Print edition for May 1, 2001

Murphy defense revives its case: Sandy Murphy's defense team is pressuring key prosecution witnesses in the Ted Binion murder case to help the convicted killer win a new trial.

More jury trouble stops deliberations again today: Kim Smith; Jury deliberations in the Margaret Rudin trial were called to a halt this morning for the second time in two days.

Pulte to acquire Del Webb: Takeover to create nation's largest builder of homes: David Strow; Del Webb Corp. of Phoenix, one of Las Vegas' largest homebuilders, has agreed to a $1.8 billion takeover by Michigan-based Pulte Homes Corp., a move that will create the nation's largest builder of homes.

Shareholder lawsuits pile up against PPro: Kevin Ferguson; Filed or threatened lawsuits alleging fraud against Las Vegas-based PurchasePro have been piling up since the company announced Thursday it badly missed analysts earnings' estimates for the first quarter.

Raggio: County schools don't need money: Northern lawmaker says teachers using scare tactics: Terry Webster; One of Nevada's most powerful political figures has accused the Clark County School District and the state teacher's union of using scare tactics to obtain more funding for education.

Deutsche Telekom, VoiceStream clear merger hurdle: Now, the companies are aiming to seal their deal -- worth about $29 billion -- by the end of May. They hope to build a wireless business that can compete nationally against such players as Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS and AT&T Wireless.

Rudin relays feelings through poem: Margaret Rudin, who is on trial in the December 1994 shooting death of her husband, Ronald Rudin, provided the Sun with a poem she wrote that expresses some of her feelings about the past six years.

Illinois struggling to help problem gamblers: Nicole Ziegler Dizon; EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- A $60 winning streak during a family trip to Las Vegas started Bob Olsen's lifelong battle with gambling.

Merger termination fee demanded: Paul-Son Gaming Corp. signed a letter of intent with Etablissements Bourgogne et Grasset SA, a French company, and the Bud Jones Co. Inc., its U.S. subsidiary, in late January.

Dems favor status quo on districts: When it comes to redrawing legislative districts for the next decade, two leading Democrats said Clark County residents would be better off if the Nevada Legislature remained the same size.

Fate of hydroelectric plant to be decided: The Clark County Commission on Wednesday will decide the fate of a decade-long effort to build a water-powered energy-storage plant in the Blue Diamond hills.

Record revenues, earnings reported: Acres, which provides casino accounting, management and bonusing products worldwide with its Acres Advantage and Acres Bonusing brands, reported net income of $2.6 million, 25 cents a share, on revenues of $17.5 million. That compares with a net loss of $1.1 million, 13 cents a share, on revenues of $2.2 million for the same quarter a year earlier.

Death penalty ban called 'insult' to victims' families: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, a captain in the Henderson Police Department, says a bill calling for a two-year moratorium on the death penalty is making "martyrs out of murderers" and is an "insult" to the families of the victims.

Casino employees implicated: State Gaming Commission agents arrested Lorie Lynn Anderson, 32, of Biloxi, at Palace Casino on Friday, and David Downing Wilson Jr., 31, of Ocean Springs, at Treasure Bay casino on Saturday.

Networks object to 'high-roller' campaign: Randy Snow, creative director for R&R Partners, Las Vegas, the advertising agency contracted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said the agency complied with a change request from ABC, but scrapped a planned buy with CBS.

Neonopolis still looking to sign its first tenant: Diana Sahagun; Neonopolis, which was once the cornerstone for the city of Las Vegas' plans for a revitalized downtown, has settled another delay, but the project is still waiting for its first tenant.

Where I stand--Mike O'Callaghan: Good people in action: WILLIAM HALE, UMC chief executive, in an attempt to protect the proliferation of Quick Care centers, got carried away. Several doctors pointed out that the centers are subsidized by taxpayers and the centers' doctors have their malpractice liability capped at $50,000. Private physicians don't have the cover of very limited malpractice responsibility to patients offered by government-operated centers. Their malpractice liability can soar to several million dollars, and this sharply raises their costs. Hale attributed the complaints of the private physicians as being "motivated by greed." The UMC honcho should think before he attacks. Dr. Jim Hogan, my family physician, ...

Robinson headed for Hall: Steve Guiremand; UNLV football coach John Robinson likes to spend his summer vacation with wife Linda on the sunny beaches of Maui. But the Robinsons will be making a detour to Canton, Ohio, in early August this year.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:10 p.m.

Editorial: Looking for best way to offer drug benefit: Despite the differences, it is encouraging that all involved want to see the program's benefits increased. It is hoped that legislators keep partisan politics out of this debate -- at least as much as is humanly possible -- in devising a plan that works best for seniors.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Bold Capital - Hard knocking gelding draws outside post for the short dash opener, hustling Pedroza on Carava trainee, knows how to win. Destiny's Venture - Another gelding of the claiming wars, draws just inside top pick, Garcia on Monteleone trainee. Value Play -- Holy Jo

Columnist Kate Maddox: Regent a true house of cards: Kate Maddox; The World Series of Poker might be going on at Binion's Horseshoe, but the real high-stakes action has been at the Regent Las Vegas.

Letter: Euthanasia law is enlightened: I fail to see how the Dutch euthanasia law cheapens life. In reality human life on our planet is about as cheap as it gets. Human beings are not an endangered species. Deaths in wars, 24,000 children starving to death each day, millions dying of AIDS, ho hum. What else is new? And it's not like any of our poor incurably sick, elderly, disabled, mentally ill or imperfect infants are getting any tender-loving care that would make them want to cling to life. It's not like our rich society gives them anything to live for.

Speedway not giving up on CART: The indefinite postponement of Sunday's Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) race at Texas Motor Speedway over drivers' safety concerns will have no impact on Las Vegas Motor Speedway's effort to secure a CART race next season, LVMS general manager Chris Powell said.

Dropout rate varies by calculations: Maybe Nevada's dropout rate isn't so bad after all.

Letter: Shift of funding has consequences: Clark County has told the Legislature that this bill will result in layoffs and a loss in county services.

Immunization schedule for May 1, 2001: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Editorial: Let's hit the brakes on this bill: The bill's backers say it would result in more racing teams moving here, especially from California, which has significantly higher taxes. Under AB539, racing teams would be exempt from paying sales taxes on engines, chassis and other parts they buy for their vehicles. One racing team owner based in California said he could save as much as half-a-million dollars a year.

Golf: Rebels' Lander chosen for Palmer Cup team: Lander will play for the United States team in the Ryder-Cup style tournament that features eight of America's best male collegiate golfers competing against their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Sports not exempt from violence: Dean Juipe; At the height of their fervor, sports fans in America might cheer wildly or weep in relative silence.

Nellis getting ready for new Raptors to seize first home: Hangars being prepared for Air Force's stealthy F-22: Angela Soo; The operations center is ready and hangars are almost done.

Playing with pain: Victoria Sun; Ryan Ruiz was in the room when his younger sister, Brianna, was born Sept. 20, 1987, in Las Vegas.

DOE's progress at Yucca to be revealed in report: The Department of Energy is expected to release a 1,000-page report Friday to explain progress on its studies at Yucca Mountain, the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository site.

Letter: New residents could replenish revenue stream: Granted, we have many visitors on a daily basis. But if we strictly enforce the 30-day rule requiring vehicle registration for new residents to Nevada, you just might see that revenue stream get into the black for the DMV. Could you imagine? Not. Too simple.

Obituaries for May 1, 2001: April Alcala died Sunday, her date of birth.

Names of dead man, officer released: Donald Charles Mettinger, 49, fired a shotgun blast at Officer Keith Borders, 34, Saturday about 8:30 p.m. Borders shot back and killed Mettinger, police said.

Monday's prep results: BASEBALL

They can't relate: Some married couples struggle after the kids leave home for good: Some parents look forward to having an empty nest, the term popularly applied to a household in which the children are gone. Most accept the transition in life and easily adapt to their new living arrangements.

Community briefs for May 1, 2001: The Candlelighters will present the 11th annual 5K and 1-mile fun run starting 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Cashman Field, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Differences in gender can be unhealthy: Women are different than men.

News briefs for May 1, 2001: The district attorney's office will determine if anyone will face charges in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man who was with a group of people drinking and shooting in the desert.

Bill would strip adults of scholarships: CARSON CITY -- An Assembly committee Monday approved a bill that would eliminate those with adult education diplomas from gaining Millennium Scholarships to attend or college in Nevada.

UMC says threat used to get better deal with ambulances: By Emily Richmond; A University Medical Center spokesman said Monday that plans to terminate a contract with two ambulance companies to provide transport for critical care patients was nothing more than a negotiating tactic.

Public Works comes under fire: CARSON CITY -- Hoping to avoid problems similar to those that plagued the construction of the Lied Library at UNLV, state legislators told the state Public Works Board Monday to tighten its regulations before a new $200 million state building program is approved.

Shooting-range resolution OK'd: Assembly Joint Resolution 6 cites safety concerns over new population centers being located near several long-standing shooting areas.