Print edition for May 1, 2002

Tribe to remove slots: In early April the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma moved 200 slot machines into the former Masonic lodge building that it owns, located across the street from City Hall.

National in red for February: National Airlines continued to lose money in February, posting an $8.3 million loss, the Las Vegas company disclosed in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing.

Fire chief: Problems addressed: Diana Sahagun; Nearly four months after the Las Vegas Fire Department learned its coveted insurance rating could be downgraded, the department has addressed almost all of the relevant deficiencies, Fire Chief David Washington said.

Official: New malpractice insurers not solving crisis: Chris Jones; The introduction of one or more proposed private medical malpractice insurers would have little short-term affect on the state's new essential insurance program, Nevada's top insurance regulator said Tuesday.

Stock of LV insurer soars: The shares of Sierra Health rose $3.50 to $19.50 in trading of 1.23 million shares, more than nine times the three-month daily average. The price retreated 41 cents today to $19.09.

Seven Nevada contractors lose licenses: The companies and individuals that had their licenses revoked were:

Louisiana resort might expand: However, Pinnacle Chief Executive Daniel Lee said Tuesday that the California-based company would like to try to do the project without a partner first.

DOE seeks control of Yucca water: Jace Radke; The Energy Department has the authority and duty to maintain the Yucca Mountain site and needs water from the state of Nevada to do so, according to a brief asking a federal judge to stop the state from cutting off water.

North Las Vegas casino reports jump in revenue: MTR Gaming Group Inc., owner of the Speedway casino in North Las Vegas, on Tuesday reported a first quarter profit of $5 million or 17 cents per share vs. $4.3 million or 17 cents in the year-ago quarter.

Driver's licenses are going digital: CARSON CITY -- The state Department of Motor Vehicles is rolling out new digital driver's licenses, which will be harder to counterfeit.

Editorial: Finding out truth not high on the list: Of particular concern to Israel was the U.N. panel's inclusion of Cornelio Sommaruga, who from 1987 to 1999 was president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which consistently has rejected Israel's bid for membership into that organization. It was Sommaruga who in 1999 was upset by then-American Red Cross President Bernadine Healy's criticism of Israel's exclusion from the International Committee of the Red Cross. After Healy made her warranted rebuke, Sommaruga told her: "If we're going to have the shield of David, why would we not have to accept the swastika?" No wonder Israel was upset by Sommaruga's ...

DA sees no reason for new Binion probe: District Attorney Stewart Bell, responding to a defense request to reopen the Ted Binion murder investigation, said Tuesday that Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were rightfully convicted of killing the wealthy casino executive.

Killer wants insanity defense: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man who struck a bargain with prosecutors two years ago in the death of a local entertainer is trying to back out of his plea agreement.

General looks at DOD job: Retiring Nellis Air Force Base Maj. Gen. L.D. Johnston told Goodman Tuesday morning that he has a pending job offer with the Defense Department. Because he is still negotiating with the department, Johnston told Goodman the city should move forward with trying to find a replacement for Virginia Valentine, who resigned effective May 31.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Supporters turn out for Children's Foundation gala: Elizabeth Foyt; Using a game board theme for Color Us Friends 2002, the black-tie evening drew a host of supporters, among them Lou and Jerry Emmert, Theresa and Michael Minden with Patti and Lin Wippel and Tim and Denise Rose, joined by Cathy and Jeff Ray and Brad Millsap.

Rebels' Bostwick gets Mountain West honor: In four games last week Bostwick was 6-for-12 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and four runs scored, leading UNLV to its first two conference doubleheader sweeps as a member of the MWC.

NHP discrimination suit dismissed: CARSON CITY -- A federal judge has dismissed a gender discrimination suit brought by Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Christine Zaporowski, who says she was discriminated against over her five-year career.

Pappa leaving LV city post to work for county: Pappa, who is also Mayor Oscar Goodman's spokesman, was hired by the city in 1999. He previously worked at the Las Vegas Sun, KLAS Channel 8 and Las Vegas ONE.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Indianapolis Motor Speedway going soft for 500: Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials have begun installing energy-absorbing soft walls in the outside corners of the 2.5-mile oval and the material is expected to be in place when practice opens Sunday for the May 26 Indianapolis 500.

County may file action against recorder: Adrienne Packer; The Clark County district attorney has explored filing an "abandonment" complaint against Recorder Judith Vandever, who county officials say inexplicably missed six weeks of work and disconnected her office phone.

Nevada Legislature lobbied heavily by local governments: Erin Neff; Nevada's Legislature sees more lobbyists from local governments than nearly any other state, a report released today says.

Editorial: How green is your ... gutter: We're not suggesting replacing the smiling Deputy Drip with a snarling Admiral Aimright, as the first goal should always be voluntary compliance. But we agree with the tougher stance the district is now assuming in light of so much waste by so many people. One tactic the district is contemplating is increased fines for wasters. In all of last year, only 28 water users were cited for chronic waste. More should be cited and those who do not respond should indeed face increased fines. The district is also talking about higher water rates and, if that doesn't work, water rationing. ...

Obituaries for May 1, 2002: Pacita O. Alano, 87, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born June 13, 1914, in the Philippines. A resident for one year, she was a homemaker.

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Longtime pro wrestler Thesz dies at 86: Lou Thesz, who promoted pro wrestling locally 20 years ago and in the 1950s drew a then-record 4,000 fans to watch him wrestle the legendary Gorgeous George in Las Vegas, has died. He was 86.

Arrest made after 'tip' from suspect: Keith Paul; Finding his rental car stolen Tuesday morning, Joseph E. Honrath III wanted a cop. Little did he know that the cops wanted him, too.

Letter: Power company doesn't care if the lights go out: Did anyone notice that when the temperature nearly reached the century mark in the early part of April, we entered a yellow alert for power failure? Nevada Power is using this as propaganda to get the residents of Southern Nevada to scream "uncle" and capitulate to paying for the power company's mistakes.

Hewlett heir says he won't appeal after judge dismisses merger-blocking suit: Brian Bergstein; PALO ALTO, Calif. -- After eight months of dueling with opponents on Wall Street and in the Hewlett and Packard families, Hewlett-Packard Co. finally is on the verge of closing its $18 billion acquisition of rival Compaq Computer Corp.

More charges filed against Weber: Kim Smith; A host of new charges were filed this morning against Timmy J. Weber, the 28-year-old Las Vegas man who spent three weeks on the run after his girlfriend and her teenage son were killed.

UNLV men hold lead in conference tourney: UNLV's strong team play Tuesday was a result of a complete team effort as four of the team's lineup sit in the top 10.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:15 p.m.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- ESTAR DE PRISA - Draws good post for route opener, Gomez on Assinesi trainee, big chance to go all the way in this. THATSWHATSHESAID - Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, draws good inner post for claimer, could sit the trip in this. Value Play -- CHASTER

Chief justice will seek re-election: CARSON CITY -- Chief Justice Bill Maupin said Tuesday he will run for a second six-year term on the Nevada Supreme Court.

Family reunion: War separated mom, kids for 46 years: By Timothy Pratt; Tuy Seiler, at the age of 70, is looking forward to celebrating her first Mother's Day.

Heritage College opens: Heritage College opens

Tech giant's shares slump on executive departure: Zander, 55, will be replaced by the company's chief executive, Scott McNealy.

Gibbons, Berkley hustling to win votes on Yucca: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Despite nearly hopeless odds, Nevada's two congressmen are continuing their efforts to convince fellow lawmakers to vote against a Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.

Metro met with gangs before casino shootout: Keith Paul; Hours before a deadly brawl between rival motorcycle gangs in Laughlin, Metro Police met with leaders of the outlaw biker groups in an attempt to quell the brewing conflict, police officials said Tuesday.

Adult charges are considered against school bus hijacker: The Nye County district attorney's office, which received the police report this morning, is considering whether to charge the teen as an adult with the felony charges.

E-mail aids in war on terror: Technology has made the U.S. operations in Afghanistan a far different war from the one waged in Vietnam 30 years ago, according to a Navy SEAL who recently returned after commanding troops in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Stuck in a jam at Venetian: I was going to Wolfgang Puck's Postrio at The Venetian for a fund-raiser for CineVegas (the city's annual film festival), but I couldn't resist the allure of the Canal Shoppes before going to Postrio in St. Marks Square. I arrived in time (I thought) to visit a few shops along the way, but my attention was diverted by throngs of people crowding the walkways.

51s' Mills hospitalized with chest pains: Steve Addy; 51s manager Brad Mills underwent tests today to determine the cause of chest pains that led to his hospitalization during a 12-11 loss to Colorado Springs at Cashman Field on Tuesday night.

Tribe says official aided business associate: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- An Indian tribe alleges a top U.S. Interior Department official arranged a meeting with a former business associate who later asked the tribe to pay him for his influence in getting a casino approved.

Names in the game -- Mills Lane: "We had no idea just how many lives Mills has touched," Lane's wife, Kaye, said Tuesday in Reno.

LV council OKs another $50,000 for Yucca fight: Diana Sahagun; The Las Vegas City Council voted this morning to send an additional $50,000 toward the state's fight to keep high-level nuclear waste from coming to Nevada.

Report calls for overhaul of community college: Jennifer Knight; A study released Tuesday calls for a complete reorganization of the Community College of Southern Nevada, saying its structure is fragmented, inconsistent and chaotic.

Southern Nevada takes jump in car-theft stats: Jace Radke; The Las Vegas area ranks as one of the top targets for car thieves, according to a new study from an insurance industry group.

Killing might be self -defense: Apparently the slain man and his wife were arguing loudly in their apartment in the 3000 block of Casey Drive, near Tropicana Avenue and Pecos Road, about 3 a.m. The neighbors who share a common wall -- a man and his 22-year-old grandson -- went outside to investigate, said Lt. Tom Monahan of Metro's homicide unit.

Columnist Peter Benton: Junior clinics planned for Callaway Center: Peter Benton; Beginning the week of June 4, entertainer Danny Gans will be sponsoring a free junior golf academy at the Callaway Golf Center for juniors 8-17 years of age.

Tuesday's prep results: BASEBALL

Community briefs for May 1, 2002: The American Heart Association will hold its 16th annual Heart of Gold Ball at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Rio's pavilion.

Plea agreement taken in slaying of 58-year-old: Frederick Benson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the February 2000 death of Henry Zegler, 58. He will be sentenced June 26 by District Judge Kathy Hardcastle.

Columnist Dean Juipe: NBA, NCAA do disservices to their fans: Dean Juipe; For anyone interested in streamlining sports, the news on two fronts sounds terrible.

Brown decides against state run: Erin Neff; The four hours Las Vegas Councilman Larry Brown spent Monday at a UMC Quick Care with his injured son gave him plenty of time to think.

Letter: Lease Israeli land to Palestinians: The Palestinians want land for peace. OK, let them lease the land from the present owners, the Israelis. The rich Arab nations can show their love and dedication to their Arab brothers by spending some of their oil money on the lease costs.

Issues over media coverage cause delay: Kim Smith; The arraignment of a Chandler, Ariz., man charged with firing fatal shots in Saturday's deadly biker melee in Laughlin was postponed a few hours this morning when an issue arose over media coverage.

Letter: Kleins' story touched many: The world lost a prominent sage with the passing of Kurt Klein. I heard part of his tragic yet inspiring life tale when he spoke at UNLV to a small group of students a few years ago.