Print edition for February 22, 2001

Ditch deal OK'd: Adrienne Packer; A controversial proposal to move a planned drainage ditch off Rhodes Ranch property onto public land where a golf course will soon be built was resolved Wednesday with a compromise.

Bill would expand power sales to local governments: Cy Ryan and Richard N. Velotta; A bill has been introduced in the Nevada Senate to permit the Colorado River Commission to provide electric service to any political subdivision, including Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Clark County.

Fees for protective orders criticized: Siobhan Mcdonough; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to block lower courts in Nevada from collecting fees from people who seek temporary restraining orders against stalkers.

Local call center closing, Vegas losing 180 jobs: As part of its $100 million restructuring plan, that will take effect over three years, the Bedminster, N.J., company said it will close five of its 33 call centers that aren't meeting its expansion needs, open four new call centers and expand eight other facilities.

Binion witness files Calif. suit: A prominent figure in the Ted Binion murder case has filed a lawsuit against California authorities over her arrest as a material witness last year.

Ad team joining Hall Communications: Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Principals for the two companies could not be reached today on whether there would be any layoffs in connection with the merger.

Court briefs for February 22, 2001: A 31-year-old Las Vegas man was convicted late Tuesday of first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old child.

Outlaws give OK after speedway test: Ted Johnson, founder and president of the Pennzoil World of Outlaws, gave the half-mile dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the thumbs up following a three-car test Wednesday night.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Drivers are safer than you think: On Tuesday night, ESPN ran an ad for Miller Lite beer which showed NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace (who drives the Lite car on the Winston Cup circuit) walking through a cloud of wispy smoke with some cool music playing in the background and the announcer, stating in one of those NFL Films, Voice-of-God baritones that men who drive racecars have always been his heroes, because they "risk their lives on every turn."

Rogich's license transferred with stipulation: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas will soon be home to a $7.5 million topless club just blocks away from the Strip, but the owners of the future Boardroom will face an unprecedented stipulation that leaves no room for second chances.

Official: New route needed to ship waste: CARSON CITY -- If Nevada is chosen as a site for nuclear waste, the Energy Department should build a rail route around Las Vegas to Yucca Mountain, Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, says.

LV gas retailers cheer Exxon verdict: Word that a federal jury in Miami this week ordered Exxon to pay $500 million to 10,000 station owners in 35 states and the District of Columbia who were long overcharged for gasoline was met with praise and relief by Las Vegas petroleum retail officials.

Las Vegas council briefs for February 22, 2001: The Las Vegas City Council has designated property at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Mojave Road as the future site of the East Las Vegas Business and Incubator Center.

McDonald under surveillance: Keith Paul; Copyright 2001 Las Vegas Sun

Review eyed after heated battle: Kenny said staff has already begun gathering information on how government agencies guide development at other conservation areas around the country. She will ask the staff to do a formal study of those land-use policies.

County gives Freon documents to EPA: Adrienne Packer; Clark County documents requested by the Environmental Protection Agency for its probe into the mishandling of refrigerant were submitted this week to the federal agency's regional headquarters in San Francisco.

Office suites allowed at controversial site: The Clark County Commission voted without dissent to allow the offices at the site. A commercial zoning application for 2.5 acres at the northeast corner of Cheyenne and Campbell was opposed by nearby residents and the city, but was approved Dec. 20.

County sticks by its car lot decision: It will be back to court for opponents of a disputed car-sales operation on West Sahara Avenue.

NLV fee for extra cars repealed: Kris Hill; North Las Vegas residents will no longer have to pay $20 per year to have more than two vehicles parked near their homes in residential neighborhoods after the City Council unanimously approved a change in the ordinance that required the fee.

LVMS to honor Earnhardt with massive floral display: LVMS will configure 33,333 flowers in the shape of the number "3" -- Earnhardt's car number -- on the berm that overlooks Turn 4 of the superspeedway. The 28,000 pure white pansies planted in the shape of a giant "3" will be trimmed by 5,333 red petunias to replicate the way the number appeared on Earnhardt's car.

Gorman girls stun No. 1 McQueen: Spencer Patterson; Wednesday's scores Bishop Gorman 67, McQueen 41 Silverado 54, Centennial 44 Reno 74, Green Valley 32 Galena 68, Las Vegas 36

Community news briefs for February 22, 2001: Staff at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve are looking for volunteers and will be hosting informational meetings during the coming months.

Editorial: Nevada should aid all children: As the Sun's Steve Kanigher reported Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center attributes this slight improvement to the Baby Your Baby program, which has received support from the state, hospitals and other health care providers. It's obvious that more needs to be done to educate parents about the need for proper prenatal care, but even then a change in attitudes will be slow in coming. Attention to this issue doesn't end, either, once the child is born. Whether mothers received adequate prenatal care or not, it is crucial that parents know how to care for their children. ...

2001 State prep basketball tournament schedules, results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Burns Intercollegiate par scores: Burns Intercollegiate par scores

Holiday season worked out well for Nevada retailers: CARSON CITY -- It was generally a good holiday shopping season, says the state Department of Taxation.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: George W. goes South: A FEW CRITICS have smirked when talking about President Bush making his first foray into foreign relations when visiting neighboring Mexico. Millions of Americans view visiting both Mexico and Canada much like visiting Florida or Southern California for a vacation during winter months. These visits are nothing like packing up for a business trip to Europe or Asia.

Holyfield plans fresh approach in rematch: Dean Juipe; It wasn't only the crowd at the Paris Las Vegas that felt Evander Holyfield was looking old if not infirm, the fighter himself realized it.

Revenue, profit up for Las Vegas casino supplier: After special items are factored out, the profit increased from $1.7 million or 9 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.

LV company announces share repurchase: At its current price of $1.50, Casino Journal could repurchase up to 333,333 shares of stock. That's about 30 percent of the company's "float," or free-trading shares, and about 5 percent of its outstanding stock.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Showroom policies should return to the past: Joe Delaney; In the beginning ... Las Vegas showrooms had action seven days a week, two shows a night, usually at 8 p.m. and midnight ... Star policy was the norm with an opening act or two and, sometimes, a line of dancers ... The basic mode of operation was to give the customer the best and the most of everything for the least amount of money; for free, if possible.

$5 million more sought for energy assistance: CARSON CITY -- A bill introduced Wednesday in the Assembly would add $5 million to the state's low-income energy assistance program.

Mississippi casino revenue up an 'impressive' 5 percent: John Porretto; JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi casino revenue rose 5 percent in January, which industry officials say is impressive considering the month had two fewer weekend days than in January 2000.

UNR narrows search for chief: CARSON CITY -- Ten men and one woman -- all from out of state -- have been selected semi-finalists in the search for a new president of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Agassi, DA to be honored with Louie Awards: The nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of families, children and seniors will present the Citizen of the Year Award to Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell and the Young Leadership award to Andre Agassi.

LV company announces major order from Station: Acres said Station is buying $21.8 million of Acres Advantage slot bonusing and promotion products under an exclusive deal for its Palace, Boulder, Texas, Sunset and Santa Fe Station casinos. The deal also includes the Green Valley casino now under construction.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A fitting salute to the mayor: Ruthe Deskin; Old friends and family members provided an emotion-filled evening for Mayor Oran Gragson as they surprised him on his 90th birthday.

LV legislator seeks investigation of UMC billing practices: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas assemblyman has called for an audit of University Medical Center to determine if the public hospital was improperly collecting payments from patients whose accounts should have been closed.

Editorial: Lobbying contract is a bad deal all around: This was a highly unusual decision. No other lobbying firm was considered to see which one would offer the best services. In contrast, the city of Las Vegas recently awarded its federal lobbying contract through a competitive bid. Commissioner Myrna Williams, who voted against the contract, was correct to note her concerns about changing lobbyists at such a critical juncture in the state's battle against Yucca Mountain. This hasty decision wasn't warranted.

At Their Peak: Kirk Baird; Getting there

Columnist Dean Juipe: Allen needs pivotal win vs. Spinks: Dean Juipe; It's a tough assignment, but credit Dennis Allen with knowing what he's up against.

Nevada sees increase in number of girls committing serious crimes: Siobhan McDonough; CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada lawmakers were told Thursday that they needed to spend more money to counter a growing trend of girls abusing alcohol and drugs and committing ever more serious crimes.

LV Guardsman patrols Alaska fishing: Dick Benoit; Las Vegas diners enjoy the fresh seafood served in restaurants on and off the Strip, but few give a second thought to how the ocean's fruit gets to the desert.

Letter: Taxpayers fail to see the folly of Bush tax cut: Gee, wouldn't that be terrible, when people are going hungry, living in the streets (which they will be when programs are cut to accommodate the tax cut) and going without medical care (45 million at last count) or prescription drugs (many of the elderly). Heaven forbid any taxpayer money (especially that of the idle rich) be spent to alleviate any of these disgraces.

Lawmakers look for action in probe of Fallon leukemia cases: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- After 15 hours of hearings last week on Fallon's leukemia cluster, nine of the 14 recommendations made to lawmakers simply ask them to write letters urging others to do something.

Western takes thriller: Spencer Patterson; Wednesday's scores Western 72, McQueen 61, 2 OT Las Vegas 60, Reno 46 Galena 56, Green Valley 41 B. Gorman 76, Desert Pines 56

Obituaries for February 22, 2001: Randy G. Adams-Johnston, 47, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 31, 1953, in Madison, Wis. A resident for 36 years, he was a dealer.

Vegas gas retailing giant promoting alternative fuels: David Strow; As operator of the Arco chain, BP Amoco is best known in Nevada as one of the largest operators of gas stations in the Las Vegas Valley.

Senate bill increases penalties for animal abuse: Kris Hill; A Las Vegas pet owner told the Senate Judiciary Committee about the suffering her family went through when her dog was injured last fall after someone poured pool acid onto him.

Fighting faculty: Jennifer Knight; Inside a drab portable office on the outskirts of the UNLV campus, Pam Cantrell casually talks about her credentials.

AG's office: Allegations of probe 'frivolous': Allegations that the Nevada attorney general's office conducted an unlawful intelligence probe of top gaming regulators are "frivolous" and not supported by facts, a top deputy for the office said Wednesday.

UNLV notebook: Rebels in conference track championships: Competition begins today with the pentathlon and continues through Saturday. The meet serves as the final chance to achieve NCAA qualifying marks for next month's NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.

Guinn unveils energy plan: CARSON CITY --- Gov. Kenny Guinn today unveiled a plan to get Nevada through the "energy crisis," but he cautioned residents there will continue to be price increases in electricity and natural gas.

Local news briefs for February 22, 2001: A temporary restraining order was issued against Developer's Maintenance on Wednesday after the Clark County Health District investigated the materials recovery company and found it did not have an operating permit.

Nevada lawmakers at work forming energy proposals: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- With numerous hearings on the energy crisis drawing headlines statewide, politicians from both parties are poised to present their own plans to address deregulation and consumer concerns.

Hot zoning battle finally yields a compromise: A compromise reached at a Clark County Commission meeting will likely mean a green light for a restaurant-bar planned for a rural outpost at Blue Diamond Road and Pahrump Highway.

Youth sports: Henderson taking registration forms: Mail-in registations will be accepted Feb. 26-March 3 and drop-off registrations will be taken March 5-8 at all city recreation centers. Call 434-4131 for more information.

If plants are sold, Nevadans will pay: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- If the state's utility holding company sells its power plants, consumers could be hit with anywhere from $915 million to $3.5 billion in increased costs over the next five years.

Students tell Berkley of problems staying in school: Terry Webster; Teenage pregnancy, proficiency exams -- and even smoking -- are some of the reasons students drop out of school, a discussion at Rancho High School revealed Wednesday.

Bandits take on Gary at the T&M: This will be the first time the Bandits play one of the five teams from the defunct Continental Basketball Association that joined the International Basketball League last week.

Panel questions cost of proposed college: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- When lawmakers learned Wednesday just how successful Great Basin College's transformation to a four-year teaching program has been, some questioned whether other two-year schools couldn't do the same.