Print edition for November 2, 2001

Horseshoe Club owner sued by siblings over home: The home at 2040 West Bonanza was conveyed in 1996 to riverboat gambling operator Jack B. Binion, casino executive Ted Binion and their sisters, Brenda Sharon Michael and Becky Behnen.

Rodman absent as trial begins: Kim Smith; Participants in the Dennis Rodman trial learned this morning that the former NBA star would not show up to defend himself against charges that he made unwanted sexual contact with a craps dealer at the Mirage.

New effort launched to ban Internet gambling: WASHINGTON -- Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., a long-time opponent of Internet gambling, on Thursday re-launched his effort to ban cyber casinos by introducing legislation aimed at updating a 40-year-old Wire Act.

Casinos victorious in influence case: JACKSON, Miss. -- The Mississippi Supreme Court has thrown out a $3 million jury award to developers of a Warren County casino who claimed two casinos wrongly exerted influence over regulators to reject their project.

Foreign student pilots in for a rougher ride: Jeffrey Libby; Before Sept. 11, German nationals Alexandros Milanowski, 20, and Mehmet Wabamci, 26, would have no problem traveling, via tourist visas, to Las Vegas, where they would spend relatively little to learn to fly small planes.

Regents didn't violate Nevada open-meeting law, judge rules: CARSON CITY -- A district judge ruled Thursday that university regents did not violate Nevada's Open Meeting Law when they discussed a report that was highly critical of UNLV police in connection with a drug raid on campus.

Young won't run for re-election: CARSON CITY -- Supreme Court Justice Cliff Young said Thursday that he would not run for re-election when his term expires next year.

Tunnel fire cited as cause for nuke waste changes: Gov. Kenny Guinn and state attorneys have asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to immediately amend rules that apply to the shipment of radioactive waste.

Saturday's horse racing entries: OAK TREE MEETING

Inbound, outbound travel hurt: Signs in Japanese are common at the Gold Key Shops in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, one of the retail stops for hundreds of Asian visitors to Las Vegas.

Prep notebook: 4A football regional tournaments tonight: Tonight's games in the 4A Sunrise Region Tournament are: Green Valley (4-5) at Las Vegas (8-1); Eldorado (3-6) at Silverado (5-4); Chaparral (8-1) at Desert Pines (7-2); and Rancho (3-6) at Foothill (6-3). Tonight's games in the 4A Sunset Region Tournament are: Bonanza (1-7) at Centennial (6-3); Palo Verde (7-2) at Durango (8-1); Bishop Gorman (6-3) at Cheyenne (4-5); and Cimarron-Memorial (2-7) at Clark (7-2).

Study: Nevada tests don't match school standards: Terry Webster; Nevada's state testing program doesn't match its academic standards, according to a new study by the American Federation of Teachers.

1,900-acre development hinges on Monday decision: Mathis Winkler; Retreat canceled

Firms can apply to leave grid: CARSON CITY -- Big Nevada power users like casinos and mines are free to apply to the state Public Utilities Commission for permission to seek their own electric sources rather than taking service from Nevada's existing utilities.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Tollner approaching end of line at San Diego State: Steve Guiremand; Navy's Charlie Weatherbie became the first Division I head coaching casualty last week.

Vegas utility's loss widens: The company, Las Vegas' dominant natural gas utility, lost 51 cents per share during the quarter, compared to a loss of 31 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The company's results had been bolstered in the year-ago quarter by one-time income tax benefits of $4.4 million, or 14 cents per share.

Rebels could have hands full with strong Utah backfield: Steve Guiremand; WHEN: Noon Saturday.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Steelers have Heinz faithful in playoff anticipation: Sal DeFilippo; Forget green, purple, and other goofy tints and shades. The Heinz folks should focus on two colors for a while: Black and gold.

Las Vegas softness was detected before attack: Las Vegas' convention and meetings industry, reeling from six weeks of uncertainty after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is preparing for what could be the biggest financial hit of the year with lower attendance forecast for Comdex.

LV carrier adding three flights: The bankrupt company said the new service would begin Dec. 21 and bring the total number of flights to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to three and the number of flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco to seven each.

Vegas travel agencies close offices, cut jobs: Travel companies have been hit hard by the fallout of the terrorist attacks, with some segments within the industry hurt worse than others.

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

Obituaries for November 2, 2001: Mark A. Balmer, 48, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospital. He was born June 10, 1953, in Henderson. A lifelong Southern Nevada resident, he was a retired laborer in the construction industry and a member of Local 872.

UNLV research helps scientists track down anthrax: A decade ago researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas saw a need for a new, reliable test to identify bacteria in the air.

Low turnout, routine dunks mark Rebels' Fan Jam event: Steve Addy; Fans were few and the jams were routine, but Charlie Spoonhour wasn't complaining.

Downtown element missing: Diana Sahagun; As valley officials and developers tout new commercial projects downtown, a key ingredient to downtown redevelopment seems to be missing.

Carjack suspects take deal: Kim Smith; A pair of teenagers accused of going on a three-day purse-snatching and carjacking spree have pleaded guilty to three charges, including one involving Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury.

Dorsey to play, but Haro hurt: Steve Guiremand; There was some good news and some bad news on the injury front for UNLV's football team Thursday.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Broke The Slump -- Delahoussaye atop O'Neill trainee, draws well in opening Cal Cup event, if it' ain't Broke then The Slump is on. Lil Sister Stich -- Pincay astride Lage trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post in turf route, good run could sew it up for Sister here. Value Play -- Bimbo's Kiss

Washington briefs: WASHINGTON -- The House and Senate on Thursday sent to President Bush the final version of a $25 billion bill that sets a budget for federal energy and water projects nationwide.

Jobless rate soars: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- The nation's unemployment rate soared to 5.4 percent in October, the biggest one-month jump in more than 21 years, providing the most dramatic evidence yet that economic fallout from the terror attacks probably pushed the country into recession. More than 400,000 jobs were eliminated during the month.

9th Circuit Justice Hug retires: CARSON CITY -- Judge Procter Hug is retiring from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after 24 years on the bench, four of them as the chief judge.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Fans, if not critics, like martial arts: Dean Juipe; The dilemma from a traditional sportsman's perspective is apparent: Boxing is something of an ancient sport and has at least a recognizable structure and merits a certain level of coverage, while the proliferation of mixed martial arts events is befuddling at best and downright confusing given their diversity and splintered proponents. Yet what does it say if mixed martial arts is going to outdraw boxing?

Tszyu, Judah show faith in themselves: Dean Juipe; If confidence is a determining factor in a fight, Saturday's bout between Kostya Tszyu and Zab Judah at the MGM may end in a draw.

This week's races: NASCAR WINSTON CUP Pop Secret Microwave 400

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: De Ferran to go all out at Fontana: FONTANA, Calif. -- Two weeks ago, Gil de Ferran talked about his frustration over not being able to challenge for the win in a race at Laguna Seca Raceway. Although he said he had the car to chase down eventual race winner Max Papis in the closing laps, he had to back off to protect his points lead.

Goodman might become gin pitchman: Goodman, who jokes about downing Beefeater martinis starting at 5 p.m. each day, said he was approached last week by executives from the distillery and was asked to become a promoter.

More than $13 million raised in BLM auction: The federal Bureau of Land Management on Thursday auctioned off nearly 126 acres scattered throughout the Las Vegas Valley, raising more than $13.6 million that will go for local government and environmental uses.

Justices hear suggestions from jurors: Jace Radke; Residents who served as jurors on high-profile cases spoke of their positive experiences with the court system during a public hearing of the Nevada Supreme Court's jury improvement commission Thursday night.

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

Berkley, Gibbons differ on aviation security strategies: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The two-member Nevada House delegation was a microcosm of the sharply divided chamber on the airline security bills.

Editorial: Training, equipment key to anti-terrorism: Local and state governments, which are the primary responders in the event of terrorism, definitely need more money for preparedness in the wake of Sept. 11. If a bomb explodes or a plane crashes, it will be local firefighters, police officers, paramedics and doctors who will be first on the scene, not federal officials.

Letter: Stratosphere snubs public: This "It's my party, and I'll do as I want to" attitude demonstrates a lack of civic responsibility and a willingness to hold an important public project hostage to their idiosyncratic vision of what is right for the community. Perhaps, as they maintain, they won't need a monorail station without their pet project. Let us not overlook the fact that other funding can be found to proceed with this important project, which may be the precursor to a larger scale public transportation system.

Letter: Lives are ruined, drugs live on: The cop summed it up in the final interview. Asked if the arrest of seven people would impact the supply of the drug, he said, "No, probably not, but it will impact those seven kids."

Columnist Susan Snyder: It's already a Christmas to November: It is wrong.

'House' has sturdy foundation: Max Jacobson; At some point, most of us have the wish to rebuild our lives. The more tragic among us arrive at this conclusion after it is too late, but the wise find redemption wherever they can, even when time is rapidly running out.

Local news briefs for November 2, 2001: A motorcyclist who was killed when she collided with a commercial truck early Wednesday morning has been identified as 38-year-old Susan Holman of Las Vegas.

Tax refunds fail to be delivered: The Internal Revenue Service this year has received nearly $2.7 million worth of undeliverable refund and rebate checks for Nevadans, the agency said.

Letter: Bush brings another war, same results: I hear and see the same old reactions to prior crises. Then we built bomb shelters and stocked them with food and water to protect us from nuclear blasts, now we buy gas masks and stock up with antibiotics to protect us from anthrax. Then we had civil defense, now we have homeland security. Then we hunted for communist cells in the U.S., now we hunt for terrorist cells in the U.S. Then we attempted to win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people while bombing their villages, now we attempt to win the hearts and minds of the ...

Community news briefs for November 2, 2001: A Henderson high school student has been selected by the National Youth Leadership Forum to participate in a five-day law program for students.

Editorial: Arsenic rules are resurrected: The primary reason for the president's reversal is political. Public opinion polls showed that he took a beating for blocking the new requirements, which hadn't been updated since 1942. In an effort to deflate the criticism, Bush said that he would seek the advice of the National Academy of Sciences, which investigated the matter and released its findings last month in a report that suggested that even tougher guidelines could be imposed. Bush's standard allows arsenic in 10 parts per billion of drinking water, but the NAS noted that even at levels as low as 3 parts per billion there ...

Columnist Sandy Thompson: We must stay strong to fight terrorism: Sandy Thompson; MEMO TO ALL TV news stations:

Editorial: Regulators looked at for sharing info: The NRC already has a chummy relationship with the nuclear power industry, and often acts more as if it is the industry's champion rather than its regulator. So while it would be a breach of public trust, it also wouldn't be too surprising to learn that the NRC would share confidential information with the DOE. The DOE, after all, also has been known to do the bidding of the nuclear power industry, which desperately wants to see a nuclear waste dump built at Yucca Mountain.

Letter: We will suffer under Bush: Mr. Willis claims President Bush will save our education system. Texas ranked 47th in education. Does Mr. Willis really want 46 other states to lower their standards?

Letter: Thrill ride would destroy neighborhood: As Mr. Brown knows, and has heard from the neighbors time and time again, this proposal, a project that has the potential to destroy one of the most historic neighborhoods in this city, is a direct contradiction to the vision for downtown redevelopment. Any plan for revitalization must make the area an attractive place for businesses to locate and people to live.

Future leaders design future cities: Daniela Mohor; Sitting in front of a computer in Lyal Burkholder Middle School's library, 13-year-old Brittany Rubalcaba is absorbed by the map of a city on her screen.

Canine help gives woman piece of mind: Angela Soo; Bonnie Frimet worries about falling off her wheelchair and having no one there to help her.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Nicaragua election Sunday could put Ortega back into power: Allow me to take your mind off of Afghanistan, anthrax and that strange looking guy your daughter brought home from college. There is an election taking place in Nicaragua this Sunday, which may come as news to most U.S. citizens. There is a possibility that the results of that presidential election could come as a shock to even more of our fellow Americans, if Daniel Ortega is voted back into office after being voted out almost 12 years ago.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Dummkopfs leader plays through the pain: The stage has become a refuge for Brian Firth.

Shore leads strong Riviera Comedy Club lineup: Joe Delaney; The Riviera Comedy Club, back in action after a hiatus following the tragic events of Sept. 11, usually presents the strongest comedy lineup in town week after week. This week is outstanding with Sammy Shore, co-founder of the Los Angeles Comedy Store in 1972, as well as Elvis Presley's opening act at the Las Vegas Hilton (then the International) in the 1970s.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Marathoners take patriotic journey: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The annual Marine Corps Marathon held last Sunday offered runners a 26.2-mile tour of a capital city attacked by terrorists and besieged by anthrax -- but proudly defiant.

Plan is already in action in Las Vegas: Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley has gained national attention in the war against terrorism by creating a municipal security council that identifies possible targets, monitors unusual health problems and promotes communication among agencies.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Knight's career marked by many successes: Joe Delaney; Gladys Knight, appearing at Sam's Town tonight and Saturday, is a true renaissance woman, scoring major successes as a singer; performer with a group, the Pips; solo performer, producer, director; and, most recently, a poet/songwriter commenting on life and her 50-plus years in show business, starting at age 4 as soloist with the famed Morris Brown Gospel Choir.

Antiques appraiser likes what she sees in Las Vegas: Kimberley McGee; A handwritten diary from the Oregon Trail, stained glass windows from the Civil War era and American-Indian relics are a few of the tucked-away treasures locals have brought to Las Vegas antiques appraiser Dee Perino.

Guest Columnist -- David M. Kennedy: A reprise of dark times: Adrift in a sea of troubles, the United States seems in danger of coming unmoored from its own historical identity. Americans have been pounded by the surprise attacks of Sept. 11 and beset by anxieties about anthrax. Their righteous anger is not matched by conviction of eventual victory. They are little comforted by the still-inconclusive raids against Afghanistan, nor are they fully assured that their leaders are up to the job of protecting them from whatever horrors the future might hold. They are unaccustomedly edgy and off balance. For history's most secure, self-confident and forward-looking people, these are disquietingly unfamiliar ...

Quirky Italian family is the focus of 'Over the River': How does an uptight 27-year-old marketing executive from Manhattan mesh with his over-the-top, outspoken Italian grandparents who have never lived outside of Hoboken, N.J.?

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Bellagio's restaurants are thriving once again: How exciting it was to see the turnaround at Bellagio restaurants Monday evening. After dining with friends at a packed Shintaro, we visited Picasso, Prime, Le Cirque and Circo to see how they were doing. I'm happy to report that each room was booked solid, and at Picasso the small terrace was also filled with diners.

Guest Columnist -- Patricia Leigh Brown: Manly men make return: They are the knights in shining fire helmets. They are the welders, policemen and businessmen with can-do attitudes who are unafraid to tackle armed hijackers -- even if it means bringing down an airplane.

En La Familia: Kirk Baird; For Gloria Estefan, it's all about priorities. And in her world, nothing comes before her family including her career.

'Shadow Box' confronts death head on: In the final days of a loved one's life, how do you say goodbye, handle your emotions and make amends?

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Worthy of hero status: WE KNOW ABOUT HEROES.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Auschwitz is focus of book: Fifty-six years after Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, there is more.

Columnist Kate Maddox: A party for the (under)ages: Kate Maddox; Britney Spears is hoping a private, post-concert soiree at her place will prevent all that 21-and-over business from raining on her underage party parade.

No motive found in Halloween shooting death: Jace Radke; Metro Police don't have a motive for a Halloween night slaying committed by a man in costume, but detectives are investigating whether the homicide could be related to drug trafficking.

Queensryche frontman ponders band's influence: Kirk Baird; It seems so obvious.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Editorial: GOP just can't stand government: In the end, Bush secured a narrow win in the House as the Senate's federalization plan was rejected. But Bush scored a Pyrrhic victory, because even if the House bill were to become law -- and that's not certain given the Senate's bipartisan, unanimous support of federalization -- it will result in the continuation of badly paid, poorly trained airport security workers. Airline travel has dipped significantly amid concerns about inadequate security, a drop that has hurt the economy. Public confidence must be restored in airport security, but neither airline safety nor the economy will improve under the House bill.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Ganging up on Nevada: THERE IS SOMETHING leaking from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. And it has nuclear waste written all over it.

Casino hotel rates continue downward trend: The Bear Stearns survey found three-week advance rate quotes for Nov. 24 -- the Saturday after Thanksgiving -- averaged $118 per night, a 28 percent decline from the year-ago Thanksgiving weekend. Average rates for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving were $83, down 12 percent.

Casting a Paul: The 1984 low-budget hit film "D.C. Cab" featured an ensemble cast of actors that included, among others, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, Mr. T and Max Gail.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Poll dashes hopes of Democrats: AS THE DEMOCRATS commence The Hunt For the Rich Sucker, with their periscope now focused on ex-Mirage Resorts executive Dan Lee, a Republican poll completed last month contains little reason why the party shouldn't just take a dive in the governor's race.

Datebook: "Mountain Man Rendezvous," featuring demonstrations in period costume about the lives of mountain men and women, will be presented at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. Call 875-4141.

Today's frontpage

< Previous | Next >

Most Read
Discussed
Most E-mailed

Complete Listing

Blogs

The Kats Report

For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material (3 Comments)

4 hours, 42 minutes ago

Elsewhere

Sands China raises $2.5 billion in Hong Kong IPO

8 hours, 42 minutes ago

Marquardt v. Sonnen scheduled for UFC 109

1 day, 1 hour ago

Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity

Will a fourth consecutive title by Jimmie Johnson be good or bad for NASCAR? (3 Comments)

1 day, 2 hours ago

Top Chef: Las Vegas

The Jet Stream: And then there were four

1 day, 2 hours ago

Top Chef Episode 12: On keeping it simple

1 day, 2 hours ago

Miech Again

Chilly start for Chace, but Stanback says he'll warm up (1 Comment)

1 day, 4 hours ago

More blogs »

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question