Print edition for May 29, 2001

Health plan sued by customer over medical claims: The club sued SAI Plus LLC, which it claims is operating as an unlicensed insurance company, and its agent, Harry Bout, alleging they made false claims that they were an "insurance company with a ... plan regulated by the Department of Labor and that the club won't be responsible for any losses beyond the maximium rates quoted."

Three nominated for administrator post: Bob Anselmo, 70, who has served as administrator for six years, announced he will retire July 6. His successor will be selected by Sydney Wickliffe, director of the Department of Business and Industry.

Exterminator sues former employees: Orkin sued Rick Lugo and Steven Shoemaker doing business as Bioguard, a pest control company, in Clark County District Court, alleging it lost many regular customers when they used Orkin's customer lists and pricing information and allegedly offered pest control services at prices far below Orkin's prices.

Rules to be set for 'wrapped' cabs: The board, acting on a request from Eller Taxi Media, said the new rules would outline how advertising can be placed on a taxi's hood and doors. "Wrapped" advertising is similar to vinyl ads wrapped around some buses in the Citizens Area Transit fleet in Las Vegas.

Southern Union fires back at LV utility: Southern Union unsuccessfully pursued a takeover of Southwest Gas more than a year ago, and the two companies are now suing each other in federal court in Phoenix.

Solicitation of casino- account generates lawsuit: Ecolab Inc. sued John Keoni Sylva, whom it said was hired in June 1998 and left on March 1, and Frank Gonzalves, who was hired in November 1993 and left on March 28, in Clark County District Court.

County, like U.S., nearly out of tetanus vaccine: By Emily Richmond; A nationwide shortage of an essential vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria has left Clark County Health District officials conserving supplies and limiting the doses to only the most serious cases.

Senate approves Supreme Court pay raise: CARSON CITY -- The Senate approved a bill Monday giving 30 percent pay raises to Nevada Supreme Court justices and District Court judges.

County fire dept. hiring practices probed: Adrienne Packer; U.S. Department of Justice investigators who are probing the Clark County Fire Department's hiring practices have requested data regarding the number of women who work in the division, officials said.

Columnist Sam Schmidt: Finishing 23rd a bit disappointing: Sam Schmidt; The circumstances that caused us to not finish the race were out of our control. There was something in the engine that failed. We haven't figured out what it was just yet, but it could have been something in the valve train.

Firefighters expect heavy wildfires across Nevada: Nevada firefighters are bracing for a potentially busier season this year than last as they prepare to fight forest fires from the Spring Mountains to Lake Tahoe.

Woman killed in drive-by shooting during wake: The shooting occurred about 7:15 p.m. in the 2600 block of West Street, just west of the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Carey Avenue in a neighborhood plagued in recent months by gang violence.

Internet gambling bill may rise again: CARSON CITY -- The bill to allow Nevada casinos to become the first in the nation to offer Internet gambling died quietly in the Senate Monday, but supporters say it will rise again in the next few days.

Tax-shift bill is withdrawn: CARSON CITY -- After meeting stiff resistance, Las Vegas assemblymen David Goldwater and Bob Beers have given up their efforts to shift money from local governments to public schools.

O'Donnell back to work: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, returned to work Monday after being hospitalized Friday.

Where I Stand--Mike O'Callaghan: Good Scout salutes vets: THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 50 new state flags flapped in the breeze at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery. It was two years ago that Boy Scout Stephen Barrett of Henderson, when placing American flags on graves, noticed the worn and torn appearance of several state flags at the cemetery. This encouraged Barrett to approach Cemetery Superintendent Jack Porrino and offer to help replace the state flags. For the next two years this effort became Barrett's Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project.

Wynn says Aruze is still his partner: Aruze has been accused by the Japanese government of concealing taxable income. This could cause licensing difficulties for Aruze in Nevada because a key function of state casino licensing authorities is ensuring gambling taxes are paid.

Committee recommends big raises for legislative staff: CARSON CITY -- The temporary staff members who serve the Legislature are in for some handsome raises.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Only Agassi could see his future: Dean Juipe; In retrospect, that one year was an aberration.

Goodman proposes new rules for escort, outcall: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was in a taxicab in San Francisco when he learned of a game known as "catch the bug."

Gambling bus crash injures 27: Most of the injuries were minor, according to emergency officials. Only three were described as moderate to serious.

Tests take hard look at CCSN programs: Jennifer Knight; Before the semester came to a close at the Community College of Southern Nevada, students had one last test to take in English 102 and for once, it had nothing to do with their grades.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Eagle Scout blazes a new trail: No one will ever see Mark Russell's Eagle Scout project.

Dodgers recall infielder Bogar from 51s: Bogar, who has been in and out of the Las Vegas lineup for several weeks while trying to rehabilitate his hamstring, was recalled by the Dodgers to take the roster spot of Gary Sheffield prior to the 51s' 7-4 loss at Sacramento on Monday afternoon.

State economy shows respectable gain: CARSON CITY -- Fueled by auto sales and business in bars and restaurants, taxable sales in Nevada in March rose to $2.8 billion, an increase of a respectable 5.4 percent from a year ago, the state Taxation Department reported.

News briefs for May 29, 2001: Henderson Police are looking for three men suspected of robbing a restaurant early Monday morning.

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

All-American SportPark still seeking buyer: All-American SportPark Inc. reported a loss of $56,941, 2 cents a share, on revenues of $620,464 for the first quarter ended March 31. That compared with a loss of $892,086, 29 cents a share, on revenues of $628,426 for the same period a year earlier.

Guinn kept busy signing bills: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn signed 41 bills Monday, including one that allows Las Vegas casinos to create private "gaming salons" for ultra high-rollers.

Letter: Only united teachers can help education: "Business is the answer," they say. "Don't throw money at it; fire the losers; pay more to physics teachers than to English teachers; and bring in merit pay."

All Wet? Dowsers search for water, respect for their ancient art: But those who do believe in the powers of unknown forces may believe it is possible to dowse for almost anything under the sun.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: These scholar-athletes are good people: Where's the best place in Las Vegas to learn how to shoot baskets, make good grades and be a good citizen?

Nuclear scientist, former NTS official Perez dies at 73: Lino Perez may have been a high-ranking nuclear scientist through the heyday of underground weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site, but he also was a studious intellectual who treasured peace and championed liberal thought.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Ocean Of Storms -- Draws good outside spot for sprint opener, Espinoza aboard Han trainee, takes the blinkers off for this. Toga Mania -- Bug boy Rodriguez on Sise trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, trip the key. Value Play -- Nine East

Birth announcements for May 29, 2001: May 13:

Riverboat operator seeks to combine two casinos: Tearing down the wall separating the twin vessels at Ameristar Casino in Kansas City would create a 140,000-square foot gambling floor that would be one of the largest in the nation.

The puck stops here: Steve Addy; The International Hockey League will fold this week after its 56th season, having shrunk from 19 teams to 10 since 1996. Here are some key dates in IHL history:

Nuke waste containers corrode in water test: Energy Department scientists are wrestling with potential weaknesses in the metal chosen to store highly radioactive waste in a proposed repository at Yucca Mountain.

Bills signed Monday by Gov. Kenny Guinn: Strengthens the protection of patents and trade secrets. It states that an employer is the sole owner of any patentable invention or trade secret developed by his workers during their course of their employment.

Holiday weekend tainted by four killings: Jace Radke; Authorities are investigating four homicides that occurred during the holiday weekend, including a shooting at a downtown Las Vegas motel.

Positive signs seen for economy: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- Consumers were choosy shoppers in April: They spent on services but cut back on big-ticket items, such as cars. Their confidence in the economy, however, rebounded in May after a sharp drop the month before.

Obituaries for May 29, 2001: Stanley Howard Baker, 59, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Statesville, N.C. A resident for 26 years, he was an employee at Sam's Town for 23 years.

Deal near for Lucent: The meetings were likely to be followed by an announcement Wednesday, France's Les Echos financial daily said.

Letter: Animals throw babies in trash: I must confess, however, I get physically sick and emotionally ill over these "animals" who throw babies in trash bins like so much garbage.

Editorial: Trying to sway a regulator: Lay laid out a stunning deal for Hebert. If only Hebert would change his views on electric deregulation -- agreeing with the corporation's support for a national push for retail competition in the energy business -- Enron would continue to support him in his job. Hebert, who told the Times he was offended by the offer, refused Lay's entreaty. Enron has extensive and influential ties to the Bush administration, and considering the way the corporation throws its weight around Washington, Hebert correctly worried that his job may be in jeopardy because of Lay's influence with the White House. According to ...

PCL box: Las Vegas-Sacramento: E--Hiatt, Ortiz, Abad. DP--Las Vegas 2, Sacramento 1. LOB--Las Vegas 8, Sacramento 8. 2B--Hinske, Santangelo. HR--Hiatt (10), Hinske (8). S--K. Johnson. SB--Gilbert, Ellis. CS--Santangelo.

Budget nears completion: CARSON CITY -- The $3.7 billion two-year state budget, which is being put to bed this week by the Legislature, carries a basket of goodies for groups ranging from state workers and doctors to foster parents and teachers.

LV firm revises figures again: The 4 1/2-year-old software company said this morning in its 10-Q financial report with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had a loss of $33.5 million or 49 cents a share for the first quarter ended March 31.