Print edition for May 4, 2001

Local artist continues old-school traditions: Kimberley McGee; Brushes with famous stars illuminate his career, yet he prefers to teach a 400-year-old technique to local painters.

Dealing with autism: Nevada has few services to help children with neurological disorder: By Emily Richmond; When Florence LaRoy's son turned 3, her world turned upside down.

Editorial: So much for having Bush's ear: The administration is anything but shy about the prospect of sending 77,000 tons of man's deadliest waste to a repository just 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It's not helpful that Vice President Dick Cheney is using the power crisis to revive the moribund nuclear power industry, whether it's bringing old plants out of mothballs or building new facilities. The administration's love affair with nuclear power, in turn, has emboldened the industry and its supporters in Congress to step up their calls for the burial of nuclear waste inside Nevada's Yucca Mountain.

James feels like 'King' of the world -- not just Queens: Kimberley McGee; Kevin James is happy.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Love is in air at Charlie Palmer's restaurants: Looking for love in all the right places -- Charlie Palmer's restaurants are doubling as Cupid's headquarters these days. Aureole Las Vegas pastry chef Megan Romano and Executive Chef Joe Romano started the trend, and it continues.

Mormon Church is funding its future: Stacy J. Willis; He has a light grip on the English language, a nametag that identifies him as a Mormon missionary and, after two years of knocking on doors in Las Vegas, he is expected to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into worldwide maturity.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Taxes -- the untouchable topic: Way up North in the land of the setting sun, where the air blows hot and empty, there's a grotesque spot, just the only one, that means home sweet home to me.

Letter: Governor's prescription plan a big help: For the last couple of years I've had to save up money to pay for my prescriptions and I've even had to ask my children for help. I'm a lot more independent now with Senior Rx and I even have a little extra money to help me enjoy my "golden years" a little more. I read that the governor is even trying to make Senior Rx better and even more affordable for seniors like myself, and I sure hope that works because I need help now and I'm getting it now.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Assembly kooky time: MANY TIMES, as a student of government, I have thought seriously about Nevada having a unicameral legislature like Nebraska. The one-house legislative body in Nebraska appears to work very efficiently. Then this year along comes a Nevada bill in the Assembly that passes with only three negative votes and is dropped in the lap of the Senate. Wisely, the upper house kills it on the spot, and Nevada is saved further embarrassment. That ended any belief in a single-house legislature.

Audit critical of state program for the blind: CARSON CITY -- A legislative audit claims a state program for the blind is plagued with problems of improper financial reports, cozy business relationships and the possible falsification of expense records.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Righteous Brothers sparked 'blue-eyed soul': Joe Delaney; When Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley sing, they can achieve a "righteous sound," capturing the essence of gospel, blues and rock ... Hatfield can achieve a soulful, searing, sometimes almost screeching tenor a la James Brown, while Medley's deep bass sound is similar to the late Jimmy Ricks of the Ravens and, more recently, Barry White.

Where I Stand -- Hank Greenspun: Return of Price is right for Sun readers: Fearless, peerless, priceless Paul Price.

Nevada lagging in federal aid: In Clark County

Letter: Euthanasia law is frightening: Although I was born in Holland, my grandmother always told me that the Storms came from the sea. Since Dutch Health Minister Els Borst sponsored a law for euthanasia, "Going Dutch" scares the devil out of me! Being almost an octogenarian, I may wait for my centenarian birthday to come around, then book a cruise on the love boat, and if something happens they may bury me at sea!

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Race only matters on track for Adams: Troy Adams may be the only black driver in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series, but the 32-year-old Southern California resident said he sees himself as just another up-and-coming driver.

Letter: Powell shows he's hypocritical: The reference to Secretary of State Colin Powell calling Israel's reaction to the PA violence "excessive and disproportionate" makes one recall the Powell Doctrine as enunciated prior to the Gulf War. Powell indicated that if you defend yourself against your attacker, you prepare all your potential weapons and forces and use them with overwhelming strength. Otherwise, don't go to war. This was a result of his own experience in Vietnam.

Children get chance to improve math with storybooks: Angela Soo; Reading storybooks to children not only promotes literacy but also provides an early opportunity for children to learn about mathematics, a Clark County School District official said.

Cobo shares musical -- and life -- experience: By Timothy Pratt; Guitarist Ricardo Cobo is an artist who knows that things, and people, and places, aren't always what they seem.

Letter: Mathematics of buying electricity doesn't add up: If they close, two weeks later we would close our Las Vegas plant, which makes paper products, because they supply us with all our raw materials. It is kind of weird to think that people are losing jobs not to other countries (North American Free Trade Agreement) but to our own philosophies on business (capitalism).

Columnist Jeff German: Miller versus Jones proves to be quite entertaining: IF YOU have any interest in City Hall politics, Steve Miller's defamation case against former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones will entertain you.

Rudner's 'rapier-like wit' shines at New York-New York: Joe Delaney; Neat, petite, pert: Rita Rudner has a gentle demeanor that masks a rapier-like wit. When it comes to laughs, the lady hits for distance. Not one line missed at the show we attended.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Show rumor sealed with Kiss: Kate Maddox; There were few things that scared me more as a child than the band Kiss. (The Wicked Witch, the Incredible Hulk, clowns, painted faces of any kind -- you get the point.) So I probably won't be at the concert the band is rumored to be planning in Las Vegas.

Raises for state workers endorsed: CARSON CITY -- A 4 percent cost-of-living raise for each of the next two years for state employees gained the endorsements of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Taxpayers Association Thursday.

Letter: No boon for bookies: Ron@lasvegassun.com; While I am definitely against any form of gambling ban on college games, the one thing that bothers me is the insinuation (made by sports handicapper Wayne Root and others) that if there is a ban, it will be a boon to illegal bookies and the mob.

Joe Delaney remembers 1993: Iglesias at Caesars: Joe Delaney remembers 1993: Iglesias at Caesars

Henderson teen taps way to TV: Kimberley McGee; Chaz Wolcott knows change.

Editorial: So much for getting different viewpoints: On Wednesday President Bush announced that he was creating a commission to consider ways to reform Social Security, but all 16 members acknowledge they share Bush's view that the system should allow workers to invest at least part of their payroll taxes on their own. Not all financial experts agree that privatizing Social Security would be a sound decision, which makes the commission's composition troubling to say the least.

Rediscovering Richard: It was 9:30 on a recent morning and Richard Lewis had just awakened.

Special families foster love for kids in need: May marks National Foster Care Month: Some children have never been hugged.

Reverend sings praises at church, on CD: Ever have an experience so profoundly moving that you wished you could have bottled it and shared it with others?

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Child abuse, neglect: We still don't get it: Sandy Thompson; THEY ARE tortured and taunted, berated and beaten down. At a time when they should be playing with toys, they are used as sex toys. They are told they are no good and should never have been born. They are a nuisance and a millstone.

Columnist Susan Snyder: An honest depiction of Ranch hands: Anew book describes a group of Nevada women as ethically minded, religiously observant and having a strong commitment to the children, spouses and parents they support financially.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Ladies stop for visit in Vegas: Las Vegas has been teeming with painted ladies.

Recognizing autism oftentimes difficult: By Emily Richmond; The videotape shows a boy at his first birthday party, excited family and friends vying for his attention. But unlike other children at the party, Jeffrey LaRoy wasn't trying to talk. He wasn't reaching for balloons or pointing at the cake.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Jazz lounge caters to late-night Cellar-dwellers: At two in the morning the streets of Las Vegas are about as quiet as they ever get.

Datebook: The Gateway Arts Association presents Fiesta Del Soul 2001, featuring food, visual and performing arts and music, from noon-10 p.m. Saturday behind the Art Factory, 1717 S. Decatur Blvd.

Ellenbrook's arm lifts Palo Verde: Spencer Patterson; Just one pitch into Thursday's Northwest Division baseball title showdown between Centennial and Palo Verde, it looked like the Panthers could be in for a long day.

Where I stand--Mike O'Callaghan: Medicine made to kill: SEVERAL YEARS AGO I wrote a column about the Dutch government getting on the slippery slope to death. The act was completed this year when that country fully developed a culture of death. The Dutch parliament passed a law to completely decriminalize euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide. A law permits doctors to kill their patients. The Dutch have now gone down the slope and are immersed in a cesspool of death.

News of the Day: 1993: Story: Fire engulfed a religious cult compound in Waco, Texas, today after FBI agents in an armored vehicle smashed the buildings and pumped tear gas into them in an attempt to end a 51-day standoff.

Plan revived to pay 'notch babies': Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has again resumed a long-standing battle to reverse a quirk in federal law that shortchanges so-called "notch babies."

Editorial: Rhetoric won't aid homeless: MASH Village's five-year contract with the city to provide homeless shelter services ended in December. During renegotiation a dispute ensued over the fact that a provision in the original agreement called for the operator to make $5 million in capital improvements before the city would sell it the land the facility is located on. The city says the operator has made only $2.5 million worth of improvements, but MASH Village counters that it needs the land first in order to raise the rest of the money -- a sizable amount -- from philanthropic groups.

Theater company bringing big shows to Orleans: Kimberley McGee; It's a stacked deck.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Players shuffle back to Regent: Kate Maddox; The big-bucks poker game is still on at the Regent Las Vegas. The high-stakes-a-thon began more than a week ago and features some of the world's best poker players, including Doyle Brunson, Bobby Baldwin and Chip Reese.

Saturday horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.

Dodgers to make their call on Perez: Do the Dodgers promote Perez, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs in four more shaky innings during Las Vegas' 13-5 loss to Calgary here on Thursday night? Or do they give the 30-year-old left-hander his outright release, eating his guaranteed $7.5 million salary for the 2001 season in the process?

Letter: Bush is merely Cheney's tool: In my mind now, and I am a bit older, there is nothing more certain than that the current President Bush is not acting on his own on his campaign promises!

State's schools also could feel budget pinch: CARSON CITY -- A $20 million plan to buy textbooks, increase teacher training and purchase technology equipment in Nevada schools is a target for cuts because of the $121.5 million shortfall in the state's budget.

Obituaries for May 4, 2001: Mildred D. Barry, 68, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospice. She was born Dec. 22, 1932, in Jersey City, N.J. A resident for 10 years, she was a retired supervisor for a publishing and distribution company and a recipient of the Jefferson Award.

Yucca still key in DOE reports: Studies may pave way for dumpsite's future: Four Energy Department reports on Yucca Mountain -- including an outline of scientific progress and a cost analysis -- were expected to be released today.

'Survivor' slot announced: Chicago-based WMS received North American licensing rights to Survivor from CBS Consumer Products, a division of CBS Enterprises. The game will be the first produced in a joint venture between WMS and International Game Technology of Reno. The slot should be submitted to state gaming regulators for approval within nine months, WMS said.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway standings: Late Models -- 1. Wayne Jacks 93; 2. Ray Hooper, Jr. 93; 3. Jim Wulfenstein 88; 4. Dick Cobb 86; 5. Jason Allen 82; 6. Billy Newman 78; 7. Chris Clyne 76; 8. Dennis Rock 74; 9. Rich Attisani 74; 10. Jeff Perkins 72; 11. George Antill 71; 12. Mike Ray 67; 13. Steve Rzesnoweicky 67; 14. Eric Martin 65; 15. Darren Michaels 64.

At 5, the Stratosphere is still tall and growing: Stratosphere at a glance

Water rights to be auctioned: Auctioneer Robert Deiro said the 200 acre-feet of privately owned water rights are different from a similar amount that went to bid last year at the Las Vegas Country Club. Half of those rights did not sell.

Vacation rentals win first legal bout: A vacation rental business won a reprieve when a state arbitrator rejected a cease-and-desist request from the Las Vegas Country Club Estates, where the company owns 25 residences.

Fire prompts evacuation of big Tunica casino: The fire apparently started at one of the entrances to the casino and near the 1,300-room hotel. The Grand Casino is one of 10 located in Tunica County, about 20 miles south of Memphis, Tenn.

Nevadans mindful of nuke power 'renaissance': Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nuclear power is enjoying unprecedented support in the nation's capital these days as policy leaders search for energy-shortage solutions. Ever wary of waste, Nevada officials have taken notice.

Charges filed over LV mortgage scandal: The Nevada Attorney General's Office has filed felony theft and embezzlement charges against the operator of a Las Vegas mortgage company.

NFR cowboy sues hotel over use of photo: Speed Williams, Llano, Texas, and the Oklahoma-based Cowboy Sports Agents Inc., filed suit Wednesday in Clark County District Court against the Las Vegas Club hotel-casino.

Kambala participates in Nike Desert Classic: Kambala participates in Nike Desert Classic

Southwest sues new ticket seller: Kevin Ferguson; Southwest Airlines today said it filed suit against the powerful new travel website Orbitz, alleging it's using proprietary information about Southwest's fares, routes and schedules without its permission.

Execs exercise stock options: Satre indicated plans to sell 101,144 shares of stock for $3.6 million, while Reed planned to sell 546,188 shares for $18.6 million. The sales were to have occurred in late April, the Wednesday filing stated.

Overhead nuisance: Residents weary of helicopter noise: Adrienne Packer; There is nothing peaceful about the warm evenings at Edson "Skip" Parker's Las Vegas home.

Former auction officials indicted: The two auction houses had already agreed to pay more than $500 million to settle civil lawsuits brought by customers after the price fixing allegations became public.

Second angler lands tagged fish in contest: Second angler lands tagged fish in contest

CCSN loses opening game in tournament: Joe Wagner went 3-for-4 for the Coyotes with a double, a home run and three RBIs and CCSN's Amad Stephens struck out nine in seven innings of relief.

Former state welfare chief Miller dies at 81: CARSON CITY -- George Miller, one of the most colorful state welfare directors ever to serve Nevada, died Thursday at the Carson-Tahoe Hospital after suffering two heart attacks.

Marshall competes despite diabetes: Victoria Sun; Needles used to be scary instruments that made Jamie Marshall cringe.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Venus Genus - Training at Anita, Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, should be part of pace from rail post in sprint opener. Vaquero - Draws alongside top pick down inside, Blanc atop Dutrow trainee, needs a trip from starting box. Value Play -- Negri

Home-invasion 'predator' sought: Keith Paul; Area police are searching for an armed man suspected in more than 20 home-invasion robberies in the past six months in Henderson and Las Vegas.

Officials show solidarity against legislation: Diana Sahagun and Adrienne Packer; In a move to express solidarity, elected officials from Clark County and its three cities gathered Thursday to protest a bill that would strip Southern Nevada governments of $65 million over two years.

Mandalay to beat profit expectations: The Las Vegas-based casino giant said it expected to post earnings of 60 cents per share for the quarter ending April 30, compared to 58 cents per share in the year-ago period. Mandalay said this figure was helped by the fact that the company had less shares outstanding than it did in 2000.

Fire chief leaves legacy, prompts speculation: Jeffrey Libby; Outgoing Las Vegas Fire Chief Mario Trevino built his 492-employee force into the envy of departments throughout the country, but he also is accused of gambling with public safety to preserve that glowing national reputation.

LV builders sued: Three single family home owners of Rancho Alta Mira, a 1,354-unit residential development in North Las Vegas, filed a class action lawsuit against builder Dunmore Homes of Nevada Inc., alleging defects in the development.

School District starts literacy campaign: Terry Webster; Bringing more than 1.5 million donated books and 1,000 literacy volunteers to the Clark County School District is the goal of a program that began today.

Former candidate Russo proposes state lottery: By Emily Richmond; Aaron Russo, a Hollywood producer who lost a raucous battle against Gov. Kenny Guinn for the 1998 Republican gubernatorial nomination, is proposing a state lottery to help pay for prescription drugs for seniors.

PCL Box: Las Vegas-Calgary: E--Galon. DP--Calgary 1. LOB--Las Vegas 8, Calgary 9. 2B--Prieto, K. Johnson, Perez, Becker, Gulan. HR--Castro (6), Waszgis (3), Molina (1). SB--Prieto, Durrington, Becker.

Tennis: UNLV players headed to NCAA tournaments: Senior Nenad Zivkovic, ranked 87th nationally but second in the region, earned his first bid to the national singles tournament. The native of Belgrade, Serbia, went to the 1999 doubles event with Gregor Skorin, and lost in the first round.

News briefs for May 4, 2001: Special claims offices for Nevada Test Site workers and other Department of Energy employees sickened on the job are expected to open June 15, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said today.

Group charges leadership void hurts children, seniors: CARSON CITY -- A group that advocates social causes is complaining that children, senior citizens, the poor and the mentally ill will be hurt by a lack of leadership from Gov. Kenny Guinn and the Legislature.

Jones takes stand in defense against Miller defamation suit: Kim Smith; Ten years after former Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Miller filed a defamation suit against her, former two-term mayor Jan Laverty Jones took the stand to face her accuser Thursday.

Stupak proud, but not notably nostalgic about Stratosphere: By Richard N. Velotta; Bob Stupak doesn't visit the Stratosphere Tower much anymore.

Harrah's CEO sees bright future for gambling giant: David Strow; The year 2000 was far from a great one for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas.

Colleges would be hit hard by cuts: Jennifer Knight; Gov. Kenny Guinn is asking colleges and universities to absorb one-third of the state's $121.5 million deficit, and the price of such a hard hit could be the elimination of some faculty positions, university officials said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Pro sports wrestle with teens: Dean Juipe; There was a time when even the most promising teenage athlete was figuratively required to pay his or her dues.

Caesars, LV Convention Center named world's best: More than 25,000 travel agencies from across the world participated in the voting. More than 150 awards were presented earlier this month at the awards ceremony in Malaysia.

NASCAR Busch Hardee's 250 qualifying results: Richmond, Va.

Business briefs for May 4, 2001: The families of two Arizona women sued Yokohama Tire Corp. of Fullerton, Calif., and its Tokyo-based parent, Yokohama Rubber Co., alleging a defective tire caused the women's deaths in a Nevada wreck.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Terrifying new thrill ride proposed for Stratosphere: Thousands of people ride the Big Shot, a ride that blasts thrill-seekers 160 feet skyward in two seconds up the tower's 228-foot mast extending like a needle from the top of the tower. Not quite as intimidating is the High Roller, a roller coaster whose tracks make three orbits of the tower's summit at about 30 mph.

LV builders disciplined by state: Three of the companies had their licenses suspended and another was fined and reprimanded in actions taken at the board's meeting April 24-25.

Republicans unveil maps of a redrawn Assembly: CARSON CITY -- Republican Assembly members unveiled their reapportionment plan Thursday. It expands the Assembly to 46 members, creating five predominantly Hispanic districts in Clark County and retains the two districts for blacks.

Louisville could yield vintage crop: Ralph Siraco; What: The 127th running of the Kentucky Derby When: Saturday. Post is 3:04 p.m. Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky. TV: NBC, ch.(3)

DA's office under fire from attorneys: Kim Smith; A national organization of defense attorneys has joined arms with the ACLU and local defense attorneys over what they perceive to be a violation of the attorney-client privilege by the Clark County district attorney's office.

Thursday's prep results: BASEBALL

'Lost Boys': Young refugees from brutal Sudan civil war find home, hope in America: Angela Soo; Michael Bol at age 13 watched others being eaten alive by lions. He trudged through crocodile-infested waters. He nearly died from starvation and thirst.

Deal gives homeless shelter reprieve: MASH Village will stay open 10 more days: Diana Sahagun; More than 180 people living or accessing services at the MASH Village homeless shelter face an uncertain future, as they wait day-to-day for a permanent decision on whether the shelter will close its doors.

Bankruptcies: George Schaible, formerly doing business as Schaibles Collectibles Inc., 121 Vallejo Ave., filed for Chapter 7, listing assets of $9,210 and liabilities of $69,025.