Print edition for October 24, 2001

Editorial: Tougher standards are needed: More important than Harris' past failures, however, is the future operation of the public defender's office. County Manager Thom Reilly already has made sure that the County Commission approved a performance contract for Harris' successor, Marcus Cooper. The contract contains provisions that will measure his work, and that of his agency, to make sure that specific standards are met, a challenge that Cooper appears ready for. Establishing guidelines, and then continuously checking them to see that they're followed, will improve the workings and accountability of the public defender's office.

Community briefs for October 24, 2001: A two-day revitalization program, open to individuals and volunteer organizations interested in helping with a cleanup program at Red Rock Canyon will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Correction: The Sun regrets the error.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Dinner reception honors Neon Museum donors: Elizabeth Foyt; Barbara Molasky, president of the Neon Museum, and Roger Thomas, board trustee, spoke of the organization's mission to save, restore and display pieces of neon signage that have characterized Las Vegas for decades.

Strong suggestions for ideal cup of coffee: Max Jacobson; To do this, you'll need a competent grinder, and we should mention the differences between the types of coffee grinds. Coarse-ground coffee is good for percolators and coffee presses, while a medium grind is good for just about anything. In this grind, the grains should resemble salt.

Obituaries for October 24, 2001: Harold A. Barber Sr., 76, of Las Vegas died Thursday in a local hospital. He was born July 2, 1925, in Sedan, Kan. A resident for one month, he was a retired Army sergeant first class and World War II veteran.

Community Food Bank gets emergency relief: Diana Sahagun; The city of Las Vegas is hoping that federal funding will help local charities fill food pantries left almost empty after the Sept 11 attacks and the layoffs that followed.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Venetian an international destination: What goes around comes around. Lately I've been saying that a lot, and I'm especially happy to be saying it about the new International News at the Canal Shoppes at Venetian.

Casino security now a top priority: The challenge of keeping Las Vegas resorts safe in the post-Sept. 11 era no longer rests just with hotel security officers.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: LVMS' Powell: No word from CART 'in weeks': Chris Powell's phone hasn't exactly been ringing off the hook lately and that could spell bad news for local open-wheel racing fans.

Terror fears slow flow of Japanese tourists to Vegas: For years, the sight of a group of Japanese tourists following a tour guide along the Las Vegas Strip, through the malls and into the casinos has been as commonplace as cars in a parking lot.

Scholarship proposal unlikely to help: Steve Addy; Because of NCAA sanctions, UNLV's men's basketball team probably won't benefit from a proposed modification of the so-called 5/8 scholarship rule.

High-tech company woos rural residents: Jeffrey Libby; Residents of a rural Henderson neighborhood known for opposing adjacent development said they liked what they saw in an international high-tech giant with plans to move in next door.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Mister Banjo -- Baze aboard Mullins trainee, draws decent spot for mile opener, well placed for solid effort. Patio Boy -- Desormeaux atop Baltas trainee, draws just inside top pick, should be in the mix throughout. Value Play -- Armed 'N Crafty

Metro officer shoots to death armed man: Police said investigators found a note in the man's apartment indicating he intended to die. Officials said that it appears the man wanted to commit suicide by having an officer shoot him.

Hard Rock results not hurt much by terror: The Hard Rock, located on Paradise Road just east of the Strip, reported cash flow of $6.1 million, a decline of 2 percent from the year-ago quarter. Revenues fell 2 percent to $28.8 million, and the company reported a loss of $700,000, compared to a loss of $1 million taken in the third quarter of 2000.

Las Vegas hosting alternative show: Officials with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association decided to postpone their Oct. 5-7 show in Dallas to May 3-5 following the September terrorist attacks.

Life's reward: UNLV professor gets $500,000 for MacArthur Fellowship: By Ed Koch; There was a time when art critic and freelance writer Dave Hickey worried that if he didn't work on a given day, he wouldn't have the money to eat weeks later.

Union agitating over casino's closure: David Strow; The Culinary Union, incensed over Park Place Entertainment Corp.'s handling of the closure of the Flamingo Reno hotel-casino, is vowing to make the closure an issue in Las Vegas and around the country.

Senate approves two Nevadans for posts: Daniel Bogden, 45, cleared the final hurdle in the federal nomination process to become U.S. attorney for Nevada. He is acting U.S. attorney.

Las Vegas show included in deal: Cygnus Business Media acquired GSE Today magazine and GSEToday.com from Las Cruces, N.M.-based General Publications LLC and the GSE Expo from a General Publications subsidiary, GSE International Expo LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Thursday's horse racing entries: OAK TREE MEETING

Strong quarter reported: The company reported net income of $17.2 million, or 58 cents per diluted share, compared to $13.1 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Net income was reduced by a $1.9 million non-recurring charge; without including this charge, Argosy earned $13.1 million, or 62 cents per diluted share.

Nolan Senate bid causes rift in GOP ranks: Erin Neff; During state Assemblyman Dennis Nolan's four sessions in Carson City, the only controversy surrounding him was some light-hearted ribbing after he unknowingly passed along a pornographic computer virus to his colleagues' e-mail.

Nudist colony called health threat: By Emily Richmond; Clark County health officials are trying to shut down an unlicensed nudist colony uncovered in rural Sandy Valley that they say poses a risk to public safety.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Wagering not a drag for drivers, fans: Station Casinos odds to win the major categories in the ACDelco Nationals Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Problems grow for Las Vegas NAACP chapter: Stacy J. Willis; Despite the national NAACP leader's promises of a Las Vegas revival, the local branch is becoming more entrenched in controversy.

Tougher security precautions might be instituted for Yucca: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may impose tougher security regulations at all licensed nuclear facilities, including rules applying to a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

UNLV hosts Western Regional Championships: Members from 16 western teams will face off as individuals today through Sunday on 12 courts each day in both singles and doubles. The tournament is one of 15 regionals across the nation being played this week.

Drag racing odds: Drag racing odds

Apology accepted: Steve Guiremand; The theme for UNLV's football team heading into this weekend's game at Wyoming could be "United We Stand."

NHRA drivers sign at Imperial Palace: The event is being held in conjunction with the inaugural ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, which runs Thursday through Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Reid urges mayors to back projects: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., today launched another offensive to pressure President Bush to create hundreds of thousands of jobs by approving transportation and infrastructure construction projects.

Forti acting police chief during search: Mathis Winkler; City officials say Capt. Joseph Forti was the obvious choice to become acting police chief.

News briefs for October 24, 2001: A man suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a car Tuesday near Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Drive after an argument with another man at a nearby casino, Henderson Police said.

CCSN back-to-work program canceled: Jennifer Knight; A federally sponsored program at the Community College of Southern Nevada intended to help unemployed people get back to work has been canceled, the result of a state report stating that too much money was spent on staffing and other administrative costs.

Union in settlement talks with Park Place over bootleg tapes: Local 369 of the Musicians' Union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Musicians AFL-CIO/Canadian Labor Council, and three of its members sued Park Place, Concord Inc. and its subsidiary Neon Tonic Records, Act III Communications and Halcyon Entertainment.

Nevada lawmakers try to settle into interim worksite: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress is back to business -- but hardly as usual.

Recent local business-related lawsuits, rulings and dismissals: *A Clark County District judge issued a restraining order blocking the Las Vegas Valley Water District from entering into new agreements to provide power companies in Apex Industrial Park Inc. with water drawn from Hidden Valley.

Economic damage widens: The fallout to the U.S. economy from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks spread today with word of a record loss at American Airlines and big job cuts ordered by several U.S. corporations.

CCSN poised to hire another 'Tark': Steve Addy; If all goes according to plan, the stars will align correctly in 2002 and Community College of Southern Nevada will become the perfect Juco feeder program for UNLV basketball.

Vegas service discontinued: The fixed wireless service, offered to Las Vegas residential customers since June, uses a fixed antenna in the home instead of traditional phone lines to deliver local telephone service, as well as long distance and high-speed Internet access. AT&T Wireless said it will phase out the service over the next several months, "work(ing) closely with customers during this transition period."

Secret FBI wiretap revealed in Binion slaying: Local prosecutors handling the Binion murder case said this morning they were never informed of the FBI wiretaps.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Wins, losses secondary, Barto says: Dean Juipe; It isn't always occupied, but there is a hot seat as it pertains to UNLV and its head coaches.

Shaq laces up with Mr. Rogers: Victoria Sun; While Andre Agassi has spent the last 16 years striving to be the best men's tennis player in the world, his best friend was busy helping him achieve star status in the corporate world.

LV firms sued by government: A AAAAuto Car Brokers Inc., AAA Anywhere Anytime Auto Brokers Inc. and their owner, Katherine Ann Carter, were sued by the government.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Mayor at pivotal point in political career: I ALMOST felt sorry for Mayor Oscar Goodman on Monday. Almost.

Harter to take medical school post in LV: CARSON CITY -- Michael Harter, husband of University of Nevada, Las Vegas President Carol Harter, has been named to head the University of Nevada Medical School in Las Vegas.

Editorial: Keller's legacy will be tough to match: Keller rose up through the ranks in his long career as a police officer and earned the respect of fellow officers. As sheriff, he also acknowledged the need to punish those who bent the rules and, when necessary, vigorously supported the prosecution of officers charged with breaking the law. The sheriff understood that he was elected by the people, not the police force, and that his first responsibility was to protect the public from harm -- even if that came from his own police officers.

Letter: Threat to our security is real: I would remind the public that this bombing "overkill" in Afghanistan is not just against Afghanistan, it's against the very seeds that breed the scum who turned four civilian jet airliners into human missiles and over 5,000 Americans into fodder.

Letter: Enjoy the time you have left: Recent events jarred my memory. Some of us World War II slave laborers, now in the twilight years of our lives, once toiled at an aspirin plant making pill-boxes and such. Nowadays they also make antibiotics for anthrax.

Demand for English classes grows from laid-off workers: By Timothy Pratt; Across the Community College of Southern Nevada's three campuses and in nonprofit institutes around Las Vegas, the demand for classes in English is increasing as laid-off workers, many of whom are Hispanic, seek to improve their chances of finding a job.

Letter: Forcing religious compliance divides nation: Yet our own, presumably secular, government has created similar religious impositions in this country -- and is contemplating even more.