Print edition for August 29, 2002

Six shots add up to first degree: Kim Smith; Jurors took just 70 minutes Wednesday to reject a Pahrump man's claim that he shot his girlfriend to death in the heat of the moment and convicted him of first-degree murder.

Letter: Rattling of war sabers is growing: Saddam has little left from the Gulf War. That war and the sanctions are hardly "appeasement." The only argument the hawks have is that Saddam was a bad guy back when he had our support for being bad.

Letter: School uniforms should be given to youngsters: Well, maybe not. According to Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 608.165, "All uniforms or accessories distinctive as to style, color or material shall be furnished, without cost, to employees by their employer."

Where I Stand -- Guest columnist A. Allan Stipe: Nurses in short supply: THERE IS a nursing shortage in Nevada and throughout the nation. Based on Nevada Hospital Association 2001 data, there are 1,126 vacant nursing positions statewide but not enough applicants to fill them. Although Nevada does have the lowest nurse-to-population ratio at 520 nurses per 100,000 people, the truth is, as people move here in record numbers, we simply haven't been able to keep pace in adding new nurses.

Editorial: Congress must have say on Iraq: It appears that it was only after a drumbeat of criticism by high-profile Republicans, both in and out of government, that President Bush decided it was time to respond at length to critics of the administration's Iraq policy. It's encouraging that the White House has at least started on a campaign to persuade the public about the dangers posed by Saddam, especially his pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. But Bush also needs to level with Congress and the American people as to just how expansive a military operation would be entailed to get rid of Saddam.

Special section: Rebels face litmus test in '02: Steve Guiremand; JT by the numbers

Columnist Dean Juipe: New days: Big crowds, more excitement: Dean Juipe; Unlike my colleague, when I go to a football game -- and, by the way, I always sit in the stands and not the press box -- I want to rub elbows with the guy next to me. I don't want to be uncomfortable, but I want to be squeezed in and feel as if I'm part of something exciting.

Second to none: 'The Second City' chugs along at Flamingo Las Vegas: The cast of "The Second City" asks the audience for an emotion that can be used in an improvised skit at the Flamingo Las Vegas' Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre.

Special section: Expect big things from these guys: Steve Guiremand; 1. Jason Thomas,

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Old days: Fewer wins, less hassle: Don't get me wrong: The massive press box tower, bright scoreboard, real grass, exciting players, competitive team and butts in the seats -- and everything else John Robinson has wrought in two-plus years at UNLV -- are steps in the right direction.

Special section: Bad start only got worse for Rebel fans: Steve Guiremand; UNLV's 2001 results (4-7, 3-4 MWC)

Nellis Air Ground School names new boss: Dick Benoit; A veteran of Enduring Freedom operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan has taken command of the Air Ground Operations School at Nellis Air Force Base. Col. David Neuenswander served as commander of an A-10 close air support detachment in Pakistan and an air expeditionary group in Afghanistan during operations in the spring, including Operation Anaconda, intended to root out Taliban and terrorist remnants in the Tora Bora region.

Abused kids face bleak future with budget cuts: Adrienne Packer; State-supervised children diagnosed as severely emotionally disturbed will continue to go without counseling, treatment or medication due to drastic budget cuts in Nevada's child welfare system.

Special section: MWC schools shoot for bids to four bowls: Steve Guiremand; Other bowls

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Assistance program has matured: Ruthe Deskin; We get an urge to clean out old files and pack boxes and toss anything that is of no further use.

Special section: BYU back for another high-flying season: Tim Korte; PROVO, Utah -- Some debut for Gary Crowton as BYU's new coach, huh?

Community briefs for August 29, 2002: Councilman Michael Mack and the Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services will be hosting a Ward 6 Back to School event at 6 p.m. today at Parson Elementary School, 4100 Thom Blvd.

Lawmakers' coffers benefited: Erin Neff; Doctors and lawyers donated more than $100,000 to Southern Nevada legislators as the medical malpractice crisis bloomed and lawmakers were called into a special session, campaign finance reports show.

Union vote divided: The air carrier, which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, had sought a combined $219 million in annual savings from its largest union as part of a $1.2 billion cost-cutting plan. The divided vote amounts to a savings of $65 million, according to a union estimate.

College placement exam scores down from last year: By Emily Richmond; College placement exam scores for Clark County School District students were down overall this year compared with the previous year, but education officials said an increase in the number of students taking the tests is a positive trend.

'Push, Nevada' could, well, help push Nevada: Grace Leong; Recently posted billboards touting "Visit Push, Nevada" and "visitpush.com" have done more than pique the curiosity of Las Vegas residents.

Mother tells of shock of daughter's casino slaying: Kim Smith; When the shocking news came that their youngest child was shot and killed in a Las Vegas casino, Henrietta Vitarelli said she was worried about whether her then 90-year-old husband's heart could take the stress.

DMV office to close Saturday: The office at 2701 E. Sahara Ave. will reopen for normal business hours Tuesday.

Feds restart ads promoting tours of dump: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department is again advertising for Yucca Mountain tours, irking Nevada officials.

Study on low Miss. wages could boost union drive: Grace Leong; Hotel employment more than tripled in Mississippi during the 1990s, making Mississippi the nation's leader in the rate of new hotel job growth, according to a study released today by the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute.

Adult drug abuse is linked to early use of pot: A new federal report concludes that the younger children are when they first use marijuana, the more likely they are to graduate to drugs such as cocaine and heroin as adults.

Terrorists may have targeted Vegas: Mary Manning and Jace Radke; Federal indictments released Wednesday of six alleged terrorists appeared to confirm what many had suspected since the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon: Las Vegas also could be a target.

Less holiday travel expected: Stephen Curran and Mary Manning; Driving tips

It's not all in the cards: Dean Juipe; The business of boxing isn't for the faint-hearted, the shiftless or the inattentive.

Obituaries for August 29, 2002: Roland U. Bley, 77, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Sept. 9, 1924, in Longmont, Colo. A resident for 12 years, he was a retired carpenter and a World War II Navy veteran.

Panel rejects plan for hilltop homes: Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council, following the lead of dozens of angry opponents to a proposed development outside the conservation area, on Wednesday unanimously recommended denial of a plan that would put thousands of homes on top of Blue Diamond Hill.

Rebels promote coach, hire two assistants: Smoot begins his second year with the team after a two-year coaching stint with Central Michigan. Siegel was a four-year starter at the University of Florida as an infielder and played in the 1998 College World Series. Topham is a former assistant coach at Blinn (Texas) College and Central Arizona College.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Oscar: SoCal can only hold one champ: Dean Juipe; Making a second appearance on a conference call to promote his Sept. 14 fight with Fernando Vargas, Oscar De La Hoya said Wednesday that a territorial dispute is at the base of their long-standing rivalry.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Can Baylor come out to play?: Wisconsin probably is not the ideal season-opening opponent for the UNLV football team. The Badgers might be a little too big, a little too strong and a little too deep for the Rebels, given it's only August.

Spoonhour signs one-year extension: Spoonhour, who is entering his second year of a three-year deal, is signed through the 2004-05 season.

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

DAs will question legality of ballot's marijuana question: Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick says he is considering challenging the legality of the marijuana initiative as it will be printed on the November ballot.

School meals graded D: By Emily Richmond; A medical watchdog group has given a grade of D to the cafeteria fare in Clark County's elementary schools.

51s tie franchise record for wins: Victoria Sun; "Somebody got-ta pay."

Unemployment recipients to lose other aid: CARSON CITY -- Beginning Oct. 1, about 1,600 families will lose all or part of their state welfare cash payments and Medicaid coverage.

Letter: Science, God not incompatible: Every day I hear that some hyper-religious person stated this and that in disagreement to bring these medical advances to cure a person of a fatal disease. They, by some source of misdirection, claim that this is infringing on God's work. My, my!

Fight schedule: Friday

Delay is urged on new UNLV science building: CARSON CITY -- The chairman of the state Public Works Board suggested Wednesday that the University of Nevada, Las Vegas may need to postpone construction of its proposed $75 million science, engineering and technology building.

Elementary school teacher arrested on charge of having sex with student: John Sinchak, 34, was booked into the Clark County jail Wednesday night on three counts of sexual assault with a victim under the age of 14 -- a felony with the possible punishment of life in prison, Metro Police said.

Sheriff's battle hits the airwaves: Erin Neff; The battle to replace Jerry Keller as sheriff is heating up on the airwaves as the candidate with the most money shows off his third major commercial with his boss endorsing him.

Special section: Rebels to face tough games early: Steve Guiremand; UNLV's largest margins of victory, defeat

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Yates replaces son with veteran Carter: Veteran drag racer Mark Carter will replace Jamie Yates in Jim Yates' second NHRA Pro Stock entry beginning with this weekend's U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Bittersweet return: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

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

Special section: Tailgating area part of stadium upgrade: Victoria Sun; There will be plenty of room for UNLV fans to light up the grill for a pre-game barbeque at Sam Boyd Stadium this season.

News briefs for August 29, 2002: A Clark County employee discovered the body of a woman while driving on an unpaved road near Rainbow Boulevard and Warm Springs Road about 11 a.m. Wednesday, Metro Police Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

PCL box: Las Vegas - Nashville: Time-- 2:41. Attendance-- 2,054. Umpires: HP-- Armendariz; 1b-- Ashwege; 3b-- Pasch.

Argosy casino fined $250,000: Argosy's problems stem from a contract it had with Nii-Jii Entertainment, a Chicago company founded by former Congressman Morgan Murphy Jr. The contract involved a failed bid to build a Wisconsin casino. At issue were Murphy's ties to a Chicago labor leader with mob connections.

Carrier plans to trim LV flights: The company has previously cited a weakened Japanese economy and reduced demand for flights to the United States for reducing flights as part of a large seasonal cutback that will run through March.

Percentage of Millennium Scholars dips: Jennifer Knight; The percentage of Clark County high school graduates qualifying for the Millennium Scholarship has steadily declined over three years, according to a report released by the state Wednesday.

Slot maker signs U.K. deal: Limited payout slots are legal in the U.K., but operators are anticipating the legalization of Las Vegas-style slot machines, including linked progressive machines that build up jackpots based on amounts wagered.

Bankrupt property reports loss: The $1.2 billion, 2,567-room property reported a loss of $2.5 million in July, the filing said. The company reported losses of $3.5 million in June and $423,369 in May.

Officials rezone casino site: Las Vegas-based Riviera owns the Riviera hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip as well as a casino in Black Hawk, Colo.

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