Print edition for March 7, 2001

Utility details transmission plans: Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. on Tuesday gave details of its infrastructure investment originally announced in January as part of its comprehensive energy plan. The plan is under consideration by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.

Outlaws run contest to name their defense: Entries must be received by the Outlaws by 5 p.m. March 15. The winner will receive prizes including an XFL football signed by players on the Outlaws' defensive unit, a replica of an Outlaws jersey and two seats in the Outlaws suite during the April 1 game against San Francisco. Call 939-6000 for information.

Henderson council briefs: The Henderson City Council voted itself the new landlord of an exotic-bird shop, a gun shop and an embroidery shop Tuesday night.

Furniture mart will include hotel, homes: Plans for a sprawling furniture trade center on old downtown Union Pacific Railroad property have been submitted to the city of Las Vegas for approval and have been expanded to include future hotel and residential development.

Mayor seeks gaming help in NBA quest: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Tuesday began lobbying key members of the gaming community to turn around opposition to bringing the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies here.

Democrats, business at odds over taxes: CARSON CITY -- After a 90-minute closed-door meeting, Assembly Democratic leaders and lobbyists for big business failed to reach any agreement on how the state will handle a shortfall of close to $100 million in tax revenues over the next two years.

Court briefs for March 7, 2001: A Las Vegas jury Tuesday spared the life of the man it convicted last week in connection with the killing a romantic rival.

Columnist Victoria Sun: UNLV golf team bids farewell to one of its marquee players: Victoria Sun; The lone senior on the UNLV men's golf team arrived on campus five years ago, a scrawny teenager, able to party with the best of them.

Washoe, Clark's leaders discuss new bills: Adrienne Packer; Clark and Washoe county commissioners shared the dais Tuesday in an unprecedented meeting held to discuss bill proposals before the state Legislature and to share strategies.

County news briefs for March 7, 2001: The long-awaited plan will be turned over to the Environmental Protection Agency, which has put the Las Vegas Valley under mandate to clean up its dust problem.

Supermercados flourish in LV: Max Jacobson; A visit to a supermarket geared to a Hispanic clientele is a fascinating cultural encounter filled with tempting sights, sounds and smells. Las Vegas is dotted with such places, located mostly on the north and east sides of the city, where the majority of our Spanish-speaking population resides.

Hatch backs bill on betting probe: Casino executives this morning persuaded a prominent Republican senator to co-sponsor a Nevada bill calling for stepped-up Justice Department scrutiny of illegal sports betting across the country.

Columnist Peter Benton: We can all learn from junior golfers' creed: Peter Benton; Members of the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association have the following creed which many non-juniors could very well emulate:

Attendance could suffer without Rebels: Steve Addy; At least for a weekend, Mountain West coaches have lost their most valid complaint and most convenient excuse.

Columnist Jeff Haney: NCAA official makes his point in Carson City: When Bill Saum spoke before the Judiciary Committee of the Nevada State Assembly on Friday, it marked the first time an NCAA official had participated in a discussion here regarding federal legislation to outlaw betting on college sports.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: More record catches possible: Paula DelGiudice; When the clouds roll in and the rain comes down, it's hard to get excited about fishing. It's March, though, and some of the best fishing of the year is right around the corner. Striped bass fishing improves as the fish move to spawn. The warmer temperatures begin to warm the water and spring spawners become more active. Warmer water also increases fish appetites so generally that also increases interest in feeding.

Cheyenne, CCSN split eyed: Jennifer Knight; A movement is under way among some legislators to divorce the Community College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne campus from the rest of the system.

New Caesars Palace president appointed: Shigley previously served as executive vice president of Caesars. He replaces Dean Harrold, who resigned last month.

Lady Rebels' Davis questioned by police about off-campus incident: Steve Guiremand; UNLV could be without starting guard Kinesha Davis when the Lady Rebels open Mountain West Conference tournament play against BYU today at 6 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Nevada high court declines to dismiss Venetian liens: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of the Venetian hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip that claimed millions of dollars of mechanics' liens filed against the resort were frivolous.

Vegas engineering firm sold: U.S. Laboratories is a quality control specialist for the construction, architectural, environmental and engineering industries.

Community briefs for March 7, 2001: The theme for this year's writing contest is "Heroines in History." All entries must be 100 to 500 words, handwritten and submitted by March 31.

UNLV targets Majerus in round 2: Steve Addy; If the Rebels plan to woo Utah coach Rick Majerus as their next basketball coach, he won't be hard to find this week.

Senate panel requests bill draft to mandate air-quality audit: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- A Senate committee unanimously requested legislation Tuesday to mandate an audit of a controversial air quality program of the Clark County Health District.

Jury weighs fate of man charged in DUI fatality: The fate of a man charged with drunken driving in a crash last year that left one woman dead and another a quadriplegic is in the hands of a jury, which could make its decision as soon as today.

Victim's associate grilled on stand by defense lawyer: Kim Smith; When Ronald Rudin asked Harold Boscutti to be a trustee, Boscutti was under the impression it would just involve signing some papers when he died.

Joint venture to develop Fort Apache land: Alan Perlmutter, president of Paladin, said construction is expected to begin this summer.

Momentum mounts for lowering DUI limit: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Longtime advocates of lowering the state's legal blood-alcohol content for drivers may actually get their wish this legislative session.

Power plant sales grinding to a halt: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Even though it won't solve the state's power shortage, consensus is building to halt Sierra Pacific Resources from selling its plants.

Southwest Airlines booking rooms on website: The airline that offers the most flights to Las Vegas is getting into the hotel reservation business through its Internet site, a move that could impact big online reservation companies like Expedia and Travelocity.

Legislators spreading word on Yucca: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said today that efforts by Nevada lawmakers to convince their counterparts in other states of the dangers of transportation of nuclear waste is "starting to pick up steam."

LV student arrested after handgun found: A 17-year-old junior was arrested on two counts of possession of a weapon on school property, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, Clark County School Police spokesman Sgt. Ken Young said.

Video poker under scrutiny: Phillip Rawls; MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Dog tracks came up a winner when a Senate committee approved the addition of video gambling to try to boost sagging attendance.

Agassi, Sampras out of Arizona tournament: Underdogs knocked out the two biggest attractions in the Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic at Scottsdale, Ariz. Hours after the top-seeded Sampras fell to Andrew Ilie 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4, Francisco Clavet stunned No. 2 Agassi, a three-time Scottsdale champion, 6-1, 6-7 (2), 7-5.

Strip casino applicant grilled: David Strow; San Francisco businessman Luke Brugnara faced tough questioning this morning by state Gaming Control Board members about allegations he made death threats to a former girlfriend and a San Francisco city government attorney.

Beltway segement topic of debate: Adrienne Packer; Whether a 1-mile segment of the northern Las Vegas Beltway is sunken or built at-grade might depend on an agreement reportedly made during a private meeting held between public works engineers and a major casino executive.

Obituaries for March 7, 2001: Lynn B. Cohen, 78, of Las Vegas, died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born May 3, 1922, in Chicago. A resident for 50 years, she was a retired bar owner.

Mountain West Conference Men's Tournament capsules: Steve Addy; Here is a breakdown of the Mountain West men's basketball tournament, which begins Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center:

LV company increases profit estimate: The company said the higher estimate is due in part to the sale of 651 game units from its Bally Gaming & Systems business to the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The latest estimate also reflects continued improvements at Bally Wulff in Germany, and strong third quarter results at the Rainbow Casino in Mississippi.

Shelter provides shoes to homeless: MASH Village officials used the event to note that they will close the winter emergency shelter March 31 because of a lack of funds.

Valley can expect dry day before next storm rolls in: The heaviest rainfall fell south of Nevada in Southern California and Arizona.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Bayno wants more than he deserves: Dean Juipe; I've always liked Bill Bayno and was sorry to see him lose his job as head coach of the UNLV men's basketball team.

18-year-old dies after shots fired from car: Jace Radke; An 18-year-old woman walking with friends in her neighborhood was killed after she was hit by bullets fired from a passing car Tuesday night.

Automatic bids for the Mountain West Conference tournament: Butler, Midwestern Collegiate Conference

Stratosphere slot club growing: On the heels of this success, Stratosphere officials say they're looking for new ways to link the north Strip property with the three other casinos owned by financier Carl Icahn -- including the possibility of a single, unified slot player's card.

Teacher arrested in sex offense case: Duane C. Johnson, 36, was booked into the Clark County jail on one count of lewdness with a minor under 14. He was released at about 6:30 a.m. today on bail, jail officials said.

Vegas sports for TV/Radio: Vegas sports for TV/Radio

All in the family: Knauss kin reflects on 75 years of solemn work: Kirk Baird; Ken Knauss has heard 'em all.

MWC men's tournament schedule: 2:30 p.m. -- (2) BYU vs. (7) Air Force, (KFBT, Ch. 6)

Commissioners change proposed ethics standards: Adrienne Packer; A proposal to require department heads to file financial disclosure forms and devest business interests was diluted Tuesday after Clark County commissioners decided they didn't want to follow the same rules.

MWC women's tournament schedule: Noon -- No. 3 New Mexico (17-11, 8-6) vs. No. 6 San Diego State (13-14, 5-9)

Paper feels heat from fans over autopsy photo request: Mike Schneider; ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Sentinel's request for the autopsy photos of Dale Earnhardt has brought a torrent of angry calls and e-mail from race fans and prompted an effort by lawmakers to prevent the release of such pictures in future cases.

Entertainer, war hero, Hernandez dies at 91: Al Hernandez's dancing skills made him a World War II hero, and his hospitality skills made him a fixture at the Sahara hotel's Don the Beachcomber restaurant.

This week's races: Cracker Barrel 500

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

Police probe of Little League incident clears McDonald: Diana Sahagun; Metro Police found no criminal activity by City Councilman Michael McDonald or his staff relating to allegations of intimidation by a Little League coach but did discover internal problems within City Hall.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Las Vegas reception fetes famed glass artist: Elizabeth Foyt; Extensive, exciting, enticing -- all this and more can be used to describe "Glass Comes to Life: Dale Chihuly: The George R. Stroemple Collection." Certain to be hugely popular, the magnificent multi-decade collection will be on exhibit at the Las Vegas Art Museum through April 30.

Letter: Alter tax base from income: I have one simple question. Why do corporations pay a profits tax and individuals pay an income tax?

Letter: Nuclear industry must begin to act responsibly: Yucca Mountain is just 90 miles from Las Vegas and that mileage distance was cited long before we became the fastest growing area in the country. It has not yet been proven to be safe. And shipping this to Nevada against our wishes is only part of this dangerous plan.

Two different pictures of daycare worker accused of sexual assaults: SCOTT SONNER; RENO, Nev. - One of the videotapes seized from a Reno daycare worker accused of sexually assaulting toddlers allegedly shows him committing hundreds of sex acts with a young child, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Lawmakers hear case for parental involvement in child's education: SIOBHAN McDONOUGH; CARSON CITY, Nev. - Teachers urged Nevada lawmakers on Wednesday to pass a bill funding programs that promote parents' involvement in their children's education.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 2nd Race -- Prairieton - McCarron rides Sahadi trainee, draws outside box for turf route run, respect connections. Prize Giving - Britsh-bred training at Hollypark, hard knocker at this level, Delahoussaye aboard Van Berg trainee. Value Play -- Incitatus

Columnist Muriel Stevens: A look at personal shoppers: Ever wonder what it takes to become a personal shopper? Imagine being paid to shop.

Editorial: State needs to keep its work force: State employee morale is often much lower than it should be, thanks to the salary disparities. Parole and probation officers and prison guards are examples of state jobs that have experienced rapid turnover largely because they can make higher salaries elsewhere. The turnover drains state agencies of experienced employees and makes those departments less efficient in serving the public.

Officials say census missed minorities, new residents: LISA SNEDEKER; LAS VEGAS - Despite a record number of Nevadans responding to the 2000 census, state demographers concede that thousands of new residents and minorities might have been missed in the nation's official head count.

Editorial: Bill works against education equality: His Senate Bill 149 would allow parents to apply to their school board so that their children can attend classes in other zones if there is space to accommodate them. But the bill does not permit school district transportation for such students, leaving that up to the parents. This puts low-income families at a disadvantage because they are less likely to have access to the transportation that would allow their students to switch schools.

Bail increased for daycare worker accused of sexual assault: SCOTT SONNER; RENO, Nev. - A judge increased bail to $250,000 Wednesday for a Reno man accused of sexually assaulting toddlers at the daycare center where he worked.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Leadership needed to solve state's tax dilemma: CARSON CITY -- So they had this meeting Tuesday in the Legislative Building to talk about taxes, then emerged to insist that it had nothing to do with taxes.