Print edition for August 12, 2002

News briefs for August 12, 2002: Metro Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered near the railroad tracks at Tropicana Avenue and Valley View Boulevard about 8 a.m. Sunday.

Economic indicators on rise: The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research said double-digit increases in residential building permits issued, residential building valuation and commercial building valuation paced the index, which was up 0.12 percent over April's figures.

Executives rewarded with raises, stock: The MGM MIRAGE board of directors also awarded the quintet a total of 400,000 shares of company stock, valued at $14.3 million at Friday's market close.

Analyst touts company's stock: "It's a monumental, free-flow cash generator," Larry Haverty, a media and entertainment analyst at State Street Research & Management Co., said on the PBS show. "The stock looks real cheap."

Review: Cher basks in nostalgia at MGM Grand: Cher.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Shuffle Master acquires Vegas software firm: Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

Panda project draws protest: In Business Las Vegas, a sister publication of the Las Vegas Sun, reported this week the company's plans, publicized last month after a recent meeting between casino representatives and federal wildlife agency officials, have raised concerns among the Washington, D.C.-based World Wildlife Fund and others that the endangered species could be exploited.

Investors look to Greenspan for help with rate reductions: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- Could Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and his colleagues be getting ready to rescue the bruised economy and battered stock market by cutting interest rates?

US Airways optimistic despite bankruptcy: ARLINGTON, Va. -- US Airways has become the first major airline to declare bankruptcy since last year's terrorist hijackings, a move that came 11 months to the day after the industry was rocked by the attacks.

Las Vegas L.L. team bounced in 8 innings: SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Ryan Freberg singled home the winning run in the eighth inning, lifting Arizona to a 4-3 victory over the Peccole Little League All-Stars and eliminating the Nevada representative from further competition at the Little League West Regional Sunday.

Letter: Take oil fields back from Saudi Arabia: Rand has said that Saudi Arabia supports our enemies, attacks our allies (Israel), and is a "kernel of evil."

Screening begins for candidates for McCarran security: More than 2,000 people stood in lines that at times snaked out the double glass doors at the Alexis Park hotel this weekend as they sought jobs as security screeners at McCarran International Airport.

Frequency of plant inspections questioned: Adrienne Packer; Fifteen years ago, the frequency of Clark County inspections at high-risk manufacturing facilities was questioned after a Henderson rocket fuel processing plant exploded, killing two employees.

Terrell only mainstay on UNLV offensive line: Steve Guiremand; UNLV senior offensive guard Tony Terrell looks around the huddle these days and sees a lot of unfamiliar faces.

Killer loses high court appeal: Hinger claimed in his petition that his attorney was ineffective at the trial in which he was convicted of killing Scott Rehn and Jimmy Sorenson in 1994. Hinger claimed self-defense at the trial.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Ault quietly slips into Hall of Fame: Dean Juipe; With 19 former players and six former coaches on the dais, it was easy to overlook Chris Ault.

Women support Yucca battle: CARSON CITY -- Women are overwhelmingly in favor of the state continuing the fight against Yucca Mountain, while men are evenly divided on the issue, according to a published public opinion poll.

Six fired over lap dances at club: Keith Paul; Six Olympic Garden dancers were fired earlier this month after Metro Police saw the women having too much contact with their male customers during what police called a routine check of the club.

Letter: Clarifying the rules of the road: First of all, he states that the left lane is the "passing lane." Nowhere on the U.S. interstate system is there a designated "passing lane."

Still shakin': Experts explain lingering allure of bobbleheads: Kirk Baird; Yesterday's news.

Group focuses on teaching English as a second language: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada's 40,000 children who are struggling to learn English have a new group of friends, some in high places.

Birth announcements for August 12, 2002: July 15:

Herrera can call on Clinton, Gore: Jace Radke; Bill Clinton and Al Gore are among the high-profile Democrats who could visit Las Vegas before the November election to support Dario Herrera's congressional bid.

Harm to animals feared with proposed wind farm: The Nevada Wildlife Commission has dealt another blow to the embattled effort by a company to build wind-powered electric generators in Southern Nevada.

Here comes Pat: Tim Puet; LEXINGTON, Ohio -- The competition for the CART driver championship is a real race again.

Democrats see chance in Dist. 8: Kristen Hansen, 53, owns Kristen & Friends Manufacturers' Representative Sales Group. She serves on the Shade Tree shelter for women board of trustees and is active in Democratic Party committees and clubs.

Southwest Gas OKs ONEOK settlement: Southwest Gas Corp. announced Friday that ONEOK Inc., Tulsa, will pay it $3 million and both sides will end litigation against each other.

Republican race centers on medical malpractice: Erin Neff; The GOP primary for state Senate District 8 was once just about how conservative the district might head.

Faculty group has dilemma with endorsing regents: Jennifer Knight; Two candidates for the state Board of Regents will enter primary elections without key endorsements from the Nevada Faculty Alliance because the group just couldn't reach a consensus, officials said Friday.

Editorial: Furniture mart will help local economy: Local furniture dealers had a legitimate concern. They worried that after product shows World Market Center would invite the public over to buy furniture that had been on display, and that the prices would be so low that their sales would plummet. After the vote was postponed, long meetings between the local dealers and World Market Center went well, and an agreement governing such sales was reached. We hope the agreement holds up -- there are still some details to be worked out -- because the furniture mart will be an asset to Las Vegas.

Police accused of illegal campaign against pot: Keith Paul; The leader of a group pushing for a ballot question that would ease marijuana possession laws sent a letter this morning to Clark County Sheriff Jerry Keller accusing Metro Police of using government time and resources to campaign against the initiative -- a violation of state law.

Horse control blasted: A state board charged with managing wildlife resources blasted the federal government Friday for failing to control horse and burro populations in the Spring Mountains.

Editorial: Mobilize to meet deadlines: Times have changed, of course, but nevertheless it's wrong that our country's potential for industrial mobilization hasn't been realized this late into our new war. We refer specifically to the lament of airport managers, who almost to a person are saying they can't meet the Dec. 31 federal deadline for having the latest bomb detection technology installed to screen all baggage. Their floors aren't reinforced enough yet to handle the weight of the machines. Their current floor plans are inadequate for the size of the machines. Worst of all, only two companies manufacture the devices and they are nowhere near ...

Edison Schools submits pay schedule to district: By Emily Richmond; Edison Schools Inc., which owes the Clark County School District $7.7 in philanthropic funds for the seven campuses it manages, has submitted a payment schedule to the district for approval, officials said this morning.

Trappers edge 51s on single in 9th: EDMONTON, Alberta -- Matt LeCroy singled to score Lew Ford with the winning run in the ninth inning Sunday as the Edmonton Trappers beat the Las Vegas 51s 8-7 in a Pacific Coast League game.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Sunday's races: First Race DIAMOND HOPE -- Solis astride Mandella trainee, draws good rail post in turf route opener, Diamond in the rough? NATIONAL PARK -- British-bred is one-of-two up for a tag in the field, Desormeaux on Hess trainee, jockey-trainer combo are potent pair. Value Play -- SPLENDID TIMES

Columnist Ralph Siraco: With Anticipation emerges as Breeders' Cup turf threat: Ralph Siraco; The Breeders' Cup Limited, in association with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, conducted pari-mutuel future book wagering over the weekend on the three turf championship races that will be part of the World Thoroughbred Championships Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park Oct. 26.

State workers' spouse coverage to go up: CARSON CITY -- Come January, the health insurance premiums for about 2,000 state workers who cover their spouses will increase by 9 percent.

Gaming lifts Wash. tribes from poverty, study says: Nicholas K. Geranios; CHEWELAH, Wash. -- The jangle of coins striking metal at the Spokane Tribe's casino is music to the ears of tribal attorney Margo Hill.

Obituaries for August 12, 2002: LeRoy Banks, 50, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. A resident for 33 years, he was born Feb. 13, 1952, in Natchez, Miss.