Print edition for February 23, 2001

Judge withholds ruling on Rudin dismissal: Kim Smith; District Judge Joseph Bonaventure made it clear Thursday that he believes a defense attorney's allegations of misconduct against a prosecutor in the Margaret Rudin case are without merit.

Letter: A chance encounter: Ron@lasvegassun.com; I once was a member of Wedgewood Country Club in Medina, Ohio. Dean Chance was a member also. At that time he played golf and gin, to provide himself with "walking around money," and also had booths at state fairs, where you throw a dart at a poster. He was in "cahoots" then with the Trikilis brothers (Pro Arts), whose claim to fame was the first edition of the Farah Fawcett poster.

Letter: Coverage of soccer appreciated: Ron@lasvegassun.com; I am now changing my paper to the Sun from the Review-Journal. Thanks again.

Letter: Big deals take time: Ron@lasvegassun.com; I don't think it's smart to rush to Plan B at this time.

Letter: Columnists shoot straight: Ron@lasvegassun.com; It appears that the efforts of (current basketball coach) Max Good are below the radar scope of the (university) leaders, including the wise Steve Wynn.

Letter: Pitino won't stay for long: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Yes, he won an NCAA Tournament at Kentucky -- one of seven the school has won. The argument that he came in and saved the program is a lot of bull. They had basketball at UK before he got there and they have done just fine since he left.

Top Cats: Siegfried & Roy, MGM MIRAGE agree to lifetime contract: By John Katsilometes; But are they history in Las Vegas?

Columnist Joe Delaney: Faddis carrying on Gillespie's music, memory: Joe Delaney; Master trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's music lives with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, directed by trumpeter Jon Faddis, performing through Saturday at the Blue Note Las Vegas ... Faddis is also musical director and conductor of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, award winners for a Duke Ellington Memorial Tour and a resulting television concert in 1999.

Big rate increase approved for Nevada Power: The PUC approved the record increase in a 3-0 vote, citing its staff's financial analysis. That analysis showed that not approving an increase could have pushed Southern Nevada's primary utility company and its Reno-based parent company to the brink of financial disaster. Friday's move will increase Sierra Pacific's revenue from Nevada customers by $300 million per year.

Editorial: Change in plan that is welcome: Government officials are reluctant to make a sudden -- and a significant -- change in policy, fearing that they'll be accused of a flip-flop. This is a situation, though, where Crawford should be credited for applying common sense to a situation, making a needed change despite a prior commitment.

Planning coalition weighs in on crisis: The resolution, which will go to the Legislature, also asks the state to delay electric deregulation. The resolution also lends support to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which has suggested it could become a power provider in the region.

Editorial: Positive movement on gas mileage rules: But before environmentalists start popping champagne corks, it should be cautioned that all Ford has committed to do is look at the issue -- the company isn't yet favoring tougher standards. And the rest of the powerful auto industry, which has used its political clout to stop this move before, may not go along with Ford. They may not have a choice, however. Rising fuel prices make such opposition untenable, renewing hope that Congress will require better fuel-efficiency standards.

Emissions program is called outdated: A once-important tool to control air pollution doesn't serve a useful role and should be remade or abandoned, a regional air-pollution official told the Clark County District Board of Health on Thursday.

Review is tough on air quality agency's policies, management: The Clark County Health District heard a blistering report on past management at the agency's Air Quality Division, as well as proposals to correct the problems and thoroughly restructure the division.

Health, school districts criticized over fuel choice: The Clark County District Board of Health passed a resolution calling for the use of cleaner-burning fuels in vehicles owned by local government agencies, but the move stopped short of what a petitioner had asked for.

Joe Delaney remembers 1983: Manchester, Crystal shined in MGM Grand performances: Joe Delaney remembers 1983: Manchester, Crystal shined in MGM Grand performances

Kerr settles nicely into a new home at New Frontier: Joe Delaney; "The New Kenny Kerr Show," at the New Frontier, is female impersonator Kerr at his best, backed by three excellent performers -- singer Maggie Albisani and singer-dancers Raphael DeLarosa and Jay Joseph -- plus a small-but-mighty musical group under the direction of Rick Warren, on keyboards; plus Ricardo Chavez, lead guitar and vocals; Freddie Omar, bass guitar; Christine Jacobs, on drums; and Ron Stevenson, percussion.

Unifying of air quality agencies OK'd: The Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition passed a resolution calling for a unified, single air quality agency Thursday, but the measure passed over the dissent of several coalition members.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Restaurant gives a Command performance: Mardi Gras came early for members of the Las Vegas chapter of the Chaine Des Rotisseurs, the oldest gourmet society in the world, and what a celebration it was.

2001 State prep basketball tournament schedules, results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Columnist Kate Maddox: Vegas ready for Jovial show: Kate Maddox; To clear up any confusion, Bon Jovi will indeed be in Las Vegas for an April 21 concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The '80s hair band isn't concerned that dry desert air will damage the voice of lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, which is the reason U2 begged off a Vegas appearance on its latest tour.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Saving newborn babies: IT'S REFRESHING TO SEE the Junior League of Las Vegas and Sen. Ray Rawson pushing for a law that provides for the delivery of unwanted newborn infants to providers of emergency medical care and services. The person delivering the infant "must not be pursued or followed."

Where I Stand 1983 -- Hank Greenpsun: Looking back at JFK's death: ---

News of the day: 1983: Story: President Reagan denounced "the vicious terrorist bombing" of the American Embassy in Beirut Monday as "a cowardly act." He vowed that the United States would not be deterred from its efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon.

Review: 50 million Costner fans can be wrong: Grade: One-and-a-half stars Starring: Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Courtney Cox and David Kaye. Screenplay: Richard Recco and Demian Lichtenstein. Director: Demian Lichetenstein. Rated: R for strong violence, language and sexuality. Running time: 125 minutes.

Loverboy remains weekend warriors: Kirk Baird; After all, the Loverboy vocalist lost both his bassist and best friend, Scott Smith, not even three months ago. Smith was taking his 37-foot sailboat to a marina in Southern California in late November when he was swept overboard by a powerful wave 4 miles off the coast of San Francisco. A two-day search by the Coast Guard proved fruitless.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Fancy that: A club for rodent fans: With snow-white fur and pink eyes, Kibbles looks pretty much the way a mouse should.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1983: Moments with Kennedy produced fond memories: I have my own memories of the charismatic young president. I recall a meeting at the Convention Center when he teasingly asked if he could count the freckles on my nose as he held out his hand to shake mine. Friends teased me for days because I didn't want to wash the hand that shook the president's.

Outlaws try to curb fans' rowdiness: Victoria Sun; Increased security and a plea from Las Vegas Outlaw officials did not curb drunken fans from fighting and in one case, flashing last Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium when the Outlaws hosted the Los Angeles Xtreme.

IBL Box: Gary-Las Vegas: GARY, IND. (1-3)

Las Vegas area fishing report: Stripers weighing from 1-2 pounds are being caught at Las Vegas Bay, the Hemenway Wall, the 33 Hole, Saddle Cove and Sand Island. The Virgin Bowl and Stewart's Point have produced stripers for anglers who have been fishing in the Overton Arm.

State colleges may have to cut staff, faculty for raises: CARSON CITY -- The University and Community College System of Nevada may have to cut faculty or staff or keep positions vacant in order to have enough money to provide pay raises for professors, Chancellor Jane Nichols said today.

Two suspects to face trial in strangling death of LV woman: Kim Smith; Two men suspected of killing a Las Vegas woman in a murder-for-hire scheme will face trial.

Judge declines to block sale: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Peter Walsh refused to issue a stay in the proceedings, meaning the bankruptcy sale of TWA will continue. Continental, claiming it's unfair, will continue to fight it.

Obituaries for February 23, 2001: Earl S. Abbott I, 72, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a hospital. He was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Oklahoma. A resident for 57 years, he was a contractor in residential construction and a World War II Army veteran.

Power play evident as strategies shaped: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- While unveiling a six-point plan he said will protect Nevadans from the energy crisis, Gov. Kenny Guinn warned lawmakers not to "make political hay" out of the problem.

UNLV notebook: Rebel golfers third in Hawaii tournament: Oh (68-67--135) is tied for second on the leaderboard, five shots behind New Mexico's Michael Letzig (66-64--130), who is on pace to break the 54-hole tournament record of 198 set by UNLV's Jeremy Anderson last year.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Game wardens seize illegal snakes: Paula DelGiudice; The Nevada Division of Wildlife has been busy recently putting animals in places where they want them, and removing them from places where they don't.

Bankruptcies for February 23, 2001: Jim E. McCall, also known as James McCall, formerly doing business as Jim McCall Construction, 3001 Cabana Drive No. 86, filed for Chapter 13, listing assets of $87,058 and liabilities of $266,640.

Revenue, profit up for Vegas-based casino supplier: Revenue of $11.2 million was up 32 percent as the installed base of leased and sold shufflers passed 7,000, Shuffle Master said Thursday.

Atlantic City casinos miss hosting big fights: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- The ring is octagonal. The fighters go barefoot. And once the bell rings, almost everything is legal -- choke holds, kicking, kneeing, arm locks, punching, "throws" and wrestling-style takedowns.

Tribal casino adding slots, table games: The tribe changed its compact with the state at a meeting of the General Council, open to the entire tribe. The state is negotiating changes in gambling compacts with the eight American Indian tribes in South Dakota that have casinos.

Eyes of France turn to LV courtroom: Keith Paul; On the eve of today's coroner's inquest into the death of a French citizen who died during a struggle with Clark County jail guards, the French government let U.S. officials know their country is watching.

McDonald is relieved those tailing him weren't stalkers: Keith Paul; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald said he was relieved to learn he was the target of a law enforcement surveillance.

Gaming Commission approves settlement: Commissioner Augie Gurrola of Las Vegas suggested this violation would not have occurred if there was a proper training program in place. But a spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas, which owns the Rio, said the employee involved in the violation had completed training only two weeks prior to the incident.

Guinn plan has Calif. in mind: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- California is hard to ignore -- with its huge common border, 38 million people and an economy dwarfing that of many countries.

Letter: Recalling Earnhardt: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Dale Earnhardt was one of a kind. Racing will never be the same without him.

UNLV sports department in the red: Copyright 2001 Las Vegas Sun

Casino executive wins $2.49 million jury award from Las Vegas Hilton: Grace Leong; A jury has ordered Park Place Entertainment Corp.'s Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino to pay $2.49 million to a former executive after determining the hotel-casino wrongfully fired her and left her stranded in Singapore.

Lawmakers fear deficit will rock veterans home: CARSON CITY -- The veterans home in Boulder City, plagued with a variety of problems during construction, may face a deficit during its first two years of operation, state lawmakers said today.

Fallon lawmaker seeks funds to fight leukemia: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Fallon lawmaker Marcia de Braga asked the state for $1 million in emergency funding Thursday to address her town's growing leukemia cluster.

Worries trickle into water supply: As state officials brace for an energy crisis, Southern Nevada representatives warned that a regional power shortage could affect drinking-water delivery to Las Vegas as soon as this summer.

Colorado-to-Las Vegas charter flights planned: Champion Air, a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlines, will offer four flights a week beginning June 1.

Neal's jackpot measure opposed: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- State Gaming Control Board representatives told a legislative committee this morning that casinos should not be required to pay jackpots when a slot machine malfunctions.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Drivers rethinking use of HANS device: Dale Earnhardt's contributions to NASCAR Winston Cup racing during his 22-year career were obvious.

Las Vegan second in national tourney: Harris and Delaney defeated the top-seeded Tucson duo of Charlie Wicker and Duncan MacDonald, 21-9, 21-12 in the semifinals.

Good, Rebels just want to have fun as season winds down: Steve Addy; SAN DIEGO -- Three weeks ago, Rebels coach Max Good decided he was being too easy on his players, so he reverted to drill-instructor mode to try to shock the team back into focus.

Tourists' electric car fleet expanding on the Strip: Officials with a Texas company that put a dozen electric cars for rent on the Strip earlier this month say demand is so great that they're going to increase the fleet to 140.

Letter: Lack of nurses could be eased: Perhaps this procedure could be the answer or one answer to the nurse shortage today?

Bill would boost testing security: CARSON CITY -- A bill has been introduced in the Assembly to tighten security in the handling of tests in school districts after reports some examinations disappeared and students were given access to some of the questions.

Episcopal bishop faces a big task: Stacy J. Willis; When Episcopal Bishop-elect Katherine Jefferts Schori is consecrated Saturday, she will assume the responsibility for reinvigorating a stagnate diocese.

Letter: Teacher-backed tax has pitfalls: There are several things that this tax really is:

Public urged to guard against wildfire threat: CARSON CITY -- State Forester Steve Robinson said today that state government is limited in its ability to fight wildfires and that homeowners must help in guarding against these blazes.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Rebels owe it to fans to play hard: Dean Juipe; For the paying fan in the stands, it's impossible to comprehend those occasional instances when the athletes performing in front of them are giving less than their best efforts.

Magnetized city attracts attention in D.C. event: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Middle school students from across the country swarmed to the nation's capital this week for the finals of a national competition to design a city of the future.

Columnist Sal Sal DeFilippo: Players can make a name for themselves -- literally: In the XFL, each player's goals are simple -- win the game and the bonus money that goes with it, and try to make a name for yourself in the process. Las Vegas Outlaws running back Rod Smart is an exception. He made a name for himself first. Literally. Since the XFL allows players to put whatever they want on the back of their jerseys, Smart -- a first-team All-Ohio Valley conference pick in 1999, when he ran for 1,249 yards and 10 touchdowns at Western Kentucky -- put his three-word moniker there for everyone to see.

Pioneer casino executive, civic leader Garbian dies: Al Garbian devoted his life to promoting and improving the business of gaming and to making Las Vegas a better place to live with his contributions to civic activities such as public television, the YMCA and the UNLV Foundation.

Goodman eyes monorail linking Sahara, Fremont: Diana Sahagun; He may no longer be a member of the Regional Transportation Commission, but Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is still intertwined with the board and is helping find funding to extend a monorail to downtown.

Garcia taking his plan for reorganization to public: Terry Webster; Meetings about school regions

Start of Henderson's Fountain Plaza delayed: Thompson said two weeks ago she planned to break ground on her $100 million downtown redevelopment project by March.

It's less of an emergency: Kris Hill; Crowded emergency rooms at University Medical Center hold six gurneys in a room, separated by just a couple of feet and a curtain. There's barely enough space for the patient and doctor. Family members have to move out of the way when nurses come in.

Gorman, Silverado girls see title hopes dashed: Spencer Patterson; Thursday's semifinals Â· Reno 55, Bishop Gorman 32 Â· Galena 43, Silverado 38

Maupin: Court trimming backlog -- for now: CARSON CITY -- Chief Justice Bill Maupin told the Legislature Thursday that the Nevada Supreme Court has reduced its backlog of cases by 32 percent in the last three years, but he added the court can't keep up this pace with the growing population.

Burns Intercollegiate par scores: Team standings

Gorman, Western to meet in finals: Spencer Patterson; Thursday's semifinals Â· Western 50, Las Vegas 30 Â· B. Gorman 77, Galena 41

Growth benefits low-income residents: Jeffrey Libby; The same city dollars that have motivated developers to tear down older homes to build commercial centers in their place will soon provide a benefit to the low-income people who were displaced or who are still living in the redeveloped areas.

Local news briefs for February 23, 2001: A 12-year-old boy was killed Thursday afternoon when he was hit by a recycling truck while crossing a street.

Mayor still hopes Las Vegas has a Grizzly sports future: Diana Sahagun; The Vancouver Grizzlies National Basketball Association team is considering other cities for its franchise and Las Vegas remains one of them.

Bandits cruise past Gary: Victoria Sun; In welcoming one of the newest teams to join the International Basketball League, the Las Vegas Bandits made door mats out of the Gary Steelheads Thursday night.

UNLV's Ingalls set to return after concussion: Steve Guiremand; Anybody who has doubts about how physical a women's college basketball game can be should contact UNLV's Brooke Ingalls.

Letter: Let people decide for themselves on Bush's tax cut: Who knows? This system could ease the conscience of those opposed to the tax cut, while people like me -- who are overtaxed -- can take advantage of the new lower Bush tax cut.