Print edition for August 16, 2001

Robinson contract terms unveiled: RENO -- UNLV football coach John Robinson would be paid an additional $450,000 over a four-year period if he's approved as the school's new athletic director, according to a proposed contract submitted to Nevada's Board of Regents at today's meeting in Reno.

Valley of Fire hiker rescued after fall: The hiker was hoisted out on a cable lowered from a Metro Police search and rescue helicopter, Officer Jim Mitchell said.

Obituaries for August 16, 2001: Al Agosta, 80, of Las Vegas died Wednesday. He was born Sept. 13, 1920, in Brooklyn, N.Y. A resident for 23 years, he was a retired government contract administrator and a World War II Navy veteran.

Las Vegas City Council briefs: Work card requirements will remain the same for at least another month, the Las Vegas City Council decided Wednesday.

I owe U.: College students overwhelmed by mounting credit card debt: Jennifer Knight; The purchases started out small -- a book here, a blouse there and some meals in between that. Like many college students, UNLV junior Rachel Loueras began building credit card debt before her career.

Groups oppose lobbyist's housing project: CARSON CITY -- Plans to develop a community of up to 50,000 residents in the desert 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas have drawn opposition from three conservation groups that suggest there is a lack of adequate water.

Aladdin, Athena talks hit dead end: David Strow; Plans to build a high-rise luxury hotel and condominium complex next to the Aladdin resort on the Las Vegas Strip have fallen through, Aladdin officials said.

Guinn names new directors for DMV, Public Safety: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named Richard Kirkland to head the newly created state Department of Public Safety and Ginny Lewis to become director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

News briefs for August 16, 2001: Metro Police homicide detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman found shot to death and burned near Moapa.

Moratorium extended on car dealers: Diana Sahagun; Members of the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday extended a moratorium on new car dealerships in the northwest area of the city until November.

Business briefs for August 16, 2001: The former owner of a Las Vegas sports theme park and its parent company have reported increased revenues from its golf and retail operations but continue to lose money on loan payments.

UNLV will pay student programs $500,000: Jennifer Knight; A 15-year-old mistake in the way UNLV administrators funded student government will cost the school $500,000, school administrators said Tuesday.

Slot manufacturer fined by Michigan board: In a settlement between the state and the company, WMS agreed to the fine and to pay a $10,000 investigative fee after admitting that software driving several tuypes of machines was defective. The software -- on machines that included Boom, Reel 'em In and Filthy Rich games -- has since been repaired.

Henderson delays new massage rules: Jeffrey Libby; The Henderson city attorney's office has delayed opposite-sex outcall massage service until questions surrounding the proposed ordinance have been answered.

Nevada leaders pooh-pooh List's lobbying for Yucca: Nevada officials said today that former Gov. Bob List's decision to sign up with the nuclear industry will have little effect on the industry's effort to make Yucca Mountain the nation's high-level nuclear waste dump.

Mack amends campaign form to show gift from car dealer: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack, who is facing ethics complaints alleging conflict of interest, said Wednesday that he accepted trucks from Courtesy Automotive Owner Joseph Scala during his 2001 election campaign.

Museum suggested for historic post office: The building has been declared surplus by the government and fit for public disposal.

Council makes fire chief official: Diana Sahagun; Saying David Washington has the best blend of skills and character, the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday unanimously approved naming the interim fire chief to the position permanently.

Regents drop open Harter discussion: Jennifer Knight; The state Board of Regents will not openly address donors' criticism of UNLV President Carol Harter and has delayed discussion of pay raises for university system administrators, the chancellor said.

Where I Stand -- Robert Loux: Standing up to DOE: IN 1986 the federal government's program to identify sites for the nation's first deep geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste was under attack from all sides. The site-screening process, which was supposed to result in the identification of three acceptable sites for extensive study or characterization, was in shambles because of the way it was mismanaged and politicized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the openly biased way potential sites were eliminated from further consideration.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Fast times, Garlits appearance expected at Indy: The National Hot Rod Association has a national event this weekend in Brainerd, Minn., but the eyes of the drag racing world already are focused on Indianapolis and the upcoming 47th annual U.S. Nationals.

LV Coast Guardsman coordinates rescue of three teens in Florida: Dick Benoit; A 1995 Eldorado High School graduate has been instrumental in the rescue of three Miami teenagers while serving with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Letter: High-level jobs waste tax money: Entities complain even after raises there's not enough people or equipment to handle their maintenance or emergencies. Your taxes are skyrocketing each year, and research will find many unneeded high salaries and plush buildings. It's less expensive to build one school on one parcel to accommodate 12 grades than three separate ones spread out, spending money buying additional property to build them on. These are reasons why there is not enough money to go around.

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

Schrader too busy for much but racing: John Kekis; When Ann and Ken Schrader got married 17 years ago, the honeymoon - if you can call it that - was over in less than a day.

Attorney: Woman knew husband's sperm not used: Kim Smith; The defense attorney for an 88-year-old fertility doctor being sued for fathering two children through artificial insemination in the 1970s told jurors Wednesday the children's mother knew from the start her husband was not their father.

Durango faces tough road to World Series: Spencer Patterson; Western Regional Tournament

Editorial: Schwikert leads crop of new U.S. gymnasts: For now, however, it's remarkable that Schwikert has won a national championship at an age when she's barely old enough to get a driver's license. And it's not just Schwikert's athleticism that resonates with the public, it also is her infectious smile and personality. In an age when athletes too often make news by their churlish off-the-field antics, it is heartening to see Schwikert be such a positive role model.

Letter: Give refund back to treasury: Let me also remind everyone that you can always pay extra income taxes. The government is happy to accept it.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Will new hat fit Robinson?: If I'm reading my tea leaves right and nobody has let Don King near my Ouija board in the past 48 hours, John Robinson should be shopping for a new nameplate for the front of his desk by now.

'What if ?': Steve Addy; Facts and figures on UNLV tight end DeJhown Mandley:

2001 college schedules: AIR FORCE

PCL box: Las Vegas-Tucson: E -- Cintron. DP -- Las Vegas 1, Tucson 3.LOB -- Las Vegas 4, Tucson 10. 2B -- Prieto, Donnels,Christenson, Cintron, Barajas, Gibson. CS -- Prieto. S -- Stankiewicz.

Fight schedule: At Chicago, (ESPN2), Cory Spinks, St. Louis, vs. Larry Marks, New Castle, Del., 12, for vacant USBA welterweight title.

Schmidt cries foul as driver leaves team: Sam Schmidt has been through a lot in his first year as an Indy Racing League team owner, but the Henderson resident wasn't prepared to lose his driver in mid-season to a rival team.

Da Matta trying to escape Andretti legacy: Tim Puet; Cristiano da Matta's biggest problem might be that he isn't Michael Andretti.

Carson City firm to finish work on vets' nursing home: CARSON CITY -- A Carson City firm has tentatively been selected as the contractor to complete work on the $19.3 million state's veterans nursing home in Boulder City, a project that is past deadline and over budget.

Health officials propose Legionnaires' disease rules: By Emily Richmond; Clark County Health District officials are proposing new regulations aimed at preventing another outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: President's decision is principled: Ruthe Deskin; In a no-win situation, President Bush didn't score a perfect 10 but he performed with dignity and courage.

District showcases its efforts to open several new campuses: Terry Webster; Of the 16 new Clark County schools scheduled to open this year or early next year, only two may not open on schedule, School District officials announced Wednesday.

MGM MIRAGE Illinois casino license purchase plan rejected: Both news outlets cited unnamed sources familiar with the situation. The message was delivered during a Tuesday meeting between Illinois gaming officials and lawyers for Emerald Casinos Inc., which has been in negotiations with MGM MIRAGE to sell Emerald's casino license in the northwest Chicago suburb of Rosemont.

Review: Method: An encounter of its own kind: Geoff Carter; Vegas-bred techno outfit the Crystal Method is not of this Earth. Like the unidentified flying objects of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," its stage show is all colored lights and smoke; like the alien intelligence of that film, it communicates through music; and like the aliens in "Close Encounters," the band itself is only glimpsed fleetingly between bursts of strobe lighting -- its shape indeterminate, its purpose unknown.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 4 p.m.

Self-defense claimed in hotel killing: Rebecca Malone; The attorney for a man charged in the May 2000 slaying of a tourist at the Stratosphere told the jury Wednesday that his client was acting in self defense.

Letter: Farms, businesses should recruit welfare recipients: The situation is out of control. "Underprivileged workers" illegally transmigrate the United States, feasting on a plethora of taxpayer-funded social services, free health benefits and complete pediatric care.

Two years after federal report, gambling continues to spread: Laurence Arnold; WASHINGTON -- A national commission's call in 1999 for a pause in the expansion of legalized gambling has done little to stop the spread of casinos, lotteries and slot machines.

And sew on: Technological advances prompt sewing resurgence: Pins and bobbins spilled everywhere. She'd tiptoe through the clipped material, moving to and from the sewing machine, constructing the next outfit either hers or yours.

Cash flow up for Alliance: The company reported a loss of $1.2 million, or 11 cents per share, compared to net income of $800,000, or 8 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. This was the result of a $6.5 million charge taken from Alliance's termination of the sale of its Nevada slot route, and $3.2 million in non-cash refinancing charges.

Consumer prices fall: The decline reported today was the first drop in consumer prices this year and the best showing on inflation since a 0.4 percent decrease was registered in April 1986.

Town seeks casino, prison for jobs: Many residents fear the Pulp and Paper of America mill will not re-open by the end of the month. It owes the city nearly $3 million in taxes.

Sharpton, Mandela to push civil rights in Las Vegas: Stacy J. Willis; The Rev. Al Sharpton and Winnie Mandela are scheduled to jump-start Las Vegas' civil rights activism at a rally next month.

Columnist Joe Delaney: New shows breathing life into New Frontier: Joe Delaney; "Thunder From Down Under" is energizing the makeshift New Frontier showroom ... All signs point to a long-term winner ... Four other shows are benefitting by the Australian troupe's successful start ... David Darkstone and his "Illusions & Beyond," with special guest variety entertainer Will Roya, performs at noon and 2 p.m., dark Mondays.

Breeders' Cup, Kentucky Derby odds: BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tua hoping to capture elusive Byrd: Dean Juipe; It's a fight with classic connotations.

UNLV 2001-02 basketball schedule: x-Arby's Classic; second game, Auburn vs. Virginia, 4:35 p.m. y-Las Vegas Showdown; first game, BYU vs. Stanford, 6:30 p.m.

Three-year agreement reached with convention contractors: Ed Burke, international trustee for the union, said the three-year agreement, which covers about 1,800 Las Vegas employees working with Freeman Decorating Co. and GES Exposition Services, was approved in a 721-356 vote.

Berkley proposes funds for energy research: After scolding the Bush administration's response to energy shortages, Rep. Shelley Berkley on Wednesday proposed a $750 million fund to back loans for research and development of renewable, environmentally friendly energy sources.

Corn silo approved for tortilla-making business: Mathis Winkler; A store that caters to the Hispanic community got the green light Wednesday to build a 20-foot grain silo to store corn for tortilla-making.

Sophomore Claridge is wily beyond his years: Steve Guiremand; Ryan Claridge is making a name for himself these days.

Force conquers biggest fear - off the track: Anne M. Peterson; John Force has conquered his most troubling fear, and it had nothing to do with speeding down a quarter-mile drag strip at more than 300 mph.

LV gambling company sues West Virginia slot operator: Showboat, which said it agreed in 1995 to develop a casino at the Charles Town Race Track and Shenandoah Downs with Bryant Development Co., sued the company and its three directors, Edward Parker, William Bryant and James Arthur Reeder; and Penn National Gaming Inc. in Clark County District Court.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Jeweled Slew -- Smith scales Dutton trainee, draws good post for short baby race, connections are right for these conditions. Moneymakinmamma -- Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, draws the outside box, must be prompt from the blocks here. Value Play -- Toby's Baby

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

Community briefs for August 16, 2001: The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is offering a beginners' stained glass workshop 5-7:30 p.m. Monday at the Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road.

Free cancer screenings are offered: By Emily Richmond; The Women's Health Connection of Las Vegas, with extra funds from a federal grant, is offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings to low-income women without health insurance.

Editorial: Time for a smoke-free workplace: The study published Friday in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine noted that just 48.7 percent of Nevada's workplaces have smoke-free policies. It's pathetic that two states that are huge producers of tobacco -- Kentucky and North Carolina -- actually have better smoke-free rates for their businesses (55.9 percent and 61 percent respectively) than does Nevada. And it's not just the casinos where second-hand smoke can be found. Any place that you find gambling in this state, second-hand smoke pollutes the air. After all, slot machines -- and smoking -- can even be found in convenience stores, supermarkets and ...