Print edition for May 29, 2002

Columnist Steve Addy: Recruits needn't be ready-made: Steve Addy; In less than a month, July 22-26, the Big-Time Tournament will make its annual appearance here, and the town will be awash with college basketball coaches here to examine the best prep prospects in the country.

Rebels to battle nation's best: Victoria Sun; COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Omen may be too strong of a word. But the fact the UNLV men's golf team teed off today just behind top-ranked Georgia Tech, 2000 NCAA Champion Oklahoma State, powerful Clemson and Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico could be a good sign according to Rebels coach Dwaine Knight.

Columnist Cristyn Enea: Tie was sweeter than wine: Cristyn Enea; AHRWEILER, Germany -- So much for the importance of pre-game meals.

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

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

State of hip-hop a conference focal point: Kirk Baird; To some, the parental-advisory warning label slapped on many CD covers is a sign of the times. To Minister Benjamin Muhammad, president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the advisory sticker is a sign of responsibility.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Ballet pros, supporters attend premiere evening: Elizabeth Foyt; Recently NBT offered an exclusive evening of dinner, followed by a world-premiere evening of ballet featuring the dances "Inner Moves," "Allegro Brillante" and "N.K.H."

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Plenty of travel plans to be made: There are bargains galore for those willing to fly overseas and plenty more for those who don't want to venture too far from home and would prefer to travel by car. And if you're a Dracula fan, a Dracula Tour might be just what you're looking for:

Gauche to show: Flamboyance still on parade at revamped Liberace Museum: By Jerry Fink; The newly remodeled museum that bears his name at the East Tropicana Avenue and Spencer Street reflects the flamboyance of the man who still attracts large crowds 15 years after his death.

Columnist Peter Benton: Mental skills workshop set for UNLV: Peter Benton; Noted sports psychologist Dr. Kevin Roby, who has assisted scores of area golfers by maximizing their talents on the golf course through his mental skills training, has scheduled another seminar for the general public on Friday, June 7 from 7-9 p.m. at the UNLV Continuous Education Department.

Savvy wine buys: '00 Montestell Reserve Pinotage: Available at Lee's Discount Liquors, $13.99.

Report urges new direction for state prison system: CARSON CITY -- Nevada spends too much time handling hard-core criminals in prison and should pay more attention to getting less dangerous inmates ready for release, according to a report released Tuesday.

Stratosphere sues architect over ADA allegations: The Las Vegas hotel-casino, which was sued last January by the Disabled Rights Action Committee and Tamara Thompson, a wheelchair user, and ordered in March to retrofit 532 of its 2,444 rooms with 32-inch interior bathroom doorways, blamed Steelman for allegedly failing to "research all critical applicable regulations, consult with appropriate governmental agencies and ... ensure the guest rooms complied with all applicable regulations and codes."

Military woos Hispanic recruits: Jace Radke; Air Force Gen. Lance Lord took time out of his schedule as head of Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colo., to do some recruiting in Las Vegas Tuesday.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Alex Zanardi perseveres after losing legs in crash: Eight months after losing both of his legs in a horrific crash during a CART race in Germany, Alex Zanardi has both good days and bad days.

Magazine cites neighbors' battle with hotel: Diana Sahagun; The battle between a proposed thrill ride at the Stratosphere and nearby residents has drawn national attention, one week before a decision is scheduled to be made on the ride.

PUC ruling may help Nevada Power parent: Whether cash-strapped Nevada Power Co. survives the summer now depends on how its energy suppliers interpret a rate case ruling that stung its sister utility but could have been much worse.

Agassi, Capriati win at the French Open: No. 2 Venus Williams was among the first players to reach the third round, routing Wynne Prakusya 6-0, 6-1.

Ensign touts cap on jury awards: Erin Neff; Sen. John Ensign met this morning with dozens of local officials affected by the state's rising medical malpractice insurance rates to share his idea of a long-term solution to the problem.

Culinary still ready for possible strike: With nearly 75 percent of its members covered under tentative agreements, the Culinary Union is narrowing the focus of its strike preparations.

Consumers warned of sales scam: Gayle Rogers, executive assistant for the Henderson Chamber, said several members of her organization have recently been contacted by persons who claim they are selling magnet advertising on behalf of the chamber and city of Henderson. Neither organization authorized the promotion or sale of such ads, Rogers said.

Plea bargain made in neighbor's killing: Kim Smith; A 61-year-old Las Vegas man accused of shooting a neighbor to death last year in a dispute over his yard sales will spend between five and 20 years in prison.

Bail set in Strip forgery case: Justice of the Peace Pro Tem Melanie Tobiasson said the bail represents the amount of money the woman is accused of stealing from two local casinos. The judge also set a June 10 preliminary hearing date for the woman.

Race for state controller's seat shaping up as aggressive battle: CARSON CITY -- The state controller, who usually labors in near obscurity maintaining the state's accounting system and preparing annual financial statements, is getting a higher profile this election year.

Use of Force Board clears three Metro Police officers: Keith Paul; Metro Police's Use of Force Board ruled Tuesday night that three officers did not violate department force guidelines while struggling with a man who died from asphyxiation.

Herrera, Kenny set sights higher: Adrienne Packer; She composed some of Clark County's most debated ordinances, often drawing criticism from residents who said she favored developers over constituents.

51s-Rainers rained out, will play DH tonight: The 51s, with a record of 32-20, have a 9-game lead in the PCL's Pacific Conference Southern Division. The Rainers lead the PCL Pacific West with a 26-19 mark.

Southwest Gas latest firm to fire Andersen: Southwest's Employee Investment Plan also dropped Andersen and hired PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

PUC approves telephone rate increase: In a special meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved rates outlined in a stipulation agreed upon last week by Sprint Corp., the consumer advocate's office, the PUC staff and competitors acting as intervenors in the case.

Politicans make hay over power woes: Erin Neff; Congressional candidates continue to make noise about electricity rates amid the growing fear of summer blackouts and the reality of Nevada Power's sinking finances.

Editorial: Dramatic changes needed at the FBI: Rowley also wrote that after Sept. 11 the FBI, including Mueller, misled the public about how much the bureau had known in advance of the attacks. It's her candor that is missing in the FBI's headquarters, which is all the more reason why Rowley should not face any recriminations. Today Mueller, an outsider who hadn't worked at the FBI until he was appointed director last year, announced his plans to make wholesale changes to the bureau in order to prevent a reoccurrence of the intelligence failures that preceded Sept. 11. While structural reforms are necessary, Mueller also will have to ...

Editorial: Solutions begin with oversight: We see the need for a much larger presence by the state government, which has been weak in exerting its regulatory authority. Doctors, lawyers and insurance companies can argue forever, but the power of the state government to bring all parties together and pass and enforce laws, can, within a reasonable period of time, once again bring order to health care in Nevada.

Letter: Use surplus to reduce debt: There are four trust funds -- two for Social Security and two for Medicare. At the last accounting, they held assets totaling almost $1.3 trillion. The Budget Office projects they will grow by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.

Las Vegas Academy wins prestigious national award: By Emily Richmond; The Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts has been named one of the country's top programs by the Department of Education.

A lesson in U.S. democracy: Hispanic housekeepers empowered at negotiations: By Timothy Pratt; If a face could be put on the Culinary Union's current contract negotiations, it would be female. And Hispanic.

Letter: Bush foreign policy needs to be questioned: Mr. Kane was clearly in high dudgeon. And why? Apparently, Mr. Kane was outraged because these "devilcrats" had the audacity to question President Bush's poor judgment and feckless foreign policy.

Vegas sports on TV/Radio: Wednesday

U.S. board rejects Vanguard loan guarantee request: WASHINGTON -- Vanguard Airlines Inc.'s request for a $13.5 million federal loan guarantee was rejected by the U.S. Air Transportation Stabilization Board on Tuesday.

Downtown hotels seek extended talks with union: Attorneys for eight struggling downtown hotels have asked the Culinary Union to extend contract negotiations beyond Saturday's strike deadline.

JetBlue to land earlier than expected in Vegas: JetBlue Airways, a New York-based discount air carrier that last month raised $158.5 million in a public stock offering, will inaugurate service to Las Vegas in October.

New trial sought in homeless man's death: Special Public Defender Phil Kohn said he believes jurors in the Kirstin Blaise Lobato case deserved to know that jailhouse informant Korinda Martin lied on the stand when she denied writing letters to a judge on her own behalf while in jail on a robbery case.

Members volunteer for charity: Participants include Ameristar Casinos Inc., Argosy Gaming Co., Aristocrat Technologies Inc., Boyd Gaming Corp., Harrah's Entertainment Inc., International Game Technology, Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., MGM MIRAGE and Station Casinos Inc. Beneficiaries include the American Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club, March of Dimes and Meals on Wheels.

More 'at-risk' students may mean more charter schools: By Emily Richmond; State education officials are considering changing a regulation that could make it easier for charter schools to open, a move some lawmakers and educators say could open the door to companies looking to elbow their way into public classrooms.

Big note offering priced at 11 percent: Venetian and its subsidiaries also intend to enter into a new senior secured credit facility totaling $375 million and a new secured mall loan facility of $105 million.

Bus drivers likely to reject deal: Hundreds of bus drivers are voting today on a contract that could bring them back to the roads of the Las Vegas Valley -- but union drivers concerned about wages and health insurance contributions could spike the proposal.

News briefs for May 29, 2002: Metro Police are seeking a suspect accused last week of beating a man who died after being found unconscious in the northwest part of town.

Letter: Israel will defend itself: It is ironic that armed Arabs took refuge in a Christian church when the annihilation of the so-called "infidels" is their mission in life! They have given God the role of evil.

Business briefs for May 29, 2002: HOUSTON -- Under strong cross-examination by the government, a high-ranking partner with Arthur Andersen testified on Tuesday that the firm maintained a policy to destroy extraneous documents in part so the records could not be used against the firm in litigation.

America West boosts Seattle service: The announcement comes on the heels of the Friday inauguration of Las Vegas-Seattle service by Las Vegas-based rival National Airlines.

Conviction returned in killing at party: Kim Smith; A Guatemala native could receive a no-parole life sentence after being convicted Monday of shooting a countryman to death in Las Vegas last July.

One-year sentence given in hazardous dumping: Jace Radke; A Las Vegas man was sentenced to one year in prison Tuesday after a jury found him guilty of five misdemeanor charges of violating the Clean Water Act.

Community briefs for May 29, 2002: The Court Appointed Special Advocate Foundation will host its annual golf tournament beginning with a shotgun start at 7:45 a.m. Monday at Canyon Gate Country Club, on West Sahara Avenue between Durango Drive and Fort Apache Road.

Sister pleads for teen's parole: CARSON CITY -- Conan Pope's sister told a panel of the state Parole Board today that her brother "will live forever with his mistake" in killing their father in January 2000 in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas attracts medical conference: The world's largest medical school is teaming with the organizers of Comdex to present a November conference in Las Vegas to discuss the fight against bioterrorism.

Absenteeism forcing cut in restaurant operations: The casino operators said they are struggling with a chronic employee absentee problem so severe that up to one-fifth of its staff is calling in "sick" at peak business times on weekends.

Teacher talked suicide: Kim Smith; Three days after leaving California with her 15-year-old student, 33-year-old Tanya Hadden told the boy she planned to kill herself, according to the boy's grand jury testimony.

Yucca delegation to keep watch on Utah senators: Diana Sahagun; Nevada leaders say the success of their trip to Utah this week to warn of the dangers of hauling nuclear waste across the country will be measured by the votes of Sens. Orrin Hatch and Robert Bennett.

Help for movie studio criticized: Jeffrey Libby; The Boulder City producer behind a proposed $44 million movie production studio said Tuesday investors are nearly in place and that the project should move forward quickly.

Obituaries for May 29, 2002: Elizabeth "Bibby" Bandy, 83, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. She was born Nov. 6, 1918, in Branchville, Texas. A resident for 51 years, she was a homemaker, a member of the Mesquite Club, Salvation Army and St. Jude's Ranch for Children.