Print edition for June 3, 2002

Columnist Ralph Siraco: War Emblem ready to run for history: Ralph Siraco; On Saturday, War Emblem has a date with destiny.

Reno stars may be first-round selections: Baseball America ranks Bishop Manogue senior pitcher Kevin Jepsen and Nevada-Reno junior pitcher Darrell Ranser -- a Carson High product -- as the 2002 draft's No. 31 and 32 overall prospects, putting both within range as potential first-round selections.

CEO files to sell shares worth $1.2 million: In early trading today, Vestin was selling for $8.23 a share, giving the shares proposed for sale a value of just over $1.2 million.

Casino and real estate developer file trademark suit: The suit was filed in U.S. District Court last month by Station Casinos Inc., the holding company of Green Valley Ranch Station Casino and Green Valley Development Limited Partnership against Kevin Knuhtsen and three of his companies: IPlayer Inc., Greenvalleyranch.com Information Services and Big Picture Interactive. Also sued was real estate broker Edd Ahrens.

Hand scanners give customers easy access to safe deposit vaults: Chris Jones; Biometrics are gradually changing the way customers at two of Nevada's largest banks -- Bank of America and Nevada State Bank -- conduct business.

New ratings positive for gaming giants: Fulcrum, launched in May 2001, is an equity research and brokerage firm that focuses on buy and sell recommendations for clients including hedge funds, asset managers and institutions.

Business briefs for June 3, 2002: The former controlling owner of the All-American SportPark and the Callaway Golf Center said bad golfing weather prolonged the Las Vegas company's string of losses, which narrowed slightly in the first quarter.

Tax hike hits casino stock: By Liz Benston; Gaming stocks fell broadly today on news that the Illinois General Assembly passed and sent to the governor over the weekend a proposal that would raise taxes on riverboat casinos to as much as 50 percent, making that state's gambling tax rate the highest in the nation.

News briefs for June 3, 2002: Metro Police arrested a 49-year-old California man Saturday after finding his roommate beaten to death.

Former governor's appeal set: Key to his argument, in a case prepared for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will be the trial judge's decision to remove one juror from the 12-member panel that decided the guilt of Edwards, his son Stephen and three others.

Culinary sees hope downtown: Culinary Union leaders are looking at Thursday's vote to ratify contracts at 18 major Strip resorts as a way to keep pressure on downtown hotels reluctant to accept similar deals.

Critics say OK of Henderson subdivision crosses ethics line: Jeffrey Libby; A city-backed redevelopment deal worth as much as $40 million to two developers who sat on the board that recommended it has prompted some Henderson elected officials to call for a review of city ethics codes.

County to seek tougher smoking laws: Adrienne Packer; For the third straight time, Clark County leaders will head into the 2003 Legislature hoping to get the authority to adopt more stringent tobacco restrictions.

Nevada Power equity hinges on PUC ruling: The state Public Utilities Commission was scheduled to vote today on a request by Nevada Power Co. to issue up to $450 million in equity-secured bonds to help the cash-strapped utility raise more money.

Medical school rejects Guinn insurance plan: Jennifer Knight; Nevada School of Medicine officials are saying, "thanks, but no thanks" to the governor's newly revised medical malpractice coverage and are expected to select a private insurance carrier this week.

Mark left by James on death penalty: Erin Neff; Former state Sen. Mark James will not be replaced on a subcommittee considering reforms of Nevada's death penalty system, but he may have already helped affect the outcome of the panel's findings.

Reid wants probe of Abraham Yucca aide: Benjamin Grove; Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is asking for a conflict-of-interest investigation of Department of Energy Undersecretary Robert Card, who formerly worked for two companies that the DOE employs to lead nuclear waste clean-up projects.

Lamb, longtime Nevada politician, rancher, dies: By Ed Koch, Mary Manning, Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- Floyd Lamb, a rough-and-tumble rancher who rose to become a bank president and one of the most influential politicians in Nevada before his downfall, is dead at the age of 84.

Edison stock continues fall: By Emily Richmond; The stock price for Edison Schools Inc. dipped below a dollar this morning for the first time in the company's 10-year history, but the fiscal slide has Clark County School District administrators far from concerned.

Local doctors question changes in training rules: CARSON CITY -- The president of the Clark County Medical Association wants local doctors to have a say in whether training standards are reduced for obstetricians, as proposed by Gov. Kenny Guinn in the face of the medical malpractice crisis.

Late bloomer: Steve Addy; As a 28-year-old utility infielder in his first year of triple-A baseball, Las Vegas native Brian Dallimore is realistic about his chances of a major league career with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Wings, Lakers have the look of champions: Dean Juipe; The heightened sense of drama was evident around town.

Tyco CEO quits; stock falls: Harry R. Weber; CONCORD, N.H. -- After weathering months of criticism and a plummeting stock price at the giant conglomerate Tyco International Ltd, Chief Executive L. Dennis Kozlowski abruptly left the company amid a disclosure today that he is being investigated for possible sales tax evasion on his vast personal fortune.

Doctor pleads with board to meet in Las Vegas: RENO -- A plea has been made to the state Board of Medical Examiners to hold some of its meetings in Las Vegas, where the majority of physicians live, but resistance was expressed by some board members.

Nevada teachers' salaries rank 12th: CARSON CITY -- Salaries for Nevada schoolteachers rank 12th in the nation, with the average pay at $43,083.

Obituaries for June 3, 2002: Salvador Estrada, 81, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local health care center. He was born March 27, 1921, in Los Angeles. A resident for one year, he was a retired quality control engineer in the aerospace industry and a World War II Army Air Corps veteran.

Union says few CAT drivers have crossed line: Striking bus drivers are claiming a limited victory in their battle with ATC, the company that operates Citizens Area Transit.

Judge orders new trial in fraud case: Evans, along with former IRS attorney Max Tanner, was charged with defrauding about 350 investors of $3.25 million by distributing false information about two companies, Maid Aide, a residential cleaning service and a trucking company, CFE Trucking Co. of Tampa, Fla. Brokers and cold callers were also paid kickbacks to promote Maid Aide stock, the government said.

Partner sued over alleged funds diversion: Jeffrey Libby; A majority stakeholder of Commerce Associates, the company developing Tuscany in Henderson, filed suit Thursday against a business partner, claiming that the partner diverted millions of company dollars for his own personal benefit.

Fingerprint technology elicits privacy concerns: Helen Jung; SEATTLE -- Christopher Conrad cuts off telemarketers on the phone, regularly reminds direct-mail associations to keep him off their lists and diligently opts out of mass e-mail lists.

PUC chief tells lawmakers summer blackouts unlikely: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Power Co. should make it through the hot summer months without blackouts in Clark County, state Public Utilities Commission Chairman Don Soderberg has assured state legislators.

New FBI boss in LV asks for more agents: Keith Paul; The new head of the FBI's Las Vegas office is asking for more agents as a part of a shift of resources within the agency nationwide.

Microsoft settles allegations: Under a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the software giant neither admitted to nor denied wrongdoing. No fine was imposed.

Executive found dead: Executive found dead

N.C. pro-lottery group says tides are turning: Gary D. Robertson; RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's pro-lottery forces believe the state's fiscal crisis and South Carolina's entry into gambling will persuade enough lawmakers to get a lottery passed.

Exec pitches table games for W.Va. tracks: Vicki Smith; CHESTER, W.Va. -- Adding table games to West Virginia's four racetracks would create hundreds of high-paying jobs, satisfy demands of slot machine players and boost business by at least 20 percent, the president of Mountaineer Racetrack & Gaming Resort says.

Voters to be asked to OK funding requests: CARSON CITY -- Nevadans will be voting this fall on such issues as spending $200 million to preserve the outdoors, tax exemptions and money to build schools.

Former legislator joins ethics panel: CARSON CITY -- Ernie Adler, a former assemblyman and senator from Carson City, has been named to the state Ethics Commission.

Reapportionment steals thunder from 'incumbents': CARSON CITY -- In the year after reapportionment, incumbency can be elusive.

Rebels hope to build on NCAA experience: Victoria Sun; COLUMBUS, Ohio -- They had hopes.

Herbst posts win in Mexico: Racing in unlimited Class 1, Herbst and Roeseler powered their Terrible Herbst Motorsports Ford-powered open-wheel desert race car to a time of 10 hours, 24 minutes, 54 seconds and averaged 45.47 mph over the 473.62-mile course.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Editorial: Put students ahead of political agendas: That's why Wendell Williams remarks last week are aggravating. Williams chairs the Assembly's Education Committee and should be a leader in pushing for more funding for our students. Thursday, however, he said he would not support additional funding unless there is a private audit of the $3.5 billion bond issue passed in 1998 to build and renovate Clark County schools. Although the state audits the bond money every year, we would not be opposed to a private audit if Williams or anyone else could prove the need. So far they haven't. Even if the need were shown, however, we could ...

Murder victim's daughter tells grand jury of Weber's actions: Kim Smith; Timmy Weber, who is charged with murder and sexual assault, went looking for his alleged rape victim moments after she was rescued by her brother and spirited away to a friend's house, the girl said in grand jury transcripts released Friday.

Letter: Litter not limited to our highways: But it doesn't stop there. Along many of our city streets we have much litter and also next to "new" malls where the landscape is beautiful and the street next to them is full of litter (next to the freeway). A good example is Marks Street across from our new Costco store in Henderson.

Letter: CAT drivers are inconsiderate: I think ATC Vancom should hire all nonunion drivers who are willing to work for the perfectly acceptable living wage being offered to the striking drivers. Then, those of us who depend on the CAT system wouldn't be inconvenienced by greedy, inconsiderate people.

Letter: Remembering war heroes helps in terrorism fight: Yet we think about subjects easier to think about than the bitter reality of the terrorist war, as O'Callaghan puts it: "This war has just begun and it will be every bit as brutal and last longer than any of the past wars." And this from a man who fought heroically in the Korean War and for eight years guided Nevada as its governor. We can find inspiration in his message.

Dion's husband's suit must go to arbitrator: Kim Smith; Singer Celine Dion's husband, Rene Angelil, and the woman who is suing him over an alleged sexual assault must take their legal battle to California, for now.

Defense: Alleged murder victim died from epilepsy: Kim Smith; A defense attorney for a Henderson man accused of killing his fiancee told jurors Friday the woman most likely died as the result of her epilepsy.

Detective cleared in shooting: The jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before determining that Detective Timothy Schoening was justified in the shooting of Phillip Ramos on May 1 on Oakey Boulevard near Eucalyptus Avenue.

Editorial: End crisis through dialogue: Guinn established the association in April to fill the vacuum created in February after the state's largest insurer of doctors, St. Paul Cos., stopped underwriting medical malpractice insurance in Nevada. The company said it was losing too much money because too many claims were resulting in excessive awards. Additionally, Guinn announced last week that the state would be suing St. Pauls Cos. for unfair trade practices. Doctors approved of Guinn's announcements, but generally stated that without tort reform -- that is, a state law capping the amount of money juries can award for pain and suffering -- these solutions are ...

Birth announcements for June 3, 2002: May 8:

Immunization schedule for June 3, 2002: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Lecture scheduled on healthy families: The guest lecturer will be Dr. Sally St. John. For more information, call James W. Hall at 486-6021.

PCL box: Las Vegas - Tucson: WP--House.

Trends for June 3, 2002: Lisa Ferguson; Here's a tasty tidbit sure to make you long for your childhood: Kool-Aid has been around for 75 years.

Review: Eagles far from becoming extinct: Lisa Ferguson; It was the equivalent of a greatest-hits CD.

House bands: Professional, aspiring musicians praise convenience of home studios: Professionals and amateurs alike are setting up computerized music studios in their bedrooms, garages and anywhere else they can find space in their homes.