Print edition for March 26, 2001

LV getting tech conference: The conference, showcasing the latest semiconductors to hit the market in the next year, will be held Aug. 19-21 at the Aladdin hotel-casino.

Letter: Las Vegas has abundance of educators: The educational scam begins with the false premise of a need in a specialized field. The implication is that for payment and receiving this degree, a job awaits in your chosen field. This ruse also has been used by gaming, electronics, air conditioning, cosmetology, and truck driving schools (many have closed). The institutes of higher learning have long promoted this premise in a more subtle way.

Coyotes win last two games in tournament: Coyotes win last two games in tournament

In veterans' best interest: Their reward for this good citizenship is to be maligned and deceived. Anonymous persons grandly announce that they do not speak for all veterans. Ed Gobel and CONVO (the March 19 issue of the Sun) never claimed to speak for all veterans and retirees because to do so would not be accurate or honest. They speak out to improve health care for them because they've earned and deserve it. I hope all veterans groups would do the same.

Judge: Ibeabuchi is legally incompetent: Kim Smith; Patricia Ibeabuchi is positive about three things. She says her son isn't a rapist and he isn't crazy. She also says the state of Nevada is going to destroy him.

Editorial: Don't give utilities a blank check: One perfect example of why this issue needs some serious investigation is that last month the state Public Utilities Commission approved a rate increase for Sierra Pacific Resources that would hike the average Nevada Power Co. residential bill by 17 percent. The $300 million boost was approved hastily by state regulators, who didn't even bother holding hearings as they usually do to determine if the increase was justified. The commission abdicated its responsibility, saying it would review the case later to assess whether the company in fact needed the additional money.

Stage is set for another 'classic': Steve Addy; ANAHEIM, Calif. -- As Maryland prepared for its West Regional semifinal last week, a TV reporter asked coach Gary Williams if he still guaranteed his team would get to the Final Four.

XFL standings: x-clinched playoff berth

Screen Gems: Las Vegas woman recalls eccentric film director Wood: Kirk Baird; Edward D. Wood Jr. wanted to be a big-shot filmmaker, and Dolores Fuller wanted to be a star.

Books rejoice as big 'dogs lose their bite: Spencer Patterson; Sports book managers throughout Southern Nevada breathed a collective sigh of relief over the weekend, as Gonzaga and Temple exited this year's NCAA Tournament.

Baseball team loses slugfest to Utah: Baseball team loses slugfest to Utah

McCarran to hike parking rates: Parking at McCarran International Airport will take a few more quarters or dollars out of your pocket beginning next month.

Good wants job, but might not get a look: Steve Addy; No Good

Villanova offers job to ex-UNLV assistant: Wright, being wooed by several other schools including Tennessee, said today he was offered the Villanova job by Wildcats athletic director Vince Nicastro, but "has not made a decision at this time."

Trends for March 26, 2001: Lisa Ferguson; Working for a living

Murder charge dropped: Kim Smith; A murder charge against an 18-year-old Las Vegas man has been dropped because of a procedural error at his preliminary hearing.

Postcard from Anaheim, Calif.: No more bets! (Yeah, right): So long, Anaheim ...

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Captain Steve finds riches in Dubai desert: Ralph Siraco; Rack another one up for the Americans.

Community briefs for March 26, 2001: United Blood Services, 6930 W. Charleston Blvd., has scheduled blood drives at these locations:

Guinn's plan at center of power debate: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn believes efforts to stop the sale of Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co. power plants will cost consumers more in the short run but will pay dividends after 2003.

LV firm accused of scam: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, the state, which issued a consumer alert saying the program is a hoax, sued Capital Connections Inc., which it said operated a money retrieval business at 9030 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 200, and three of its alleged principals. The defendants could not be reached for comment on the allegations.

Vegas sports on TV/Radio: Vegas sports on TV/Radio

LV communications provider files for bankruptcy protection: WILMINGTON, Del. -- E.spire Communications Inc., an Internet and telephone service provider, and 49 subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday amid a slowdown in the telecommunications industry.

Gaming briefs for March 26, 2001: The Rio hotel-casino sued singer Rod Stewart, his company and their law firm, alleging they breached an agreement when they refused to return a "pre-paid multi-million fee" after Stewart allegedly failed to perform at a scheduled Dec. 30 concert at the Las Vegas resort.

Union leader backs wage disparity study: CARSON CITY -- Women earn 28 percent less than men in comparable jobs, says a national union leader who testified today at the Nevada Legislature in support of a bill regarding a study into pay disparity in state government.

Old U.P. property: Think tank leaves city something to think about: Diana Sahagun; What downtown Las Vegas needs in the vacant 61 acres formerly owned by Union Pacific is high-density residential development, a performing arts center and a bridge over the railroad tracks to the rest of downtown.

Tiger kills animal trainer: Jace Radke and Adrienne Packer; A Bengal tiger being prepared for an advertising photography shoot killed one of his trainers and injured his owner Sunday night in a swift attack.

Analysts see LV slowdown, big Strip operators deny it: David Strow; Since last fall, Wall Street has been afraid Las Vegas is approaching a serious slowdown.

Emission reduction program audit eyed: CARSON CITY -- Amid allegations of mismanagement and shady deals in the Clark County air pollution emissions-reduction credit program, a Senate bill would require an audit of the program.

Trading floors represent ground zero in energy crisis: Michael Liedtke; SAN FRANCISCO -- In Houston, it's simply known as "the power corner." Separated by just a few city blocks, four major power wholesalers run Byzantine trading systems that sway energy prices across the nation with minimal oversight from the government.

Las Vegas news briefs for March 26, 2001: A 78-year-old man was found dead after a condominium fire Sunday morning that also killed two dogs and two birds.

NHRA-O'Reilly Nationals Results: Sunday

Vegas set to weather economic downturn: Las Vegas developers say they're cautiously optimistic that they won't be hurt if the national economic slowdown hits Las Vegas.

Early voting turnout pace off from previous election: Early voting was so slow at the malls this past weekend that municipal workers visited the stores in an attempt to drum up business to the polls, officials said.

Rudin's defense delayed: Kim Smith; Last week District Judge Joseph Bonaventure assured jurors that after a three-day break, the attorneys in the Margaret Rudin case would be better prepared and the case would proceed smoothly from now on.

NASCAR Food City 500 Results: Sunday

Two killed in crash of German jet: The German government would confirm through Nellis officials only that the two men were dead at the scene, 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 40 miles southeast of Tonopah. The names and other details about the men were not immediately released.

School police step up anti-gang efforts: Terry Webster; Clark County School District police are increasing efforts to protect schools and students in neighborhoods riddled by gang violence.

Sierra Club leadership fires back on immigration: The leadership of the Sierra Club fired off a new salvo last week on immigration -- a topic that has divided the environmental organization.

Two killed in beltway crash: Jace Radke; Two people were killed Sunday afternoon when two cars collided at the intersection of Durango Drive and the Las Vegas Beltway.

Obituaries for March 26, 2001: Gilbert Lee Anderson, 44, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospice. He was born Dec. 31, 1956, in Phoenix. A resident for 25 years, he was a health care worker.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Rebels face brutal schedule: Steve Guiremand; With March Madness in full bloom, major league baseball just around the corner and UNLV's never-ending search for a new men's basketball coach still dragging along, it would be easy for the average sports fan to overlook another major happening in town this past week:

Power crisis leaves some asking: Market manipulation or Econ 101?: Michael Liedtke; SAN DIEGO -- Attorney Michael Aguirre has taken on mobsters and swindlers in his career, but he says he has never felt as strongly about a case as the class-action lawsuit he is pursuing against the power wholesalers behind California's high electricity prices.

Business briefs for March 26, 2001: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has delayed a vote on a new lease agreement with Aramark Sports & Entertainment Services Inc.

Comair pilots walk off the job after contract talks fail: "I think it's fair to say that there was not a single Comair pilot that wanted this to happen, but we have prepared for this mentally and financially and we are together," union spokesman Max Roberts said shortly after the strike began at 12:01 a.m.

Portland General deal is dying: The owner of an Oregon utility sought by Nevada Power Co.'s parent company concedes that their deal may be dead.

Prep schedule: MONDAY

Columnist John Katsilometes: A memorable brush with a TV star: Ismael deserves an award. Maybe a Cable Ace award for Best Performance by a Cable Installation Technician.