Print edition for December 12, 2001

Business briefs for December 12, 2001: SANTA ANA, Calif. -- PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.'s deal to sell up to $150 million in stock as part of its effort to refinance debt distressed Wall Street Monday and Tuesday.

Garcia calls for smoking ban for school employees: Terry Webster; Clark County School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia wants smoking banned at schools and is asking the School Board to support a change in state law that would do that.

Coyote Springs plan defended: Someone will develop Coyote Springs Valley about 50 miles north of Las Vegas and it should be a responsible company, representatives of a developer said.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Tea gathering benefits HELP organization: Elizabeth Foyt; Featured were spa packages and fine beauty treatments as well as luxury goods that easily drew strong bids from Veronica Meter, sponsor Jane Armstrong, Marilyn Stark, Dr. Annette Mayes, Jan Richardson and Mollie Schneider.

Silverton lands KOA franchise: A former Nevada gaming executive is pulling an idea out of the Harrah's Entertainment Inc. playbook to lead his new company to a dominant position within the camping industry.

Editorial: Drug plan gets better at long last: The program, which was the brainchild of Gov. Kenny Guinn, had trouble getting off the ground in the summer of 2000. At that time the state had been unsuccessful in finding an insurer to run the program -- more than 800 invitations went out to companies but only one applied. The state's lack of success in privatizing the service even became a focal point of debate in Congress, as Democrats used the Republican governor's difficulties as a reason why a federal prescription drug program for seniors should be run by the government, not by private companies.

Texas firm wins testing contract: CARSON CITY -- A Texas company has won two contracts worth close to $5 million from the state Department of Education to develop and score proficiency examinations for grade and high school students.

Tech park near saturation point: Diana Sahagun; The opening this week of an office complex puts in place one of the final pieces of a northwest tech park, a financial venture that has resulted in nearly $30 million in net revenue for the city over the past 20 years.

Jeremy Giambi cited for pot at McCarran: Keith Paul; Oakland A's outfielder and part-time Vegas Valley resident Jeremy Giambi was given a citation Monday after a small quantity of marijuana was found in his luggage at McCarran International Airport.

Harrah's CEO urges support for National: David Strow; Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the largest stockholder in bankrupt National Airlines, doesn't expect to be an investor in the reorganized Las Vegas company.

Credit eased again: The fed cut interest rates for an 11th time Tuesday.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Ever-quotable Mack has curse of gab: BY THE TIME he's done, Michael Mack may need his own page in Bartlett's.

2001 National Finals Rodeo results - Round 5: World Standings: 1, Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, $279,735. 2, Trevor Brazile, Pueblo, Colo., $199,562. 3, Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., $184,934. 4, Scott Johnston, Gustine, Texas, $172,599. 5, Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, $160,930. 6, Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $143,291.

Infant deaths high among blacks: By Emily Richmond; Black women in Nevada are three times more likely to live in poverty than white women and have an infant mortality rate twice as high, a new study by the National Women's Law Center shows.

Two NLV residents among those indicted in immigrant smuggling: By Timothy Pratt; Two North Las Vegas residents were arraigned in federal court Tuesday and will face charges in Arizona in connection with participating in a scheme to smuggle illegal immigrants between Western states.

Editorial: Congress has to say 'no' to the handouts: So it's no surprise that as Congress puts the finishing touches on a bioterrorism bill, the New York Times reports that special interest groups are trying to get that bill amended to provide them with help as well. For example, biotechnology companies -- citing Congress' recent decision to limit the nuclear power industry's liability in the event of nuclear power plant accidents or terrorist attacks -- want the government to insulate them as well from lawsuits seeking damages caused by injuries from "biological agent" vaccines.

LV bids for MLB games: But next year's proposed "Big League Weekend" games -- a Las Vegas spring training phenomenon for nine years -- won't occur on a weekend.

Mississippi gaming regulator promoted: Commissioners announced Tuesday that Gregory will replace Charles Patton when he retires later this week.

Charities warn about holiday fraud: The Salvation Army is encouraging people to give generously this holiday season but to be careful that the money they give goes to a genuine charity.

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

Letter: Immigrants need to learn English language: Let me clarify a couple of points before the entire Hispanic community gets mad at me. This country is made up of peoples from all over the world. Las Vegas probably has people from every country. Diversity of cultures is just one of the things that make this city and country great.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Don't turn blind eye to danger: The Sun received two calls on Monday that "congratulated" us on our notebook item about the bronc that had to be euthanized following Sunday's National Finals Rodeo performance.

Norton reopens Hoover Dam to tours: Jace Radke; Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton says that restoring tours at Hoover Dam should help energize a tourism industry that has been hurt in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Obituaries for December 12, 2001: Leona Nadine Alrid, 62, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born May 10, 1939, in Walsenburg, Colo. A resident for three months, she was a mail clerk.

Letter: Desert must be protected: Wilderness protects the Habitat Conservation Plan, protects clean air and water, and preserves the land for people, not from people. I strongly support efforts to protect our last wilderness areas, and hope that other Las Vegans will join me in protecting our wilderness horizons from anti-conservationist off-road vehicle users.

Police probe two slayings: Donald Rinard, 63, was booked into the Tucker Holding Facility in Laughlin Tuesday, accused of killing a 58-year-old man in a fight, Metro Police said.

Council approves second phase of Lake Las Vegas: Jeffrey Libby; A request to the Henderson City Council Tuesday to develop 1,323 acres at one of Henderson's most exclusive addresses drew little interest during a public hearing.

Another airline passenger charged with gun in bag: Jace Radke; For the second time in two days, McCarran International Airport security screeners stopped a man from taking a handgun through a checkpoint, arresting the North Las Vegas resident at the C Gates Tuesday.

Slowdown prompts more Vegas tourism ads: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is shifting funds from its construction fund to boost its annual advertising budget by $10 million to $59.3 million.

Worker safety versus 'corporate greed' debated: Grace Leong; It's true that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was one of many businesses that pushed for a repeal of ergonomics rules imposed by the Clinton administration aimed at preventing workplace injuries.

Franklyn Perry's lawyers at odds with their client: Kim Smith; District Judge Michael Douglas on Tuesday ordered defense attorneys for scam-artist suspect Franklyn Perry to meet with their client in an attempt to resolve difficulties the attorneys are having him.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Patio Boy -- Draws good spot for route opener, Desormeaux sits Mitchell trainee, Patio Boy to winners circle man. Buzzword -- Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, draws good inner post, should be a factor throughout. Value Play -- Sullivan's Travels

News briefs for December 12, 2001: A 60-year-old Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty in a drunken driving accident that resulted in the death of his wife.

Del Papa says Walters case still alive: CARSON CITY -- Despite two losses in the Nevada Supreme Court, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa isn't giving up her five-year fight to prosecute Las Vegas gambler-businessman Billy Walters on bookmaking and illegal betting charges.

NFR notebook: LaJeunesse extends his stellar run: Victoria Sun; The National Finals Rodeo has become Lan LaJeunesse's personal playground.

Buy the book: Cookbooks remain a coveted holiday gift: Some are meant to decorate a coffee table and are more for looking at than for cooking. Others are treasures filled with recipes that can be duplicated by aspiring cooks, as well as those who have gone well beyond the basics.

Gamers seek backing for industry 'must-do' list: David Strow; The Nevada gaming industry already had an agenda of issues it wanted addressed before Sept. 11.

Mayor has more talks on Internet gambling: Diana Sahagun; Intent on seeking out new ways for the city to market itself and increase revenues, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman met last week with officials from an online casino interested in using the city's name and official seal in its venture.

Goodman meets again on Internet gaming: Diana Sahagun; Intent on seeking out new ways for the city to market itself and increase revenues, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman met last week with officials from an online casino interested in using the city's name and official seal in its venture.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Stardust first with bowl odds: The Stardust on Sunday became the first Las Vegas sports book to hang betting lines on the full slate of college football bowl games.

Faulty air bags prompt alarm: Angela Soo; Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa warned consumers of a growing scam in which auto repair shops turn a huge profit by installing faulty air bags that are often stuffed with beer cans, pieces of cardboard and hamburger wrappers.

Mexican gaming center will reopen: However, the center's size will be greatly reduced.

City Hall expansion contract faces lawsuit: Jeffrey Libby; With a lawsuit already looming over a long-delayed municipal parking garage that opened Monday, Henderson officials learned they will face yet another lawsuit over the award Tuesday of a $39.5 million construction contract to quadruple the size of City Hall.

Lewis' season might go down the tube: Steve Addy; Jermaine Lewis keeps the remote control handy when his UNLV teammates play on TV.

Mandalay, Park Place team for Macau license: David Strow; Las Vegas Strip casino giants Park Place Entertainment Corp. and Mandalay Resort Group have joined the race for a gaming license in the Chinese coastal city of Macau.

Metro veteran slid from cop to criminal: Keith Paul; David James Smith, handcuffed, shackled and chained to three other accused men, slid forward in his chair Tuesday in Justice Court as the suspect next to him stood. It's an instinctive move for a jailhouse veteran to avoid having the chain yank on his side.

Community briefs for December 12, 2001: The Indian Springs Casino is hosting its sixth annual Bikes for Tikes toy drive at noon Saturday at the casino, 32 miles northwest of Santa Fe Station on U.S. 95.

Youth offenders won't be sent to Texas prison: CARSON CITY -- A facility that may have housed some of the state's youth offenders when the Summit View detention center in North Las Vegas closes Jan. 31 is being converted into an adult prison, Nevada officials say.

Grocery store operator cutting overhead: A spokesman for company, operating in Las Vegas as Smith's Food & Drug Centers and Food 4 Less, said the cuts would primarily affect management and clerical staff at its 19 retail division headquarters rather than hourly workers in stores.

Letter: World awaits Yucca decision: Wonder why wastes have yet to be buried in that superior rock? The French keep saying how their granite mountains are the best barriers for radioactive materials, yet not the first pound of waste has found its way in them. The Russians claim the Ural Mountains will no doubt contain wastes for tens of thousands of years, yet they too hold no wastes. And Finland, which in 1982 decided on an underground repository, has yet to build it.

Tuesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Education bill would have big impact in county: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- An education reform bill ready for a vote in Congress would have wide-ranging implications for the Clark County School District and districts nationwide.

Columnist Peter Benton: Local golf store offers huge selection of gifts: Peter Benton; I don't know if you fully realize it or not, but there is a little less than two weeks -- 13 days to be precise -- before dear old Santa arrives.

Lawsuit filed in man's death: The wife of a Las Vegas man who choked on a piece of turkey on Thanksgiving Day two years ago and died three months later has sued the fire department.

Reeves stalking 1st saddle bronc crown: Victoria Sun; What do Phil Mickelson, Karl Malone and Tom Reeves have in common?

Columnist Muriel Stevens: In Vegas, shoppers are gifted: Christmas is a prime time for luxury sales. Bulgari and Fred jewelers at the Forum Shops at Caesars, Cartier at Caesars Palace, Tiffany's and Fred Leighton at Bellagio and other upscale jewelers appear to be holding their own.

Delayed numbers show big drop in gaming win: Cy Ryan and David Strow; Nevada casinos experienced their second-worst month in the last three years in October, and the hardest hit was the Las Vegas Strip.

Positively Kids receives $10,000: The foundation will receive the grant at a special ceremony on Dec. 12.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: LV's Jaskol among 'Stars of Tomorrow' kart testers: Four young karting drivers, including Matt Jaskol of Las Vegas, tested in a Team Rahal Champ Car Monday at Firebird Raceway near Phoenix as part of CART's Stars of Tomorrow program.

Vegas.com introduces marketing program: Before Howard Lefkowitz became a Las Vegas resident, he would rely on friends to come up with tickets to some of the shows he wanted to see when he visited.