Print edition for March 25, 2002

Study renews problem gambling debate: David Strow; A new state-funded study has done little to answer the long-debated question of the extent of gambling addiction in Nevada.

Nevada's anti-Yucca fight gets boost in Congress: Erin Neff and Benjamin Grove; State leaders have long said a key to their anti-Yucca Mountain strategy is to publicize risks associated with transporting waste, especially after the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes.

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

Guinn wants details on rate hike proposal: Critics of Nevada Power Co. said consumers would be better off with a sharp reduction in the $922 million the utility seeks instead of the company's new plan to make the proposed rate hike more palatable for ratepayers.

Letter: Kids don't need risque dancing: It's refreshing that they had the courage to act responsibly in getting students to dance in a less provocative manner even if parents saw nothing wrong with the hip-rocking routines.

Services set for Fong: Fong, the first Asian-American to serve on the Board of Regents and a longtime Las Vegas philanthropist and civic leader, died Tuesday. She was 76.

Homeless campers on the move: By Timothy Pratt; One homeless man spent Sunday night standing in front of a full shelter and about 40 homeless people found new spots to pitch their tents after an early-morning sweep of a camp at Foremaster Lane and Main Street.

Ute hurler shuts down Rebels: Victoria Sun; With the way Utah pitcher Mitch Maio has been pitching, it's hard to believe he hasn't been a starter most of his career.

GE Capital critical of Aladdin plan: David Strow; News that Atlantic City casino operator Colony Capital LLC is eyeing a buyout of the $1.2 billion Aladdin for $500 million or less has drawn fire from one of the largest creditors of the bankrupt Las Vegas Strip resort.

Fantasy baseball leagues catching on like wildfire: Spencer Patterson; Fantasy baseball draft tips

Silver nuggets: Binion coins becoming Las Vegas heirlooms: Others interested in the proceedings sat before television sets, programmed VCRs and hoarded newspaper clippings of the unfolding story.

Public television launches new Vegas digital channel: KLVX said the digital technology will give viewers much higher quality pictures than existing analog stations and more programming choices because it can send multiple pieces of programming at a time over a single channel.

Obituaries for March 25, 2002: Edward Winceinty Banel, 71, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born April 5, 1930, in Poland. A resident for three years, he was a Korean War Army veteran.

Lawsuit talk heats up after failed deal: Mike Robinson; CHICAGO -- One lawsuit has been filed and another is being contemplated now that the Illinois Gaming Board has rejected a plan under which Las Vegas gambling giant MGM MIRAGE would pay $600 million to operate the dormant but potentially ultra-lucrative Emerald riverboat casino.

Tiffany out of hospital, recovering at home: Tiffany, R-Henderson, was discharged Friday from Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., and will spend several weeks recovering before re-starting her campaign for the state Senate.

Passenger count off 8.5 percent in February: For the first two months of the year, traffic is down 9.1 percent, from 5.6 million in 2001 to 5.1 million this year.

Prep schedule: MONDAY

Congressman backs dam bypass: Erin Neff; House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, supports expediting funding for a Hoover Dam bypass in light of terrorism concerns, he says.

Public hearings scheduled: President Bush has recommended that Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, become the nation's repository for 77,000 tons of highly radioactive waste. Gov. Kenny Guinn is expected to veto the recommendation in the first two weeks of April.

Bell wants District Court judgeship: Kim Smith; Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell has decided he wants to wear the robes of a District Court judge.

Birth announcements for March 25, 2002: March 14:

Judge fixes serial robber up with life in prison: Mathis Winkler; Convicted casino robber Donnell Johnson may end up spending the rest of his life in prison, but that didn't stop him from trying to set up a date after his sentencing on Friday.

Some U.S. companies oppose lumber tariff: Allison Linn; SEATTLE -- For 50 years, a tiny company called Shakertown has produced and sold cedar shingle panels, employing nearly 50 people in the small southwest Washington town of Winlock.

Editorial: Who should be minding the store?: At first glance it might seem that Pitt is on the right track. But his proposal wouldn't do enough to restore the confidence of investors that publicly traded companies aren't cooking numbers. For example, while seven representatives on the 13-member board would come from outside the accounting industry, another six would include representatives from the Big Five accounting firms. That hardly seems like the kind of board that would be willing to ride herd on wayward accountants. So just how did the accounting industry fare so well and get such considerable sway under Pitt's plan? To begin with, Pitt represented ...

Governors show different styles: Jace Radke; A press conference Thursday to announce how Nevada and California are working together to improve Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles also underscored the different styles of the neighboring states' governors.

Nellis prepares for arrival of Raptors: Nellis also is gaining four aircraft and losing one civilian position, the Air Force announced Friday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tournament shows dynasty days are gone: Dean Juipe; Today is the 30th anniversary of the last NCAA men's basketball championship game to be played in the afternoon, and a reminder of how dramatically the sport has changed.

Pioneer educator Bowler dies at 89: Services for Bowler, a lifetime Southern Nevadan who served as principal of Moapa Valley High School 1942-76, were scheduled this morning at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Logandale Stake Center.

Property gets $20 million loan: The loan, secured by the property, will be used to refinance existing debt and to "provide for additional improvements to the property," Vestin said.

News briefs for March 25, 2002: Kenneth C. Cory, an attorney in private practice in Las Vegas, is a finalist on lists to replace either District Judge James Mahan or District Judge Stephen Huffaker in Clark County.

Medical school could lose its insurance: Jennifer Knight; Nevada's only medical school will lose its malpractice insurance July 1, and if replacement coverage is not found, the medical care of thousands of patients treated by faculty and residents could cease, university officials said.

Busch posts 1st win: Seven years ago, Kurt Busch was racing Dwarf Cars at the half-mile dirt track in Pahrump.

Letter: Greed hinders medical care: However, that is but a wistful thought as long as the core of our nation is driven by greed. Stock options to the corporate CEOs and their phalanx of executives are driven by what the stock market does, not the quality of the services or product of that company. Hence the CEOs' decisions are usually driven by personal greed. Prime examples include the mega conglomerates that run the hospitals, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, each of which are an essential part of our life lines.

Trends for March 25, 2002: Lisa Ferguson; In case you missed it, Saturday marked the end of National Poison Prevention Week, the theme of which was "Children Act Fast ... So Do Poisons!"

Vegas homeless looking for spots to sleep after weekend sweep: AP; "They're making us like flies and shooing us from place to place," a homeless Robert Courtney told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: U.S. horses have rich time in Dubai: Ralph Siraco; Although the world's richest horse race on the world's richest racing program is not in America, the results of the Dubai World Cup held half a world away resembled another big day at the races in the good old US of A.

Letter: School crisis as urgent as Yucca Mountain battle: Hopefully they will realize the need to tap into the rainy day fund to help the current crisis in our schools.

Rain makes little dent in dry conditions: The Las Vegas Valley Sunday received its first measurable rainfall since Dec. 14.

Park named for Chavez: Originally named after former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan, current executive editor and columnist for the Las Vegas Sun, the $1.5 million park was renamed for United Farm Worker organizer Cesar Chavez at O'Callaghan's request.

Former slot director sued: Treasure Island sued Pedro Mata, also known as Pete Mata, in Clark County District Court last week. Mata was accused of selling 101 slot machines for $67,000 to U.S. Gaming Imports Inc. of Clayton, Ohio, allegedly through a licensed gaming machine distributor called Brocklesby Distributing.

Start-up costs approved for malpractice program: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Examiners today approved $250,000 from an emergency fund to start a company to provide medical malpractice insurance for doctors who can't get policies in the private market.