Stories published March 1, 2002Las Vegas Sun

Chinese towns poisoned by U.S. high-tech trash: Martin Fackler; GUIYU, China -- Chen Wu was glad when his village became a dumping ground for discarded computer hardware from the United States.

Editorial: Something is better than nothing at all: The city took some heat recently because Bablefish has glitches resulting in some ghastly interpretations, such as Hoover Dam becoming Vacuum Cleaner Dam. Some users of the city's Web page have said they find the translations insulting. Others are laughing at the city. The city currently does not have the staff to do its own translations on a Web site that has 1,500 pages and is updated daily. Therefore, it did the next best thing and provided the link to Bablefish.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: A 'new' princely offer: BIG DEAL! Saudi Arabia has a spectacular new peace plan for the Middle East. Their "new" plan for peace is to have the Israelis withdraw to the pre-1967 borders. That's the year several Arab Countries tried to take Israel to the cleaners and lost their own shirts.

Editorial: Nuke fight needs all pitching in: We need this support now more than ever. That's why the overall results of a survey of major non-gaming businesses, reported Thursday by three Las Vegas Sun reporters, are worrisome. While some businesses spoke encouragingly about joining the fight, most expressed nonchalance. The Sun has already reported the lackluster support offered by the gaming industry -- $250,000 from the Nevada Resort Association and $500,000 by the American Gaming Association. Station Casinos showed more of the type of commitment needed when, on its own, it donated $50,000.

Herrera avoids late crash, posts victory in shootout: Johnny Herrera, running his first Pennzoil World of Outlaws race for NASCAR Winston Cup crew chief Bill Wilburn, took advantage of a late-race crash Thursday night and won the first preliminary feature of the Silver State Shootout at the half-mile dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Columnist Dean Juipe: BYU alters Lady Rebels' party plans: Dean Juipe; Consider the celebration postponed if not canceled and the warning posted: No Poll Vaulting.

High winds spark fire at corral, three horses die: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; High, whipping winds knocked down power lines early today, including one that ignited hay in a corral at Lindell Road and Eldora Avenue, killing three horses.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Teammate's crew chief gives kudos to Busch: Kurt Busch ran a distant second to Kevin Harvick in the NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year standings in 2001, but at least one informed observer said he believes the Las Vegas native may develop into a better driver than Harvick.

Air Force's late charge fell short: the numbers; By Steve Addy

This week in motor sports: Schedule: Today, qualifying (FSW, 2 p.m.); Sunday, race (Fox, 12:30 p.m.).

Adjustments on hotel values near $1 billion: Mathis Winkler; Twenty-three hotels convinced a Clark County board to reduce the taxable values of their properties by a combined total of about $1 billion, which local governments say will mean about $10 million less in property taxes during the 2002-2003 fiscal year than they had hoped.

Company lands investor: Full House said it would sell a 50 percent interest in its projects in Michigan and Southern California to a firm called RAM Entertainment LLC, identified as an investment company. The owners of RAM were not identified; records filed with the Nevada Secretary of State indicate the company was incorporated earlier this month, and had no officers on file.

Doctors, nurses will be harder to insure: Chris Jones; Medical malpractice insurance will soon be even more difficult to obtain on the open market in Nevada, a number of insurers told the Nevada Division of Insurance Thursday.

Nevada Power to buy wind energy: Malcolm Hall; Nevada Power Co. announced its first major green energy contract Thursday, saying it will buy all the output of an 85 megawatt MNS Wind Power station to be built at the Nevada Test Site 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

LV company hit by setback in Mexico: Viva Gaming & Resorts Inc. announced a Mexican tribunal court had upheld an appeal to keep Viva's $4.5 million "lottery entertainment center" in Mexico City closed. The court ruled the center had to remain closed until a final decision is made by the Mexican Supreme Court.

Family ownership ensures firm's future: Chris Jones; In the early 1990s Prestige Travel owners Kathy and Leo Falkensammer VI turned down a potentially lucrative deal to sell their family-owned business largely on the recommendation of their two teenage children.

UNLV women grab lead: The UNLV men's team sits in second place behind the Cougars, who lead the meet by 124.5 points. The BYU diving team has dominated the meet and outscored the UNLV men's divers by 152 points (184-32).

Racing desire: Fans geared up for Sunday's event: Jace Radke; Twenty-two hours and 1,100 miles may seem a long haul, but for Tacoma, Wash., resident Bart Probst, his family and his friends, the drive seems a lot less arduous when there's a NASCAR Winston Cup race waiting at the end.

Harrah's signs deal for flights: Under terms of the two-year deal, Allegiant will run non-stop charter flights on Boeing MD-87s -- a 130-seat aircraft -- on Thursday and Sunday between Reno and various U.S. cities. Passengers will stay at Harrah's Reno, Harrah's Lake Tahoe or Harveys in Lake Tahoe.

Long haul: Increased construction will make trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas worse: Jace Radke; I-15 tips

Officer arrested on drug charges: Keith Paul; Narcotics detectives arrested a Metro Police officer Thursday on drug-related charges and found additional drugs in his home that could lead to more charges, officials told the Sun.

Mandalay posts loss, cites Jean properties: David Strow; Mandalay Resort Group posted a substantial loss for its fourth quarter Thursday, as the post-Sept. 11 slowdown, poor table game hold and write-offs all took their toll on the Las Vegas casino operator's earnings.

Building continues at Corporate Center in Green Valley: Jennifer Robison; Stricter lending criteria from banks hasn't been a deterrent for American Nevada Corp. as it continues to build office buildings in its Corporate Center in Green Valley.

News briefs for March 1, 2002: A 36-year-old Las Vegas man was killed this morning when high winds apparently blew his motorcycle into a raised concrete median, Metro Police said.

Firm raises $1.5 billion: Citibank and Deutsche Bank agreed to loan Sprint $1 billion for nine months, backed by its directory publishing operation, the company said in a statement. It plans to raise $500 million within 60 days by pledging money owed to the PCS Group mobile-phone unit.

Rebels' Lee honored by magazine, MWC: Golf World magazine tabbed the young phenom the Player of the Week in its March 1 edition, citing her impressive performance in the wet and windy conditions in San Diego to defeat 101 other athletes.

'Miracle Cream' claims challenged by Nevada: Kathleen Delaney, deputy attorney general, said Debra and Roger Peeples doing business as Health Notification Service advertised the cream, also known as "Miracle Natural Progesterone Cream" and "Miracle Wild Yam Cream," as a safe and effective treatment, allegedly without established evidence.

Power knocked out in some areas as gusts hit 50 mph: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; High, whipping winds knocked down power lines early today, including one that ignited a hay fire in a corral at Lindell Road and Eldora Avenue, killing three horses.

Coach punishes eight brawling UNLV players: Steve Guiremand; Robinson declined to name the eight individuals. Two players, wide receiver Troy Mason and tight end DeJhown Mandley, were arrested Saturday for being among a half-dozen individuals who broke several windows at the house in North Las Vegas where the fight had taken place a night earlier. Charges of destruction of private property were later dropped when the pair made restitution of $1,080.

Hearings on power rate hike to begin Monday: Formal hearings into a request by Nevada Power Co. to recoup a state-record $922 million plus interest for energy used last year by Southern Nevadans begin Monday.

Fast-growing Mesquite in battle for water: Water is sparking a growing fight pitting a small city in northeast Clark County against Lincoln County and a private company.

Political notebook: Libertarians say goodbye to Russo: Erin Neff; It seemed obvious that Aaron Russo would draw the ire of Gov. Kenny Guinn's campaign chairman, but now he's even insulted the Libertarian Party.

Company shops for power: The letter, filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada in late February, is the first step in a process that could see the Las Vegas casino giant leave Nevada Power Co. The commission will have to determine the effect MGM MIRAGE's departure would have on other Nevada Power customers, and how much the company would have to pay the utility as an "exit fee."

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Good dreams of better education shouldn't be interrupted: I'm not sure that this willingness to give up his position will stop attempts to derail the college. What has happened is the college opponents have found him to be an easy target to accomplish their ends. Moore, who thinks faster than most people and is unafraid to act on ideas he believes are good for education, will soon be replaced by someone or something as their new target.

The Don of Comedy: By Jerry Fink; Does Don Rickles really need an introduction?The man who made insults an art form has been one of the most sought-after comedians since 1957, when Frank Sinatra went into a nightclub in Hollywood and Rickles shouted at him from onstage -- "Make yourself at home, Frank ... Hit somebody!"

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Laura Bush is welcome here anytime: Sandy Thompson; A small group of UCLA students recently opposed the university's invitation to Laura Bush to speak at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies' commencement exercises. According to an article in the Daily Bruin, the UCLA student newspaper, the students said Bush had "shallow credentials." One doctoral student noted that Bush "has no merit" based on her achievements in education. (Evidently college degrees and teaching experience don't count.)

Letter: Wilderness plan has its bounds: I don't think that you will find a person in Nevada who doesn't think wilderness areas are needed in the state. But these areas need to be true wilderness as defined by Congress. That means roadless: no man-made structures and untouched by the hand of man.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Rockefeller sees a rich opportunity: He wasn't here for the casinos, upscale restaurants and golf that typically lures people of such affluence and influence.

Critical condition: State hearing to focus on mounting costs of malpractice insurance: Stacy J. Willis; WEEKEND EDITION

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Get behind dump fight: Am I the only person in this state who caught the irony on the front page of the Las Vegas Sun last Thursday? Surely there must be thousands of others who saw the two headlines: "Support lacking in Yucca fight" and just below that: "Fallout likely killed 15,000."

Concert 'In Black' spotlights college choirs: Kimberley McGee; Information

Letters: Voters should shape politics in this republic: First and most basic of all, America is not a democracy. It's a republic. A different system of government entirely. You love democracy? Then let's have a simple majority rule vote on where to store the nation's nuclear waste. OK?

Columnist Jeff German: Senators under the gun over nuke waste: It's a role that's going to test their political mettle, as the fight to keep the nation's deadly nuclear waste out of Nevada moves to the Senate.

Nuclear lobby leads fight for Yucca: Benjamin Grove; WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: A telling moment for dump: The Yucca Mountain battle now shifts to Congress. The GOP-led House is expected to approve the president's recommendation, but the vote is anticipated to be closer in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats. Reid, now that he is assistant majority leader of the Senate, is under pressure to repeat a similar performance from 2000, when he and then-Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., were able to get 34 senators -- 32 Democrats and two Republicans -- to sustain President Clinton's veto of legislation that would have begun sending nuclear waste to Nevada by 2007. The task is much tougher this time ...

Review: Performances breathe life into 'Iris': Geoff Carter; Human beings love each other," says renowned author Dame Iris Murdoch, played in the biographical "Iris" by Dame Judi Dench. "And they cherish other things ... even stones."

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Sometimes state's contingent agrees to disagree: Benjamin Grove; Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., started the week by firing a shot at President Bush, vowing to join a lawsuit against his Republican administration. Reid said he planned to file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the General Accounting Office, which sued to obtain information about secret meetings between energy industry executives and White House officials. The administration has refused to release the documents.

Editorial: GOP off the deep end in its remarks: Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott's take: "How dare Sen. Daschle criticize President Bush while we are fighting our war on terrorism, especially when we have troops in the field? He should not be trying to divide our country while we are united." House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said Daschle's comment was "disgusting."

Columnist Jon Ralston: Herrera is living on the edge: Democratic insiders -- all those except potential congressional candidates waiting like vultures for his demise -- range from wary to petrified about Herrera, who recently has appeared in stories about an ethics commission complaint, a juicy government contract and his "everybody does it" defense for trying to help a neighbor become a firefighter.

Dental clinic fills needs, teeth of uninsured teens: WEEKEND EDITION

NEI is biggest foe in Yucca battle: Benjamin Grove; WEEKEND EDITION

Not all disciplined in malpractice cases: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Rusty Wallace: Let's hope for some better luck: Rusty Wallace; I'm pretty confident going into Sunday's race, but I thought the same thing last year and look what happened to us.

Rebels halt Air Force: Steve Addy; By dismissing Air Force on Thursday night, the Rebels clearly defined their final assignment of the Mountain West regular season.

Letter: Those who work in valley should bear tax load: Since the rush of people moving to the Las Vegas Valley, Southern Nevada has wound up having the most problems in our state. A moratorium was never put into effect by our city fathers so we could play catch-up with schools, police and fire -- so many issues have escalated, making working conditions unbearable for many.

Lady Rebels lose to BYU at home: Steve Guiremand; UNLV forward Linda Frohlich was asked if she had ever played football before.

Olympian fails to break record in LV: Victoria Sun; Matt Biondi's record in the 100-yard freestyle (41.80 seconds) is safe, at least for now.

Contenders try to get 'handle' on Las Vegas: Talk to 10 NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and you'll get 10 different responses to the question "Who is the favorite to win Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway?"

Letter: Remarkable man evokes memories: These two men made all employees feel wanted and appreciated. As Mr. Tobman stated, you worked with Al Sachs, not for him. To Mr. Sachs, I say thank you and godspeed. You were truly a remarkable man. You will always be in my heart and in my prayers. To Mr. Tobman, thank you for being my friend all these years. You are one of a kind, a marvelous man.

Letter: Learn definition of democracy: First, we need more thinking and less rhetoric. Second, Mr. Danish needs to become acquainted with a dictionary and a reputable American history book. He claims we are a republic, but not a democracy. Not so.

Box Score: Air Force-UNLV: Percentages: FG .490, FT .600, 3P .222.

All Revved Up: Ask Rhonnie Partridge what she likes best about NASCAR's Winston Cup series and a chill runs through her body.

School Board rejects charter request: The Clark County School Board on Thursday rejected a proposal by Silver State Academy to open a charter school.

Water, power interests collide in heated debate: Nevada and the West need power. The region also needs water. But where should the priority lie?

Obituaries for March 1, 2002: Francisco Alberto Alcantara, 32, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. Born Sept. 26, 1969, in Las Vegas, he was a lifelong resident.

Panel's chairwoman to seek state declaration: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas -- appointed Thursday as chairwoman of a legislative subcommittee on malpractice insurance -- says her first act will be to ask State Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman to declare a lack of insurance coverage for doctors.

Washoe center wants doctors' backgrounds checked by state: CARSON CITY -- The largest hospital in Northern Nevada wants the state to conduct criminal background investigations of all doctors.

Officer cleared in shooting: Keith Paul; The Metro Police use of force board has ruled that an officer did not violate department policy when he shot a knife-wielding, mentally ill woman.

Deaf performance troupe works to enlighten audiences: Russian performers who use humor, pantomime and dance to provide a glimpse into Russian and deaf cultures will perform Saturday at Community College of Southern Nevada's Nicholas Horn Theatre.

PUC rejects Nevada Power request: Any money Nevada Power Co. hopes to recoup from ratepayers for energy used last year will have to be recovered during the next three years, state regulators say.

Review: 'Soldiers' unlike other war tales: Geoff Carter; In telling the story of one fateful battle, "We Were Soldiers" embodies so many different kinds of war-movie standards that you sometimes forget which era it belongs to. It has its roots in "The Green Berets" but looks like "Black Hawk Down." It is at once antiwar and patriotic, and at once very unique and cliched almost to a fault.

Boxing promoter Trudnich dies: Tony Trudnich made his fortune in the car dealership business in California and Las Vegas in the late 1960s and mid-1970s, then spent 18 years and much of that wealth promoting fights.

Fans are encouraged to reach track early: Jace Radke; Race fans are being encouraged to leave their homes and hotel rooms by 7 a.m. Sunday to ensure they are at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in time for the drop of the green flag for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.

Review: Stupidity reigns supreme in '40 Days and 40 Nights': Geoff Carter; UA Showcase 8, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, Century Orleans 18, Century Cinedome 12 Henderson, Rancho Santa Fe 16, Las Vegas Drive-in, Century Sam's Town, Regal Cinemas Sunset Station, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18, Regal Cinemas Village Square 18, Regal Cinemas Green Valley Ranch 10.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Comedian Allen happy to be 86'ed at Bootlegger: Bernie Allen has made multitudes of people laugh during his career -- but he was brought to tears Monday when hundreds of friends and fans showed up at the Bootlegger Bistro to help the comic genius celebrate his 86th birthday.

Loss of estate tax threatens many university programs: CARSON CITY -- When President Bush and Congress voted to phase out the estate tax, they punched a hole of more than $70 million in the budget of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 2nd Race -- Jim's Relaunch -- Draws good middle post for full field of claimers going sprint distance, Desormeaux on Hess trainee, well spotted. Joe Holiday -- Gomez scales Sadler trainee, draws good box, will be Holiday for backers of Joe if he wins. Value Play -- Tech Two

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Flavors of the islands explode at 8-0-8: Dinner at Jean Marie Josselin's 8-0-8 restaurant at Caesars Palace is always exciting. New menu choices have increased the pleasure of dining at this Hawaii-inspired eatery.

Fiorina again makes pitch for Compaq: Brian Bergstein; With her strategy and possibly her job on the line, Hewlett-Packard Co. chief Carly Fiorina appealed directly to Wall Street analysts this week for their support of the $21.5 billion purchase of Compaq Computer Corp., calling it vital for the company's future.

'Inadequate' schools list shrinks: By Emily Richmond; The number of Clark County schools rated as "inadequate" by the state Department of Education dropped from 13 in 1996 to just four this year, a new report shows.

Review: Not much thought involved in 'Fat Girl': Geoff Carter; "If I meet a man I love, I'd want to be broken in," says Anais (Anais Reboux), the title character of "Fat Girl." (She's the only female in the movie who isn't a stick.) "The first time should be with nobody," she continues. "I don't want a guy bragging he had me first. Guys are sick."

Immunization schedule for March 1, 2002: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Datebook: The Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada will host its art festival from 7-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Admission is free. Call 794-0090.

NYC sends firefighter with its thank yous: Mathis Winkler; Matthew Larstanna usually puts out fires in Brooklyn, N.Y., but this weekend the 44-year-old firefighter will serve as New York City's ambassador to Las Vegas.

Cigar dinner designed for big men: Some men are satisfied with living small lives -- the size of a snapshot.

DVD Review: Smith victorious with 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back': Geoff Carter; I have a message for Paul Thomas Anderson, the intense young auteur who created "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia": Be afraid, monkey boy.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Listeners can benefit from Gene's research: Las Vegas transplant Gene Smith almost got to be president once.

Panel weighs Mosley's fate: Kim Smith; Members of the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline began deliberating the fate of District Judge Donald Mosley Thursday afternoon after hearing two hours of closing arguments in his weeklong ethics violation hearing.

Easton hits comfort zone at LV Hilton: Grammy Award winner Sheena Easton has a license to kill at the Las Vegas Hilton NightClub.

Klezmer legend performs at Jewish Art Festival: A legend in the world of klezmer music will be on hand to help the Las Vegas Jewish community celebrate the first local Jewish Art Festival this weekend.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Little has made a big impression on showbiz: Joe Delaney; Rich Little was the first full-time impressionist to succeed in Las Vegas as a main showroom headliner, circa mid-1970s ... What set Little apart from Frank Gorshin and so many others in that era was his presidential press conferences ... His right-on-the-mark singing-star impressions usually were the closer for his concert-type performance.