Print edition for December 6, 2001

Wednesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Letter: Don't reward tellers of tales: To believe that our attorney general is willing to grant amnesty to tale-tellers is questionable. To reward those same people with a fast track to United States citizenship blows my mind. I am not questioning Ashcroft's sincerity, but it is a lousy way of putting faith back in the slogan, "Come fly with me." Count me out!

Preparing for biological emergencies no easy task: While the Las Vegas area has received federal money to buy biological and chemical monitoring equipment, officials are finding the gear in short supply because Americans have bought up most of the country's supplies.

Diamond in the rough: Wynn Collection gallery moves forward in construction zone on Strip: Kimberley McGee; Tucked away on the bottom floor of the nine-story building, left standing after Wynn's Oct. 23 implosion of the Desert Inn, is the Wynn Collection a handful of art works from Wynn's massive private art collection.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: New sponsor will allow series to reach younger fans: It doesn't take a marketing genius to realize the enormity of the National Hot Rod Association landing Powerade -- a Coca-Cola Company brand -- as the series' title sponsor.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Ms. Twining -- Baze aboard Duncan trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, well placed at claiming level here. Be Delightful -- Linares atop Delia trainee, needs crafty trip from inner post, would Be Delightful dilemma for backers. Value Play -- Jolie Pegase

Nevada Cyber Crime Task Force goes on line with forensics lab: Jace Radke; The Nevada Cyber Crime Task Force takes another step in its battle to stop computer crime today with the opening of a new forensics laboratory designed to pick up electric footprints left by hackers, pirates and cyber criminals.

Metro short of bilingual help: By Timothy Pratt; Two years ago a police officer told the suspect in a shooting to get out of a car. The suspect didn't move. The officer said again, "Get out of the car and put your hands up." Still no response.

Las Vegas Council briefs for December 6, 2001: Closed captioning will be provided during rebroadcasts of the council meetings. A small graphic will appear briefly every 30 minutes to remind viewers of the service, the first of its kind among government access stations in Southern Nevada.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Las Vegas won't get torched: In the words of Johnny Storm -- you may (or may not) know him better as The Human Torch of the Fantastic Four in the comics -- Flame On!

Six golfers tied for lead at Nevada Open: The professionals were Garrett Hannig of St. George, Utah; Mark Johnson of Helendale, Calif.; John Graham of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah; Matt Murray of La Mesa, Calif; and Birk Nelson of Beaverton, Ore.

Washington briefs for December 6, 2001: WASHINGTON -- The Senate is expected to confirm Clark County District Judge James Mahan as a U.S. District Court judge for Nevada. He appeared at a nomination hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Lawsuit filed by daughters of killed Republic worker: The daughters of a garbage worker have filed suit against Republic Services of Southern Nevada, claiming the company was "negligent and careless" in the death of their father and another man in a 1999 crash of a trash-collecting truck near Mount Charleston.

Obituaries for December 6, 2001: Manuel E. Aguilar, 78, of Henderson died Nov. 23 in a local hospital. A sheet metal worker, he was born Dec. 20, 1922, in California.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Lewis files lawsuit against Tyson: Dean Juipe; Mike Tyson has decided to call Lennox Lewis' bluff.

Officials reject plan for gambling vote: The lease would have allowed Golden Isles Cruise Lines of Brunswick, Ga., to operate "casino boats to nowhere" from the Charleston Harbor. These boats would cruise beyond state waters to gamble. However, the authority said a town ordinance prohibits any gambling boats in Mount Pleasant.

Elderly, homeless fall through cracks of mental health system: CARSON CITY -- Two shortcomings in the state's mental health system involve the treatment of the elderly and the homeless, a state executive said Tuesday.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Go boating for family fun: Paula DelGiudice; Many families nowadays are searching for a way to reconnect. According to the organization Family Life First, children's playtime has declined by 25 percent over the last 20 years. Over that same period, unstructured outdoor activities have declined by 50 percent, family dinners have decreased by 33 percent and family vacations have decreased by 28 percent.

Labor convention becomes video affair: Erin Neff; Normally when big labor comes to Las Vegas, national politicians arrive on its coattails and help raise money for local candidates.

McCline's stock on the rise after beating up on 'Goofi': Dean Juipe; Perhaps only the people who saw Jameel McCline take less than one complete round to destroy consecutive fighters in Las Vegas realized he had what it took to beat Lance "Goofi" Whitaker.

Buffalo's bad luck helps LV schools: Terry Webster; At the gambling tables in Las Vegas, one person's loss is another's winnings, and the Clark County School District is betting it can turn a winner out of another school district's misfortune.

Divided commission OKs billboard compromise: After more than eight months of wrangling, Clark County has a new policy governing where new billboards can go and how far they need to be from homes.

Letter: Bin Laden's world crumbling: I don't think bin Laden can very effectively operate his deadly plans of vengeance against the Americans from a shabby cave or wherever he is hiding. Most of his headquarters and military sites are being demolished by bombs. The Taliban is being beaten.

Internet portal introducing new logo: The logo is aimed at saying "Vegas" in a direct, recognizable way, without limiting the message to gaming, entertainment or vacation travel, a spokeswoman said.

Las Vegas reservist in charge of chapel at Edwards AFB: Dick Benoit; Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Oliver Stewart, Cheyenne High School class of 1994, is filling in as a chaplain assistant at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., after being activated for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Court briefs for December 6, 2001: District Judge Valorie Vega on Wednesday set April 29 at 10 a.m. as the new trial date for Kirstin Lobato after defense attorneys and prosecutors discussed the need for more time to gather and examine forensic evidence.

Forbes has a beef with promoter: Dean Juipe; It isn't the least bit condescending to say Steve Forbes is only asking for what's reasonable and, from a business perspective, inherently wise.

Trial dates set for suspects in Strip casino robberies: Kim Smith; After hearing from nearly 40 witnesses over three days, a Las Vegas justice of the peace Wednesday ordered that two men suspected of robbing casinos stand trial on the charges.

Flooding hurts Indian casino profit: The Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise reported earnings of $237.7 million for the 2001 fiscal year compared with $248.2 million for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2000. The Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise operates Silver Star in Neshoba County.

Suits settled for $145,000: Mathis Winkler; The North Las Vegas City Council Wednesday unanimously approved lawsuit settlements totaling $145,000.

Community briefs for December 6, 2001: The Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Center of Excellence is offering a free Millennium Scholarship workshop 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 100 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 330.

Man, 74, pleads guilty in daughter's death: Kenneth Moore's advanced age, weak heart and other frailties may have saved him a mandated life sentence, but he still faces the possibility of spending the rest of his natural life in prison -- or possibly getting probation -- in the killing of his daughter.

Editorial: Unclogging the beltway is in sight: Today the beltway starts at U.S. 95 in the southeastern part of the valley and goes west before heading north until it ends at Cheyenne Avenue (once the beltway is finished, it will extend east past Cheyenne until it connects with Interstate 15). So far 33 miles of the beltway have been built at a cost of roughly $470 million. The beltway has relieved some of the congestion by diverting motorists onto it who otherwise would have used I-15 and U.S. 95. But the route isn't a full-fledged beltway yet -- there still are traffic signals at several points. And ...

Hispanic center planned: Mathis Winkler; Along Las Vegas or Lake Mead boulevards in North Las Vegas, it's not hard to find 50-cent taco stands or supermarkets that cater to the Hispanic community.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce to urge Yucca decision: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today is expected to launch a first strike in its new campaign to advocate Yucca Mountain.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Tools' brief fight was truly heroic: Ruthe Deskin; Tools suffered from congestive heart failure, diabetes and kidney disease with little chance of survival past 30 days. His doctor knew of research that was going on in Louisville, Ky., on a device called AlicoCor hearts.

Lottery plan threatens sales in bordering states: James Hannah; RICHMOND, Ind. -- When the Powerball lottery jackpot approaches $50 million or so, it gets a little crazy at Big Red Wine and Spirits.

Retailers report weak sales: Discounters and other value-oriented stores, particularly Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Costco Wholesale Club, had the strongest results as consumers, worried about job security, shopped cautiously. Mall-based merchants, particularly apparel and department stores, suffered.

LV man is convicted in '99 shooting death: Kim Smith; After more than two days of deliberations, a Clark County jury convicted a Las Vegas man of first-degree murder Wednesday in connection with the March 1999 death of a man he owed $1,500.

Outspoken handful of Yucca critics shows up at hearing: Although Department of Energy officials outnumbered the public, most of the 11 people who spoke at the six-hour hearing on a proposed nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain opposed burying 77,000 tons of radioactive waste 90 miles away.

Letter: Nevada thrives because of its private sector: But what improves Nevada is private investment, not sending money to Kenny Guinn and those other 63 Carson City clowns. Large investments like developing Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch, Green Valley Ranch Station Casino and the new 1,900-acre master-planned community in North Las Vegas are where the people of Nevada want (and need) the Greenspun family money invested, not on government boondoggles.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Arafat has made his bed: Under the headline "Terrorism is terrorism," Mike laid it out very clearly that the United States could no longer chase the Taliban and Osama bin Laden through the hills and caves of Afghanistan because they planned, aided, abetted and committed the horrific acts against the United States on Sept. 11, and had to pay the price; that we could no longer shut down financial organizations that fed, clothed and cared for the terrorists around the world who continued to plot against the United States and its friends; and that our country could no longer cry out against the murderers who ...

News briefs for December 6, 2001: Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Park officially opened Wednesday morning in Lee Canyon.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Lake Mead action takes a downturn: This has been an odd year at Lake Mead, with very unpredictable fishing. That trend is continuing this week as the fishing took a surprising turn for the worse with anglers having little success.

Residents lose zone battle: By Launce Rake; The Clark County Commission on Wednesday overruled about 90 protesters, the county's master plan land-use guide and county staff to approve a 208-unit, three-story apartment complex on a 10-acre site in the southern Las Vegas Valley.

North Las Vegas Council briefs for December 6, 2001: North Las Vegas City Council members on Wednesday unanimously approved payment of an additional $150,470 to a Reno-based architecture firm to deal with fungal contamination in the city's jail and provide architectural services for other building renovations throughout the city.

Editorial: Not many choices for UNR's president: Lilley doesn't have many choices. If he doesn't honor a court-ordered settlement that requires UNR to pay GMAC $30 million, Lilley says GMAC could try to attach assets of the university, a move that could jeopardize the school's bond rating and force it to pay higher interest rates when it borrows money. For that matter, Lilley hopes to persuade the 2003 Legislature to come up with more money so he can drop the student fee. Instead of criticizing Lilley, who inherited this mess, the regents should work with him so that the plan has as little impact as possible on ...

Dion, member of pioneer McNamee family, dies at 77: Patience McNamee Dion, a member of one of Las Vegas' founding families and a former legal secretary for late Nevada U.S. Sen. Pat McCarran, has died. She was 77.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Country acts, Charo, Anka populate area stages: Joe Delaney; Can it be nearly 40 years since a very young, very anxious Paul Anka asked me if he was doing the wise thing in opening for Sophie Tucker in the Sahara Congo Room, now the site of Steve Wyrick's show? ... Anka opened the early show and at Tucker's insistence, closed the midnight performance, and was the closing act with co-equal billing the rest of the engagement.

Fight schedule: Friday

Big money lures rodeo's best to LV: Victoria Sun; With $4.6 million up for grabs at the 43rd National Finals Rodeo, champions will be crowned, dreams will be fulfilled and hearts will be broken.

Prep girls soccer standings: CLASS 4A

Sun Boys Hoops Top 10: Updated Dec. 6, 2001

All-Mountain West Conference teams: First Team

Thomas garners top defensive honor: Steve Guiremand; So much for win-loss records.

National's chance of gaining a federal bailout loan analyzed: The cornerstone of National Airlines' bankruptcy reorganization plan is gaining approval for a federally guaranteed loan of at least $45 million. But just how easy will that be?

Gators favored in wide-open field: Spencer Patterson; For the past two years, Southern Nevada's boys basketball season has opened with a clear-cut favorite to capture the 4A state title: the Bishop Gorman Gaels.

Vegas health company in dispute with state: NevadaCare said it was assessed $50,000 in penalties and $30,000 in interest charges after the Taxation Department found it was late in filing its third quarter 1999 tax payment of $500,000.

Prep boys basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Football: Class 4A Coaches' All-Conference Teams: First Team Offense: Darrell Byrd, QB, Desert Pines; Antione White, RB, Las Vegas; Patrick Gray, RB, Centennial; Corey McCants, RB, Durango; WR: Grady Thomas, WR, Chaparral; Kinson Jean-Francois, WR, Clark; Derek Niggemeier, TE, Chaparral; Tony Bachhuber, C, Durango; Paul Viray, G, Foothill; Luke Doty, G, Durango; Daniel Crews, T, Las Vegas; John Meredith, T, Clark; Evan Ellsworth, K, Las Vegas; MVP: White; Coach of the Year: Jim Massey, Clark.

Prep girls basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Regulators move on casino sale, rules: CARSON CITY -- A regulation to permit large casinos to set aside private rooms for gambling for high rollers who don't like to rub shoulders with the public has been approved by the state Gaming Control Board.

Man indicted on fraud charges: Deputy Secretary of State Pamela Ashworth today said said Todd M. Selman, who operated Las Vegas-based U.S. Financial Group LLC and Vestors Group LLC, was indicted on one count of racketeering, four counts of securities fraud, two counts of theft under false pretenses, four counts of offering or selling an unregistered security, four counts of transacting business as an unlicensed broker-dealer and two counts of crimes against a person 65 or older, all felonies.

Funds for CCSN soccer field may go to city park: Diana Sahagun; Money initially planned for a women's collegiate soccer complex may be spent to develop additional park space in Las Vegas, city leaders said.

National Finals Rodeo Money List: All-Around

U.S. Chamber of Commerce urges pro-Yucca decision: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today goaded Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to make a decision about Yucca Mountain within 30 days.

Union: Law doesn't help LV Wal-Mart workers: Grace Leong; National grocery store worker union officials, visiting Las Vegas this week for the AFL-CIO's national conference, complained federal labor laws are failing to protect Wal-Mart Stores Inc. workers in Las Vegas wanting to join unions.

One bid wonders: Steve Addy; Three months before Mountain West basketball teams gather in Las Vegas for the conference tournament, it's already clear what the men will be fighting for.

Isle of Capri opens new casino: The Missouri Gaming Commission staff approved gambling and liquor licenses for Isle of Capri, the state's 11th floating casino complex on the Missouri River between the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas.

New owner signals changes at Sharkey's: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Gaming Control Board Wednesday recommended approval of the sale of Sharkey's Nugget Casino in Gardnerville, called a "landmark property."