Print edition for December 26, 2002

Editorial: Those fighting DUI have earned credit: The NHTSA released statistics for all states comparing the number of people killed in drunken-driving incidents to the amount of miles driven. The numbers show Nevada's improvement over the past 20 years, from 2.98 fatalities per 100 million miles driven to 0.73 -- a 76 percent improvement. Only Vermont, with an 80 percent improvement, did better. Nevertheless, Nevada's 0.73 rate still exceeds the national average, which is 0.63. There's much left to do, but for what has been accomplished we can all be grateful.

Editorial: Years of planning paying off: The Henderson Redevelopment Agency may now be on the verge of realizing this goal. The proposals submitted by the three developers center on a mix of commercial and residential development that would consistently attract people to this mile-long street. The developers would build on sites cleared by the redevelopment agency. The vision is for those sites to contain new construction that will boost the street's image and fortunes. A major proposal for one of those sites -- 3.6 acres across from City Hall -- fell through in July of last year after more than two years of on-again, off-again negotiations ...

Long-Range: You knew it was coming.

2002's results: A few of last year's predictions from Las Vegas psychics included:

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Weathering evolution of Christmas: Ruthe Deskin; It's the day after Christmas. Time to acknowledge that it is no longer the holiday of my youth when the birth of the Christ child was the cause for celebration.

Penthouse opens first in planned chain of upscale strip clubs: Paul Singer; CLEVELAND -- Penthouse Magazine plans to license a chain of upscale strip clubs around the country, hoping to cash in on its well-known name and expand its franchise as magazine sales have ebbed.

Suspect may change plea: Dan Kulin; One of three Las Vegas men charged with murdering two teenagers in April is considering a plea agreement that would reduce the maximum penalty he faces from life without parole to 10 years in prison, his attorney said today.

Inmate stabbed to death in Ely: The stabbing occurred between 1 and 3 a.m. The name of the victim was being withheld pending notification of his family.

IGT selling two casinos in Colorado: By Liz Benston; Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. and a Texas-based casino developer today announced an agreement to purchase two Colorado casinos from International Game Technology for $84 million in cash.

Retailers reporting worst holiday in three decades: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, today lowered its December sales forecast, saying a surge in the days before Christmas came too late to save the holiday shopping season.

Police search for suspects in thefts: Police said a resident went into his garage about 7:50 a.m. and saw two men in his wife's car. The men fled in a white 1996 Toyota Camry, which was reported stolen Dec. 20, and the victim called police.

Fans flock to see their teams: By Emily Richmond; Thousands of college football fans took loyalty to a new level Wednesday, trading the traditional Christmas holiday at home for hot dogs and beer at the Las Vegas Bowl.

Woman shot to death at Moulin Rouge: The woman was found about 4:20 a.m. inside her apartment in the 900 block of West Bonanza Road, Metro Police said. Her identity was pending this morning, the Clark County Coroner's Office said. She is believed to be in her late 30s.

Plea doesn't keep man from coaching: Erica D. Johnson; The agreement that allowed a former youth football coach to plead guilty to a lesser charge after being accused of sexual assault of two boys doesn't prevent him from working with children again.

Couple killed in crash ID'd: The two-seater Robinson R22 helicopter flown by Kelly Brown crashed Monday morning after hitting power lines along U.S. 93 about 40 miles southeast of Hoover Dam.

Ernaut won't write Guinn's State of State: CARSON CITY -- Pete Ernaut, the re-election campaign chairman for Gov. Kenny Guinn and a lobbyist for big business, won't be helping write Guinn's State of the State message next month.

Nursing homes propose tax on own gross receipts: CARSON CITY -- While most big business in Nevada is scurrying to avoid new taxes, the nursing home industry is proposing to tax its gross receipts by 6 percent.

Sin City Christmas: Judy Odierna; It started as a traditional Christmas Day for Carol and Scott Nozawa.

New regents question theory of smaller is better: Jennifer Knight; A proposal to reduce rather than expand the size of the state Board of Regents is not sitting well with two newly elected members.

Community news briefs for December 26, 2002: Project Sunshine of Nevada will hold a signing of the second annual Las Vegas Firefighter Calendar for 2003-2004 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Virgin Megastore at the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Marshals work behind the scenes at airport: Jace Radke; Holiday travelers passing through McCarran International Airport can easily spot bomb-sniffing dogs and other security measures, but they may not notice the presence of Nevada's largest federal law enforcement agency.

Obituaries for December 26, 2002: Lillian L. Cox, 84, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local care center. She was born Jan. 20, 1918, in Waco, Texas. A resident for 52 years, she was a retired registration clerk with the convention authority.

Commission leadership likely set for coming year: Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey appears to be the consensus choice to lead the Clark County Commission for the next 12 months.

Woman fails in attempt to scam church: Cy Ryan and Timothy Pratt; Churchgoers at a Las Vegas house of worship were angry but they resolved to turn the other cheek after a con artist failed in her attempt to fleece the church only days before Christmas.

UCLA pulls away in second half for victory: Steve Guiremand; Patience proved to be a pretty good virtue for the UCLA Bruins in Wednesday's 11th annual Las Vegas Bowl at sunny Sam Boyd Stadium.

Tops in Blue talent troupe headed to Las Vegas: Dick Benoit; Tops in Blue, a free 90-minute musical variety show performed by 30 active duty service members from units throughout the Air Force will perform at the Cannery hotel theater 7 p.m. Jan. 28.

Police: Key witness in girl's killing found: Prosecutors considered the man, Bobby Valentine, a valuable witness in the case against Pascual Lozano and postponed the end of Lozano's preliminary hearing in part to give police more time to find Valentine.

Five Las Vegans gear up for Insightful bowl trip: Five Oregon State football players from Las Vegas started laying the groundwork last Thursday morning, before their team left for Phoenix, for a basketball competition against Beaver quintets from other cities.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: LV Bowl: Not pretty, but still fun: UCLA's 27-13 victory over New Mexico in a Las Vegas Bowl XI dominated by defense was hardly a thing of beauty. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being Bo Derek, I'd call it a Molly Ringwald -- an average-cute 5.

Kicker breaks barrier: Steve Guiremand; Katie Hnida made college football history in Wednesday's Las Vegas Bowl. Only it wasn't quite the way she had hoped.

Two men are facing additional charges: Jonathan Avendano, 21, and Joshua Moyers, 19, are accused of taking more than $1,000 in cash and some lost-and-found property from the DMV office, Metro Police said.

Las Vegas Bowl: UCLA vs. New Mexico: UCLA-FG Fikse 49, 10:24.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- SHEZA GLADIATOR -- Flores atop Jackson trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, well spotted for claiming level. PERFECT WOMAN -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, needs prompt start and clear path from rail post, Woman with Perfect trip wins? Value Play -- BEST CARD

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.

Slot maker chief resigns under pressure: The board has appointed Wayne W. Mills, Innovative's largest shareholder, to replace Abdo as president and chief executive officer. Mills was also elected to the company's board.

Internet gambling firm suspends CEO: Chairman Nicholas Jackson will serve as acting chief executive during the probe, which the company expects to finish by the middle of next month, the company said.

Carrier launches new LV flights: The airline also added one daily roundtrip nonstop flight between Las Vegas and Miami International Airport and Dallas/Ft. Worth, which now have two and three roundtrip flights, respectively.

Boy rescued in family pool: The incident occurred about 2:50 p.m. near Sahara Avenue and Rancho Drive. Paramedics arrived and found him in good condition, but with a low body temperature and heart rate. He was treated at University Medical Center and released.

New Vegas operation helps entrepreneurs find capital: The source is Technology Ventures Corporation (TVC), a New Mexico-based, non-profit foundation that helps high-tech entrepreneurs find funds from investors.

Guest Where I Stand -- Lauren Wu: Students tackle topics: THE SESSION'S moderator, U.S. District Judge Phillip Pro, initiated the discussion with a very widely disputed topic: the benefits and disadvantages of stem cell research and cloning.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Jones remains noncommittal: Dean Juipe; The fight's on the schedule and a betting line has been posted, yet insiders say Roy Jones Jr. still hasn't signed on the dotted line to face World Boxing Association heavyweight champ John Ruiz on March 1 in Las Vegas.

Casino supplier announces new chief financial officer: Sullivan, former corporate controller for Serrot International Inc., will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Gerard Charlier.

Fight schedule: Friday

Action set to heat up locally on basketball courts, soccer fields: Adam Candee; With the holiday feasts stuffed away and all the presents unwrapped, area prep teams are ready to swing back into action this weekend in a host of local tournaments beginning today.

Columnist Peter Benton: Montgomery captures Southwest Section final: Peter Benton; Under rather cold and windy conditions, a large field of area professionals from the Las Vegas Chapter, Southwest Section of the PGA, held their Grand Finale golf tournament at the Las Vegas Country Club last week.