Print edition for February 6, 2001

Article: Binion defense lawyers ignored poll: Defense lawyers in the Binion murder case ignored poll results that showed they needed a dramatic rally in the end to win the case, a defense team pollster has concluded.

Residents wait out word on bomb threat: Leonard Kaczka peered out his living room window as Metro Police cars pulled in front of his home off Tropicana Avenue and U.S. 95 about 6 p.m. Monday.

Nevada's largest utility says it's losing big money: CARSON CITY -- Sierra Pacific Resources Corp., the major utility company in Nevada, says it is "bleeding" financially because of the rising cost of fuel, and it expects to lose money.

LV bomb threat forces evacuation of hundreds: Jace Radke and Jennifer Knight; Hundreds of residents in southeast Las Vegas were evacuated from their homes Monday afternoon as Metro Police investigated a bomb threat that turned out to be nothing more than a U-Haul truck full of clothes parked in a shopping center.

Obituaries for February 6, 2001: William Adams, 74, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 30, 1926, in Detroit. A resident for 18 years, he was a retired salesman and a World War II Coast Guard veteran.

Letter: Taxpayer dollars not for religion: As a conservative and a Christian, whose belief in charity can be proven by his canceled checks, I don't want my taxpayer dollars subsidizing the agenda of the religious left and the religious right.

County eyes new limits on adult stores: Clark County commissioners will consider introducing an ordinance Wednesday to make it much more difficult to put adult bookstores or adult video stores near residential users.

Landlord seeks to evict LV tech company: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, L.V. Atrium Inc. of Torrance, Calif., said it is entitled to evict Preference, formerly known as Stockup.com Inc., because the company failed to either pay or vacate the premises after it was served a five-day notice to pay rent on Jan. 18.

If these walls could talk: Kimberley McGee; When they heard the sound of a falling wrench crashing down the tall, concrete tunnels, workers inside the dark passage would flatten themselves against the wall of the Boulder Dam intake.

Engagement: Curbelo, Boyles: The wedding will be March 16.

Local news briefs for February 6, 2001: As the Las Vegas Valley weather warmed up, so did local bee activity. Two dogs were attacked, one of them stung more than 1,000 times, at a home in the Lakes over the weekend.

Senator challenges recognition of tribes: HARTFORD, Conn. -- Sen. Christopher Dodd said Monday the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs' tribal recognition process is fundamentally flawed.

Letter: Concerns include use of revenue, energy crisis: Federal monies going into church organizations for our social problems and child care sounds good on the surface, but stop and think. They are not policed on matters of safety, building codes, cleanliness in the handling of foods, the qualifications of their teaching staff, etc. This money can be used at their own discretion, plus it is the taxpayers' money that would be handed over without any consideration of how they want their money disbursed for the care of their children.

LV council discusses bonds for golf course: Diana Sahagun; Four years ago at one of his first Town Hall meetings, newly elected Las Vegas City Councilman Larry Brown was surprised by a turnout of 400 angry northwest residents.

Nevada's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected in National Awards Program: Amanda was nominated by Round Mountain Senior High School in Round Mountain, and Holly was nominated by Thurman White Middle School in Henderson. As State Honorees, they each will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in May to Washington, D.C., where they will join the top two honorees -- one middle level and one high school youth -- from each of the other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them will be named America's top youth volunteers for 2001 at that time.

Gunman holds off police before giving up: Keith Paul; A man described by neighbors as quiet and a survivalist is charged today with keeping dozens of Metro Police patrol and SWAT officers at bay for hours Monday afternoon, firing about 50 gunshots before surrendering.

Tribal casinos proposed for Nebraska: LINCOLN, Neb. -- The state runs a lottery and sanctions wagering on horse racing, keno, bingo and pickle cards.

Sun Super 11: Calif. defensive end named top prospect: Steve Guiremand; Now Shaun Cody knows how opposing quarterbacks feel.

Bugle Boy in bankruptcy, closes one of two Las Vegas stores: Clothing maker Bugle Boy of Simi Valley, Calif., a fashion powerhouse in the 1980s, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week and has closed one of its two Las Vegas stores.

Editorial: Salvation Army gets raw deal on vehicle: A company manager said he hopes to get the truck to the Salvation Army in a week or two -- but he couldn't provide guarantees, either. It is unthinkable that the dealership cashed such a large check from a nonprofit group, knowing full well that a bankruptcy filing could tie up delivery of the truck. Great Basin Trucks of Nevada should do everything in its power to immediately deliver the vehicle to the Salvation Army.

Congressmen call for hearing on houseboat design linked to CO deaths: Scott Thomsen; PHOENIX - Three Republican congressmen are calling for a hearing to review a popular houseboat hull design that has been linked to carbon monoxide poisonings at Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah line.

NCAA ready to hear Rebels' appeal: Steve Addy; LARAMIE, Wyo. -- UNLV isn't accustomed to receiving favors from the NCAA, but the Rebels aren't giving up on winning their appeal of this year's postseason ban.

Rebel basketball notes: Get-tough mode works for Good: Steve Addy; LARAMIE, Wyo. -- No more Mr. Nice Guy.

Lawmakers convene for state's 71st session: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Legislature, the first of the new millennium, opened Monday with a challenge to "avoid laws of mediocrity" and to put partisan politics aside.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Volume's up and it riles older fans: Dean Juipe; We know for a fact there wasn't any research conducted on the subject.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Correcting a wrong -- now: IN 1999 I wrote a column that said our government is refusing to be fair with the notch babies, hoping they will all die off before they are paid what the Social Security system owes them.

School district loses appeal over construction work: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Monday rejected an appeal by the Clark County School District, which had been found liable for breaching its contract for construction work at Basic High School.

Community news briefs for February 6, 2001: A Valentine's Social is being offered 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Lorna J. Kesterson Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St., Henderson. Participation is open to fourth and fifth grade students for $2 per person.

Guinn orders creation of conservation program: CARSON CITY -- The energy crunch will hit Southern Nevada this summer and Gov. Kenny Guinn has ordered the creation of a voluntary state conservation program and has hinted at stronger action if voluntary measures are not enough.

Venetian turns a profit, announces gondola ride, other improvements: David Strow; The Venetian's strong business trends continued in the closing months of 2000, as the resort reversed the losses posted one year ago.

Editorial: Bush is weaving his spell: If he wants to reverse the policy by rulemaking, there will have to be extensive hearings, an arduous task. So some leaders of the Republican-controlled Congress want Bush to work with them and pass legislation that could quickly erase the rules. Jim Hansen, chairman of the House Resources Committee, has even gone so far to call the Clinton logging policy "one of the most egregious abuses by the Clinton administration." Despite the Utah Republican's protest, the logging plan was sensible and will preserve environmentally sensitive lands for future generations.

Super 11 Biographies: Biographies of the 2001 version of the Las Vegas Sun's Super 11:

Supervisor never saw van hit kids: Kim Smith; Tracy D'Arensbourg Ri'Chard never saw the van that wiped out more than half of her cleanup crew.

Council to consider NLV casino: The council Wednesday will vote on whether to create a gaming enterprise district on the golf course, which would allow Station Casinos Inc. to build it latest venture on the site at Craig Road and Coleman Street.

Ethics panel eyes second Kenny inquiry: Adrienne Packer; The state ethics panel that decided last month to pursue an allegation against Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny also is interested in a second potential violation listed in an ethics complaint filed in November.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Recalling a very Mary conversation: The world could use a few more Marys.

Davis dealing for electricity: SACRAMENTO -- California Gov. Gray Davis, continuing to seize the power contracts of cash-strapped utilities while negotiating more new ones, said his state is determined to get out of its energy crisis on its own.

2001 Las Vegas Sun Super 11 Roster: THE SECOND 11

Judge held secret hearing: Copyright 2000 Las Vegas Sun

Johnson helps save the season for UNLV: Steve Addy; LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Regaining their self-respect might have been good enough for the Rebels on Monday night.

Jackson No. 1 among locals: Steve Guiremand; Local prep football coaches have a lot to be proud of.

Man dies in condo blaze: Keith Paul; Residents from a Las Vegas condominium rushed to help a woman who escaped a burning unit by jumping from the second floor Monday night, but a man inside the home couldn't get out and died in the blaze.

Upstart league hoping to sustain ratings: Richard Sandomir; An ESPN.com poll asked fans "What do you like most about the XFL?" After 157,145 responses, these were the results:

Columnist Ron Kantowski: XFL likely to succeed -- as a TV show: Until the XFL lit the fuse on a keg of testosterone over the weekend, I only thought I was getting old. Now I'm sure of it.

Wynn to announce D.I. development plans soon: David Strow; Steve Wynn said he's just months away from revealing final plans for his newest resort casino on the Las Vegas Strip, a project he calls "the single most wonderful resort in the history of Las Vegas."

Coroner says death report will take another week: Ken Ritter; LAS VEGAS - It will take another week to complete a report on the death of a French citizen in a Las Vegas jail.

Woman jailed with her kids files lawsuit against NLV: Kim Smith; A local woman who spent several hours locked up in a holding cell with her three children has filed a $12 million lawsuit against the city of North Las Vegas.

Past Super 11 teams and where they signed: 2000

Letter: Acupuncture laws too strict: I am a native of Nevada, and my dream is to return to Nevada to practice acupuncture and other aspects of Oriental medicine. If Nevada changes its requirements to match those of the other 35 states, the public will only benefit by being served by a greater number of able practitioners.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'Rush Hour II' up for Oscar: Kate Maddox; Mayor Oscar Goodman is the latest local personality to get in front of the "Rush Hour II" cameras.

UnitedHealthcare exiting managed care in Nevada: Grace Leong; UnitedHealthcare said its deal Monday to move 15,000 Nevada customers to a competitor signals its intention to leave the Nevada managed care industry and instead become a health insurer serving the employees of big businesses.

City staying budget-conscious: Diana Sahagun; With signs that the economy is slumping and with utility rates soaring, city of Las Vegas officials are considering a hiring freeze and other ways to save money in case of a recession.

UNLV-Wyoming Box Score: UNLV (13-9)

Bandits storm past Richmond: Victoria Sun; Every time the Las Vegas Bandits have played the Richmond Rhythm this season, defense has been as scarce as the power supply in California.