Print edition for January 23, 2002

Homeless tangle: Complex plan is frought with problems: By Timothy Pratt; Homeless plan The plan's five recommendations:

Aristocrat counter-sues IGT: The Sydney, Australia-based company said it also asked that IGT's recent lawsuit against Aristocrat be denied and that some of IGT's patents be invalidated.

Jitters restructuring, some shops close: Grace Leong; Jitters Gourmet Coffee and Cafe Inc., which has 13 shops and one roasting plant in the Las Vegas area, said Tuesday it is restructuring after a development deal with home improvement giant HomeBase Inc. failed in March and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks took a toll on sales.

Reid: Nuke insurance plan bad: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., today criticized the nuclear power industry insurance plan that potentially leaves taxpayers liable for catastrophic accidents -- including one at the proposed Yucca Mountain waste repository.

LV company eliminates six sales positions: Park Place spokeswoman Debbie Munch said the move was the result of a change in strategy. Group sales will now be handled at each individual Park Place property, she said.

ACLU threatens suit against state university system: Jennifer Knight; The American Civil Liberties Union's national office has demanded Nevada's university system stop releasing student and alumni information to credit card companies, saying that at least one university is breaking federal privacy laws.

Kerzner's son lobbying for casino: HONOLULU -- Howard Kerzner is keeping his hopes alive to build a major resort casino in Hawaii.

Community briefs for January 23, 2002: The 11th annual vintage, classic and a special interest motorcycle auction to benefit the Clark County Museum will be 2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday at the Tropicana hotel.

Library trustees delay land deal: Mathis Winkler; City officials know how they will fund a second police station in North Las Vegas, but they still don't have a site for the building.

Tyson bites again: Dean Juipe; After a night of sleeping on the subject, Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Luther Mack said today that he will approach the issue of licensing Mike Tyson with an open mind.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- Cody Steele -- Draws good spot for starter allowance 7-panel opener, Pincay aboard Gallagher trainee, adds blinkers for this. Memo To Mike -- Training at Hollypark, Flores on Hofmans trainee, draws good outside box here. Value Play -- Sheikh Fever

Illinois board stays mum on casino deal: CHICAGO -- Illinois Gaming Board members refused to discuss reports of a Rosemont casino settlement Tuesday, even as gambling opponents accused them of bowing to special interests and keeping the public in the dark about a deal.

Station debt downgraded, Boyd on negative watch: David Strow; Moody's Investors Service cut the credit rating of Station Casinos Inc. this morning, citing concerns about the heavy debt load of the Las Vegas locals' casinos operator.

News briefs for January 23, 2002: A 57-year-old Las Vegas woman was struck and killed outside a crosswalk on Las Vegas Boulevard near Nellis Boulevard by a motorist just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Metro Police said.

NRC proposing change in rules governing Yucca: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing a change in rules governing a proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

WNBA's success astounds Leslie: Victoria Sun; With her college playing days at USC behind her, Lisa Leslie left the comforts of her Southern California home to play professional basketball in Italy.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Money lines vary on NFL playoff games: With two fairly large underdogs in Sunday's AFC and NFC title games, shopping around for the best odds becomes more important than ever for bettors who want to take a piece of the money line.

Gates excited about opportunity to lead DNC Black Caucus: Erin Neff; Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates has for some time thought about how she can make an impact nationwide.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Papis joins Sigma Autosport after release by Rahal: Max Papis, released by Team Rahal after the 2001 season, has signed a contract to drive for Sigma Autosport in the CART FedEx Championship Series this season.

Regulators OK higher Vegas taxi fares: The Taxicab Authority of Nevada, sympathizing with cab companies' skyrocketing insurance costs, agreed Tuesday to raise the price of a cab ride.

UNLV looking for fan support on homestand: Steve Guiremand; John Robinson has big plans for UNLV's women's basketball team heading into this weekend's games against Air Force and New Mexico at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Nevada jobless numbers increase: Unemployment in December inched up to 6.6 percent in Nevada, the highest level in the last eight years as the terrorism-caused travel and tourism slowdown continued to depress economic activity, the state reported today.

Attorney says shooting death came from game: Kim Smith; Trent Dirden didn't mean to kill Brendan Humphrey when he put a .38-caliber revolver to her head and pulled the trigger three times, defense attorney Peter Christiansen told jurors Tuesday.

Homeless man guilty of murder: Kim Smith; A jury Tuesday found a 45-year-old Las Vegas man guilty of first-degree murder in the January 2001 death of Tiffany Averill.

Group gives state 'D' in gun safety: A national organization today gave Nevada a "D" grade for its laws protecting children from handguns.

Happy dad Hunter awaits his chance to help the Rebels: Steve Addy; Every time Demetrius Hunter's daughter takes a few wobbly steps or attempts her ABCs, his reasons for transferring to UNLV are as elementary as 1-2-3.

Unity sought in fighting AIDS among blacks: By Emily Richmond; The Rev. Robert E. Fowler, pastor of the Victory Missionary Baptist Church in Las Vegas, is well aware of the rising rate of HIV infection among the black community.

Aladdin settlements at issue in state case: Unpaid trade contractors have filed claims of at least three dozen mechanics liens against the Aladdin in the bankruptcy case. These liens total at least $21 million, though some of the liens may be duplicates. A lawsuit filed by the contractors to collect was halted when the Aladdin went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late September.

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

Columnist Dean Juipe: Commission can't allow Tyson fight: Dean Juipe; Because of who he is and the trouble that inevitably swirls around him, Mike Tyson's presence at Mandalay Bay was deemed to be too dangerous by the people who make the decisions at the massive Las Vegas resort.

Tax hikes may be needed for transportation: Proposals Among the tax increases proposed by the RTC:

Here's the pitch: Ideas for new TV series unveiled at NATPE event: Kirk Baird; The woman heard Kosberg accepted TV and movie scripts or concepts and pitched them to studio executives. She had recently read an article in Parade magazine about a man who lived in the Statue of Liberty, and thought it would make a good movie. The woman suggested it as a movie, which she called, "Keeper of the Flame."

Editorial: State right to sue over drug prices: The state pays for medications as part of its benefits package for state workers. It also subsidizes medications needed by senior citizens and other residents who need financial aid. Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and her staff last year studied state costs for pharmaceutical products. In state District Court last week in Reno, Del Papa's office filed suit against 12 major drug manufacturers on behalf of all Nevada taxpayers.

Letter: Colleges wrong to sell names of their students: No wonder so many young people are in bankruptcy and have high credit card debt. Credit card companies are giving these high-interest cards to students before they even have jobs. By the time they start working they are already in debt.

Jobless rate at 8-year high: The state Employment, Training and Rehabilitation Department reported today there were an estimated 64,500 people out of work last month, compared to 39,500 in December 2000. The national recession and tourism suffering from terrorism fears are blamed for Nevada's economic slowdown.

Casino chaplain called to active duty by Air Force: Stacy J. Willis; God, country and Vegas.

Letter: Bush's tenure tied to economy: Then there's the "d" word, as in deficit. Republicans now say deficits are good for the economy and surpluses are bad. The next Bush budget will not be balanced and will be in the red. Where is Ross Perot when deficit-hawks need him?

Business briefs for January 23, 2002: Las Vegas' 14 taxi companies have been authorized to put more cabs on the streets during the upcoming MAGIC -- Men's Apparel Guild in California -- convention.

Valley fast-food restaurants filled with tacos and they come cheap: Max Jacobson; Tacos should be cheap, tasty and just right for that small meal or quick pick-me-up. The following is a look at what to expect at a few local restaurants that serve tacos. All these restaurants have multiple locations.

Obituaries for January 23, 2002: Anna Marie BJune, 78, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 17, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y. A resident for eight years, she was a homemaker.

Another rate cut planned: Tuesday's request reflects lower wholesale prices and follows a $29.2 million decrease request that is pending before regulators. Southwest wants the latest increase to take effect March 1.

Savvy wine buys: Francis Coppola '00 Rosso: Available at Cost Plus World Markets, $8.99, and Wild Oats Markets, $8.99.

LV school selected for Blue Ribbon award: CARSON CITY -- High schools from Las Vegas and Elko have been named Blue Ribbon Schools and will be entered in a national contest sponsored by the federal government.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New Vons opens amid fanfare: In its place is a grand new Vons, much larger than the previous store, with a terrific selection of food and specialty items. Vons opened last week with the hoopla and fanfare of a Strip hotel (well, almost). A band with plenty of brass played just inside the entrance of the well-lit food emporium.

Walsh calls for bin Laden's death: John Walsh, America's top media bloodhound whose long-running television series has helped capture nearly 700 criminal suspects and bring them to trial, called Tuesday for the slaying of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Stirling Club dinner showcases fine wines: Elizabeth Foyt; Opening with a champagne reception in the piano lounge, arrivals were served the first round of vintages from Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte, with attendees including former Sen. Chic and Gail Hecht, Joel and Josie Snow, Kim and George Duckworth, Edward and Eleanore Doumani and Ron and Joanie Richardson.

LV publisher resigns: Owner Wick Communications said Smith resigned for personal reasons. Smith could not be reached for comment.

Netscape files suit against Microsoft: D. Ian Hopper; WASHINGTON -- Netscape, now owned by AOL Time Warner, has revived a feud from the 1990s, suing Microsoft for using anticompetitive business practices to ensure the dominance of the Explorer Internet browser over Netscape's pioneering Navigator.

Court overturns murder conviction: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision has overturned the first-degree murder conviction of a Washoe County man because he was improperly questioned by a detective.

Letter: Yucca Mountain all about politics: In spite of multimillion-dollar arm-waving against the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain by Nevada's U.S. representatives and senators, by Nevada state elected officials, by Clark County elected officials, and by Las Vegas city elected officials, the federal administration behemoth ruthlessly will see to it that Yucca Mountain will become the national nuclear waste repository.