Print edition for October 3, 2001

Bus shutdown of little consequence to casinos: David Strow; Today's shutdown of Greyhound Lines is expected to have little impact on the already struggling Las Vegas casino market, observers and casino officials said.

Two accidents back up I-215: An accident occurred at 5:43 a.m. and then another struck at 5:47 a.m., said Trooper Alan Davidson, a Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Is it Tyson's luck, friends or own doing?: Dean Juipe; You reach the point where simple disbelief is the most prevalent reaction.

Terror fears may boost high-speed rail project: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Backers of a plan to construct a 300-mph magnetic levitation train route between Las Vegas and Anaheim say fears of terrorism in the nation's skies have focused sharp new attention on high-speed trains in America.

Aladdin is sued by fired exec: David Strow; The Aladdin's ousted chief executive has hauled the bankrupt Strip casino into court, accusing it of wrongfully firing him 12 days ago.

Cities work to win back tourists: A sentimental Las Vegas favorite will beckon tourists to visit the city in an eight-week, $13 million advertising campaign debuting today in six key feeder markets.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Suspicion abounds in wake of terrorist attack: MUSINGS AFTER a weekend on the Strip, a conversation with a gamer and an interview with a couple of lawmakers:

County, Las Vegas zone pact is tabled: Rural neighborhoods will not get protection from intensive development promised by a proposed pact involving Las Vegas and Clark County.

Public defender steps down early: Adrienne Packer; Clark County Public Defender Morgan Harris, whose division is the focus of an internal audit expected to be released any day, stepped down from his post Tuesday after 29 years of service.

Community briefs for October 3, 2001: Vintage and classic autos and hot rods will line Henderson's Water Street Thursday through Sunday for the Downtown Henderson Super Run 2001.

City considers pay for workers called by military: Diana Sahagun; The city of Las Vegas could become the first government in the Las Vegas Valley to set aside money to supplement salaries for its employees who are called to active military duty in connection with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Columnist Peter Benton: Nominations sought for Hall of Fame: Peter Benton; The Southern Nevada Golf Association is seeking nominations for the SNGA Hall of Fame.

Council shows support for changes to Alta Drive: Diana Sahagun; Bob Robinson has lived on Alta Drive for 25 years and has grown accustomed to the drag races, speeding and car accidents that penetrate his neighborhood on a daily basis.

Citizens mobilize against thrill ride at Stratosphere: Angela Soo; Residents who oppose the Stratosphere's latest attempt to build a thrill ride met Tuesday night to organize their efforts.

Obituaries for October 3, 2001: Thomas M. Abernathy of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born April 9, 1913, in Missouri. A resident for 39 years, he was an oil driller.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Vasser plans to be on podium in last 4 CART races: Jimmy Vasser hasn't had much to celebrate this season, his 10th in the CART FedEx Championship Series, but the 35-year-old Las Vegas resident plans to change that as the series enters its final four races.

Editorial: Move up schedule for river overpass: When the dam was completed in the 1930s, the winding road and narrow lanes were sufficient. But seven decades later the Hoover Dam bypass is a relic that just can't handle today's trucks, which are immense and overwhelm the road. Even without the restrictions on commercial traffic, implemented as a precaution to ward off the possibility of a terrorist attack against the dam, the Hoover Dam crossing has for years been a headache. What would be routine accidents on other highways can create traffic jams of monumental proportions on Hoover Dam, sometimes tying up traffic for hours. This also isn't ...

Letter: Terrorism is here to stay: It does not take millions of dollars to become a terrorist. Tim McVeigh proved that.

Central bank cuts interest rate to 39-year low: Citing the aftereffects of the terrorist attacks, the Fed cut its federal funds target rate on overnight loans among banks to 2.5 percent from 3 percent, putting the rate at its lowest level since 1962.

More than 200 stranded in LV: Mathis Winkler; More than 200 confused passengers were stranded at Las Vegas' Greyhound station after company officials grounded all buses early this morning as a result of the incident in Tennessee.

Editorial: Have no mercy for deadbeats: Of the total, the state Department of Taxation is owed the most money, an amount Augustine estimates to be $92 million. The Department of Taxation disputes Augustine's projection, however, contending that the actual total is only half that amount, with the remainder coming from uncollectible interest, bankruptcies and write-offs.

Lien against LV condos reduced: Clark County District Judge Gene Porter, in a Sept. 27 ruling, said Jones' lien is excessive and ordered the contractor to reduce the lien.

Unemployment claims take big jump: CARSON CITY -- Unemployment insurance claims in Nevada have more than doubled since terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

LV unemployment estimated at 7 percent-plus: David Strow; Unemployment in the Las Vegas metro area has probably topped 7 percent, the highest level in seven years, a local economist said Tuesday.

Colleges report no hate crimes: Jennifer Knight; A picture of tolerance is emerging at college campuses in Las Vegas, even as some Muslims and people of Middle-Eastern descent living in America struggle against prejudice and unprovoked assaults after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Henderson briefs for October 3, 2001: The city will swap land with Basic Environmental Co. in order to begin an expansion of the city's sewage treatment plant by next spring.

News briefs for October 3, 2001: Filing fees for District and Justice courts were increased by $5 Tuesday to help pay for additional Clark County attorneys who specialize in domestic violence and child abuse.

UNR standout making Tonopah proud: Steve Guiremand; Nevada-Reno running back Chance Kretschmer leads the Western Athletic Conference in rushing. But the item he finds himself being asked about these days has nothing to do with his 123.3 yards-per-game average, or his 162 yards in the Wolf Pack's last win over Hawaii.

Woman killed in blaze at home: Jace Radke; Metro Police homicide detectives and Las Vegas Fire Department officials are investigating a blaze that broke out in a northwest Las Vegas home Tuesday afternoon, killing a 56-year-old woman.

Awards: American School & University magazine awarded the Louis I. Kahn Citation to the library for its outstanding aesthetics, functionality, and diversity.

Letter: Protesters need to do more thinking: If not for Americans like us and other freedom-loving countries going to war, they wouldn't be walking these streets carrying signs. We gave them the freedom to protest.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Saks gives assistance to charity: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Shopping Weekend will take place Oct. 18-21 at each of Saks Fifth Avenue 62 stores across the country, as well as at the 50 OFF 5th outlet stores.

Council approves rural districts: Jeffrey Libby; After receiving phone calls for the past two weeks from Henderson residents adamant about preserving rural neighborhoods, the Henderson City Council on Tuesday voted to approve four such proposed districts largely intact.

Casino chiefs differ on Internet gambling: With the gaming industry on a rocky road to recovery after the East Coast terrorist attacks, some industry observers began wondering whether the industry would expand into the controversial sector of Internet gambling to jump-start business.

Study: Casino workers at risk of gambling: Kevin Ferguson; Casino workers are at greater risk than most people of developing disorders related to gambling, alcohol, smoking and depression, said a Harvard Medical School professor.

Jobless office handles phone frenzy: Mathis Winkler; State officials want to keep secret the locations of unemployment call centers.

Letter: DOE refuses to hear people: If Lander County gets two separate meeting dates, Clark County should get at least that. What about a hearing time for the people who will be affected along the routes? They deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard as well.

Commission OKs help for residents who lose jobs: Adrienne Packer; After bickering over which board member has done the most for the community during times of distress, Clark County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved measures to help workers who have been laid off since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

UNLV Calendar: THURSDAY: Volleyball, at San Diego, 7 p.m.

N.Y. visit: Firefighter stops by LV station: By Emily Richmond; New York City firefighter John McLean, filling up a 5-gallon bucket with rubble from the World Trade Center, stooped to pick up a dust-smeared photograph.

Mayor, city manager prepare to slow growth: Jeffrey Libby; For years Henderson has been known as America's fastest growing mid-sized city, but now the mayor and city manager are preparing to slow the growth because the city budget is not growing at the same rate.

Magic Johnson buys Fatburger: LOS ANGELES -- Legendary Los Angeles Laker-turned-entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a Fatburger customer for 20 years, has placed the ultimate to-go order: He's buying the whole chain, fries and all.

Some casinos cold to Culinary plan: David Strow; Las Vegas' largest casino operator is expressing a willingness to accept the Culinary Union's offer to reduce its members' hours for the next two months in an effort to mitigate the flood of layoffs that have swept the Strip since mid-September.

Las Vegas has its pick of pepper: Max Jacobson; Indeed, the entire history of the West can be traced to this pungent spice, which is native to the Malabar Coast of India and Sri Lanka. Columbus was looking for the Spice Islands, and pepper in particular, when he discovered the New World.

Reid renews fight for full benefits for vets: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is renewing an attempt to "correct a 110-year-old inequity" that prevents veterans from collecting full military retirement pay and disability compensation at the same time.

Better homes and gardens: Gizmos aplenty exhibited at Cashman Center: "It makes you wonder why you went out and spent all that money on a wet saw," said Bruce Kozak, who was wearing a microphone headset and demonstrating to a small crowd just how easy it is to cut ceramic tile using the Amazing Tile & Glass Cutter.

Casino industry shows growth in 2000: The AGA's annual casino survey reported more than 370,000 people were employed by commercial casinos in 11 states in 2000, an increase of more than 14,000. This does not include the estimated 200,000 employed by Indian casinos. Tax revenues received by the 11 states was $3.5 billion in 2000, up 14 percent.

Reid, Anka honored: Reid, the Senate majority whip, received the Industry Leadership Award "for his tireless advocacy of the gaming industry" and for serving as a voice on Capitol Hill for the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs are supported by gaming entertainment.

Guinn, Del Papa rip Yucca process: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn and Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa are complaining that the public has been given neither adequate information nor sufficient time to comment during the latest round of public hearings on the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Firm wants to revive suit over denial of license: The owners of Astoria Entertainment asked U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola to lift an injunction on the suit against former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. and former riverboat owner Robert Guidry, according to court documents released Tuesday.

Doubles tournament at the Sporting House: Doubles tournament at the Sporting House

'He Hate Me' on Eagle practice team: 'He Hate Me' on Eagle practice team

Soccer: UNLV women score victory over UNR: Soccer: UNLV women score victory over UNR

Mirage wins rulings: Sun Staff; The court granted a motion by the Mirage for a re-hearing in a case in which Joseph Canterino, a New York dockworker, was awarded a judgment after he was allegedly beaten and robbed of $100,000 at the Strip resort in 1992.

Air unhealthful for third day: Three Clark County Air Quality Division monitors recorded unhealthy air, including a 139 recording on the index at Lone Mountain Road in northwestern Las Vegas. That means roughly 139 particles of dust or smoke in a cubic yard of air. Pollution at this level affects primarily young children, the elderly and those with heart or lung disease.

Nevada National Guardsmen to handle airport security: Gov. Kenny Guinn said this morning he hopes to have 126 members of Nevada's National Guard ready to take up security positions Saturday at three airports in the state, including McCarran International Airport.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Andre Agassi charity event again a Grand affair: Elizabeth Foyt; An elite crowd from around the nation gathered in black-tie finery for spirited bidding on the bountiful silent auction and discussion of the live auction items, including private lessons with tennis greats Stefanie Graf and Agassi.

Chapter of Sharpton network opens in LV: The network is a national civil rights organization founded and led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

AHL team could land in Las Vegas: Steve Addy; Barely two years ago, Las Vegas drew interest as a destination for the NHL's Ottawa Senators.

Henderson's Herazo wins 28th U.S. title: Henderson's Herazo wins 28th U.S. title

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.

Nevada Rattlers join Western States League: The Junior B team is coached by 13-year NHL left wing Randy Burridge, 35, who played for the Las Vegas Thunder in 1998-99.

Judges deliver death penalty: Kim Smith; A panel of three judges decided Tuesday that a Las Vegas man should die for shooting and killing two men nearly four years ago.

Tuesday's prep results: BOYS SOCCER

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Turquoise Bead -- Hustling Espinoza on Baffert trainee for owner Earnhardt, draws good inner post for the mile opener, diploma for filly. Chez La Femme -- Draws rail post, McCarron on Barba trainee, should get the catbird trip for graduation chance. Value Play -- Tamarack Bay

Local guardsmen answer call: Jeffrey Libby; Sgt. Joseph Perez was rooted to the back seat of the station wagon, his three young girls, ages 9, 4 and 2, gathered in his arms as his wife stood by the open door, biting her lip.

Search on for shooting suspect: The officer's car was struck several times, but the officer was not injured, said Officer Terry Bowler, a department spokesman.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Double-digit 'dogs dominate NFL card: No fewer than six NFL games this week carry point spreads in the double digits - an astonishing number this early in the season.