Print edition for November 15, 2001

Columnist Dean Juipe: Veteran Medina seeks 4th title: Dean Juipe; The question was asked innocently enough yet drew completely divergent reactions.

Use-of-force board clears officer in shooting: Keith Paul; Metro Police's use-of-force board unanimously ruled Wednesday night that an officer didn't violate department policy when he shot an armed, suspected robber in September.

Court briefs for November 15, 2001: Michael Gant on Wednesday in U.S. District Court pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aiding and abetting.

Guinn picks up chamber support: On Wednesday, Guinn received the endorsement of the Asian Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7 p.m.

Community briefs for November 15, 2001: Clark County Parks and Recreation's 13th annual "Strut Your Mutt" event will be 10-3 p.m. Saturday at Dog Fanciers Park, 5800 E. Flamingo Road.

Newspaper adds 21 men to list of 'Influential': The 21 men honored, joining last year's list of 43 men, are:

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Bernstein to race twice at LVMS on farewell tour: Local drag racing fans will have two opportunities next year to witness Kenny Bernstein's farewell tour as the racing legend caps his 23-year career with what is being billed as "Forever Red ... A Run to Remember."

Guinn's new tax panel set to study future: CARSON CITY -- Guy Hobbs, chairman of the newly appointed Governor's Task Force on Tax Policy, says the group must first assess the fate of the state's financial future.

Food drives planned: Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is calling for food donations to help feed the homeless and needy families during the holiday season.

Banamex bank merger leads to 7,800 job cuts: Citigroup disclosed Wednesday that 4,200 jobs would be slashed from Citigroup's employee roster and 3,600 would be eliminated from the Banamex work force.

U.S. 95 work scheduled: All southbound lanes will be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sunday and Monday.

Eastern beltway on the table: Building a new section of the beltway is one proposal on the table to connect highways and reduce expected traffic congestion in the northeast Las Vegas Valley.

Starbucks given tax break by Nevada board: CARSON CITY -- At a time when state and local governments are feeling a pinch because of sagging tax collections, the state Economic Development Commission Wednesday handed a near $2 million tax break to Starbucks to build a coffee roasting plant in Douglas County.

Feds use Internet to auction seized car: Jace Radke; The U.S. Marshals Service is looking for consumers to make a deal for a devil.

Editorial: Airport security still riddled with mistakes: Revelations of recent breaches of security demonstrate yet again why a complete overhaul is necessary. The Department of Transportation's inspector general told a Senate panel Wednesday that the private security firms still aren't screening checked baggage as thoroughly as they should. Bomb-screening machines are in place at 47 airports, and a survey of 30 machines at nine airports over the past weekend discovered that 73 percent weren't used continuously. And in one instance, investigators found a screener who had fallen asleep (he was working a 20-hour shift). Earlier this week security was compromised at Logan Airport in Boston, the originating ...

NTS training proposal to be discussed: Abraham has shown growing interest in the proposal, Reid's aides said. Nevada lawmakers touted the plan before the Sept. 11 attacks. But the attacks put the proposal in a new light for federal officials looking for creative ways to battle terrorism, the lawmakers have said.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Charo gets hearty welcome back to Strip: Joe Delaney; Stuart knows Las Vegas ... His "Legends In Concert" concept has been a winner internationally, still going strong here ... Bill Moore, another Las Vegan with a successful producing career, is also involved ... With the recent Robert Goulet/Venetian debacle in mind, will Charo & Co. be able to pay the rental fee, pay the ticket brokers, all expenses, and be left with enough for herself?

Home defense starts at home: From Bob Andrews' perspective, the federal government could bolster homeland defense by allocating more emergency preparedness funding to local rescue workers, who would be first to respond to a terrorist attack.

Mining merger called good for Nevada: The deal that would turn Newmont Mining Corp. into the world's largest gold producer will strengthen Nevada's mining industry, a state industry leader says.

Home in an instant: Owners of mobile homes prefer efficiency, affordability: Kimberley McGee; She squeezes past the door of her small bathroom, where her two older dogs are barking. She flips on the light of the wood-paneled bedroom with thick, shag-carpeting on the floor.

Negative cash flow reported by Aladdin: David Strow; The parent company of the bankrupt Aladdin hotel-casino reported a massive loss and negative cash flow for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

Letter: Stop attacks on president: It seems that no matter how many times the media recount Florida's 2000 presidential election votes the results are the same -- George Bush beat Al Gore. The latest and final recount, sponsored by a media consortium that included 62,000 never-before counted "undervotes," adds an even more definitive twist to the Democratic Party's Florida defeat.

12 at Nellis promoted to highest enlisted rank: Dick Benoit; A dozen airmen at Nellis Air Force Base, nine men and three women, have been informed they will be promoted to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, reaching the pinnacle of their military careers.

Yucca guideline unveiled: Mary Manning and Benjamin Grove; Department of Energy officials on Wednesday unveiled what they think are the essential criteria for licensing a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain -- an important milestone in the 14-year-old plan to bury the nation's high-level nuclear waste in the Nevada desert.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Foxy Player -- Blanc sits Glatt trainee, draws good spot and post for route opener, Foxy should be big Player here. Two K Mambo -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws outside post here, jockey-trainer team are productive pair. Value Play -- Clever Roberto

Tickets issued for opening of shelter: By Timothy Pratt; For the first time in recent memory, the opening of the MASH Village winter tent did not play to a full house.

MGM MIRAGE options prompt debate: David Strow; MGM MIRAGE is offering its top managers a chance to start over again -- with their stock options.

$929 million power rate increase sought: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Power Co. is expected by the end of the month to request a record $929 million rate increase in Clark County.

Riverboat cuts workers' hours: Hollywood Casinos has cut the work schedule of about 30 percent of its staff of approximately 1,800 employees.

Tribe: Casino will complement rural Northwest landscape: The casino -- planned on 56 acres just off Interstate 90's Exit 27 -- would feature 425 slot-type machines, about 30 tables for games such as craps and blackjack, and seats for off-track betting, as well as a 400-seat theater, three restaurants and parking for 900 vehicles.

MASH winter shelter opens: By Timothy Pratt; For the first time in recent memory, the opening of the MASH Village winter tent did not play to a full house.

Former official seeks probe of state Ethics Commission: Adrienne Packer; A former executive secretary of the Nevada Commission on Ethics has waged an Internet-driven war against her former organization, calling for a federal and state investigation of the board.

Fight schedule: Thursday

Green Valley coach Teacher of Year: Terry Webster; Teacher and coach Erin Hill figured all of the hoopla was for her girls volleyball team.

Rebels' Johnson jumps into the spotlight: Steve Addy; UNLV power forward Dalron Johnson is resigned to being selfish this season, and coach Charlie Spoonhour has given his wholehearted approval.

Editorial: We need an abundance of patience: It was great to see Afghans liberated from the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Men lined up so barbers could shave off their beards, which had been required by the Taliban. Music, which had been banned, finally could be heard in the streets of Kabul, the capital city. Women could actually walk in public with their faces revealed, a practice that had been prohibited by the Taliban. The euphoria in that nation is to be expected after years of living under such harsh authoritarian rule, but Americans should view cautiously the Northern Alliance's capture of Afghanistan's major cities.

Pilot reported trouble before plane crashed: The pilot, Robert Lee Byrd, of Parks, Ariz., dropped from 16,000 feet to about 8,800 feet in less than two minutes on Oct. 30 about 3:10 p.m. before the plane crashed into a wooded area about 7,000 feet above sea level, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Reserve funds available for laid-off workers: By Timothy Pratt; As much as $10 million in reserve funds could be used in the next year to meet the needs of Nevada's workers laid off after Sept. 11, members of the state Welfare Board were told Wednesday.

Letter: Republicans disregard safety of air travelers: The airport security screeners are not adequately paid, motivated or trained to do their jobs effectively.

Woman pleads for fiance's life: Angela Soo; In a plea to save her fiance's life, Theresa West told jurors Wednesday that her three children would be without a father if he receives the death penalty.

NFL injury report: ATLANTA AT GREEN BAY -- Falcons: DOUBTFUL: TE Reggie Kelly (knee). QUESTIONABLE: QB Chris Chandler (rib); CB-KR Darrick Vaughn (groin/knee). PROBABLE: CB Ray Buchanan (knee); RB Maurice Smith (shin). Packers: QUESTIONABLE: NT Gilbert Brown (quadriceps); T Chad Clifton (ankle); WR Donald Driver (quadricep).

Rural radiation exposure feared: A panel of experts will debate the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in a two-part program scheduled to air on KLVX-TV Channel 10.

Former champ hopes to turn tables ... again: Dean Juipe; Lennox Lewis is always a little tougher the second time around.

Welcome to TV Land: Steve Guiremand; Despite its disappointing 3-7 record heading into the season finale on Saturday at Air Force, John Robinson's UNLV football team has had a milestone season.

Airport official opposes using fed security: Jace Radke; Clark County Director of Aviation Director Randy Walker said using federal employees at airport checkpoints may not provide the flexibility needed to respond to the changing landscape of airport security.

Letter: Highway 95 too dangerous: Now because of all trucks and large vehicles being detoured from Boulder Dam to U.S. 95, the traffic increase is unbearable.

Carrier facing losses of $690 million: Delta, the third-largest U.S. carrier, said that while passenger traffic is increasing slowly, revenue isn't keeping pace, partly because of lower fares. Delta is expected to post losses of $3.57 a share in this quarter and $2.13 next quarter, according to a survey of analysts by Thomson Financial/First Call.

Red Cross' local chapter reports no surplus funds: The American Red Cross Clark County Chapter does not have the dilemma of its national office, which has scrapped a much-maligned plan to create a huge money reserve from donations made in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Dream of success: THE LAS VEGAS beat goes on.

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

Obituaries for November 15, 2001: Helen Barbara Ahrens, 84, of Henderson died Tuesday in a local hospital. She was born June 29, 1917, in Munger, Mich. A resident for two years, she was a housekeeper.

Palms opens tonight, competitors ready: David Strow; George Maloof is aiming for the young, hip visitor with his $265 million Palms hotel-casino, set to open near the Las Vegas Strip this evening.

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

Providian cutting some 700 local jobs: David Strow; The Las Vegas Valley's layoff woes spread to Henderson Wednesday, when credit card giant Providian Financial Corp. -- a company struggling to regain its financial footing -- announced it would close its call center in Green Valley.

Probe into missing refrigerant continues: Adrienne Packer; Information related to refrigerant missing from Clark County storage continues to be fed to the Environmental Protection Agency, prolonging an investigation that has continued for nearly a year.

DOE's Yucca probe points to firm's bias: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; WASHINGTON -- The Department of Energy's law firm on the Yucca Mountain project may have had a serious, undisclosed conflict of interest with the nuclear industry, the DOE's internal investigator today revealed.

$929 million power rate hike to be sought: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Power Co. is expected by the end of the month to request a record $929 million rate increase in Clark County.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Wartime brought unity: Ruthe Deskin; Unemployment became a thing of the past as huge factories turned to producing items for defense. Automobile assembly lines converted from peacetime pursuits to producing tanks, Jeeps and armored vehicles.

UNLV notebook: Two volleyball players on all-conference team: Junior middle blocker Blair Wilkes was named to the 12-member all-conference team after leading the Rebels with 248 kills and a .380 attack-percentage. Sheila Ocasio-Clemente was named MWC Freshman of the Year. She led the nation in blocks per game.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Wyoming not impressive in debut: On Monday morning I received a call from a woman who was inquiring about the dates of the Mountain West Conference postseason men's basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Daniel Nilsmo and Sydney Venable: School: Chaparral

Cimarron-Memorial grads choose Rebels: Thompson, a sophomore at Dixie College, and Vose, a sophomore at the Community College of Southern Nevada, join Durango outfielder Coltyn Simmons, Basic pitcher Matt Elliott and Cimarron pitcher Matt Wagner in the Rebels' incoming class.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Hunter enjoys super season: Paula DelGiudice; Some hunters wait a lifetime and never enjoy the kind of hunting season that Robert McKinnis of Henderson has enjoyed this fall.

Catching up with: Lisa Borom: High School: Clark ('98)

Playing for a home date: Spencer Patterson; At first glance, this week's Sunrise Region championship game may look like the 2001 prep football season's ultimate anticlimax.

Prep football picks: Durango, Las Vegas get nods to win regionals: Spencer Patterson; A .500 record through two weeks of the playoffs puts a .750 season percentage in jeopardy, with just five games remaining to pick in 2001. This week's games look relatively easy to predict on paper, with Las Vegas and Durango coming in with just one loss apiece. But when Cheyenne is involved, anything is possible, and the same goes for any team with big John Ford on the field.