Print edition for August 15, 2001

Dozing cited in bus crash: Keith Paul; The driver of a Greyhound bus didn't wake up until it was too late to keep the bus from crashing through a guard rail on Interstate 15, investigators concluded in a report released Tuesday on the fatal July crash.

Columnist Victoria Sun: May hoping to reprise stellar PGA Championship showing: Victoria Sun; A year ago in the PGA Championship played at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., Las Vegan Bob May went toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods on the final day.

Four teens headed to prison for slaying of homeless man: Kim Smith; Moments before they were sentenced Tuesday, four Las Vegas teens who pleaded guilty to beating a homeless man to death learned something about their victim.

State to rule on legislator's insurance claim: CARSON CITY -- State Sen. Maurice Washington told a state hearing officer Tuesday that playing in a charity basketball game falls within the scope of his employment and that he is entitled to industrial insurance coverage for an injury, as well as more than $10,000 to pay his medical bills.

Dad tells of son's passion for flight: Keith Paul; The parents of a local tour helicopter pilot killed in a crash near the Grand Canyon were flown to the rocky terrain of the accident Tuesday after telling a gathering at a memorial service in Las Vegas of their son's love of flying.

Vote set on variance for huge factory: Jeffrey Libby; At 380,000 square feet, with nearly three dozen 75-foot-high, glossy white silos piercing the sky, a proposed Henderson factory would be the largest manufacturing plant built in the Las Vegas Valley in a decade and eventually employ almost 500 workers.

West hits top level of fire danger: RUCH, Ore. -- The West was declared at the highest level of fire danger today after federal agencies met to assess the battle against wildfires that have shut down roads, forced evacuations and threatened homes as they burn across hundreds of thousands of acres of sagebrush, grass and timber.

Weekly reveals ties to car dealer: Diana Sahagun; By Diana Sahagun

Robinson as A.D. not a lock: Steve Guiremand; John Robinson's bid to become UNLV's new athletic director may not be such a done deal after all.

Firm rejects takeover offer from wireless company: Alltel said the deal would create the largest rural telecommunications company in the nation.

Scramble starts for public defender job: Kim Smith; One day after Clark County officials announced longtime Public Defender Morgan Harris is retiring, courthouse sources have developed a short list of potential successors.

Mack had 12 loans, owed $3.3 million: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack as of December 2000 owed about $3.3 million, which is about $300,000 more than he owed in June of that year, records released Tuesday show.

U.S. workplace fatalities decline: Fatal work injuries last year decreased to 5,915 from 6,053 in 1999. On average, about 16 workers were fatally injured each day during 2000.

Vegas auto operation unaffected: The auto dealer loan group is at 4101 E. Charleston Blvd. It was formerly located at the bank's call center at 1351 Town Center Drive in Summerlin.

Gators fall short in Regional final: Victoria Sun; They were trying to make history but had to settle for respect.

Deals made with two plants for power: Jeffrey Libby; Boulder City has secured deals with two power plants Tuesday that are expected to guarantee cheap electricity even during the hottest summer months when demand outstrips supply from Hoover and Glen Canyon dams.

Columnist Dean Juipe: It's down to the wire for Senior Classic: Dean Juipe; The Las Vegas Senior Classic needs a sponsor and the only sure thing is that no one has stepped forward yet.

Three deaths lead to Las Vegas lawsuits: The families of two Las Vegas men who were killed in September at a Henderson construction site sued a developer and contractor.

Work card reform facing challenges: Diana Sahagun; A proposal to eliminate work cards for nine occupations will likely be challenged by those who say the reforms don't go far enough.

National group sues former Las Vegas unit: The Washington, D.C.-based organization, which said it provides services to hospitality sales and marketing professionals and has 5,000 members in 66 chapters worldwide, sued Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association, Southern Nevada Chapter, in U.S. District Court.

Retired police officer named to City Council: Retired Denver Police Sgt. Donna Fairchild was elected by the Mesquite City Council Tuesday night to replace City Councilman Chuck Hackleman, who died last month.

LVCVA rejects funding request for Boulder City train: In a 9-2 vote, the board rejected the request from Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro, a former member of the board, and representatives of the State of Nevada's Division of Museums and History.

Conference, meeting planners turn to Internet to boost business: Kevin Ferguson; Conference organizers that don't provide online registration and don't use e-mail to build relationships with potential attendees are missing major elements of "Marketing 101," a meeting planning expert says.

Trial begins in fertility lawsuit: Kim Smith; A retired Las Vegas doctor accused of using his own sperm to artificially inseminate a woman twice in the 1970s is on trial in District Court.

Source of carbon in Lake Mead subject of study: The Southern Nevada Water Authority will consider a proposal for a $50,000 study of "dissolved organic carbon" in Lake Mead, the source of most drinking water for the region.

Mail delivery stays on track in LV: Las Vegas, a major Western mail hub, is maintaining on-time delivery of first-class mail in the wake of a nationwide realignment of out-of-town mail delivery standards established this year, a U.S. Postal Service official says.

Convention centers spots booked for years ahead: Visitation up Visitor volume continues to climb for Las Vegas with 3.09 million people coming to the city in June, according to LVCVA statistics released Tuesday.

Titus would join Goodman on ticket in run for governor: Nevada Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus has been rumored to be interested in many posts, including Clark County commissioner, governor, and the new 3rd Congressional District seat -- now add lieutenant governor to that list.

LV law firm sues bank over embezzlement: Jones Vargas sued the bank in Clark County District Court, alleging it failed to follow its own policies and procedures when it accepted on April 6, 1999, a bogus checking account agreement from its then legal administrator, Stevan Millet, and allegedly improperly transferred $424,785 out of one of the firm's accounts with First Security.

News briefs for August 15, 2001: Secretary of State Dean Heller Tuesday named Pamela Ashworth as deputy secretary of state in the Las Vegas office.

LV firm sues defecting salesmen: Nevada Corporate Headquarters, which said it offers in-state corporate resident agent services nationwide, sued Michael Wheeler, who was hired on Jan. 22 and left Feb. 14; Wayne Wrath, who was hired March 6 and left April 17; and Dale Campbell, who was hired Jan. 21 and left April 27.

Arizona governor barred from approving gambling compacts: U.S. District Judge Robert C. Broomfield also set a June 1 deadline for the state to notify tribes with compacts that the agreements permitting gambling on their reservations won't be renewed.

Community briefs for August 15, 2001: The Nevada State Psychological Association is holding a forum, "Warning Signs for Parents and Teens," on prevention of violence among youngsters 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive, Henderson.

Letter: Gall voted down by bad politics: In your editorial there was nary a word that Gall was first nominated to the commission by former President Clinton and she was unanimously approved by the Senate. She was renominated for a second term by Clinton, again approved by the Senate and served the commission well. If she was such a poor performer, why did Clinton renominate her?

Subsidiary gets contract: The value of the contract with Sportsystems Corp. was not disclosed. United Tote will supply equipment to Apache Greyhound Park and Phoenix Greyhound Park, both in Arizona; Southland Greyhound Park in Arkansas; Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Melbourne Greyhound Park, both in Florida; Finger Lakes Racetrack in New York; and Wheeling Downs Racetrack and Gaming Center in West Virginia. The contract goes into effect Jan. 1, 2002.

Editorial: Most recent revelations don't help: Neither the loans nor their amount necessarily reflect on Mack the councilman, and he contends they have no bearing on his performance in office. But the loans included $60,000 from Joseph Scala, a car dealer. In June Mack voted against a car dealership that would have competed against a Scala dealership, beginning a periodic gurgle of information about Mack's financial situation.

Maximum velocity: New Colorado River tour offers another vantage of Lake Mead: Kimberley McGee; But the owners of Lake Mead Cruises want you to look deeper.

Letter: Doctors right to take stand against marijuana: All doctors take the Hippocratic Oath which states, "First, do no harm," and so it is astounding that any physician would go along with the medical marijuana scam, or acquiesce to being forced to recommending it to patients when it is illegal under federal law as well.

Editorial: Measured response in face of terrorism: After the last two bombings, the Israeli government took over the Palestinian Authority's offices at the Orient House in East Jerusalem and demolished a police station in Jenin, a Palestinian-controlled town. The counter-moves authorized by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in no way resemble the kind of unconscionable actions taken by the militant Palestinians. But don't tell that to Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority. "The Palestinian people are committed to continuing the uprising, and Israel must be punished," said Jalal Jalad, a leader of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement. The Palestinian Authority couldn't care less about cracking down on terrorism in its ...

Nevada students score well on ACT: Terry Webster; Nevada's college-bound students scored on par with those in the rest of the country on last year's ACT assessment, a college placement and admissions exam, results released today show.

Casino flights link Arizona town, Nevada: The flights actually will end at an airport shared by Laughlin and by Bullhead City on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. One flight each way is planned on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, probably in the afternoon and evening.

Vegas firm in patent dispute: Minelab USA Inc., which said its detectors are typically marketed to law enforcement agencies and security companies, sued Garrett Electronics Inc. in U.S. District Court.

Aladdin reports another loss: David Strow; The Aladdin reported yet another large quarterly loss Tuesday, though not as large as the one posted in the first quarter of this year.

Bair claws his way back into football: Steve Guiremand; It was not long ago that Brandon Bair was digging ditches while trying to make a living.

Insurance firms seek Nevada rate hike: United Services Automobile Association, which writes coverage for 31,854 vehicles in the state, is proposing a 13.6 percent increase to collect an additional $3 million a year.

Plea deal made in Harrah's killing: Rebecca Malone; A man accused of killing a tourist at Harrah's in September has avoided a possible death sentence by agreeing to a deal with prosecutors Tuesday.

Letter: Fellow Arabs use Palestinians: I remember reading how they went for years into the arms of their loving Arab brothers, but they were treated like second-class citizens and eventually ejected from Saudi Arabia and Jordan, for example. They came to Israel's environment, the people who made the desert bloom, and were treated well by the Israelis. They were given jobs, taken care of in their great hospitals and many Israeli-Arab friendships were formed.

PCL box: Las Vegas-Tucson: E -- Hiatt, Pena, Wilson. DP -- Las Vegas 1, LOB -- Las Vegas 7, Tucson 10. 2B -- Bruske, Colbrunn, Wilson 2. 3B -- Mota. HR-- Hiatt (40), Gibson (1). SB --Branson, Christenson. CS -- Donnels.

Obituaries for August 15, 2001: John Michael Armstrong, 57, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born March 14, 1944, in Bedford, Ind. A resident for 13 years, he was a retired banker and a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran who received a Purple Heart.

Tragedy strikes again: Woman whose son died in I-15 disaster loses another child: Kim Smith; When Vicki Gould took the stand during Jessica Williams' sentencing in March, she promised her children that she would overcome the darkness that had been threatening to overwhelm her since the death of her youngest son, Scottie, 14.

Bowling's Anthony dies at 63: Steve Addy; For two decades, Earl Anthony competed in PBA tournaments at the Showboat Bowling Center in Las Vegas (now the Castaways). Here are Anthony's best finishes at the Showboat:

Rebels' Banks playing in tourney of Americas: Banks, a Las Vegan who became a Juco All-American at Dixie College in St. George, Utah, will join the Rebels this season as their No. 1 backcourt recruit.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Brack reportedly to leave Rahal for Target/ Ganassi: According to published reports, CART points leader Kenny Brack will leave Team Rahal at the end of the season to drive for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing.

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

Bulk chain stores striving for individuality: Max Jacobson; Sam's Club

Columnist Peter Benton: Wadkins makes most of new opportunity: Peter Benton; With his victory in the recent Long Island Classic, Bobby Wadkins, at 50 years and 10 days, became the youngest player to win a Senior PGA Tour event.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Flatley, 'Lord' cast to mentor young dancers: Elizabeth Foyt; Jetting in from London for a planning session and cast gathering, Michael Flatley was much in evidence at New York-New York during his recent Las Vegas visit. The dynamic dancer who created, directs and produces his namesake "Lord of the Dance" show, Flatley led planning sessions for the cast as it started preparations for a career day and student workshops with local members of Irish step-dance troupes.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Be careful with kids' backpacks: School days are upon us. Parents with kids in tow (unless they're teens who prefer to make their own choices) are buying clothes, school supplies (wish I'd had pens with gel ink when I was a kid) and such necessaries as lunch bags and backpacks.

Family sues police over traffic stop: Keith Paul; A family is accusing officers from two Las Vegas Valley police departments of stopping them, pointing guns at them and holding them for about 90 minutes solely because they are black, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.

Developer battles for rights to water: CARSON CITY -- Lobbyist Harvey Whittemore, successful in pushing bills through the state Legislature, is now pitted against the federal government and the Las Vegas Valley Water District over the volatile issue of water in Southern Nevada.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Hunting season is drawing near: Paula DelGiudice; With a week of extremely hot temperatures in store for Southern Nevada, it's hard to believe that autumn is just around the corner. Hunters know better, however, and are beginning to count the days until the early hunts begin.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Candita -- McCarron scales McAnally trainee, draws good spot for mile opener, gets the trip? Spring Vacation -- Top jock Solis takes solid conditioner Hollendorfer trainee, draws just inside top pick, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Honey Mustard Girl

Vegas phone company NOS closes two offices: Kevin Ferguson; A Las Vegas-based telecommunications firm -- the center of numerous state and federal investigations over alleged deceptive marketing practices -- has closed two of its three local offices.

Legionnaires' link found: By Emily Richmond; A bacteria culture taken from a former guest of Polo Towers who later developed Legionnaires' disease was identical to samples collected from the property, health officials said today.

Hackers hit Vegas court site: Kevin Ferguson; Computer hackers defaced a busy federal Internet website in Las Vegas this week, frustrating many users trying to access bankruptcy court records.