Print edition for August 13, 2002

Hotel-casino patron loses case: Gloria Semler, who was 69 when she fell in August 1998, claimed the Western was negligent for allowing a hazardous condition -- ice and water -- on the floor.

Governor ends ban on talks: Davis' lawyers decided the state now has the legal backing to proceed with talks, said spokeswoman Hilary McLean.

Highlights of FY01-02 revenue report on Nevada casinos: AP; -STATEWIDE: $9.3 billion win in fiscal 2001-2002, down 3.7 percent. In June, clubs won $714.1 million, down 8 percent.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Del Mar: Wednesday's card

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Oh, Meiers: Cimarron grad graces September's Playboy magazine: Perspiring and busy counting her tips, Meiers said she thought the proposition was a joke or that the woman had been drinking.

Local teen carries on firefighter's legacy: Stephen Curran; Thirteen-year-old Chantyl Peterson will tell the world today about the heroism of one firefighter who died Sept. 11.

Youth jail bidder's Florida work studied: CARS0N CITY -- The director of the state Department of Human Resources says he wasn't aware of allegations that a Georgia company that wants to operate the Summit View detention center may have had past problems in running similar youth programs in Florida.

Work continues on Fairfield Resort: Work continues on Fairfield Resort

Thompson remembered for compassionate service: By Emily Richmond; Las Vegas Sun Associate Editor Sandra "Sandy" Thompson was remembered this morning as a dedicated mother and wife, a compassionate family advocate and a journalist whose work helped change state law regarding children.

State firm won't cut doctors' insurance rates: A nonprofit company formed last spring by the state to help provide medical malpractice insurance for physicians who have difficulty obtaining affordable coverage has decided not to lower rates, at least in the near future.

Obituaries for August 13, 2002: Nancy J. "Nan" Attarian, 60, of North Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. She was born June 5, 1942, in North Las Vegas. A resident for 11 years, she was a retired waitress.

Indian gaming measure OK'd for ballot: Paul Davenport; PHOENIX -- A third Indian gambling initiative qualified Monday for the November ballot. Meanwhile, the Arizona Supreme Court ordered state officials to change an official description of a rival measure.

Party is spurning finance reports: CARSON CITY -- Candidates of the Independent American Party plan to protest the laws requiring them to file financial disclosure statements and campaign contribution reports.

Witness testifies detective admired robber's disguise: Kim Smith; Four years before Rae's Lounge was robbed by a man swathed in bandages, Metro Police Detective Jack Brandon expressed admiration for a similar disguise worn by well-known casino robber Donnell Johnson, a Tropicana hotel security expert testified Monday.

Wong hopeful against Tiffany: Erin Neff; With a sizable bank account, endorsements and media attention, Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany is her Republican Party's anointed candidate to become a state senator.

Metro officer seriously wounded in shooting: Mary Manning and Keith Paul; A Metro Police SWAT team found a suspected gunman dead in an apartment near Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue this morning after a patrol officer was shot and seriously wounded.

LV time share developer buying Internet firm: Leisure Industries Corp., which last month announced plans for a 10-year, $450 million renovation of its 18.5-acre flagship property near the Imperial Palace hotel-casino, announced Monday it plans to buy FareQuest Inc., Miami.

Woman suspected of hiring killers is arrested in Mexico: Kim Smith; A former Las Vegas woman suspected of hiring two men to rape and kill her former lover last year has been arrested in Mexico.

Foreman's killing blamed on witchcraft: Kim Smith; A 35-year-old construction worker charged with murder in the death of his foreman will likely go to a state mental health facility for an evaluation because he told police the foreman was a "witch" bent on placing a curse on him.

American Nevada, Del Webb unveil N. Las Vegas details: Jennifer Robison; Two big Las Vegas Valley developers revealed the name and other details this morning of their 1,905-acre master-planned development in North Las Vegas that many say will bring the fast-growing city more in line with the master-planned communities characterizing other parts of the valley.

July retail sales up 1.2 percent: Excluding sales of automobiles, retail sales went up by just 0.2 percent in July, the Commerce Department reported today. The retail sales numbers matched many analysts' expectations.

Security flaw alleged: Although Microsoft said it's too soon to judge the severity of the problem -- and even whether the flaw exists -- some programmers and consultants said it could threaten the security of everything from online banking to Web-based commerce.

Letter: Legalizing won't increase pot use: But in this state gambling is legal. Sky diving is legal, too. What keeps all of Nevada citizens from gambling or sky diving?

Letter: Independent board should operate UMC: Having been chief of staff at UMC for 1981-82, and a member of Executive Committee for several more years, it was brought to my attention in 1987 by an external audit report that "cooking the books" was a common and accepted practice.

Community briefs for August 13, 2002: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hikes, walks and programs free of charge, reservations are required. To make reservations or for more information on the upcoming programs, call 363-1922:

Columnist Dean Juipe: Schwikert has to go it alone: Dean Juipe; The best thing a top-of-the-line athlete in any sport can have is a rival, an equal of sorts who spurs interest in the competition and drives each to give their very best. Such an arrangement is ideal in terms of both marketing and performance.

51s whip Edmonton: Thurston finished with a single, double and triple, scored two runs and drove in two more for the 51s, who built an 8-1 lead after five innings.

Where I Stand -- Guest columnist Guy Hobbs: Assessing tax reform: THE CURRENT REVIEW of the state's tax structure is well under way and has produced an unprecedented amount of data and dialogue.

Editorial: Just what are they smoking, anyway?: The law in question is a necessary safeguard, preventing abuses of taxpayer money, but Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement is off the mark in this case. As Undersheriff Richard Winget has explained, Metro Police hasn't actively put forward its views, the department simply has responded to media queries for the department's take on the ballot question. It would be irresponsible to expect that the department would go mute, and not answer questions from the public or members of the media, when asked about such an important issue.

Letter: Invading Iraq not wise now: The war in Afghanistan resulted in causing a great deal of damage to the country's limited infrastructure, the killing of a significant number of innocent citizens, in addition to a ragtag bunch of ignorant foot soldiers in an army located in a very isolated place, and failed to get the main alleged perpetrator of a horrendous crime on the other side of the world. And, of course, there were U.S. casualties as well.

Immunization schedule for August 13, 2002: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Editorial: Tap wind, but inform the public: A joint partnership known as MNS Wind Power has hopes of someday being approved to build a wind farm at the Nevada Test Site that would ultimately provide enough power for more than 200,000 homes. The Air Force has rejected that proposal for now. But the company has another proposal for a site at Sandy Valley, about 50 miles south of Las Vegas near the California border. This will not be the last proposal that will come forward in our area -- the Department of Energy says wind is the fastest-growing energy technology in the world.

Federal grant to aid Metro's HART program for Hispanics: By Timothy Pratt; An innovative Metro Police program started 15 months ago to help undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime is poised to receive its first federal funds this fall, Sen. Harry Reid said Monday.

Nevada Power: PUC gave in to political pressures: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Power Co. says the state Public Utilities Commission "succumbed to political pressures" in cutting $437 million from the rate request by the Las Vegas utility.

9/11 all too real as firefighters meet: Stephen Curran; While thousands were dying at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, firefighter Paul Medeiros was witnessing a new life being brought into the world.

Park Place plan to leave Nevada Power OK'd by PUC: Park Place Entertainment Corp., owner of Caesars Palace, Bally's and Paris-Las Vegas, has become the sixth company to declare its intent to leave Nevada Power Co.

Earnings briefs for August 13, 2002: Southwest Gas Corp. of Las Vegas on Monday reported a wider quarterly loss as revenue declined and a legal settlement boosted costs.

Reilly calls county's fire investigation 'horrible': Adrienne Packer; Clark County fire investigators' probe into the AeroTech explosion was handled so poorly, the district attorney's office wouldn't have had a case to consider without the state's involvement, officials said Monday.

Brown hopes to turn Tide for the Rebels: Steve Guiremand; A record crowd of about 43,000 is expected for UNLV's season opener against Wisconsin Aug. 31 at Sam Boyd Stadium. But don't expect UNLV senior safety Connie Brown to be in awe of the turnout.

Schwikert ready for next step: Victoria Sun; Defending her U.S. Gymnastics Championships national title last weekend was anticlimactic for Tasha Schwikert.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gibbs denies Stewart returning to Indy Racing: There has been speculation -- even before his recent altercation with a freelance photographer after the Brickyard 400 -- that Tony Stewart may be tiring of life on the NASCAR circuit and might return to the less frenzied world of the Indy Racing League.

High ozone levels strike Las Vegas: The department issued a health advisory for active children and adults and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, urging them to limit extensive outdoor activities.

News briefs for August 13, 2002: A toddler and a North Las Vegas man drowned in separate incidents over the weekend.

PCL box: Las Vegas- Edmonton: Time -- 2:29. Attendance -- 5,951.

Dioxin cleanup begins near future interchange: Jeffrey Libby; A private landowner started cleanup Monday of 18 acres that the state highway department may need for a planned $90 million interchange at Interstate 215 and U.S. 95 in Henderson.