Print edition for March 27, 2001

Obituaries for March 27, 2001: John "Bob" Addington, 73, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born May 27, 1927, in Kansas City, Mo. A resident for 40 years, he was a retired dealer and pit boss at various casinos, an independent truck driver and a World War II Navy veteran.

Metro trims positions out of leaner budget: The revised budget proposal was given to Metro's Fiscal Affairs Committee at its meeting Monday. The new budget cuts about $1.9 million from the original budget, trimming it to $294.9 million, Lois Willis, the department's comptroller, said.

ACLU criticizes gaming board for Hard Rock casino decision: David Strow; The state Gaming Control Board is drawing sharp criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union for its refusal to take action against the Hard Rock hotel-casino over the firing of a whistle-blower.

Official: Inspectors lacked 'clout': Shoddy work resulted in defects at Lied Library, Public Works manager says: CARSON CITY -- State inspectors "lacked the clout" to stop some of the construction defects at the $40 million Lied Library at UNLV, and these problems could lead to higher maintenance costs, the manager of the state Public Works Board said today.

Earnings down for Vegas casino buyer: The company, controlled by Detroit businessman Don Barden, reported cash flow of $4.1 million, down 28 percent from the year-ago quarter, and net revenues of $28.1 million, off 5 percent. Majestic Star, which is not publicly traded, reported a loss of $1.88 million, compared to a loss of $705,000 in the year-ago period.

Poor quarter reported: The company's cash flow fell 34 percent to $17 million, while net revenues declined 3 percent to $105.5 million.

Man tied to Blitzstein killing gets 10 years: Kim Smith; A former Las Vegas auto shop owner was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for the role he played in the 1997 murder of underworld figure "Fat Herbie" Blitzstein.

Legislature eyes overhaul of utility regulatory system: CARSON CITY -- An Assembly energy committee, seeking to turn back the clock on deregulation, is calling for an overhaul of the state Public Utilities Commission and a return to the system of regulating electric rates.

Congress told funds for water systems are needed: Allen Biaggi said Nevada communities had requested water treatment programs that totaled $152 million last year, but the state had only $14 million to offer. The lack of money means Nevada in some cases cannot clean up ground water contamination from septic tanks, cannot replace drinking water pipes and must limit residential or industrial development.

Testimony details Wynn's interest in casino numbers: Last week, several employees testified that this control extended even to day-to-day casino operations, with Wynn placing as many as three calls a day to check on the activities of Mirage casino high-rollers.

AC casino executives see pluses, minuses with planned new resorts: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- New Jersey casino operators are expressing both optimism and trepidation about the prospect of welcoming new players to their game.

Replacement for Guinn's senior drug plan urged: CARSON CITY -- While praising Gov. Kenny Guinn for starting a senior citizen prescription drug program two years ago, a parade of witnesses told an Assembly committee Monday that it was time to replace it because it's too confusing and costly.

Nevada steps up bid to land Mexican consulate: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Bureaucratic hassles killed Miguel Ferreira's effort to launch a Mexican dry goods import business in Las Vegas. With no Mexican consulate in Las Vegas to field his questions and process paperwork, the entrepreneur's dream evaporated, he said.

Inmate growth tops U.S. average: The Nevada prison inmate population grew at three times the national average between June 1999 and June 2000, an increase attributed primarily to the state's overall growth rate.

Bill may extend rights for gays: Kris Hill; Legislation conceived to allow unmarried couples the right to visit each other in the hospital may provide much more for Nevada's gay community.

Economy may squeeze state budget: CARSON CITY -- Unless the economy improves, legislators might have to slash more than $140 million from Gov. Kenny Guinn's $3.4 billion budget.

DA investigators' contract dispute drags on: Adrienne Packer; Clark County district attorney investigators embroiled in a yearlong contract dispute with administrators say the two sides are about $40,000 apart on a two-year contract agreement.

Tour operators dealt blow: Southern Nevada firms vow to block government's Grand Canyon rules: Grand Canyon air tour operators flying out of Las Vegas say they'll go to court this week to block new federal rules imposed Monday -- rules they say will destroy their industry.

County considers licensing of exotic animals: Jace Radke; As Joshua Weinstein sat in the back of an ambulance Sunday night after a Bengal tiger that he owned had killed his friend and co-trainer, Eric Bloom, Weinstein said he hoped the incident wouldn't be used as an excuse to institute new exotic animal regulations.

Detective admits limits of probe: Kim Smith; Despite being told that Ronald Rudin was involved in shady land deals, detectives investigating his death did not check to see if the alleged deals had anything to do with his murder.

NHP union leaders seek better deal in meeting with Guinn: Jace Radke; The leadership of the Nevada Highway Patrol Association was scheduled to meet with Gov. Kenny Guinn today after the group's rank and file voted Saturday to become affiliated with Teamsters Local 14 in Las Vegas.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Another look at Edison: SO EDISON SCHOOLS have a lock to run seven Clark County schools this fall with hopes of operating, for profit, 17 four years from now. New Clark County School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia believes Edison did a good job for him in Fresno before he came to Nevada.

Letter: Column omitted key to gun safety: Quite a few individuals are handling or legally carrying, with or without a concealed weapons permit, firearms that they are not proficient with. But Katsilometes left out one important fact: Education!

Legislative briefs for March 27, 2001: CARSON CITY -- A bill allowing the Las Vegas Valley Water District to penalize those who waste water was introduced by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee Monday.

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

Letter: Mayor disparages Vegas of old: Maybe Goodman thinks things are better now, but I don't think so! I liked it when I could go out at night, not have bars on my windows and an alarm system in my car and humidity that was thought high if it got to 10 percent.

Letter: Reader responds to last 'notch baby' criticism: Ask Maddox about this. Remember, there are a lot of seniors who are affected by this inequity and we all vote. Please, all you voters out there born between 1917 and 1926, write to your senators about this. Maybe we'll get some action.

Widow of longtime Mineral County journalist McCloskey dies at 85: Hawthorne civic leader Pauline McCloskey, the widow of pioneering Nevada newspaperman Jack McCloskey, died Saturday at Mount Grant Hospital in Hawthorne following a lengthy illness. She was 85.

Citizens find two officers used excessive force on woman: Keith Paul; The Metro Police Citizen Review Board, in a split vote, ruled two officers used excessive force against a woman during a traffic stop. The department's investigation had exonerated the officers.

Cellular Web phones bringing new wave of privacy issues: Kevin Ferguson; Matt Tesdall can hardly survive without his cell phone. The Las Vegas-based account manager for Qwest Communications is on the road so much, he logs an average of 3,000 minutes a month on his mobile phone chatting with clients, co-workers and friends.

Las Vegas news briefs for March 27, 2001: Metro Police are searching for a 30-year-old man after another man was shot to death Monday in the garage of a home.

Strike grounds LV-Tulsa flight: Comair, based at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ky., offers a daily round-trip flight between Las Vegas and Tulsa, Okla. Comair, which flies as Delta Connection, a partner with Delta Air Lines, operates 50-passenger Canadair twin-engine jets to McCarran.

eRoomSystem gains financing: ERoomSystem's refreshment centers are run by an in-room computer system tied to a central computer within customer hotels. Part of its services include credit card-smart card capabilities for direct billing, remote maintenance services and in-room cash advances.

Small businesses are SBA's big winners: The SBA said Julia Valdes, 60, is a Mexican immigrant who was told by management in a major casino she didn't have the skills needed to work in the floral department and was let go.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Santa Anita: 2nd Race -- Elaine's Angel - Draws good post and spot here, Stevens on Dutton trainee, should make a solid run in this. Prestigious Prize - Draws just inside top pick for the mile outing, Nakatani on Lukas trainee for the Padua Stable, might take the Prize from Angel. Value Play -- Tangoio

A World Apart: Spend a few minutes talking to Rod and Leslie Belford and you'll get an earful of stories about their earnest-yet-whimsical attempts to promote culture in Las Vegas:

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'Storm' recovery is permitted: Kate Maddox; Those county permit issues appear to be settled over at Mandalay Bay. "Storm," the delayed production still busy being tweaked, is reportedly all set with the paperwork now that a new million-dollar stage renovation has been constructed.

Community briefs for March 27, 2001: Mulberry tree pollen is at very high levels across the Las Vegas Valley, the Clark County Health District reported Monday.

UNLV sixth after first two rounds of tourney: Only two teams in the 15-school field remained under par on the Austin Country Club Course. Top-ranked Georgia Tech, which won the Las Vegas Intercollegiate just two weeks ago, leads at three-under par, one stroke ahead of Oklahoma State.

Editorial: Big jobs create big headaches: In the case of the Lied Library, the blame game has broken out as to who was responsible for the delays and cost overruns, with the university, architect, contractor and Public Works Board all pointing elsewhere when the question of fault arises. Last month Sun reporter Jennifer Knight, in a detailed story about the morass, noted that there were 30 change orders before the project was completed, which totaled 400 items and cost $3.58 million. Some of the change orders were real head-shakers: an extra $27,000 for a loading dock for the library's books; $427,000 for fireproofing; and $776,000 for ...

Outlaws GM confident XFL can survive: Victoria Sun; Despite reports NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol may back out of the network's contract with the XFL to broadcast games through 2002, the end is not necessarily in sight, at least according to local league officials.

UNLV still trying to fill the bill: Steve Addy; Division I coaching changes

Columnist Susan Snyder: Visionary's campaign never dies: Never underestimate the power of a thank-you note.

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

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Small-time coach not a bad idea: As UNLV's seemingly eternal search for its new one suggests, there are various strategies to hiring a men's basketball coach. The three most common are 1) targeting an established, high-profile guy (preferably one who hasn't been fired) to guide Big State back to the Final Four, 2) identifying a hot assistant from a major hoops factory to take Ole Tex to the "next level" or, 3) enticing a guy who has won a ton of games at a smaller school with the promise of more money and an occasional Big Monday game on ESPN.

Role Model awards go to seven women: Angela Soo; Seven women have been honored with the Nevada Women's Role Model award for various contributions to the community.

Monday prep results: Chaparral 12, Western 2: Teter Moran went 2-for-2 and belted a three-run homer to lead the Cowboys over the Warriors. Drew Stater, Jason Frederico and John Kelbel had two hits apiece for the victors.