Print edition for March 5, 2001

Forensics experts next in Rudin trial: Kim Smith; Jurors in the Margaret Rudin murder case were to begin hearing testimony from forensics experts this morning.

Nevadans put more heat on Bush over Yucca safety rules: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada officials are putting more pressure on the Bush administration to allow the Environmental Protection Agency, not the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to set safety rules for Yucca Mountain.

Court briefs for March 5, 2001: Jurors who convicted a Las Vegas man in a double homicide last week agreed Friday that he should not get the death penalty. However, because they couldn't decide whether he should have a chance at parole, a mistrial was declared in his punishment phase.

Las Vegas city briefs for March 5, 2001: The Clark County coroner's office this morning identified a body found in a desert area as that of missing schoolteacher Debra Adler.

Sun moves to new Henderson offices: The home may be new, but the mission to provide Las Vegas with complete news coverage and insightful opinions is the same now as it was at the inception of the Las Vegas Sun a half-century ago.

Feud over air quality intensifies: In an escalating confrontation between the Legislature and the Clark County Health District, a state senator has vowed to move a bill to force the district to do an examination of a controversial air-quality program.

County opposes school choice bill: CARSON CITY -- The Clark County School District stood alone Friday in opposing a bill before a Senate committee allowing school choice.

Williams' lawyer wins a decision: Jessica Williams, convicted of driving under the influence in a crash that killed six teenagers last year, won a small victory in her appeal Friday when District Judge Mark Gibbons agreed that the manner in which blood evidence was presented may have prejudiced the jury.

Company sued in Pennsylvania: Swifteagle Enterprises Inc. of Harrisburg, an Indian-owned computer equipment company, was the supplier of computer equipment to Anchor subsidiary Automated Wagering International Inc. AWI holds the contract to operate the Pennsylvania State Lottery, and is required to make a certain level of purchases from minority-owned firms.

Excalibur dealers vote against organization: The final tally in the National Labor Relations Board-supervised election was 79 in favor, 238 against. Twenty-four votes were challenged by the union because the employees work part-time as supervisors, but because these votes cannot change the result of the election, the votes will not be reviewed by the NLRB. One additional vote was voided; 356 workers were eligible to vote.

Regents fail to decide on how many members to make board: Jennifer Knight; A decision to add, subtract or keep the same number of regents was tabled on Friday after five failed attempts at voting on the size of the state Board of Regents.

Ordinance would limit halfway house crowding: Kris Hill; An ordinance designed to restrict the number of people living in halfway houses for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts may become a problem for students and others who want to maximize their space in a house, county planners say.

Legislative news briefs for March 5, 2001: A statue of Sarah Winnemucca could become Nevada's second contribution to the National Statuary Hall Collection.

Three LV-area developers sued: Nineteen homeowners of the Preserves At Elkhorn Springs sued Elkhorn Partners, Rhodes Realty Inc. and Rhodes Design & Development Corp. doing business as Rhodes Homes, alleging numerous defects in a 90-home development at Elkhorn Road and Buffalo Drive.

Southwest ground workers agitate for improvements: United Airlines has failed to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to stop class-action claims by flight attendants over a maximum-weight policy once imposed by the world's largest airline.

Harrah's New Orleans in pact with restaurants, hotels: Melinda Deslatte; BATON ROUGE, La. -- Harrah's New Orleans Casino has reached an agreement with restaurant and hotel trade groups in the gambling hall's bid to expand its food and lodging services, representatives of each group say.

Consumer advocate still fighting power rate hike: CARSON CITY -- Despite a defeat last week, state Consumer Advocate Tim Hay says he's not throwing in the towel in his fight against a record $311 million electric rate increase for customers of Nevada Power Co. of Las Vegas and Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno.

Action is swift in NCAA struggle: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Now that collegiate basketball is heading toward March Madness, the race is on -- not just to crown a national champion, but to control Nevada's betting on the sport.

Mayor's push for NBA team complicates Nevada stance: Casino industry leaders are worried that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's push to bring the Vancouver Grizzlies to town will hurt a key political fight in Washington.

Obituaries for March 5, 2001: Roger Pierre Bessy, 72, of Henderson died Friday in Henderson. He was born Sept. 18, 1928, in Detroit. A resident for nine years, he was employed by Jackson Middle School in Detroit, was a Korean War Marine Corps veteran, attended Michigan State University where he obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in education, past president of the Great Lakes District Rose City and was a member of the Michigan Alumni, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Detroit Rose Society and the Metropolitan Rose Society.

Closed-door XGR talks follow court ruling against tax plan: BRENDAN RILEY; CARSON CITY - Legislative Democrats plan a closed-door meeting Tuesday with gambling, mining and other businesses to revive debate on Nevada's revenue needs - debate silenced by a court ruling against a tax sought by teachers.

Democrats moving ahead with plan to ban power plant sales: BRENDAN RILEY; CARSON CITY - Nevada's Democratic legislative leaders said Monday they're moving ahead quickly with a plan to block major electric utilities from selling off power plants.

French man's family filing lawsuits against sheriff, jail guards: Ken Ritter; LAS VEGAS - The family of a French citizen who asphyxiated Jan. 4 in the Clark County jail plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against jail guards and the county sheriff.

Experts seek solutions to Nevada's growing shortage of nurses: SANDRA CHEREB; RENO, Nev. - Nevada needs to expand educational opportunities and rethink ways to recruit nurses before its exploding population and aging residents make an already critical shortage of nurses even worse, a report released Monday recommends.

Editorial: Nurses deserve so much more: Nevada ranks last in the nation in its nurse-to-population ratio, according to a report released last week by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The paucity, including here in Las Vegas, has long been a problem. But the shortage also is starting to be felt throughout the country, as the Boston Globe reported recently in a comprehensive look at the situation. The newspaper noted that health care professionals are worried that the shortage could result in poor medical care because nurses are involved in every aspect of medicine.

Gordon does his job well in Las Vegas: NASCAR doesn't have to look very far to find the driver to carry its torch in the wake of the death of its grandest superstar, Dale Earnhardt.

Rebels' Diggs can't explain 49-point outburst: Steve Addy; A rundown of Trevor Diggs' 49-point game against Wyoming on Saturday:

Trends for March 5,2000: Lisa Ferguson; True Blue

Racing notebook: Teresa Earnhardt wants autopsy photos private: Teresa Earnhardt on Sunday made her first public appearance since the death of Dale Earnhardt in the Feb. 18 Daytona 500 and pleaded for racing fans to support her in her effort to keep private her husband's autopsy photos.

Heavyweight division in disarray: Dean Juipe; John Ruiz drove the point home with his victory over Evander Holyfield.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Pitino never very impressed with UNLV: Dean Juipe; He didn't just say the talent level was down, he said it was "way down."

Two teachers win presidential awards: CARSON CITY -- Two teachers from Clark County have been named winners of presidential awards for excellence in mathematics and science instruction.

Lawmakers wary about add-on bills to governor's state worker benefit plan: JOHN WILKERSON; CARSON CITY - Several measures that help Nevada's state workers - but go beyond Gov. Kenny Guinn's pay and benefits package for the employees - got a chilly reception Monday in the Senate Finance Committee.

Ex-Kentucky coach says no to UNLV job: Steve Addy; Instead of a "done deal," Rick Pitino is just done dealing with UNLV.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: NASCAR needed this one: Nobody got hurt or wet and it appeared most of the 125,000 race fans made it out of the parking lots and back to their living rooms and hotel suites in plenty of time for Sunday night's return of "The Sopranos" on HBO.

NASCAR Las Vegas 400 Results: At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

XFL box: Las Vegas-Chicago: First Quarter

Columnist John Katsilometes: Getting into the move groove: One weekend. Two moves.

Federal funding is eyed to probe Fallon leukemia: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said today he is prepared to ask for federal funding for an expanded investigation of childhood leukemia in the rural and military town of Fallon after a 12th case was confirmed last week.

Community news briefs for March 5, 2001: The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs moves to a new Las Vegas address at 1500 Vegas Drive, in the Ambulatory Care Center campus on the Addeliar C. Guy III VA center.

Look who's back: NASCAR doesn't have to look very far to find the driver to carry its torch in the wake of the death of its grandest superstar, Dale Earnhardt.

Neighborhood rocked by slayings one day apart: The slayings are believed to be unrelated, despite occurring less than 24 hours apart and within about 500 feet of each other at the Buena Vista Springs Apartments, police said.

Rebels plunge deeper into limbo: Steve Addy; So much for the afterglow of Trevor Diggs' 49-point game and six Rebels seniors closing their careers with a rousing win.

Embattled Marlin takes over points lead by placing third: Steve Guiremand; It hasn't been the easiest couple of weeks of Sterling Marlin's life.

Rebels drop 2 games in Texas tournament: The Rebels managed only three hits, one each from John Cruz, Jason Reuss and Brad Beasley.

Storm brings much-needed snow to Sierra: Martin Griffith; RENO, Nev. - A weekend storm brought much-needed snow to the Lake Tahoe area and caused driving headaches for motorists.

Bill would keep minors doing community service away from highways: SIOBHAN McDONOUGH; Scott Garner Sr., who lost his 14-year-old son in the crash, urged the Assembly Judiciary Committee to back a bill that would bar teen-agers from working along highways or other dangerous areas.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: The 'Big Cap' fits just right on Tiznow: Ralph Siraco; People who follow the horses are a unique bunch. The players (those who bet the races) and the horsemen (those who train, own and work with the horses) are cut from the same cloth. The same cloth, that is, when it comes to looking for an edge or an excuse to challenge the obvious or beat the favorite.

Vegas Sports on TV/Radio: Vegas Sports on TV/Radio

Letter: Tax cut is good for GOP coffers: The "redistribution of wealth" is a catchy Republican phrase used to justify greed. They also like to say that all rich people are hard workers while all poor people are too lazy to work.

Formula One Australian Grand Prix Results: At Melbourne, Australia

NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series Florida Dodge Dealers 400 Results: At Homestead/Miami Speedway

LV could get first escort service: Diana Sahagun; An escort service that was blocked from Summerlin could be moving into Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald's ward.

Letter: Las Vegas not healthy place for youngsters: Many who were lured here on the pretense that this is a "family-oriented town" eventually see the truth. The statistics are out there and this is not a good place to raise children. Those who pay attention are leaving Las Vegas for good reasons.

Del Papa applauds ruling on Medicaid recipients' suit: RENO -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa is applauding a decision by a federal judge to reject a lawsuit by Medicaid recipients who claim they are entitled to part of the state's $1.2 billion tobacco settlement.

Letter: Rate hikes get a rubber stamp: Who do we complain to? Who are these people in authority that always grant their wishes. How well are these rate hikes investigated? How many of these people who grant the rate hikes are stockholders in these companies? Why do people in upper management in these companies make so much money if they are doing so poorly? They should take a 17 percent cut in their pay, which will never happen.

Prep Schedule: TUESDAY

Utes earn bye in MWC tourney: Steve Addy; At least Wyoming won't have to face UNLV in the Mountain West tournament.

Columnist Rusty Wallace: Crash put early end to day with big expectations: Rusty Wallace; Well, race fans, this was not the race I was expecting. The Miller Lite car was running great -- for five minutes, anyway. I think I made it up to sixth or seventh in the first couple of laps. I was real happy with the way I was running, and as I told you in Friday's column, I still thought this was going to be my day.