Print edition for August 29, 2001

A fashion emergency: Slashed budgets have menswear industry in turmoil: Anne D'Innocenzio; After being on a spending frenzy for the past several years, buying up casual clothes for the relaxed business dress code, male shoppers like Robert Volmer and Steve Rosa are pulling back -- way back.

Paper giants in $3 bil. merger: Shares of both companies rose more than 6 percent in early trading after today's announcement.

Columnist Peter Benton: Ryder Cup has a rich history: Peter Benton; The 2001 Ryder Cup matches are scheduled to be played Sept. 28-30 at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England. Curtis Strange will captain the U.S. team and Sam Torrance the European squad.

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

Power rate hikes on horizon: David Strow; The West's electricity markets may have stabilized, but the same can't be said for the bills of Nevada Power Co. customers.

Visitation tonight for Ghanem: Ghanem, chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission and a prominent local physician who was an innovator in the preferred provider organization-style of health care in Las Vegas, died Monday at his home following a three-year battle with cancer. He was 62.

Students can give tips on firearms: Jace Radke; Three law enforcement agencies are combining their efforts to offer students in Clark County a way to report guns in their schools without fear of reprisal.

Man says he doesn't recall assault: Kim Smith; Steven Dale Bingham is going on trial next week for a crime he says he doesn't remember committing.

Editorial: Officials shouldn't shirk responsibilities: When Gov. Kenny Guinn signed the bill into law in May it seemed as if the matter finally had been settled, but Las Vegas City Attorney Brad Jerbic, on behalf of the Nevada League of Cities, is now asking a District Court judge to determine if all the sections of the new law are valid, arguing that some language in the law was omitted from the statutes dealing with ethics. But a research analyst for the Legislature notes that the new law supercedes all the old provisions, which would mean that the new legislation would apply in all instances, including ...

Columnist Jeff Haney: Bettors have their pick of football contests: Bettors who like their football contests with a small entry fee and a six-figure top prize -- but who also prefer to pick games against the spread -- have an intriguing new option this season.

Editorial: Subpoenas strike at a free press: According to one of the nation's top First Amendment lawyers, Floyd Abrams, it is rare for federal prosecutors to subpoena a journalist's telephone records. "I cannot say that every time the government seeks to obtain telephone records of journalists it necessarily violates the First Amendment, but there's no doubt that the decision of the government to go as far as to obtain these telephone records raises constitutional questions of a high order of delicacy," Abrams said.

Letter: Raid on funds continues in D.C.: RALPH L. MCNEAL SR.

Letter: Condit could be poster boy for adulterers: I suggest he now run to be the poster boy for adultery. That way he could continue to serve by being a constant reminder to all adulterers, especially those in high places, that their lover could be the next one to disappear without a trace.

PCL box: Las Vegas-Tacoma: E--Christensen, Donnels, K. Johnson, Akers. DP--Las Vegas 2. LOB--Las Vegas 11, Tacoma 7. 2B--Christensen, Post, Pena, K. Johnson, B. Johnson, Thomas. SB--Christensen, Stankiewicz, Kingsdale. S--Post, Barthol. SF--Donnels, Thomas.

Columnist Jon Ralston: State teachers' union trying to boost its image: IF YOU DON'T count Gov. Kenny Guinn's "Don't blame me for the energy crisis, I'm a conservationist" TV ads, they might well be the first campaign commercials of the new cycle.

Letter: Arctic drilling: Huge price to pay: Just because millions of Americans are not going to trample over the Arctic, he claims it has no value. I think the polar bears, wolves, musk oxen, caribou, and 180 species of birds that live or migrate there would argue that this region is not a "... barren corner of Alaska ... ." They can't just pick up and move as easily as you or I can when their habitat is adversely affected.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- My Name Is Sue -- McCarron scales Ellis trainee, draws good box for mile opener, Sue graduation here. Bright Idea -- Flores aboard Lukas trainee for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis, draws good inner post, respect connections. Value Play -- Stanford Honor

Pregnant teenagers' smoking declines in Nevada: By Emily Richmond; The number of mothers in Nevada who smoked during pregancy dropped by more than 40 percent in the 1990s, according to a study released released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prep football schedules: Sunset Region: Northwest Division: All games at 7 p.m.

Power storage project proposed: Officials of a nonprofit corporation based in Boulder City plan to introduce a method of storing electricity that they say reduces pollution and costs.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Durango star Andrews earns golf scholarship to Oregon: Victoria Sun; For Erin Andrews, the summer before she entered her senior year at Durango High School was supposed to be full of junior golf victories and pleasant outings on the golf course.

Let the fun begin: Steve Guiremand; His billboard is up around town. The "Heisman Hopeful" posters are out. So are the highlight CDs for college football writers. And five pages in the current ESPN The Magazine are devoted to him.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Verbal jousts nothing new in pro tennis: Dean Juipe; The tennis brats are at it again. It's hot and humid in New York City and the cute and rich debutantes who comprise the women's side of the U.S. Open are getting a little snippy.

Weekly sued over denial of beer license for store: Angela Soo; Two convenience store owners have sued the city of Las Vegas and Councilman Lawrence Weekly in federal court after they were denied the transfer of a license to sell beer and wine.

Former Rebel Barto wins NCAA award: As the state winner, Barto is one of 51 honorees and becomes eligible for the organization's Woman of the Year award. The NCAA selection committee will narrow the field to 10 finalists on Sept. 7 and announce the winner Oct. 21.

News briefs for August 29, 2001: An off-duty Metro Police officer driving home found a man lying in the street early this morning on Bonanza Road near Linn Lane.

AT&T systems eyed: Cox, currently the nation's fifth-largest cable company, may be too small to buy AT&T Broadband outright since the price would be in the $50 billion-plus range. More likely would be a stock swap that would give AT&T shareholders a majority stake in Atlanta-based Cox.

Vols natural choice for Watson: Spencer Patterson; C.J. Watson has verbally committed to play for the University of Tennessee next season. He's just not 100 percent certain.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Now is time for fishing excursions: Paula DelGiudice; As the last throes of summer and its unbearable heat descends upon us for the last time this year (we hope), the last three-day weekend of the season also looms. This is the perfect time to try an out-of-town fishing experience.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Rahal quits Jaguar Racing after clashing with Lauda: Formula One racing returns to the United States next month with the second running of the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but Bobby Rahal won't be there -- at least not in an official capacity.

Economy grew slower: The Commerce Department's latest reading of gross domestic product in the April-June quarter represented a big downward revision to the estimate one month ago of a 0.7 percent growth rate.

National gets another credit extension: National Airlines and its creditors have negotiated another extension of credit that will enable the bankrupt Las Vegas air carrier to continue operating through October.

Coaster proposal concerns lawmakers: Jace Radke; Two state legislators have expressed serious reservations about a roller coaster proposed by the Stratosphere that would start on the hotel's tower and cross Las Vegas Boulevard.

Palo Verde may unseat Spartans in Northwest: * THIS SEASON: With a core group of veterans returning, the Panthers are expected to break Cimarron's two-year stranglehold on the division championship this season. Palo Verde features an experienced three-year starter in quarterback Dayton Ponder, the area's top fullback in Ryan Worthen and an explosive tailback in Gerard Lawson, as well as a solid line and receiving corps to complement them on offense. Also, look for the Panthers to be among the top defensive units in town this season, as they were in 2000 when they came within an overtime of an appearance in the Sunset title game. With ...

Council votes to contribute to homeless-shelter funding: Jeffrey Libby; Boulder City officials will pay $5,629 toward reopening a temporary, air-conditioned shelter for the homeless in Las Vegas until a permanent shelter can be built nearby.

Marshall aims to continue winning ways at Cimarron: Spencer Patterson; Kellen Marshall hasn't experienced many bumps in the road during his three-year varsity football career.

Vegas losing 7 flights: America West drops direct flights from four cities: America West said earlier it initially planned to keep caps at $50 for round trips and $25 for one-way tickets.

Default occurs, but talks continue: "The (new credit agreement) did not go into effect (Tuesday), but conversations and negotiations continue," Fred Lewis, spokesman for the Aladdin, said this morning. Parties involved in these talks include the Aladdin, its bankers, and equity owners the Sommer Trust and London Clubs International, Lewis said.

New trial sought in rape after buddy confesses: Kim Smith; A lawyer for a Marine convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting a Las Vegas woman two years ago says another Marine has confessed to the crime.

Lobbyist defends proposal: CARSON CITY -- Lobbyist-businessman Harvey Whittemore says his development in the Coyote Springs Valley 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas won't damage the environment or the water rights of others.

Board rejects proposal for Spring Valley high school: A proposed high school at Buffalo Drive and Twain Avenue received a thumbs-down from the Spring Valley Town Advisory Board and about three dozen residents on Tuesday.

Residents feel squeeze of planned development: Andre Murat has a comfortable, landscaped home, a couple of neighbors, a couple of dogs. He is surrounded, mostly, by empty desert.

Space at furniture center in huge demand: Diana Sahagun; The demand for furniture showroom space at the yet-to-be built downtown World Market Center is so heavy that the developers are considering adding 300,000 more square feet to the first construction phase.

Regents weigh Harter status in closed session: Jennifer Knight; The voices of a few outspoken wealthy donors could not persuade the Board of Regents to remove Carol Harter as UNLV president, but one high-powered donor who wrote a letter seeking Harter's removal says the problem has not been resolved.

American dream gets helping hand: Mathis Winkler; North Las Vegas residents Rochelle and Agustin Valadez are fixing up their home, and have a ways to go.

Internet gambling ban shelved, questions raised by tribe: The Senate Governmental Organization Committee took the action after questions were raised about its scope, enforcement and whether Indian gaming should be excluded from the ban.

LV gaming supplier in merger talks again: The companies had signed a letter of intent in February that would have given B&G shareholders majority control of the merged company. But a definitive agreement could not be reached by April 30, and Paul-Son demanded a $1 million termination fee from B&G. B&G responded by making "unspecified claims" against Paul-Son, Paul-Son said. The two sides then entered into arbitration.

MGM MIRAGE spending big on stock buyback: The share repurchase program was authorized by the company's board of directors, and has no expiration date. The amount authorized represents about 6 percent of MGM MIRAGE's outstanding stock.

Hotel won't host DOE: HEARINGS:

Residents hope new lines keep area rural: Adrienne Packer and Launce Rake; Homeowners determined to quash a proposal to allow businesses in their neighborhood -- one that would benefit Clark County's district attorney -- are relying on newly drawn commission lines to help their cause.

Backlash feared over racial-profiling law: Keith Paul; Keeping track The state attorney general's office has suggested a form for police agencies in Clark and Washoe counties to track stops to look for trends of racial profiling. That form will include:

Grants available for mitigation projects: Deadline for receipt of applications is Saturday. Project proposals must fit within at least one of three categories: hazardous fuels reduction, such as fuel breaks, thinning, pruning, landscape modifications, etc.; information and education programs targeting mitigation and prevention such as coordinating, developing and distribution of educational materials; or, homeowner and community action programs, such as safety inspections, demonstration projects, training and education of homeowners, officials and service personnel.

Obituaries for August 29, 2001: James A. Andrus, 65, of North Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born June 21, 1936, in Gooding, Idaho. A resident for 18 years, he was a retired truck driver and a Korean War Air Force veteran.

Court briefs for August 29, 2001: A 25-year-old man arrested two weeks ago in connection with a road-rage incident that took the life of a bicyclist in February 2000 pleaded guilty to reduced charges Tuesday.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Stars turn out for magical Shriners' benefit: Elizabeth Foyt; Proceeds amounting to $26,000 were garnered during the recent "Lance Burton and Friends" benefit show for the Shriners. Hosted at the Monte Carlo inside the Lance Burton Theatre, this special performance assisted the Shriners of Zelzah Shrine Center with their work of helping Las Vegas-area children who suffer from burn injuries and orthopedic problems.

Driver pleads guilty in DUI double fatal: Kim Smith; Family members of a Sandy Valley couple killed in a drunken driving accident in February experienced mixed emotions Tuesday after the driver pleaded guilty.

Artisan bread makers rising to the challenge: Max Jacobson; Just where the trend started is unclear, but we can assume that increasing sophistication of wine and cheese (another national trend), has added to the artisan bread mystique and increased the demand for these breads. Nancy Silverton's Los Angeles La Brea Bakery, which just sold for a whopping $55 million, started making these breads in 1989 and has been an industry leader of the movement ever since.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Expansion is always in Fashion: How close is the Fashion Show mall expansion to completion? Close enough that I couldn't wait to meet with Rita Kitts Brandin, vice president and development director for the Rouse Company (which owns the center), and Karen L. Kozemchak, manager of sales and marketing.

Community briefs for August 29, 2001: Family Home Hospice is offering volunteer training in September on the following days and times: 1-5 p.m. on Sept. 3, 4, 10 and 11 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 8.