Print edition for October 25, 2001

Prep girls volleyball standings: CLASS 4A

NFL Injury report: INDIANAPOLIS AT KANSAS CITY -- Colts: OUT: OLB Sean Harris (neck/ shoulder); WR Jerome Pathon (foot); WR Terrence Wilkins (chest). QUESTIONABLE: DE Chad Bratzke (ankle); T Adam Meadows (foot). PROBABLE: FS Idrees Bashir (ankle); CB Cliff Crosby (chest); CB Nicholas Harper (groin); OLB Ryan Phillips (neck). Chiefs: OUT: DT John Browning (knee); CB Ray Crockett (hand); T Victor Riley (leg/ankle); OLB Gary Stills (groin). QUESTIONABLE: WR Dante' Hall (shoulder). PROBABLE: DE Monty Beisel (shoulder); FB Tony Richardson (shoulder); T John Tait (hip); WR Chris Thomas (neck strain).

Judge dismisses allegation against LV councilman: Diana Sahagun; District Court Judge Sally Loehrer has dismissed a malfeasance allegation against Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack that could have resulted in his removal from office.

Valley's largest bus station approved by commission: Angela Soo; North Las Vegas could soon be home to the valley's largest bus station, twice the size of the Greyhound terminal in downtown Las Vegas.

Correction: Correction

Prep boys soccer standings: CLASS 4A

Future in Place: Downtown LV's redevelopment takes shape with City Centre debut: Diana Sahagun; Another critical piece of downtown redevelopment is in place today with the opening of City Centre Place, the first new office tower to open in Las Vegas in more than 25 years.

Utah officials deny homeless sent to LV: By Timothy Pratt; Utah officials denied Wednesday charges by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman that 1,000 homeless persons in Salt Lake City are being intentionally bused to Las Vegas to get them out of town before the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Pat Curran and Christine Fernandez: School: The Meadows

Obituaries for October 25, 2001: Gabriel Alspaugh, 29, of Las Vegas died Oct. 18 in a local hospital. He was born Nov. 30, 1971, in Las Vegas. A lifelong resident, he was a laborer in the landscaping industry.

Columnist Paul DelGiudice: Illegal fish, frogs found: Paul DelGiudice; Years of work by biologists to keep a native frog off the endangered species list and help the recovery of a threatened fish has been severely compromised by someone who put game fish and bullfrogs into ponds in Boulder City, according to the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Closed tent leaves only street for refuge: Jeffrey Libby; An out-of-work landscaper swept the curb in front of his cardboard bedding as another homeless man, who wore socks but no shoes, relieved himself against a block wall while vehicles passed by on Main Street.

Man killed by police officer identified: Police said investigators found a note in the man's apartment indicating he intended to die. Officials said it appears Daniels wanted to commit suicide by having an officer shoot him.

Lawyers move to seal FBI affidavit in Binion slaying: Just hours after it was made public, defense and government attorneys moved Wednesday to seal a 1999 FBI affidavit that obtained permission to conduct wiretaps on possible "co-conspirators" in the slaying of Ted Binion.

Columnist Peter Benton: Castaways sponsors celebrity tourney: Peter Benton; Entries are being accepted for the Rescue Relief Celebrity Golf Classic scheduled Nov. 15-17 at the Siena Golf Club.

News briefs for October 25, 2001: Vacuums are being used to whisk dust off mail sorting machines at post offices in Reno and Las Vegas to keep particles out of the air in response to the country's anthrax scare.

Homeless task force takes no immediate action: Diana Sahagun; More than 100 men spent last night sprawled out on the unyielding concrete near MASH Village, just hours after a homeless task force delayed immediate action on a plan that seeks to put an end to the long-running social problem.

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

Bush administration issuing new mining rules: The federal Bureau of Land Management today will release details of its new policy governing surface mining, a bureau official said.

Funds for Mexico are sought from Hispanics in U.S.: By Timothy Pratt; The highest-ranking Mexican official to visit Las Vegas since Vicente Fox became president last year announced two measures to link Mexicans on both sides of the border.

Sun Statewide Prep Football Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and Sparks Tribune.

Food help set for laid-off workers: Mathis Winkler; The culinary workers union continues to maintain a hotline for people seeking help getting food and monetary assistance. For English, call 386-5255; Spanish, 387-7039. To visit the Henderson suppor center,tcall 735-1090.

Booming locals' casino in Korea selling stock: SEOUL -- Hard times have been good times for Kangwon Land Inc. Since its casino opened last year, an average of 2,300 visitors a day have queued for a turn at its tables. Some sleep on its sofas or floors. Profit has soared.

Prep football standings: CLASS 4A

Fight schedule: Friday

Survey of gamblers: Online casinos not a threat to resorts: Kevin Ferguson; Internet betting is likely to expand the gambling industry as opposed to stealing business from traditional bricks-and-mortar casinos in Las Vegas and other gaming markets, a new survey of 3,000 gamblers worldwide indicates.

Columnist Dean Juipe: De La Hoya plans three more big fights: Dean Juipe; Anyone who has ever dealt with Oscar De La Hoya has long since learned that whatever he says requires a grain of salt. It isn't that he's a chronic liar, it's just that the opinions and views he expresses are routinely molded to fit his public posture that particular day.

CAT considers change to cleaner-burning fuel: Angela Soo; Diesel-burning buses that spit out smoky clouds may eventually be replaced by a cleaner, odorless fuel system, a community transportation committee said Wednesday.

Rossdale not beating around Bush's music: Kirk Baird; This is not meant to demean the trio, or indicate they are not as important or less musically inclined than Rossdale. (For the record, they are Dave Parsons, bass; Nigel Pulsford, guitar; and Robin Goodridge, drums.)

Letter: Give Guardsmen some free coffee: Many of these fine men and women have families at home, and if a bad situation should occur while they are on duty, they probably will be the first to encounter the problem there by putting their lives on the line.

Letter: Shame to lose dedicated teacher: This letter addresses a similar issue. This week my 7-year-old son's teacher from last year expressed to my wife that the district jumped his $60-a-month health insurance to $460 a month. His wife was in tears when he got home the day the notice arrived. His household is a single-income, five-member family.

Nevada celebrates its 137th birthday: CARSON CITY -- Nevada celebrates its 137th birthday this three-day weekend with a series of events including a giant parade, games, a carnival, parties and concerts.

Details, details: Artist Tim Gardner making watercolor waves: Kimberley McGee; Step back a couple of feet from the painting and a picture-perfect snapshot of young men at play comes into stunning focus.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Striper action suffers slowdown: Striped bass fishing in Lake Mead has been very slow in recent days while the action for largemouth bass has been good.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Children victimized by hatred: Ruthe Deskin; Unfortunately, many children are also taught to hate.

Letter: America needs to change its foreign policy: Here we go again, jumping into a fire without thinking the whole thing through. Maybe I'm crazy, but I see terrorism as only a symptom of a much larger problem. Why is it that these people hate us so much that they are willing to die to stop us? Wouldn't it be better if we fought the cause of the problem and not only a symptom?

New trial denied in '86 death: Kim Smith; A death-row inmate who had hoped a new DNA test would free him has lost a bid for a new trial.

Community briefs for October 25, 2001: The event will feature music, entertainment and a post-walk celebration. For more information or to register, call 933-3704.

Editorial: NAACP is in sorry shape here: The local chapter's problems began to multiply when it alleged that MGM MIRAGE wasn't doing enough to hire minority contractors. MGM MIRAGE executives listened and took steps to improve their relationships with potential minority vendors. Not satisfied, Collins tried to pressure the company to invest $100 million in a West Las Vegas redevelopment program. The demand by Collins ostensibly was to make amends for MGM MIRAGE's diversity shortcomings, but it appeared to be more like a shakedown. The gaming company refused Collins' demands, calling them "unreasonable and inappropriate." The national NAACP suspended the branch, saying it had contacted the company ...

Organizational shakeup expected in county offices: Adrienne Packer; Two Clark County department chief positions will be eliminated, and County Manager Thom Reilly will get a third assistant if recommendations made by an organizational review committee are put into place, sources said.

Illinois man to head child services: CARSON CITY -- An expert in child-abuse prevention in Illinois has been named administrator of the state Division of Child and Family Services.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Pictures don't lie: In this modern world of fax machines, internets, digitalization and home-styled editing machines, our reliance on pictures as the immutable truth to world events has been somewhat diminished. That is because the ability of ordinary people to do extraordinary things to the pictures we see -- in short, subvert them -- is something that we have yet been able to overcome. So we are left with pictures we once took for granted and with a truth about which we are no longer certain.

Chaparral grad returns home as member of Thunderbirds: Dick Benoit; Chaparral High School students and alumni who attended the air show in Jean last weekend saw the handiwork of one of their own.

Editorial: Dose of straight talk is what's needed now: Federal officials belatedly are acknowledging their limited knowledge about the dangers posed by anthrax. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson conceded Tuesday that the treatment of anthrax is an "evolving" science since so little is known about it, and U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher even admitted that government officials "were wrong" not to respond faster to protect postal workers from anthrax. The difficulty that doctors are facing is understandable, but that is why it is so important for government officials and doctors to level with us. Trying to paint a rosier scenario of a threat might quell the fears ...

Columnist Joe Delaney: Showrooms should keep giving locals a break: Joe Delaney; With Harrah's offering $10 tickets for groups of four to see Clint Holmes, "Skintight" or the Improv, plus the Scintas at the Rio through Nov. 30 and other hotels offering two-for-one deals to locals through Halloween, the participating hotels have an excellent opportunity to make show-goers out of the million-plus people who live in Clark County.

Holiday closings: Safety: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Administrative offices closed.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Zodiaque -- Draws good rail post for mile opener, Pincay atop Olivares trainee, should get the trip. Tonietta -- Blanc aboard Moger, Jr., trainee, draws good box, well spotted at this level. Value Play -- Priza

Net income down, but revenues rise: The drastically lower income was caused largely by a 62 percent decline in gain on investments, which fell to $470.1 million from $1.25 billion.

Marnell looking for win at home: After competing for nine seasons in the NHRA Pro Stock category without a win, Las Vegas resident George Marnell finally earned his first national-event victory last month in the AutoZone Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Historic expansion of gambling approved: The state Assembly gave final legislative approval early today to the largest-ever expansion of gambling in New York history.

Friday's horse racing entries: OAK TREE MEETING

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Motorcycle champ Savoie seeks new sponsor: Last year, Angelle Savoie was motivated by history in her quest to win the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship.

Write-offs cause loss: Sierra Health, a health care services and insurance company, reported a loss of $7.6 million, or 27 cents per share. This compares to net income of $2.7 million, or 10 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Police: Suspects' own words led to their capture: Keith Paul; Mounting evidence had been leading police to two suspects in the Oct. 2 shooting at a Henderson Police officer, but the pair's own words ultimately led to their capture.

Rahman vows to KO Lewis, Tyson: Dean Juipe; He has earned the right to make a prediction and have it be heard.

Timet cuts minimal in Las Vegas area: Kevin Ferguson; Titanium Metals Corp., which has a large plant near Henderson, plans to cut fewer than 25 local jobs in its titanium melting division in response to slowing orders from aircraft manufacturers, a top executive said.

Transfer of power: Spencer Patterson; When Patrick Gray transferred from two-time defending state champion Cimarron-Memorial to two-year-old Centennial High School in 2000, most of his former teammates called him crazy.

Wednesday's prep results: BOYS SOCCER

Unride-a-bull: Victoria Sun; Freddy Cordell talks about Jack Daniel's Happy Hour as if he were a proud father talking about his son.

Prep football picks: With Foothill resting Ford, give nod to LV: Spencer Patterson; After a bizarre week seven, things settled down quite a bit last Friday. This week, division titles, playoff seeding and even a playoff spot are up for grabs as the regular season crosses the finish line, Thursday night style. Look for big finishes from the area's top teams, as they hope to head into the postseason with momentum.

Catching up with: Richard Seigler: High School: Chaparral ('99)

Construction insurer to pay $22 million to Regent: David Strow; With the Regent Las Vegas now just weeks away from being sold, creditors of the bankrupt Las Vegas hotel-casino are fighting over the proceeds.

Three Rebels alive in Western Regional: Rebel senior Thomas Schneiter, the only seeded UNLV player (seventh), enjoyed a first-round bye before downing Jeff Harbach of BYU 6-2, 6-3. Junior Leslie Eisinga won twice, 6-2, 6-1 over Ryan O'Neil of Montana and then 6-2, 6-2 over Andrei Novacenu of Weber State, to advance. Also moving on in his UNLV debut was freshman Avivram Soloman, who downed Jacob Stocking of Eastern Washington 6-2, 6-0, and then Vedran Sirola of Boise State 6-1, 6-1.

Nepotism dismissal may be appealed: Kim Smith; A senior deputy attorney general said he plans to appeal a District Court judge's decision to dismiss a nepotism charge against Orlando Sandoval, a former community college administrator.

Clinical chaplain sees death from other side: Stacy J. Willis; Mostly she thought I don't want to die.

Buffett's tough Utah competitor joins Las Vegas furniture market: Kevin Ferguson; The R.C. Willey furniture and electronics store in Henderson is one of the chain's top performers after just one month of operations, said billionaire executive Warren Buffett.

Bill grants more Black Rock access: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress has approved legislation that gives sports enthusiasts and private landowners more access to land and roads in northern Nevada's Black Rock Desert.

Walters pulls bid to run city golf course: Diana Sahagun; Local golf course developer Billy Walters has withdrawn his application to operate a city golf course in northwest Las Vegas, saying the city's application process was inadequate.

Southern casinos lay off workers: And Boyd Gaming Corp.'s Treasure Chest casino in Kenner, La., has laid off 80 of its 1,200 employees.

Nolan still has shot at Clark County GOP endorsement: Erin Neff; The Republican Senate Caucus may have angered Las Vegas Assemblyman Dennis Nolan by endorsing a political outsider for an open seat in next year's elections.

Walters withdraws golf course proposal: Diana Sahagun; Local golf course developer Billy Walters has withdrawn his application to operate a city golf course in northwest Las Vegas, saying the city's application process was inadequate.

Rebels to face 'dangerous' QB in Wyoming's Bramlet: Steve Guiremand; UNLV defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson was watching tape of a recent Wyoming-Air Force game when one particular play caught his eye.

Profit jumps 47 percent for Vegas hospital operator: Karin Miller; NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- HCA, the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain, announced Wednesday that third-quarter profits increased 47 percent on the strength of patient volume and gains from the sale of HCA properties.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Gadget plays make for excitement: After watching last week's Colorado State-UNLV game in person and the NFL highlights on ESPN, I've got two words of advice for coaches at both levels:

Bigby shaking off the rust: Steve Addy; Rebels newcomer Lamar Bigby didn't play much hoops for the last 18 months, but he jumped through plenty of them.

Mack cleared of most serious allegation: Diana Sahagun; District Court Judge Sally Loehrer has dismissed a malfeasance allegation against Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack that could have resulted in his removal from office.

Columnist Larry Dixon: We're coming to LVMS with some momentum: Larry Dixon; The National Hot Rod Association and Snake Racing Miller Lite Top Fuel team are back this weekend for our second race of the year at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and things could not be more exciting.