Print edition for May 11, 2001

2001 spring prep playoff schedule, results: BASEBALL

Reid vows to block Bush nominations over Yucca: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is playing hardball with President Bush over radiation standards for a proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

A.C. officials approve expansion of Tropicana: The panel unanimously approved the $225 million project Thursday, despite strong objections from homeowners at the neighboring Brighton Towers Condominium. Residents there said they would likely challenge the approval in court.

Mikohn announces new slot strategies: Las Vegas-based Mikohn reported net income of $446,000, or 4 cents a share, on revenues of $26.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31. In the same quarter a year earlier, the company reported net income of $202,000, or 2 cents a share, on revenues of $22.3 million.

Tourism safety conference set for LV: Police and security officers from the world's playgrounds will be in Las Vegas this month to hear experts discuss how to keep visitors safe.

IGT sues over new game: Shuffle Master has launched a field trial of six "Double Platinum" three-reel slot machines at the Excalibur hotel-casino on the Strip. The new machines are a retrofit of IGT three-reel slot machines.

Murphy attempts to stop sale of Binion home: Sandy Murphy has gone to court to block Ted Binion's estate from selling his $900,000 home.

Plan for business tax is weighed: Non-Nevada firms would be targeted: CARSON CITY -- A plan to impose a tax on out-of-state companies, which would raise an estimated $60 million to $80 million annually, is the latest tactic in the drive to solve the state budget shortfall.

News briefs for May 11, 2001: A 5-year-old boy found hiding in a car trunk last weekend died Thursday.

Indian tribe files lawsuit challenging state's power: Robert Imrie; Three Chippewa Indian bands that want to open a casino at a financially troubled greyhound race track in western Wisconsin filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the governor's power to block the project.

Prep coaches assail budget proposal: Spencer Patterson; Reaction was swift Thursday as word of Southern Nevada's proposed move to a new Class 5A spread throughout town. And for many area coaches, the idea of deciding a state champion without involving Nevada's northern half did not sit well.

Hispanics feel left out in redistricting: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Several Hispanic residents testified Thursday that neither major political party has their best interests in mind when it comes to carving out boundaries for the Legislature and Congress.

Nevada Power parent company reports loss: Sierra Pacific reported a net loss of $83.5 million, or $1.06 per share. This compares to net income of $18.2 million, or 23 cents per share, for the year-ago quarter.

Earnings flat for chemical manufacturer: That compared to $1.2 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, in the comparable quarter last year. After an extraordinary loss on debt extinguishment of $600,000, net income was $600,000 or 8 cents per diluted share for the second quarter of 2000.

High court denies Venetian's request to suspend sanctions: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has denied the petition of the Venetian Casino Resort in Las Vegas and its Georgia law firm to suspend sanctions imposed during court hearings over mechanics liens against the hotel-casino.

Southwest shareholders criticize board, executives: David Strow; Rate increase?

Camp presents opportunity to experience nature up close: Her mother would like to send her to camp to let her experience the outdoors up close, but she cannot afford it.

Varian deal could spark subsidiary business; firm may build LV plant: Now that local officials have locked up the recruitment of Varian Medical Systems Inc. to Las Vegas, they've begun seeking prospective spinoff companies and suppliers.

Father-son team to star at Henderson ArtFest: Kimberley Mcgee; Like father, like son.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Extending the dream: IF YOU believe in Las Vegas, buy land.

Columnist Peter Benton: Second course to open at Anthem: Peter Benton; Construction crews from Golf Links are hard at it out in Henderson shaping and molding the new Concord golf course, which will be the second daily-fee layout at The Revere at Anthem (the Lexington being the first).

Strip celebrities scheduled to appear at benefit concert: "Springfest III," an all-star benefit to raise funds for a charter school for the deaf, will be held Saturday at an amphitheater on the campus of Faith Lutheran High School in Summerlin.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: All types of fish are biting: Paula DelGiudice; Fishing continues to be good, as the warm weather hits its stride. Whether it's striped bass or rainbow trout, everyone's catching fish in Southern Nevada.

Obituaries for May 11, 2001: Isabell Joyclyn Scott Austin, 86, of Boulder City died Tuesday in a local hospital. She was born July 17, 1914, in Avalon, Calif. A resident for 44 years, she was a homemaker, member of the Boulder City Garden Club, PEO and the Boulder City Seniors Center and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in Rotary International.

Datebook: Writer, producer and director Jerry Schafer will address Joe Behar's Community Drama Workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Gold Coast showroom. Admission is free. Call 457-0234.

Never too old: Students excel with aid of aging technology: Terry Webster; Video game players and outmoded computers are equipment far removed from the cutting edge of classroom technology.

Regents decide to tap savings: Jennifer Knight; Rather than cut funding to the proposed state college in response to a cash flow problem, the Board of Regents decided Thursday to dip into a savings account set aside for the future of higher education.

Reid criticizes Cheney over energy plan: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Thursday led early Democratic criticism of a much-awaited energy plan being drafted by Vice President Dick Cheney, which is set for release next week.

City leaders struggle with compromise over tax shift: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Henderson city officials made some movement toward a compromise on a proposal that would shift tax money from Las Vegas and Clark County to fast-growing, smaller municipalities.

Rebels' Cheetany signs contract with Titans: Cheetany, rated the No. 6 punting prospect in the nation by Joel Buchsbaum of Pro Football Weekly and a 2000 preseason first team All-American by Street & Smith's magazine, wasn't chosen in last month's NFL Draft.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Mr. Vice Prizident - Wheels back quickly after last race victory, Baze on Mitchell trainee, strikes while the irons are hot? Tim In The Gym - Draws good rail post for route opener, Delahoussaye on Cassidy trainee, sits the catbird seat here. Value Play -- Before And After

Rape, kidnapping suspect held without bail on Nevada charge: Kim Smith; William A. Beith, 28, was ordered held without bail on a state kidnapping charge in an appearance this morning before Justice of the Peace Marley Robinson.

Assembly energy panel votes to protect consumers: CARSON CITY -- An Assembly committee on energy voted Thursday to give more protection to consumers in these days of rising electric and natural gas prices.

State's first law students to graduate: Jennifer Knight; A millionaire reached deep into his pockets, professors came from all over the country with the intention to build something great and students took a chance on the unknown.

Comrade recovers some of lawyer's stolen artifacts: Kim Smith; Defense attorney Osvaldo "Ozzie" Fumo took fellow attorney Thomas Pitaro out to lunch last week and gave him far more than a free meal.

Judge allows exam of man accused in case in which trooper was hit: Kim Smith; Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman this morning agreed to allow two independent psychologists to examine the man accused of strangling a local prostitute and running over a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper.

Program cut sparks complaints: Terry Webster; The budget cuts undertaken recently by the Clark County School District are beginning to stimulate protests among parents and students.

Dittler, Gators in prime position to reach state: Spencer Patterson; For the past five weeks, sidelined Green Valley pitcher Jake Dittler has been envisioning a scenario -- one that would have him return to the mound in time to lead his team into the 4A State Baseball Tournament.

Garcia promises no privatizing services: Terry Webster; Hundreds of Clark County School District support staffers went home happy Thursday night after Superintendent Carlos Garcia assured them that he is not planning to privatize any services in the district.

Advice from Stewart gives Vasser a boost: Although it was a bit slower than his fastest time of the month, the upbeat Vasser was pleased with his speed. "I have taken some ideas that Tony (Stewart) has given me, and it has really helped us," Vasser said. "This is a great organization. It was a very good day for us." List on 10D.

Durango's Sherman fires a no-hitter at Centennial: Leah Robinson; When Aja Sherman hobbled out of the emergency room on crutches Tuesday, she thought her Durango teammates would have to get to state without her.

UNLV's four-run 10th overcomes Cougars: Reliever Joe Maruffi (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, pitching 1 1/3 innings and giving up one run on one hit with two strikeouts.

First evaluation due for superintendent: Terry Webster; Clark County School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia will undergo his first evaluation by the School Board before the end of June.

Wunderlich reaches settlement in lawsuit: Wunderlich sued UNLV over a 1999 incident in which she claimed former Lady Rebel assistant coach Lisa Rathbun attacked her in practice while the two were scimmaging. Rathbun was re-assigned after the incident and is no longer at UNLV.

Miller denies lawsuit against Jones is about money: Kim Smith; Steve Miller emphatically denied Thursday that money was his motive in filing a libel lawsuit against former Mayor Jan Laverty Jones.

Increases OK'd for poor schools, teacher training: CARSON CITY -- A legislative budget subcommittee agreed Thursday to increases in school improvement programs such as help for failing students and teacher training.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Wins might solve what ails the 51s: Dean Juipe; Sitting in the stands at Cashman Field, oblivious to the XFL folding and the satisfaction I would later feel at that offensive league's demise, I looked around at my 800 or so colleagues Thursday afternoon and wondered why I had lost interest in minor-league baseball.

Goodman to lead first nighttime gay pride parade: Kris Hill; This is not your old-fashioned gay pride parade.

XFL, R.I.P.: Howard Fendrich; NEW YORK -- "He Hate Me" -- a k a Rod Smart of the Las Vegas Outlaws -- was right.

Editorial: Teamwork slows bill to ban betting: Meanwhile, it also was encouraging that Reid and Ensign were able to obtain pledges from a number of senators that they would oppose efforts to tack the sports betting ban onto an overall education spending bill. If such an amendment were added, even senators who opposed the sports betting ban would be hard pressed to vote against the overall package because of the education benefits it provides to their constituents.

Living Colour frontman doesn't want to repeat past: Kirk Baird; John, Paul, George and Ringo. Together they comprised the greatest rock band of all time. Apart, well, while there were moments of greatness, each solo artist's career never matched the sustained brilliance of the band's.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch, 16, carries on family tradition: One of the characteristics of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series throughout the years has been the strong family ties among its drivers, from father-son combinations such as the Pettys and the Earnhardts to the Waltrip, Bodine and Burton brothers.

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

Outlaws made their mark in Las Vegas: Victoria Sun; Even though Joseph Tuiapala has signed a two-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he said he was crushed when he learned the XFL had folded due to financial losses on Thursday.

Lawmakers angered over local reaction to tax battle: Adrienne Packer; State legislators, angered by local officials' "sky is falling" assessment of a bill that shifts certain taxes to the state, threatened to launch a recall of elected officials who cut emergency services because of the law.

Letter: Death practices must be stopped: Slippery death stalks the Dutch people in the form of euthanasia and doctor-permitted suicide. This is one way of getting rid of the old people and the handicapped -- and also the unwanted children.

Letter: Rhodes not right for city council: When officers go on duty, they must deal with robberies, burglaries, assaults, rapes, domestic violence and any other number of incidents that may place them in danger. In most cases there is no advance warning when a perpetrator is armed, so it is necessary in every case to be prepared for the worst. We lost Officer Raul Elizondo in 1995, and owe our thanks to all the officers who daily risk their lives to keep us safe, and to their families who also suffer from injuries and loss of loved ones.

Indy 500 speeds: Indy 500 speeds

Local Asians celebrate heritage: Angela Soo; Events

Letter: Nationwide health tracking network needed: Having participated in the Senate field hearing in Nevada, I heard firsthand the frustration from public health officials and families alike at the lack of needed health information. People agree that we need a much better understanding of cancer and other chronic diseases -- and their relationship to environmental factors -- before we can successfully prevent them.

Editorial: Successful auction for government land: The taxpayers also came out ahead because an auction made it more likely that the best price possible was paid. Indeed, the proceeds from this auction will stay in Nevada and may be used to buy environmentally sensitive land, protect conservation areas and even upgrade parks in the area.

Collins gets No. 1 draw in Baja 500: Collins, of Las Vegas, will drive the first four-wheel vehicle to leave the starting line -- a Chevy C1500 in the featured Trophy-Truck division in Round 3 of the five-race 2001 Duralast SCORE Desert Series.

PCL Box: Tucson-Las Vegas: E--Clinton, Beltre. DP--Tucson 1, Las Vegas 1. LOB--Tucson 8, Las Vegas 8. 2B--Ryan, Prieto 2, Beltre, K. Johnson, Barry, Post. HR--Conti 2 (2, 3). S--Jacome, K. Johnson. SB--Barry. CS--Spivey.

Measure calls for raise in child-support cap for rich: John Wilkerson; CARSON CITY -- A Senate committee listened Thursday to clashing testimony over a bill that would increase child support incrementally for wealthy Nevada parents.

Columnist Sam Schmidt: Team's goal at Indy is to make top five rows: Sam Schmidt; My strategy has always been, since day one of coming here even as a driver, to get in the field the first day of qualifying and seize the opportunity when you get it. Just be prepared. We have to be ready when eleven o'clock rolls around -- we just have to have the speed at that point.

'Peter Pan' principal leading his fairy-tale life: Kimberley McGee; Meeting deadlines, navigating traffic jams, paying bills and organizing budgets. The daily duties of being a grown-up can be awfully dull.

Lawmakers' computers hit by a porn virus: CARSON CITY -- A porn virus attacked hundreds of computers in the Legislature, closing down the e-mail system for nearly 21 hours this week.

Shelter proposal gives city control of land: Diana Sahagun; A proposed contract between the city of Las Vegas and MASH Village won't give the shelter control of the land and will require that at least $3 million in improvements be made on the site.

Improvement sought for inmates' transition to outside: Siobhan McDonough; CARSON CITY -- A prison official urged Nevada lawmakers Thursday to help nonviolent inmates make a successful transition back to the streets.

Golf: Local players advance in U.S. Open qualifiers: Munk, Berry and Eddie Heinen each carded 68s to force a playoff at the Black Mountain Golf & Country Club Thursday afternoon.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Some of the better success for stripers continues to be found in the Overton Arm where boaters have been catching fish in the Virgin Bowl and around Fish Island. One boater reported to the Nevada Division of Wildlife that he caught a limit of 20 stripers near the Meat Hole.

Editorial: States can't do it alone on drug plans: Nevada offers a limited prescription drug plan for lower-income seniors, but budget constraints curtail what this state can offer. Congress and President Bush need to find common ground and implement a plan that will ensure that all seniors can afford drugs, which, in many instances, can be the difference between life and death.

'80s revenge: Kirk Baird; "Remember the '80s?" It's a slogan that's appeared countless times, on TV and in movies, books and CDs.

Checker doesn't dance around legacy: Chubby Checker will be twisting the night away at the Stratosphere this weekend.

Joe Delaney remembers 1994: Kerr, 'Boylesque' at the Sahara: Joe Delaney remembers 1994: Kerr, 'Boylesque' at the Sahara

A dash of Rosemary: Kimberley McGee; She's an original diva with a strong sense of family and a fierce determination to carry on.

Letter: Most seniors aren't helped by Guinn plan: My husband has diabetes and is insulin dependent, plus he has congestive heart failure and kidney failure. He takes 20 prescriptions a day, but we get no help.

Low pay impedes recruiting, keeping of teachers: Jennifer Knight; Summer heats up, school winds down and, for the past few years, the same cycle seems to repeat itself: Schoolteachers prepare to leave town on airplanes, in cars or moving vans heading to new states, new jobs and most often better pay.

Where I Stand--Brian Greenspun: Love Mom every day: M IS FOR the many ways she loves me.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Mom takes arcane look at her day: My mother hates Mother's Day.

Rebelling ranchers: Sagebrush movement continues fight for land: By Steve Kanigher; Rancher Cliven Bundy scatters cattle along the hilly range above his Riverside home by piping spring water to strategically placed metal troughs.

Nevada tops nation in federally owned land: Steve Kanighe; The Bureau of Land Management intends to sell 1 million acres to facilitate Nevada's growth, but this is hardly a victory for the Sagebrush Rebellion.

Southern Nevada celebrates Mothers of Year: Mayor Oscar Goodman presented the awards. Paula Francis, news anchor at KLAS Channel 8, read the letters of nomination.

Columnist Jeff German: Miller provides big laughs: IT'S SAFE to say that Steve Miller doesn't plan to include me in his inner circle of friends in the near future.

Papa Roach invades Sam Boyd: Randy Matin; Vacaville, Calif.? Pull off the highway after passing nothing but farms and cow pastures for miles and miles and, as the off ramp drops away, the infestation of corporate America looms large -- Staples, Petsmart and Starbucks greet visitors to this remote cow town in Northern California.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Remembering Kingston Trio's beginnings: Joe Delaney; The Kingston Trio, led by one of the originals, Bob Shane, are in residence at the Suncoast through Sunday ... Shane, Nick Reynolds and Dave Guard were fellow college students in the San Francisco area when they formed the original group in 1957 ... Their inspiration was the success of such groups as the Weavers, who hit it big in the late 1940s and early 1950s with their recording of Leadbelly's classic, "Good Night, Irene."

Faith-based groups use fed funds to help families: Stacy J. Willis; Some kids go to church for the food.

Las Vegas climbs to 14th best in city survey: Las Vegas was ranked 30th last year. Metropolitan areas were ranked according to wage and salary growth, job growth, and high-tech output growth, among other criteria.

Orosco picks up win for 51s: Steve Guiremand; It was quite a dry spell between triple-A victories for Jesse Orosco.

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Tiny baby at center of custody dispute: Sandy Thompson; SHORTLY AFTER entering this world, a tiny baby with striking blue eyes entered the Clark County Family Court system.

Where I Stand -- Hank Greenspun: Oh, the horror of navigating roadways: It's like the old-time horror movies.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Albisani has the Keys to success: Maggie Albisani's adoring fans are mostly men, some of whom may be equally comfortable in an Armani suit or a Christian Dior gown.

'Broken Globes' tackles weighty school subjects: "Broken Globes," a timely play that deals with youth violence and other issues involving high school students, is wrapping up a brief run at the Black Box Theater on the Cheyenne campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada.

News of the Day: 1994: Story: In Detroit, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan let out a horrified scream and collapsed onto the floor. A man slammed something resembling a crowbar into her leg.

Revamped 'Showgirls' at San Remo is an improvement: Joe Delaney; The mostly all-new David Saxe production of "Showgirls of Magic" at the San Remo richly deserves its billing as "The Biggest Little Show in Las Vegas."

Editorial: Conserving is a virtue after all: The conservation views of Cheney, who is in charge of President Bush's energy task force, stand in stark contrast to the more level-headed approach of state officials throughout the West who have implemented sensible conservation programs. Earlier this year Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, a former utility gas executive, noted the need for conservation as this state and others were hit by skyrocketing electricity and natural gas prices. Last week Guinn once again encouraged Nevadans to use common-sense measures to cut back on energy use, especially now that summertime is almost here.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Zealous fan picks on Rick: Kate Maddox; Rick Springfield should probably heed the words of one of his hits this week: Don't talk to strangers.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Mr. Smith takes the high road: Roy Smith is one of life's remarkable people.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Restaurant options are bountiful on Mother's Day: Mother's Day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year, so if you haven't already made reservations for brunch or dinner, don't delay.

Letter: No one bothered by area problems: If I were the parent of a child in Clark County schools I would be angry that there are not enough books, teachers make less than a casino waitress, school programs are being cut, and most schools are on a year-round schedule. Yet I don't hear any outrage.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Turning the tide on new taxes: As the endgame cometh, the question has become less how badly James will hurt himself and instead how many of his colleagues will wade into the tax waters, and whether the governor will pull the plug or make a splash himself. Democratic and Republican leaders have been apprised of James4 plan to raise tens of millions of dollars -- as little as $130 million and as much as $160 million during the next two years. And, sources say, neither side has rejected the plan yet. And Gov. Kenny Guinn also has been briefed on the idea and far from rejecting ...

Columnist Kate Maddox: Goulet joins C2K melodrama: Kate Maddox; To get a little Seinfeld-ian for a minute: What is the deal with C2K?

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