Print edition for August 26, 2002

Birth announcements for August 26, 2002: Aug. 4:

Letter: Overpass could have saved a life: What does Clark County Public Works have to say -- we don't have enough money to build overpasses? Your newspaper should begin a strong political campaign to get these overpasses built as soon as possible.

Guinn's order could hit some agencies hard: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's order to state agencies to cut 3 percent of their budgets could mean a financial hit of up to 6 percent in some areas, such as mental health and handicapped services.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Came Home: Head of sophomore class: Ralph Siraco; This is a tale of three equine sophomores.

New E. Flamingo casino to target locals, tourists: In Business Las Vegas, a sister newspaper to the Las Vegas Sun, reported this week that Charles M. Heers' CMH Development Inc.'s 720-unit all-suite Tuscany hotel is already open. It's on Flamingo between Koval Lane and Paradise Road, a few blocks from the Las Vegas Strip.

News briefs for August 26, 2002: Las Vegas fire investigators have ruled that a two-alarm fire that killed a dog and heavily damaged two homes at an estimated loss of $155,000 in the northwest Las Vegas Valley was an accident.

Testing firm accepts penalty: CARSON CITY -- A national school testing company that fouled up the test scores of more than 700 Nevada high school students will be assessed a $425,000 penalty, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack McLaughlin said.

Strip restaurant considers property development plans: Smith & Wollensky revealed the development proposals as it closed a $14 million loan agreement that will enable it to significantly reduce occupancy costs at its Las Vegas restaurant by enabling it to buy the land and building it occupies. Some of the loan proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

Obituaries for August 26, 2002: Robert Michael Alpert, 62, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born July 13, 1940, in the Bronx, N.Y. A resident for eight years, he was a restaurateur and an Army veteran.

Watchdog group tracking insurance prices: Americans for Insurance Reform doesn't have any Nevada watchdogs, but Bob Hunter, the founder of the organization, said he's looking for groups to monitor rates and policies in the Silver State.

Venetian applies for online gaming license: A company affiliated with Las Vegas' Venetian hotel-casino has invested in an Internet gaming operation and is exploring opportunities in Indian gambling.

Editorial: A strike could be a disaster: The squabbles between the players and the owners aren't the traditional sort found in most labor-management disputes, where unions are fighting hard just to get a modest increase in the hourly wage or a retention of health care benefits. No, a dispute between multimillionaire players and team owners doesn't generate public sympathy -- for either side. What also has happened is that this contract dispute, when added to the eight work stoppages since 1972, may imperil baseball's future. This time fans seem more upset than before, with many suggesting that they may not return to the game again if a ...

UNLV welcomes first dental class: Jennifer Knight; After two career changes and a 2,500-mile move across the country with his wife and three children, Peter Smith, 30, sat among other new dental school students and finally felt like he was in the right place.

Tribe opens second casino: The $177 million Golden Moon includes 572 hotel rooms, of which 100 are suites; an indoor-outdoor pool; several restaurants; and a meeting area with space for 250 people to dine.

UNLV physicist joins elite national research team: University of Nevada, Las Vegas physics professor Malcolm Nicol has joined an elite team of researchers that is putting a new high-intensity X-ray beam through its paces.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Four is two too many exhibitions: Dean Juipe; It's not like there isn't a solution to this problem of too many National Football League exhibition games. In fact, there's one so perfect it would increase the league's revenues and fan base without any detrimental effect.

Program to target nurses, teachers shortage: Diana Sahagun; City officials hope a program currently being developed will boost the number of licensed practical nurses, who are desperately needed in local hospitals.

Red Rock crash kills bicyclist: Timothy Poore, 39, of Las Vegas, was riding with his wife and other bicyclists about 9 a.m. Sunday within a paved shoulder just as Charleston Boulevard enters the canyon along the valley's most popular bicycle route, witnesses said.

First day of school exciting for some: By Emily Richmond; Trenton Brewer was up at 5:30 this morning, double-checking the contents of his backpack and asking his mother when it would be time to walk to his first day of fourth grade at Wendell Williams Elementary School in Las Vegas.

LV left high, dry by missing monsoon: Longtime Las Vegas residents expect a hot, dry, smoggy summer like this one once in a while. No rain. No summer thunderstorms.

Letter: Atkinson Gates needs to refocus: Las Vegas is marketed on the lure of being an adult playland, as if the nickname "Sin City" didn't give it away. If these adult clubs are ignoring or even promoting prostitution, then those clubs should be shut down and/or dealt with criminally. What truly disgusts and angers me is that if Commissioner Atkinson Gates desires to witness prostitution, drug dealing and murder, she needs look no further than her own district streets.

PCL box: Las Vegas - Tucson: WP--Villareal, Holzmer, Knott. T--2:42. A--3,044.

Jones, Bestwick hired as UNLV coaches: For more than three decades, Jones has developed world-class athletes and is well known for his coaching expertise within the track and field community. He has trained and produced 17 Olympians and more than 70 men's and women's U.S. National Team members.

Tax plan would exempt most state businesses: CARSON CITY -- Most Nevada businesses would be exempt from a proposed gross receipts tax under a plan being examined by the governor's tax task force.

California enacts accountability laws: Simon Avery; CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Vowing to bring greater trust and transparency to California business, Gov. Gray Davis signed three bills into law Friday aimed at strengthening corporate accountability.

Behind the drama: VH1s voyeuristic biographical series turns 5: Kirk Baird; Curious if Motley Crue was as wild offstage as you imagined during the band's heyday?

Local sports calendar: Pro baseball: Nashville at Las Vegas 51s, 7:10 p.m., Cashman Field.

Website answers voting questions: Those and many other questions can be answered in a one-stop hop on the internet to the Sun's website (www.lasvegassun.com).

National Airlines owes McCarran $6 million: The top executive at McCarran International Airport says he doesn't think Las Vegas-based National Airlines can operate much longer.

July home sales sizzle, hit record: WASHINGTON -- Sales of both new and previously owned homes posted solid gains in July as low mortgage rates motivated buyers to lock in good deals.

Woods provides Las Vegas' Riley confidence for first PGA Tour win: Scott Sonner; RENO -- Chris Riley has admired Tiger Woods' game since their days playing junior golf in San Diego. Now, he's impressed with his skills as a prognosticator.

Letter: Mexico's Fox is hypocritical with demands: Well, hear this. There is not a country more merciful than this one, and we certainly have every right to set a punishment on anyone who thinks they can come here and drag their drugs and guns in with them. If they want to assert themselves outside the law, let them stay in their own country and do it. Then they will get a "just" sentence.

C-M ousted from Series: John Coscia; DANVILLE, Va. -- The stakes were high for Cimarron-Memorial and its opponent, Excelsior, Minn., in Sunday night's final American Legion World Series pool play game here -- winner moves on, loser goes home.

Immunization schedule for August 26, 2002: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Investors differ on prospects for Le Reve: That's because Wynn is a gambler, Barron's Online reported today. "Wynn's reputation was made on just such deeds of financial daring," a Barron's story said.

Workhorse: Steve Guiremand; UNLV senior tailback Joe Haro won't set any records in the 40-yard dash.

Students adjust to ever-shifting district: By Emily Richmond; At age 12 Kevin Montoya is already a veteran of the reshuffling that comes with living in the Clark County School District. In five years he has been assigned and reassigned to five different campuses, all while living at the same Henderson address.

Official wants casino reopened: The Speaking Rock Casino closed in November after Texas sued, saying state law doesn't allow casino-style gambling. A federal judge agreed.

Station Casinos shelves 'Net plans: By Liz Benston; Locals' casino operator Station Casinos Inc. is deferring its planned $5 million purchase of an online gambling enterprise over concerns that Internet gambling regulations under development in Nevada aren't clearly defined enough.

Remote wagering slow but steady in California: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- More than $90 million has been bet on horse races over the telephone and on the Internet by more than 30,000 gamblers since remote wagering was legalized in California this year.