Print edition for March 15, 2002

Columnist Jeff German: When will Las Vegas get back to normal?: No matter how tough life got in other parts of the country, Americans still found time to visit the entertainment capital of the world and unwind.

Editorial: Housing Authority needs regular audit: The Housing Authority budget authorized only $75,000 for public relations. The executive director, Frederick Brown, did not fulfill a requirement to notify the board members of the contract. The owner of the small company Herrera shared the contract with first said she asked Brown for assistance in fulfilling the contract. Then she changed her story, charging that after she had won the contract outright, Brown had pressured her into sharing it with Herrera. As questions mounted about Brown's handling of the matter, Herrera terminated his part of the contract.

513179158.html: Starring: The voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary.

Letter: Don't give up fight vs. dump: I hope they don't give up, because Sen. Harry Reid needs their help if Nevada is going to win this fight.

Datebook for March 15, 2002: Las Vegas' Department of Leisure Services presents a screening of "Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring," at 6:30 p.m. today in the park at Cimarron Rose Community School, 5591 N. Cimarron Road. Admission is free.

Veteran Las Vegas, Atlantic City casino host Colucci dies at 63: Services for Colucci, who worked for the Sands hotel in the early 1990s and later at the New Frontier, will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Palm Mortuary-Jones.

Reverse 911 system will alert residents: The system, known as reverse 911, allows emergency dispatchers to simultaneously call all residents in a neighborhood to warn them of natural disasters, terrorist attacks or police incidents, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Editorial: Wider plan needed for recycling goal: Recycling is important because it conserves natural resources and saves landfill space. Nationally, recycling is a significant industry when taking into account not only the collecting and sorting, but the conversion of recyclables into goods. It has gross annual sales of $236 billion, 1.1 million jobs, and a $37 billion payroll, according to the National Recycling Coalition.

3 killers' appeals rejected: CARSON CITY -- Three men convicted of first-degree murder in Clark County in different killings and each sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole have lost their appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Letter: United States should mind its own business: The historical precedents are not encouraging. Seldom, if ever, do empires, at the height of their power, unilaterally renounce violence and conquest abroad and revert to national affairs. It usually remains for other powers to unite against them and destroy them: That which is created by force, unfortunately, is usually undone in the same way or not at all.

Missouri state senator seeks more study on impacts of gambling: Paul Sloca; JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state should commission its own study on the economic impact of gambling in Missouri, says a Republican lawmaker who has filed a measure to get such a review started.

Columnist Susan Snyder: This disease lurks behind unlikely faces: Maybe it was the dark, floppy curls or big, shoe-button eyes. Maybe it was her engaging smile or the giggles that made my insides tickle.

Editorial: Thumbing his nose at Congress: Despite Bush's response, it isn't acceptable in our democracy to keep such an important official off-limits from questioning from the legislative branch, an equal branch of government. Bush has resisted efforts to make Ridge a member of his Cabinet -- and it's no mystery why. That would mean, unlike the president's staff, Ridge would be answerable to Congress. If there ever were an official who should be held accountable to explain his office's progress, it would be the domestic security chief, who is responsible for coordinating the United States' anti-terrorism efforts.

Editorial: Another rate hike in the offing?: The day after Oldham spoke, Walt Higgins, the CEO of Sierra Pacific Resources, which is the parent company of Nevada Power, dismissed talk of a supplemental rate hike request. "Let me be clear -- the likelihood of us filing for an increase in rates next year to cover these costs is nil," Higgins wrote in a memo addressed to business and civic leaders. Despite Higgins' assurances, his statement was more damage control than a realistic assessment.

Festivities set for downtown: Four Irish bands -- Graicmore, Kinship, Seven Nations and Tiller's Folly -- will perform on two stages, on Fremont Street at First and Third streets, set up under the canopy of the downtown mall.

Still afloat: Comic Louie Anderson's career a lesson in resilience: By Jerry Fink; The 49-year-old comedian recently finished writing his third book exploring the depths of the relationship he had with his dysfunctional family.

Performing Arts for March 15, 2002: Plays staged

On Display for March 15, 2002: "Children," an exhibit of figurative pastel drawings and paintings by Sarah Pearson-Ochoa, is on display through May 7 at Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Call 507-3400.

'NSync still high 'n' mighty: Kirk Baird; And in 2000, when the band contended it was being shortchanged of its profits, the group Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and Justin Timberlake dropped both Pearlman and its record label, RCA, and signed with Jive Records, home of Britney Spears and the rival Backstreet Boys.

West and 'Chicks' offer strong show at Bourbon Street: Joe Delaney; "The Fielding West Show: Comedy, Tricks & Naked Chicks" is 70 very strong minutes of comedy, tricks and two comely females -- Natalie Lund and Marcy Parker -- who are topless at times. West is also assisted by Bob the Bird, a real bird.

Review: Wilted plot ruins 'Flowers': Geoff Carter; Harrison's Flowers

Chances slim for gambling bill: The House Licensing and Occupations Committee earlier this week approved the bill, on what its sponsor said was a procedural matter. The committee is scheduled to take up the bill again on Monday.

Women's game to help UNLV Foundation: The game, which features U.S. Olympians and World Cup champions, will be played at the Cimarron Memorial High School football stadium at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $15 each.

DEA agent's wife pointed finger at husband in sex case: Keith Paul; A local DEA agent arrested this week accused of soliciting teenage boys for sex was investigated on similar allegations a year ago, but no charges were ever filed.

Carrier adds Vegas-K.C. flights: The 13-jet carrier said Thursday it will add a third flight to Los Angeles, second and third flights to Las Vegas, a third flight to New York City's La Guardia Airport, two flights to Orlando and a second flight to San Francisco.

Florida measure rejected by court: On a 4-3 vote, the justices said the measure failed to meet the state's single subject requirement and must be removed from the ballot.

Three arrested in alleged thefts from slot machines: Authorities said as much as $1 million may have been stolen from slot machines over the last six months by at least three employees.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Shea better than gold: Most Americans know the story of Jimmy winning a gold medal. His grandfather's funeral card was in his helmet as he raced to victory. It was a victory that the Shea family, especially Jimmy, had hoped his grandfather would be in the stands to see. Instead he was with him as he flew down the hill.

Library brings world to area seniors: WEEKEND EDITION

Review: 'Resident Evil' is frighteningly bad: Grade: No stars

Executive says money laundered through Las Vegas: Liu Mingkang, who took over management at the nation's second-biggest lender in 2000, said officials at its Kaiping branch laundered money through Las Vegas and Macau and used fake passports to flee. In a separate case, the Chongqing branch's deputy general manager hanged himself after the bank queried spiraling bad loans.

Parent warns School Board of racial problems: By Emily Richmond; The father of a Sierra Vista High School freshman said administrators are not doing enough to protect his daughter and other black students from ongoing, racially motivated harassment by a small group of their white classmates.

Legal distinction for wild horses causes confusion: CARSON CITY -- The state Commission on the Preservation of Wild Horses plans to allocate $374,325 over several years to help the federal government find homes for the animals.

Columnist Jon Ralston: GOP adopts anti-gay agenda: "I believe that each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so far as it in no way interferes with any other man's rights; that each community, as a state, has a right to do exactly as it pleases with all the concerns within the State that interfere with no other State."

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Work of farm labor organizer Cesar Chavez still with us: If you were a farm worker under a UFW contract for five years or more, there is good chance you are qualified for a pension. Recently the Los Angeles Times newspaper carried an Associated Press story about Modesto Montero, 87, a retired farm worker who received a back-pay pension check for $73,748. Montero came to the U.S. from the Philippines during the Great Depression. He was among the thousands who didn't know about the pension plan. Today, according to the AP, 2,200 retirees are receiving these benefits with many more eligible but not knowing about them. What a difference a ...

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Young Nevada hero won't be forgotten: Benjamin Grove; One was old, one was young. Both were heroes.

Columnist Erin Neff: In keen political move, Guinn veers left: Erin Neff; What's more, the candidate would urge Nevadans not to trust the federal government or support the Republican administration's Yucca Mountain decision.

No Blarney: Kimberley McGee; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jerry Fink: Dozers entrenched in classic rock 'n' roll: Phil Dirt and the Dozers isn't exactly a dance band, but when you hear golden oldies rock 'n' roll done really well -- you just can't not dance.

UNLV chartering plane for Tuesday NIT game: The package includes a seat on the team-chartered plane to Columbia, S.C. (leaving Monday morning), ground transportation, one night at the team hotel (across the street from Carolina Coliseum), access to a pregame party and a game ticket.

Review: Filipino-American culture comes alive in 'Debut': Geoff Carter; The Debut

Review: 'A.I' sets the record straight on Spielberg, Kubrick: Geoff Carter; Movie critics are a pretty thick-headed lot. Kind of slow on the pickup. While we discussed the noncommercial aspects of Steven Spielberg's "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" last summer, not one of us directly addressed the obvious: Spielberg had made his first interpretive film. We were so busy nitpicking at "A.I.'s" ambiguities that we failed to acknowledge their significance.

Review: 'No Man's Land' not your typical war movie: Geoff Carter; No Man's Land

Martinez bowled over by musical success: Who: Ana Maria Martinez, with Placido Domingo and the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Power rate increase debate: Utility likely facing lengthy court battle: WEEKEND EDITION

Obituaries for March 15, 2002: Gordon R. Bennett, 66, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local care center. He was born June 23, 1935, in Gates, N.Y. A resident for eight years, he was a retired service station owner/operator and Korean War Army veteran.

Letter: SUV craze hurts foreign policy: Our dependence on foreign oil seems to be a joke to many Americans. I have friends who own big pickup trucks and big SUVs. They tell me they are lucky to get 8 to 10 miles to the gallon.

Political notebook: Veteran lawmaker Raggio to receive papal honor: Erin Neff; The godfather of Nevada politics will be a bit more like Michael Corleone next month when he is honored by the Pope.

Tribe rejects Reid land-sale bill: The Western Shoshone Nation's leaders are opposing a bill sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., that would distribute $120 million to tribal members in exchange for the sale of their lands.

Letter: Nevada can solve nuclear challenge: Right now the waste is scattered across the country at over 130 locations in over 30 states. A little common sense tells me it's better to have the waste in one central location in a remote desert that is already dedicated to nuclear purposes. And that land is not going to be used for anything else, so why not make this federal project pay all of us if we are called upon to help solve this challenge.

Letter: Community can respond to homeless crisis: In the interim, we need enough basic services to accommodate as many homeless people who are willing to access shelter, showers and restrooms. The current situation is woefully inadequate. From now until August, when Catholic Charities expect to open its new building, we have a shortage of shelter, showers and restrooms. When the temporary MASH tent closes later in the spring, before August, the terrible situation will be even worse.

Review: 'Ice Age' may give other animators a chill: Geoff Carter; Ice Age

Democrats are lacking 'farm team': Erin Neff; Rarely have so many state issues leapt to the forefront in an election year.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Attention trained on coach trend: More than 900 coaches were in town for a convention this week without a single whistle among them.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Smile, don't fight: IT WILL BE MOST interesting the night a boxer climbs into the ring at Caesars Palace with his back painted "See You At The MGM." What the heck, it's just the guy expressing his right to free speech. Sure it's commercial speech, but according to two local district courts, the Nevada Athletic Commission can't keep him from using his back to advertise a product.

Parade highlight of St. Patrick's Day: A crowd of 40,000 to 50,000 people is expected to view the two-hour event that will begin at 11 a.m. at Fourth Street and Coolidge Avenue and will proceed north to Ogden Avenue.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Chicago brings chart-topping sounds to Stardust: Joe Delaney; Chicago, celebrating 35 years as the premier rock band with a dominant horn section successfully fusing jazz, rock and the blues, returns to the Stardust for three-day stands, this weekend and next ... Since 1967 Chicago has sold more than 122 million recording units, including 32 gold and 17 platinum albums plus a similar number of hit singles as albums.

Haven't filed '98 taxes? You might be owed money: Forget your 2001 tax return that is due one month from today -- the Internal Revenue Service wants to know if you have filed your 1998 return.

Nevada Power and its critics file final cases with PUC: Nevada Power Co. argued that its energy purchases for last March through September were prudent to avoid the blackouts that plagued California.

Colleagues laud Tarkanian for his dedication: Victoria Sun and Steve Guiremand; College basketball loses a coaching legend when former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian calls it quits today after a controversial career that spanned several decades.

Reverse 911 will alert residents: The system, known as reverse 911, allows emergency dispatchers to simultaneously call all residents in a neighborhood to warn them of natural disasters, terrorist attacks or police incidents, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Motorist could get 45 years in prison: Kim Smith; Observers in the trial of Mitchell Dettloff emitted a low, but audible gasp upon hearing a verdict that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 45 years.

DEA agent's wife implicated him in sex case, report says: Keith Paul; The wife of a DEA agent accused of soliciting teenage boys for sex turned her husband in after tracking his computer use, a police report says.

So. Nevada softball girls want it all, too: Leah Robinson; With a 21-year basketball title drought finally behind them, Southern Nevada's girls have set their sights on wresting the 4A state softball championship from their northern counterparts.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- Estar De Prisa - Gomez astride Assinesi trainee, should go for the lead from outside box in the mile opener, gate-to-wire score on the agenda? Campaign Andover - Draws good inner post for claimer, Espinoza atop Sadler trainee, catbird trip and the victory is Andover. Value Play -- Answerback

Four Queens owner to sell downtown LV property: David Strow; For the second time in three years, the owner of the Four Queens has struck a deal to sell the downtown hotel-casino.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tonya finds her niche in boxing: Dean Juipe; With debts piled high and her rent well overdue, Tonya Harding has been searching for a way to make money.

Singapore Airlines launching nonstop service to Las Vegas: Singapore Airlines, an air carrier that frequently lands at the top of many travel professionals' lists of favorites to fly, will launch its 15-hour nonstop flight between Las Vegas and Hong Kong in August.

Nevada minorities seeking more loans for small businesses: By Timothy Pratt; Three months ago Jolene Machado was ready to bail out on the Hawaiian Style Cafe, a restaurant she started with her best friend from Hawaii only a year ago.

Woman fights back after devastating attack: Kim Smith; When Diane Baptist awoke after a monthlong coma brought on by third-degree burns, she didn't pause for a second to look in the mirror. Pitying herself would take too much time away from rebuilding her life, she decided.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan trucks into tough old Darlington: The first three races of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season pose a challenge for Rookie of the Year candidate Brendan Gaughan.

Tark's fight with NCAA finally over: By Jeff German; Ex- Rebels coach Jerry Tarkanian, 71, will step down as Fresno State's coach today. Here is a look back on Tarkanian's illustrious record at UNLV:

Review: Just enough laughs in 'Showtime': Geoff Carter; Showtime

Woman, city in battle over property damage: Mathis Winkler; Jo Ann Jackson's North Las Vegas home is a mess, no question about it.

This week's races: WINSTON CUP

Thursday's preps results: BASEBALL

News briefs for March 15, 2002: An autopsy determined a woman found dead in her North Las Vegas home this week was beaten to death.

Cannon's services at Arlington April 10: Cannon, who evaded capture in German-occupied Holland for 42 days after the plane he was piloting was shot down, and who later served four terms in the Senate, died March 6 at age 90.

Factory sale won't affect housing project: A planned sale of the James Hardie Gypsum factory to a British company will not affect plans to put an upscale housing development on top of Blue Diamond Hill, those involved in the transaction said Thursday.

UNLV seniors want to make history: Steve Guiremand; University of Minnesota

Casinos stand by Anderson: Company's knowledge of gaming industry is held in high regard: David Strow; Since the Enron Corp. scandal broke, only one major Las Vegas client, the Hard Rock Hotel, has fired Arthur Andersen as its independent auditor.

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

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tark was simply a refreshing character: Dean Juipe; I like people who like newspapermen and no one in sports likes newspapermen like Jerry Tarkanian.

UNLV notebook: Women's tennis team crushes No. 48 Penn: The Rebels evened their record at 5-5 overall and 4-0 at home this spring. The Golden Eagles fell to 3-5.

Tark hangs it up: Steve Addy; Whether Jerry Tarkanian quit voluntarily or was gently nudged by Fresno State, his retirement today after 38 years of college basketball coaching -- half of them at UNLV -- marks the end of a career that captivated and polarized Southern Nevada like few others before or since.