Print edition for February 7, 2001

Reid lands spot on defense panel: Nevada's congressional delegation announced committee assignments today that link the state's interests to larger national and international issues.

Obituaries for February 7, 2001: Karoline Michelle Bradley, 20, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born June 29, 1980, in Las Vegas.

Vegas Valentines are a confectioner's dream: Jennifer Prosser; It's almost Valentine's Day and you want to buy some sweets for your sweet, but where to go? Before you grab that rock-hard box of chocolates off the shelf at your local grocery store, consult our list of extravagant chocolatiers to help you make some intelligent, informed choices. It could just get you some sweet rewards later.

Teen given life sentence in slaying of couple: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas teen convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of an elderly couple known for selling candy to neighbor children was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday.

Killer of elderly woman convicted: Kim Smith; A Clark County jury decided Tuesday that a 28-year-old Las Vegas man strangled an elderly woman three years ago. Now they must decide if he should die as a result.

Explosives prompt evacuation in Reno: Scott Sonner; RENO -- Police evacuated dozens of homes and called in a bomb squad Tuesday after a woman cleaning out her late father's storage shed found more than 100 pounds of unstable explosives.

Reid proposal eyes credits for alternate energy investment: A bill to encourage investment in wind, geothermal and other sources of renewable energy was introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Tuesday.

New strategy for northern part of beltway sought: Adrienne Packer; Already stretching its resources to expedite construction of the Las Vegas Beltway, Public Works officials were asked Tuesday to change their strategy for the northern segment of the highway -- action that could cost $100 million.

Name of Metro officer in gunfight is released: Sgt. Dan Southwell exchanged gunfire with 20-year-old Karoline M. Bradley in the area of 13th and Fremont streets about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Airline strike action possible: WASHINGTON -- President George Bush said he's worried about the possibility of strikes at airlines and said he'd "explore all options" if the labor disputes aren't resolved.

Power plants on fast track: Dozens of interested -- and some concerned -- residents turned out Tuesday night to check out proposals to build a half-dozen new power plants in the Las Vegas Valley.

Softball: UNLV wins two to open season: Rebel pitching, led by starters Geney Orris and Nicole Truax, dominated.

Insurer overhauling operations: The Santa Ana, Calif.-based company said it's moving away from being a health maintenance organization and instead will be a full-service health insurer and consumer services company.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Rebel games, NCAA futures hit the board: Beginning today, visitors to Las Vegas sports books will find a welcome addition to the betting menu: odds to win the 2001 NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Who will fund Herrera's pledge?: Adrienne Packer; If any questions lingered about where Clark County stands in the fight to keep nuclear waste out of Nevada, County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera answered them last week with his $1 million pledge toward the battle.

Local grid stars backpedal on Oregon State, sign elsewhere: Spencer Patterson; After a wave of verbal commitments in recent weeks, Oregon State thought it had secured three of Southern Nevada's top prep football prospects.

MGM converts theme park to group-rental operation: David Strow; The MGM Grand Adventures' days are over as one of the Las Vegas Strip's few amusement parks open to the public.

Kerkorian sells some casino stock, buying movie studio shares: Kirk Kerkorian, the controlling shareholder of Las Vegas-based casino giant MGM MIRAGE, sold 1.89 million shares of MGM MIRAGE stock Tuesday afternoon.

Rebels plead their case in Chicago: Steve Addy; UNLV made its case to the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee today in Chicago, hoping to convince the panel to overturn this year's postseason ban against the basketball program.

UNLV still waiting on its big recruit: Steve Guiremand; The letters of intent of 20 football recruits began finding their way into the offices at the UNLV Lied Athletic Complex shortly after 7 a.m. this morning.

LV tech firm, rival in lawsuit: Grace Leong; Harter joins PurchasePro Board

Former Park Place executive leading Turnberry casino development effort: David Strow; Paul Pusateri, one of the key men in the development of the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino, has joined Florida-based Turnberry Associates in its efforts to develop a London-themed resort on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Coach's fate may hinge on his team: Dean Juipe; Among UNLV's many attributes is a superb staff of head coaches.

Utility rate caps criticized: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Additional rate hikes and a whopping cost to the state could prevail if legislators halt the sale of power plants in an effort to shore up Nevada's electricity supplies, energy officials told lawmakers this morning.

Harlem team visits Las Vegas March 2: Tickets, priced at $77, $32, $22, $19 and $12 are on sale at the T&M, all Tickets.com outlets and all Station Casino properties. Tickets can be charged by phone at 1-888 464-2468 or on-line at www.tickets.com.

HCA-The Healthcare Co. profit falls on special charges: NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- HCA-The Healthcare Co., the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain and a big operator in Las Vegas, said its fourth-quarter profit fell 77 percent because of special charges including costs for settling investigations into its Medicare billing practices.

Library bond issue not well received by county: Adrienne Packer; When representatives of the Clark County-Las Vegas Library District presented a plan for new libraries to Clark County commissioners Tuesday, it was immediately clear the two sides were not on the same page.

Jurors will not tour scene of deadly crash: Kim Smith; Jurors in the Jessica Williams trial will not get to visit the scene of the crash.

Columnist Peter Benton: Callaway to sponsor local collegiate event: Peter Benton; The 2001 Las Vegas Intercollegiate, scheduled for March 9-11 at the 7,332-yard, par-72 Rio Secco Golf Club, will be known as the 2001 Callaway Golf Las Vegas Intercollegiate.

Woes, as expected, hurt Harrah's profit: David Strow; As expected, Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas today reported a heavy loss for the fourth quarter of 2000, as harsh weather, low hold and the bankruptcies of National Airlines and Harrah's New Orleans took their toll.

New Orleans competitors agree to Harrah's hotel: Ed Mchale; NEW ORLEANS -- The Greater New Orleans Hotel-Motel Association on Tuesday withdrew its objections to the operation of a large hotel by Harrah's New Orleans Casino and also volunteered other concessions intended to keep the financially strapped downtown gambling house open.

Legislature receives new money requests: CARSON CITY -- Requests are starting to flow into the 2-day-old Legislature from Southern Nevada for a piece of the $300 million surplus to finance local projects.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Ex-Rebel Fryatt has more fun than expected at Pebble Beach: Victoria Sun; Ed Fryatt showed up at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last week wanting to have a good time.

Area prep signings: Area prep signings

Local man is among the 'top 10' Russian art collectors nationwide: Paintings cover the living room walls of a 2,000-square-foot suite on the 16th floor of the Regency Towers luxury condominiums, which dominate the skyline east of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

IBL box: Richmond at Las Vegas: RICHMOND (7-18)

UNLV softball box scores: Eaton, Parvin (4) and Arnold; Orris, Ellis (7) and Kimura. W--Orris (1-0). L--Eaton (2-1). 2B-Goodpaster (UNLV). HR--Garza (UNLV). T--2:15.

Community news briefs for February 7, 2001: Local high school students are quizzing each other during their last-minute preparations for this week's area Science Bowl competition at UNLV.

Girls soccer playoff schedule, results: 4A SUNRISE REGION TOURNAMENT At Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex

Lawmakers question Guinn plan for family resource coordinator: Siobahn McDonough; CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada legislators questioned Tuesday whether Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposal to establish a family resource coordinator's slot in his office would be a waste of money and take power away from local governments.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Fund-raiser benefits American Heart Association: Elizabeth Foyt; A glittering evening with more than 900 formally-attired guests present, the Heart of Gold Ball was celebrated with great style on Saturday at the Aladdin. A benefit for the American Heart Association, the elegant dinner dance was co-chaired by Dr. Gregory Uhl, of Cardiology Associates of Lake Mead, and James Murren, president and CFO of MGM MIRAGE.

Nevada's only vineyard worth a visit: Max Jacobson; Editor's note: This is another in a series on the Made In Nevada program. A variety of small businesses are members. The Sun is focusing on the members who produce food and beverages.

Water bid delayed for power plant: The company, Duke Energy North America, is planning to build an air-cooled plant near Apex, about 15 miles north of Las Vegas.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Consumer assistance is at hand: It was never my intent to turn my trying experiences with Wards and Wal-Mart into an ongoing saga, but the problems with Wards are much larger than I could have ever imagined, and Wal-Mart is not winning any friends with their inane policies.

BLM holds public meeting on proposed new power plants: Lisa Snedeker; LAS VEGAS - Despite environmentalists' concerns, Bureau of Land Management officials and power producers say Clark County could soon be home to at least six new power plants.

Guinn proposals run into trouble: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn wants the office of Science, Engineering and Technology under his wing and a new position in his office to look for inefficiencies in local family resource centers.

Henderson council briefs for February 7, 2001: Henderson businesses can now distribute commercial handbills anonymously in neighborhoods.

Savvy wine buy: Clos La Fleur Figeac '97 St. Emilion Grand Cru: Available at Marche Bacchus, $17.99.

Hearings planned on new Henderson library: Those attending will have input into what services the library will offer and what the building will look like.

Letter: Work together to help seniors: While the low initial numbers of participants may make great fodder for headlines and negative sound bites from fellow legislators, the most notably missing information from many of my colleagues' comments is that the program is the first of any kind in Nevada and the first successful program of that structure in the nation. The results are certainly not "abysmal," as Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley states. Senior Rx is a groundbreaking start for Nevada.

Editorial: Forge consensus on energy crunch: Thornier energy issues face the governor and the Legislature, such as whether Nevada Power should be prevented from selling its generating plants. It is essential then, since there are just 120 days in this legislative session, that the governor and lawmakers meet soon to find solutions that will quell the skyrocketing energy costs that have jarred Nevadans.

Hatch's vicious behavior is worst in Senate: I also recall his vicious questioning of Anita Hill at the Clarence Thomas hearings, his persistent bashing of President Clinton, and his use of his position as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to block Clinton's appointment of federal judges.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Ethic rules weren't meant as secret code: "The City Council finds and declares that the proper function of democratic government requires that public officers and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made within the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government."

Letter: Private schools perform better: Fact: Less children in a class does not improve their learning. Some private schools have as many as 33 to 35 in a classroom and do much better than our public schools, and 90 percent of children going to private schools go on to college.

Editorial: Taking one step forward ...: The momentum in the Senate is important since it was the upper chamber that previously had killed a patient's bill of rights -- after the House had passed it by an overwhelming margin. But in a bitter, ironic twist, the Republican champion of the legislation in the House, Charlie Norwood of Georgia, said Tuesday he was taking his name off the bill. Why the sudden reversal? Because President Bush wants him to do so.

Computer school's failure no fault of its own: Jennifer Knight; In the competitive world of vocational schools, Computer Learning Centers didn't play fair, U.S. Department of Education officials say.

Bandits establish scoring marks in win over Richmond: The Bandits (15-8) were led by J.R. Henderson's 30 points and 12 rebounds. Wayne Tinkle had his first double-double of the year with a season-high 25 points and 12 rebounds.

Pharmacy giant CVS entering Las Vegas market: Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS Corp., which has more than 4,100 stores in 29 states, announced plans to enter the Las Vegas and Phoenix markets Tuesday. A spokesman for the company said today there are no details on how many stores would be built, their locations or how many people would be employed.

Microsoft alliance promoted in Vegas: Called the "Evolution Series," the new slot platform uses Microsoft operating system Windows NT. The system is referred to as "embedded software," which refers to taking a computer operating system, placing it on a computer chip, and using it to run a variety of devices, from household appliances to robots.

TrizecHahn says Vegas mall on track: The real estate concern said Desert Passage, together with Los Angeles-area projects Hollywood & Highland and Paseo Colorado, would be sold "between late 2002 and 2004." However, the company's chief executive said the company remains "committed to the success and profitability of our exciting North American development properties."

Tanaka named principal for new school: Terry Webster; Agassi school

Rental truck may not have been linked to bomb threat: Jace Radke; Metro Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms continue to investigate a bomb threat Monday night that led to the evacuation of a neighborhood.

Binion's housekeeper called most believable: Ted Binion's housekeeper, Mary Montoya-Gascoigne, was the most believable witness at the high-profile murder trial last year, a defense team pollster has concluded.

February becoming another bad month for homicides: Keith Paul; February is starting off just as violent and deadly as January, which ended with the third highest single month total of homicides.

Stock exchange disciplines LV man: The stock exchange temporarily banned Sullivan from being employed with any brokerage that is a member of the exchange, said Ray Pellecchia, an exchange spokesman. He said the ban will become permanent if Sullivan doesn't comply with the exchange's request within six months.

Quake research gets $7 million in grants: The money will be used to upgrade two 14-foot square, 50-ton shake tables, and buy a third table of the same dimensions.

County officials consider entering power business: Adrienne Packer; Clark County officials are exploring the idea of getting into the power business after hearing nightmarish stories of skyrocketing utility rates in California markets where utility companies are investor-owned.

County facilities chief Barrett says he's victim: Adrienne Packer; In the last month, Clark County facilities manager Bill Barrett has become the focus of a federal Environmental Protection Agency investigation and the subject of a state Ethics Commission probe.

Colder weather returns with the winds: Winds gusting up to 54 mph on Tuesday blew debris from the Monte Carlo hotel onto Las Vegas Boulevard, closing the Strip for about an hour and ushering in the return of colder winter temperatures for at least a week.

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