Print edition for December 27, 2002

Letter: Racism continues to be scourge of our nation: This for sure will not become a reality for some time if there is still a need for the NAACP, affirmative action and equal housing laws. Nor will it happen while there is a continuation of a drop in house prices in white neighborhoods (segregated, privileged neighborhoods?) when a black family moves in, while the greater percentage of inmates are black, and while our casinos have one, very visible black person wearing an "executive" suit, giving the impression that there are indeed blacks holding management positions.

Letter: Missile defense is bad strategy: RICHARD J. MUNDY

Letter: Don't let fear ruin our lives: If Israel is hit with a WMD, the radical Arab world may well get the Jihad for which it has been clamoring. Rather than ask for cost estimates such as Mr. Bird would like, we should be asking ourselves what we may do to play a role in a successful operation to remove Saddam -- such as not giving in and living in fear. Or tending to our families and our careers. In other words, not letting the architects of terror dictate our day-to-day lives.

Other top stories: Timmy "T.J." Weber -- Faces the death penalty in brutal double slaying of his girlfriend and her son and the assault of his girlfriend's daughter. A seven-time felon, he eluded police for 24 days, at one point by going through the valley's flood control system.

Community news briefs for December 27, 2002: A fund-raiser and silent auction to help with medical care costs for Pamela Whitner -- known as Flutterby the clown for the past 25 years -- will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Velvet Lounge, inside the WB Stage 16 restaurant at The Venetian.

Electronic bingo units cleared after scandal: A former GameTech employee tampered with the company's fixed-based electronic bingo units in Nevada, obtaining more bingo cards than he had actually paid for and significantly increasing his chances of winning. The employee, software engineer Brett Keeton, committed suicide in San Francisco Sept. 20 after the scam surfaced.

Agassi Foundation sues couple over auction nonpayment: Erica D. Johnson; Andre Agassi's Charitable Foundation is suing a couple for allegedly cheating the charity out of tens of thousands of dollars.

Las Vegas man settles federal futures case: Stephen Cox, who advertised in trade magazines from January 2001 through August 2002 as a full-time commodity trader doing business as Natural Order Educators, agreed to pay civil penalties of $25,000 to settle the Commission's claims.

Bonanza hangs on vs. GV: Adam Candee; Beaten vertically before it took the court, Bonanza decided to stretch Green Valley horizontally, and the strategy paid off.

Suspect dead after police chase, shooting: By Timothy Pratt; A man who rammed a Metro Police car during a high-speed chase Thursday was shot by officers and was found dead after crashing his sport utility vehicle into a gas meter, police said.

Push for casino gambling in Nebraska gathering steam: Kevin O'Hanlon; LINCOLN, Neb. -- There seems to be less debate these days about whether Nebraska should allow casino gambling and more talk about where such gaming will take place.

Sea in the New Year: Kirk Baird; WEEKEND EDITION December 28-29, 2002

Editorial: Speaking of taxes ...: But the industry has done the math and has discovered that the additional state tax, under the formula for receiving federal matching funds, would actually boost revenues by more than $6 million a year. Unfortunately it's come to this -- governments and industries supported by government money must play games with each other in order to survive. It's either this, as 23 other states have also discovered, or keep losing nursing homes to bankruptcies. While John D. Rockefeller would be proud of this gamesmanship, it's worth noting that his tactics resulted in a trainload of federal reforms. Sounds to us ...

County zoning debates still unresolved: Clark County's tangle of contentious zoning issues did not get much clearer Thursday, leaving the future of at least three high-profile land-use approvals up in the air.

October taxable sales up slightly from 2001 number: CARSON CITY -- For the fourth consecutive month, taxable sales by Nevada merchants rose in October, an increase of 1.8 percent from the same month of 2001 to $2.7 billion.

Yucca Mountain year's top story: Here, according to an informal survey of Sun editors, are the top 10 stories of 2002 in the Las Vegas Valley:

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Looking to 2003, questions abound on music scene: Spencer Patterson; The new year fast approaches, and that means we're again inundated with Best-Of and Worst-Of lists recapping the year 2002 in music.

Tales of scandal dominated national business news: Adam Geller; NEW YORK -- Perp walks and handcuffs. Investigations and indictments.

Local boys teams fare well in tournament: Host Las Vegas won its opener over Granada Hills, 64-60; Cheyenne downed South Gate, 58-41; Sierra Vista took care of Hanford, 67-62; Durango edged Reed, 85-81; Valley defeated Woodbridge, 65-56; Eldorado won over Marana, 69-56; Western squeaked by Castlemont, 43-42; and Green Valley beat Norco, 79-54.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Vegas hosts a Fox-y New Year's Eve party: Afew more New Year's Eve events like this, and move over, Times Square.

Woman killed at Moulin Rouge ID'd: Metro Police homicide detectives want to talk to Corey Thompson, 33, about the shooting, but police said he is not considered a suspect.

KC riverboat take up 7.2 percent in November: Rick Alm; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Argosy Riverside Casino is winning the battle for Kansas City gamblers' hearts, but it's losing the war for their pocketbooks.

Editorial: Board showing sign of political maturity: The Clark County Commission appears ready to unanimously support Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, a Democrat, as its chairwoman. It also appears unanimous in its support of Chip Maxfield, a Republican, for vice chairman. Perhaps on another board amicable leadership selections would not be remarkable. But this is the County Commission, with its history of members openly feuding with each other. County Manager Thom Reilly, commenting on the so-far smooth leadership transition, said, "Even the seating assignments in past years were contentious."

Gaming turnaround key local story: Business slowed down markedly in Las Vegas after Sept. 11, 2001, when the terrorism prompted the grounding of the nation's airline fleet and temporarily brought the tourism industry to its knees -- leading to thousands of layoffs in Las Vegas.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Luxor pyramid nothing to 'Fear': VegasBeat appears Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Sun. Timothy McDarrah can be reached at tim@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-4096.

Be a Pepper at New Year's show at Joint: Spencer Patterson; Temperatures may be near freezing outside, but Las Vegas is in for a Red Hot New Year's Eve celebration next week.

CORRECTION: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Custody decision overturned: The court Thursday overturned the decision of former District Judge Mike Fondi of Reno, who ruled the law violated the constitutional right of a citizen to travel from one state to another.

Generosity turns family's despair to holiday joy: Jen Lawson; After their truck was stolen, the Cochran family feared they wouldn't have enough money to give 5-year-old Monique the Christmas she deserved.

Obituaries for December 27, 2002: Charles L. Allen, 70, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born May 6, 1932, in Huntington Park, Calif. A resident for 10 years, he was a hotel pit supervisor.

Veterans warned of threat to IDs: Military members and veterans covered by TriWest Healthcare Alliance are being warned by the company to take precautions against identity theft in the wake of a Dec. 14 break-in at its Phoenix headquarters.

Rivals-turned-teammates bolster Rebels: Longtime bitter rivals Marcus Banks and Demetrius Hunter aren't best friends.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Explore hunting, fishing opportunities during '03: Barb Henderson; H unters who apply for tags during the 2003 application process and are successful in the annual draw (mid-year) for Nevada hunting tags will be able to experience the hunting tradition. Bird hunters will flock to the fields for upland game birds and waterfowlers will once again huddle down inside hunting blinds during -- 2003 bird seasons.

Datebook for December 27, 2002: The Ethel M Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden, 1 Sunset Way, will be illuminated from sundown to 10 p.m. until Jan. 5. Admission is free. 737-3100.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: Saturday's card

Letter: Veterans clinic declared safe: This is not economical. It will cost $4 million a year versus the current $2 million cost. It is also not sensible because health care for veterans will be less efficient and less available.

Nuclear age a lure for archaeologists: WEEKEND EDITION December 28-29, 2002

Longtime MS counselor and activist Drakulich dies: Before World War II Steve Drakulich was one of Nevada's most promising young athletes.

Needy Californians are paid to move to Vegas: Teresa Owens was able to have a Christmas this year for her three children thanks, in large part, to a government program in California that paid for her family to move to Las Vegas.

Columnist Susan Snyder: We are hooked on ratings: Susan Snyder's column appears Fridays Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at snyder@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4082.

Celebrations of Kwanzaa begin: Jeffrey Libby; What: Kwanzaa celebration

On Display December 27, 2002: Joan Miro's collection of artwork for the 21st century is on display Wednesday through Jan. 1 at Centaur Galleries on the main level of the Fashion Show mall. 737-1234.

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: With 'Stitch,' Disney keeps animation reputation intact: If 2002 hadn't also seen the release of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away," Walt Disney Pictures' "Lilo and Stitch" would be the best animated film of 2002. The two films are standing neck and alien neck, and are likely to remain that until the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sorts them out. That is to say, unless the Academy gives the Oscar for Best Animated Film to "8 Crazy Nights," of course. If Roberto Begnini can win an Oscar, anything can happen.

Columnist Jerry Fink: So many New Year's Eve parties, so little time.: Where does a professional lounge observer begin the New Year?

Columnist Erin Neff: Democrats pining for a celebration in 2004: Erin Neff; Erin Neff covers politics for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-4062, or by e-mail at erin@lasvegassun.com.

'EFX Alive' is breathing fire to the end: What: "EFX Alive."

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Need a quick fix in the NFL? Grab a talking head: Sal DeFilippo; It used to be that whenever your football team needed a personnel boost, they could improve themselves in the draft, or perhaps through a trade, or maybe by signing a free agent.

All isn't quiet ... New Year's has Vegas what else? bustling: Spencer Patterson; This year's Las Vegas New Year's offerings run the gamut of musical tastes, from country to hip-hop, current stars to nostalgic acts.

Letter: Citizens made a difference in Kissinger case: Had he complied, a graveyard's worth of skeletons would have tumbled from his closet, including Kissinger Associates' role in facilitating Saddam Hussein's arms buildup. This in turn would have prompted renewed interest in the role played by the first President Bush in keeping financial and material aid flowing to Iraq during the late 1980s -- despite Saddam's gas attacks on Iraq's Kurdish minority, the lethal 1987 Iraqi attack on the USS Stark and plentiful evidence of Saddam's aggressive designs.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tark wants it known he's clean: Dean Juipe; It's a given that many basketball fans across the country, and maybe even a few here in Las Vegas, have an erroneous impression of Jerry Tarkanian. They grasp the Father Flanigan image but mistakenly believe he constantly bent the rules.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

The year took many noted Southern Nevadans, celebrities: Bill Bennett, 78, founder and chairman of Circus Circus Enterprises and owner of the Sahara, who marketed to families and the middle class. Dec. 22 at a local hospital following a lengthy illness.

Used holiday trees make useful mulch: By Timothy Pratt; Christmas trees can be dropped off for recycling through Jan. 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the following sites:

From Entwistle to 'CSI,' year's top stories run the gamut: Journalists may agree on what stories are newsworthy, but not necessarily which story is more significant in relation to another story.

Appeals court rejects double jeopardy in pollution case: CARSON CITY -- An appeals court has ruled that the federal government can prosecute a Las Vegas man on a criminal charge of violating the Clean Air Act, even though the man had been fined by Clark County for the same offense.

Sales of new homes top all records: WASHINGTON -- New-home sales jumped 5.7 percent in November to the highest monthly level on record as house hunters -- motivated by some of the lowest mortgage rates seen in decades -- turned into home buyers.

Firing of officers upheld: CARSON CITY -- A state hearing officer has ruled there was sufficient evidence and reason to fire two UNLV police officers who falsified their time records to show they were on the job when they were absent.

Editorial: Legislature must hear the voters: In Nevada, we hear the murmuring of educators as the start of the 2003 Legislature nears. They are talking among themselves of suing the state -- that is, suing the taxpayers of Nevada -- if the Legislature does not appropriate nearly $900 million in new funding for school districts over the next two years. We have a dim view of a lawsuit against Nevada taxpayers, yet we can understand the emotions behind such talk. Educators face severe pressure from the governor, the Legislature and the entire public regarding student achievement. On the one hand, they are being ordered to exceed ...

Las Vegas news briefs for December 27, 2002: An air ambulance squad and a public affairs unit of the Nevada Army National Guard are being shipped out as the nation prepares for a possible attack on Iraq.

Editorial: Sales tactic is inflating drug prices: One hundred years ago in the United States publishers of newspapers and magazines were about to be embarrassed by revelations that they had kept silent about "The Great American Fraud." This was the title of a series of articles published in Collier's magazine in 1905. The series exposed the infamous "red clauses" in the lucrative advertising contracts for patent medicines. The clauses stated that the ads would be pulled if laws were passed regulating the concoctions that promised cures for cancer and practically every known human ailment. This led editorialists to either remain silent about these harmful products or strongly ...

Tyson nabs No. 1 billing: If there was an adjective that best described the year in local sports it would be "unpredictable."

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Las Vegas Bowl did its job of bolstering the city: Steve Guiremand; The happiest people who watched Wednesday's latest Las Vegas Bowl game between UCLA and New Mexico should be the stockholders of Pulte, Beazer and Kaufman and Broad.

Guest Where I Stand -- Joseph Walker: Busy on world front: SHOULD THE United States focus so much time and energy on foreign affairs? This question was at the center of almost every topic in our discussion group. Our group concluded that much of the world is in turmoil and terrorism still threatens American life, but ideas for solutions to these problems varied greatly.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Nation filled with whiners: We sat in one of Las Vegas' better restaurants Christmas night wondering whether our water refills were to arrive by reindeer or wise men.

Frohlich adjusting to life as pro hoops player: It has taken a stint back in Europe for Linda Frohlich to realize how American she had become during four years playing basketball at UNLV and a professional season in New York.

Union sues state for corrections officers: The State of Nevada Employees Association filed suit against the Corrections Department and the attorney general's office, alleging the employees have been reprimanded and placed on suspension for speaking out about the security and safety of prison workers.