Print edition for March 20, 2002

Columnist Dean Juipe: Season ends on sour note for Rebels: Dean Juipe; The diversity and balance that made UNLV a formidable basketball team throughout the second half of the season was on hiatus, and now so are the Rebels.

In any form, ginger proves tasty: Max Jacobson; Whether ground, grated, candied or preserved in sugar syrup, it presents a variety of different characteristics, some of which are hot, zippy, spicy and pungent.

Tuesday's prep results: BASEBALL

Swimming: UNLV All-Stars: MEN'S FIRST TEAM

Letter: It's time for consumer advocate to act: There were many deregulation items never addressed by the states' public utilities commissions, consumer advocates or the legislatures, and yet deregulation was initiated.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- Supervelous - Nakatani aboard Sise trainee, draws good post for short straight dash, solid connections with babies. Champ's Gold - Draws just inside top pick, Desormeaux on Dutton trainee, connections are also good with these. Value Play -- Hollywood Honey

Letter: Ensign not interested in job: He evidently isn't interested in serving the people while in the Senate. So let him off the hook and let him stay home all the time.

Fatal shooting of girl, 3, believed accidental: Jace Radke; A 3-year-old girl was killed Tuesday in what Metro Police say appears to be an accidental shooting by the girl's 12-year-old brother.

Community briefs for March 20, 2002: A meeting for epilepsy patients and their families will be 5-6 p.m. Thursday at Sunrise Health Strategies, 3131 La Canada, Suite 107.

Editorial: Nuke barge idea takes on water: For years the Department of Energy has avoided providing details of what routes, and by what means, it would ship 77,000 tons of nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain. Keeping a lid on that information effectively has isolated Nevada in the debate over nuclear waste storage. Other states don't feel immediately affected if they're not told nuclear waste likely will travel through their cities and towns. If there is a silver lining to the revelation about the barges, it is that it could build opposition in Congress to the construction of a nuclear waste dump.

Commissioner pushes law curtailing telemarketers: Adrienne Packer; Erin Kenny supports a law that would stop phone solicitors from pestering residents and prevent telemarketers from making fraudulent offers to Southern Nevada's senior citizens.

Letter: Every vote should count: Why can't we practice real democracy and elect the president by popular vote?

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Remodel moves along at mall: During a recent visit I found much of the debris surrounding the entrance to valet parking had been removed, making it much easier to access underground parking. Macy's outdoor parking has a way to go, so go underground.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: The Meadows School is illuminated by Light: Elizabeth Foyt; Guests, among them Mayor Oscar Goodman and his wife Carolyn, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Lisa Livingstone, Barbara Stout and Debbie Swissman, were pleased to relax with the fine meal and most pleasant surroundings.

Editorial: A wild horse by any other name is still ...: With 1,000 horses estimated to be wild in the range, the day will come when the department will be forced to sell captured horses at public auction, which could send many of them to slaughterhouses. The department so far has done an admirable job. No horses have been sold. Out of 466 horses captured, 397 have been adopted. But pressure is mounting, as state funds are growing scarce and adoption fees do not recover costs if a horse is not found a home within two months.

Savvy wine buys: Domaine Robert Arnoux '99 Burgundy: It may lack the depth and richness of its splendid cousins, but it is pressed from the same varietal, the noble Pinot Noir, and exhibits many of the characteristics that make that grape the most prized one in the wine world. This is a fruity, exceptionally drinkable wine that is both light on the palate and soft at the finish. It's a wonderful wine with poultry, but be warned: It may lead to more expensive Burgundies.

Water plan focuses on new sources: An updated plan to provide more water in an attempt to keep pace with a growing Southern Nevada population will be unveiled Thursday.

Columnist Peter Benton: LV Business Women's Club team leads league: Peter Benton; The Las Vegas Business Women's Club team, consisting of Bobbie Wiener, Ann Sutton, Jackie Pierson, Jan Hanson, Lynn King, Geneva Cullen, Connie Patterson and Kathy Siegel, leads the Women's Southern Nevada Golf Association's Blue League standings with 34 points.

Daschle not as confident on Yucca: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle 10 months ago said the Yucca Mountain project was "dead" as long as he and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., were in charge, but today Daschle said that may not be the case.

News briefs for March 20, 2002: Nevada's remaining wilderness needs protection, a coalition of citizens agreed during a forum Tuesday night at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Schmidt expects his driver to be ready for Fontana: Anthony Lazzaro should get clearance from Indy Racing League doctors in time to drive in Sunday's Yamaha Indy 400 at California Speedway in Fontana, according to team owner Sam Schmidt.

Nevada firm eyes acquisition: Douglas Dirks, president and chief executive officer of EICON, said today Fremont Comp has endured financial problems in recent months and its current operations have been limited to five Western states, primarily California.

Restoration of some slashed highway funds considered: The Bush administration is backing a congressional plan that would restore $4.4 billion nationally -- about $25 million statewide -- in federal highway funding, the head of the Federal Highway Administration said Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Harrah's may ditch auditing firm: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement initiated efforts Monday to bar the state's casino operators from using Andersen, following its indictment last week on obstruction of justice charges related to the Enron scandal. The request must be approved by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

NIT box: UNLV-South Carolina: Percentages: FG .400, FT .692, 3P .211.

Congress race too close to call: Erin Neff; The race for Nevada's new 3rd Congressional District -- already hyped as one of the closest in the nation -- could be decided by nonpartisan voters, registration numbers released Tuesday show.

Company posts loss: The company did not report any revenues, but did post $176,000 in interest income. In the year-ago period, American Vantage lost $419,000, or 8 cents per share.

Guinn: More money needed: Erin Neff; With 26 days left to veto President Bush's Yucca Mountain decision, Gov. Kenny Guinn is worried the state doesn't have enough money to fight the proposed nuclear waste dump.

Court OKs phone lottery sales: Margie Mason; SAN FRANCISCO -- An Indian tribe in Idaho can sell lottery tickets to buyers off the reservation via a toll-free number provided by AT&T Corp., a federal appeals court said Tuesday.

Wynn partner wins patent case: Aruze is casino developer Steve Wynn's partner in a megaresort they plan at the Desert Inn site on the Las Vegas Strip. The court ruled that Sammy violated Aruze's patent on slot machines that are installed at pachinko parlors throughout Japan, Sammy said, adding it will appeal the ruling.

Rebel recap: UNLV couldn't muster rally: First half

Some MWC teams considering JV football programs: Steve Guiremand; When it comes to evaluating talent in football, nothing beats video of a player competing under game conditions.

Kids' dance toned down for festival: By Emily Richmond; After two months of practice for the Clark County School District's dance festival, the 25 girls and boys of the Harmon Elementary School dance team needed to pass a crucial test to get to the stage.

Ex-Rebel Robert Smith to coach CCSN team: "Hiring Robert Smith is another monumental advance for CCSN athletics," CCSN athletic director Tim Chambers said in a statement. "There's no one better to lead our new women's basketball program."

Obituaries for March 20, 2002: Gioietta Betancourt, 65, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. She was born June 25, 1936, in Fiume, Italy. A resident for 29 years, she was a changeperson.

Las Vegas Slam wins second straight game: Darrick Martin added 21 points for Las Vegas, which won its second game in as many nights over Kentucky.

Telemarketers limits sought: Adrienne Packer; Erin Kenny supports a law that would stop phone solicitors from pestering residents and prevent telemarketers from making fraudulent offers to Southern Nevada's senior citizens.

Walker to oversee county projects: Walker, who replaces Assistant County Manager Mike Alastuey on the project, is expected to resolve code violations and disputes between subcontractors, two major obstacles in the completion of the facilities.

Legislature seeks some control in emergencies: CARSON CITY -- In the event of a major emergency, such as an anthrax attack or hazardous material disaster, the Legislature wants to be involved in the subsequent decision-making process.

Sprained knee slows Banks: Steve Addy; COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Marcus Banks' psyche was hurting, and so was his knee. The latter had plenty to do with the former Tuesday night.

LV show exhibitor sued: Hartl, in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court Tuesday, said it owns the "Hartl" and "Hartl Crushtek" marks and that its Portland, Maine-based rival tried to disguise a Hartl machine by scratching off the Hartl mark from its serial plate, partially painting the yellow-colored machine green and relabelling the machine with the "Erin" and "Powercrusher" names.

Rebels' Kerrigan named MWC Pitcher of Week: For the week, Kerrigan posted a 3-1 record in four appearances. In that span, she pitched a one-hitter, earned two wins in relief and suffered her only loss in a nine-inning outing against Miami (Ohio).

Longtime teacher Burkholder dies: As a music teacher, Miriam Burkholder could be demanding -- expecting the best from each student.

Out to pasture: Northwest LV ranch closing after 25 years: Jeffrey Libby; Meg McNamee ate like a truck driver and never gained an ounce.

Hispanic group files lawsuit: The suit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. The suit claims that the workers, most of whom are Hispanics, "are not volunteers in any true sense of the word" because they work regular hours several days a week, and must ask permission before they go to the bathroom or leave the club.

Medicaid suffering big shortfall: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's Medicaid program will be $30 million to $60 million in the hole by the end of this fiscal year, a state official said Tuesday.

Gamecocked: Steve Addy; Here are the final season stat leaders for the Rebels:

Visit to SF project sparks enthusiasm for med center: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas leaders visited San Francisco on Monday to learn whether a medical complex in that city could be an example for what Las Vegas officials hope to achieve on 61 vacant acres west of downtown.

Horse racing bill advances: But House Majority Leader Wayne Crump will have to rally more support if his bill ultimately is to pass the House.

Mirage wins retrial in beating case: Joseph Canterino won a $5.8 million judgment in the district court trial in Las Vegas. But District Judge Stephen Huffaker ruled the amount was excessive and reduced it to $1.5 million.

HP chief claims victory: Brian Bergstein; CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Despite hearing boos from shareholders, Hewlett-Packard Co. chief Carly Fiorina claimed to have enough support for the $20 billion purchase of Compaq Computer Corp., putting the mega-merger into the hands of Compaq investors today.

Mayor vows to uproot homeless camp: Timothy Pratt and Ed Koch; Calling a homeless encampment of 150 people at Foremaster Lane and Main Street "out of control," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said this morning the city is coordinating a plan to solve the problem in the coming days that could include arrests of the homeless.

Harrah's may ditch Andersen: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement initiated efforts Monday to bar the state's casino operators from using Andersen after it was indicted last week on obstruction of justice charges related to the Enron scandal. The request must be approved by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

County fire dept. sued over explosion at plant: Keith Paul; A model rocket company filed a federal lawsuit this morning against Clark County claiming fire department management's decisions led to an explosion and a second blaze that burned for 24 hours and caused a bulk of the estimated $12 million in damage.

Civic leader, former regent Fong dies at 76: Lilly Hing Fong, who as the first Asian-American to serve on the state Board of Regents strove to improve the image and budgets of state universities, died today. She was 76.

Station stock surges on financial report: David Strow; Station Casinos Inc.'s shares surged more than 14 percent this morning, after the company announced it would significantly beat Wall Street's financial expectations for the quarter ending March 31.