Print edition for January 3, 2002

Rose Bowl Notebook: Nebraska not used to playing role of 'dog in sports books: Steve Guiremand; PASADENA, Calif. -- When fourth-ranked Nebraska takes the field at the Rose Bowl for tonight's national championship game against No. 1 and unbeaten Miami, the Cornhuskers will find themselves in an unfamiliar position -- underdogs.

Nebraska brings in sea of red: Steve Guiremand; PASADENA, Calif. -- There will be a whole lot of red in the stands for the 88th Rose Bowl game tonight thanks to fourth-ranked Nebraska, which could have as many as 70,000 fans on hand for its battle against No. 1 Miami.

News briefs for January 3, 2002: A woman waiting for a bus was killed this morning when a driver lost control of her sport-utility vehicle on rain-slicked streets at Eastern Avenue and Warm Springs Road.

Hoffa blocks Teamsters organizing of LV dealers: David Strow; More than 100 casino dealers gathered in the hall of Teamsters Union Local 995 Wednesday night, expecting the launch of an organizing campaign under the Teamsters flag.

LV bank industry matured in 2001: Chris Jones; Fueled by a steady stream of incoming residents and accompanying growth in the number of local businesses, bankers have benefited from the Las Vegas Valley's booming economy for more than a decade.

Vegas home building hit record: Jennifer Robison; Neither national recession nor catastrophic terrorist assaults kept Las Vegas home builders from posting a record year for home closings in 2001.

Senior Rx program may start waiting list: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's program for free prescription drug insurance coverage for low-income senior residents may be a victim of its own success.

Park Place to offer multi-casino card: David Strow; Park Place Entertainment Corp. of Las Vegas is the latest company to introduce a multi-casino players' card, announcing this morning it would launch such a system in Las Vegas on Jan. 8.

Commercial real estate looks better in 2002: Jennifer Robison; The local commercial real estate market slowed noticeably in 2001 as a national recession set in earlier in the year and September's terrorist attacks hurt the resort industry.

Energy year capped with rate hike request: The 21-percent increase, proposed on Dec. 1, would be spread over three years and is the subject of regulatory hearings beginning this month.

Developers explain plans for Strip, Harmon properties: Grace Leong; The developers acquiring two Lakes Gaming Inc. properties on the Las Vegas Strip for $31.8 million said they plan to develop a mixed-use project that could potentially include retail, a boutique hotel and a high-rise residential development.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: BCS isn't coming up all Roses: Steve Guiremand; PASADENA, Calif. -- This is going to take a little getting used to.

Pro-Reno story irks Las Vegas: Chris Jones; Source: Nevada Department of Employment

Tax breaks awarded to expanding LV firms: The largest break, for nearly $384,000, was awarded to HSS Systems LLC. The company's office will service patient accounts for hospital operator HCA-The Healthcare Co.

Car dealer's resolve may pay off -- for Mack: Diana Sahagun; A new application from East Coast car dealer John Staluppi Jr. to open a Nissan dealership in northwest Las Vegas could render moot the ethics complaints and a lawsuit lodged last year against Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack.

Lied shelter places more than 900 pets over holidays: The shelter had hoped to place 1,000 animals in homes from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day with its "Thousand Miracles for the Holidays," but were happy with the response from the community.

Political notebook: Assemblyman will move to new district: Erin Neff; Assemblyman Bob Price is house hunting so he can move back into the district he has represented since 1974.

UMC will use security bracelets: By Emily Richmond; Babies born at University Medical Center will soon be wearing new security bracelets designed to prevent infant abductions.

Editorial: Difficult decisions await U.S.: India was angered over a terrorist attack on Dec. 13 against its Parliament that killed nine of its citizens. India said that the attack was carried out by two militant groups based in Pakistan that have been seeking independence for the disputed region of Kashmir, land that both Pakistan and India claim. What brought this to the brink of war is that India said the government of Pakistan has been backing the Kashmir insurgency, a claim that Pakistan denies.

Letter: Our response to terror changed: The problem is not lack of money, it is other things like the FBI wasting time on local crimes that have been federalized that could be dealt with by local police.

Valley grad predicts Honduras weather: Dick Benoit; Dax Davis, Valley High School class of 1989, observed the holidays this year as an Air Force weather forecaster deployed to Central America with Joint Task Force Bravo.

Supreme Court rules against sex offender: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld a state prison regulation that makes it tougher for those convicted of sex crimes to be eventually released from prison.

Community briefs for January 3, 2001: Career Fair Group is holding Las Vegas Career Fair for all levels of positions on Jan. 8.

Lady Rebels roll to 7th straight victory: Victoria Sun; From the moment Texas A&M-Corpus Christi conceded the opening tip to UNLV by having 5-foot-7 guard ShaKayla Hawkins watch as the Lady Rebels' 6-foot-6 center Petra Glaser easily gave UNLV control of the ball, it was clear who the superior team was.

Prep wrestling standings: CLASS 4A

Columnist Dean Juipe: LV's Phillips seems like forgotten man at 140: Dean Juipe; Junior welterweights have the national stage this weekend, with Diobelys Hurtado taking on Ricky Quiles in Miami on Friday and James Leija meeting Mickey Ward the following night in San Antonio. Those two nationally televised fights, plus one later in the month between Arturo Gatti and Terronn Millett in New York, have a former 140-pound champion contemplating his own position in the division.

Guest columnist Timothy Williams: 75 brilliant opinions: IMAGINE YOURSELF in a room with 75 students and 75 opinions. This is no normal forensics meeting after school, or a debate during class, but instead you are in a room listening to the most organized arguments you'll ever hear. The most brilliant and opinionated minds in Southern Nevada gathered together to participate in the 46th annual Sun Youth Forum, and I had the privilege to attend.

Mountain West Conference Capsules: Steve Addy; As UNLV prepares for its Mountain West opener Saturday against Wyoming, here is a breakdown of the eight MWC teams in order of predicted finish in the preseason poll:

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Waders become a big hit on Christmas morning: Paula DelGiudice; As parents, we hope our children will hold dear those same values we do. We hope they will love the outdoors and outdoor pursuits as much as we do.

Letter: Mass transit scheme needs to be rethought: Now they want to increase the fares for the paratransit riders -- the disabled! No doubt added funds are needed. How about considering more riders?

Pedestrian may have hit car's windshield: Jace Radke; A woman who told police that someone hit her windshield with a rock may have actually hit a pedestrian who was killed as she attempted to cross Charleston Boulevard Tuesday night.

Obituaries for January 3, 2002: Lorine Buckhaulter, 69, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local care center. She was born Nov. 8, 1932, in Saline, La. A resident for 14 years, she was a homemaker.

Company launching multi-property slot card: "Park Place Connection" will initially cover Caesars Palace, Bally's Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Hilton. In its first phase, players will be able to earn points for play at all five properties. These points can then be redeemed for cash rebates at any one of the properties.

LV woman who dies in blaze believed to be smoking in bed: Jace Radke; A 50-year-old Las Vegas woman killed in an apartment fire that officials say was started by her smoking in bed was identified today as Dayle Dearkland, the Clark County Coroner's office said.

Zamora takes job with city: Vincent Zamora, who most recently worked as human resources director for Sierra Insurance Group, will begin his new job Feb. 4.

Letter: Other nations supporting U.S.: The United States has captured key cities ruled by the Taliban forces in Afghanistan, and it has demolished the Taliban's military sites, equipment and strategic points of operation.

Contract blacklisting rule repealed: Business groups praised the move, contending the regulation went too far and unfairly blacklisted companies with minor infractions or that had not been proved guilty.

County briefs for January 3, 2002: Godwin, who graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, has been the top building official in Fort Worth, Texas, for the past six years.

N.M. racing track expanding casino: Pete Herrera; SUNLAND PARK, N.M. -- Sunland Park general manager Harold Payne has a nice problem in today's shaky economic landscape -- figuring out how much more money the track's expanded casino will bring in.

Extra effort: Disabled girl defies odds to pursue goals: Terry Webster; Heidi Foley likes to escape a bad day by imagining a herd of wild horses running just beyond the field near an old house on a hot summer day.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Suggestions in order for the new year: Joe Delaney; Anderson is entertaining in the exclusive Stirling Club at Turnberry Place but could be "lost" there ... I've long advocated building identification; having certain artists, main room and lounge, exclusive with hotels, just as Wayne Newton has become synonymous with the Stardust and just as Ricky & the Redstreaks are during the National Finals Rodeo.

Rebels hoping to get jump on foes: Steve Addy; The Rebels have moved beyond whining about their schedule. Now they're working a more constructive angle -- how to make the best of the situation.

Lawyer accused in wife's death gets stay: Kim Smith; The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday delayed the trial of a Las Vegas attorney accused of killing his wife, giving the attorneys time to argue whether the prosecution can evaluate the man's mental state at the time of the slaying.

News to them: Las Vegas psychics unlock information gate to 2002: To appease those speed demons who just can't wait, the Sun has interviewed a number of professional psychics. Their prognostications, in effect, might give us the news before it happens and you can't get much faster than that.

City, county agree on land use plan for northwest LV: Launce Rake and Diana Sahagun; Months of work, rancorous political debate and cross-government dueling have produced what some predicted would never happen: A new pact governing the future of development in the Las Vegas Valley's northwest.

Prep girls basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Man sues police, hotel-casino: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man who claims he was handcuffed and beaten at a downtown hotel-casino has filed a 24-page federal lawsuit against Metro Police, two officers and the hotel-casino.

LV council still exploring online gaming venture: Diana Sahagun; Most Las Vegas City Council members think Internet gaming could provide local taxpayers someday with a property tax refund from the city of Las Vegas.

Olson feeling tougher than ever at age 33: Dean Juipe; Several years ago he was one of the most popular fighters in Las Vegas, a pleasant man with a big heart who consistently thrilled audiences with his all-out approach.

City briefs for January 3, 2002: The city of Las Vegas has postponed for 30 days an application to the federal government for temporary ownership of the historic downtown post office.

Retailer's stock plunges: The analyst, Wayne Hood of Prudential Securities, slashed his per-share earnings estimate for the fourth quarter by more than 50 percent, predicted a loss for the year and urged investors to sell. At the same time, he wrote, "We would not be surprised if the company were to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy if trends do not improve."

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A look back at patriotism: Ruthe Deskin; Comes now an old-fashioned gal who believes in saluting the flag and thinks we are missing a fundamental principle here.

Seniors may have to go on drug waiting list: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's program for free prescription drug insurance coverage for low-income senior residents may be a victim of its own success.

Editorial: Government looks in wrong direction: Stranded carts can be an eyesore, but we think local governments are misdirecting their aim. Government should be dealing with the people who are responsible for taking the shopping carts, not the retail stores. Shopping carts can cost as much as $100 apiece, so there certainly is a financial incentive to keep them on the premises. But retail stores can only be expected to do so much, especially since barriers or high-tech detection systems can cost upwards of $100,000. What's next? A requirement that Global Positioning System receivers be used to track down errant carts?

Prep boys basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Nye County couple faces second trial: Kim Smith; A former Nye County public administrator and his wife will face a second trial on charges that they stole from several estates they oversaw, prosecutors said.

Fired officer sues drug store chain, pharmacist: Kim Smith; A North Las Vegas police officer who lost her job after a Walgreens pharmacist turned her in as a suspected drug addict filed a lawsuit against the chain and the pharmacist.

Prep girls soccer standings: CLASS 4A

Airport to scan workers' fingerprints: Airport workers who move through security areas will soon participate in a cutting-edge technology called "biometrics."

NCAA ski poll: AP; 1. Denver (5) 77

Another storm, more road controls: AP; Moisture that was expected to accompany the storm didn't materialize and an earlier warning for the mountains was reduced to a snow advisory. The 12-18 inches forecast initially was reduced to 4-6 inches over the higher peaks.

Palms promotion clarified: General Manager Jim Hughes said the disclaimers will clarify the qualifications for the resort's January "2 for 1 Royal Flush" promotion.