Print edition for May 17, 2001

Finding a place to call home: Steve Addy; Here are the current members of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, with year of induction:

Profit declines at hotel-casino: The company reported net income of $1.4 million, 68 cents a share, on revenues of $33.3 million for the first quarter of 2001, compared with net income of $1.6 million, 80 cents a share, on revenues of $34 million for the same period a year earlier.

Centennial bounces back: Spencer Patterson; The Centennial Bulldogs didn't have long to lick their wounds after dropping an eight-inning heartbreaker to Wooster at the 4A state softball tournament Wednesday at West Flamingo Park.

Architect to redesign entrances: Now, the Aladdin has hired Steelman to help overcome its design challenges.

Rebels pull off upset in opener: It was the first shutout in the history of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

Nevada officials wary of waste alternatives: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Bush today unveiled his sweeping new national energy policy, which included recommendations for developing nuclear waste treatment technologies, including transmutation and reprocessing.

Reid won't block Bush nomination: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., today softened his stance on blocking President Bush's federal appointments to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Memo may aid Ensign in quarrel with McCain: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., hopes a newly obtained memo will help settle a nasty tiff with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Two downtown projects approved: Diana Sahagun; The Las Vegas City Council gave the green light Wednesday to two new mega-projects for downtown, but only one was embraced with enthusiasm.

Catching up with: Russ Cleveland: High school: Chaparral ('98)

Crown Theatres signs deal to head Neonopolis: Diana Sahagun; After numerous delays and early expectations that fizzled, Neonopolis has an anchor tenant.

$500,000 more sought for cancer probe: Nevada officials have asked Gov. Kenny Guinn for an additional $500,000 to investigate the cause of 14 reported cases of childhood leukemia in Fallon.

Renegade LV limo firms win key ruling: Several would-be Nevada limousine operators who challenged state regulation of the industry say they'll apply for state licenses now that a judge has sided with them on a key issue in their lawsuit against the state.

Nevada energy bill finally OK'd: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- After months of testimony, weeks of amendments and five tries, an Assembly committee on Wednesday finally approved an omnibus energy bill.

Vote is split on proposed hydroelectric power plant: The Clark County Commission evenly split Wednesday over the fate of a proposed hydroelectric power station in the hills above the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

New deal may entice Pac-10: Steve Guiremand; The Las Vegas Bowl has a new owner in ESPN. And it could be on the verge of forming a valuable alliance with the Pac-10 Conference.

Camp would help teenage daughter interact with others: He would to send her to camp this summer to allow his 13-year-old daughter to do that.

Council to target stores selling items linked to drug use: Diana Sahagun; The Las Vegas City Council Wednesday sent a strong message to a handful of West Las Vegas convenience stores: The city will no longer tolerate the sale of products associated with drug use.

Secretary of state clears councilwoman: Diana Sahagun; Just weeks after she was cleared by the city's ethics board, the Nevada secretary of state has ruled Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald did not violate any campaign reporting laws when she accepted a free trip from Station Casinos in 1999.

PurchasePro hit with more negative press over delays: Kevin Ferguson; Richard Clemmer, PurchasePro's newly hired chief financial officer, apparently has quite a job ahead of him in organizing the company's books.

UNLV preparing media blitz for QB Thomas: Steve Guiremand; Drive north down Paradise near the Hard Rock Cafe these days and you'll come across a billboard featuring UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas.

Profit falls in first quarter: That's down significantly from the net income of $1.4 million, or 29 cents per share, reported in the year-ago quarter. Revenues were off 6.3 percent to $14.6 million, while cash flow declined 15.4 percent to $3.44 million.

Cowboy spikers capture crown: The host Cowboys captured the 2001 NIAA/U.S. Bank 4A State Volleyball championship Wednesday night, defeating division rival Basic 15-7, 15-5, 16-14.

Task force's leanings questioned: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The task force led by Vice President Dick Cheney that created President Bush's energy strategy has been dogged by critics.

Obituaries for May 17, 2001: Vance Royce Christensen, 65, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born May 16, 1935, in Utah. A resident for 12 years, he was an engineer in the construction industry and an Army veteran.

High court decision won't change Trickle case: Kim Smith; A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding a Tennessee killer who hoped to have his conviction overturned because his victim died more than a year and one day after his stabbing will not have an effect on a Las Vegas case.

Infighting, casino competition leave Preakness in turmoil: David Dishneau; MOUNT PLEASANT, Md. -- Maryland will proudly display its horse-racing heritage Saturday at the Preakness Stakes, but the party and pageantry at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course mask an industry in turmoil.

2001 spring prep state playoff schedule, results: 4A STATE TOURNAMENT

N.Y. lawsuit allowed to proceed: A subsidiary of Alpha Hospitality Corp., together with Catskill Development LLC, sued Park Place in New York City federal court last November. The companies signed an agreement with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to develop a casino at a racetrack in the Catskills in 1996. They allege Park Place engaged in a secret campaign designed to convince the tribe to dump these plans and sign on with the Las Vegas gaming giant.

Fight schedule: Tonight

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Criptografo - Draws good middle post for 7-panel opener, Rollins on this Moreno trainee, maiden-claiming diploma at hand. Pirate's Slew - Hustling Puglisi on Halpern trainee, draws just outside top pick, been knocking on the door. Value Play -- Kapsia George

Daniels recommended for CCSN chief: Jennifer Knight; After a day of interviews and two hours of tense discussions, a Board of Regents' search committee recommended Jack E. Daniels of Houston as the next man to lead the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Death penalty moratorium suffers setback in panel: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Death penalty legislation in Nevada has an uncertain future.

LV surveying company sold: Jerry W. Sligar, president of J W Sligar, will join Stanley Consultants' 15-worker Las Vegas office.

Citigroup buying Mexico's No. 2 bank: The purchase of Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival, or Banacci, represents the first major Mexican bank combination with a U.S. financial institution. Banacci is one of the last major banks in Mexico that has not merged with a major foreign financial group.

School Board approves budget of $1.2 billion: Terry Webster; The Clark County School Board approved a $1.2 billion budget Wednesday that Superintendent Carlos Garcia called unrealistic but necessary, given the funding climate in the state Legislature.

Sun Athletes of the Week: J.C Sibley and Emily Simon: School: Bishop Gorman

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Silverado swimmers looking to make waves: Spencer Patterson; This time, Tara Crouch isn't taking anything for granted.

Murphy defense investigator to be cited by state board: The Nevada Private Investigators Board plans to cite a Sandy Murphy defense investigator for working without a state license.

LV-area contractors disciplined by state: The companies that had their licenses revoked include:

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 3:30 p.m.

Cops have HART: By Timothy Pratt; The woman was being stabbed and appeared helpless.

Expert: Aladdin needs $100 million overhaul: David Strow; The Aladdin's new life on the Strip started as a struggle last August, when the $1.2 billion resort's opening was delayed 16 hours by extended safety tests.

Community briefs for May 17, 2001: The Las Vegas Springs Preserve and the Nevada Archaeological Association will host the Southern Nevada History and Archaeology Festival 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Desert Demonstration Gardens, 3701 W. Alta Drive.

Stepmom to face charges in girl's death: Angela Soo; Enough evidence exists to try Martha Flores for the killing of her 5-year-old stepdaughter Zoraida Flores, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Feds OK agency's computer: CARSON CITY -- The once trouble-plagued computer system of the state Welfare Division has officially passed federal muster and state government has received a refund of $3.6 million.

More funding urged to cut DMV lines: CARSON CITY -- The average wait for a customer who visits the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety is more than 66 minutes, says Senate Transportation Chairman Bill O'Donnell.

Jury convicts man in Macayo restaurant robbery case: Kim Smith; After just two hours of deliberations, a Clark County jury rejected a robbery suspect's tale of coercion and convicted him on 13 felony charges Wednesday.

Court briefs for May 17, 2001: A 27-year-old former Mojave High School teacher accused of having sexual relations with a 14-year-old student accepted a plea bargain Wednesday.

News briefs for May 17, 2001: A North Las Vegas Police officer was injured Wednesday afternoon when he was hit by a car as he led a funeral procession on his motorcycle.

MASH Village renews deal: Diana Sahagun; After weeks of tension during which the future of homeless programs in downtown Las Vegas looked grim, MASH Village has renewed its contract with the city for five more years.

Eldorado grad supporting peace efforts in Bosnia with Air Force: Dick Benoit; Robert Barnes, a 1995 Eldorado High School graduate, recently deployed for temporary duty at Taszar Air Base, Hungary, in support of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

More money to be pumped into mental health programs: CARSON CITY -- The Legislature is pumping big money increases into Nevada's mental health programs for the next two years to allow the treatment of more patients.

City Council briefs for May 17, 2001: A new parking garage could soon be built in downtown Las Vegas.

Delay of child welfare consolidation proposed: CARSON CITY -- Looking for ways to deal with a $121.5 million shortfall, a legislative budget subcommittee today proposed delaying consolidation of the state's child welfare services program with Clark and Washoe counties.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Sandlot ball missing in Las Vegas: Two things you'll never find in Las Vegas, regardless of how long or hard you try:

Indianapolis 500: NLV man's car gets through inspection: Zimmerman's skeleton crew began final preparations to get the year-old G Force/Oldsmobile on the 2 1/2-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway today with anxious '500' veteran driver John Paul Jr.

Helmet repeal loses once again: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Don Gustavson casually took the microphone Wednesday and proposed an amendment to a minor Senate transportation bill.

Hispanic coalition unveils legislative districts: By Timothy Pratt; A coalition of Hispanic community members, Latinos for Equal Representation, unveiled their plan for reapportionment Wednesday.

Letter: Dutch euthanasia falsely portrayed: And what does he know about euthanasia in the Netherlands, except what he may have read in some small article in an American newspaper? He seems to be under the impression that this is an easy way to get rid of grandma or grandpa to get their inheritance. Total nonsense. This is a way for the terminally ill and those in chronic pain for whom there is absolutely no hope left, to die with dignity.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Arts groups announce upcoming performances: Joe Delaney; Acultural desert no more ... Las Vegas has come of age in this respect ... The UNLV Performing Arts Center just concluded a very successful season with Rosemary Clooney, Big Kahuna and Copa Cat Pack in Artemus Ham Hall on Sunday ... Here is an advance peek at the 2001-2002 season; the formal announcement with details will be on its way shortly.

Editorial: Lure of pro sports is too hard to resist: Despite the Legislature's action, there is a growing disconnect between the politicians -- who will do anything to bring big-league teams to their cities -- and the local residents, who believe that they're just being taken advantage of by professional sports owners. Even fans are tired of the chronic threats by professional teams that public financing is a condition for them to move to their city. Unfortunately for Nevadans, the Legislature didn't call the bluff of professional auto racing teams.

Editorial: Attention sought on money gap: The teachers' anger means that they won't oversee after-school clubs or extracurricular activities at Greenspun, Miller and White middle schools unless they're being compensated for their time. "For the rest of this year and all of next year, there will be no more extracurricular activities," Ron Smith, a teacher at Greenspun Middle School, told Sun reporter Terry Webster. "We are strictly working our contract, from 7:20 a.m. to 2:31 p.m."

Letter: Environmental groups to blame: Have the media forgotten so soon that it was these very organizations that bullied public service commissions, elected officials and even the energy companies into saying "no" to new power plant, transmission line and refinery construction these last 20 years and introduced "rolling blackouts" into the working lexicon of Californians?

Rent-a-ride: Exotic vehicles can be had for a price: And although she can only travel up to 35 mph, the colorful electric car is in high demand among Las Vegas tourists.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Generational praise is appreciated: Ruthe Deskin; Tom Brokaw was on television recently discussing his new book, which again tells the stories of people he has dubbed the "Greatest Generation." Brokaw is making us elderly folks look good with his praise. Makes one wonder why.

Letter: Nevada Power's greed at root of problems: Sierra Pacific passed out approximately $30 million in the form of stock dividends, a public relations ad blitz and severance pay for two executives. And now they are blaming the market for their losses?

Review: Cattily ever after in 'Shrek': Geoff Carter; Grade: Three stars

Columnist Dean Juipe: Losses by Lewis and Hamed light fire under Mayweather: Dean Juipe; In each of his big fights, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has risen to the occasion.

Where I Stand--Mike O'Callaghan: Eviction not a solution: LAS VEGAS CITY Councilman Lawrence Weekly is concerned about the homeless gathered along the Union Pacific railroad tracks. This encampment is certainly an unhealthy situation but does offer some protection from beatings and death when sleeping alone in this city. Yes, this is exactly what wandering single homeless people have too often faced in Las Vegas.