Print edition for November 20, 2001

Scaling back: There are plenty of ways to keep holiday weight gain at bay: The annual battle of the bulge begins before Thanksgiving and ends after New Year's.

New law eliminates age limit for air marshals: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Air marshals quietly monitoring the nation's airline flights will no longer be restricted to an age limit of 40 years.

Parody puts DJs in spotlight: Kirk Baird; Maybe Lee Greenwood shouldn't buy that new sports car just yet.

Venetian praises LVCVA decision, studies affects: One of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's biggest critics called the LVCVA board of directors' move to increase rental rates "a positive step."

Sandoval lands law endorsements: The Peace Officers Research Association of Nevada, a group representing 24 law enforcement agencies, endorsed Sandoval for the job. Incumbent Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa has announced she will not seek re-election.

Nevada joins pilot education program: Jennifer Knight; Nevada is among five states chosen to participate in a pilot program aimed at creating high school graduation standards to better prepare students for college and the business world.

New student evaluation plan proposed: Terry Webster; Clark County School District officials have written a plan that could become the basis for evaluating student achievement throughout Nevada.

English tourists have too much fun too soon: Jace Radke; Two Englishmen who flew into McCarran International Airport Thursday had the ultimate Las Vegas experience planned: reservations at the Bellagio, tickets to watch fellow countryman Lennox Lewis regain his championship and tickets for the Britney Spears concert the following night.

Newcomers dominate population: Nearly everyone who lives in Las Vegas used to call someplace else home.

Business briefs for November 20, 2001: One day after returning a guilty verdict against an IRS attorney accused of securities fraud, a jury was to return to U.S. District Court today to decide if assets he controls should be seized by the federal government.

Editorial: Optimism to fuel annual kettle drive: The obstacles facing the Salvation Army come at a time when it is needed more than ever -- the economy is slumping and as many as 15,000 people in Las Vegas have been laid off since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. We're confident, though, that Las Vegans will dig deep and provide enough donations so that the Salvation Army can continue to offer the top-flight help it provides for the homeless and those who are struggling to get by. And don't forget that the Salvation Army almost always is first on the scene when a natural or manmade disaster hits ...

Letter: Terror roots may be bred on our streets: Fortunately a Custom Cooling and Refrigeration repairman was on the roof of a house in the direction they were running. He heard my yelling and came off the roof to help, eventually rescuing my purse.

Gaming people: Recent appointments and promotions: Park Place Entertainment announced that Ronan O'Gorman is senior vice president of operations at the Flamingo Las Vegas, Steve Opdyke is vice president of hotel operations at Paris Las Vegas and Bill Wright is vice president of hotel operations at Bally's Las Vegas.

Columnist Kate Maddox: U2 to touch down at Super Bowl: Kate Maddox; Apparently Sunday night's performance in Las Vegas was all NFL corporate honchos needed to assure themselves that U2 would be the best pick to lead halftime entertainment at the Feb. 3 Super Bowl in New Orleans.

McCarran may seek alternative screener plan: Jace Radke; A decision on whether McCarran International Airport will apply to become one of five facilities nationwide to test alternatives to federal baggage screening will not come until next year, Clark County Aviation Director Randy Walker said Monday.

Letter: Use dogs for airport security: I've been wondering if any thought is being given to using "man's best friend" once again as part of our war effort against terrorism. Having just recently returned from a Las Vegas to Newark flight and observing existing security, seeing a "patrol dog" at an airport doing his/her job would be a great deal more reassuring than what I witnessed.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Justice for terrorists: I find the use of military tribunals to try foreign terrorists a wise move. The trials can be conducted where the suspects are captured and it won't be necessary to transfer them, as security risks, back to this country. Also it won't place in jeopardy confidential and secret information gathered by intelligence units. Several spies in recent years have had their lives spared, or given far less than life sentences, because an open trial would compromise national secrets or intelligence.

Immunization schedule for November 20, 2001: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

News briefs for November 20, 2001: Law enforcement officers will rally this weekend to prevent drunken-driving related crashes.

Southwest Gas rate cut proposed: The proposal filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada would reduce residential rates in the Las Vegas area by 12.5 percent, or about $9.64 per month in the winter, said Southwest spokesman Roger Buehrer. The proposal has been approved by the state's Bureau for Consumer Protection and the PUCN staff; the commission will consider the request Nov. 29.

Court briefs for November 20, 2001: A 17-year-old Las Vegas teen was sentenced to life in prison Monday for his role in a fatal robbery.

Editorial: Explosives are getting overlooked: As the Sun's Steve Kanigher reported Sunday, the use of explosives, not biological or chemical agents, has been the weapon of choice for terrorists for decades now. Dynamite and the ingredients to make bombs aren't always easy to obtain, but once they are acquired, they often are more simple to assemble and set off than are biological and chemical weapons. The results can be devastating. In 1983 a 12,000-pound bomb planted by the Islamic Jihad killed 242 Americans at a Marine barracks in Lebanon; Libyan terrorists used a bomb in 1988 to kill all 259 people aboard Pan American Airlines ...

Columnist Susan Snyder: Competitive edge is in the cards: Time, money, guts and focus.

Community briefs for November 20, 2001: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hikes, walks and other educational programs free of charge, but reservations are required for all programs, which begin at the Visitors Center. To make reservations or for information call 363-1922. Some upcoming programs:

Legislative panel studies land use: Advocates have a new forum in which to argue the contentious fate of millions of acres of Nevada's federal land -- a Legislative subcommittee that met for the first time Monday.

Englishmen face charges for interfering with flight: Jace Radke; Two Englishmen were released from federal custody Tuesday, but were ordered by a U.S. Magistrate to return to Las Vegas to face charges of interfering with a flight that landed at McCarran International Airport last week.

Business people: Recent appointments, honors and promotions: Tomika Brown is media director at Vento Marketing Organization.

Modelers look for smooth flying: Mathis Winkler; Way out there at the northern end of town, where only gravel roads slice through the desert, the valley's model airplane fliers are hoping for some extra asphalt.

LV chamber cuts ties to U.S. group: Diana Sahagun; In the high-stakes fight to keep nuclear waste from being transported to Nevada, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has severed its ties with its national organization, which is backing a repository at Yucca Mountain.

FAO Schwarz in distress, selling Las Vegas store: NEW YORK -- Just in time for the holiday shopping season, FAO Schwarz and its fantasylands for 5-year-olds in Las Vegas and New York are changing hands.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Friday's New Hampshire race meaningful after all: For all the talk about running a meaningless race in the cold weather on the day after Thanksgiving, a lot of NASCAR Winston Cup drivers are taking Friday's rescheduled New Hampshire 300 very seriously.

Obituaries for November 20, 2001: Patricia J. Castro, 67, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospice. She was born Oct. 28, 1934. A resident for six years, she was a vocational nurse and a charter member of General Society of Mayflower Descendents.

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

Increase in burglaries reported at UNLV: Jace Radke; Burglaries were up slightly at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas last year, while car thefts were down, according to campus crime statistics released by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gaming regulator annoyed at glitch: David Strow; WMS Industries Inc. said Monday it has reported "software issues" in its slot machine line to Nevada and Mississippi gaming regulators. This marks the second time in less than a year that WMS has reported software difficulties with its slots.

Governor opposes expansion of gambling: "My vote would be a 'no' vote on expanded gambling," Johanns said Monday.

Sale of Regent bringing changes: Lanis O'Steen, the Regent's chief restructuring officer, said new owner Hotspur Resorts plans to put a JW Marriott brand on the hotel -- the upscale brand name of hotel chain Marriott International Inc. Just six other hotels in the United States currently carry that brand.

Spoon plans to share minutes tonight: Steve Addy; Rebels coach Charlie Spoonhour plans to expand his rotation to at least 10 players tonight.

Bilingual voting machines approved in pilot program: Adrienne Packer; Voting will become easier for the Las Vegas Valley's Hispanic and physically disabled populations, perhaps as early as next year, after Clark County commissioners today approved a pilot program to test new voting technology.

Casinos suffer as leery gamblers stay away: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- Dropping quarters into a slot machine is one thing. But gamblers like Antoinette Lee are looking at risk a little differently these days, and casinos are suffering as a result.

Narragansett tribe looking for new partner: The tribe must first find a financial backer but expects to present a new proposal after the General Assembly reconvenes in January, said Matthew Thomas, the tribe's chief sachem.

Lady Rebels cruise to win over UC Irvine: The Lady Rebels (2-0) went on an 11-0 run early in the second half to break open a game they led 34-28 at halftime.

Economic Indicators rise: The New York-based Conference Board said today its Index of Leading Economic Indicators edged up to 109.4 in October, following a 0.5 percent decline in September and a 0.1 percent drop in August.

Merger of cruise operators illustrates industry problems: London-based Princess said today the combined company would have 41 ships and 75,000 berths, topping Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines.

OSU is still haunted by plane crash: Victoria Sun; The words, "We Will Remember January 27, 2001" are etched on the second and third pages of the Oklahoma State men's basketball media guide -- along with pictures of those they will never forget.

Singer arrested after argument with wife: Keith Paul; The lead singer of the alternative rock band Stone Temple Pilots spent 12 hours in the Clark County jail Monday after getting into a fight with his wife in the Hard Rock.

Family says man's life destroyed by drugs: Keith Paul; The last months of Richard Travis Brown's life spiraled into a drug-induced haze, leaving him wandering around Las Vegas holding up stores for cash to buy more crack cocaine.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Stage Player -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Desormeaux atop Dutton trainee, well spotted at this level. Floating Meeting -- Solis scales Glatt trainee, draws well here, Floating may call Meeting in winners circle. Value Play -- Game Set Match

Marines to join the hunt: WASHINGTON -- In what would be the largest buildup of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, up to 1,600 Marines are preparing to join hundreds of U.S. commandos as early as this week for a final drive to hunt down Osama bin Laden, military officials said.

A season to forget: Steve Guiremand; As he walked into the locker room after Saturday's season-ending 34-10 victory at Air Force, UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas shouted, "Hey, those are the Rebels I know!"

Convention rates called competitive despite hike: Trade show industry experts say Las Vegas still represents a highly competitive convention venue despite plans to raise rates for floor space at the Las Vegas Convention Center by 25 percent early next year.

Operator paying $105 million to buy out partner: The purchase of WHX Entertainment Corp.'s 50 percent interest in the track must be approved by the West Virginia Racing Commission and the state Lottery Commission, both of which are expected to meet within 10 days, Sportsystems spokeswoman Wendy Watkins said today.

State tax receipts reflect slowdown: CARSON CITY -- Collections from the state's gaming and sales taxes dropped $25 million in the last quarter, and Gov. Kenny Guinn said today he intends to continue the freeze on hiring of state workers.

Second slot machine glitch reported: WMS confirmed the problem after Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown cited it in a research report lowering WMS from "buy" to "market perform."

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Next year critical for Robinson: In the old days, I used to joke that if they ever opened a convenience store near the UNLV football offices they'd call it 4-Seven, because more often than not, that was the Rebels' record.

Commission licenses new Henderson hotel-casino: Located on Green Valley Parkway at the Beltway, the 201-room hotel-casino will be Station Casinos Inc.'s eighth major casino in the Las Vegas Valley, and arguably its most upscale. Station owns 50 percent of the property and will be its manager; the Greenspun family of Las Vegas, the owner of the Las Vegas Sun, owns the other half.

Dip into reserves needed for welfare recipients: CARSON CITY -- In another sign of the economic doldrums in Nevada, the state reported Monday that the number of welfare recipients has climbed beyond expectations, and emergency funds will be needed to keep the checks flowing to those on public assistance.

Coast revenue soars thanks to Suncoast, land purchased for future development: David Strow; Locals casino operator Coast Resorts Inc. posted strong increases in net income, revenues and cash flow for the quarter ending Sept. 30, thanks to the Suncoast hotel-casino near Summerlin.

Las Vegas Tournament boxes: Siena 62, Austin Peay 44

Municipal courts offer warrant relief during holidays: Angela Soo; The municipal courts of North Las Vegas and Las Vegas have a holiday gift for residents with outstanding warrants: a chance to clear their record and stay out of jail.

U.S. 95 widening will be done early: CARSON CITY -- The $400 million job to widen U.S. 95 in northwest Las Vegas may be finished a year ahead of schedule, state Transportation Director Tom Stephens said today.

District court decision could undermine tribal gambling: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- The future of California's tribal gaming law is in the hands of a federal judge, who must decide if the state gives American Indians an unfair monopoly on Nevada-style gambling.