Print edition for December 23, 2002

Editorial: Deception campaign should be discarded: This isn't the first time the Pentagon has contemplated a misguided propaganda program. In February the Pentagon was considering a disinformation campaign to change public opinion in other countries. But Rumsfeld shut down the ominously named Office of Strategic Influence as soon as President Bush made it clear that he wouldn't tolerate the U.S. government disseminating lies to foreign countries. After that first controversy, it is mind-boggling that the Pentagon would consider a second plan remotely similar to the first one. The president should remind Rumsfeld that these kinds of programs will not be tolerated -- and that's a message ...

Editorial: More than law needs changing: Builders, however, have been saying ever since that the law hasn't worked and is one of the major reasons why their insurance premiums have risen by as much as 1,000 percent. They have been demanding the law be changed to once again require negotiations between builders and group homeowners before suits can be filed. This way, they argue, they will have a chance to fix the problem and avoid costly trials. A state task force, whose members represent homeowners, lawyers, builders and insurers, has studied the issue and agrees with the builders. It is expected to formally recommend that the ...

Letter: Good neighbors abound in Vegas: Last week I went Christmas shopping. I visited several stores, and the trunk of my car held several shopping bags full of gifts for my family. My last stop was at Wal-Mart on East Tropicana. I was in a hurry and as I left my car I clicked the remote to lock the doors.

The Magic Dragon: Revamped arcade classic 'Dragon's Lair' a barometer of advances in video games: Kirk Baird; It's also easy to lose sight of just how far and fast video games have advanced since both their inception in the early 1970s and subsequent boom a decade later.

Letter: NATO evolves into military muscle of U.N.: Although military action directly under the U.N. may be vetoed by one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, NATO has no such impediment. Hence, it was NATO's forces that went into Bosnia to enforce a U.N. resolution.

Trends for Dec. 23, 2002: Lisa Ferguson; Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down the information superhighway ...

Pianist, music teacher Cox dies: Cox, whose career included performances at Carnegie and Constitution halls and other leading concert venues in the United States and Canada, in recent years performed benefit concerts at the Boulder Dam Hotel. The most recent was in March.

Homeless program faces hiring hurdles: By Timothy Pratt; A pilot outreach program to help homeless people with mental illnesses is more than a month behind schedule, in part due to an unexpected obstacle: It's hard to find professionals who want to work the streets where the homeless live.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Le Reve approach a Wynn-win situation: Often regarded as the father of modern Las Vegas, Wynn built The Mirage, Bellagio and Treasure Island; while he no longer has formal ties to those hotels, he still has friends, former colleagues and professional associates at virtually every property in town.

Probation given in fatal DUI case: District Judge Lee Gates sentenced Douglas Fernando Romandeleon, 32, to one to two years in prison but suspended the sentence and placed Romandeleon on probation for a period not to exceed five years.

Firm taking $1.5 billon charge: The announcement today was the first from the 10 commercial banks, investment banks and brokerage houses that agreed on Friday to pay millions in penalties to settle allegations that their stock analysts misled investors and that potentially valuable shares in initial public offerings were used to leverage future business.

Lady Rebels struggle early, lose to No. 23 Arizona: Adam Candee; On top of whatever salary Regina Miller earned as Lady Rebels coach Sunday night, add another 37 cents to her take-home pay.

Columnist Adam Candee: Celebration of GV girls' national record came early: Adam Candee; This fall, the Green Valley High girls golf team celebrated its national record for consecutive dual match victories with all the appropriate pomp and circumstance.

Expect rain in valley, snow on mountain for Christmas: By Timothy Pratt; Kids who tear wrapping paper off bikes, roller skates or other outdoor toys on Christmas may have to wait until later in the day before taking to sidewalks and driveways.

High court says names must be given to police: CARSON CITY -- In these times of international terrorism and sniper attacks, a person must reveal his name when stopped by police during an investigation, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled.

Consumer spending jumped in November: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- Consumers showed a burst of holiday cheer and boosted their spending by 0.5 percent in November, the biggest increase in four months.

VIDEOGAME REVIEW: Hack 'n' slash ninja classic 'Shinobi' revived: AP; "Shinobi," the classic 2D hack 'n slasher, has been revived in great form.

Scholarship created to honor former coach: Camillone, who died Sept. 10 in the Philippines at age 62, coached football and soccer and was a driver's education teacher with the Clark County School District for 32 years. He retired in 1996.

Legislator proposes casino for 'Eighth Wonder': State Rep. Ron Wilson wants to bring the Astrodome back to life, wagering that the state and county could pull in probably $1 billion in revenue a year running the gambling operation.

Freshman lawmakers have much to learn: Erin Neff; When the Legislature convenes in February, 17 new legislators will be facing not just a learning curve in state politics, but a steep education in Nevada tax policy.

Learning from loss key for Rebels: Steve Guiremand; UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour gave his team a homework assignment for its three-day Christmas break following Saturday night's disappointing 77-66 loss to Stanford.

Columnist Dean Juipe: CCSN keeps the pedal to the metal: Dean Juipe; There wasn't a hundred people in the building, yet those who were there witnessed a sight that may have had to be seen to be believed.

Vigil held for deceased homeless: By Timothy Pratt; Gary Norris, 61, has been on the streets of Las Vegas for almost six years, but the last year has been a little more lonely because his friend, Richard, died last year on a day much like last Friday.

State to get $60 million more than expected for Medicaid: CARSON CITY -- Just in time for Christmas, the federal government has surprised Gov. Kenny Guinn with $60 million.

Resident sues to block casino deal: A local resident, James Fox, has filed suit against the newly signed casino contract between the Golden Hill Paugussett Indians and the city.

Preview speakers listed: Other speakers are Keith Schwer, director of UNLV's Center for Business and Economic Research; Richard Lee, director of public relations at First American Title Company of Nevada; Fox News Channel commentator Neil Cavuto; and Carolyn Holmes, executive director of the Seniors Research Group and vice president of Market Strategies.

UCLA enduring the times: NEXT UP

Birth announcements for Dec. 23, 2002: Dec. 11:

Wells honored for community service: Wells was recognized at the annual holiday celebration Thursday in Kansas City, Mo., and awarded a grant totaling $5,000 to a charity of his choice. He selected The Meadows School of Las Vegas.

Wynn planning school in China to lure workers: Steve Wynn will establish a hospitality school in Macau as part of his effort to recruit and educate workers in the Chinese city.

Immunization schedule for Dec. 23, 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.

GV girls golf team's record streak honored: By Timothy Pratt; Green Valley High School coach Nick Garritano had a surefire way to lift the spirits of the girls on his golf team when they were down: He told them their hair looked good.

Obituaries for Dec. 23, 2002: Mae Fine, 76, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born April 29, 1926, in New York City. A resident for six years, she was a homemaker, a member of Disabled American Veterans Post 34, Jewish War Veterans Post 711 and American Legion Post 76.

Former youth coach gets probation: Erica Johnson; A former youth football coach accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two boys was given a suspended sentence and placed on probation Friday.

Christmas Day lottery to be Powerball's third largest yet: Margery Beck; OMAHA, Neb. -- Somewhere in a Christmas stocking or holiday card this season could be a lottery ticket worth nearly $300 million.

Developers show interest in downtown Henderson: Jeffrey Libby; Three developers with proven track records and ready money want to invest millions of dollars to transform the skyline of downtown Henderson. Civic Partners of Newport Beach, Calif., Las Vegas-based Plise Development and Construction, and Las Vegas Valley developer and entrepreneur Jerry Polis answered a national call by the Henderson Redevelopment Agency for development proposals on three city-owned downtown sites. The call closed last week.

Local sports calendar: College football: Las Vegas Bowl, New Mexico vs. UCLA, 1:30 p.m., Sam Boyd Stadium.

Educators may file suit over funding: By Emily Richmond; If Nevada lawmakers vote against a proposal by the state's school superintendents for $897 million in additional funding, educators say they may sue the Legislature for failing to adequately provide for students.

Long's New Mexico defense will look familiar: With his aggressive and unorthodox defensive schemes, New Mexico coach Rocky Long made a significant impression when he served as UCLA coach Bob Toledo's defensive coordinator in 1996 and '97.

Top RB commits to Rebels: Steve Guiremand; Picture a running back with the size of Joe Haro and the acceleration and speed of a Dominique Dorsey.

Gamblers help themselves at Atlantic City soup kitchen: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- There is such a thing as free lunch, it turns out.

News briefs for Dec. 23, 2002: Two people were killed in a one-vehicle crash Saturday night on Lake Mead Boulevard, east of Hollywood Boulevard.

Gaming pioneer Bennett dies: Ed Koch and Judy Odierna; Bill Bennett had the Midas Touch in gaming.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Toccet shines, but won't win an Eclipse Award: Ralph Siraco; Thoroughbred owner Daniel Borislow can be forgiven for bragging about his juvenile star Toccet. And his challenge to the connections of Breeders' Cup Juvenile champ Vindication for the Hollywood Futurity can also be taken as a proud owner's defensive effort to justify Toccet's abysmal performance in the Breeders' Cup showdown.