Print edition for December 3, 2001

Nevada Power's massive hike to be debated: David Strow; As energy prices continue to slide nationwide, Nevada Power Co. proposed the biggest utility increase in the state's history Friday -- a $921 million rate hike, a move that would raise power bills across Southern Nevada by 21 percent over the next three years.

Laid-off workers are top concern of labor: Grace Leong; Defending the legal rights of immigrants and lobbying Congress to approve a more "worker-sympathetic" benefits package were among several issues pushed by the AFL-CIO Sunday as its conference started in Las Vegas.

Vegas not on list of top union cities: Grace Leong; Las Vegas may have one of the fastest-growing labor movements in the nation, but it wasn't among 14 cities recognized by the AFL-CIO on Sunday as a top "union city" -- defined as cities in which working families have the strongest voices in the workplace, community and government.

VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO: VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO

Two killed in car crash: A car driven by Jennifer Yi, 20, of Las Vegas, was heading west on I-215 about 9:30 p.m. Sunday when the car started to leave the roadway. Yi apparently swerved to the left, causing the car to spin off the roadway and into a pole, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.

Man shot by police is still critical: Keith Paul; The 37-year-old man shot more than 20 times by 14 Metro Police officers Thursday night remained in critical condition this morning.

Prep Schedule: MONDAY

Fugitive sought in kidnapping jailed: Keith Paul; A 20-year-old woman accused of beating her mother on Thanksgiving Day and kidnapping her daughter in California was captured in Las Vegas while talking on a pay phone.

Looking down the road: Planners anticipate jams with downtown developments: Diana Sahagun; Drivers stuck in rush-hour traffic near the Spaghetti Bowl have a bird's-eye view of the future of downtown redevelopment. They will also have a new source of gridlock once several barren parcels of Union Pacific Railroad land are developed.

Community briefs for December 3, 2001: The Salvation Army is requesting volunteer workers for the Angel Tree program at Cashman Center Dec. 19-21. Groups, clubs and individuals are welcome. Call Tonica Lucas at 870-4430, Ext. 18 or 29.

McDonald again pushes for shopping cart retrieval: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald has revived a crusade to capture wayward shopping carts from neighborhoods and vacant properties.

Rebels ready for practice, practice and more practice: Steve Addy; The winter session of Camp Spoonhour starts today, and there's no recreation on the itinerary.

Red Rock area residents oppose cell phone tower: Environmentalists and residents living near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are fighting a proposal to put a cell-phone tower in Calico Basin, a residential area surrounded by federal land.

Retreat focuses on city's needs: Mathis Winkler; They used pencils from the city of Henderson and met at a golf course in Las Vegas, but North Las Vegas was all City Council members had on their minds during a daylong retreat on Saturday.

Correction: Correction

Letter: Medical advances resisited on religious grounds: In the 19th century, inoculation against smallpox was opposed on religious grounds. Ministers joined in a manifesto proclaiming that vaccination against smallpox was "endeavoring to baffle Divine judgment." So, for example, in 1885, when there was an outbreak of smallpox in Montreal, Catholics, believing smallpox to be the result of sin, refused to be vaccinated. They died.

Birth announcements for December 3, 2001: Nov. 21:

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Eclipse race keeps star horses on track: Ralph Siraco; Although the World Thoroughbred Championship Breeders' Cup is widely recognized as horse racing's championship day of competition, it is not the season finale.

Ethics cloud to last through holidays: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack was hoping to be cleared of ethics allegations before the holidays, but it appears he will have to wait until after the New Year to learn his political fate.

Internet surveillance under fire: Jeffrey Libby; Boulder City, a town of two streetlights and nominal crime, is asking its Internet-savvy residents to help police its streets and parks.

Winston & Strawn still in Nevada's cross hairs: Mary Manning and Benjamin Grove; Nevada's congressional delegation may push for criminal charges against the law firm that last week quit work on the Energy Department's Yucca Mountain project.

Letter: Bush calling for too much power: During his Nov. 10 address to the U.N. General Assembly, the president insisted that U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373 impose binding "obligations" on all nations to cooperate in the global war on terrorism. Under that resolution, Bush continued, "Every known terrorist camp must be shut down, its operators apprehended, and evidence of their arrest presented to the United Nations." It is entirely reasonable to believe that the military tribunals created by President Bush will ultimately be brought under the United Nations' control and supervision.

Legislators hope to curb lobbyists at next session: CARSON CITY -- Key lawmakers are talking about reining in lobbyists, some of whom ended up calling the shots in the closing hours of the last Legislature.

New scooter aimed at revolutionizing city life: Capping months of speculation about his mysterious innovation, an inventor unveiled the device Monday -- a gyroscope-stabilized, battery-powered scooter that he hopes will revolutionize short-distance travel.

Builders may lose ability to earn pollution 'credits': The controversial trading of local "credits" that allow developers to create air pollution in exchange for cleaning up dust pollution at other sites may soon be over.

Math proficiency exam to take toll: Terry Webster; More than one-half of all Nevada students will need to retake courses or receive remedial help to pass the High School Proficiency Exam in math.

Obituaries for December 3, 2001: Ruth S. Coon, 81, of Boulder City died Friday in Boulder City. She was born Dec. 17, 1919, in Etna, N.Y.

UNLV's Frohlich nears scoring mark: Steve Guiremand; Linda Frohlich left Oakland on Sunday night with another all-tournament honor, this one from the Oakland Tribune Classic. But the 6-foot-3 senior forward didn't return home to Las Vegas with the UNLV career scoring record.

Enron failure is third largest: Mark Babineck; HOUSTON -- Enron Corp. isn't going down without a fight.

Service discontinued: The $1.25-per-call service enabled customers to call 567-8787 (LOST R US) to get directions to a specific address or to a generic location, such as to the nearest pizza parlor.

Assembly veteran Chowning poses challenge in Hispanic district: Erin Neff; Hispanics courted both parties in Carson City during this spring's contentious redistricting process, asking lawmakers to create legislative districts that would give them the best chance of electing the candidate of their choice.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Golf fans robbed by TV oversight: Dean Juipe; The most important golf tournament of the year concludes today in West Palm Beach, Fla., but unless you have a satellite you won't be watching it in Las Vegas.

Yucca foes foresee potential for nuke disaster: All it would take is four terrorists and $10,000 worth of materials available at home improvement stores to attack and crack a single nuclear waste container heading to a Yucca Mountain repository, state and county opponents of Yucca Mountain said Saturday.

Bonds planned for courthouse, police station: Mathis Winkler; City officials are likely to issue up to $35 million in bonds to pay for a new courthouse and a police station.

Editorial: Challenging patriotism a low blow: The phrase wouldn't seem capable of provoking a controversy. For that matter, the three-word sentence seems patently obvious. But don't tell any of that to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a conservative think tank that suggests those who would make such a remark are somehow less than patriotic. Recently the conservative group released a list of 117 comments made by university professors that it contends were "morally ambivalent" about the U.S. war on terrorism. It just so happens that "ignorance breeds hate," No. 49 on the group's list, was spoken by a Las Vegas resident, Wasima Alikhan.

Experts struggle to define problem gambling: David Strow; In the 1950s, problem gamblers were lumped into the same category by psychologists as "racketeers, dope peddlers and prostitutes." It wasn't even called problem gambling then, but "dishonest gambling."

News briefs for December 3, 2001: An 18-year-old Reno woman died early Sunday morning in a car crash near St. Rose Parkway and Eastern Avenue, police said.

UNLV research park gets boost: Jennifer Knight; A potential land grant could pave the way for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to build a research and technology park that promises to bring new jobs to the local economy.

Expert believes bin Laden represents new type of terrorist: Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden represents the new type of transnational terrorist that is more likely to emerge in the future, an expert in weapons of mass destruction said.

Agassi to visit charter school during Thursday open house: The open house is being held in honor of student achievements made since the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy opened Aug. 30. Plans call for the school to continue to expand, with a grade level being added each year.

2001-02 College bowl schedule: Tuesday, Dec. 18

Skybridge to link with riverboat casino: Of all the elements of Davenport's River Renaissance project, officials believe the most striking symbol will be the $6.8 million sky bridge that will span from West Second Street to the Rhythm City Casino.

'Tough' Wildcats prevail: Spencer Patterson; RENO -- No longer content coaching a consistent winner and annual playoff contender, Kris Cinkovich vowed last spring that the time had come for his Las Vegas High football program to reach the next plateau.

Hearing planned in casino holdups: Kim Smith; About 40 witnesses are expected to take the stand this week during a preliminary hearing for two men accused of pulling off a series of daring casinos heists.

Court briefs for December 3, 2001: A former Western High School teacher was placed on three years' probation Friday after the student he is accused of having sex with told the judge she had had a "truly meaningful and loving relationship" with the teacher.

Trends for December 3, 2001: Lisa Ferguson; The holidays are upon us, but between the nation's tragedies, war and anthrax scares, it may be tough to muster much Christmas spirit this year.

Unclaimed property to be auctioned: CARSON CITY -- The state is holding an auction Saturday in Las Vegas on unclaimed property that includes coins, gaming tokens, silver ingots and gold and silver jewelry.

Lottery ads allowed in North Dakota: Several broadcast stations in Fargo had challenged a federal law that bans them from advertising lotteries. Jack McDonald, an attorney representing the stations, said the FCC has agreed to issue a letter stating it will not enforce penalties against North Dakota broadcasters.

Fugitive sought in kidnapping of own daughter arrested: Keith Paul; A 20-year-old woman accused of beating her mother on Thanksgiving Day and kidnapping her daughter in California was captured in Las Vegas while talking on a pay phone.