Print edition for July 5, 2002

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:15 p.m.

July Fourth a special day for retired Marine: After seven years of legal and legislative battles to win the right to fly the American flag on a pole outside his home, retired Marine Everett Gifford was able to raise the Red, White and Blue on the Fourth of July.

Columnist Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: Saturday's card

Witness: Trooper had no choice: Kim Smith; A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper being sued for fatally injuring a pedestrian four years ago had only seconds to react before striking the man, a witness to the accident testified Wednesday.

Deadbeats paying, but state debt grows: CARSON CITY -- The state is collecting an average of $100,000 a month from deadbeat debtors, but the amount owed the state government is still growing.

Performing Arts for July 5, 2002: Jazz in July

Political notebook: Doctors lose points with lawmakers as trauma unit closes: Erin Neff; When University Medical Center's trauma unit closed its entrance Wednesday morning, some believe doctors also shut the door on their political chances.

Editorial: Overtime allegations should be pursued: The New York Times last week detailed allegations made in lawsuits by Wal-Mart employees, including here in Las Vegas, that sometimes they have been forced to work an extra hour off the clock before or after their regular shifts, a practice that could allow the company to get around paying overtime. The lawsuits contend that this scheme has resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars a year for Wal-Mart employees. This also would mean that Wal-Mart's profits would look better than they really are, especially if the company's competitors are paying their employees for time actually worked.

Letter: U.N. wants unfair trials: The U.S. Constitution (Article III, Section 2, Clause 3) provides that "The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed ..." This right was so important it was repeated in the Sixth Amendment.

Columnist Susan Snyder: It's time to play it safe: With nobody home in the valley's only trauma center, there's only one recourse for us average lugs.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Retro birthday party is a perfect 10: Going to a kids' party is not my idea of a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, but my friend Renee Diamond (Mrs. Leo) is no ordinary kid. To celebrate her recent milestone birthday, Renee invited a small group of friends to relive her 10th birthday party. Not only would we go to the movies, but we would eat all of the junk candy she loved when she was 10.

Expiration Dates: Productions don't live long at The Venetian Showroom: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," considered by some observers to have been one of the best shows to occupy the room, is the latest casualty. It bows out Saturday, six weeks after the opening curtain.

NLV church must find a new home: Betty Smith, pastor of the House of Deliverance Church in North Las Vegas, is looking for a new space to hold prayer services.

More wilderness sought: More than 80 scientists have sent a letter to Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign asking them to include more federal land in new "wilderness" areas.

Land auction is rescheduled: The Bureau of Land Management has rescheduled an auction of 210 acres in the Las Vegas Valley for July 30.

Clooney: An Appreciation: Joe Delaney; My first meeting with the Clooney family was at the behest of a Newport, Ky., disc jockey named Dick Pike. The time was the late 1940s or early 1950s. I was with Decca Records, now MCA, based in New York City, visiting our Cincinnati distributor.

On Display for July 5, 2002: The Nevada Camera Club will display photographs Tuesday through Sept. 2 at Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. Call 507-4010.

Las Vegas council briefs for July 5, 2002: The Bonneville Avenue and Sixth Street intersection will be closed to traffic next week.

Letter: Good Lord may be breathing a sigh of relief: Nobody asked His/Her opinion, and our country seems to harbor quite a few crooks and cowards.

Punk band New Found Glory emphasizes 'new': Kirk Baird; What: "Vans Warped Tour."

Letter: U.S. must not abandon God: Al-Qaida, supported by the Taliban in Afghanistan, which is the poorest country in the world, has attacked us. You've seen the mass destruction it caused. God help us if a real military power waged war (such as China). China didn't steal U.S. nuclear weaponry secrets without a reason.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Spain still undiscovered: Someday, someone in the recording industry will discover April Spain.

Report: Phone company subject of criminal probe: Citing unidentified sources, the Journal reported that besides an ongoing regulatory probe into its accounting practices, Qwest is under investigation by the U.S. attorney's office in Denver and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Special session will be 18th in state's history: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's decision to call the Nevada Legislature into special session will cost a minimum of $100,000 and the price could escalate depending on the length and number of issues.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Hicks sorry he created this monster: Dean Juipe; Henry Frankenstein was simply toying around in his workshop when he realized his latest creation wasn't only anti-social, but that it had the potential for unlimited destruction.

NLV council approves anti-Yucca resolution: At the request of the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities, the council voted on the resolution Wednesday night, less than a week before the Senate is expected to vote to override Gov. Kenny Guinn's veto of the project, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Group seeks DOE quake assessment records: Citing the Energy Department's rapid conclusion that a recent earthquake did no damage to a proposed nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain, advocacy group Public Citizen has filed a request for the assessment records.

This week in motor sports: NASCAR

Columnist Brian Hildebrand: Terrible 250 adds to So. Nevada's SCORE: Brian Hildebrand; Sal Fish has been putting on desert races for nearly three decades, but the longtime president and CEO of SCORE International hasn't lost his enthusiasm for the sport.

Bands join anti-Yucca effort: The groups held a media conference at the Allegro Hotel in Chicago as the Senate prepared to vote on the nuclear waste repository next week.

Thousands gather for holiday parade: Neither the threat of terrorist attacks nor the desert heat could wilt the spirits of thousands of Las Vegans gathered Thursday morning for the seventh annual Summerlin Patriotic Parade.

Hornets' Davis to give a little back to Las Vegas: Victoria Sun; Baron Davis made Las Vegas his off-season home when he bought a house at Southern Highlands last year.

Valley rescue units face increased challenge without trauma center: Stephen Curran; As Las Vegans were gearing up for their annual Independence Day celebrations, rescue personnel at Clark County Fire and Rescue Station 16 were getting ready for a busy night.

Replacements to be named for special session panel: Adrienne Packer; The same board that oversees University Medical Center and unsuccessfully extended an offer to physicians will now appoint two replacements to take part in a special legislative session to discuss the medical malpractice crisis.

Sports news briefs for July 5, 2002: The Chicago Cubs fired manager Don Baylor today and promoted Bruce Kimm from triple-A Iowa as interim manager, team spokesman Jesse Navarro said.

City to help out home builder: The North Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency Board on Wednesday approved the infill housing in the city's beautification zone. The homes will be built by Monterrey Investments LLC.

Local enthusiasts prepare for big cycling weekend: Details of the second annual U.S. Post Office Ride to honor U.S. Postal Service bicycle team leader Lance Armstrong, attempting his fourth Tour de France victory.

Culinary leaders credit casino execs: Culinary Union leaders are crediting two well-known casino industry executives with helping them broker the richest collective bargaining agreement ever reached downtown.

'Peanut' was Crackerjack pitcher in Negro League: Steve Guiremand; On the list

Letter: Yucca good deal for terrorists: The "thousand points" of possible bomb placements along the transportation routes (i.e., under the road culverts, overpasses, bridges, railroad tracks, trellises, etc.) must be a dream come true for them.

Letter: Let physicians do their work: A year ago I marveled at the outstanding care my nephew received in Las Vegas. Thus, it is with disbelief that a city of your stature and financial wealth has closed its trauma center.

Columnist Erin Neff: Legislators ready for everything but crises: Erin Neff; Rarely have so many crises threatened the quality of life in Southern Nevada during the state's political off-season.

Datebook for July 5, 2002: The Paris Las Vegas Street Fair, with complimentary French wine tastings, and food and drink booths, will run from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, through July 14. Admission is free. Call 731-7314.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Skill of doctors saves lives: What bothers me is the willingness of about 50 of these people with special skills leaving the UMC trauma unit on one of our nation's bloodiest weekends. Without getting into the debate about insurance premiums, lawyers and doctors, I find it difficult to accept doctors leaving the trauma unit this weekend. These are men and women blessed with the ability to produce modern medical miracles. Miracles that insurance agents, lawyers and people like me can only dream about.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Playing by the rules: All that the law demands is that women be treated equally with men. It didn't take long for many universities to use the cancellation of male sports rather than add sports for women to meet legal demands. Many varsity sports fans, including me, saw the law as being unfair to male athletes who no longer could compete at their schools.

'West Side Story' at Aladdin still pleasing to the masses: Joe Delaney; Preface: There are two major Broadway musicals that leave this reviewer cold -- Frank Loesser's pop opera, "Most Happy Fella," and "West Side Story."

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Whatever happened to basic human rights?: Sandy Thompson; For me, the day began with disgust and revulsion that, fortunately, subsided into quiet reflection. I was asking the same silent questions that have nagged me from time to time since Sept. 11. Why? How? Where is the world going?

Letter: Religion is not being imposed: Since when is God a religion? For me and millions of others, God is our object of worship. Why? Because He's the creator and sustainer of life! He's the giver of everything we have in this life, including our rights.

Editorial: Showdown coming on Yucca vote: This week the U.S. Senate will likely vote on a bill that could affect Nevada and the nation for the rest of time. If at least 51 senators vote yes on President Bush's plan to bury the nation's high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, all that's left will be the thin hope of victory in the courts. If the courts, too, find no fault with Yucca, trucks, trains and barges carrying the world's deadliest material will begin their mission within the next 10 or 15 years. For decades they would take their place alongside regular traffic as they transport 77,000 ...

Highlights in the life of Jerry Lewis: AP; Born: Joseph Levitch, March 16, 1926, Newark, N.J.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Stealing our retirement: Before they find their voices again, some deeper thinking must be done. A little time should be spent with millions of Americans who have watched their 401(k) funds reduce in size during recent months. That's the program Congress created so large corporations could be relieved of long-term pension responsibilities and allowed workers to dabble in the stock market. Not a bad idea for those who made large amounts of money and then retired before the bottom fell out. But the employees who pushed their payroll contributions into the raging upward stock market explosion, and are still working and contributing, probably ...

Death penalty: Should it be tossed out?: Michael Pescetta; Should it be tossed out? No

Columnist Susan Snyder: News hounds are making the grade: If you want a newspaper to show a community itself, hire a third-grader.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: A braver nation celebrated its independence: Benjamin Grove; There was no overt sign they intended to show up at all.

Reynolds' Rap: WEEKEND EDITION: July 7, 2002

Letter: Don't put waste in one place: His reasoning is similar to the thinking of some who are "in charge" of the Yucca Mountain project. Unfortunately, in the movie, this plan backfired because it gave the Japanese aircraft easier access to all the U.S. planes that were bunched together.

Columnist Joe Delaney: For 75-year-old Page, life is still a waltz: Joe Delaney; Patti Page, appearing at 8 p.m. Saturday in Texas Station's Dallas Events Center, was born Clara Ann Fowler in Claremore, Okla. ... She is fit and in great form in her 75th year ... We first heard her on a radio station in Tulsa, Okla. ... We were impressed ... We next heard her a few years later, in 1948, on a popular Chicago radio program, "The Breakfast Club."

Camp helps kids spend time with friends: Some parents seek the Sun Camp Fund's assistance because they want their children to interact with others their own age.

Editorial: New fund not needed for builders: It's so bad, builders say, that the state should step in and solve their biggest problem, which is getting insurance to cover construction-defect claims. Availability of such coverage has been dwindling over the past several years as insurance companies have withdrawn from that market, calculating that they would be paying out more in claims than they would be earning in premiums. The builders contend the state, reacting to the medical malpractice crisis, set up an insurance fund for doctors and should do likewise for builders, who employ one out of every 10 workers in Nevada. Without such assistance, the builders ...

Children enjoy learning from special Pal: WEEKEND EDITION: July 6, 2002

Letter: Middle East could learn from Native Americans: How very illogical. They were, unbelievably, helping "us" against a common enemy.

Letter: Gaming pays its share of taxes: Ms. Neff reviewed the Nevada Resort Association's newly issued Fact Book and erroneously concluded that gaming is trying to shirk its responsibilities as a corporate citizen and place the burden for new taxes on the backs of the "average Joe." She is mistaken. In fact, gaming has offered to pay its fair share of new taxes.

Atomic legacy: Test Site museum will preserve history of nuclear experiments: Those who wonder what it was like living in Las Vegas when atomic bombs burst into mushroom clouds less than 100 miles away will be able to experience some of those sights and sounds by the end of next year.

Blood drives: Saturday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., LDS Black Mountain Arrowhead Chapel, 801 Arrowhead St.

Community briefs for July 5, 2002: The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is offering residents the opportunity to increase their skills and knowledge through a variety of computer home-study courses called "Education to Go," with sessions running from Wednesday through Aug. 16.

Court briefs for July 5, 2002: A 63-year-old Las Vegas woman entered a plea agreement Wednesday that will guarantee she spend at least 3 1/2 years in prison in connection with a fatal drunken driving accident.

Obituaries for July 5, 2002: Leticia S. Bernardo, 65, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. She was born July 9, 1936, in the Philippines. A resident for seven years, she was a teacher.

Union loses arbitration request in dispute with Adelson: Las Vegas Sands, which owns the Venetian megaresort, was the owner of the Sands hotel-casino that was imploded in November 1996.

CEO: National Airlines not a target: Is part of America West Airlines' strategy to become Las Vegas' hometown airline and put Las Vegas-based National Airlines out of business?

Utah chambers join fight against Yucca: Salt Lake City's chamber of commerce hopes a resolution unanimously approved by its influential board will convince Utah's two senators to vote against establishing a high-level nuclear waste dump in Nevada.

Boyd refinances debt: The facility consists of $400 million five-year revolving credit facility and a $100 million, six-year term facility that replaces a 1999 credit facility maturing next June.

New America West pricing plan evaluated by analysts: PHOENIX -- Analysts say America West Airlines' controversial new pricing structure is an attempt to fix an industry business model that has been broken for years.

Top teachers union takes stance against dumpsite: Members of the National Education Association attending an annual conference in Dallas this week voted to stand behind the Nevada State Education Association and the state of Nevada in their efforts to block Yucca.

Kids' furniture maker commits to LV project: P.J. Kids has signed a lease to rent 2,000 square feet of space in the Las Vegas furniture mart, which is proposed west of downtown, between Bonneville Avenue and U.S. 95.

Homeless seek care after clinic closes: By Timothy Pratt; Dr. David Owensby was trained to treat the body, but he also pays attention to the hearts and minds of his patients -- homeless people who come to the tiny Las Vegas Outreach Clinic on West Wilson Avenue.

Golden Gate, Culinary schedule more talks: Golden Gate owner Mark Brandenburg planned to return to the bargaining table today with the Culinary Union on the fifth day of a casino workers strike at the small downtown hotel.

Highway death is first since trauma closure: Jace Radke and Mary Manning; A pedestrian facing life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car in Henderson early this morning normally would have been sent to University Medical Center's Trauma unit.

Lawmakers fear lengthy special session: Erin Neff; Lawmakers fear a special session on medical malpractice could be lengthy, expensive and disruptive to both summer vacations and re-election campaigns without even resulting in the type of long-range reform doctors want.

Shooting death, child drowning mar holiday: Colorful fireworks sparkled in the night sky, but Southern Nevada's Fourth of July holiday was marred by a shooting death and a drowning.