Stories published August 15, 2002Las Vegas Sun

Forgiveness sought during special Mass: Stacy J. Willis; In a turnabout of traditional confession, the Catholic Church asked parishioners for forgiveness Wednesday at a special Mass for victims of abuse by priests.

Schools beat the schedule: By Emily Richmond; The Aug. 26 opening of nine new campuses will be ahead of schedule and under budget -- what more could critics of the Clark County School District's building program want, Superintendent Carlos Garcia asked Wednesday.

Editorial: Nice to see change of priorities: Guinn said one of his spending priorities, in lieu of the $39 million High Desert expansion, will be for increasing the scope of mental health services in Southern Nevada. For years, Southern Nevada has been under served in the area of mental health facilities. This vital service has never fully recovered from cuts made during the previous administration in response to a sagging economy in the early 1990s. Over time, a shortage of mental health services has exhibited itself in the form of more homelessness, more crime and more frustration for the family members of those who are mentally ill. ...

County Commission District E: Democrats Tony Badillo and Nevada Stupak are challenging incumbent Democrat Myrna Williams in the District E primary. Republican John Stanhagen is running unopposed in his party.

State Board of Education District 5: Rocha, 54, has a master's degree in education. Her goals for the year include reducing Nevada's high school dropout rate and improving school nutrition.

County Clerk: Democrats Sam Bledsoe and Richard Lucci are eyeing Parraguirre's office overseeing all records for District Court, Family Court and the county commissioners. Republican Gilbert "Gil" Avila, Independent American Dawn Pizzorno Hansen and Natural Law party member Christy Russell are also running for the office.

Letter: Congress caused financial woes: "When the bubble is inflating, there are no complaints. When it bursts, the blame game begins. ... It quickly becomes a philosophic, partisan, class, generational, and even a racial issue" -- and the only ones who benefit are "the central planners in Washington" and their allied special interests.

Family Court Department L: The Legislature approved adding a 12th judge to ease the caseload burdens.

County Commission District F: Cory, an attorney and U.S. Bankruptcy trustee for Southern Nevada, said he wants to open public access to commissioners by publishing his personal schedule of appointments, creating a public information hotline and holding mandatory hearings in neighborhoods when zoning changes are proposed. Scout master and volunteer with Muscular Dystrophy and Cystic Fibrosis associations, he also said he plans to review public projects monthly to prevent cost overruns.

Board of Regents District 5: The two candidates will run against Donald Edward Fondriasopolous. District 5 is between Nellis Boulevard and the Las Vegas Strip to the east and west and Cheyenne and Desert Inn to the north and south.

Las Vegas Constable: The constable offices serve court papers and enforce court notices and evictions.

Public Administrator: The Democratic primary features Dan Ahlstrom, Gina C. Cinquegrani, Adrian Mendoza and Mike Pierson.

District Court Department 7: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

Secretary of State: Democrat William "Wild Bill" Hamma, Natural Law candidate Lois Avery, Independent American Christopher Hansen and Green party candidate Paul Lenart are all competing for Heller's position overseeing the Elections, Commercial Recordings, Securities Fraud and Notary divisions of the state. None of the candidates have opponents in the primary.

State Controller: Democrat John Lee, Independent American Lisa Black and Libertarian Chuck Eby are eyeing Republican Augustine's position overseeing the state's accounting office.

Perkins pushes abduction-alert system: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins wants to set up a statewide system using highway reader boards, radio broadcasters and emergency alert messages across the bottom of television screens to help find children who have been kidnapped.

County Commission District G: Reid is the past chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party, past vice chairman of the Nevada Taxi-Cab Authority and past member of the Clark County Citizens Committee on Efficiency in Government. The attorney said he plans to improve neighborhood safety and public transportation if elected.

Letter: Delaney will be remembered for many reasons: He was more than a friend, really. He possessed the highest qualification for a man: he was human. As a show producer, columnist, teacher and mentor to many, Joe could show both an irascible side and a remarkable ability to be provocative.

Lieutenant Governor: Also vying for the job are Republican Gerry Larrivee, Democrat Erin Kenny, Libertarian William Billy Oswald and Independent American Merrit Ike Yochum.

State Supreme Court: Former District Judge and congressional candidate Don Chairez is running against Chief Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin for Seat B.

District Court Department 20: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

State Treasurer: Krolicki served as chief deputy state treasurer for the seven years prior to his election in 1999. He is currently president-elect for the National Association of State Treasurers, president of the Western State Treasurers Association and president of the Nevada Government Finance Offices Association.

Board of Regents District 12: The district stretches from Desert Inn to the south to the northern edge of Clark County and is bordered by Pecos Road to the east and Buffalo Drive to the west.

District Court Department 14: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

Congressional District 3: Front-runners Jon Porter, a Republican, and Dario Herrera, a Democrat, have been campaigning against each other for months, but before they can face off in November, they must run a gantlet of challengers in the primary.

Letter: Intensive English beats bilingual: There's a very simple and effective way out of this problem. Follow the lead of California and Arizona. Dump bilingual education for the dinosaur it is and substitute one academic year of intensive English.

Clark County School Board District F: The Clark County School District is sixth-largest in the nation with more than 250,000 students expected when classes resume Aug. 26.

County Treasurer: The county treasurer is responsible for the billing, collection and disbursement of all property taxes and other county funds, as well as managing county investment portfolios.

County Recorder: Republicans Frances "Fran" Deane and James "Jim" Edwards face off in the September primary along with Democrats Wes McPherson, Bob Spencer and Anita Springs. Independent American Gregory G. Hansen and Green Party candidate Brandi J. Harrington are also running for the position, which oversees all public records such as property deeds, maps, mining claims and marriage certificates.

Clark County School Board District G: The Clark County School District is sixth-largest in the nation with more than 250,000 students expected when classes resume Aug. 26.

State Board of Education District 6: Boylan, 50, holds a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has been teaching at the college level for 12 years and served four years on the Winchester Town Board. If elected, Boylan said he would focus on improving accountability.

Governor: Guinn has support from voters on both sides of the aisle, a pile of endorsements and more than $2 million in the bank.

Board of Regents District 2: The district lost its elected leader, Regent Tom Wiesner, to leukemia this year, leaving the position temporarily filled by Laura Lopez Hobbs until the November election.

County Assessor: Republican Jonathan Galaviz, 25, proposes a property tax rebate and exemption program that will increase low-income property ownership, he said.

Attorney General: Hunt, now in his own private firm, has worked for the Morton Galane law firm, the Nevada Gaming Control Board Audit Division and as a legal intern for Sen. Howard Cannon. The retired U.S. Air Force Sergeant said he plans to aggressively fight Yucca Mountain, work toward a better remedy in the malpractice insurance crisis and deter utility rate increases.

Sheriff: The top two vote-getters in the primary election will face each other in the general election in November.

Family Court Department J: The two top vote-getters will advance to the November election.

District Court Department 1: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

District Attorney: The most contested primary in the race has Republicans Abbi Silver and David Roger, both chief deputy district attorneys with more than 10 years of experience, facing off in September. Democratic candidates, Assistant District Attorney Michael Davidson and attorney Dawn Allysa Hooker, along with Independent American Joel F. Hansen, are also competing for the office.

State Board of Education District 2: Incumbent Gary P. Waters will face newcomer Roger "Oz" Baum for the District 2 seat.

District Court Department 4: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

District Court Department 21: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

Columnist Brian Hildernbrand: Henderson offers SCORE three-year contract: Brian Hildernbrand; The City of Henderson has offered SCORE International a three-year contract to continue holding the SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 off-road race.

PCL box: Las Vegas - Calgary: WP--Mota 2, Borland. T--3:34. A--3,402.

Obituaries for August 15, 2002: Ralph Carl Bergen Jr., 62, of Pahrump died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 27, 1940, in New York. A resident for one year, he was a landscaper.

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

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 4 p.m.

Board of Regents District 3: District 3 is bordered by Interstate 15 to the west and Pecos Road to the east and includes areas between Sahara Avenue to the southern tip of the city of Henderson.

Ex-Rebel Clark signs with Kings: Clark, the 6-foot-11 forward whose acrobatic blocks and dunks have made him a staple of NBA highlight reels, signed a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday for the $4.5 million mid-level salary cap exception.

District Court Department 5: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

District Court Department 10: Valoria J. Vega, Ron D. Parraguirre, Joseph Bonaventure, Lee Gates, Jennifer Togliatti, Michael Douglas, Michelle Leavitt, Mark Ralph Denton, Sally Loehrer, John S. McGroarty, Michael A. Cherry, Nancy M. Saitta and Allan R. Earl are all running unopposed for re-election.

Editorial: Spanish-speaking aid helps victims: There are between 60,000 to 125,000 undocumented immigrants in Southern Nevada. And for those who are crime victims, they may fear reporting it to the police because they worry about being deported. Having someone who speaks English can help alleviate undocumented workers' fears of the police, so that they understand that the police are there to help victims and not deport them. Legal immigrants who aren't as familiar with English also can be in need of interpreters, another program highlight.

Congressional District 2: Incumbent Jim Gibbons, 57, a Republican, is being challenged by a Democrat 27 years his junior, as well as candidates from the Independent American, Libertarian and Natural Law parties.

Congressional District 1: Boggs McDonald, 39, and Ordunez, 45, are the only candidates in the race who will face primary challenges. Berkley has no opponent in the Democratic primary. Neither do W. Lane Startin, 29, of the Green Party or Steven "Capt. Truth" Dempsey of the Independent American Party.

Assembly District 23: Kelwin J. Perkins, who had registered to run against Richard Perkins, withdrew his candidacy and his name will not appear on the November ballot.

Assembly District 5: Republicans David Griego and Valerie Weber are facing each other in the primary with John Ellerton, a Democrat, waiting for the winner in November.

Where I Stand -- Guest columnist Gary Peck: A fair way to screen: THE NEVADA Gaming Commission, through its enforcement arm, the Gaming Control Board, has been considering changes to state gaming card regulation that are in some regards encouraging but are in others troubling. The Control Board has held hearings on the subject pursuant to a law passed last legislative session requiring consolidation of the statewide system. These proceedings have attracted the interest of the ACLU and other advocates who are determined that any new scheme be constitutional and fair.

Assembly District 6: However, the eight-term Democrat representing North Las Vegas will face Republican Devon Mennenoh in November.

Senate District 8: Three-term Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske is running against attorney Tom Christensen on the GOP side. Small-business owner Kristen Hansen faces a challenge from pool contractor Ed Portello on the Democratic side.

Assembly District 1: Collins, 52, a journeyman electrical contractor, faces a Democratic primary opponent in Brent Howard, 45, a small-business employee.

Assembly District 41: Republicans Phillip Dane and Anders Sorensen will square off in the primary.

Assembly District 8: Buckley, 41, is an attorney and executive director of Clark County Legal Services. In her four terms in Carson City she sponsored legislation on consumer protection, health care and education.

Assembly District 9: Giunchigliani, 47, is a teacher who is focusing on affordable, available health care, senior issues and prescription drugs.

Assembly District 17: Republican Luis Valera, 28, a financial planner, awaits the winner in November.

Senate District 5: On the GOP side five-term Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany is challenged by former Assemblyman Bob Wong.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Stricken by loss of Thompson: Ruthe Deskin; Why was this dear person taken from us?

'Elvis: The Concert' coming to Aladdin: "Elvis: The Concert," the production that reunites former Elvis Presley bandmates live onstage with Elvis performing on video on a two-story screen, will be at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts on Aug. 24. The show begins at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $35 to $55.

Assembly District 20: Republican Joe Hardy, a Boulder City Councilman and former Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, a Democrat, will be on the general election ballot.

Assembly District 37: GOP hopefuls are Earlene Forsythe, Francis Allen, Gary Horrocks and Alan Lefebvre. Democratic candidates are Teresa "Terrie" Price, Marcus Conklin and Lloyd Hargis.

Assembly District 22: The winner will meet in the general election Caren Levenson, a Democrat who is unchallenged, and Jesse Harris of the Independent American Party.

Assembly District 18: Manendo, 35, is a consultant and assistant majority whip of the Assembly. He wants to reduce the state's legal blood alcohol limit to .08; reduce the distance elementary school children must walk to 1 1/2 miles; create rent justification for residents of manufactured housing and create a statewide no-call list and fines for telemarketers who call people on the list.

The King and I: Argeanas is the Sun's own Elvis: "I started when I was 3," the 43-year-old Argeanas said in a recent interview. "My father used to bring home all these 45-rpm records, all different kinds. One time he brought home an Elvis 45, 'All Shook Up.' I played it 100 times in a week. I wore it out."

Assembly District 11: Bache, 50, is a Clark County School District teacher with six sessions under his belt. He has chaired the Government Affairs Committee for the last four sessions.

Senate District 7: Care, 55, is an attorney and chairman of the state Democratic Party. He plans to focus on an overhaul of Nevada's tax system, additional funding for public education and health care availability.

Assembly District 15: McClain, 58, is program manager for Clark County's Senior Advocate Program.

Assembly District 34: Republican Geny Del Rosario and Democrat William Horne are the candidates.

All shook up: 25 years after the King's death, Elvis impressionists wax rhapsodic: Even 25 years after his untimely death, the man who set the standard for rock 'n' roll in the '50s is still movin' and shakin'.

Assembly District 2: Berman, 56, a real estate developer first elected in 1997, is committed to resolving the malpractice crisis.

Assembly District 12: Ohrenschall is an attorney who has served in four sessions.

Assembly District 14: From there, the winner faces a degree of uncertainty because lone Republican hopeful George "Yiorgo" Aretos says he has withdrawn from the race.

Assembly District 13: Kalagian, who is making his first run for office, has volunteered for a number of campaigns in the past 20 years and was a project coordinator for Sen. Richard Bryan and advocate for Circle of Friends for Veterans, a nonprofit veterans group.

Smith receives graphics honor: Lori Smith, vice president of marketing for GivaudanAccess, received the award for her guidance in maintaining the company's brand across different mediums. GivaudanAccess creates flavor and fragrance ingredients.

Assembly District 4: Beers will face Democrat Howard Wade Bycroft in November for the district that includes Sun City Summerlin and portions of northwest Las Vegas.

Senate District 9: Four-term Assemblyman Dennis Nolan is facing Richard Bunker, chairman of the Colorado River Commission and a longtime gaming lobbyist.

Assembly District 3: The general election will feature Democrat Peggy Pierce, 48, a Culinary Union community liaison; Republican Joe Wheeler, 42, editor and publisher of The Construction Zone and Independent American candidate Harold Sims.

Assembly District 7: Rutherford, Glover and Wesley did not respond to requests for information.

UNLV to honor woman killed in attack on Pentagon: Dick Benoit; Classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas continued as scheduled after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. The prevailing wisdom at the university and at many institutions nationwide was that any disruption of American life, beyond the mushrooming loss of life and property in New York and Washington, would give the enemy a bigger victory than deserved.

Senate District 2: Carlton, 45, a waitress at Treasure Island, has no primary election opponent. A strong union supporter, Carlton wants to stay in office to focus on improving access to health care, raising education funding and dealing with workers compensation issues.

Assembly District 21: GOP hopefuls Walter Andonov and Jess Foster will square off in one race while Democrats Lisa Cano and Ian Harrison will face off in the other. American Independent Party candidate Joshua Hansen will go to the November ballot unchallenged.

Assembly District 19: Claborn, 63, is an operating engineer who has served in the Legislature for two sessions.

Assembly District 16: Oceguera, 34, is a North Las Vegas Fire Department captain currently completing studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd School of Law.

Senate District 12: Democrat Adriana Martinez, 38, is a photographer who has been active in the Parent Teachers Association. She is focusing on cutting costs of medical care for seniors, increasing education funding and tort reform.

Assembly District 29: Democrats Joseph Bifano and Stan Dreyfuss square off in the primaries, as do Republicans Josh Griffin and Michael Smith, while Independent American candidate Justin Ramsaier goes to the general election.

Assembly District 10: Incumbent David Goldwater faces a challenge from Daniel Cook.

Community briefs for August 15, 2002: Clean & Clear and the WB television network are coming to Nevada on a search for new talent at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Fashion Outlets in Primm.

Assembly District 28: Libertarian James Dan will go unchallenged to the November general election. There is no Republican candidate for this office.

Senate District 10: Coffin, 59, is an antiquarian book dealer and insurance broker who has been in the state Senate for 10 sessions. He is also a former assemblyman.

Family Court Department I: The following nonpartisan races, which will be on the November ballot only, are:

Local obstetricians are focus of FTC probe: The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Clark County obstetricians to determine whether they have collectively negotiated prices from insurers in violation of anti-trust laws.

Walters again facing money-laundering charges: Kim Smith; Golf course developer Billy Walters is once again facing money-laundering charges after a five-count indictment handed down four years ago was unsealed Wednesday.

Vegas technology firm sells subsidiary: PurchasePro also announced an alliance in which it and IAD will offer purchasing services to the hospitality industry.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Priestly's crash course in racing: What is it about the rich and famous and fast cars?

Thick haze leads to respiratory problems: The number of new patients complaining of burning eyes and lungs, scratchy throats and runny noses has doubled at Pulmonary Associates offices this week.

Nevada Power unsure about rate hike: Sierra Pacific Resources, owner of Nevada Power Co. in Las Vegas and Sierra Pacific Power in Reno, said Wednesday it's gaining financial strength during the summer months after setbacks in the spring and isn't sure if it will have to request a rate increase for Las Vegas consumers in November.

Budget crisis getting worse: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has ordered state agencies to reduce their budgets this year by 3 percent, meaning possible layoffs and slower services to the public in such areas as welfare and health.

Ethics trial starts for LV councilman: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack was facing one less misdemeanor charge of violating the city's ethics code this morning, after it was revealed that the council never voted on one agenda item.

Stock tumble creates shortfall in college operational fund: Jennifer Knight; Corporate scandals and an unforgiving stock market hit home for the state Board of Regents on Wednesday after it learned that one university system fund lost $38 million in the market in the past year.

Memorial will pay tribute to 9/11 heroes: Stephen Curran; A place where tourists flock to get away from their daily lives will soon house a testament to the worst act of terrorism in American history.

National future uncertain after guarantee rejected: Las Vegas-based National Airlines took off on a flight into the unknown Wednesday, learning a federal agency had rejected a loan package that is key to the company's survival.

Assembly District 42: From there, the winner faces a degree of uncertainty because lone Republican hopeful George "Yiorgo" Aretos says he has withdrawn from the race.

Daschle: Scandals to figure in election: Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., made it clear that Democrats will use the issue of corporate scandals in efforts this fall to retain the Senate majority and wrest control of the House from the Republicans.

HMO cancer screenings below national average: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's health maintenance organizations ranked below the national average in 2001 in quality in breast and cervical cancer screening and providing routine care and examinations for children.

Chief executive to step down: Russ McKeekin, who recently joined the Las Vegas-based company as president, will assume the duties of chief executive officer. He will report directly to the executive committee of the board of directors.

Fight schedule: Friday

Family Court Department K: The following nonpartisan races, which will be on the November ballot only, are:

Boggs McDonald confident she'll be primary winner: Erin Neff; Although Lynette Boggs McDonald technically has to get past the Sept. 3 primary, she isn't too concerned about the other Republican standing in her way.

News briefs for August 15, 2002: A couple killed in a murder-suicide late Tuesday have been identified as 32-year-old Tigest Amha and 50-year-old Behaily Shiffraw.

Valley temperatures likely to hit new high: The Las Vegas Valley tied a 40-year-old high temperature record Wednesday, when the thermometer hit 111 degrees, the National Weather Service reported. The last time the high reached 111 on Aug. 14 was in 1962.

Elvis still king: By Ed Koch; The Elvis-A-Rama Museum, 3401 Industrial Road, is sponsoring several events Friday to commemorate the silver anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. At 9 a.m. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will declare "Elvis Presley Day," and at 6 p.m. an Elvis Impersonator contest will be held, followed by a 10 p.m. candlelight vigil.

United cuts costs, warns of fall bankruptcy filing: Dave Carpenter; CHICAGO -- United Airlines warned Wednesday that it will file for bankruptcy court protection this fall unless it succeeds in lowering costs dramatically through a restructuring.

Jury asked to consider evidence against ex-cop as coincidences: Kim Smith; Jurors began deliberating this morning the fate of a former Metro Police detective who claims he would never have robbed his favorite Henderson lounge for fear of being recognized.

Henderson Constable: The constable offices serve court papers and enforce court notices and evictions.

Loss of jobs, tourists feared: By Liz Benston; The news that the federal government denied National Airlines' bid for a federal loan guarantee doesn't bode well for the Las Vegas economy, which is dependent upon air travel, experts say.

Tyson may be looking to take on Ruiz: Dean Juipe; Mike Tyson's manager may be attempting to arrange a fight with World Boxing Association heavyweight champ John Ruiz, but there's a formidable stumbling block. Ruiz is promoted by Don King, and any fight involving the reigning champion would fall under King's jurisdiction.

Olsen wants to step in on 'D': Steve Guiremand; Derek Olsen has been a key contributer on UNLV's coverage teams the last two seasons. Now the hard-hitting 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior from Indian Springs High School hopes to do the same thing for the Rebel defense.

Media giant discloses more problems: A spokesman said none of the transactions had been previously reported in the news media.

Chamber staying out of debate: Freeman requested the vote Tuesday covering future gambling issues because he was concerned the organization could be asked by chamber President Joe Liles to support a move to rid the parish of video poker.

Bodies of father, son taken from Lake Mead: Luis Dominguez, 18, and Norberto Penaloza, 48, both of Las Vegas, drowned on July 21 near Memorial Overlook. Their bodies were initially located through the use of sonar and a remote diving vehicle, National Park Service officials said.

Rules could slow development: The statement will help officials understand the long-term environmental effects of development, said Susan I. Rees, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official in charge of the project.

Operator posts record quarter: The Isle on Wednesday said it earned 40 cents a share in the quarter ended July 28, compared to 20 cents in the year-ago period.

Family Court Department G: The following nonpartisan races, which will be on the November ballot only, are:

Court says Stratosphere note holders can't collect: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has ruled that those who held notes when the Stratosphere filed bankruptcy in Las Vegas are not entitled to collect an estimated $20 million from an associated company.

Clubs accuse DA hopeful of hypocrisy: Jace Radke; After making an issue of the campaign contributions her opponent has received from strip club owners, district attorney candidate Abbi Silver is facing allegations that she solicited funds from some of the same people.

National files complaint against America West: National Airlines Chief Executive Officer Mike Conway disclosed Wednesday that he has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice against longtime rival America West Airlines, alleging unfair competition.

Officials hope new districts, large candidate pool will lure voters in: Erin Neff; Although midterm elections are usually marked by low voter turnout and less attention, Clark County voters will take part in some historic events during the Sept. 3 primary.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Toney lets his fingers do the walking for media: Dean Juipe; James Toney springs into character with remarkable ease. Once perceived as boxing's definitive angry young man, he can still come out swinging at the slightest provocation.

Some schools without trainers: Spencer Patterson; Copyright 2002 Las Vegas Sun

Blue Diamond project plan meets skeptical reception: Developers of a proposed community on the top of Blue Diamond Hill got a rough, raucous and generally hostile reception Wednesday night as they detailed their plan to build thousands of homes next to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.