Print edition for May 2, 2002

PCL box: Las Vegas - Colorado: Brittan pitched to 3 batters in the eighth inning.

Metro officers' gunshots in Laughlin melee probed: Keith Paul; A Metro Police sergeant will remain on paid leave until ballistics tests determine if the gunshot he fired at a Hells Angels member during a deadly brawl Saturday in Laughlin hit anyone.

Letter: Mushroom cloud is a symbol of death to many: I used to have a dad. He was Charles A. Broudy, a United States Marine pilot, a major who rose through the ranks and fought with distinction in Korea and World War II, earning five air medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He told corny jokes, he had a deep dimple in his chin, he was awful at home plumbing jobs and he loved to fly.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: LVAC will honor local female student-athletes: Spencer Patterson; When Connie Stewart took over as women's programming director for Las Vegas Athletic Clubs last October, she wanted to find a way to recognize some of Southern Nevada's top young female athletes.

Teen arrested in school threat: Kim Smith; Nye County sheriff's deputies arrested a 14-year-old Pahrump Valley High School student Wednesday in an alleged threat to blow up the school -- two days after a fellow student was arrested after a bus was hijacked as part of a similar plan.

Cotto ready for his LV debut: Dean Juipe; For the sake of a reference point, Bob Arum used the names of Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. when asked about Miguel Cotto.

Las Vegas council briefs for May 2, 2002: A stretch of Alta Drive will soon have meandering sidewalks and landscaping.

Sun Baseball Top 10: Sun Baseball Top 10

Catching up with ... JEREMY WEST: Where he is now: Arizona State

Mills OK, but 51s sickly: Steve Addy; Manager Brad Mills returned to the 51s Wednesday after a health scare, embarrassed over the fuss, but with a thumbs-up prognosis.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Las Vegas loves a good fight: During a 15-day period that ended last Saturday, there were eight live boxing cards in and around Las Vegas.

Tiffany returns from the brink with new enthusiasm for life: Erin Neff; Sandra Tiffany, a fiery lawmaker whose schedule is packed with business meetings, fitness activities and fun, knows how to live.

Cutting edge: Plastic surgeons convene in Vegas to discuss latest procedures, trends: It was a sticky deal that led to a tormented life.

Letter: City, county are big water wasters: Trees should be used to provide shade where people walk. Sidewalks do not need a low bush every few feet. In some cases these bushes block the view of motorists when entering an intersection, so in addition to drinking much water, they are a safety hazard.

Abusive history of killer of 80-year-old wife told: Kim Smith; A Sandy Valley man scheduled to be sentenced in two weeks for the murder of his 80-year-old wife is a "monster, a person who has delighted in bullying and abusing those whom he thought he could," a prosecutor said.

Fight schedule: Friday

Casino controversy heads back to court: James Prichard; GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The legal relief a small Indian tribe is seeking for a chance to operate a Detroit casino would cause great harm to the city, a lawyer for the city said Wednesday.

Sun Softball Top 10: Sun Softball Top 10

Editorial: New voting plan corrects fatal flaw: Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, who represents the affected voters, raised objections and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada engaged its national Voting Rights Project in the issue. The City Council could have stubbornly chosen to stick with the plan as drawn by retired Wisconsin Judge Frederick Kessler. Instead, it asked Kessler to redraw the map so that no voter had to miss more than one election cycle. At Wednesday's City Council meeting, his new map survived the cursory review of all critics. City staff will further review the map before a vote is taken, to ensure that voters are ...

Sun Athletes of the Week: Jason Diekmann and Megan McPherson: School: Clark

Chen music at Cashman Field: Victoria Sun; Before games when he was at class-A San Bernardino, Las Vegas 51s first baseman Chin-Feng Chen would sit in silence in front of his locker, with his bat between his legs and his forehead touching the knob.

Obituaries for May 2, 2002: Selma L. Buonanno, 52, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born April 7, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa. A resident for eight years, she was an accounting clerk.

Father accused in child's death rejects attorney: Kim Smith; Derrick Inkton, defendant in the death of his 8-month-old son, stayed true to his word Wednesday, telling a judge he still intends to represent himself at trial despite the fact he can barely read or write.

Lawmakers seek more controls on lobbyists: CARSON CITY -- During the closing hours of the 2001 Legislature, lobbyists played a major role in calling the shots on what bills were passed or defeated.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: It happened 10 years ago: This happened during the administration of George Bush, the father of our present president. His White House spokesman, Marlin Fritzwater, immediately blamed the social programs of both President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson. He held a most interesting press conference that eventually had the Republicans taking credit for Head Start. This must have resulted in both Kennedy and Johnson turning over in their graves.

Olga Warner's LV outlet to close: Warnaco, which filed Chapter 11 almost a year ago, said in its filing the stores it seeks to close are marginal performers.

Money raised for Israeli ambulances: In early April Rabbi Felipe Goodman made a plea at Temple Beth Sholom to raise money to buy an ambulance to send to Israel, where Palestinian suicide bombers have turned thriving cities into battle zones.

Making a 'name' for herself: Spencer Patterson; Clark High School track coach Paul Zwintscher knows how frustrated freshman Bever-leigh Holloway gets when people mis-pronounce or misspell her unusual-looking first name.

Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Deer habitat erosion means less hunting: Hearing that deer populations in areas 6 and 7 in northeastern Nevada are plummeting is terrible news to many hunters in the state, including me.

Request to build new school denied: The North Las Vegas City Council denied a request by the Clark County School District to build a new middle school and convert an existing school into a magnet campus for math and science.

Editorial: Domestic security needs help: The Brookings' scholars argue that not enough attention is being devoted to other potential dangers, including hazardous materials gaining entry into this country through uninspected cargo ships, bioterrorist attacks, the detonation of nuclear bombs in cities, and attacks against nuclear power plants and chemical factories. In short, Brookings makes a convincing argument that the Bush administration is fighting the "last war" instead of preparing for the next one. The administration should devote more money, the Brookings Institution advises, an effort that would require $45 billion to perform an adequate job.

UMC to pay $725,000 over Medicare billing: University Medical Center has agreed to pay the federal government a $725,000 settlement to resolve allegations of improper Medicare billing practices for pneumonia cases last year.

CEO says departure planned: United's statement that it's looking for a successor to Jack Creighton after just six months as chairman and CEO initially rattled investors and prompted speculation about the struggling airline's condition. Shares in United parent UAL Corp. sank 6 percent before recovering to finish down 39 cents, or 2.8 percent, at $13.70 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Community briefs for May 2, 2002: The seventh annual Susan G. Komen Las Vegas Race for the Cure Saturday will begin with the Cancer Survivor Recognition Ceremony at 7:35 a.m. at the Third Street Stage on Fremont Street, followed by the start of the race at 8:15 a.m.

Company applies to run Summit View: CARSON CITY -- A newly formed Las Vegas company composed of veteran juvenile officers is one of three firms that have applied to the state to run the closed Summit View youth detention center.

North Las Vegas council briefs: The property had been zoned for low density housing and was near the R.C. Farms, which raises pigs.

Court briefs for May 2, 2002: A 49-year-old Las Vegas man was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison Wednesday in connection with the fatal beating of a 67-year-old man.

Letter: Bureaucracy can't help homeless: It would be a mistake to follow the lead of Gov. Gray Davis, in the republic of California, and float a housing bond to provide subsistence housing. Voters should reject any suggestion of a $50 million dollar housing bond, which a recent Sun editorial said could be one option to help the homeless.

Health-plan premiums, pay hike in offer to bus drivers: Some bus drivers for the regional system could receive a 40 percent pay raise, but the drivers would have to start paying heavy health-plan premiums under a proposed new contract, the drivers union local president said Wednesday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Mayweather-Castillo scoring stunned Arum: Dean Juipe; In the moments that followed the fight, it was easy to forget that Bob Arum promoted Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Budget shortfalls nix extra pay raise for Nevada teachers: CARSON CITY -- The slump in state tax collections has nixed any chance that Nevada teachers will get a 1 percent or 2 percent extra pay increase next fiscal year.

Mayor apologizes to assistant city managers: Diana Sahagun; Mayor Oscar Goodman apologized to the city's deputy city managers Wednesday for pushing his own replacement for outgoing City Manager Virginia Valentine, then voted with the council to search statewide for her replacement.

Tennis association, city plan complex: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas city staff will begin negotiating with the Nevada Tennis Association to manage and operate the planned Darling Tennis Center in the Summerlin area.

Regulators grill executive: Regulators recommended a two-year licensing approval to Kevin Mahoney, general manager of the Opera House Casino, operated by Mahoney's Silver Nugget Inc.

Court invalidates N.Y. Indian casino deal: ALBANY, N.Y. -- The state Legislature must give its approval to compacts governors negotiate with Indian tribes in New York to operate casinos, a state appeals court ruled today.

Stock sales planned by Equinox receiver: Grace Leong; The court-appointed receiver of multilevel marketing company Equinox International Corp. of Las Vegas -- which was shut down in 2000 as an illegal pyramid scheme -- wants the court to pre-approve a sale of Equinox's planned stock holdings in two companies.

Vegas developer reports lower profit, says its Summerlin land sales fell: Jennifer Robison; The Rouse Co. -- owner of the Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas Strip and Las Vegas developer the Howard Hughes Corp. -- said Wednesday its profit dropped in the first quarter as Las Vegas land sales slowed.

Casino employee wins $200,000 in suit over firing: Charles Garrison, who was hired as a stage hand for MGM Grand Garden Arena in 1993, said he was wrongfully terminated in 1997 after he used a complimentary invitation to ring up a $200 tab on food and drinks for himself, his wife and two friends at the All Star Cafe.

LV monorail schedule back on track after permit delay: Jennifer Robison; The general contracting firm that is building 3 miles of track and five stations for the $650 million Las Vegas Monorail lowered its first-quarter earnings estimates Wednesday partly because work on the project was slightly delayed.

Latest ward map proposal concerns ACLU: Diana Sahagun; The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will review Las Vegas' latest redistricting proposal, which would give one neighborhood the right to vote in the spring 2003 election while denying another the same opportunity.

Locals promotions announced: The "Hometown Hot Spot" program will be used in conjunction with Park Place Connection, the multi-property slot card of Las Vegas Hilton owner Park Place Entertainment Corp. Member discounts include 50 percent off entertainment; 25 percent off restaurants; 25 percent off room rates; and 15 percent off retail outlets. Members will also receive VIP valet parking outside the sports book.

Airport upgrades may mean new Southwest flights: David Strow; The last new flight to be added by Southwest Airlines at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport was a nonstop to Norfolk, Va., added in October.

State bucks higher-education trend: Jennifer Knight; Rising tuition costs and lackluster state funding have made attending college in Nevada more expensive and less accessible, according to a study released this morning.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: Friday's card

Prep Softball Standings: CLASS 4A

Prep Boys Golf Standings: CLASS 4A

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

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A tale sure to bowl you over: Ruthe Deskin; Forty years ago, I had a strange experience involving a Catholic priest. It had nothing to do with physical acts, but here's the story:

UNLV celebrates success among women athletes: Steve Guiremand; Award winners

Prep Baseball Standings: CLASS 4A

Prep Boys Volleyball Standings: CLASS 4A

Rebels claim MWC golf title: The Rebels (288-289-290--867) led from start to finish of the league tourney, but never by more than three strokes. They held a two-stroke advantage over Air Force (292-287-302--881) and New Mexico (292-287-290--869) heading into Wednesday's play, but managed to keep their distance. And although several other schools gained ground, they could not overcome the lead UNLV had built.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Big changes to lineup at Venetian showroom: Joe Delaney; "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," featuring the lyrics and music of Stevie Wonder, starring Chaka Khan, is scheduled to open at The Venetian the last week in May ... The new lineup will have Melinda at 6 p.m., the Stevie Wonder tribute at 8 p.m. and "The Main Event" at 10 ... "Bravo," starring Charo, opens in the Sahara Congo Room on Monday.

MWC men's final results: 288 289 290 -- 867 +3

New Yucca project director meets with staff in Las Vegas: Chu, based in Washington, has visited the proposed nuclear waste respository site 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas before, and will not be visiting it this trip, Energy Department officials said.

News briefs for May 2, 2002: Metro Police said that they have arrested two suspects in the deaths of two men found at Hammer and Auto streets near Craig Road and Lamb Boulevard.

Detectives unsure of exact Laughlin death toll: Kim Smith; Metro Police detectives know three bikers were killed at Harrah's Laughlin on Saturday.

Berkley to discuss Yucca in national radio address: Berkley was tapped by the House Democratic leadership Wednesday night to deliver the Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address. The Democrats use the five-minute address to promote issues on their agenda, and leaders are allowing Berkley to use the time to explain the state's opposition to the Yucca project.

Maternal instinct: Chihuahua adopts four kittens at shelter: Info

Eighth graders show promise as investors: By Emily Richmond; Stock market whizzes Phil Natale and Kevin Schlegel start their mornings by perusing the stock pages of the newspaper and catching the latest financial news on MSNBC. The business partners, who together nearly doubled an investment of $100,000 in just 10 weeks, jot down notes on which stocks look promising and which should be avoided.

School officials outline budget cuts: By Emily Richmond; School cuts

Panel OKs stiff lumber tariffs: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- The U.S. International Trade Commission gave final approval today to the imposition of stiff tariffs on imports of Canadian softwood lumber, ruling that the shipments are harming domestic producers.

Cory drops out of campaign: Cory was one of four Republicans challenging incumbent Erin Kenny, a Democrat seeking her third term serving residents in the southwest portion of the Las Vegas Valley. Kenny is the only Democrat in the race.

Man killed as detective returns fire: Keith Paul; A man was shot and killed by an undercover Metro Police detective Wednesday night after popping up from the bed of a pickup and firing a shotgun into the roof of the detective's unmarked police car.

Train hoppers show nuke security risks: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Two young men who fled a North Carolina labor camp briefly hopped a train carrying high-level nuclear waste in March, further illustrating the risks of shipping waste, Nevada lawmakers said.

DA hopeful joins Bell in war against outcall industry: The district attorney's office is declaring an election year war on the lucrative outcall service industry, which one top prosecutor calls a front for prostitution.