Print edition for February 21, 2002

LV OKs Evergreen golf deal: Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $22.5 million management contract with Evergreen to operate the Northwest Family Golf Course for 15 years.

Online casinos buy more ads: Jupiter Media Metrix reported online casinos accounted for 2.5 billion online ad "impressions" in December, up 170 percent from December 2000. Impressions measure the number of times an ad is delivered for viewing to an Internet user.

VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO: VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO

Fair Trade: Bartering services an option for many professionals: Kirk Baird; But Pinkus isn't pitching a product. Nor is his testimony solicited. He is just a small Las Vegas shop owner European Hair on South Maryland Parkway with an interesting way of doing business.

Ellis' one-hitter caps UNLV women's sweep: Ellis had struck out six, walked three, and allowed no runner past second base through five innings. However, SUU's Rulen Andrade singled to left with one out and one on in the sixth.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Cheers for Coach Spoon: In a development that has to be considered more shocking than a legitimate figure skating competition, the local media has not been quick to judge Charlie Spoonhour's performance as the first-year coach of the UNLV men's basketball team.

Jurors will consider death penalty for killer: Kim Smith; Jurors will hear evidence Friday that will help them determine if a man they convicted Wednesday of raping and killing a mentally ill Las Vegas woman should receive the death penalty.

New wards ready for council's OK: Mathis Winkler; North Las Vegas City Council members are expected to approve new council wards on March 6.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Wrapping up examination of area hotel properties: Joe Delaney; Stupak's dream was to build a space needle, upgrade the hotel and clientele, making the property an attraction on its own ... Stratosphere opened poorly, prematurely, and Stupak and his investors parted company ... He left; they stayed ... Then along came billionaire investor Carl Icahn to take over the Stratosphere and also assume control of the faltering Arizona Charlie's property.

Report: 1,000 layoffs planned: Sources told the Los Angeles Times the announcement is expected today at a company employee meeting. More layoffs could exceed 2,000 this year, sources said. A Boeing spokesman declined to comment Wednesday about the possible layoffs.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Mayor was on target: It didn't take the gamblers long to have their spokesman Bill Bible respond. Bible, a highly respected government leader for several years, came back strong by calling the mayor a Johnny-come-lately when it comes to fighting nuke waste being dumped on Nevada. He claims that gamblers have been deeply involved in the fight. That sure was news to me and thousands of other Nevadans worried about the environment in which we are raising new generations of Nevadans.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Returning to Phoenix isn't a drag for Larry Nance: Former NBA all-star Larry Nance will have added incentive to do well this weekend when the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series stops in Chandler, Ariz., for the Checker/Schuck's/Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Air Force honors Eldorado graduate as leader, scholar: Dick Benoit; Air Force Senior Airman TaShara McGee, Eldorado High School class of 1995, received the John T. Levitow Award upon graduation from the Air Force Airman Leadership School.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Chris and Greg Gifford and Elizabeth Winkelblech: School: Las Vegas

Las Vegas council briefs for February 21, 2002: Plans for a downtown monorail are moving forward now that the Las Vegas City Council has entered into a contract with Transit Systems Development Inc. to develop and operate the transportation system.

Letter: Nuclear waste must be stopped in its tracks: It is inconceivable to activists, who attended meetings, to believe that Department of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and now President Bush would in a brazen political move agree to move toward licensing for the repository.

Revenues jump in January: The 30 state-regulated casinos won $243.5 million from gamblers last month, up from $227.6 million in January 2001, according to figures released Wednesday by the Mississippi Tax Commission.

Catching up with: Yolonda Banks: High School: Cheyenne ('98)

News briefs for February 21, 2002: The first segment of the northern leg of the Las Vegas Beltway between U.S. 95 and Decatur Boulevard was slated to open this morning.

USA Networks buying shares: Expedia, which owns Travelscape of Las Vegas, said the proceeds will be used to retire the outstanding debt of Classic Vacation Group as part of Expedia's previously announced acquisition of travel wholesaler Classic Custom Vacations.

Shopping cart law eyed: Mathis Winkler; Following the lead of Clark County and Las Vegas, North Las Vegas City Council members are likely to adopt a shopping cart ordinance in the near future.

Obituaries for February 21, 2002: Jacinta S. Aniban, 92, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in North Las Vegas. A longtime resident, she was born Aug. 16, 1909, in the Philippines.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Lake Mead striper action mixed: Walt deMattos, Nevada Division of Wildlife creel census clerk, said stripers have been caught recently at the tires at Las Vegas Bay Marina, Saddle Cove, Sand Island and Saddle Island. Anglers who have been fishing in the Overton Arm have had some luck in the Muddy River.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Feeling a jolt of reality: Ruthe Deskin; According to the author, "The day Vice President Dick Cheney received a special device for his heart, cardiac care for patients with prior heart attacks took a major step forward."

DA's Bad Check Unit receives honor: State and local government employees whose work is focused on the wise and careful use of taxpayer dollars are considered.

Pig farm may join the city: Mathis Winkler; North Las Vegas may get a pig farm within its city limits.

District Attorney will not file charges against Tyson: "There's no question that Mr. Tyson and the alleged victims had sexual relations," Bell told the Sun. "The issue is: Was it forced or consensual? And the answer is we couldn't tell. And so it was clear we couldn't prove it was forced beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mack to appear in Municipal Court: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack, facing allegations that he broke Las Vegas a municipal code relating to conflict of interest, could be tried on misdemeanor criminal charges in 60 to 90 days, said the attorney appointed to prosecute the councilman.

Sitting out wasn't easy for Frohlich: Steve Guiremand; Linda Frohlich knew she loved playing college basketball. But until her recent two-game suspension, she didn't realize just how much.

Strohmeyer takes his appeal to federal courts: Kim Smith; Jeremy Strohmeyer, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 7-year-old girl in a case that drew national attention, has filed an appeal in U.S. District Court.

Letter: The bright side of Yucca site: The nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain will bring many jobs and we'll all be rich.

Turner seizes chance to help the Rebels after weeks of frustration: Steve Addy; WHAT: San Diego State (16-10, 5-6 MWC) at UNLV (15-9, 6-5)

County wants to pull politics from newsletter: Adrienne Packer; Clark County administrators are looking at revamping policies regarding the government center's newsletter to quash any perceptions that elected officials use the county-generated "Sandstone" as a political tool.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Ayala looking sharp heading into grueling test vs. Adams: Dean Juipe; Fighters can be judged on a number of counts, but being in shape, having a good chin and owning a decent punch would seem to be the most enviable attributes in anyone's arsenal.

Editorial: Plan could save lives at hospital: The idea is not without drawbacks. Some doctors might not want to be county employees, they would be limited to 20 hours a week as part timers, and their fair-market wages might be more costly to the county than their contracts. But the proposal could be adopted immediately and stave off a life-threatening situation until longer-term solutions are found. Tort reform is likely the longer-term solution. People who do not feel they have received proper compensation for someone else's negligence that caused them injury or loss have the right to file a "tort" lawsuit. Critics say the courts are clogged ...

Prep state tournament schedules, results: 4A TOURNAMENT

Community briefs for February 21, 2002: The Meadows School will compete May 3-6 at the National Science Bowl in Chevy Chase, Md.

Castaldi leaving her county PR post: Adrienne Packer; Clark County Public Communications Director Gwen Castaldi announced her resignation Wednesday, just six months after the former television news anchor was appointed to the administrative position.

Editorial: Strive for equity in truck fees, taxes: Guinn, however, has noted that out-of-state truckers receive hefty discounts on their registration fees. While in-state drivers pay the whole shot -- $17 for every thousand pounds of their trucks' weight -- out-of-state drivers pay fees proportional only to the number of miles they drive in Nevada. We now have a situation where out-of-state drivers pay only about 7 cents a mile in state taxes and fees, while our own drivers pay about 15 cents. It makes sense to us to study the idea of lowering the registration fees and once again imposing a weight-distance tax, perhaps along with an ...

Nebraska officials mulling casino plan: Scott Bauer; LINCOLN, Neb. -- Casinos could begin popping up all over Nebraska under an idea debated Wednesday in the state's Legislature.

Letter: Dolphins not at home in tank: The sea is to dolphins much as the air is to birds -- a three-dimensional environment where they move up and own and side to side. Dolphins are always swimming, even when "asleep," and they are always conscious. By understanding their behavior, you can imagine the tragedy of these ocean creatures kept in captivity. Unfortunately, people who love dolphins are thus unwittingly contributing to the animals' inhumane treatment, by buying tickets to look at them.

Local judges improve handling of criminal cases: Kim Smith; Clark County judges, carrying a heavier caseload than others in the state, do a good job of resolving the cases that come through their doors, according to the annual activity report of the Eighth Judicial District Court, released Wednesday.

Life with parole given in death of child: Kim Smith; When District Judge Joseph Bonaventure asked convicted child killer Martha Flores what she had to say for herself, she simply proclaimed her innocence.

Group would convert club to museum: CARSON CITY -- A nonprofit group trying to save Nevada's first major interracial hotel-casino in Las Vegas -- the Moulin Rouge -- is applying to the state Commission on Cultural Affairs for $1.4 million to buy the resort.

Estimated amounts of power purchases vary widely: The state consumer advocate, MGM MIRAGE and staff of the state Public Utilities Commission say Nevada Power Co. overpaid for energy last year in Southern Nevada, but they disagreed sharply by how much.

Teacher's aide faces sex charge: The case was expected to be forwarded to prosecutors later today or Friday to determine if charges will be filed, Lt. Jeff Carlson of Metro's sexual assault unit said.

Herrera abstains, but new billboard ordinance passes: Adrienne Packer; Community activists hounding Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera for his involvement in a billboard ordinance thought his colleagues might compromise if he chose not to vote Wednesday.

Baseball park not rated high for parcel downtown: Diana Sahagun; Sixty-one acres of land downtown is a prime site for an academic medical center, residential housing, office space and a performing arts center, though not necessarily a minor-league baseball stadium, according to an independent study.

French official opens door to future ties in Nevada: Chris Jones; A visiting French diplomat said Wednesday he was impressed with Southern Nevada's efforts to diversify its economy and hopes to someday attract businesses from his country to the area.

This week's races: WINSTON CUP

Pontiac trying to overcome on-track: Jenna Fryer; ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - No one doubts Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart can compete for the Winston Cup championship this season. The only question is if the two Joe Gibbs Racing teammates can do it while driving a Pontiac.

Andersen official: Nevada office won't lose much business: Chris Jones; Arthur Andersen's top local official said the Enron scandal has had little effect on the firm's Nevada operations.

Victim of beating in tavern dies: Richard Adamicki, 52, had been on life support since he was found beaten and unconscious on the floor of the Lake Mead Tavern in the 5800 block of East Lake Mead Boulevard near Nellis Boulevard about 2:30 a.m. Dec. 13.

Tighter security to further slow race day traffic: Jace Radke; Mass transit

Ridge backs transporting of nuke waste: Erin Neff; NEVADA TEST SITE -- Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge disputed a key anti-Yucca Mountain argument Wednesday by saying he believes transporting nuclear waste to a centralized repository is more secure than keeping it in 39 states.

Rumsfeld holds court at Nellis: Michael Campbell; Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld reaffirmed in Las Vegas on Wednesday that the Defense Department would not use a new office to plant false information in the foreign news media.

High fashion: Famed designer says LV is the place for it: Jeffrey Libby; Dressed in a blue blazer and taupe trousers more fitting of a department store tailor, French fashion designer Pierre Cardin said Wednesday he will be the first to bring a permanent haute couture show to Las Vegas.

Big 4 advance: Spencer Patterson; RENO -- Hug High fans hollered. McQueen clamped down defensively. Centennial came out red-hot. And Desert Pines refused to go away.

Road to girls title still goes through Northern Nevada: Spencer Patterson; Today's semifinal boys matchups

Chinese New Year signals recovery: David Strow; As Chinese New Year comes to an end, it appears the annual festival has lived up to the hopeful expectations of Las Vegas casino operators.

Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Exotic Tilapia can be tasty: In case you are tired of staying indoors and watching the Olympics, there's some wintertime fishing available at Lake Mead.

Family reunited with missing man: Keith Paul; Christine Ortiz's eyes narrowed and her mouth went into a deep frown as she talked Wednesday about her mentally handicapped brother being missing for a week. But as soon as she talked about the miracle of finding him a little weary, but otherwise fine, her face lit up with a wide smile.