Print edition for December 2, 2002

State seeks equal time before panel: In November the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste heard from Energy Department, nuclear industry and national transportation representatives, but did not notify Nevada about the meeting, Bob Loux, director of the state Agency on Nuclear Projects, said.

Letter: Some kids can't be motivated: But in reading Mr. Greenspun's article, I noticed that there was one major difference between the students he so highly commended and the students that I currently teach at Western High School: a previous motivation to go to a particular school and achieve. Just the fact that these students chose to be at Agassi Prep puts these kids in an entirely different category. Not all of the students at Western chose to be there, and they fall into many categories: motivated/unmotivated, troubled/happy, low self-esteem/confident. I could go on and on.

U.S. agency approves land transfer tied to casino: As expected, the federal agency ruled Friday that a Seneca casino at the Niagara Falls Convention Center will have no adverse environmental impact, the Buffalo News reported Saturday.

Judge denies request for class-action status: Fifteen workers initiated the lawsuit in 2001, but it was expected that as many as 350 current and former MGM workers would join a class action, The Detroit News reported Sunday.

Prep Schedule: TODAY

Local sports calendar: WEDNESDAY

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Stars saturate Stones scene at Simon: That was the reaction from some of the Rolling Stones fans who saw their Friday night show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Lewis plans 3 fights: Lewis plans 3 fights

Manufacturing slows for third straight month: The Tempe, Ariz.-based Institute for Supply Management said its index of business activity was 49.2 in November, a slight improvement from the 48.5 reading in October, but still below 50. A reading above 50 signals the manufacturing sector is growing; a reading below 50 suggests the sector is contracting.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Horse racing has stakes on Thanksgiving weekend: Ralph Siraco; With the calendar pushing into the last month of the year, the four-day Thanksgiving holiday of racing was the last big weekend of stakes competition around the country. While horse racing takes brief respites throughout a wall-to-wall schedule, the final month each year is usually focused on individual benchmarks.

Bear Stearns unit buys retailer: The securities firm paid about $310 million for the seller of vitamins and nutritional supplements, according to the New York Times, which said the sale was completed last week. Bear Stearns spokesman Russell Sherman declined comment on the price and timing of the transaction.

Taliban leader cracks down on gambling: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The new pro-Taliban government in Pakistan's sensitive North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan vowed to impose Islamic law and crack down on alcohol use, ban playing of music and videos in buses and cars and prohibit gambling dens.

Jones connects with LV Beltway: Drivers on the southwest side of the Las Vegas Valley have another way to get around this afternoon.

George Building is model for downtown redevelopment: Jace Radke; The George Federal Building is Mayor Oscar Goodman's standard for the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas.

LV Democrats to chair key Assembly panels: Erin Neff; Two veteran politicians were named today to lead two key committees in the state Assembly.

Nuclear waste containers called hazardous waste: SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS; The Energy Department failed to obtain a hazardous waste permit for the tons of dangerous metals that would be used to fabricate the giant casks that would encase the nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada officials say.

Pahrump helicopter base up and running: Erica D. Johnson; With a restaffing of a helicopter base in Pahrump, the Las Vegas Valley is expected to have more coverage from air ambulances to quickly respond to life-threatening injuries.

Homeless seek out warmth as winds of winter blow: By Timothy Pratt; When the sun goes down and the desert winds blow, doorways set under an awning, moving trucks left open or the four walls that set off garbage bins behind a Taco Bell become prime pieces of real estate for thousands of homeless.

Harrah's renovating, expanding two properties: Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel in Iowa is planning $8.4 million in renovations at its hotel, including a new marble entryway and new decor in the lobby.

RTC says impact of bus cuts will be minimal: People also can submit comments over the phone at 228-7433.

Policies intended to end regents' conflicts: Jennifer Knight; New policies proposed for the Nevada college system's Board of Regents attempt to clear the future of the types of ethical land mines that regents have stepped on lately.

Downtown LV courthouse a model of security: Jace Radke; Surrounded by concrete walls and rising from an elevated plaza, the George Federal Building looks down on Las Vegas Boulevard like a modern castle.

Tenants file suit against nation's largest landlord: Jill Barton; WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Tenants sued the nation's largest landlord alleging that the company has taken advantage of young consumers and collected millions of dollars worth of illegal fees.

Taxpayers off the hook for NHP uniforms: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Highway Patrol chief says taxpayers won't have to pay for a new look for about 400 troopers, but the officers' association may not support the uniform change proposal.

Gambling expansion may aid Vermont track: Anne Wallace Allen; POWNAL, Vt. -- Standing high above a bandstand that seated thousands and a racetrack now covered with grass, Jimmy Winchester pointed to the spot where he used to fire the starting gun that sent the thoroughbreds on their way.

News briefs for Dec. 2, 2002: An 18-year-old Las Vegas man was killed when gunfire erupted in the 1000 block of Hassell Avenue near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lake Mead Drive about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Metro Police said.

Defendant in murder case claims retardation: Jace Radke; An alleged murder-for-hire case involving a lesbian love triangle that was to go to trial today will be continued after a defendant's claim that he is mentally retarded.

The Father of our Country: Country Chuck digs deep for popular radio show: During the year prior, the Sunday morning DJ had been waking Las Vegans to the storied songs and tinny licks of country music's yesteryear.

Nevada volleyball headed for third NCAA tourney in five years: AP; Nevada (22 (9)- will travel to Stanford Friday to face Pacific 18 (12)- in the first round of the Pacific Regional. The Wolf Pack received one of 33 at-large bids for the 64-team tourney.

Longtime Strip oddsmaker Reizner dies at 81: Sonny Reizner had no regrets that he booked bets on "Who shot J.R.?"

Community briefs for Dec. 2, 2002: Valley Auto Mall will conduct its fifth annual holiday tree decorating contest for high school teams from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Henderson.

Stones hit their comfort zone in larger venue: Spencer Patterson; When: Friday.

Birth announcements for Dec. 2, 2002: Nov. 15:

Trends for Dec. 2, 2002: Lisa Ferguson; Did you brave the crowds and hit the mall Friday, the so-called "biggest shopping day of the year"?

Letter: Election parody in 2000 turns into reality: "For democracy to take root and flourish, it must be planted in the rich soil of liberty," the parody "quoted" Kostunica. "And the cornerstone of liberty is elections free of tampering or corruption. ... Should America prove itself incapable of learning this lesson on its own, the international community may be forced to take stronger measures."

Editorial: TV cameras not suitable for jurors: A news story in the Los Angeles Times described the filming request as an "unprecedented courtroom experiment." It became a news story because a state district judge in Houston decided to grant the film crew's request. The judge's decision is being appealed, as it should be. The request should be denied, if for no other reason, because potential jurors would be excused if they didn't want to be filmed. Should we dismiss otherwise perfectly capable jurors just because they don't want to be part of a nationally televised experiment?

Editorial: Legislation to help doctors is misguided: Health plans already negotiate with doctors to establish reasonable prices for patients. If those rates can subsequently be hiked by the doctor, what's the point of having a health plan to keep medical costs in check? It also isn't fair to place the burden on patients to help ease the medical malpractice crisis, especially since in recent years patients have seen double-digit percentage increases in their health plans. The bill also would let the medical malpractice insurance companies off the hook -- yet again. There has been plenty of evidence that the medical malpractice premium increases actually were due more ...

Obituaries for Dec. 2, 2002: Ramona Betancourt, 88, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. A homemaker, she was born May 1, 1914, in Puerto Rico.

Immunization schedule for Dec. 2, 2002: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

What if?: Steve Guiremand; FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- As the UNLV Rebels celebrated their first win over a ranked team in 21 years here on Saturday afternoon, a 36-33 stunner over 13th-ranked Colorado State at Hughes Stadium, the question of the day had to be: What if?

Big man Edwards making and hearing noise: Lady Rebels fall

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV win masks its bland season: Dean Juipe; There's never a bad time to play your best game of the season.

Rebels save best for last at CSU: the numbers; First Quarter: Colorado State 9-0

Thomas to play in East-West Shrine contest: Steve Guiremand; Copyright 2002 Las Vegas Sun

UAL mechanics to again vote on wage concessions: Geoffrey White; CHICAGO -- The union representing 13,000 United Airlines mechanics announced today that it has scheduled a second membership ratification vote on United's recovery plan.

Injured Pines' star says he'll play in final: Adam Candee; Desert Pines players, coaches and fans feel free to exhale now: Cornell Johnson is OK and he will play in Saturday's 4A state championship game against McQueen.