Print edition for November 1, 2001

Sept. 11 drives home need for more diverse economy: Adrienne Packer; Many local government officials have believed diversification of the Las Vegas Valley's economic base was Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt's top initiative and the state's responsibility.

Obituaries for November 1, 2001: Martin T. Albach, 59, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born March 27, 1942, in New York. A resident for two years, he was a petting zoo owner.

Scientists still seek source of lake algae: The cause of the large algae bloom that covered parts of Lake Mead this summer may never be known, officials said today.

Televised job fair tonight: The 90-minute program called "JobQuest" will include a call-in period during which members of social service agencies, non-profit organizations, job referral services and credit counseling services will answer questions from callers.

Letter: Justice sought for all refugees inside America: At the Regional Planning Coalition's homeless task force meeting on Oct. 24, little was accomplished. The report that triggered the meeting wasn't available to the panel before the meeting started. This was the third meeting held to increase outreach, voluntarism or to open the Mash Village tent shelter.

Columnist Joe Delaney: 'Bottoms Up' reunion brings cast back to stage: Joe Delaney; The reception that followed in the Flamingo Las Vegas Silver State Ballroom was similar to a college reunion with so many friends who had not seen each other for many years ... Good neighbor Otto Ottwein and his wife, B.J., were present ... Otto was musical director and arranger for the show and B.J. was a principal ... I was responsible for Otto moving to Las Vegas in 1964.

Suspected terrorist busted for speeding after LV visit in June: A central figure in the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks was cited June 18 for speeding in Arizona after leaving Las Vegas that day, records show.

Editorial: Sharing info vital in struggle: The administration still is working out the details of how the crackdown will be carried out, but what the president has disclosed so far shows that he is on the right track. Bush said the number of immigration and customs agents dedicated to fighting terrorism will be increased. In addition, border controls with Canada and Mexico not only will be tightened, but the administration says it also will improve communication with the border nations, including the development of an immigration computer database that could be shared.

Letter: Postal Service needs changes: Our irrational insistence on maintaining the status quo negates a major aspect of our country that made it great -- the ability to quickly adapt to constantly changing variables outside our control -- a willingness to experiment.

News briefs for November 1, 2001: The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash of a single-engine plane at Mount Charleston Tuesday.

Editorial: Sidewalk-goods ban should be left alone: But if the city lets these downtown businesses display their merchandise on the sidewalk, what's to stop other businesses throughout the city from doing the same thing? Such an unintended consequence could create a real mess. And as an aesthetic matter, cluttered sidewalks in front of businesses look trashy and sure won't help downtown redevelopment efforts. The city should stand firm and enforce the ordinance.

Community briefs for November 1, 2001: Problem Solving Day will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in the Las Vegas IRS office, 4750 W. Oakey Blvd.

Rare meeting produces rule changes for Daytona: Jenna Fryer; HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. - A brainstorming session between NASCAR and team representatives Thursday produced aerodynamic rule changes designed to eliminate dangerous pack racing before next year's Daytona 500.

Culinary Training Academy, Nevada Partners uniting: Mathis Winkler; By January, North Las Vegans will have another option when deciding to dine out -- the Culinary Training Academy.

Laid-off workers get anonymous gift: By Timothy Pratt; Catholic Charities has received a $100,000 anonymous donation to help workers laid off since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, an official announced Wednesday.

Double take: Experts at a loss to explain the sensation of deja vu: Kirk Baird; Erin Kelly knows the feeling well.

Police probe two fatal accidents: About 2:30 a.m. a motorcyclist collided with a commercial truck on Industrial Road south of Spring Mountain Road, police said.

Despite slowdown, LV home sales could set record: New home sales in the Las Vegas area in September were down from last year, but sales for the year as a whole could still set a record, industry observers say.

Health officials call for national disease database: By Emily Richmond; Public health programs in the United States grew in the late 1800s out of a desperate need to control infectious diseases. The goal was to track -- and contain -- outbreaks of cholera, smallpox, influenza and other contagious illnesses.

Diversity key to county changes: Adrienne Packer; Clark County Manager Thom Reilly didn't need a task force to outline one of the Government Center's faults: Its predominantly white work force hardly reflects the cultural makeup of the community.

1-day hearing set for Mack complaint: Diana Sahagun; The Las Vegas Ethics Review Board, which missed a key deadline last month, will conduct a marathon session Monday to determine whether Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack broke ethics laws when he voted to deny an auto dealership in northwest Las Vegas.

De Ferran not satisfied with just two titles: Dennis Passa; After consecutive CART championships, Gil de Ferran has an unsettling thought for his rivals. He's got room for improvement.

Guinn tightens grip on second term: Erin Neff; Although the gubernatorial election is a little more than a year away, Gov. Kenny Guinn appears more than ever on his way to an easy re-election as Democrats once again scramble to find a candidate.

Guinn proposes major changes in state health plan: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn is suggesting some sweeping changes in the health insurance plan that covers 50,000 state workers, their dependents and retirees.

Three Wallace brothers now in top rides: Jenna Fryer; ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - For most of their adult lives, Mike and Kenny Wallace watched with envy as their oldest brother became a NASCAR star.

Teenage girl escapes house fire: A 17-year-old girl leaped from a second-story window to the ground to escape a predawn house fire today in southeast Clark County that caused $300,000 damage and killed several family pets, the Clark County Fire Department said.

Court briefs for November 1, 2001: Two former youth corrections counselors who pleaded guilty to engaging in sex acts with inmates at a youth prison in North Las Vegas were sentenced to two years' probation Wednesday.

Feb. 28 deadline set to recommend Yucca: Congress has set Feb. 28 as the deadline for recommending Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste repository.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: DeLaying air security: The other reason is DeLay's ideological soulmate, Majority Leader Dick Armey, who sees the idea of making the people who check our bags at the airport federal employees as one of those things you do over someone's dead body.

Teachers to vote on health plans: Terry Webster; Clark County School District teachers will vote later this month on whether to keep their current health trust or turn over their health care plan to Sierra Health.

Massive schedule makes for bad haircuts: Mike Harris; Dean Mozingo has had some very bad haircuts this year.

Collection of back taxes delayed: RENO -- A legal snag has temporarily stopped the state Tax Commission from hiring a private company to go after an estimated $42 million in delinquent taxes.

Cowboys erasing doubts: Victoria Sun; Were the words spoken by most any another athlete, they could easily be filed under C, for cliche.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Dixon still has chance to win Top Fuel crown: Technically, Funny Car legend John Force is the only driver who has wrapped up an NHRA Winston Drag Racing championship going into the season finale next weekend at Pomona Raceway.

Despite outside fears, Halloween still scary: Jace Radke and Angela Soo; Although lingering fears over possible terrorist attacks and anthrax-contaminated candy resulted in noticeably fewer trick-or-treaters Wednesday night, they didn't stop many Las Vegas Valley parents from letting their children celebrate Halloween.

Company posts $1.16 billion loss: Large cash infusions from a federal bailout helped their performances.

Slaying points to risks of rural life: Kim Smith; The death of a Sandy Valley woman in September illustrates the risks of living in a rural community, where many people move to get away from the dangers of urban life, police and domestic violence experts say.

Aladdin, club in dispute over Electra show: David Strow; Actress Carmen Electra may one day headline on the Strip. But it appears the Aladdin no longer wants to host her show.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Striped bass improving for Lake Mead anglers: Striped bass fishing has shown some signs of improvement at Lake Mead in recent days with the fish starting to move toward shore and coming within range of bank anglers. Even so, the overall success for boaters and shore anglers continues to be somewhat slow.

Lot sales suspended at luxury Las Vegas golf-course development: Grace Leong; The bankrupt Aladdin resort on the Las Vegas Strip is not the only property troubling its developer, Jack Sommer.

Fight schedule: Friday

Strong quarter reported: The company, which manufactures systems that add bonus features to casino games, reported net income of $417,000, or 4 cents per share. This compares to a loss of $1.6 million, or 18 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue rose 126 percent to $6.1 million.

Immediate gas rate reduction is rejected: CARSON CITY -- The state Public Utilities Commission today refused to order Southwest Gas Corp. to immediately reduce natural gas rates by $51.6 million, or about 14 percent, for residential customers in Clark County.

Some see Desert Passage as still seeking traction: Grace Leong; International real estate giant TrizecHahn Development Corp. hails its massive Desert Passage mall on the Las Vegas Strip as "the world's most exotic marketplace."

Sun Athletes of the Week: Jamalo Adem and Natasha Wicks: School: Clark

Station identification: When tourists enter the giant Coke bottle at the Everything Coke retail store on the Las Vegas Strip, they can hear the sound of a beverage being poured over ice and the fizz of carbonation. On hot days, the not-so-subtle advertisement probably sells a lot of cola.

Rebels lose Palepoi for year: Steve Guiremand; UNLV needs to win its last three games to become bowl eligible. The Rebels (3-5), who host Utah (5-2) on Saturday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium, found out Wednesday that the daunting task is going to be even tougher.

Secret Yucca plan allegedly leaked: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; WASHINGTON -- Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials are investigating whether a confidential Yucca Mountain review plan was leaked by someone inside the agency to the Department of Energy.

Prep football picks: Palo Verde should KO Durango in playoffs: Spencer Patterson; After nine weeks of ups and downs, it's finally playoff time, when we separate the contenders from the pretenders. Las Vegas, Centennial and Clark come in riding hot streaks, but a lot can happen over the remaining five weeks. I'll need to be near-perfect to have a shot at .800.

Catching up with: Steven Jackson: High School: Attended Vo-Tech/Played for Eldorado ('01)

Columnist Steve Addy: Richardson wants to be a 'player': Steve Addy; Chris Richardson's final UNLV basketball season is starting soon, but after all this time, what we know about him isn't as intriguing as what we don't.

Sun Statewide Prep Football Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and Sparks Tribune.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Judah: 'I'll be like a blur to him': Dean Juipe; To hear Zab Judah tell it, Kostya Tszyu is a robot with but a singular purpose and one with exploitable flaws.

UNLV women finish 16th in Hawaii tourney: Contributing for the Rebels were freshmen Tina Mabanta, Hwanhee Lee and Christine Hentzner. Mabanta (80-80-76) tied for46th. Lee (79-78-79--236) also finished at 20-over as she and Hentzner (92-87-79--258) threw in rounds of 79. Autumn Monteiro tied for 99th.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Vito Corleone -- Flores on Stute trainee, draws good spot here, adds blinkers for this downhill opener. Gobi Dan -- Draws good middle box, Delahoussaye aboard Gallagher trainee, only runner in allowance-claiming field up for a tag. Value Play -- Holdthehelm

Injury report: BALTIMORE AT PITTSBURGH -- Ravens: OUT: WR Pat Johnson (clavicle). QUESTIONABLE: RB Terry Allen (ankle); FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo (leg); QB Elvis Grbac (chest). PROBABLE: DT Sam Adams (knee); RB Jason Brookins (ankle); DE Michael McCrary (knee). Steelers: QUESTIONABLE: RB Amos Zereoue (shoulder). PROBABLE: RB Jerome Bettis (knee); CB Jason Simmons (hamstring); T Marvel Smith (shoulder).

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Hunters glad to see storm: Paula DelGiudice; As you read this, the impact of the largest storm of the season to hit the West Coast will be known. Meteorologists were predicting moisture from the coast through Utah, from Canada south to San Diego, with the Sierra of Nevada and California to be hit hardest.

Firm in new office-supply deal: Terms were not disclosed.

Internet gambling targeted: The measure would attempt to make it impossible for gamblers to pay for their bets or collect payments from the sites by prohibiting illegal Internet gambling operations from accepting credit cards, electronic transfers or other bank instruments as payment.

Pawnshops paint picture of softening U.S. economy: Las Vegas pawnshops in tourist corridors are shelling out a high number of loans in the wake of thousands of layoffs at Strip resorts, while sales of pre-owned merchandise have been slow.

Metro Police investigating pair of Halloween homicides: Angela Soo and Jace Radke; Metro Police are investigating a pair of Wednesday homicides -- one of which was something out of a Halloween nightmare.

2001 prep state football, volleyball, soccer and cross country playoff sche dules and results: Football

VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO: VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO

LVMS makes offer to attract CART: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials have made a proposal to Championship Auto Racing Teams to hold a CART open-wheel race at the 1.5-mile superspeedway beginning next year.

Table game play tracking firm purchased: IGT did not disclose the price it paid for Tennecom Gaming Solutions LLC, based in Nashville, Tenn. Four of the company's five employees have taken jobs at IGT; the fifth will be retained for several months as a consultant.

Fighting the ultimate fight: Victoria Sun; The first time Las Vegan Frank Mir watched the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he didn't think of it as a way to get rich quick.

Future of city subject of retreat: Mathis Winkler; Las Vegas did it. Henderson did it. Now, North Las Vegas officials will meet on Saturday for a daylong retreat to discuss the city's future.

LV firm's operating results improve: The one-time charge of $3.14 million resulted in a loss of $1.94 million, or 16 cents per share. But when this charge is factored out, Mikohn would have earned $1.2 million, or 10 cents per share, compared to net income of $780,000, or 7 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.