OKs review panel plan: Adrienne Packer; A committee assigned to conduct an organizational review of Clark County was approved Tuesday, but the plan -- and the list of names on the influential committee -- isn't without its skeptics.

Software giant takes antitrust case to Supreme Court: At the same time, Microsoft's lawyers asked the appeals court here to temporarily suspend all other legal proceedings connected with the government's antitrust case until the Supreme Court, which is in recess until October, decides whether to hear the case.

Japanese giant Konami buys LV casino supplier: David Strow; Emerging slot machine maker Konami Gaming Inc. said Tuesday it has acquired Paradigm Gaming Systems, a Las Vegas maker of casino database systems, for $12 million.

Daughter's tips led to father's arrest: Keith Paul; In a cryptic message before he was arrested on a charge of murdering a daughter, a 73-year-old man asked for forgiveness for "what I done," according to police records.

Evidence leads to arrest of Murphy, Tabish: By Jeff German

Vegas builder sold back to founder: Grace Leong and David Strow; Las Vegas luxury home builder Christopher Homes, sold some six years ago to McLean, Va.-based Fortress Group Inc., is being sold back to its founder for about $30 million under a deal announced today.

Gaming chairman successor will come from north: CARSON CITY -- The next chairman of the powerful Nevada Gaming Commission will come from Northern Nevada and will be an attorney, the governor said today. Gov. Kenny Guinn said he will likely name a replacement next week for Brian Sandoval of Reno, who resigned Aug. 1.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Tired players now have out from sprints: Before last week, two-a-day practices were the football equivalent of mining coal. For an athlete, there was no bigger grind.

Homeless advocate offers ideas: Adrienne Packer; James McGuinness isn't homeless anymore, but his experience has given him ideas about how the government can help people living on the streets.

City considers approval of opposite-sex massages: Jeffrey Libby; For the first time in the Las Vegas Valley, a traveling businessman in need of a massage from a woman could soon pick up the phone and order room service -- if he's staying at a hotel in Henderson.

PurchasePro reports wider than expected second quarter loss: Kevin Ferguson; Las Vegas-based software firm PurchasePro, under a new executive watch for the first full quarter since its 1996 founding, reported a wider than expected loss than consensus estimates for the second quarter due partly to charges related to restructuring its business.

County briefs for August 8, 2001: Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny unveiled a fiberglass cow named St. Nicowlas on Tuesday to celebrate the introduction of a charity fund-raiser dubbed "CowParade Las Vegas 2002."

Nurse takes plea deal in robbery of her patient: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas certified nurse aid accused of duct-taping one of her patients to a kitchen chair and robbing her of more than $2,000 has taken a deal.

Editorial: Get word out about safe havens: What makes this abandonment even more difficult to comprehend is that the 2001 Legislature passed a new law to avoid such tragedies. Parents can avoid prosecution of child abandonment as long as they leave their newborns in a safe place. Under the new law, whose main sponsors were Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, a parent can leave the child at hospitals or at police and fire stations -- no questions asked. In this latest incident the baby was left in a garbage bin inside an apartment complex just a short distance away from a ...

Brews clues: Home beer brewers get creative with ingredients: Of course it isn't quite that simple, especially if you aspire to be an award-winning home brewer such as Jim Tudor, one of 150 members of the Southern Nevada Ale Fermenters Union (SNAFU).

Council OKs college land deal: Jeffrey Libby; Seventy-three acres of vacant, city-owned land were sold without comment Tuesday to the state university system for the initial campus of the Nevada State College.

Letter: McCain succeeds with blackmail: Wasn't it Arizona that would not be told what to do when it came to declaring a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday?

No retrial planned in Weinstein case: Kim Smith; The Clark County district attorney's office has dismissed charges against a Las Vegas man whose accessory-to-murder conviction in a high-profile case was overturned by the Nevada Supreme Court last year.

Details of man's mutilation told at woman's hearing: Kim Smith; A Panaca woman accused in the mutilation death of a Las Vegas man was expected to be freed on $32,000 bail today and placed on house arrest.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Opportunity Village grateful for supporters: Elizabeth Foyt; Chartered in 1954 Opportunity Village continues to be faithful to the mission of serving people with mental retardation, working to improve their lives and those of their families. Its efforts depend greatly on a host of kind philanthropists, generous business partners and a virtual army of volunteers who make possible the daily operations, as well as take leadership roles in the fund-raisers and special events that keep the community agency afloat.

Indictments returned in prostitution case: Siong Guat Gan and Douglas Vinh Chau were charged in the indictment filed Tuesday with three counts, including conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to transport prostitutes and money laundering.

Letter: Homeless ideas show compassion: MYRNA LEFFERTS

Online music sellers scrutinized: In the latest development, the Justice Department, which overseas antitrust investigations, has been in contact with several of the companies, people close to the companies said Monday.

Editorial: Cloning of humans should be suspended: Alan Colman, research director of the Scottish biotech company that helped clone the sheep Dolly, said animal cloning is improving, but even he worries about its expansion. "Practice makes perfect, but it is unethical to practice on humans," he said. This is a case where science has gotten way ahead of the ethical debate. A halt to human cloning is more than warranted.

Las Vegas always up for a good ribbing: Max Jacobson; You can smell the smoke from ribmaster John Baietti's outdoor grill at his Red Apple Grill restaurant, clear down the block to Spring Mountain Road. Every morning Baietti and his crew are barbecuing in front of his restaurant at 3399 S. Jones Blvd., on a grill stocked with red and white oak, mostly meaty beef and pork ribs for his hungry customers.

Community briefs for August 8, 2001: The Urban Emphasis Scouting Program is seeking volunteers. The program promotes youth development in urban and high-risk areas of the community by providing and supporting Scouting opportunities for disadvantaged youths.

Edison clears lawsuit hurdle: Edison Schools' takeover of seven Clark County schools cleared a legal hurdle this week.

Hastert fund-raiser scores $250,000: Hastert, R-Ill., is friendly with gaming interests because of the prevalence of riverboat gambling in his home state.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's race at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Clever Toss -- Hustling Espinoza atop Mitchell trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post for sprint opener, it wouldn't be Clever to Toss here. Suspicious Girl -- Draws outside box here, Puglisi aboard Aguirre trainee, jockey--trainer team are always dangerous. Value Play -- Broke The Slump

Autopsy may shed light on two deaths: Keith Paul; Henderson Police today were trying to determine if the couple found dead in their home Monday were victims of a homicide or if their deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.

Racetrack boosts earnings of LV casino operator: The Chester, W.Va., gaming company reported net income of $5.1 million, or 20 cents per diluted share, compared to year-ago net income of $4.3 million, or 17 cents per share. Revenues increased 29 percent to $54.3 million, while cash flow rose 26 percent to $10.9 million.

Court briefs for August 8, 2001: A District Court jury has awarded $2 million to a Carson City attorney who sued his rich client for failing to pay him and for misusing the legal system.

News briefs for August 8, 2001: The name of the North Las Vegas Police officer who wounded a man accused of pointing a shotgun at him was identified this morning as Officer Michael S. Allen.

Correction: The Sun regrets the error. The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New store has homey feeling: Why do I prefer Home Depot? Assistant store manager Tony Bocook nailed it when I asked what was the secret to its success: "The biggest reason has always been our customer service. Has been, is today and always will be."

Water OK'd for proposed power plant: In exchange, GenWest will offer 25 percent of electricity generated at its air-cooled plant for Nevada's use. The plant could generate enough electricity to serve 250,000 Las Vegas homes in summer months.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Custom-made program helps golfers improve fitness level: Victoria Sun; The days of the fat and out of shape golfer are thankfully and slowly coming to an end.

Columnist Peter Benton: Slope system is now standard: Peter Benton; It appears that many golfers are still unfamiliar with the slope system which we now use as our handicapping formula.

Letter: Every classroom deserves to have certified teacher: For a variety of reasons, many of which our school district refuses to address, it appears as though many of our children will not see the face of a fully certified teacher when they return to their classrooms in September.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Tennessee gives Nevada glimpse of tax future: "Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be."

Casinos called hypocritical on issue of problem gambling: Katrina Hull; INDIANAPOLIS -- A responsible gambling seminar organized by Indiana's gaming industry drew criticism Tuesday from a longtime gambling opponent, who called the conference hypocritical.

State workers' insurance could be raised 22 percent: CARSON CITY -- The company that sets insurance premiums for the 50,000 members of the state employees health plan is proposing an increase of 22.4 percent.

Obituaries for August 8, 2001: Richard Benenati, 60, of Las Vegas died Thursday in a local hospital. He was born July 11, 1941, in Gary, N.Y. A resident for 12 years, he was a hotel porter and a Vietnam War Navy veteran.

Appeals court overturns gun ruling: CARSON CITY -- A person convicted of a felony who receives an "honorable discharge" after completing probation may carry a properly registered firearm unless specifically prohibited, an appeals court has ruled.

Moody's considers credit downgrade: The decision will affect $1.43 billion in bonds and bank debt. Station currently holds ratings ranging from "B1" to "Ba3." These ratings are defined as "speculative" by Moody's, and are not considered investment grade.

Seniors more vulnerable to problem gambling: Joe Stange; ST. LOUIS -- It's Monday morning at the President Casino in downtown St. Louis, and more than 100 people are passing the time dropping coins into machines or plunking chips onto tables. A majority of them appear to be over the age of 65.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Henderson's Richie Hearn joins Bradley IRL team: Richie Hearn of Henderson has joined the Bradley Motorsports Indy Racing League team, which is considering running a two-car team next season.

Racial equity panel offers suggestions for educational programs: Racial equity panel offers suggestions for educational programs

Donor conflicts are rare, officials say: Jennifer Knight; Philanthropy means power in Nevada's higher education circles. Without it, many buildings would not be built, and university programs would be not be realized.

PCL box: Las Vegas-Salt Lake: LOB -- Las Vegas 8, Salt Lake 7. 2B -- T. Mota (24), Hiatt (27), Pritchett (27). HR -- Amezaga (1).

Columnist Jeff Haney: It's a vintage year at Gambler's Book Shop: By Jeff Haney; Pity anyone who has not yet discovered the Gambler's Book Shop.

Western remains on a roll: Spencer Patterson; At Durango High School

'Equity crisis' seen in county schools: Terry Webster; A lack of equal access to educational programs is at a crisis stage in the Clark County School District, a new study says. Using test scores, dropout rates and placement in special education and advanced courses, the study conducted by the school district found that black, Hispanic and poor students are not faring as well as their peers.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Harter blamed for losses: Jennifer Knight; Some of Nevada's wealthiest philanthropists have withdrawn millions of dollars in planned support from UNLV and will continue to do so if Carol Harter is not removed as president, a prominent estate attorney said Tuesday.

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