Print edition for May 16, 2001

Bill introduced to increase nuke fallout compensation: Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Pete Domenici of New Mexico introduced amendments today to strengthen radiation compensation to residents living downwind of radioactive fallout from the Nevada Test Site.

Meetings on Yucca licensing process set: Executive Director William Reamer will lay out the licensing process to residents in Pahrump and Las Vegas. The commission licenses nuclear reactors and other activities related to radioactive materials.

Hearing continues in child-abuse case: Angela Soo; Jose Roberto Flores broke into tears Tuesday when he was shown photographs of his bruised 5-year-old daughter in court.

Motion for restraining order filed against Metro: Jace Radke; The attorney representing a woman who filed a federal lawsuit against Metro Police over alleged misconduct by a traffic officer has made a motion for a restraining order against police.

Columnist Peter Benton: LVCC holds club championship: Peter Benton; The Las Vegas Country Club's club championships concluded last week with some surprising -- and some not-so-surprising -- results.

County forces joint hearing on DMV tax bill: Adrienne Packer; Clark County commissioners have forced a joint public hearing with Las Vegas City Council members after submitting four letters requesting the meeting, a move that overrides the wishes of chairman Dario Herrera.

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

Court project presents parking problem: Diana Sahagun; With construction in full swing on the downtown Regional Justice Center, finding a place to park could turn into a game of chance unless the city succeeds with a parking-garage plan.

Senate OKs racing tax break: CARSON CITY -- Senators on Tuesday granted tax breaks for professional auto racing teams, a decision that local officials heralded as a major step forward in the growth of the motorsports industry in Nevada.

ESPN to own, operate Las Vegas Bowl game: An announcement has been planned for this afternoon that ESPN, which is owned by the Disney Corportation, is going to take over ownership and operation of the Las Vegas Bowl from the LVCVA starting with this year's Dec. 20 matchup between a Mountain West Conference team and possibly a representative from the Pac-10 Conference at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Tests tie suspect to death of woman at motel: Keith Paul; Prosecutors say DNA tests confirm blood on the clothes of a man accused of running down a trooper during a high-speed chase came from a woman found brutally beaten and strangled in a motel room.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Lines posted on 1st week of NFL play: To those who follow the football betting scene, there is a certain esteem that comes with being the first to post betting lines on the upcoming NFL season.

Defendant says he was forced into robbery: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man on trial in the robbery of a Mexican restaurant that left a Metro Police officer sightless in one eye told jurors Tuesday he was forced into the caper.

Spoonhour to host two summer sessions: The Charlie Spoonhour Basketball School, for students in grades 4-12, will feature individualized instruction from coach Spoonhour, the entire UNLV staff and Rebel players.

Lawmakers adding amendments to 'Net gambling bill: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- As another legislative deadline approaches, the one remaining gaming bill is about to be adorned with a wish list of items.

LV website operator sues Internet gambling operator: The website operator, which said it owns the domain name "vegas.com," accused Erotic Designs Ltd. of "typo-piracy" when it allegedly "registered variations of the domain names of well-known websites with the intent to capture traffic from web users who inadvertently mistype the domain name of the website they intend to visit."

Legislative briefs for May 16, 2001: Those who allow their car radios or boom boxes to play at deafening levels could face jail time under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday and sent to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his signature.

Big loss pushes Aladdin closer to the edge: David Strow; The Aladdin hotel-casino reported a huge quarterly loss Tuesday, blaming unusually lucky gamblers. The $1.2 billion megaresort on the Las Vegas Strip now needs an $8.7 million cash infusion within two weeks in order to pay its bills.

Del Papa rejects Tiffany probe: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa says her office doesn't have any authority to investigate or prosecute Henderson Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, who is under scrutiny for conduct in her initiative petition to split up the Clark County School District.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: The fishing for striped bass and channel catfish continues to be good in the Overton Arm while anglers who have been trying their luck in the Boulder Basin have had only marginal success.

Court reinstates penalties in Las Vegas securities fraud case: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated harsh penalties against a Las Vegas firm and its founder for violating securities laws in their $1 million stock offering.

American to surrender TWA gate at McCarran: Spokesman Tim Kincaid said the McCarran gate is one of 50 TWA gates across the country that American will not use. TWA currently operates five daily non-stop flights between Las Vegas and St. Louis.

Binion estate lawyers counter Murphy's challenge of house sale: Ted Binion's estate lawyers filed court papers Tuesday opposing Sandy Murphy's bid to stop the sale of his $1.5 million Las Vegas home.

Sacramento drubs 51s: Rick Sofield's squad dropped its Pacific Coast League-leading 24th game here on Tuesday afternoon at Raley Field, 5-3, to the Sacramento RiverCats.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Two Four Dancer - Training at Anita, hustling Pedroza atop main man Carava trainee, gets the trip here. Tenfortyblues - Draws outside box in six-horse field of route opener, bug boy Rodriguez on Cerin trainee, no blues if Tenforty wins. Value Play -- Nites Delight

Four candidates make final pitch for CCSN presidency: Jennifer Knight; Members of the search committee were succinct in defining expectations as they relate to the search for a new president at Community College of Southern Nevada.

Las Vegas budget comes up short on revenues: Diana Sahagun; For the first time since the early 1990s, the Las Vegas City Council has approved a budget with a revenue shortfall of more than half a million dollars.

Las Vegas attracts SHOT Show: The Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show, sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, will occur in Las Vegas in February 2002 and return in 2004. The SHOT Show is expected to attract 35,000 people to the city.

Ballot questions will dominate early voting: Jace Radke; The 576,993 registered voters in Clark County will have few races to choose from when early voting for the June 5 municipal elections begins this week. There will be no shortage of referendums, however.

Week 1 NFL lines: (Home team in CAPS)

Rhodes' rally at City Hall raises policy concerns: Diana Sahagun; A rally planned tonight in support of North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes inside City Hall prompted officials to investigate the city's own policies regulating political activities inside public buildings.

Volleyball: Chaparral, Basic boys battle for state title: The Wolves advanced with a 15-12, 11-15, 15-10, 15-4 win over Western in Tuesday's semifinals, getting 25 kills and six blocks from Shaun Muaina in the victory. Richard Espinoza had 11 kills and 10 blocks and Chris Stolworthy added 44 assists for Basic.

Guzman looking to end GV reign with 2nd championship: Spencer Patterson; First-Round Matchups

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Boaters prepare for busy season: Paula DelGiudice; The long Memorial Day weekend is looming on the horizon. Typically, though the weather is ready before most boaters are, this weekend marks the beginning of the summer boating season.

Victim shot to death ID'd as Calif. teenager: The pair were befriended in downtown Las Vegas by a local resident who let the pair stay at her apartment in the 6000 block of West Washington Avenue, police said. The resident told police that she left the apartment when Forney and her boyfriend started arguing.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Rebels hoping to turn around 'freak season' at West Regional: Victoria Sun; ---

Columnist Dean Juipe: NCAA gives Rebel golfers a free pass: Dean Juipe; If it weren't for its reputation, the UNLV golf team would be in Las Vegas this week and its season would be over.

Longer walk proposed for high school students: Terry Webster; An extra mile's walk for high school students is part of the Clark County School District's plan for cutting $14 million out of the $1.2 billion 2001-2002 spending plan.

Mushrooms forever a flavorful, fancy fungi: Max Jacobson; Most of us are familiar with the white mushrooms prevalent in markets. Other well-known varieties, such as crimini and its upscale cousin portobello (actually just a large cultivated crimini) continue to be popular. Some say a grilled portobello approximates the taste of a good steak. That may be true, but exotic it isn't.

Community briefs for May 16, 2001: The city of Las Vegas and the Red Cross will present a Pool Safety Fair 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Garside Middle School, 300 S. Torrey Pines Drive.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Celebration marks National Tourism Week: Elizabeth Foyt; William Wells, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Las Vegas Chamber of Conference, opened the luncheon program, welcoming fellow speakers including Gov. Kenny Guinn and Mayor Oscar Goodman. Luncheon entertainment, in keeping with the arts theme, was provided by performances of the Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Attendees were many and reflected the diversity of our hospitality industry, among them Maggie Bock, Roger Blazic, Eric Blank, Mary Ann Ferguson, Dr. Keith Boman, Dee and Don Snyder, Dennis Stein and Bob Forbuss.

2001 spring prep playoff schedule, results: BASEBALL

Letter: Dirty politics accepted here: Our air may be filthy as Keasing states, but is not nearly as filthy as our politics!

Council approves $298 million budget: Jeffrey Libby; Henderson homeowners will pay in the coming fiscal year about the same property tax rate they have for the past 10 years.

Obituaries for May 16, 2001: Carrie Bradley, 76, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 10, 1925, in Indianapolis. A resident for 11 years, she was a homemaker.

Textbook examples: Las Vegas Chautauqua brings history to life: His columns, published in newspapers throughout the country, would connect people at home with boys on the front line and the gruesome battles that took millions of lives.

Editorial: Show some sense on nuke waste: Cheney also added this assessment about nuclear waste storage: "The French do this very successfully and very safely in an environmentally sound, sane manner." Unfortunately for Nevada, the United States is not handling this the way France does -- in fact, it's quite the opposite. As Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., pointed out, a local community in France can veto a move by the national government to select it as a repository site. Here in the United States, a state targeted for a repository can have its disapproval overridden by Congress.

Foster mother wants to send kids to camp: Her two foster sons, ages 10 and 7, would benefit from the positive environment at camp, she says.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Will Bush's energy report have Yucca surprise?: IS THIS the week the Bush administration finally comes clean on its nuclear waste policy?

Letter: Bush doing right with defense: That has nothing to do with the matter; the Constitution is what controls; it mandates the government "... to provide for the common defense ..." and that's all there is to it. Whether it is perfect or not is not the test. The correct test is whether it is the best system we can produce to protect the most possible citizens.

Pipeline, golf course force budget expansion: Jeffrey Libby; A planned second water pipeline into Boulder City and a 27-hole municipal golf course will more than double the municipal budget for fiscal year 2001-2002.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Warehouse sale has wide appeal: On sale are 5,000 suits, 2,000 sports coats, 2,500 trousers, shirts, ties and accessories and luxury sportswear at greatly reduced prices. Raincoats, in sizes ranging from 37 short to 50 extra long, are reduced in price as much as 75 percent.

Letter: Hanging laundry outside saves a lot of energy: Do we have an energy crisis or not? Or are the rate hikes by Nevada Power and all the scare talk just ways to justify cost increases?

Panel OKs redistricting bill: Democrats ignore new Republican proposal: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Democrats quietly rushed their reapportionment plan out of committee Tuesday evening, moments after Assembly Republicans presented an alternative they said is more fair to incumbents and Hispanics.

GOP unveils new fee to bolster state budget: CARSON CITY -- The GOP unveiled the first phase of its plan Tuesday to raise $65 million a year in new fees to close the gap in the state's budget, and it sparked an immediate partisan battle.

Rudin vows a life of service if cleared: Kim Smith; Margaret Rudin knows exactly what she wants to do if she is cleared in the shooting death of her husband, and it doesn't include antiques.

Short-term blackouts could hit LV: Nevada Power officials said Tuesday they will do everything they can to keep lights and air conditioners on this summer. Nevertheless, short-term blackouts remain a possibility, they say.

PurchasePro stock at new low on analyst pessimism: Kevin Ferguson; Many PurchasePro investors continued to sell their shares in the Las Vegas company this week following a downgrade by a financial analyst.

RTC drops low-rider route, adds express bus for workers: On the same week that the Regional Transportation Commission eliminates three low-performing bus routes, the agency will bring two new routes to area riders.

PCL Box: Las Vegas-Sacramento: E--Hart. DP--Las Vegas 1, Sacramento 1. LOB--Sacramento 8, Las Vegas 2. 2B--Bogar, Gil, Ortiz, Lane. HR--Aven (3), Christenson (1). S--Gilbert. SF--Prieto. SB--Gilbert. CS--Hart.

Agencies discuss radiation limits for Yucca: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Two high-ranking federal officials on Tuesday declined to discuss ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiating over controversial radiation release limits for the proposed nuclear waste repository in Nevada.

Brugnara drops threat to sue for gaming license: David Strow; San Francisco businessman Luke Brugnara, denied by Nevada gaming regulators in his efforts to re-open the Strip's Silver City casino, is backing away from earlier threats to sue the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Nevada lawmakers push for statewide lottery vote: The state Assembly took the first step toward allowing such a game of chance Tuesday when it approved sending such a measure to the voters.

Energy problems, Indian threats to Las Vegas casinos downplayed: David Strow; Gas prices up

Feds in Indiana will get first shot at Beith: Kim Smith; Federal prosecutors in Indiana will get the first crack at a 28-year-old former school principal accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her on a cross-country trip to Las Vegas.

Bush plan includes transmutation research: President Bush's energy plan to be unveiled Thursday includes research into transforming high-level nuclear waste into something less harmful, Nevada officials learned on Tuesday.

News briefs for May 16, 2001: The Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the decision of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center of revoking the privileges of a doctor for one year.

Sprint stock holding up despite new profit warning: KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sprint Corp. on Tuesday lowered its second-quarter and full-year performance expectations for its main FON Group because of rising debts from wholesale customers declaring bankruptcy.

Man arrested in extortion scheme: Jace Radke; A U.S. Postal Service employee was arrested Monday night after he allegedly posed as an Internal Revenue Service agent and attempted to scam a local restaurant owner out of $1.5 million.

Riviera holders reject political disclosure measure: Shareholders of Riviera Holdings Corp. aren't ready to be trend-setters in the area of political campaign funding disclosure.

Energy bill fails to advance: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- An omnibus energy bill, stalled by proposed amendments, failed three times Tuesday and again this morning to get past an Assembly panel.