Print edition for November 6, 2001

Court sides with LV lenders in real estate finance dispute: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has ruled that a real estate loan made in Las Vegas to finance developments in California is subject to Nevada law that does not limit the amount of interest charged.

Only one murder charge likely in deaths of guards: Kim Smith; Prosecutors are losing hope that additional murder charges will be filed in connection with the March 2000 slayings of two armored truck guards in Henderson.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Estrella Prisa -- Solis scales Aguirre trainee, draws good box for route opener, should get a good trip for first race of fall meeting. Larron -- Training at Anita, Berrio on Abrams trainee, should be close to the engine throughout. Value Play -- Tru Gait

Lake Mead 'island' eyed for redevelopment: Mathis Winkler; Meeting The North Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency will discuss Lake Mead Island during a meeting on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive.

FBI chronicles hijacker's long hours at CyberZone: FBI agents have obtained solid evidence that shows Mohamed Atta, the suspected ringleader of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, spent long hours at a local Internet surfing hub during two trips to Las Vegas this summer.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Fans turn on Rebels' quarterback: Save for one quote uttered in frustration following a bitter loss to Colorado State, when he complained that one of his wide receivers had butterfingers, UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas has conducted himself with class during a season that has become more difficult than astrophysics.

Brunswick bowling results: 1. Scroggins Pro Shop, Amarillo, Texas 6075 2. NRV Superbowl, Christiansburg, Va. 5999 3. Strike In Bowl/Turbo Grips, Rochester, N.Y. 5991 4. Louisville luggers, Naperville, Ill. 5984 5. T. J's Painting, West Allis, Wis. 5983 6. AMF/Brazeau's Pro Shop, Ocala, Fla. 5945 7. Team Brackman /Storm, San Diego, Calif. 5941 8. Bowlers World Pro Shop, Springfield, Ill. 5925 9. Team Dallas - Dallas, Texas 5861 10. Flat Earth Society, Spokane, Wash. 5850 11. Bixler's Pro Shop, Reading, Pa. 5847 12. New Bowl Rite Lanes, Union City, N.J. 5786 13. Vengeance, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 5777 14. Cassat Batt Bowl, Jacksonville, Fla. ...

Automaker looking at deep cuts: Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported Ford is considering cutting more than 8,000 salaried jobs, or up to 20 percent of its U.S. white-collar work force, saving it $1 billion, as part of a companywide cost-cutting strategy.

Vegas gains food plant, 100 jobs: The company plans to break ground early next year on a 160,000-square-foot plant on 20 acres in the 400-acre Blue Diamond Ranches mixed-use development at Blue Diamond Road and Decatur Boulevard. The company did not disclose how much it would invest in construction.

Metro officer faces termination: Keith Paul; A Metro Police officer could be fired for using excessive force after he used a plastic tube to pry open a man's mouth.

Robinson says he'll stick with Thomas at QB: Steve Guiremand; What do UNLV head football coach John Robinson and country singer Tammy Wynette have in common?

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kyle Busch's pride wounded at Cal Speedway: It certainly will go down as the most bizarre event of the 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

UMC studies ways to stop emergency overcrowding: By Emily Richmond; University Medical Center officials are considering new policies to prevent overcrowding, which in the past has led to the closure of the public hospital's emergency room.

New legislation aids Nevada Power parent: The company reported earnings of $80.4 million, 89 cents a share, compared with a loss of $19.5 million, 25 cents a share, for the same quarter a year earlier.

Station eyes expansion of Boulder Station: Sun Staff; Station put out a request for proposals on the project in the construction industry publication Engineering News-Record. The project was described as a "bowling alley expansion, casino expansion and renovation, food court and construction of an underground tunnel connecting to valet parking."

Long wait over for judge candidate: Hicks in a few weeks will start the job he was first nominated for nine years ago -- by President Bush's father. That nomination died when the Senate did not act on it and President Clinton became president. Presidents typically nominate judges from their own party.

Las Vegas casino owner in litigation over Coast name: Grace Leong; Coast Resorts Inc., owner of the Suncoast, Orleans, Barbary Coast and Gold Coast casinos in Las Vegas, is fighting a Vancouver, British Columbia-based hotel chain over which company has rights to use the Coast trademark.

Kerkorian sells 11% of his stake in MGM MIRAGE: Kerkorian sold the shares Nov. 2 at a price of $21 per share, putting the sale price at $210 million, according to a Monday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares represented more than 6 percent of MGM MIRAGE's total outstanding shares.

Station Casinos profit plunges; Mandalay will beat forecast: David Strow; Station Casinos Inc. reported a 70 percent decline in third-quarter net income this morning, an outcome the company blamed in large part on the post-Sept. 11 economic and tourism slowdown.

Behnen 'sentimental' about Binion house: Grace Leong; Horseshoe Casino owner Becky Behnen, who is being sued by her siblings over a house they inherited from their mother, said she had hoped to turn the property into a public park in memory of her parents.

Sprint in $1.1 billion pact with Nortel to upgrade local networks: Kevin Ferguson; Sprint Corp. said Monday its local phone division signed a $1.1 billion deal with Nortel Networks that will allow Las Vegas' major local phone provider to transform its network into a "packet-based" system that will efficiently move more traffic.

Injury to officer raises use of force questions: Keith Paul; A man accused of striking a Metro Police officer in the face this past weekend had a history of struggling with police.

Slot play returning to normal, IGT profits strong: David Strow; International Game Technology provided a bright spot to an otherwise dismal earnings season today, reporting a 6 percent increase in net income for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

State court sides with gambler in jackpot dispute: David Hallmark of Birmingham claimed he hit a $509,000 jackpot on an in-house progressive slot machine at Grand Casino-Biloxi in November 1997. Regulators claimed the Grand Bucks machine malfunctioned.

Goldman Sachs bullish on shares: Kent's $23 price target is a 17 percent premium over current levels.

More states joining in rejection of settlement: Ted Bridis; WASHINGTON -- The coalition of 18 states that sued Microsoft for antitrust violations splintered today, with two-thirds poised to settle the case and the others determined to go to trial.

Banks wants role as leader: Steve Addy; Marcus Banks hasn't played a minute of basketball for UNLV, but he's already eager to hoist the Rebels on to his back.

Berkley wants D.C. bar to probe Yucca lawyers: Winston & Strawn is already a focal point of two federal investigations. The Department of Energy's inspector general is investigating conflict-of-interest charges against the firm.

Letter: Anthrax scare affects unborn: On its face the danger is deadly, costly and disruptive. Lives have been lost, jobs are in question and efficiency compromised. And now, another growing concern ... the seemingly unavoidable practice of prescribing and administering powerful antibiotics in the name of safety and prevention to people who may have no real need for them.

Ex-Cimarron star earns award at Fresno State: Steve Guiremand; Fresno State senior strong safety Vernon Fox, who prepped at Las Vegas' Cimmaron-Memorial High School, has been named to the 2001 class of the National College Scholar-Athletes by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Correction: The Sun regrets the error.

Letter: Government not worthy of our trust: Our government is the very government that allowed its OSHA department to stop all postal workers from wearing masks, which could protect them against anthrax spores.

County to tackle billboards again: Clark County commissioners on Wednesday will consider a law that would allow billboards in new areas, while restricting the signs from others.

Columnist Kate Maddox: MGM MIRAGE passes on tab: Kate Maddox; CityLife, a Las Vegas alternative weekly newspaper, messed with the big boys this week. And the big boys are messing back.

Rebel women take aim at NCAA berth: Victoria Sun; The UNLV women's soccer team finished the regular season with a winning record for the second consecutive year.

Letter: Under GOP, rich get richer: Legislation now moving through Congress is loaded with pro-rich benefits.

Teens take plea deal in killing of 16-year-old girl: Kim Smith; Two teenagers accused of shooting a 16-year-old girl to death because she bad-mouthed their gang have entered plea agreements.

Nuke panel adopts tougher Yucca licensing regulations: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has adopted new licensing regulations -- including tougher limits concerning radiation in ground water -- that apply to a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Immunization schedule for November 6, 2001: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Dr., Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Community briefs for November 6, 2001: These locations are taking part in this week's blood drive conducted by United Blood Services, 6930 W. Charleston Blvd.:

Editorial: Student government needs more controls: The community college president has appointed new advisers to help student government leaders comply with regents' policies and adhere to budgeting guidelines. But this new advisory team didn't help matters when it told student government leaders that they should send 10 people to Primm in August for a retreat, ostensibly to allow themselves to get to know one another better and learn more about how student government works. Apparently it didn't dawn on the advisers to save $10,000 by finding a room at the community college to accomplish the same thing for free.

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

Original thrift store is reopened: The store, 818 S. Main St., is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Federal grant to help UNLV study pedestrian safety: Angela Soo; Transportation researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas announced Monday they received a grant from the federal government that will help make Las Vegas streets safer for pedestrians.

Editorial: Pick right economic stimulus: The House bill offers $100 billion in tax breaks, with $70 billion going to businesses. Amending the alternative minimum tax code, a retroactive change going back five years, would offer a huge payout for some corporations. For instance, IBM would get a $1.4 billion refund and General Motors would receive $833 million back under the GOP plan. But economists have noted that the GOP's plan likely won't produce the kind of incentives that would propel businesses to invest their money to create more jobs, especially if people aren't buying their products or using their services now.

Public can speak out on higher university standard: Jennifer Knight; Two public forums have been scheduled to provide residents with the chance to weigh in on a proposal to raise admission standards at the two state universities.

Obituaries for November 6, 2001: Esther Auletti, 87, of Las Vegas died Sunday in North Las Vegas. She was born April 7, 1914, in Brooklyn, N.Y. A resident for many years, she was a homemaker.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Old budget won't do job: Last week, right here at home, a small group of American Muslim organizations called for the United States to halt its bombing campaign. They say they want "a more effective and long-term policy" to fight terrorism. Their ideas would have made sense last summer, but not now. We can discuss their suggestions after we finish the job we were presented on Sept. 11, 200l.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Couple shed conventional approach: It's a lot to lose, even when divided between two people. But the Las Vegas couple figured they'd lose it together with gastric bypass surgery -- same day, same surgeon.

Rocket plant was cited for minor violations: Jace Radke; A model-rocket company destroyed by fire last month had been cited for only minor violations during its 14-year history, Clark County Fire Department records show.

Mack's ethics hearing again delayed until next month: Diana Sahagun; The chairman of the Las Vegas Ethics Review Board has scheduled a Dec. 6 hearing to address complaints filed against City Councilman Michael Mack, further delaying a process that has been plagued with setbacks.

Kingman man held as suspect in Arizona slaying: Christopher M. Smith, 21, of Kingman was held this morning in the Mohave County jail on a murder charge. Smith went to a Kingman attorney's office Sunday in connection with the slaying, Mohave County sheriff officials said.

They click: Ideal roommates can be found in cyberspace: Kimberley McGee; The ink on the six-month lease was barely dry when his new roommate packed up and returned to her parents, leaving Palmer with a rent payment he couldn't afford.

News briefs for November 6, 2001: The Senate on an 83-0 vote Monday night approved Reno lawyer Larry Hicks as a U.S. District Court judge, a job Hicks has wanted for nearly a decade.