Print edition for March 12, 2002

Disappointment but excitement for UNLV in NIT opener: AP; But after a season that brought some stability and hope to a once vaunted program, it's easy to believe UNLV players when they say they're just happy to still be playing.

Main course: Sir Anthony Hopkins continues to trudge through vaunted career: His savoir faire is not ostentatious, but rather a natural facet of a gentle, pleasing personality that at times is at odds with the characters he portrays in motion pictures such as Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," a role for which Hopkins won a 1991 Academy Award for Best Actor.

VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO: VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO

Spoon found quick fix at UNLV: Steve Addy; Before Charlie Spoonhour was hired as men's basketball coach last March, UNLV spent two months in futile pursuit of Rick Pitino and others, including Utah's Rick Majerus and Pitt's Ben Howland.

Harmful beryllium detected in North Las Vegas office: The presence of toxic metal particles was confirmed Monday in air and dust at a North Las Vegas office of the National Nuclear Security Administration, though at levels below what is considered safe for workplaces.

Telcom giant's shares plunge: The shares fell $1.06 to $7.95 in late morning trading after declining to $7.29. They had already fallen 36 percent this year. MCI Group stock, which tracks WorldCom's consumer long-distance unit, fell 61 cents, or 6.7 percent, to $8.55. WorldCom's bond prices declined.

Vegas PR exec in bankruptcy: Puckett, who sold his agency in February 2001 to Hall Communications, filed the bankruptcy petition as an individual in January and listed 95 creditors to whom he owes money, including two personal loans totaling $530,000. The filing lists other debts of $265,395 owed to Forbes magazine -- which sued Puckett for that amount in October in a dispute over advertising -- and a 1999 divorce and property settlement of $480,000 owed to a former wife.

Guinn vows to 'protect the ratepayers': Erin Neff; Gov. Kenny Guinn clearly states it's not his role to tell the Public Utilities Commission how to rule on Nevada Power's request for a rate increase, but he isn't silent on the utility's $922 million request.

Shoplifted toothbrush leads to arrest of fleeing suspect: "Employees in the store observed him take the toothbrush and join three other men in the parking lot," Darcy said.

UNLV women eighth in California tourney: The Rebels (312-305--617) trimmed seven strokes off their morning total for one of the top 20 improvements in the 16-team field and moved ahead four spots, firing a season-best 17-over par in the day's late round.

Letter: Immigrants must learn English: I myself came from Germany over 40 years ago to this nation, and it was either learn English or go back home where you came from -- there was no "extra" help for all of us coming from whatever country. America speaks English and if you honestly wanted to become a U.S. citizen you learned the English we all speak here.

Editorial: Homeless plan needs deadline: While the nonprofit MASH Village in downtown Las Vegas and a smattering of other efforts around the valley are commendable, the need for homeless services far outstrips the existing programs. Last week, after receiving complaints from nearby residents, police ordered about 30 homeless people living near the Las Vegas Wash east of Boulder Highway and Russell Road to move on. One was a former carpenter who had spent five years building a makeshift home out of scavenged materials. A few days earlier a homeless encampment on Owens Avenue and A Street was dismantled on orders of the city. While the ...

Rebels' Zsiros honored by the Mountain West: The native of Hungary improved to 16-7 on the year in singles by winning her last five matches and eight of her last nine. She is ranked 92nd and plays at the No. 2 position.

News briefs for March 12, 2002: A six-story office building in southern Las Vegas was evacuated Monday night when welding work being done on the outside of the structure caused the second floor to fill with smoke.

First homes likely to rise in community: Mathis Winkler; This summer the first 611 homes in a 1,900-acre master-planned community are likely to rise at the northern end of North Las Vegas.

Letter: Will all wrong about reform: First, campaign finance reform is not "involuntary." According to Clean Money Digest, "(the fact that) many more candidates, indeed gubernatorial candidates in Arizona, are choosing to run under Clean Elections in 2002 speaks to the strength of the new system." If the system were "involuntary," as was stated by Will, then all candidates would run as Clean Money Candidates.

Letter: Yucca repository will not benefit local residents: Compensation for Nevada is lining the pockets of former Gov. Bob List's pockets. He is paid to promote the nuclear power industry's interests, not ours.

Columnist Susan Snyder: This history lesson may need revision: The 30 Mormon men sent to settle the Las Vegas Valley in 1855 arrived on a 460-mile trail that traversed a peaceful meadow nestled in Southern Utah's red rock cliffs.

Frohlich, Jinks glad for chance to check out MJ's old court: Steve Guiremand; UNLV Lady Rebel basketball stars Linda Frohlich and Constance Jinks would have been happy to go anywhere in the country to play in their first NCAA Tournament. But both admit playing Saturday's first round game against Minnesota will be even more special for them because of the site of the contest.

City projects receive engineering awards: The Northwest Water Resource Center on Durango Drive between Gowan Road and Cheyenne Avenue won the ACEC's highest recognition, the grand conceptor award. The project conserves water by treating up to 10 million gallons of wastewater a day which then irrigates large turf areas such as golf courses and parks.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Tough messenger coming: The movie was outstanding but, unlike the book, couldn't cover every important detail. Mark Bowden's book "Black Hawk Down" provided the material for the movie and was an excellent piece of writing. The eventual return of Durant to the U.S. military was much more complex than could be told in a movie.

Defense expert: Dettloff may not have caused crash: Kim Smith; An accident reconstructionist told jurors Monday there is a chance that James Barton, and not Mitchell Dettloff, caused the accident last year that claimed the lives of Barton's wife and son and another man.

Dorsey will miss UNLV's spring drills: Steve Guiremand; UNLV's football team will be without one of its key offensive weapons when spring practice begins next month.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Every Rebel improved this season: Dean Juipe; Let's be frank. Each of the members of the UNLV men's basketball team -- and especially those who comprise the nucleus of the Rebels -- opened the season with a question mark next to his name.

FBI to follow European leads in disappearance of woman: Kim Smith; FBI agents and an assistant U.S. attorney may soon go to Europe to try to solve the disappearance of a Boulder City woman more than two years ago.

Firm signs licensing deal: Coinless Systems will license its "Scan After Print" patented technology to Alliance for use in all of that company's cashless slot machine systems. The Coinless Systems technology is a process for scanning and instantly verifying the validity of bar-code tickets that replace coins in a cashless slot machine. The system can be used either in a ticket reader installed on a slot machine or at the cashier's cage.

Herrera calls compaint frivolous: CARSON CITY -- Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera says the recent complaint filed with the state Ethics Commission is just another example of frivolous allegations being made against him during this political campaign.

Expectations pinned on Durango: Spencer Patterson; The way most coaches around town are talking, Nevada might as well hand its 4A state baseball trophy to the Durango Trailblazers right now.

Reforms may be too late: Even as Andersen's oversight committee announced its first series of reforms for the troubled accounting firm Monday, another major client dumped Andersen as its auditor. FedEx Corp. followed the lead of other blue chip companies, including Delta Air Lines, Freddie Mac, Merck & Co. and SunTrust Banks.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- Meeting Of Minds -- P. Val atop Cerin trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, Minds Of Meeting in winners circle. Mon Petite -- Draws alongside top pick, Desormeaux on Dolan trainee, Petite diploma in maiden--claimer for Mon? Value Play -- Laced In Gold

Obituaries for March 12, 2002: Ray Archer, 60, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born March 13, 1941, in Mississippi County, Mo. A resident for 20 years, he was a retired meat cutter.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Marlin prompts change in pit speeding enforcement: As a result of Sterling Marlin's controversial win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this month, NASCAR will change the way it enforces speeding in the pits beginning with Sunday's Winston Cup race at Darlington Raceway.

Airline industry and travelers still adjusting six months after Sept. 11: Brad Foss; Even under ideal circumstances, Dan MacKay does not really enjoy flying.

Commons remembered as smiling kid who gave his all: BOULDER CITY -- Former Boulder City High School Principal Bill Garis Monday night remembered Army Ranger Matthew Commons as a student who was always smiling.

Editorial: Inmate rehabilitation addressed by prisons: Last week she suggested a different way to get prisoners the kind of in-prison education that will help them immediately after they leave. Crawford is considering providing inmates with vocational training instead of focusing on getting them a high school diploma alone. Crawford wants to instill in inmates a work ethic so they can succeed in the outside world. In addition, because ex-inmates with addictions are more likely to commit crimes, Crawford has worked to put in place a program that helps inmates who have substance abuse problems. Intensive counseling and supervision, including unannounced drug tests, are part of the ...

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Go West, young man .... to Pittsburgh: When Horace Greeley advised that young man to "Go West," I don't think he had Pittsburgh in mind.

Community news briefs for March 12, 2002: North Las Vegas officials on Wednesday will honor a fallen police officer with a parade.

Boulder City hero buried at Arlington: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- "To my dorky bro."

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

Control Board sues card cheat: The agency sued Olejack in Clark County District Court.

Nevada Power chief: Rate hike foes jeopardize summer energy: Nevada Power Co. President Mark Ruelle blamed opponents of the company's ongoing $922 million rate case of making it difficult for the utility to buy energy from other generators.

Taxicab panel may kill tip rule: The Nevada Taxicab Authority will consider striking down rules that prohibit businesses from paying commissions for customer referrals.

Stocks punished on probes: WorldCom Inc., the second-biggest U.S. long distance phone company, saw its shares fall as much as 19 percent this morning on the news. The shares fell $1.06 to $7.95 in late morning trading after declining to $7.29. They had already fallen 36 percent this year.

Rebel baseball team loses MWC opener: Victoria Sun; A scheduling change forced the UNLV baseball team to forgo two days of rest.

EICON's profits declined in 2001 on lower returns: CARSON CITY -- Employers Insurance Co. of Nevada, jettisoned as a state agency two years, reported a $20.6 million profit in 2001, down about $6.2 million from the prior year.

Cash incentives for teachers are considered: By Emily Richmond; A plan to provide educators cash incentives based on performance could be a win-win proposal for the fast-growing school district that struggles yearly to fill its teaching positions, Clark County School Board President Sheila Moulton says.

Vegas firm wins 'Net suits: Grace Leong; Las Vegas-based casino gambling giant Mandalay Resort Group has won court orders blocking six Internet site operators from misappropriating its trademarks, and has filed four more lawsuits alleging similar infringements of its brand names.

AGA won't support Internet measure: David Strow; Breaking ranks with a former ally, the American Gaming Association said Monday it would oppose an anti-Internet gambling bill now pending before a House subcommittee.

Police budget continues to grow: Keith Paul; Each year since Sheriff Jerry Keller took over the Metro Police Department in 1995, he has asked for huge increases in its budget, saying he needed more officers to keep pace with the county's growing population. Keller's current budget request for about $322 million is more than double what Metro received when he took office in 1995 and a $27 million increase over last year's budget.

Eagle's flight used to boost Reid's bill: The American Wildlife Enhancement Act would set aside $350 million for wildlife restoration, especially targeting at-risk species. About $150 million would be designated for landowners and conservation groups to protect endangered species and habitats. About $50 million would be for habitat and species restoration on Western grasslands.

Water war between counties heating up: Launce Rake and Cy Ryan; Water ways

Kelly fueled Rebels' surge: Steve Addy; At Saint Louis

NIT at a glance: Arizona State-UNLV: NIT at a glance: Arizona State-UNLV

Laughlin casino patron loses negligence lawsuit: The Nevada Supreme Court last week refused to reinstate a suit against the Riverside Resort & Casino, which was accused of negligence by Kim Dung La Due.

Firms hope new products will revitalize charity bingo: David Strow; If you wanted to gamble legally 30 years ago, there were only a few choices.

Most LV TV stations ready for digital switch: Malcolm Hall; Two Las Vegas television stations -- KVBC Channel 3 and KVVU Fox 5 -- will not meet a May 1 federal deadline to begin digital broadcast and have filed for six-month extensions with the Federal Communications Commission.

Nevada's legendary senator Howard Cannon laid to rest: Howard Cannon's modesty and humble nature belied the powerful four-term Democratic U.S. senator's true personality.