Print edition for July 23, 2002

Borders reflects on trailblazing career: Myram Borders glanced out the window of the Marie Callender's on the corner of Tropicana and Eastern avenues.

Grammy winner Hull trumpets 'Peace' on her newest release: In 1994 Grammy Award-winning songwriter Bunny Hull decided that she wanted to teach children in her Los Angeles community positive values and self-esteem through music.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Unexpected comfort from Scorebucks: Granted, you can't fling a fake roofing tile out in Cookie Cutter Estates West without hitting the telltale green logo of that national coffee chain from Seattle.

Jet Skis will be banned at lake: Stephen Curran; National recreation areas banning personal watercraft:

Anchor deal boosts IGT earnings: International Game Technology said today it rode its acquisition of Anchor Gaming to its second straight quarter of record earnings.

Comdex owner battling for financial survival: In Business Las Vegas, a sister publication of the Las Vegas Sun, reported this week that Key3Media Group Inc., Los Angeles, is mired in debt and cutting corners to stay afloat.

Pulte reports record earnings: The home builder's net income in the second quarter was $90.4 million, or $1.45 a share. That's a 49 percent increase from the same quarter a year ago, when net income was $60.6 million, or $1.40 a share.

Nevada Power parent will fight public takeover plans: RENO -- Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. is launching a campaign to try to dissuade Clark County voters this November from favoring a public takeover of its Nevada Power Co. subsidiary.

Father, son missing at lake: The two -- a father, 48, and his son, 17 -- were last seen swimming behind a rented pontoon near Memorial Overlook off Lakeshore Road in the afternoon.

News briefs for July 23, 2002: Clark County is searching for volunteers to write an argument against the homeless tax ballot question that will appear on the November general election ballot.

Small-town atmosphere has driven home prices sky-high: Jeffrey Libby; In this town of two street lights and roving troops of tree-planting volunteers, young couples will pay $160,000 for a 60-year-old house with no garage, a dead-end electrical system and a punky roof. They consider themselves lucky.

Dominant HMO's earnings climb: The Las Vegas company reported net income of $10.5 million, 34 cents a share, on revenue of $364 million for the quarter ended June 30. That compared with net income of $3.8 million, 13 cents a share, on revenue of $318.3 million for the same period a year ago.

Remington scores high marks as CCSN chief: Jennifer Knight; If Ron Remington had to diagnose the state of the Community College of Southern Nevada when he first arrived as president a year ago, it would have been simple schizophrenia.

With little fanfare, Bush signs Yucca resolution: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Bush today signed a congressional resolution approving Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste repository, and delivering one final, anti-climactic blow to Nevada officials who lost their battle on Capitol Hill to kill the project.

Assisted living facilities fear big fee hike: Meeting A meeting of facility owners, administrators and state legislators is being held today at 5 p.m. at the Bridge Assisted Living of Paradise Valley, 2205 E.Harmon Ave. The meeting is open to the public.

Station stock declines on weak outlook: By Liz Benston; Shares of locals' casino operator Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas fell by more than 18 percent this morning as the company warned investors it would miss Wall Street earnings expectations for the third quarter, driven by the region's usual summer slowdown and a still-weakened economy.

LV airline numbers still down: McCarran said Monday that the year-to-date number for the Las Vegas airport is 17.3 million passengers served, down 6.7 percent.

No terrorism link is made yet to bad checks: Kim Smith; Defense attorneys for three men indicted in June on counterfeiting charges doubt federal authorities will find a link between their clients and the al-Qaida terrorism organization.

Vegas firm in merger deal: Players Chief Executive Mark Bradley said the deal will facilitate creation of a gaming entertainment channel that would be delivered to consumers via radio, satellite TV, cable TV and other broadband networks. The channel will offer interactive programming for consumers interested in gambling.

City Hall work behind schedule: However, officials still hope to bring the $20.2 million expansion, which includes a cantilever and adjacent parking garage in under budget, despite $800,000 in additional costs, including repairs to a seven-inch slope over a 50-yard width of floor.

Columnist Dean Juipe: New NCAA rule adds to policing: Dean Juipe; It's a no man's land, protected by signs and security guards as if it were a mine field.

Physicians task force seeks support in LV: Sponsored by Brown & Partners, a meeting for senior citizens has been scheduled for 7 p.m. today at Sun City Summerlin's Desert Vista Community Center ballroom to show Southern Nevada physicians support. The Resident's Forum of Sun City Summerlin has invited guest speakers from the task force and plans to sign postcards saying, "Help me keep my doctor."

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- REHABILITATED -- Desormeaux aboard co-owner Lewis trainee, needs to overcome outside post in mile opener, productive team. ITALIAN BAR ROAD -- Hustling Espinoza atop Silva trainee, draws better box than top pick, Road may lead to Bar for victory drink. Value Play -- GREAT ALARM

Divers can't find swimmers' bodies: The National Park Service and the Nevada Division of Wildlife are investigating the disappearance of two Las Vegas men presumed drowned Monday at Lake Mead.

State welfare declines: CARSON CITY -- The number of welfare recipients in the state declined from the previous month for only the third time in the last two fiscal years.

Reid-led subcommittee cuts proposed Yucca budget: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A key panel led by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., slashed next year's proposed budget for Yucca Mountain by one-third, setting up a showdown with pro-Yucca lawmakers later this year.

Woman pleads guilty to murder of husband: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas woman who claimed she killed her husband in self-defense but was arrested after her daughter contradicted her story pleaded guilty to first-degree murder this morning.

Reid pushes for SEC chairman's resignation: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Monday joined lawmakers calling for the resignation of Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Harvey Pitt.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10 a.m.

State at front line in pot debate: Nevada is shaping up as a national battleground in the war to make possession of small amounts of marijuana legal.

Station Casinos earnings up; new casino planned: AP; That compares with $3.8 million, or 6 cents per share, earned in the same period a year ago.

Counties adopt resolution on transporting nuke waste: The association's resolution urges the Energy Department to address concerns of the counties along the 39-state route on which nuclear waste will be shipped if Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, is opened.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Drivers critical of Bahre-run speedway: One of the good things to come out of Bruton Smith's purchase of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1998 is that Bob Bahre no longer runs the local 1.5-mile superspeedway.

Platt hits Big Time: Spencer Patterson; Anyone who saw Green Valley High's boys basketball team last year probably remembers a 6-foot-10 junior center who looked more comfortable passing than taking the ball to the basket against smaller defenders.

Lawmakers likely to OK cap for doctors: When Las Vegas resident Jason Phillips testified against caps on damages for pain and suffering he did so accompanied by 12-year-old daughter Brittany, who has permanent brain damage.

Rebels hope to pool their talent: Spencer Patterson and Victoria Sun; With his team not guaranteed a spot in the adidas Big Time's open bracket this week, Las Vegas Rebels coach Shawn King recognizes the importance of winning early at the event.

Monday's Big Time scores: Green Valley Main New Orleans Jazz (La.) 68, Emerald City Pioneers (Wash.) 62

Letter: Columnist's views on Islam are distorted: I realize that columnists have to watch what they write about lately, but I wonder what a writer could be thinking when he states that it is "disputable that it's reasonable to worry about the implications of the spread of Islam for the status of women and for the genital mutilation of girls."

Editorial: More power needed in E. coli inspection: The Centers for Disease Control says reported cases of E. coli infections are now up to 73,000 a year, with 60 resulting in death. Although meat-safety standards at the retail level have been toughened since 1993, packing plants remain under-regulated in the face of such numbers. We support Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who is working to provide the USDA with increased powers. The agency needs to set and enforce higher standards at plants and feedlots. It also needs the authority to force recalls in the event that food companies do not agree to them voluntarily, and to close plants with ...

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Only tears for Samantha: "Sarah said Tuesday that a man in a light green car drove past them slowly, then turned around and came back and parked in front of them. The man got out and walked up to the two girls.

Community briefs for July 23, 2002: The Las Vegas Women's Leads Club will hold its Visitor's Day Meeting from 7-8:30 a.m. Wednesday at International House of Pancakes, 9480 W. Sahara Ave. This is an opportunity to meet other local businesswomen to expand contacts through personal referrals. For more information, call Bonnie at 360-9690.

Letter: Candidate takes exception: Having been involved with Las Vegas since moving here almost 30 years ago, I will bring to the office over 35 years of law practice, administration of million-dollar estates, service as a federal financial analyst and as a city prosecutor, and have exceptional credentials to be a strong public administrator.

Letter: Plan thwarts open discussion: As a former school board member in Northern California, I can state that the educrat-dominated National School Boards Association has been promoting various mutants of this plan for more than 20 years.

Study looks at use of standard cars in Spring Mountains: A new policy adopted in January 2001 requires the Forest Service to conduct a science-based analysis of road use.

Two LV public gymnasiums reopen: Veterans Memorial on South Pavilion Center Drive and Durango Hills on Durango Drive were closed last week as a precaution after the mold was discovered.

Ruan pumped to be in triple-A: Victoria Sun; An hour before the 51s beat the Tucson Sidewinders 6-5 for their ninth consecutive victory Monday night, outfielder Wilkin Ruan stood alone in the hallway outside the Cashman Field clubhouse lifting weights.

Editorial: Linking donations to a pledge: "The timing of the letter, happening just before the special session, is coincidental," says Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville. Hettrick adds that the letter won't affect the independence of legislators. Despite Hettrick's assertion, it wouldn't be the first time that campaign contributions affected how a legislator voted.

Red Rock Photo Contest winners named: The entries were consideredin three categories: amateur, children's and professional. More than 100 area photographers entered, according to the Bureau of Land Management, which sponsors the contest.

Obituaries for July 23, 2002: Valerie Chavez, 10 months, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Sept. 15, 2001, in Las Vegas and lived here since birth.