Print edition for May 28, 2002

'Flying casinos' planned: By leaving Israeli airspace, the planes will get around Israel's gambling ban.

More governor's honorees listed: In addition to those previously listed May 22, the following companies were recognized by Gov. Kenny Guinn and the Nevada Commission on Economic Development for their recent business expansions in the state.

Building begins on casino near Bay Area: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- Construction has begun at the site of a temporary Indian casino slated to be built this year overlooking the Alexander Valley vineyards and the Russian River in Sonoma County.

PUC decision could tell Nevada Power fate: The fate of Nevada Power Co. may rest on what happens today when rate cases involving its sister utility, Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno, are decided by the state Public Utilities Commission.

Culinary may face uphill battle with downtown hotels: The Culinary Union, though it settled with the last of the major Strip operators over the weekend, will have a tough time reaching an agreement with several downtown hotels by Saturday's strike deadline, a management lawyer said.

Guinn proposes medical crisis solutions: Cy Ryan and Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's administration is looking at cutting the medical malpractice premiums charged high-risk doctors who have entered the state's insurance program, a highly placed government official said today.

Campaign launched for Mirage: Mirage parent MGM MIRAGE declined to reveal how much it will spend on the campaign.

Some like it hot: Onset of summer draws mixed reactions: Is it hot yet?

MASH application raises questions: By Timothy Pratt; The application by the Rev. Joe Carroll's MASH Village to renew a federal grant for providing local homeless services next year -- when the nonprofit plans to leave Las Vegas this fall -- has raised eyebrows in county offices and among homeless advocates.

Online game debuts: The Missouri Lottery will roll out its newest game -- online keno, modeled on the high-speed Las Vegas version. The game will open in about 470 bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and fraternal organizations.

Rift between Wynn, estates residents grows: Adrienne Packer; A feud between Las Vegas homeowners and casino mogul Steve Wynn has grown more bitter, as Desert Inn Estates residents contend Wynn is trying to cut off access to their neighborhood.

Exec moves to Flamingo: Creighton, 49, formerly served as Park Place's corporate vice president for government and community affairs.

Sales tax increase for transportation faces opposition: A proposal to increase Clark County's sales tax by a quarter-percent to fund transportation projects must win the approval of the County Commission -- and at least one commissioner says the proposal could face some opposition.

Big banks focusing on growing Hispanic market: Michael Liedtke; SOUTH GATE, Calif. -- The Wells Fargo Bank branch in this Los Angeles suburb looks like it belongs in Mexico -- a bland white exterior has been repainted in the reddish brown hues of a pueblo, and the lobby spiced up with Spanish-language song lyrics and Mexican artwork.

Casino giant hires ad agency for multicultural pitches: The agency will position the Las Vegas company and its premier brands to attract and retain customers from ethnic markets.

IPO may pay for $65 million expansion of the Suncoast: Liz Benston and Steve Green; Coast Resorts Inc., a big operator of Las Vegas locals' casinos, registered Friday to take the company public with an initial public stock offering. Coast said some of the proceeds may be used to finance a $65 million expansion of its Suncoast hotel-casino in Summerlin.

LV offices developing strategies to attract Hispanic customers: Chris Jones; Several Las Vegas banks say they are developing strategies to attract Hispanic customers.

Sales of previously owned homes increase: Sales of previously owned homes increase

Trial set for councilman in ethics case: Diana Sahagun; A judge this morning set a trial date for Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack, making him the first elected official in the city to face trial on misdemeanor charges under the city's ethics code.

Obituaries for May 28, 2002: Mary Baker, 79, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. She was born March 24, 1923, in Delhi, Colo. A resident for 11 years, she was a homemaker and a member of the Women of St. Joseph at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church.

Med school's help sought: Jennifer Knight; Gov. Kenny Guinn is asking University of Nevada School of Medicine to put five to 15 local obstetricians on its payroll to help out with the medical malpractice problem -- a plan that medical school officials are considering but some doctors aren't sold on.

Bus strike settlement reached: A tentative agreement to settle an eight-day strike that stranded thousands of bus riders was reached this morning by negotiators for the drivers' union and the company running the local bus system.

News briefs for May 28, 2002: Metro Police have arrested a 19-year-old Las Vegas man in connection with the killing of a 20-year-old during a confrontation early Friday morning between two groups in a bar parking.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: A sensible, fun vacation: A person who hasn't spent time in northern and eastern Nevada or southern Utah may be pleasantly surprised to learn that there's something other than Reno, Carson City and St. George outside of Las Vegas. Actually there are a lot of natural wonders and high cool places to enjoy during the months that Las Vegas gets hot, hot and hotter. These spots aren't all around Lake Tahoe but hiking that lake's Rim Trail can be a great family experience for those who want both a healthy and pleasant vacation.

Editorial: Nursing decision a win-win: Nevertheless, 21 students enrolled and sure enough, the inevitable happened. After devoting themselves for a year to the practical nursing program and graduating this month, the students didn't want to chance the small risk that the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission would find a reason not to accredit the program. In that event, their nursing education records would have vanished. They asked for permission to take the test without having to sweat the results of the accrediting commission.

Letter: Everyone must do their part for economy: In the aftermath of Sept. 11, I was only one of thousands laid off from the gaming and hospitality industry. I was a part-time dealer in a major Strip hotel. After six months of job hunting, training for another field and accepting a lower- paying job, I was rehired on March 18. Currently, I have no benefits; however, I consider myself fortunate to have a job and the opportunity for possible benefit eligibility.

Ex-corrections officer found guilty in sex case: Mark Bennish, 39, was accused of using his position of authority to force two female prisoners into compromising positions in the spring of 2000. He was facing three counts of voluntary sexual conduct with a prisoner, but the jury found him guilty of only one count.

Dettloff could see parole in 3 years: Mitchell Dettloff never met his father, who was killed in an automobile accident just two weeks before Dettloff was born.

California woman wins $22.6 million jackpot: Heundl said she was on her way to breakfast when she stopped to play the machine, hoping to win the smaller $3,000 progressive prize.

Letter: Arafat has no interest in peace: In the 1970 civil war in Jordan between Arafat's forces and those of the late King Hussein, Hussein offered Arafat a partnership in the Jordanian government, one in which Arafat would serve as prime minister.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Show is as big as outdoors: And making her own way in the "No girls allowed" treehouse of hunting and fishing.

Birth announcements for May 28, 2002: May 7:

Girl, 8, dies in Lake Mead accident: An 8-year-old Las Vegas girl was killed Monday in an apparent boating accident at Lake Mead, National Park Service officials said.

Official blames firing on Calif. tribe: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- The No. 2 official at the Bureau of Indian Affairs says he was fired due to the political influence of a tiny California Indian tribe that wants to build a $150 million casino near Sacramento.

Columnist Ron Kantowksi: 51s catcher quiets hecklers: Ron Kantowksi; According to the official Pacific Coast League statistics, Las Vegas 51s catcher Dave Ross is hitting .299. But according to Vicki Ballou, a baseball fan from Portland, Ore., Ross is batting 1.000 for the way he handled a potentially ugly situation at PGE Park in Portland Friday night.

Tapping the pros: Victoria Sun; COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Four days before the NCAA Men's Golf Championships that start Wednesday morning at Ohio State University, the UNLV golf team dined with some former UNLV golfers, now PGA Tour professionals.

Letter: Give CAT some competition: I never thought I would experience one-hour time lapses between rides. Many seniors no longer drive and need bus conveniences to get to doctors, stores, etc. The CAT Paratransit is so restrictive, it is really prohibitive for a fortunately well senior to get around.

Red Rock volunteers to be honored in D.C.: The Williamses are volunteers of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and are members of Friends of Red Rock Canyon. Both became members in 1999.

Editorial: Transitional housing should go public: Managers at Bonanza View say the transformation of their tenants in just the short time they have lived there is remarkable. Seventy-five percent are veterans. Unfortunately, there are 3,000 other homeless veterans in Southern Nevada who could also benefit from transitional housing, not to mention another 5,000-plus homeless people whose numbers overwhelm local shelter capacity.

Columnist Cristyn Enea: We've learned plenty in Europe: Cristyn Enea; LIEGE, Belgium -- It's been a great trip so far ... except on the soccer field.

Guinn works on new plan against malpractice crisis: Erin Neff; Gov. Kenny Guinn is expected this week to announce a new plan to address the medical malpractice crisis.

PCL box: Las Vegas - Portland: HB--Thrower (by Beirne), Hopper (by Beirne).

Nevadans lobbying Utah against Yucca: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., are in Salt Lake City today to put pressure on key Utah officials to side with Nevadans in opposing Yucca Mountain.

Columnist Jimmy Vasser: We had a gearbox full of neutrals: Jimmy Vasser; I got a great night's sleep on Saturday before the Indianapolis 500. I got up about 7 a.m. Sunday and cruised into the track about eight. Usually, each driver gets a police escort to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday morning of the race.