Print edition for April 23, 2002

Visitor from Britain 'Scouts' LV troop: Perseverance is one of the three principles that has guided Boy Scouts in America for more than eight decades.

Pioneer LV hotel PR executive Kovell dies at 80: Las Vegas public relations pioneer L. Henry "Hank" Kovell, who organized local merchants to produce the first free coupon book that became a staple of the downtown gaming industry, has died. He was 80.

Wrestling championships set for LV: ESPN2 will televise the event on a delayed basis. The women's freestyle finals will be shown on the Oxygen Network, also on a delayed basis.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Staley cuts bad 'Deal' coming out early: All in all, it had to be the worst decision since a guy on "Let's Make a Deal" traded what was behind Door No. 3 for what Jay had in the box.

Columnist Susan Snyder: TV viewing is a real turnoff: Those would be the people who know how to turn on their televisions. I could just as well be in the 2 percent of Americans who, according to the nonprofit TV-Turnoff Network, don't have a television.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A world of difference: While the words of that song may provide a seemingly rational answer to the question of the Middle East muddle, they cannot stand the test of reality. Nevertheless, they do provide some insight for those of us still looking, however dull that picture may be.

Community briefs for April 23, 2002: The workshop, designed to teach senior citizens how to protect themselves and their money, will cover subjects such as personal safety, financial safety, telemarketing fraud and con artists.

Immunization schedule for April 23, 2002: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Rettig -- television host, educator, artist -- dies: Heinz Rettig, a former educator, longtime local television talk show moderator and artist who late in life found a market for his maverick abstract works, has died. He was 82.

Obituaries for April 23, 2002: Gary Norman "Jerry" Abelsen, 72, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born March 27, 1930, in Orange, Calif. A resident for eight years, he was a retired owner-operator of an automotive repair shop.

Wednesday's horse racing entries entries: Post Time 1:15 p.m.

B of A settles Vegas manager's discrimination suit for $420,000: Bank of America had offered in February to settle the suit for $500,000, with $350,000 distributed to Flick and $150,000 to her former attorney, Larry Johns, for fees and costs.

Trump, Ruffin in LV luxury condo deal: Jennifer Robison; New Frontier hotel-casino owner Phil Ruffin today said he's partnering with casino and real estate developer Donald Trump to build a 60-story, 300-unit condominium tower on Fashion Show Drive less than a block from the New Frontier and the Las Vegas Strip.

Editorial: Credibility gap hits the DOE once again: Isn't this the same agency that is publicly stating that Yucca Mountain is safe and that transportation routes will be protected against accidents and terrorist attacks? We can't help but wonder what it's saying privately on this issue.

March new home sales steady: Home builders in Las Vegas sold 1,937 new homes in March, up from 1,928 homes in the same month a year ago.

Malpractice premiums fall under new state program: Chris Jones; Doctors who want more information can contact American Governmental Risk & Insurance Programs at (800) 284-4747, Ext. 2277, by fax at (713) 652-2216, by mail at 333 Clay St., Suite 1215, Houston, TX, 77002-4005 or by e-mail, mlan@amgrip.com.

Higher profits reported by five Nevada bank, thrift operators: Salt Lake City-based Zions Bancorporation reported net income of $79.6 million, or 86 cents per share, for the first three months of the year vs. net income of $64.7 million, or 72 cents per share.

Sales for planning purposes: In a form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday, Station's top three executives indicated plans to sell as many as 1.5 million shares of stock. Chairman and Chief Executive Frank Fertitta III indicated plans to sell up to 682,000 shares, as did President Lorenzo Fertitta. Chief Financial Officer Glenn Christenson plans to sell up to 149,290 shares. At Monday's closing price, the shares being sold by the Fertittas would be worth $11.8 million each; Christenson's shares would be worth $2.6 million.

PCL box: Las Vegas - Tacoma: Ellis pitched to four batters in the fifth inning.

Health studies: Health studies

Court briefs for April 23, 2002: A Las Vegas woman who worked for a man suspected of bilking more than 1,100 people out of $40 million was placed on three years' probation Monday.

Group says health issues should stop 95 widening: Expansion talk

Man gets home detention: Louis Melendez admitted to acting as a $30,000 jackpot winner for the group in 1997 at The Rio.

Mandalay turns corner, reports growth: David Strow; Earnings season has been good to the casino industry so far. On Monday, Mandalay Resort Group said it is about to get better.

Letter: Time has come to criticize war on terrorism: To begin with, terrorists are not a set piece army that can be destroyed by our armed forces, as skillful as they are. Terrorism is a disease that has spread around the world with cells in most countries. Should the U.S. attack them all?

Wynn exploring IPO, sources say: One source said the deal had been proposed and was being orchestrated by Ron Kramer, Wynn's financial adviser. A Wynn Resorts spokesman could not be reached this morning.

Panel scrutinizes suicide hotline: CARSON CITY -- A state mental health panel has expressed concerns about the operation of a volunteer suicide hotline in Las Vegas.

IGT beats expectations for second quarter: The Reno-based company reported earnings of $73.9 million, 81 cents a share, on revenue of $530.4 million for the quarter compared with $53.6 million or 70 cents a share on revenue of $312.7 million for the same period a year earlier.

Big LV builder's profit rises: Net income rose to $68.1 million, or $1.11 a share, from $39.4 million, or 92 cents, a year earlier. Per share results reflect a 43 percent increase in shares outstanding. Revenue rose 64 percent to $1.38 billion, the company said.

Board probes bias, conflict allegations at treatment center: By Timothy Pratt; The Economic Opportunity Board, a Las Vegas nonprofit charged with community development, is investigating allegations of conflicts of interest and racial discrimination at its drug treatment center.

Sheehan glad to see Solheim Cup team getting younger: AP; Atop the standings is 26-year-old Laura Diaz, who earned her first LPGA Tour victory last month in Arizona. Cristie Kerr is a 24-year-old player from Miami who turned pro out of high school, won her first event last week and is fourth in the Solheim Cup standings.

Desert dreams: Developer envisions huge bedroom community for LV in Arizona: Jeffrey Libby; WHITE HILLS, Ariz. -- Like most people in this former mining town of 400 people, retired long-haul trucker Richard Hammond has heard rumors for years of big things coming to the long sweep of range that floats from these hills to the south shore of Lake Mead.

New judges appointed: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today appointed two women to the district court bench in Clark County.

Golf tournament scheduled: The tournament, co-sponsored by JCM American Corp. and the American Gaming Association, will benefit the National Center for Responsible Gaming. The NCRG provides funds to research problem gambling through Harvard Medical School's Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders and promotes problem gambling education and public awareness programs.

Berkley wants vets' hospital built in Southern Nevada: The area needs a facility that offers specialty services, an outpatient clinic and long-term care, Berkley told Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi in a letter today.

News briefs for April 23, 2002: Metro Police are investigating the discovery of two bodies found near Craig Road and Lamb Boulevard about 6 a.m. Monday.

Tougher standards lead to more 8th graders held back: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School District officials say a new law aimed at ending promotions based only on age is working -- the number of eighth graders held back from high school in Clark County tripled in the year since the tougher academic standards took effect.

Letter: Powell should have free rein: He is the only member of the "W" administration who shows the badly needed international diplomacy and statesmanship that is regressively lacking each and every day. We do not need a "Chamber of Commerce" foreign policy.

Letter: Bush could save face on Yucca: Any demented individual can derail a train or wreck a truck. It won't even take an organized band of terrorists. This is one reason that the Nevada governor has used his veto power by filing an "Official Notice of Disapproval of the Yucca Mountian Site" for the dumping of this most toxic waste.

Ellis struggles again, but 51s bail him out: Steve Addy; Like a golfer eyeballing his putter after missing a tap-in, 51s righthander Robert Ellis couldn't resist a glance at the left field wall Monday night as he trudged to the dugout.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: Wednesday's card

Agassi beats teenager in Clay Court opener: Also, seventh-seeded Todd Martin defeated qualifier Ignacio Hirigoyen 6-0, 6-4.

House Yucca vote likely to mirror panel's: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The expected approval of a Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump by a House subcommittee today likely will set up an overwhelming vote of support for the project by the full House, congressional sources said.

Park Service unveils new plans for lakes: A new National Park Service plan to manage Lake Mead and Lake Mohave would protect some natural areas, create a new scenic drive and allow for a slight increase in boating activities.

Bankers exhorted to fight Yucca: David Strow; Las Vegas real estate and media executive Brian Greenspun was asked this morning to give a sales pitch on U.S. savings bonds to a group of about 50 local bankers and business people.

TV show gives few Weber clues: Metro Police continue to search for Weber, 28, in connection with the April 4 slaying of Kim Gautier, 38, and her 15-year-old son, Anthony, in their home near First Street and Bonanza Road.

Charges are filed against priest: Kim Smith; A Henderson priest used his position of authority and religious teachings to lure five teenage boys into sexually compromising positions, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Severe emotional problems cited in foster care kids: CARSON CITY -- An estimated 30 percent of the children in foster care in Nevada are severely emotionally disturbed, a legislative study committee was told Monday.

'Pod' system works: 'Pod' system works

Editorial: Gray Lady all wrong on Yucca: The federal government won't level with the public on the issue of transportation because to do so would increase opposition to the Yucca Mountain project. The New York Times, the same paper that broke the Pentagon Papers story that detailed 25 years of government deception in Southeast Asia, meanwhile is telling its readers to have full faith in the government's word that it can safely move nuclear waste through their cities and villages onward toward Nevada for at least the next 30 to 40 years.

Williams pays fines, faces suit: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, has paid a $3,800 fine for failing to file his campaign reports on time, but he still faces a district court lawsuit.

Neonopolis readies for opening: Neonopolis readies for opening

Apple in her eyes: Steve Guiremand; Linda Frohlich was back at UNLV on Monday after spending her first weekend in New York City. And the good news is the second round draft pick of the New York Liberty still hasn't heard of three-card monte, the shell game or bought one of those too-good-to-be-true Rolex watches on a street corner.

Bear's best idea: restricted flight balls for PGA Tour: Victoria Sun; Power and accuracy.

Rick Pitino won't bring Louisville to Las Vegas: Pitino, who turned down an offer to become UNLV's coach in March 2001, said he wants to schedule games in Louisville's recruiting areas. UNLV is owed a $50,000 cancellation fee by Louisville.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Cable viewers denied fight as scheduled: Dean Juipe; Picture three guys standing in a line or a circle and let the inquisition begin.

Baseball team splits doubleheader at Utah: The win improved the Rebels to 21-22 overall, 7-11 in Mountain West Conference play. The Utes fell to 25-19, 9-9 in league play. UNLV lost the first game of the doubleheader, 3-1.

Filing deadline prompts moving flurry: Erin Neff; David Griego knew he had established residency in his new home Friday night when the pizza delivery man found the place.