Print edition for August 16, 2002

Festival will take on pioneer flavor: The 15th annual Las Vegas Harvest Festival is coming to town to showcase arts and crafts, music and food. More than 250 exhibitors will be selling everything from woodcarving and jewelry to soups and chocolate.

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Taking one final stand on behalf of children: Sandy Thompson; SHOULD A FATHER have his parental rights terminated because of unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse?

Camp helps make life better for kids: "Camp would do wonders for their self-esteem and their depression," the mother says. "They always complain to me that they want to do something, but I sincerely cannot afford to do anything with them except take them to the park."

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Children need guidance in eating habits: Let's get real about the problem of overweight children. We're being bombarded with information from all quarters about the dangerous eating habits of today's younger generation. But are the kids really to blame if poor eating habits are all they know?

Remembering Sandy Thompson: 1948-2002: Sandy was truly interested in welfare of kids

Tread carefully with tires: TIRE TIPS

The Daly News: Kirk Baird; Glance at a picture of John Daly, and you swear you've seen him somewhere before.

Spotlight on Springsteen: Spencer Patterson; With his new album, "The Rising," topping Billboard's sales charts, Bruce Springsteen plays Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Next in saga over planned dumpsite: Debating list of 293 unresolved issues: Benjamin Grove; The Categories

Editorial: President shows his true colors: More importantly, the president didn't highlight the many important provisions in the $5.1 billion bill, including $419 million for airport security. There also is $90 million for health monitoring of emergency workers at ground zero at the former World Trade Center site and about $250 million for local fire departments to upgrade their equipment, including communications systems. Rescues at the World Trade Center were hampered because emergency workers' radios weren't linked, so they couldn't communicate with each other. Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters are so upset over Bush's rejection that at their Las Vegas convention last week ...

Jackie Robinson's legacy explored in play: Kirk Baird; What: "National Pastime."

Columnist Jerry Fink: Customers floored by Cafe Michele renovations: They're dancing at the Cafe Michele.

Carson's 'Tonight Show' revived in kitschy tribute: It was inevitable.

Letter: Delaney's work at charity made real impression: On those rare occasions when I would attend a Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada function, and had a chance to visit with him personally, it became even clearer how much he loved Las Vegas and how determined he was to give back as much as he possibly could to the community. He was a gentleman through and through, and we have all lost a true friend whether we knew him or not.

Letter: Joe manifested a resilient spirit: In a fluke of fate I mentored him with my own young, enthusiastic, wet-behind-the-ears, newly ordained existential philosophy and radical theology, which somehow fit his experiential, no-nonsense lifestyle.

U.S., Vegas personal bankruptcy filings jump: Americans filed for personal bankruptcy at a record pace in the second quarter, figures from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts show.

Regulator: Gaming firms not immune to scandal: By Liz Benston; The gaming industry's decades-long history of regulatory oversight has helped transform a historically shady enterprise into one of the most financially transparent industries in American business.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Election officials foster apathy: IF YOU ALREADY voted Saturday, it's too late for you. But make no mistake: If you did, you are a fool or a sloth.

Letter: Atkinson Gates shows courage: KAREN MACK

Editorial: Red Rock's gateway should be pristine: We add our voice to that chorus. It was a proud day 12 years ago when Red Rock Canyon was designated as a national conservation area. It's up to us now to ensure that visitors are overwhelmed by the area's natural beauty, not by the traffic encountered to get there. Blue Diamond, population 300, has in the past fought off plans for RV parks, shopping centers and condo clusters. Now, in their biggest challenge yet, they must persuade the county that their little community, a charming sight for tourists on their way to Red Rock, must not be so radically ...

Letter: 'New Democrats' don't understand party's strength: In my opinion, the secret to Democratic success is in getting its base voters out to the polls and you don't do that sounding like a Republican. Go, Al, Go!

Nevadans worried about market slump: Grace Leong; Barry Friedman, 62, a retired salesman and a resident of Sun City Anthem for the past 3 1/2 years, sighs as he recalls the 700 percent profit he made investing in technology stocks in the '90s.

County urged to step up recycling: The Environmental Protection Agency urged Clark County, with one of the lowest recycling rates in the country at 4 percent, to increase its efforts by offering market-based incentives.

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

Ellis helps pitch 51s to win at Calgary: The division-leading 51s remain 11 1/2 games ahead of Tucson. Las Vegas' magic number to clinch stands at seven.

Attorneys: National likely looking for new backers: National Airlines' strategy for keeping its planes in the air after being rejected for a federal loan guarantee may be kept under wraps until a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing Monday.

Analyst Grubman quits firm: Grubman is leaving by "mutual agreement," the company said. He will receive $32.2 million in severance to leave 13 months before his contract ends, according to people familiar with the matter. He is under scrutiny by Congress for the role he played in allocating initial public offering shares to executives of WorldCom Inc., which filed for bankruptcy after it misreported $7.18 billion in expenses.

Ready for football?: Jace Radke; As a baseball fan Robert Montalvo gets sick thinking about the possibility that the season could be cut short with his Boston Red Sox vying for the American League wild card.

News briefs for August 16, 2002: North Las Vegas Police officers are investigating the slaying of a 41-year-old man and the wounding of another man Thursday.

Jury awards $4 million in malpractice case: Kim Smith; A Clark County jury Thursday awarded a Las Vegas couple $4 million after a weeklong medical malpractice trial.

Police continue search for rapist: Police are constructing a sketch of the suspect and expect to release the picture today. The attacks started on July 12 when a woman was assaulted at a bus stop on Flamingo Road at Decatur Boulevard. There were no attacks for a few weeks, but then there were two in a matter of days -- Aug. 5 and 7 -- also along Flamingo Road at Wynn Road and at Valley View Boulevard, said Lt. Jeff Carlson of Metro's sexual assault unit.

Obituaries for August 16, 2002: August John Albert, 99, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Sept. 12, 1903, in Brooklyn, N.Y. A resident for 15 years, he was a recreation director for Sperry Gyroscope Co. in New York, a floorman at a local casino, a master mason and a member of Delta Lodge, Delta, Colo.

Stock trading on Nasdaq National Market: Following the move from the Nasdaq Small Cap Market, the commercial mortgage company's stock will continue to trade under the symbol VSTN.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Chuckwagon races not so wholesome: Dean Juipe; Initially, it was simply laughable.

Community news briefs August 16, 2002: Las Vegas is hosting a back-to-school fair for children 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave.

Bibby agrees to return to Sacramento Kings: It is the team's second big deal in three days after signing free-agent forward Keon Clark, the former UNLV star, on Wednesday.

Rebels plan scrimmage Saturday under the lights: Steve Guiremand; Just two weeks before its long anticipated season opener against Wisconsin, the UNLV Rebels will hold a scrimmage at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night.

Judge defends daughter's 'timeout' in jail: Kim Smith; Family Court Judge Steven Jones Thursday sought to quell questions that have arisen about his handling of a family situation using court resources.

BLM: No conflict of interest in Blue Diamond proposal: The Bureau of Land Management does not have a conflict of interest with an engineering firm studying a controversial development proposal because the federal agency has no contract with the firm, a BLM spokesman said Thursday.

Firm doesn't want to pay full state fine: CARS0N CITY -- Harcourt Educational Measurement Co. has balked at paying a suggested fine for its foul-up in telling more than 700 students they failed the high school math proficiency test needed to graduate.

Riviera obtains credit facility: The Las Vegas-based company incurred loan fees of about $1.5 million, which will be expensed over the life of the agreement, according to a quarterly statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Indian casino expanding: "It's going to continue to enhance the economic development of northeast Kansas," said Patrick J. Browne, senior vice president and general manager of the Topeka-area casino.

Aladdin lowers its financial backstop: Aladdin Gaming LLC is seeking court authorization to extend its debtor-in-possession financing facility through Dec. 31, and to halve the commitment amount to $25 million from $50 million because business has been stronger than expected.

Letter: Shame on Vegas for hosting event: A truly civilized and humane city would not permit this debacle to go forward. If the races can't be canceled outright, they at least should be run on a straight-away, not an oval track.

Plea deal made in fatal shooting: Danilo DelRosario, 40, could receive probation or a one to four-year prison term after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael O'Callaghan.

Local PGA players: 71

Trooper injured by mail bomb settles with state: CARSON CITY -- Ken Gager, the Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who became a poster boy for courage after being maimed by a mail bomb in 1993, has reached an out-of-court settlement with the state in his long legal battle.

Former Metro cop convicted in robbery case: Kim Smith; As the guilty verdicts came in one after the other Thursday, 14-year police veteran Jack Brandon gasped loudly, began to cry and gazed in disbelief at the jury.

Early voting gains popularity: Stephen Curran; Each election year, there are a certain number of "traditionalists" who arrive at their designated polling place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Anglers catching stripers, catfish at Lake Mead: Nevada Division of Wildlife creel census clerks report that anglers fishing with anchovies around Ann Margaret Cove at Lake Mead continue to land both stripers and catfish.

Where I Stand: Guest Columnist Jeff Hardcastle: Growth's other side: The census also confirmed that Nevada's population had exceeded 1 million.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Cowboy Shooters rekindle spirit of the Old West: Barb Henderson; Many of us are able to quickly recall our favorite western movie and most of us probably have a favorite western hero. Mine are Annie Oakley and Roy Rogers.

Killer gets 4 life terms: Kim Smith; Jose Vigoa, long believed to be the mastermind behind a series of daring casino robberies and the deaths of two armored truck drivers, received four no-parole life sentences this morning plus an additional 306 to 760 years in prison.

Man put on probation for submitting false claims: Daniel J. Erickson, formerly of Henderson who now lives in California, and his partner Rory Griffin Graham, collected $83,000 from insurance companies for their false claims of being in an accident while trying to avoid hitting a coyote.

Physicians in LV face two probes: Separate Federal Trade Commission investigations of local obstetricians and a physicians' company that does business in Las Vegas and Reno are part of a national strategy to rein in health care costs by discouraging antitrust activities.

Despite odds, Democratic candidates vow to put up fight: Erin Neff; The four Democrats running for governor don't give themselves any real chance of beating incumbent Kenny Guinn.

Deficit may force college-class cuts: RENO -- Students at the state's universities and community colleges may find a cutback in the number of classes offered because of a $26 million budget shortfall this fiscal year, officials said Thursday.

President appointed for Henderson college: Cy Ryan and Jennifer Knight; RENO -- Kerry Romesburg was named Thursday to head the Nevada State College at Henderson, making him the third person in one year to lead the institution that is scheduled to open Sept. 3.

Mayor attests to Mack's honestly, integrity: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman testified this morning on behalf of Councilman Michael Mack, ending testimony in the two-day ethics trial.

Car seat saves child caught in fatal crash: Stephen Curran; Had a concrete barrier existed, it might have saved the lives of a 23-year-old Las Vegas woman and her 4-year-old son Thursday, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.

Regents approve $1.2 billion budget: CARSON CITY -- While facing financial problems this year, the University and Community College System of Nevada is looking to increase its spending during the next two years by 24.7 percent to $1.2 billion.

Police: Deaths may have been gang shooting: Keith Paul; A man gunned down last week in a gang-style drive-by shooting faced murder charges last year in a North Las Vegas slaying, but he was set free when prosecutors dropped the charges.

Mother whose son died in car trunk sentenced: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas mother of five whose 3-year-old son died in the trunk of her car two years ago was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation Thursday.

Streets of danger: Program targets Las Vegas' high rate of pedestrian accidents: Erin Breen of Las Vegas stood with a uniformed Metro Police officer in a crosswalk as traffic whizzed by on Maryland Parkway, never slowing.

Legends in Concert: Springsteen leads wave of mega-stars headed for Vegas: Spencer Patterson; Staying right here in 2002, the upcoming four months will present Las Vegas residents and tourists with that opportunity to enjoy a parade of rock 'n' roll royalty.

'Black 365' focuses on civil-rights era: What: "Black 365."

PCL box: Las Vegas - Calgary: WP--Ellis. T--2:23. A--1,813.

Saturday's horse racing entries: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Britetonzmyday (Pincay) 118; 2 Frugality (Gomez) 118; 3 Paradise Patty (Delahoussaye) 118; 4 Dalia Dolly (Espinoza) 118; 5 Cinnful Bride (Solis) 118; 6 Script Girl (Flores) 118.

Cimarron wins a wild one at regional: Victoria Sun; Helper (Utah) left fielder Jamal Lewis left his post to relieve starter Troy Grundy in the eighth inning with no outs and the bases loaded.

Performing Arts for August 16, 2002: Summer camp show

Datebook for August 16, 2002: The Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services presents several events celebrating the end of summer, including "Blue's Clues Summer Fun" at 4 p.m. today at Becker Community School, 9110 Hillpointe Road. Admission is $10. 229-2482.

Rock in The Rio house: The 63-year-old shock Rock with an attitude joins the cast of the late-night show for a one-time guest appearance Friday at The Rio's Samba Theatre.

N.M. turns out Centennial's lights: Spencer Patterson; Albuquerque's American Legion team had played just one game under the lights this summer, but you wouldn't have guessed from the way the New Mexicans saw the ball late Thursday night.

On display for August 16, 2002: One of the most famous cars ever to cruise Fremont Street, the 1911 Sears Model K "Desert Love Buggy," will remain on display through March at the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society, 700 Twin Lakes Drive. Admission is $2; under 18 free. 486-5205.

Editorial: Loan denial raises issue of fairness: In this highly competitive business (both America West and National were losing millions even before Sept. 11), airlines strive for the proverbial even playing field. They try to accomplish this by procuring a sufficient number of planes, creating desirable routes at desirable times and through other measures such as punctuality, efficiency, safety and customer service. National, which has been trying to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, was achieving all of that and had neared the break-even point when a force outside of its control turned the playing field into a lopsided canyon and landed the company on a precipice.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Schmidt ponders scaling back in IRL: Sam Schmidt's two-year-old Indy Racing League team may step down in class next season if the Henderson resident is unable to secure a full-time primary sponsor by Oct. 15.

Editorial: Party should adhere to disclosure laws: But the contention that third-party candidates are hurt more than the major parties is nonsense. The disclosure requirements apply equally to all political parties. A better explanation for why the party may have a hard time gathering donations is because not enough people agree with its political philosophy.