Print edition for August 23, 2002

School plan doesn't have uniform appeal: By Emily Richmond; When 7-year-old Drew Ketchum shows up for his first day of second grade at Vanderburg Elementary School in Henderson, he'll be breaking the rules before he even steps foot on the campus.

News briefs for August 23, 2002: A man who police say tried to run over a detective with a car late Wednesday and was shot and killed in the process, was identified today by the Clark County coroner as Rayburn Bryant, 39, of Las Vegas.

Power outage halts gambling: About 10 a.m. Thursday, a thunderstorm knocked out electricity to the part of the first floor gambling area, the surveillance system and other critical gaming operations, said John Maclean, casino general manager.

The rest of the Sun's Top 10 Most Influential Sports Figures in Las Vegas: OCCUPATION: President, Las Vegas Events

Crime task force proposed for all ofLas Vegas: Diana Sahagun; Meadows Village is getting some much-needed attention from a city task force, but the improvements have sparked a debate about whether the Las Vegas City Council should focus its efforts on more than one high-crime area.

'Saturday Night Live' slot machines planned: The machines will showcase legendary SNL actors John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Adam Sandler, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley, Jane Curtin, Phil Hartman, Norm McDonald, Jon Lovitz, David Spade, Kevin Nealon, Joe Piscopo and others.

Utility maintains it's not for sale: Hours after the Southern Nevada Water Authority board approved a preliminary offer of $3.2 billion to buy Nevada Power, the parent company repeated what has become a virtual mantra: The company is not for sale.

Casinos, bars excluded from smoking ban: The action came at a special meeting Tuesday after the comission unanimously rejected a proposal to ask voters to decide in November whether bars and casinos should be included in the ban.

Leadbetter picks UNLV: Leadbetter reportedly chose UNLV over NCAA powers Oklahoma State and Texas.

Firm aiding victims of predatory lending: Grace Leong; Las Vegas-area residents who have fallen prey to abusive mortgage lending practices may find relief under a $3 million initiative to be launched by government and industry officials at forums Saturday.

More patients at ERs citing pot use: CARSON CITY -- A federal study that shows drug-related emergency room visits are on the rise takes aim at marijuana use.

Analyst issues tax-hike warning: By Liz Benston; With statewide gambling revenues falling and Las Vegas Strip casinos faring even worse for the fiscal year ended June 30, the prospect of raising casino taxes in Nevada to offset a state budget shortfall is real, a Wall Street analyst said in an industry research note this week.

Airlines in code-sharing pact: The plan announced today expands an existing partnership between No. 4 carrier Northwest and No. 5 Continental by bringing Atlanta-based Delta into the mix.

Board of Equalization rejects tax appeal: The state Board of Equalization, the five-member appeals board for property tax issues, on Thursday unanimously rejected the downtown Las Vegas hotel-casino's appeal that it should be allowed to reduce its property value based on its intangible assets.

Nordstrom touts new Fashion Show store: Jennifer Robison; Nordstrom representatives today showed off their new store under construction at the Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas Strip.

Vegas casino supplier's earnings, revenues up: The Las Vegas-based company reported earnings of $3.9 million for the quarter, meeting Wall Street analysts' average estimate of 22 cents per share. That's a 21.9 percent increase from $3.2 million, or 17 cents per share, a year ago.

Figure in corruption case ordered not to gamble: Richard Lewis; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- David Ead, the blustering former tax official who admitted taking bribes to lower tax bills and boasted about his connections to a corrupt City Hall, Wednesday received a year of home confinement, four years of probation plus fines.

Contractor wins suit versus School District: By Emily Richmond; A jury has ordered the Clark County School District to pay a Las Vegas contractor $920,000 in back pay for work on seven campuses, company and school officials said Thursday.

Budget woes put squeeze on student schedules at UNLV: Jennifer Knight; Due to a budget crunch, student schedules at UNLV are getting squeezed at both ends.

Vegas company envisions a new Riviera in Missouri: By Liz Benston; With several states blocking initiatives to build casinos and maintaining caps on gaming licenses, few casino companies would overlook the chance to expand in a state amenable to allowing more gambling.

Plans for two new Summerlin villages detailed: The Paseos is planned along Desert Foothills Drive between Charleston Boulevard and Far Hills Avenue. The 375-acre village will have 14 residential parcels, an elementary school site, two worship sites, a park and a trail system.

Free speech or pay per view?: Brian Bergstein; SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Fed up with unwanted ads for phone accessories, credit services and stock tips on his fax machine, a Silicon Valley executive sued a company that sends bulk faxes on Thursday, demanding an attention-getting $2.2 trillion in damages.

Goodman wants to limit power of Las Vegas Ethics Review Board: Diana Sahagun; In the aftermath of Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack's acquittal on ethics charges, Mayor Oscar Goodman says he is inclined to limit the Las Vegas Ethics Review Board's ability to prosecute public officials.

Cable installer comes to aid of mail carrier: Oscar Gonzalez does not consider himself a hero.

Biggest man on campus: Steve Guiremand; The top 10

Obituaries for August 23, 2002: Patricia Deaderick, 67, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Aug. 26, 1934, in North Dakota. She was a homemaker.

Vitarelli jurors hear testimony of security chief: Kim Smith; Jurors who must decide if Harrah's should be held responsible for the September 2000 shooting death of a tourist from Hawaii spent most of Thursday listening to the testimony of the lieutenant in charge of security that morning.

Dorsey granted waiver by MWC: Steve Guiremand; UNLV sophomore tailback Dominique Dorsey had a big smile on his face. And it wasn't because he had a plate of chicken wings at dinner following Thursday night's practice at Rebel Park.

Another appeal by freeway killer is turned down: CARSON CITY -- Kevin J. Lisle, sentenced to death for shooting a motorist on a Las Vegas freeway, has lost another appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Reno, others struggle for survival: Dean Juipe; It's a paragraph that appears to be in every story related to this weekend's Reno-Tahoe Open, as if it were mandatory or essential that the writer include it. It inevitably says the tournament is lacking a sponsor, has no prominent TV contract and is on shaky ground.

Justice questions barring constable candidate, 20: CARSON CITY -- At least one justice of the Nevada Supreme Court has doubts whether 20-year-old Nicholas Hansen can be precluded from running for election as constable in Henderson because of his age and the fact he's not a peace officer.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Wyoming: one big classroom: Barb Henderson; Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Safari Club International's American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) under the western skies around Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Tribal judge to rule on Paiute feud: Jace Radke; A decision that will determine whether a group of 14 people disenrolled from the Las Vegas Paiute tribe in 1999 rests with a tribal court judge.

Piece of the Warsaw Ghetto comes to LV: Stephen Curran; WEEKEND EDITION: August 24, 2002

Editorial: Nevada Power is tone deaf: Nevada Power contends that the advisory ballot question shouldn't be allowed, in part, because county-sponsored ballot questions are only supposed to deal with those matters that the county has authority over. But this lawsuit appears to be more a desperation move by the utility, trying to find any possible way to avoid a humiliating outcome from an advisory referendum, which given today's political climate likely would result in an overwhelming vote in favor of changing the utility's ownership.

Where I Stand -- Guest columnist Michael J. Conway: Board plays favorites: THE ACCOUNTING scandals that have rocked Wall Street and the business world have led to the government's demand that the chief executive officers and chief financial officers of large corporations personally certify their financial statements. This was done in an attempt to restore investor confidence. I applaud the government for taking such a strong stance and whole-heartedly support this effort that requires more accountability from corporate America.

Letter: Attacking Iraq not a wise move for United States: I strongly believe the United States will be making a serious error in judgment if we follow through with such an attack. My understanding of the political situation in the Middle East is that unilateral aggression against Iraq will be viewed in the region, and indeed in much of the world, as a destabilizing influence.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Classic lounge career has been a work of Art: Art Vargas is a throwback to old Las Vegas, when lounge entertainers put on shows that involved more than one person singing a song to recorded music.

Carson's 'Tonight Show' revisited at Frontier: What: "On the Air, Tonight's Show."

Production of 'BOO!' improves on improvisation: It could have been the offer of a free ride on New York-New York's Manhattan Express roller coaster following the show, but the Cabaret Theatre's late-night production of "BOO!" was packed earlier this week.

On display for August 23, 2002: UNLV's Department of Art Faculty Exhibition features works by Catherine Angel, Mark Burns, John Catterall, Tom Holder, Bill Leaf, Jim Pink, Pasha Rafat, Mary Warner, Helga Watkins and Bob Wysocki, Monday through Sept. 21 at Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery. 895-3893.

New Paseo Verde Library to open on Saturday: Jeffrey Libby; Bob Kennard says if his dad's great grandfather shows up in the 1930 U.S. Census, which was released in its entirety in March, he should be able to trace his roots from Maryland farmland "clear back to Scotland."

Columnist Susan Snyder: Pot proposal stinks up the joint: Who? Those promoting the smoke screen that is Question 9 -- the November ballot initiative that would allow "otherwise law-abiding citizens" to possess three ounces of marijuana.

Where I Stand -- Jerry Keller: Better care helps us all: Untreated mental illness increases the incidence of suicide and attempted suicide and leads to a variety of criminal offenses, including assault, theft and public disturbance. For the past 10 years, Nevada has led the nation in suicides, double the national average. In two recent months, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to 789 calls reporting suicide attempts, probably a fraction of the actual number of such attempts.

Consumer group applauds offer, but still has concerns: A consumer group applauded Southern Nevada Water Authority's $3.2 billion offer to buy Nevada Power Co., but some people feared that senior citizens and low-income families will still have to pay higher power bills.

Caps on court awards may be tough to enforce: By Steve Kanigher; No one knows for sure whether Nevada will be able to enforce a new law designed to limit the amount of money a medical malpractice victim can receive.And anyone looking for guidance from other states will find that they are evenly divided on the issue.

Planners approve Apex development: North Hills would be a master-planned community on about 3,000 acres in the south part of the Apex Industrial Park. Developers hope the development will one day be home to 30,000 houses, parks, schools and light commercial uses.

Porter has more money left than Herrera: Erin Neff; Republican Jon Porter has more cash left for his campaign for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District seat than his Democratic opponent, Dario Herrera.

Court briefs for August 23, 2002: A fired sous chef has agreed to plead guilty to first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon for a slaying two weeks ago.

Pioneer Trail fundraiser, celebration on Saturday: The "Pioneers Make A Difference" event will recognize citizens who have made an impact on the community and who helped establish the six-mile Pioneer Trail from Las Vegas Springs Preserve on Valley View Boulevard to the Mormon Fort on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Cafe Michele by any name delivers festive fine dining: The name's the same, minus one letter, but all else is new at Cafe Michele on East Flamingo. The former Cafe Michelle was the first Las Vegas eatery to offer outdoor dining, a bold move for a desert restaurant.

Columnist Erin Neff: Early Voting the democratic thing to do: Erin Neff; That, according to some, makes me a fool and a sloth, a willful idiot and a lazy ignoramus.

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

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

Camp gives break from daily woes: Some children who long to go to camp just need a break from family travails.

Stand-up comedy has become Blair's lair: Who: Dennis Blair.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Windswept memories of Andrew: Promises should be kept.

Punitive damage cap law would be tough to change: WEEKEND EDITION: August 25, 2002

Letter: Tune out the political rhetoric: By voting early, those who do can tune out the political rhetoric and posturing until the general election.

Parents of Fallon leukemia victims seeking answers: Shelley Hearne; Shelley Hearne is executive director of The Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit health advocacy group that has offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Editorial: The devil is in the details: The Southern Nevada Water Authority's initial offer last week of $3.2 billion to buy Nevada Power seems reasonable at first glance -- especially since the water authority says electricity rates could be reduced 20 percent if the government agency ran the electric company. And while Sierra Pacific Resources, Nevada Power's parent company, said that it isn't for sale, Sierra Pacific executives said they would carefully consider the offer.

Performing arts for August 23, 2002: Robinson play

PCL box: Las Vegas - Tucson: Time -- 2:57. Attendance -- 5,299.

Judgment in hospital death is upheld: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld a $265,000 judgment in favor of a woman whose late husband suffered injuries when he fell out of bed at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas.

Datebook for August 23, 2002: The Las Vegas Harvest Festival Craft Show will be held at 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Activities include an arts and crafts marketplace, crafts demonstrations, entertainment and food. Admission is $7.50 for all three days. 386-7100.

Mah jongg players brush up for tournament with cyber action: WEEKEND EDITION: August 24, 2002

Letter: Early voters are well prepared: My job is to serve the citizens of Clark County and to provide everyone who is eligible to vote the opportunity to do so. I do not believe making voting easy and convenient is a bad thing and I certainly don't think it fosters apathy, as the headline on Jon's column suggests. I clearly have a lot more faith in the thousands of individuals who come to the early voting sites with their sample ballots marked and cast their ballots prior to Election Day than does Jon.

Political notebook: Kenny wants to set record straight: Erin Neff; Whether it's a system to return abducted kids to their families, international tourism or even cows, Erin Kenny wants it known she's responsible.

Letter: Early voting good for workers: Despite Mr. Ralston's low opinion of working people, my fellow union members and I spent countless hours screening, interviewing and researching the candidates running for the offices that impact our membership. Based upon the candidates' views, voting records and positions on issues important to working people, we made recommendations to our membership. We're confident that we have all the information we need to make informed decisions. This year none of my brothers and sisters who go to the polls early will be doing so out of laziness or ignorance.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Media's role will be crucial this 9/11: Benjamin Grove; No one would deny that it was television's finest moment ever, Peyser wrote.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch, Spencer return to scene of the 'crime': As he prepared to return to Bristol Motor Speedway -- the site of his first NASCAR Winston Cup victory back in March -- Las Vegas native Kurt Busch insisted his much-reported feud with Jimmy Spencer is in the past.

Columnist Jon Ralston: An inane ethics process revealed: The man who made a mockery of the ethics code and escaped with his job by using the "I was in La La land" defense can be expected to commit more memorable crimes of the mouth before 2005, providing entertaining fodder for fans of political buffoonery. With surefire routines ranging from "Watch me take a can't-lose pawn shop business and turn it into a $4 million black hole" to his campaign contribution discernment motto ("I'll take anybody's money, it's all green"), Mack's repertoire for self-parody appears limitless.

Community news briefs for August 23, 2002: St. Rose Dominican Hospital, HACA, the Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Clubs and Giving Life Ministries are working with parents, schools and local businesses on the Henderson Back-2-School celebration from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at Robert Taylor Elementary School, 400 McNeil Drive, Henderson.

Letter: America must go after Saddam before he gets us: We've got to realize that a small nation can destroy a large nation with weapons of mass destruction. Thus, as soon as possible, we must attack Iraq to save America. President Bush is a highly competent and conscientious leader who can do this. We trust him to decide at what time to launch the attack.

Editorial: Ethics panel tosses spurious accusation: But the complaint was so bereft of substance that the ethics panel found there was no just and sufficient cause to even hold a hearing to look further into the matter. Unfortunately in an election year, a few political candidates shamelessly try to use our ethics laws to unfairly tar an opponent. Fortunately, this time, the spurious charge didn't connect.