Print edition for March 8, 2002

Wyoming barely beats Air Force -- again: Steve Guiremand; For the Air Force Falcons, it was an all-too-common ending.

Columnist Jerry Fink: When the moon hits your eye ... that's a Mauro: Giovanni Mauro will tell you he has two passions in life -- music and food.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- Big Bad Juan -- Pincay aboard Carava trainee, draws good post for mile opener, well spotted at this level for solid chance at a victory. Fin Entertainment -- Espinoza on Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, must overcome outside post, but, running style should compensate. Value Play -- The Count

Columnist Joe Delaney: Retracing Mandel's comedic trek from Canada: Joe Delaney; Howie Mandel headlines this weekend at Paris Las Vegas' les Theatre des Arts ... Little did Canadian-born carpet salesman Mandel dream, visiting Los Angeles with friends on that fateful night in 1979, that his life would be changed forever ... They were at Mitzi Shore's Los Angeles Comedy Store, and a friend dared him to get up and perform ... It was an open-mike night.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sardinian specialties for Chaine members at T.I.: A Sardinian dining experience created by Chef Marco Porceddu for the Las Vegas chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs was a delicious introduction to the kind of food Chef Marco has been cooking at Francesco's at Treasure Island since his arrival four years ago.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: A tough judicial call: THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE has postponed a vote on the president's nominee, Charles W. Pickering Sr., for elevation to a federal court of appeals post. Pickering at this time is a federal trial judge in Mississippi and, if approved, would take a seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Magician Murray needs stronger jokes, better marketing: Joe Delaney; Murray Sawchuk is the newest magician in town, performing 2 p.m. shows in the New Frontier's improved showroom. He bills himself as the "Guy with the CDs" and as the "Guy with the Hair." The hair is blond and in complete disarray. The CDs were a new and different prop and served to highlight his outstanding ability at manipulation and finger dexterity.

Defendant may take stand in crash case: Kim Smith; Mitchell Dettloff, a 36-year-old Las Vegas man accused of killing three people in a car accident last year, will "most probably" take the stand today, his attorney told District Judge Joseph Bonaventure Thursday.

Fallen soldier receives honors: Commons was one of seven U.S. soldiers killed March 4 during a helicopter rescue mission in Afghanistan,

DVD Review: 'Groundhog Day' not to be missed on DVD: Geoff Carter; "Groundhog Day" is one of a kind. Other films before and since have explored the notion of a time warp, but few as intelligently as this 1993 comedy. And on DVD (Columbia Tristar Home Video, $24.95), the movie only gets smarter.

Apex leaders, county to discuss home project: Adrienne Packer; Developers of the Apex Industrial Park have scheduled a meeting with Clark County administrators next week to discuss the possibility of developing a residential neighborhood in the area designated for manufacturing, county sources said.

Rebel rouser: UNLV endures two OTs to beat Lobos, earn date with Utes: Steve Addy; For sure, it would have been a great party as the video unspooled, showing each Rebel's heroics in their heartstopping 120-117 double-overtime win over New Mexico in the first round of the Mountain West tournament.

Exhibit showcases life of modern-day pioneer: Kimberley McGee; When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, through April 28.

South Carolina launches Pick 3 numbers game: Amy Geier; COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Retailers reported slower ticket sales for the first day of the Pick 3 game than the lottery's Jan. 7 kickoff, but officials from the South Carolina Education Lottery said sales had surpassed estimates by noon Thursday.

Concert highlights Puccini's works: The Performing Arts Society of Nevada's Lyric Opera Company will present a collection of Giacomo Puccini's best-known arias and duets Sunday at University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Beam Music Center.

Community news briefs for March 8, 2002: Three Millennium Scholarship information nights for parents and students will be hosted at Community College of Southern Nevada campuses.

News briefs for March 8, 2002: The state Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the appeal of convicted killer Lazaro Hernandez, who gunned down the boyfriend of his estranged wife in Las Vegas.

Review: 'All About the Benjamins' should head to video -- pronto: Geoff Carter; Rated: R for strong violence, pervasive language and brief sexuality.

Officers cleared in gunfight in which suspect was wounded: Keith Paul; Metro Police's use of force board Thursday night cleared three detectives of any wrongdoing for their part in a massive gunfight in November during which a suspect was shot 22 times.

Datebook: Las Vegan Flynn Barkan will read from his collection pof poetry, as well as sign copies of his book, "A Cacophony of Near Fatal Mistakes," at 7 p.m. today at Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Call 507-3400.

Cannon services Monday: The service is scheduled at 10 a.m. at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., for the four-term Democratic senator who died Wednesday. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Palm.

Obituaries for March 8, 2002: John F. Carragher, 88, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born July 22, 1913, in Detroit. A longtime resident, he was a hotel manager and World War II Army veteran.

Utah survives scare from CSU: Victoria Sun; With the game clock running out, Colorado State's Andy Birley launched a 3-pointer at the top of the key that bounced unmercifully off the rim, closing the final chapter of a frustrating season for the inexperienced Rams and sounding an alarm for the Utes.

Mother of Year names are due: Deadline to submit nominations is April 17. The awards will be presented May 5 at the Gold Coast hotel. To nominate a deserving woman, write a detailed letter listing her accomplishments with regard to her children and family, and her achievements in the community. Include any obstacles she has had to face.

Columnist Susan Snyder: The kid provides the answer: A kid on a trampoline provided an answer to a nagging question.

Candidate forum brings out differences among colleagues: Erin Neff; Three candidates for Clark County district attorney who all work for current DA Stewart Bell started showing their differences at a sparsely attended voter forum Thursday night.

Material possessions profiled in Lied exhibit: Kimberley McGee; In one photo, a smiling family holds on to clay jugs.

Review: 'Italian for Beginners' speaks for itself: Geoff Carter; The Danish film "Italian for Beginners" is humble. I can't think of a better word to describe it. Lone Scherfig's film is so polite, unassuming and good-natured that you want to shake its hand after it's finished. It is shot on video, has no score and its credits are hand-written; it takes pains not to look flashy. Can a film be shy?

Equestrian enthusiasts still enjoying horseplay: When: 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Review: Good looks, flimsy dialogue in 'Time': Geoff Carter; "The Time Machine" is a remake of an adaptation. It is based on a short novel by H.G. Wells, but takes its cues, both visual and narrative, from the classic 1960 adaptation of the same material by George Pal.

Woman charged in Perry case testifies before grand jury: Kim Smith; One of the women charged with Franklyn Perry in connection with collecting about $40 million from nearly 1,200 victims as part of a Ponzi scheme testified before a grand jury Thursday as prosecutors look for additional suspects.

Unemployment rate falls as economy picks up: The Labor Department reported today that the jobless rate dropped by 0.1 percentage point in February to the lowest level since October. Before the report was released, private economists had been looking for the jobless rate to rise by 0.1 percentage point.

Thursday's prep results: BASEBALL

New unit to focus on crimes committed with weapons: Kim Smith; Two years ago law enforcement officers and prosecutors on the federal and state level got tired of seeing armed felons committing new crimes again and again so they joined efforts to get them off the streets.

Vegas sports for TV/Radio: Vegas sports for TV/Radio

Mayor's Beefeater deal off: Apparently, Beefeater gin is out, and Tanqueray is in.

This weekend in Motor Sports: Schedule: Today, qualifying, 12:30 p.m., (FX, 5p.m., tape); Sunday, race (Fox, 9:30 a.m.).

Sun photographer garners another award: The photo by Ethan Miller had already received worldwide recognition, appearing in newspapers from London to Hong Kong and on the cover of Newsweek's special issue on the attacks.

Interim president named for new college: Jennifer Knight; RENO -- Newly appointed Nevada State College President Chris Chairsell has a daunting "To Do" list: Hire faculty, move into new facilities, recruit students -- and stem the tide of negative impressions about the Henderson college.

Rebels got away with missed free throws in thrilling win: the numbers; Recapping UNLV's 120-117 double-overtime victory over New Mexico:

Cut gas line ties up traffic: The 2-inch line was hit about 7:30 a.m. just outside Neonopolis off Las Vegas Boulevard. The line was quickly shut off by Southwest Gas workers, but traffic was shut down on Las Vegas Boulevard between Stewart and Ogden avenues.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Vasser ready to win with his new team: Jimmy Vasser may be starting the 2002 CART season with his third team in three years, but the 36-year-old Las Vegas resident isn't talking about adjustment periods or learning curves as he heads into Sunday's Tecate Telmex Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico.

Midwest bank follows customers to LV area: Chris Jones; A delayed opening and slowing local economy haven't diminished the opportunities for a Midwestern bank that has entered the Southern Nevada marketplace, its top executives say.

Wynn's partner plans to proceed with Vegas resort: The Tokyo-based company may need to clear charges it hid income from overseas subsidiaries to evade Japanese taxes before it can complete the project with partner Steve Wynn, who plans a major resort at the site of the Desert Inn.

Nevada Power chief predicts 'financial ruin': In defending Nevada Power Co.'s request for a $922 million rate hike, President Mark Ruelle said the utility was handicapped partly because the state kept changing the way it intended to deregulate the electric market.

Diversity, race policies at MGM MIRAGE debated: David Strow; The Nevada Gaming Control Board heard a ferocious debate Thursday over the diversity practices of Las Vegas casino giant MGM MIRAGE.

Editorial: Economy on mend, but help still needed: Southern Nevadans have been hit particularly hard, with 15,000 laid off after Sept. 11 in the casino industry alone. The January unemployment figures for Nevada, the most recent available, showed that for the first time since the terrorist attacks, the unemployment rates dropped. But that can't obscure the reality that the Las Vegas metropolitan area's unemployment rate is 6.8 percent, a total of 55,900 people. Even if the pace picks up for businesses, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to be in a hiring mood right away. This is why it was encouraging that President Bush and Republican leaders in ...

Thursday prep results: Foothill 20, Clark 3: Ben Lasater went 2-for-3 with six RBIs, Brian Holsey went 3-for-4 with three runs and Ricky Cerrone struck out eight batters in a five-inning complete game for the Falcons.

Beryllium results awaited at NLV site: "We do not believe the building (off Losee Road north of Lake Mead Boulevard) was the source, but the important thing now is to make sure employees in the building have a safe working environment," said Darwin Morgan of the DOE, which oversees the site.

Letter: Insurance hikes are everywhere: STORRS WARINNER

Icahn opposes restructuring plan: XO said in November it would get $800 million from leveraged-buyout firm Forstmann Little & Co. and Telefonos de Mexico SA in a plan that would reduce debt by $4 billion and wipe out the value of its equity. Icahn, an XO bondholder, opposed the plan Thursday, XO said in a statement.

Senators advance sweeping energy bill: WASHINGTON -- The Senate approved tougher pipeline safety provisions today and reached agreement on measures that would sharply increase the use of ethanol in gasoline, while phasing out an additive blamed for water pollution.

Political notebook: County GOP convention has incumbents grumbling: Erin Neff; You'd think talk of a vast right-wing conspiracy would come from the mouths of disgruntled Democrats.

Box Score UNLV-New Mexico: Box Score UNLV-New Mexico

Ex-charity official Ballard indicted on 28 counts of theft: Kim Smith; A former regional director of the American Cancer Society's Las Vegas operation has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $195,000 from the organization.

County's wetlands project ranks among best in the world: An expert panel from Harvard's Graduate School of Design recognized the county's efforts in restoring 2,900 acres of wetlands along the southeastern edge of the Las Vegas Valley.

Editorial: Encourage renewable energy: The need to reduce dependence on Middle East oil is driving the need for a new energy policy. President Bush and Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, lead those emphasizing more domestic oil and gas production. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., Assistant Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., lead those who want conservation and renewable sources to play major roles in a new policy.

Director's new passion is "Le Dinner Cabaret": When: 7 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday (dark Wednesdays).

Whistlin' Dixie: Dixie Dooley may be the most uncelebrated celebrity in Las Vegas.

Rebels-Utes series: Rebels-Utes series

Homeless driven from desert site: By Timothy Pratt; After living outdoors for more than a decade, Gordon Harvey Easton, 74, knows weather.

Prisons search for new ways to help inmates: CARSON CITY -- Steve Hines is happy the state prison system is trying to abandon its "Lock them up and throw away the key" philosophy.

Frenzied fans make themselves at home: Jace Radke; Devin Lerwick, 19, armed with a huge foam hand, a pompom and a cowboy hat emblazoned with "Go Pokes" in fluorescent yellow, is a fan on a mission.

Blood donations sought for Tiffany: Her friend and fellow assemblywoman, Barbara Cegavske, who is keeping vigil at Tiffany's side in a California hospital, requested that donations be made at any local blood service location in Tiffany's name.

Buffett to finish LV pipeline expansion: Malcolm Hall; Williams Cos. is selling its Kern River natural gas pipeline -- which runs through Las Vegas -- to a company owned by financier Warren Buffett for $960 million to reduce debt and increase cash flow to keep its investment grade credit rating, avoiding "Enronitis."

Letter: Explaining Bush can be confusing proposition: The Bush domestic policy is take from the poor and give to the rich. His foreign policy is get Saddam for Daddy and build Star Wars for Ronald Reagan. "Evil" to President Bush means any country Reagan or Daddy didn't like or any country which has big weapons but lacks either oil or a McDonald's burger joint.

Gamblers likened to 'average Americans': Lisa Snedeker; The average casino gambler closely mirrors the average American, a gambling industry-sponsored national survey shows, though critics dismissed the results.

Letter: Protecting natural areas: Wilderness designation is an important tool to help keep some portion of our country's land in a natural state, not only so that it can be enjoyed by present and future generations, but so that we can have a properly functioning ecosystem. I don't know if Mr. Freeman or any other members of the Nevada Land Users group have ever taken an ecology class, but undeveloped land contributes a lot more to society than recreational exploits. Ever heard of a watershed? And as much as everything may seem to blend together when one whirs past it by off-highway vehicle, the ...

UNR to share cost overruns for Fire Science Academy: Jennifer Knight; The University of Nevada, Reno has agreed to share cost overruns of up to $2.5 million to finish the troubled Fire Science Academy.

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV point guards set brisk pace: Dean Juipe; They're the catalysts, the engines that drive a pair of teams that have exceeded expectations.