Print edition for April 17, 2002

Community briefs for April 17, 2002: To commemorate Earth Day, AAA Nevada is holding its annual "Great Battery Roundup" to encourage the removal and recycling of old batteries.

Obituaries for April 17, 2002: Robert G. Bero, 74, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born Aug. 29, 1927, in Wheeling, W.Va. A resident for two years, he was a retired electrician, a Navy veteran, a member of Elks Lodge 28, Cave Club, Warwood Veterans Association, past president of Steel Workers Local 5760 and Omal Employee Credit Union, supervisor for the Chateau Kam Development and was a minor league baseball player.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Law Foundation ball raises funds for services: Elizabeth Foyt; These funds are further supplemented by the donation of legal services and money from supportive businesses, individuals and attorneys. In speaking of the organization's efforts in 2001, Rich Myers, chairman of the Nevada Law Foundation's Board of Trustees, reported its efforts to provide funds for 15 organizations and programs that provided various legal services and advocacy, assisting some 30,000 impoverished and disadvantaged Nevadans.

Letter: Keep porn on Strip from children's eyes: As I walked down the Strip, though, the surprise that I had initially felt about the city left me. Corner after corner, I began to notice rows of "newspaper" stands, all containing pornography with pornographic pictures displayed in the stands' windows.

Longtime conservationist, wildlife official Crunden dies: For more than 20 years fishermen -- from weekend anglers to the most skilled pros -- did not drop a line into Lake Mead without first reading Charlie Crunden's report.

Awards will cite neighbors who make a difference: The Neighborhood Congress Steering Committee is accepting nominations for the 2002 Impact Awards, established four years ago.

Columnist Peter Benton: Crenshaw, Jacklin headed for the Hall: Peter Benton; Ben Crenshaw and Tony Jacklin, both winners of two major championships, have been elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Brandon finds home in Vegas: This is not close-out merchandise -- everything is new. There are many high-end brands. The owners recommend that before coming to Brandon, shop around to compare prices on the same furniture.

Editorial: Rebuke of terror is missing: Meanwhile, the evidence keeps accumulating that Yasser Arafat and his Palestinian Authority have been acquiring weapons and giving the green light to suicide bombings. That is why Arafat's recent denunciation of terrorism rings so hollow, especially after his wife, Soha Arafat, told an Arabic-language magazine last week that she supported suicide attacks against Israelis, adding that they were a legitimate form of resistance. Some Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, pay lip service to denouncing terrorism, such as that which occurred Sept. 11, but not a peep is heard from them when terrorism is carried out by Palestinians. In some ...

Letter: Jobs are answer, not marriage: I think women in that position are there because of a man. If the woman did have a true man, he would be there supporting her and her kids instead of letting them fend for themselves in a work world that holds men more superior and pays them more.

Savvy wine buys: Luna '00 Pinot Grigio: Available at Lee's Discount Liquors, $17.99.

Letter: Nevada Power takeover needed: I have yet to see where the company has suggested any serious cost-cutting measures, such as firing the wonder boys who made all of the great decisions last summer or ordering minimum 10 percent pay cuts for all executives. Or how about eliminating all executive bonuses until they catch up with what they claim to have lost last summer?

Editorial: Let's not be content with below average: Board members will ask the 2003 Legislature for a 21 percent increase in education spending -- $857 million more than appropriated in 2001. This might just bring us up to about average. This won't happen, of course. The 2001 Legislature quickly snuffed out a bill draft from the board requesting an increase not even half that amount. But the Legislature should be prepared to discuss increases that would pull Nevada up to average over the next two legislative sessions. As we tell our students, if you're not making the grade, make a better effort.

Nevada receives record science grant: Jennifer Knight; Nevada has been awarded a $9 million National Science Foundation grant -- the largest grant of its kind in the state, university system officials said Tuesday.

Court rejects appeal over DNA tests: CARSON CITY -- The state Supreme Court Tuesday rejected an appeal of a prison inmate who claimed crucial evidence disappeared.

Tuesday's prep results: Centennial 11, Mojave 1: Brian Simpson tossed a complete game two-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks to lead the Bulldogs. Chris Bonnell went 3-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, Julius Rivera was 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs and Andy Primas went 2-for-2 with two runs and 2 RBIs for the victors.

EcoJam planned at Sunset Park: The event will feature more than 60 environmental exhibits, arts and crafts, clothing and food made from all natural products, information on what is being done to address local concerns, activities to promote awareness of environmental issues, entertainment, and a children's area to teach kids how they can make a difference by creating free make-n-take craft projects. Admission is free.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- MY KAI - Draws good post for short straight dash opener, hustling Pedroza on owner Ward trainee, pop and go here. STAR NINE - Baze aboard Duncan trainee, needs to be quick from the blocks in 2-furlong run, rates a Nine on scale of ten. Value Play -- MS POWFUL

Ruff duty: Plagued by dog attacks, letter carriers learn art of defense: Sportively squirming, she charmed the small crowd looking down at her at the East Las Vegas post office on Mountain Vista Street.

Minority investors debate Emerald deal: Nicole Ziegler Dizon; CHICAGO -- Emerald Casino Inc. and most of the minority investors in its ill-fated Rosemont casino project urged the Illinois Gaming Board on Tuesday to accept a settlement that would let MGM MIRAGE buy their shares and send $300 million to the state.

TRW rejects Northrop offer: TRW said the latest bid, which was increased Sunday to $53 a share from $47, is still inadequate. The company raised its second-quarter and full-year earnings forecasts, touting sales of military hardware, and said first-quarter profit rose 17 percent.

Key votes: Parties court growing Hispanic constituency: By Timothy Pratt; Americo Mia, nervous but happy after being sworn in as a citizen earlier this month on the sixth floor of the George Federal Building, stopped on the first floor to take his next step as an American -- registering to vote.

Big Game drawing yields three winners: Kyle Wingfield; ATLANTA -- Three winning tickets were sold for the $325 million Big Game jackpot in Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey, lottery officials announced today.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Mayweather has issues, legal woes: Dean Juipe; I have to admit John Moran III took me by surprise.

Extortion, kidnapping not the case, attorney says: Kim Smith; A defense attorney for a former North Las Vegas police officer on trial for kidnapping and extortion told jurors Tuesday that two fellow cops set up his client.

Assistant county manager Alastuey resigns from post: Adrienne Packer; Just three months after he was taken off the troubled Regional Justice Center project, Assistant Clark County Manager Mike Alastuey announced his resignation Tuesday.

UNLV signs four high school standouts: Northern California products Joanna Jackson and Erin Sigala are the latest players to sign with the Rebels. They join Britney Hillyer of Eagle Point, Ore., and Carly Petracco of Boca Raton, Fla., who committed during the early signing period last fall.

Senior Rx touted to Congress: "While we all face the same budget realities, it is our hope that our country can at least begin to offer low-income seniors some assistance with their prescription bills," Michael Hillerby, Gov. Kenny Guinn's deputy chief of staff, said in testimony prepared for the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health. "This is not a battle states can win on our own, and this population desperately needs our assistance."

Teachers air beef with district on radio: By Emily Richmond; Clark County teachers have taken their contract dispute with school district administrators to the airwaves, using radio spots to try to rally the public behind their bid for better pay and benefits.

Vegas golf courses settle federal access complaint: The Department of Justice said Tuesday that the Sun City Summerlin Community Association Inc. has agreed to a policy that will enable the disabled to use power carts on paths, walkways and around greens on Sun City's Highland Falls, Palm Valley and Eagle Crest golf courses.

Sacramento beats 51s in 13-inning marathon: Dye, the Oakland outfielder who fractured his left fibia in Game 4 of last year's American League Championship Series against the Yankees, had a double and scored the River Cats' go-ahead run that gave Sacramento a brief 6-5 lead.

Relf can't wait to get his hands on the ball: Steve Guiremand; David Relf's road to Division I football was a long and winding one. But four years after helping lead Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif., to a San Gabriel Valley League title, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound wide receiver finally got his wish at UNLV.

Convenience factor behind spread of LV grocery store banking: Chris Jones; Las Vegas-area grocery stores increasingly are attracting banks and credit unions as tenants in deals that are providing benefits for both parties -- and consumers too.

Las Vegas casino resort business is picking up: David Strow; Las Vegas casino giants MGM MIRAGE and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. each handily beat first-quarter earnings expectations, propelling the stock price of both companies to 52-week highs this morning.

Dodgers games to air on KSFN: The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the air -- or at least back on the air in Las Vegas.

Nevada taxable sales down in February: CARSON CITY -- For the second time in three months, taxable sales in Nevada declined from the previous year as the state's economy continues recovering from the recession and the September terrorism, the state Department of Taxation reported today.

Welfare rolls up for 11th straight month: CARSON CITY -- The number of welfare and Medicaid recipients in Nevada continued to increase in March.

HRs help UNLV top Southern Utah: The win improved the Rebels to 18-21 while the Thunderbirds fell to 5-24.

Nevada Power: Future hookups in doubt: Nevada Power Co. says its financial situation is so grave it is no longer certain it can provide reliable electricity to future residential and business developments in the Las Vegas Valley.

Yucca ads focus on a handful of states: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The lobbying campaign on Yucca Mountain in the Senate has become a game of inches in which a handful of senators could decide the fate of the proposed nuclear waste repository.

State sues Andersen over loss: The suit accuses Andersen of fraud, negligence and recklessness in its audit work for the failed Houston-based energy trader.

Business briefs for April 17, 2002: The parent company of Business Bank of Nevada on Tuesday reported first-quarter earnings of $233,817, or 14 cents per common share, an improvement from the $108,709 or 7 cents earned during last year's first quarter.

Trump gets OK for Indian casino: Trump Hotels, led by developer Donald Trump, will manage the casino under a five-year agreement with the owners, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, said John Burke, treasurer of the company. The casino is 140 miles east of Los Angeles in Coachella, Calif.

Alleged con man starts his own website: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man accused of bilking more than 1,100 people out of millions of dollars now has his own website.

News briefs for April 17, 2002: Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said Erwin "Sleepy" Huerta killed Antonio Ramos after their girlfriends got into a fight. The two men had never met, Kane said.

Riverboat plan may expand: Dan Lee, former chief financial officer of Mirage Resorts Inc. of Las Vegas, said that he plans to come to Louisiana this week to look at the site, which is being leased from the Port of Lake Charles.

LV man gets 30 years for making meth: Jace Radke; A 35-year-old Las Vegas man convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Sightings of slayings suspect reported: "We're getting a lot of calls about him. We are looking into all the information," said Sgt. Rocky Alby of Metro's homicide section. "We're getting an awful lot of sightings that don't turn out to be him. But sooner or later one will be right."

Cost for Henderson college increases: The money approved by the Henderson City Council will bring new utilities into a former manufacturing plant and help keep pigeons out.

FTC fears thousands defrauded by LV firm: Grace Leong; The Federal Trade Commission said it raided a Las Vegas company, found evidence of wrongdoing and had $1.2 million of its assets frozen by a federal judge.

Sign of the times: Cities stuck with too much office space: Brian Bergstein; SAN FRANCISCO -- Economists see signs the recession is abating, but that's little consolation to those who own office space in America's cities, where rents are plummeting because of the biggest glut of commercial real estate in years.

Culinary Union proposes two-year pact: Facing economic fallout from Sept. 11 and a firm negotiating deadline only six weeks away, the Culinary Union is proposing an unprecedented two-year collective bargaining agreement with Las Vegas casinos.

Apartment fire victim dies: Karter F. Rowley, 40, was burned over 70 percent of his body during the fire April 5 in an apartment in the 700 block of Rock Springs Drive, near Washington Avenue and U.S. 95.

North sends its cooling wind to valley: Mary Manning and Ed Koch; A wind advisory and health alert were in effect in the Las Vegas Valley today as windy conditions returned.

Gusts could prompt health alert: Mary Manning and Ed Koch; A wind advisory was in effect in the Las Vegas Valley today as a return to blustery conditions was expected.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Fisher hopes to be with new team for Indy 500: It took Sarah Fisher only three days with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing to realize that she would like to remain with the Indy Racing League team well beyond this Sunday's race at Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway.

Counties removing inactive voters: CARSON CITY -- Republicans outnumbered Democrats in Nevada's active voter registration count at the end of March, Secretary of State Dean Heller said Tuesday.

DNA test shows rapist guilty: Kim Smith; A convicted rapist serving multiple life terms has been proved guilty through DNA tests that he demanded be done 11 years after he was convicted.