Print edition for June 5, 2001

New law loosens regulations for acupuncturists: Nevadans can expect to see a sharp increase in the number of individuals who practice acupuncture or Oriental medicine, thanks to a new state law that eases licensing requirements.

In full groom: 'Tis the season for paring down your pet's coat: That includes animals.

Letter: Waiting for a better world: Since I was born, mankind has been fighting wars. Each war was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but each time mankind has found a reason to go to war again.

Compromise finally reached on distributing state taxes: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- An 11th-hour agreement between local governments and legislators will give Henderson the tax change it wanted but without the heavy blow to the city of Las Vegas and Clark County that fueled a dispute during most of the 2001 Legislature.

Community briefs for June 5, 2001: The city of Las Vegas will host Safe Summer Nights to promote a violence-free season.

Ross, member of pioneer family, dies: CARSON CITY -- A funeral is pending for Janis W. Ross, who died Friday at a hospital in California.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Is Vegas good enough for Spam?: Las Vegas may be near the top of the heap where tourists are concerned, but to the makers of Spam we're simply the B team.

Editorial: Expressing doubts over nuke dump: In the three weeks since Bush announced his energy plan, however, there has been an interesting new take on nuclear waste storage. Instead of talk about what a done deal this is, there now is momentum building that questions Yucca Mountain's suitability in safely storing 77,000 tons of nuclear waste. The change in party control of the Senate -- and with it the elevation of Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid as assistant majority leader -- has been the principal reason for optimism. The new Senate majority leader, Tom Daschle, said last week that he thought Yucca Mountain would be a ...

Letter: Accurate history integral part of good education: An accurate rendering of history will properly portray Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor as an unconscionable act of aggression and brutality. But it will also show that, even as their families languished in internment camps, Americans of Japanese descent remained loyal to this country, and many of them fought for America with dedication and bravery.

Immunization schedule for June 5, 2001: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Legislative briefs for June 5, 2001: An emergency communication system is going to be built along Interstate 15 from the California border to Lake Mead Drive, under a bill approved by the Senate Monday.

Where I Stand--Mike O'Callaghan: SB329 makes them vote: AT FIRST BLUSH the passage of SB329 had me thinking that it was just one more attempt for legislators to poke their fingers into eyes of local governing bodies. Not much love is lost between many legislators and local officials. It had a 42-0 margin in the Assembly and a 19-1-1 margin in the Senate. The guts of the bill reads:

Court knocks down price of Metro photos: When Las Vegas attorney Don Campbell was told that Metro Police was charging him $1,700 for 425 crime-scene photographs to use in a civil case, he said no way.

Medicinal marijuana clears legislative hurdles: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn will now have to decide whether voters and the Legislature were correct in approving marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Girl needs break from increased responsibility: "She has been doing a lot of changing this year, and I think she needs to have something that is just hers," her mother says.

Letter: No free trade with Chinese: They announced that our EP 3 surveillance plane would have to be disassembled and transported in a AN-124 Russian designed giant transport. We could repair it and fly home. But they'll do anything to attempt to humble us. Also, they refused to allow the USS Inchon to make a port call in Hong Kong to further make their petty point.

State college startup money lost in shuffle: Jennifer Knight; Amid chaos in the last minutes of the 2001 Legislature, money to get the state college up and running was either forgotten or passed over for lack of time, according to university officials.

Lawmakers pull switch on four death penalty bills: Siobhan McDonough; CARSON CITY -- Several death penalty measures suffered harsh fates this session -- they were killed. But Nevada lawmakers managed to keep alive a proposal to study the topic.

Internet gambling bill goes to Guinn: CARSON CITY -- A bill that would open the door for Nevada casinos to offer Internet gambling cleared its final hurdle in the Legislature Monday, but it may be years before online betting is available.

Former boxing champ Maxim dies at 79: In the early 1960s ex-light heavyweight boxing champion Joey Maxim was driving a cab in Florida to make ends meet.

Editorial: Lott not handling rejection very well: Lott also couldn't pass up a dig at Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords' bolt from the party, which tossed control of the Senate to the Democrats, characterizing it as "the impetuous decision of one man to undermine our democracy." But Lott never felt democracy was imperiled before when Democrats in the Senate left the fold to join the Republican ranks. Lott's hypocritical, whiny remarks stand in stark contrast to incoming Majority Leader Tom Daschle's call for a bipartisan approach to solve what have become seemingly intractable disputes. Lott's declaration additionally is a poke in the eye of Republican moderates in the ...

Obituaries for June 5, 2001: Wiley Barnes, 66, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. A mail carrier and Air Force veteran, he was born March 10, 1935, in Fairbanks, La.

State to offer proposal to clear contaminated soil: Jeffrey Libby; About 2,400 acres of contaminated land in central Henderson could be cleaned up for private residential development according to a plan to be proposed Wednesday by the state Division of Environmental Protection.

Crash of Bally's casino bus, car kills two: Brendan Schurr; DEPTFORD, N.J. -- Two men were killed Monday when their car careened across a grass highway median, overturned and slid into the path of a bus bound for an Atlantic City casino.

PurchasePro cuts 103 jobs: Kevin Ferguson; Las Vegas-based PurchasePro appointed Richard Clemmer as chief executive officer this morning.

Legislators run out of time, after wasting it: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Lawmakers only have 120 days to conduct two years' worth of the state's business.

Lake lowdown: Dropping Mead levels threaten boaters: Rebecca Malone; David Crammer of Las Vegas doesn't need to be convinced that water levels at Lake Mead are dropping.

76ers look to avoid being 86'd quickly: Victoria Sun; Congratulations, Philadelphia!

Regulators probe slot maker over silence on flaw: The Detroit News reported today that Michigan gaming regulators have set a hearing to address the matter June 20. The board believes WMS may have known about the problem as early as December 1999, but failed to inform the board about the glitches until earlier this year. The newspaper said the board is considering fines or other disciplinary action against WMS over the issue.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: LV still in lead to nab CART operations: While it showed the Indy Racing League at last week's Indianapolis 500 that it was no Mickey Mouse operation, there's at least a chance Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) literally could become one.

UNLV golfer selected to All-American team: UNLV golfer selected to All-American team

UNLV offering camps for junior players: The clinics are for players of all levels ages 6-17. Each of three sessions will run from Monday through Friday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The dates are June 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Reno-Tahoe Olympic bid apt to fail: Dean Juipe; It is an endeavor that has gone largely unnoticed and, to date, has barely caused a ripple of interest with either the media or the general public.

Three LV builders disciplined: A. Daley & Wilson Inc. was charged with substandard workmanship, abandoning a project, disregarding state safety or labor laws, failing to comply with the board's regulations, failing to establish financial responsibility and other alleged violations.

Attorneys want bail cut in triple fatal: Kim Smith; Attorneys for a Las Vegas man accused of killing three people in a hit-and-run accident are asking that his $2.2 million bail be reduced. They claim he attempted to turn himself in prior to his arrest April 25.

PCL Box: Omaha-Las Vegas: E--Rosario, Cookson. DP--Omaha 2. LOB--Omaha 1, Las Vegas 5. 3B--Mota. HR--Barry (4), Cookson (2). CS--Hubbard.

Lawmakers forget for whom the bell tolls: CARSON CITY -- With chaos reigning, the Nevada Legislature closed shop early today, passing scores of bills that could be challenged in court and failing to complete its business in the required 120 days.

Springer floats one-hitter: Steve Guiremand; Dennis Springer was a foot or two away from making a little history at Cashman Field on Monday night.

N.Y. art company gambles on LV move: Diana Sahagun; In a city where the arts must coexist with neon and dancing water, it may seem odd that a major New York art company would consider Las Vegas for its new home.

Valley voters head to polls: Turnouts at the polls today are expected to be low, but don't tell that to the precinct volunteers at the Desert Willow Recreation Center in Henderson, who handled brisk business this morning.

James gets compromise for his revenue measure: A compromise was reached on Senate Bill 577 to keep intact increased business fees that will raise an estimated $30 million, and at the same time concerns about liability provision were worked out.

LV resort sues over slot patent: The patent relates to a mounting table for slot machines where coins dropped into individual machines are funnelled into a single coin drop compartment.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Dreamin N Schemin -- Draws good rail post for route opener, hustling Julio aboard Van Berg trainee, should get the trip here. I Got Silver -- Training at Los Alamitos, Baze takes call on Gonzalez trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- Paris Orbit

Billboard industry wants to block new ordinance: For at least the third time in the past two months, Clark County commissioners will debate new rules covering billboards.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:10 p.m.

Building materials retailer in bankruptcy: The troubled building-materials retailer, based in Kansas City, Mo., blamed a harsh winter and poor economic conditions for slumping sales and cash flow. The company said it is in talks with potential lenders and expects to have additional debtor-in-possesion funding in place.

Landlord takes over theme park: Urban Land Co. of Nevada, a real estate development company, has opened the park's batting cages on weekends and plans to refurbish the interior of the park for an August reopening.

Hotels get watered-down bill on booze: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY -- The state Senate gave final legislative approval early today to a watered-down bill that began as a plan to let some major Nevada hotels truck booze statewide, bypassing wholesalers who now handle such shipments.

Shuffle Master, IGT settle: IGT sued Shuffle Master, its business partner, in Minnesota federal court last month over a field trial Shuffle Master initiated at the Excalibur hotel-casino in Las Vegas. IGT claimed that the "Double Platinum" machines in this trial, a retrofit of IGT three-reel machines, violated IGT's "Telnaes" patent. This patent drastically increases the amount of random outcomes possible on a three-reel machine.

County workers lampoon bosses on Internet site: Adrienne Packer; An employee-launched website that includes attacks on Clark County department heads and encourages fellow workers to voice complaints about management is inappropriate and should be redesigned, administrators said Monday.

Vegas airline capacity continues to decline: Nonstop flights between Las Vegas and four international destinations ended in May as the number of airline seats destined for Las Vegas fell for a third straight month.

News briefs for June 5, 2001: An 89-year-old Las Vegas woman died Sunday after the car she was driving struck a railroad crossing signal post.

Clock runs out on many bills, including pay raises: CARSON CITY -- Some bills made it through by the skin of their teeth before the Nevada Legislature adjourned early today, but there were other casualties.

Slaying suspect to represent self: Kim Smith; A murder suspect who has a history of disruptive behavior and mental problems will be allowed to represent himself during his August trial.

Tennessee moves to block casinos: Tom Sharp; NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The state House voted 54-39 Monday for a bill to preclude casino gambling in Tennessee, a move opponents said would tie the General Assembly's hands should voters approve a state lottery next year.

Mother won't be charged in baby's death: Keith Paul; The mother of a baby who died after being left in a sport utility vehicle in the midday heat will not be charged in connection with the baby's death.

Dittler eager to get pro career off the ground: Spencer Patterson; After missing five weeks of the high school baseball season with an elbow strain, Jake Dittler's draft prospects appeared uncertain to say the least just a month ago.

Lawmakers hike per-pupil funding: Terry Webster; State officials appear to have come through with enough money to keep the walking distance at two miles for Clark County School District high school students.

Mesquite hangs in the balance: Politicians will readily confirm that elections in Nevada can be rough.

Guinn to call special session: Lawmakers fail to reach deal on reapportionment: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- After a hopeful start to reapportionment negotiations Monday the 71st Legislative session ended after midnight this morning with no solution to the state's largest political battle and lawmakers rushing the clock to conclude the state's business.