Print edition for May 7, 2001

DOE report details threats to site: The Energy Department's 1,000-page "Yucca Mountain Science and Engineering Report," released Friday, summarizes the research on potential problems with water, earthquakes, volcanoes and nuclear reactions in a proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Pay raises for county officials could get new chance: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Elected officials in each of Nevada's counties witnessed the death of their pay raises last month, when the Assembly quietly killed a bill calling for up to 39 percent salary hikes for some officials.

DOE delays seeking Yucca license: Budget shortfall may hinder 2010 opening of site: Lack of funding has pushed back the Energy Department's application for a license to open a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain by a year and could threaten the proposed project's 2010 opening, a DOE official says.

Kidnapper not suspect in LV disappearance: Keith Paul; An ex-convict found guilty last week of snatching and molesting an 8-year-old girl in California is not a suspect in the unsolved disappearance of Las Vegan Karla Rodriguez in 1999, Metro Police officials have told the Sun.

Only L.A. traffic worse than Vegas': Study cites need for more mass-transit options: By Launce Rake; Stuck in traffic? Again? You are part of a statistic that places Las Vegas high in yet another unenviable national ranking.

Trial puts spotlight once again on juries: Kim Smith; Boxers or briefs?

Pool safety: Parents who lost young son preach message of constant vigilance: By Emily Richmond; Lonnie Noble can still hear the happy, babbling voice of her son Timmy when the 18-month-old followed a group of older children into the family's yard. A moment or two passed before Noble realized she could no longer hear Timmy's voice and went to look for him.

5-year-old in critical condition: The boy was reportedly playing hide and go seek in a dirt lot behind the stands of the Bullring track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, track spokesman Jeff Motley said.

Las Vegas drivers in top 20 at Indy: Unser, Jr., the 1992 and 1994 Indianapolis 500 winner, was 12th fastest with a lap of 216.639 mph in the Galles Racing Starz Superpak G-Force/Oldsmobile. Earlier in the day, Unser joined former winners Arie Luyendyk (1990, 1997), Buddy Lazier (1996) and Eddie Cheever Jr. (1998) in a few ceremonial laps to officially open practice on 2 1/2-mile oval.

Panel approves transferring child welfare to Washoe, Clark: CARSON CITY -- A legislative budget subcommittee has given preliminary approval to begin transferring some state child welfare services to Washoe County and, eventually, to Clark County.

Company installing slot software package: Developed by Compudigm International Ltd. of New Zealand, "seePower" presents slot machine performance information in a visual format, rather than tables. This enables a casino to quickly determine how machines in certain locations are performing and which game types and denominations are drawing the most play.

NHRA results: At Atlanta Dragway

Reports: Virgin cell phone unit in talks with Sprint: LONDON -- Virgin Mobile is in talks with Sprint to create a joint cell phone venture that would be the British company's first foray into the U.S. telecommunications market, people close to the discussions told the New York Times Sunday.

Donations help send needy children to summer camp: Her family lacks the resources to send her to camp this year. Her counselor says she follows the rules and always does the right thing.

Contractor seeks damages: MMC Inc. said it was hired to build infrastructure at the 600-acre residential development, including sewers, water mains, sidewalks, street lights and paving. It claimed its original contract called for less than one year's work in 1994, at a total cost of $6.06 million -- but because of alleged numerous change orders and delays, its work was not completed until March 1998.

Company replaces auditing firm: Hard Rock replaced Ernst & Young LLP with Arthur Andersen LLP on May 1. The filing did indicate why this step was taken, though Hard Rock said there were no disagreements over the past two years with E&Y on any of the Hard Rock's financial reports, accounting practices or disclosures.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Kings face tall order in Lakers: Dean Juipe; I've been invited to have lunch Wednesday with George Maloof, so I have to watch what I say about his Sacramento Kings.

News briefs for May 7, 2001: Metro Police homicide detectives were called to the Apex exit of Interstate 15 Sunday morning after a dead body was found.

Trial to begin in case of armed robbery suspect: Kim Smith; Jury selection was expected to begin this afternoon in the trial of a man arrested in connection with a restaurant robbery that left a Metro Police officer partially blinded.

Loss hits home for Trujillo: Victoria Sun; Even after David Trujillo extended his hitting streak to 25 games, tying the Mountain West Conference record, he could barely muster a smile.

2001 spring prep playoffs schedule: 4A SUNRISE REGION TOURNAMENT

$350 million in bonds to be sold: The 10-year senior subordinated notes carry an effective interest rate of 8.25 percent. Park Place said it will use the proceeds to pay down existing debt on the company's credit facility.

51s salvage Canada road trip with 6-2 victory: No matter what happens in tonight's series finale with the Edmonton Trappers here at Telus Field, the 51s will fly home to Las Vegas on Tuesday morning knowing they averted the indiginity of going 0-for-Canada on their current eight-game road trip.

Ex-Metro commander accepts plea deal in DUI case: Deputy District Attorney Mary Brown said Charles Davidaitis, 53, pleaded no contest to reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Nevada Bell, Cingular parent under investigation: TULSA, Okla. -- The parent of Nevada Bell and Cingular Wireless is under investigation for supplying inaccurate information to get government approval for long-distance service in Oklahoma and Kansas.

CART results: At Nazareth Speedway

Raudman wins wipeout-filled race at Bullring: It wasn't just the temperature that was soaring Sunday afternoon at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Softball: Rebels split with CSU to end streak at six: The Rebels begin the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Thursday at New Mexico.

Obituaries for May 7, 2001: Scott Alan Adams, 41, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 8, 1959, in California. A resident for five years, he was a truck driver.

Casino operator reports loss: In the year-ago period, Pinnacle recorded net income of $21.9 million, or 80 cents per share. Revenues declined 14 percent to $134 million, while cash flow fell 49 percent to $19.4 million.

Indy 500 practice results: At Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Awareness campaign focuses on noxious weeds, bugs: The yellow starthistle weed, the imported fire ant, killer bees, the channeled apple snail and the Norway rat are among the 40 species included in the awareness campaign.

Family to Family funds are restored: CARSON CITY -- One of former Gov. Bob Miller's pet programs -- the Family to Family Connection -- is back at full strength.

New burial design may be more dangerous: Workers burying waste in a proposed repository at Yucca Mountain could be exposed to more radiation if a "cooler" design is used, a supplement to last year's draft environmental impact statement says.

Las Vegas artist Kelley dies: As an artist, Don Kelley prided himself on being an idea man.

Birth announcements for May 7, 2001: April 22:

Class action suit filed against NLV developer: Buddy York, Chris Masterson and David Zeiszler are seeking class action certification, which would enable them to represent all homeowners of Rancho Alta Mira in their Clark County District Court lawsuit.

Sole survivors: Shoe shiners' work reflected in footwear across city: Shining shoes is an art.

Trends for May 7, 2001: Lisa Ferguson; It's nearly Mother's Day. And as is the case with most holidays anymore, the retail industry has analyzed it to death.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Monarchos runs with some fast company: Ralph Siraco; The 127th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday could have been a national ad for a safe driving campaign. The title would declare: "Speed kills."

Community briefs for May 7, 2001: United Blood Services, 6930 W. Charleston Blvd., has scheduled blood drives. For more information, call Michelle Keanini at 228-8400. This week's schedule: Wednesday: 2:30-7:30 p.m. at Sunset East High School, 3801 E. Washington Ave., and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sprint, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.; Thursday: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Silverado High School, 1650 E. Silver Hawk Ave.; Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Clark County Courthouse, 200 S. 3rd St., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at American Medical Response, 1200 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Sallie Mae, 10550 W. Charleston Blvd.; Saturday: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 14 ...

Columnist John Katsilometes: Hitting the jackpot with Tom Jones: Up in Jackpot, a big moment is to spot Sherman Hemsley walking through Cactus Pete's.

Clark, Western vie for spot in deep field: Spencer Patterson; For anyone who couldn't wait until Tuesday for the prep playoffs to begin, Clark and Western will unofficially kick things off one day early with a baseball game to determine the postseason's final participant.

CCSN choice two weeks away: Jennifer Knight; After a yearlong search, regents in about two weeks expect to choose a new Community College of Southern Nevada president from a field of 11 candidates.

FHA funding pinch threatens LV housing projects: Four projects that would provide 344 affordable apartments to the working poor in Nevada may not be built because of a Federal Housing Administration funding shortfall.

Editorial: Let's get moving on recycling: Despite the years of inaction, it is encouraging that as part of Clark County's Solid Waste Management Plan, local government is considering ways to increase the number of people and businesses who recycle. As has been pointed out here before, one of the most frustrating roadblocks is that hardly any operators of multifamily dwellings allow recycling bins on their properties. This is quite a market that goes untapped since nearly 4 out of every 10 Clark County residents live in apartments, condominiums or townhouses.

Casino fire wounds two workers: Woody Baird; ROBINSONVILLE, Miss. -- A fire broke out at the Grand Casino and Hotel, scorching the outside of the huge gambling hall. Two workers were treated for smoke inhalation.

Letter: Cell phone users are breaking law: I guess it takes a few persons of notoriety to be seriously hurt before this issue becomes a nationwide problem. Why does our local news media keep asking if we should have a bill put into law banning cell phone use while driving after an accident occurs? Dig deeper. The law exists in 50 states. You cannot be operating a cell phone in hand while driving. Wording may be different, but the meaning is the same.

Ferraro still pursuing alternate truck route: Jeffrey Libby; Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro has scheduled a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., hoping to get legislation drafted that would alter an international truck route known as the Canamex highway, established by Congress six years ago.

Gas prices not expected to reach $3 a gallon: Local gasoline industry experts says gas is not likely to reach $3 a gallon this summer despite media reports nationwide predicting such a rise.

Bonus for teachers has its opponents: Terry Webster; Clark County School District officials say they will welcome any help in the district's teacher recruiting efforts.

Letter: Lawmakers are too wimpy to address budget: Apparently, there is a vast funding shortage for the school district. They wimp out by trying to steal the money from the county governments to help fill the gap. It won't hurt their re-election campaigns, but it sure will impact the local politicians when they have to raise taxes to fill the void. Cowards!