Print edition for November 20, 2002

Obituaries for Nov. 20, 2002: Freddie Acres, 78, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born April 14, 1924, in Mississippi. A resident for two years, he was a truck driver.

Letter: Right to life more important than privacy: They seem to feel that finding these radical Islamist terrorists, who want to blow citizens up, is a lower priority than protecting my credit card information and other data.

Letter: We have become silent prisoners: The 9-11 attacks on the symbols of our military-industrial complex were a response to our occupation of the Middle East. Already the threat of war with, and the occupation of, Iraq have increased extremist political power in Pakistan, a country with nuclear weapons. Saddam is not a military threat to us. He is a troublesome obstacle between us and his oil and our policy of military domination of the Middle East.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Productions say lights, camera ... Vegas!: On Sunday CBS is premiering "Martin and Lewis," a biopic based on the meteoric rise and fall of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

State Environmental Commission overhauls rules: The state Environmental Commission on Tuesday approved an overhaul of rules governing how appeals are handled.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: HELP fund-raiser fits Southern Nevada to a tea: Elizabeth Foyt; Sponsoring the formal tea was Jeff Fine of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, who arranged for an informative talk on the wonders of tea by Bonnie Ladou.

Editorial: Full-court press by president: One of the provisions that has generated the most controversy is the president's insistence that civil service protections be weakened. There was no need for this, however, and no one demonstrated that workers who had civil service protections wouldn't continue to do excellent work in defending our nation. Apparently, the president and Republican congressional leaders seemed to forget that police officers and firefighters, many of whom lost their lives trying to save others in the 9-11 terrorist attacks, were members of unions. The legislation also contained special interest measures that had no relation to national security, such as protecting pharmaceutical ...

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Business at malls still steady: Numbers at the Forum Shops at Caesars have increased considerably, according to Marketing Director Maureen Crampton, and Cayse Asterlund, general manager of the Boulevard mall, said that his center, "Caters primarily to locals and continues to provide them with what they want, so our figures are solid."

Letter: Goodman does disservice to city: I personally find Goodman's mayoral tactics oppressive, arrogant and egotistical. He is possessed with a monumental ego about the size of New York City, to where I hope he soon departs.

Community briefs for Nov. 20, 2002: The 14th annual Festival of Trees and Lights themed "Once Upon a Holiday" will open to the public at 4 p.m. Nov. 26 and run through Nov. 30 at Bally's Grand Ballrooms.

Savvy wine buys: Chateau Potelle '00 Sauvignon Blanc: It's an elegant, well-balanced version of sauvignon blanc, a grape that seems to be gaining on chardonnay in popularity. It's not as heavily oak-scented as a chard, and it has the trademark grassiness and earthy, yeasty bite of a typical California sauvignon blanc.

Two Medal of Valor awards highlight program for Metro: The two men were honored for taking control of a violent confrontation while working the annual Laughlin River Run on April 27.

Big times had by all at Big Smoke: Max Jacobson; The event, held at the Grand Ballroom at Paris Las Vegas, is now in its seventh year. And it was once again sponsored, as it is each year, by Marvin Shanken's Cigar Aficionado magazine, a New York-based publication with a circulation of around 300,000.

Gambling problem blamed in school embezzlement case: By Emily Richmond; A middle school employee who developed a gambling problem stole thousands of dollars collected through student activities, Clark County School District officials said Tuesday.

Columnist Jeff German: Will IRS be Grinch or Santa?: In an abrupt turnaround by the IRS, the casino industry has bought itself more time in its negotiations with the tax collector over the amount of tips its employees should be declaring.

News briefs for Nov. 20, 2002: Metro Police are investigating a possible gang-related shooting that left one man in critical condition from gunshot wounds and another injured from gunfire.

Job Fair helps those affected by National, Raley's closures: Three and a half years ago, Katy Stabile was flying high.

Nevada gets low marks for care of dying patients: A national study has given Nevada -- and the nation -- low marks in health care for terminally ill and dying patients.

Ordinance banning playing in street tabled indefinitely: Jeffrey Libby; Resident Bernette Reed sat in the rear corner of the Henderson City Council chambers, exchanging whispers with her 12-year-old daughter, Stephanie Woodall, who like her three brothers, plays basketball and football in the street.

UMC is closing two emergency clinics: Adrienne Packer; University Medical Center is closing two Quick Care centers to help stem the financial hemorrhaging at the county hospital system.

Casino profit hurt by bad luck: Analysts expected the Las Vegas-based company to earn 52 cents a share for the quarter ended Oct. 31, based on the average estimate of Thomson First Call. Las Vegas- based Mandalay shares fell $1.18 to $26.50 as of 10:30 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading this morning.

Reid has concerns about nuke waste transport bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., next year plans to push a bill aimed at making nuclear waste transportation to Nevada safer.

Group says Nevada Power disclosures were improper: A citizens group is alleging that Nevada Power Co. and fellow opponents of the successful Question 14 public power ballot measure failed to properly disclose all campaign expenditures leading up to the Nov. 5 general election.

Picket ban worries union: Jeffrey Libby; The Henderson City Council will talk with union officials before reconsidering a proposed ordinance that would have banned picketing at individual homes.

Judge alleges that successor going after his supporters: Judy Odierna; A contentious election battle for a District Court judicial seat has continued two weeks after the election.

It's in the game: Steve Guiremand; If the second half of Tuesday night's 87-67 exhibition win over EA Sports West is any indication, the UNLV Rebels are ready to play games that finally count.

Regents disagree over keeping university jobs: Jennifer Knight; Newly elected Regent Stavros Anthony stepped down Tuesday from his part-time job as a UNLV instructor to avoid any conflict of interest with his new post overseeing the state's universities and colleges.

ATA launches second LV flight: ATA launches second LV flight

Analysts applaud shakeup at Las Vegas casino giant: By Liz Benston; Stock analysts reacted favorably to Tuesday's departure of Park Place Entertainment Corp. chief executive Tom Gallagher, saying his successor has the experience needed to improve operating efficiency at the company.

Reid, Ensign support homeland security agency: Benjamin Grove and Timothy Pratt; Nevada's senators were among the 90 who voted in favor of a new Department of Homeland Security Tuesday.

Suspect in wife's slaying in Pennsylvania found downtown: Jen Lawson; Hours after reportedly calling Fox News and saying he killed his wife with an ax in Pennsylvania, a man was nabbed downtown Tuesday night by Metro Police.

Senate OKs bill to set aside land for public shooting range: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Senate today passed a bill that sets aside federal land for a public shooting range in Clark County.

Midwest medical center reportedly interested in LV: Las Vegas officials were tight-lipped today about reports that a highly respected Midwest medical center is considering opening a satellite office on the former railroad property west of downtown.

Henderson City Council briefs for Nov. 20, 2002: The city of Henderson has agreed to pay developer Joel Laub $4.4 million for 2.8 acres it took by eminent domain to realign Gibson Road.

County works at detecting outbreaks sooner: Jace Radke; Quick identification of outbreaks of deadly pathogens could be the key to containing bioterrorism, but local health districts are just beginning to develop precise early warning systems.

Congress passes terrorism insurance measure: Jim Abrams; WASHINGTON -- Fourteen months after the attacks on New York and Washington, Congress agreed Tuesday to shield the insurance industry from catastrophic costs of future terror onslaughts.

Killer no longer facing execution: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Pardons today commuted the death sentence of two-time killer Thomas Nevius to life in prison without the possibility of parole because he is borderline mentally retarded.

Guinn says new taxes on horizon: Cy Ryan and Steve Kanigher; Gov. Kenny Guinn said Tuesday his administration will need an additional $450 million to $500 million a year in new tax revenue just to stay even.

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

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Tracy joins Carpentier on Player's: For the fourth straight season, Team Player's will feature an all-Las Vegas driver lineup -- but with a different look.

Complaint charges 160 illegal votes cast in Assembly contest: CARSON CITY -- An election complaint has been filed with the secretary of state's office, suggesting 160 illegal votes were cast for Democrat Marcus Conklin in his victory over Republican Francis Allen for Assembly District 37, in northwest Las Vegas.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Rockies get Williams, 3 others for Walker: Arizona also would send first baseman Erubiel Durazo, outfielder David Dellucci and reliever Bret Prinz to Colorado for the 1997 National League MVP.

Colleges' funding to student ratio misses the mark: Jennifer Knight; More students than money poured into UNLV and the Community College of Southern Nevada last fall, but at the state college the opposite was the case.

Boulder City to hold forum on sex crimes: By Timothy Pratt; Boulder City Police will hold a public forum tonight on laws covering sex crimes and how people can find out about offenders living in their community.

University extension offers tips on safe holiday cooking: The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, an outreach arm of the university, sent experts to demonstrate Monday at Vons Supermarket, 1061 W. Owens Ave.

Gustavson wins recount in close Assembly race: CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Don Gustavson, R-Sun Valley, maintained and even increased his lead over Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, in a recount of election ballots completed Tuesday.

Housing slows, inflation tame: The number of housing starts -- 1.6 million at an annual rate -- is still considered healthy. The report followed news Tuesday that consumer prices rose a modest 0.3 percent in October due to lower prices for airfares, computers and other purchases.

Stripper tells commissioners ordinance harmful to dancers: Adrienne Packer; Permitting tippers to stuff dollar bills in strippers' G-strings is a weak compromise on a bevy of lap dancing restrictions the Clark County Commission approved last summer, dancer Andrea Hackett told commissioners Tuesday.

Columnist Peter Benton: PGA tours show more unity: Peter Benton; PGA Tour commissioner Tim Fichem has announced that his organization's three tours are being more closely aligned.

Conflict arises over housing post: Dan Kulin; It appeared the Las Vegas Housing Authority board had narrowed its choices for a new executive director to three finalists Tuesday, but in fact the commission began and ended the day with the same five finalists, the board's chairman, Councilman Michael McDonald, said.

Housing board to see disclosure forms on bids: Chairman Michael McDonald asked that commissioners be shown the disclosure forms, so commissioners would know if any of their relatives or friends are connected with a company.

New Mexico's governor-elect favors new track: Pete Herrera; ALBUQUERQUE -- The proposed horse racing track and casino for Hobbs is on hold, but likely to get on a fast track once Gov.-elect Bill Richardson takes office in January.

Riverboat plan advancing: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Hillary Crain reminded Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. representatives that the board approved the 15th and final riverboat casino license for the Lake Charles boat after looking at its plans.

Columnist Dean Juipe: UFC: wild, but is it toned down?: Dean Juipe; Most of us have seen a street fight or two in our day, and we all know they're downright gruesome. Put two guys together with a genuine dislike for each other and at least one of them is going to get seriously hurt.

Olympic gold medalists make splash with preps: First, Doug Broadbent discovered that Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Tom Malchow has overcome asthma to soar in the sport. Broadbent, a junior at Boulder City High, suffers from a severe case of the pulmonary disease.

Commissioner speaks out against casino proposal: She said the casino proposed by the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian Nation tribes, with its promise of 4,740 jobs in southern Maine, doesn't fit the image Maine has worked to build.