Print edition for July 5, 2001

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Tent City reminds of Depression: Ruthe Deskin; There are some things we would just as soon sweep under the rug.

Editorial: Improve blackout notification: The utility may not have wanted to unnecessarily alarm its customers over the weekend if the conditions eventually turned for the better, but this was a situation where Nevada Power's customers should have been told about the difficulties facing the company. On Tuesday Nevada Power did acknowledge that if similar conditions were to occur again, the company would err on the side of caution and let the public know sooner what was happening. For that matter, Nevada Power should be more receptive to implementing a sensible policy that would warn specific areas of the city in advance that they would ...

Where I Stand--Brian Greenspun: Words to remember: "WHEN IN THE COURSE of human events ..."

Schumacher not ready to celebrate yet: Michael McDonough; MAGNY-COURS, France - Michael Schumacher knows all about spraying champagne around on the podium. With two more wins, he will have done that more than any driver in Formula One history.

Editorial: Water pact will aid our region's future: The water stored won't actually be shipped to Nevada. When there's a shortage, Arizona would use the water, while Nevada would take a portion of Arizona's allocation from the Colorado River. Currently Nevada only is allowed 300,000 acre-feet of water a year from the Colorado River, while Arizona receives 2.3 million acre-feet, a situation that required this complicated agreement. While getting more water was crucial for our future, Southern Nevadans still will have to take water conservation seriously if the valley is to keep thriving.

Letter: Dual language program is a waste of time: The article raises as many questions as it answers.

Waltrip expects emotional Daytona return: Jenna Fryer; DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It took 15 long years and 462 agonizing defeats for Michael Waltrip to find the winner's circle. But Dale Earnhardt's death has kept him from enjoying that breakthrough victory.

Community briefs for July 5, 2001: The Whitney Ranch Recreation Center will host a creative workshop, "Art, Wire, Metal and More," noon- 2:30 p.m. Friday at 1575 Galleria Drive.

Papis emerging from long slump: Mike Harris; A surprise victory is the best way for a driver supposedly in trouble to save his job.

Calkins remembers good and bad days: Hank Kurz Jr; Buzz Calkins remembers the day that opened his eyes to racing even wider than the one that gave him a place in its history.

Letter: Who'll pay for military aid?: Because of the destruction our bombing did to Yugoslavia, President Bush's administration has pledged $181 million to help rebuild this country.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Bumped and bruised, another year at the Sun begins: Joe Delaney; This column marks the start of my 35th year as entertainment columnist and critic for the Las Vegas Sun ... The start date was actually June 17, 1967 ... For the past six years I have spent three of my annual four-week May-June vacation in Montreux, Switzerland, teaching at the International Academy of Broadcasting and the fourth week visiting old friends in Ireland.

Fireworks barge catches fire: Seven people were taken from the 300-foot barge by the Coast Guard, but no serious injuries were reported.

Lawsuits allege defects: Twenty-seven homeowners of Gold Crest, a 400-unit home project, sued Sutton Corp., alleging the property contained defects. The development is on Valley Drive between Craig Road and Alexander Road.

LV insurer's stock up: Having put problems with a Texas acquisition largely behind it, Sierra has been touting its financial turnaround and has been telling investors it believes it is undervalued and a buying opportunity.

Cincinnati bowler hits jackpot in LV: Spencer Patterson; For the past five years, Super Bowl Sunday has been a special occasion for Nick Vogelsang, because it marks the day the Cincinnati resident collected a $100,000 check at the 1996 High Roller Championship Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas.

Second chance: Nearly 10 months after life-threatening accident, doctors and patient are reunited: Las Vegas Fire Department Capt. Nathan Pechacek worked over the Independence Day holiday, which isn't so unusual for a firefighter.

Iowa firm buying half of track, slot operator: Peninsula Gaming Partners LLC said it would manage the current track, located near Lafayette, and build the new facility in St. Landry Parish. William Trotter, a Lafayette businessman, will retain the other 50 percent stake, the company said.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: Anglers who have braved the triple digit temperatures have generally been rewarded by catching striped bass that are actively feeding on schools of threadfin shad. The better action for stripers appears to be the Boulder Basin with most boaters concentrating their efforts off Boulder Beach, the Hemenway Wall, Sand Island and Black Island.

Fight schedule: At the Hilton, Reno, Rocky Gannon, Las Vegas, vs. Andre Purlett, Hollywood, Fla., 10, heavyweights; Corey Sanders, Mitchellville, Md., vs. Willie Williams, East Point, Ga., 10, heavyweights.

Bus driver in critical condition after crash: Many of the 37 passengers taken to area hospitals after the crash have been released. However, several are still recovering, including 26-year-old woman in guarded condition, who had an emergency Caesarean section delivering a baby boy, hospital officials said.

Sun Camp Fund can give opportunities to children: The mother of a 7-year-old boy says she wants him to go to camp "to experience something that he will not get a chance to do."

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Anglers chasing $1 million fish: Paula DelGiudice; So the search for Big Jake is on. The contest sponsored by Anheuser-Busch officially opened July 1.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 3:30 p.m.

PDS Gaming cancels deal to buy chain of PT's Pubs: Revenue Properties Co. Ltd. of Toronto announced Wednesday that Las Vegas-based PDS has terminated a deal to acquire P.T. Gaming LLC, owner of 23 PT's Pubs throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Revenue Properties jointly owns P.T. Gaming with local businessmen Phil and Tom Boeckle.

Fed grant to be used to hire 30 officers: Jeffrey Libby; Henderson officials will use new state tax revenues gained during the legislative session to preserve a $2.25 million federal grant to hire 30 additional police officers.

Reilly OK with less-than-record pay: Adrienne Packer; Thom Reilly never expected to break salary records.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Las Vegas' Adams to face his toughest challenge vs. Ayala: Dean Juipe; After years of facing both good fighters and bad ones, Bones Adams is ready for his toughest test to date.

Three die in separate accidents: Jace Radke; Metro Police detectives are investigating three fatal traffic accidents, including one in which a tourist was killed after struck by a tour bus in downtown Las Vegas on Wednesday.

PCL box: Las Vegas-Fresno: E--Leach. LOB--Las Vegas 4, Fresno 5. 2B--K. Johnson. HR--Kiefer (1), Prieto (11), Hiatt (22), Pena (7). S--Estrella. CS--Terrealba.

Fireworks spark few blazes in LV Valley: Jace Radke and Ed Koch; Firefighters on Wednesday responded to more than three times the usual number of fire-related calls, including at least one fireworks-related injury.

51s record fifth straight victory: However, it was the visiting Las Vegas 51s who provided most of the fireworks on this night.

Business briefs for July 5, 2001: Brown & Brown Inc. of Daytona Beach, Fla., said it acquired Las Vegas-based insurance agency Layne & Associates Ltd. for an undisclosed sum.

LV casino operator looks to expand to Mexico: REYNOSA, Mexico -- A Las Vegas-area developer agreed Wednesday to build a casino and luxury hotel in this border city, even though laws lifting a ban on casinos have yet to be approved by Mexico's Congress.

Terry won't run for DA: Terry, whom many considered the front-runner in the race, said his decision is a financial one.

Partners bidding for Regent resort break up: David Strow; A sudden, unexpected rift has developed between Peccole Nevada Corp. and Heller Financial Inc. of Chicago, identified in May as the first bidders on the bankrupt Regent Las Vegas hotel-casino.

AG office seeks delay in trial over Anzalone firing: The attorney general's office is pressing hard to delay next week's trial in Mike Anzalone's defamation and wrongful termination lawsuit.

Flash flood leaves motorists stranded: Jace Radke and Mary Manning; A Wednesday night thunderstorm turned roadways into rivers in southwest Las Vegas, sending emergency crews and neighbors into rushing water to save stranded motorists.

Crime briefs for July 5, 2001: A Clark County District Court judge Tuesday set a $10,000 bail for a former detention center officer accused of impersonating a police officer.

Obituaries for July 5, 2001: Kathryn Buriene Capone, 85, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Nov. 3, 1915, in Freeport, Ill. She was a homemaker who owned Kay's Record Shop in Rockford, Ill., in the late 1940s.

Las Vegas defendants deny cable TV piracy charge: Grace Leong; Two Las Vegas Valley residents are denying charges by cable television operator Cox Communications Inc. that they illegally used "pirate" cable television decoding devices to steal its programming and services.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Phoenix can't beat the odds: Regardless of what our honorable mayor believes, Las Vegas is still about five years away from having everything -- namely, an arena and enough fans to consistently fill one -- in place for a major league sports franchise.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- The Station -- Draws good slot for sprint opener, Pincay scales Eurton trainee, will make late impact. Liquid Asset -- Baze sits Kruljac trainee, well drawn for short run, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Bettor Royalty

Commission accepts air-quality oversight: The commissioners voted 7-0 to accept Gov. Kenny Guinn's designation. It means they will take over the policy-making role for air quality decisions from the Clark County District Board of Health, unless opponents to the move can successfully challenge the governor's decision.

New boundaries seen as 'clearly political': Adrienne Packer; For months, Clark County planners have erased and redrawn new commission district boundary lines only to have board members adjust them.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Funny Car opponents target Force at Pomona: John Force will be right at home when the inaugural Pep Boys 50th Anniversary Nationals gets under way today at the historic Pomona Raceway.

Reward offered in in case of abandoned kitten: Angela Soo; Animal rights activists are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever left a kitten at a busy intersection last week.

LV airline capacity numbers stagnant: The number of flights and available airline seats coming into McCarran International Airport remained flat from May to June.

Agassi school is building for future: Terry Webster; Rounds of gunfire rang out in broad daylight, and construction workers scrambled for cover in dirt trenches and behind concrete walls.

Light to be shed on cuts in power: Clark County officials say they will now get warnings before the lights and air conditioners go out.

Gulf War vet to run ROTC program: Dick Benoit; A 33-year career naval officer will head up Centennial High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps beginning this fall.