Print edition for June 21, 2001

Letter: Media exploits McVeigh's death: While I could have just turned the television off, I felt I also had a right to watch as it all unfolded. I don't know why I did, except that I try to be very informed on current events.

Editorial: Titans' spat bewilders consumers: Testifying Tuesday before Congress, Firestone CEO John Lampe dismissed Ford's recent decision to replace his company's tires, saying they weren't to blame. Lampe charged that Ford was trying to make Firestone a "scapegoat" by hiding safety problems inherent to its SUVs, design problems that Lampe says were responsible for the accidents. Ford CEO Jacques Nasser was unmoved. "This is a tire issue and only a tire issue," Nasser said. So much for clarity. Even congressmen, who often pass themselves off as know-it-alls, were flummoxed by the night-and-day responses from these corporate leviathans engaged in a bitter public relations battle.

Letter: One safe bet in Las Vegas: Don't drink the water: The "brains" in their infinite wisdom (?) did away with the wetlands at Lake Mead, thus allowing the sun to beat down and encourage the thick growth of algae now visible. This same algae consists of all the refuse (including communicable diseases) in millions of gallons of water flushed every day.

Letter: Don't take remark seriously: It is absurd for you to argue that everyone who reads attorney Michael Amador's remark -- and it really goes against my grain to defend an attorney -- believes that everyone whose last name ends in a vowel is in the mob.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Maddening statement on bureaucracy: Ruthe Deskin; In my years of schooling, I must have missed something.

Auto racing schedule, winners and points standings: Feb. 18 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Michael Waltrip)

Fight schedule: Friday

PCL box: Salt Lake-Las Vegas: E--Beverlin. DP--Salt Lake 2. LOB--Salt Lake 12, Las Vegas 12. 2B--Nieves, Molina, Pena, Aven 2. HR--t'Hoen (1), Hiatt (15). SB--Nieves 2.

News briefs for June 21, 2001: Former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., is recovering from an infection in his neck at a Reno hospital.

Church singer, early Henderson factory worker Clark dies: Jean Reid Norman; Virginia Clark knew how to hold the high notes.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Bolchina's Prize -- Draws good rail post for route opener, Nakatani atop Mitchell trainee, jockey-trainer team always dangerous. Lost In Paradise -- Training at Anita, hustling Espinoza sits Dolan trainee, should make late impact in this. Value Play -- Another Star

Columnist Dean Juipe: McCullough upset with British license denial: Dean Juipe; Out of the ring for a year and a half but anxious and feeling physically ready for a return, Wayne McCullough was dealt a blow last week when the British Boxing Board of Control denied him a license.

Obituaries for June 21, 2001: Erle Grey Ashley, 60, of Las Vegas died May 23 in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 17, 1941, in Memphis, Tenn. A resident for 35 years, he was a cook and a Navy veteran.

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

Where I Stand--Mike O'Callaghan: Real people making news: DURING THE 45 YEARS I've been in Nevada no single person has done more to promote higher education than Dr. Richard Moore. Not only did he bring our Community College system in Clark County to life, he also identified the need for a state college. His foresight and energy has been a plus for Nevadans of today and tomorrow.

Boosters try to sell Logan on AD job: Steve Guiremand; The phone was ringing off the hook in Don Logan's office on Wednesday afternoon. And it wasn't friends asking the Las Vegas 51s president and general manager for tickets to that night's game against the Salt Lake Stingers at Cashman Field.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Rebuilding efforts starting to pay off for LV's Marnell: After suffering through one of the least successful seasons of his NHRA career last year, George Marnell decided to make a conscious effort to rebuild his Las Vegas-based Pro Stock team.

Payments to NTS workers outlined: The Departments of Labor and Energy have scheduled town hall meetings at the end of June in Las Vegas to explain how hundreds of Nevada Test Site workers can receive compensation for exposure to radiation and hazardous materials.

Three indicted in fraud cases: Prosecutors say Sanders and Hart opened accounts at five banks in Las Vegas using phony drivers' licenses bearing their pictures but with the names and Social Security numbers of individuals whose identities they allegedly appropriated.

Poppy power: Rare plant makes a stand at Nellis Air Force Base: Angela Soo; When civil engineers five years ago combed about 400 acres at Nellis Air Force Base as a potential site for a new base housing development, what they found, a base spokesman said, were some "nice weeds."

DA asks judge to keep public defenders on Vigoa case: Kim Smith; Prosecutors are fighting public defenders' efforts to be removed from a case involving a series of casino heists and a double homicide.

Former county official's lawyers target complainant: Adrienne Packer; Attorneys working to deflect ethics allegations from former Clark County facilities chief Bill Barrett are requesting the complainant be penalized.

Unemployment rate falls: The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said the seasonally adjusted May rate matches the national rate and is under neighboring California's 4.9 percent rate.

Thanks from Korea are never too late: Talk about snail mail.

City settles sexual harassment lawsuit: The City Council agreed Wednesday to settle the lawsuit for $100,000.

States ponder new suit against Microsoft: D. Ian Hopper; WASHINGTON -- State attorneys general worried about the potential market impact of Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows XP and other products are discussing whether to file another antitrust lawsuit against the computer software maker.

Use-of-force board clears Metro officer: Keith Paul; Metro Police's use-of-force board ruled Wednesday night an officer acted within department guidelines when he shot and killed a man who had hit the officer with a shotgun blast in April.

Councilmen accused of voting on interests: Diana Sahagun; A Las Vegas businessman has accused Las Vegas Councilmen Michael Mack and Larry Brown of basing their votes on personal interests.

County approves two power plants near state line: Reliant Energy of Houston got a qualified approval from Clark County Commissioners on Wednesday to build two power plants near the California state line.

Residents express objections to plan: Angela Soo; Neighbors of a 16-acre vacant parcel at Ann Road and Allen Lane showed up in force at the North Las Vegas City Council meeting Wednesday to voice concerns about proposed commercial development on the site.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Go see Cal if you can afford it: Another sports icon decided to call it quits this week, and I'm not referring to Charlie Cavagnaro, the UNLV athletic director who Wednesday announced he'll be stepping down the next time Jupiter aligns with Mars or June 2002, whichever comes first.

State board strips doctors' licenses: By Emily Richmond; The state Board of Medical Examiners has revoked the licenses of two physicians for failing to disclose the fact they were under investigation for ethical lapses in other states.

LV salon, barber shop take regulators to court: Grace Leong; A Las Vegas hair salon and spa chain is fighting the state in court over regulations it charges are unfair and discriminatory.

Dual language program coming to schools: Terry Webster; A dual language program that is gaining national momentum is coming to the Clark County School District.

Commissioners OK zoning change for university: Clark County commissioners on Wednesday approved a zoning change that allows the private, for-profit University of Phoenix to build and occupy a new 39,000-square-foot campus building off Interstate 215, known as the beltway, and Fort Apache Road.

UNLV's AD stepping down: Steve Addy; Here are the UNLV athletic directors:

City Council briefs for June 21, 2001: Las Vegas City Manager Virginia Valentine and City Attorney Brad Jerbic were given raises amounting to 9.5 percent Wednesday by the City Council.

Train project still viable: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Officials chasing federal money to construct a high-speed, magnetically propelled train between Las Vegas and Anaheim, Calif., say powerful friends in Congress are keeping their bid alive.

North Las Vegas City Council briefs for June 21, 2001: The $1 million renewal passed in one swift motion under the consent agenda, where council members approve several items considered routine at once.

Fed funds might help Hispanics buy homes: Hispanic families seeking to buy their first homes could get assistance if Congress approves a federal appropriation sought by Senate Democrats.

Treasure hunt to be aired on national cable channel: The hour-long "Harrah's Total Rewards Treasure Hunt" will air on the network the evening of Nov. 23. During this event, 30 Harrah's Total Rewards card holders will embark on a journey into the Nevada desert to find hidden treasure chests. One chest will contain $1 million.

Crackdown on drug items set: Diana Sahagun; Convenience store owners would face misdemeanor charges if they sell drug paraphernalia, under an ordinance introduced during Wednesday's meeting of the Las Vegas City Council.

Scientists: DOE slow to release Yucca report: A scientific storm is brewing between federal agencies that could delay developing Yucca Mountain as a high-level nuclear waste repository.

Vegas firm could benefit from Pataki casino pact: David Strow; Park Place Entertainment Corp.'s hopes of opening a massive casino in the Catskills of New York may have taken a step forward with Gov. Pataki's casino deal Wednesday, Park Place officials and industry observers say.

Delta Air Lines union contract approved: The contract was approved by 70 percent of Delta's roughly 9,800 pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association said.

Airport seeks funds for new tower: McCarran International Airport is trying to land $5 million for a new airport control tower.

Big jackpot heading toward $112 million: The numbers drawn were: 2-8-31-32-46; Meganumber 13.

Loss narrows for American Wagering: American Wagering Inc. reported a net loss of $127,572, 2 cents a share, on revenues of $2.3 million for the quarter ended April 30. That compares with a loss of $699,798, 9 cents a share, on revenues of $2.9 million for the same quarter a year earlier.

Salt Lake 9, 51s 3: Stingers' right-hander Jason Beverlin improved his record to 5-0 by allowing just one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings. Phil Hiatt clubbed his 15th home run of the season, a towering 475-foot shot over the berm in left, and left fielder Bruce Aven went 3-for-3 with two doubles to lead Las Vegas offensively.

Former teacher was found with victim: Kim Smith; A former high school teacher awaiting sentencing for having sexual relations with a student was re-arrested Wednesday when a judge learned police caught him with his victim.

Planning ahead: Dean Juipe; Self-assured as ever, Oscar De La Hoya comes into his Saturday fight with Javier Castillejo at the MGM Grand Garden promising his legion of fans an additional two years of dedication to the dangerous sport.

Analyst willing to help in FBI probe: James J. Hill, the Las Vegas FBI security analyst charged with selling top-secret investigative information, wants to help the FBI look for other leaks at the local field office, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Funds for transportation system, Henderson roadwork approved: Funding for a futuristic transportation system and for Henderson road expansions has cleared the House Transportation Appropriations subcommittee and appears to be on its way to final approval.

Winnemucca statue to make history: Rebecca Malone; Nevada's second statue in the U.S. Capitol could be a first in the nation.

Four Nevada students receive $500 gifts: The winners were Serena Peques, Las Vegas Academy, for dance; Jessica Barth, Boulder City High School, for drama; Jason Simms, Carson High School, for visual arts; and Erin Hostman, Pershing County High School, for music.

SunCruz may lose name: U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank Lynch Jr. said a preliminary injunction should be granted against SunCruz partners Adam Kidan, Jack Abramoff and Ben Waldman, requiring them to stop using the company name until the issue is decided at trial.

Authorities seek family of Spanish-speaking boy: By Timothy Pratt; Clark County officials are asking for the public's help in locating the family of a young child known only as "Toddler Juan."

Top execs sell shares: Marilyn Winn, senior vice president of human resources, filed Monday to sell 40,127 shares of Harrah's stock for $1.5 million. Jan Jones, senior vice president of communications and government relations, filed to sell 20,310 shares for $758,000 in two separate filings made June 13 and Monday.

Policy upheld on prostitution cases: Kim Smith; A Clark County District Court judge Wednesday upheld a lower court's ruling that District Attorney Stewart Bell's policy on prostitution cases does not violate either the U.S. Constitution or the Nevada Constitution.

Maxim hotel to close Aug. 17: Kevin Ferguson; The non-gaming Maxim hotel near the Las Vegas Strip is scheduled to close Aug. 17, when 270 people will likely lose their jobs.

Review: 'The Fast and the Furious' a real drag: Geoff Carter; Grade: one star

Community briefs for June 21, 2001: The Marketing and Business Development Corp. will conduct seminars to help mothers wanting to re-enter the workforce. Mompreneurship I, designed to help the first-time and the experienced mom-entrepreneur will be held 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Rothermel got UNLV back on right path: Steve Addy; WHAT: Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame inductions

Home-track win puts Lazier back in IRL race: John Mossman; FOUNTAIN, Colo. - By finally getting a victory on his home track, Buddy Lazier took a big step toward contending for the Indy Racing League title.

Editorial: Rules aim to stop parental abductions: The Nevada senator's interest in the issue heightened after a parental abduction case in Henderson. Mikey Kale's biological father kidnapped the 6-year-old boy in 1993 and took him to Croatia. Even though his mother had sole custody, the father secured a passport for Mikey. Mikey's mother ultimately was able to bring him home, but other parents haven't been as fortunate. Once children are in another nation, it can be next to impossible to bring them back home.

Loomis doing well with Gordon: Dick Brinster; Robbie Loomis couldn't say no when Jeff Gordon called before last season to offer him one of the best jobs in NASCAR.

Forgotten man Franchitti ready for resurgence: Mike Harris; Dario Franchitti should be on top of the world.

Crew schoolmates pitting Hooters car: Keith Parsons; Jon Kerley has a built-in excuse for any loss on the Hooters racing circuit. He can blame it on his inexperienced crew.