Print edition for October 7, 2002

Longtime Las Vegas mayor Oran Gragson dies at 91: He was the city's longest serving mayor and was largely responsible for bringing to the attention of the Nevada Legislature the need for regional street planning and the funding for it.

Trends for Oct. 7, 2002: Lisa Ferguson; Easy chair. Recliner. Call it what you want, but remember to give credit where it's due.

Review: Blues Explosion offers its own blast: Spencer Patterson; For nearly two decades, Jon Spencer has been dogged by criticism that his live shows place a higher premium on style than on substance.

Peeling back the onion: Publication sets standard for satire: Kirk Baird; But not The Onion.

Coalition forms against proposed Huntington casino: The Cabell County Coalition Against Gambling says John Hankins' plans to renovate The Frederick Building and convert it into a casino remain unclear. The coalition also says any economic benefits are unlikely to outweigh the social and moral costs.

Palo Verde posts rare 2-0 victory on the gridiron: Adam Candee; Reached Sunday to chat about Palo Verde's strange 2-0 victory over Cimarron-Memorial in the teams' division opener, Panthers coach Darwin Rost responded, "You mean our baseball game?"

For once, Rebels took charge early in game: the numbers; The Man: UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas comes out firing, completing passes of 24, 12 and 18 yards while driving the Rebels 66 yards in nine plays on an impressive opening series touchdown drive.

Bush intervening in port labor dispute: Scott Lindlaw; WASHINGTON -- Hours after talks broke down between West Coast dock workers and shipping lines, President Bush took a first step today toward reopening ports closed by a labor dispute. Bush formed a board of inquiry to determine the impact of a dispute draining up to $2 billion a day from the U.S. economy.

One suspect in rape case takes deal: Kim Smith; One of four young Las Vegas men accused of repeatedly raping a local woman entered a plea agreement Friday.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Victory provides some hope: One media account Sunday referred to UNLV's 21-17 victory over Nevada-Reno as a "sliver of hope" in the context of salvaging the season.

Gates says regent has vendetta: Jennifer Knight; Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates is weighing legal action against Regent Linda Howard, saying the regent looked at Atkinson Gates' UNLV personnel files because of a personal vendetta.

Chief financial officer at UMC resigns: Adrienne Packer; University Medical Center's chief financial officer has resigned after money troubles landed the Clark County-owned hospital $9 million in debt during the fiscal year ending in July.

Wal-Mart ponders appeal in LV case: Grace Leong; Wal-Mart Stores Inc., arguing it obeys federal labor laws, said its lawyers are considering whether to appeal a ruling by a federal officer that found the giant retailer violated labor laws in its fight against a national union organizing drive originating at 14 Las Vegas stores.

Two women injured after SUV crashes into casino entrance: "It sounded like an explosion and then everyone ran to the escalators to see what happened," said patron Leona Mansaw, who was on the second floor of the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino on Saturday night.

Witnesses fail to appear against 'Springfield Sam': Erica D. Johnson; Attorneys prosecuting an elderly reputed mobster charged with attempted murder suffered a setback Friday when their two primary witnesses failed to show up in court.

Casino worker killed by car on busy street: The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 32 and New London Turnpike, near a Mohegan Sun entrance.

Woman killed in rollover: A 1995 Chevrolet was northbound on Hualapai about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Metro Detective William Redfairn said.

CCSN teacher accused of fraud: Jennifer Knight; An instructor who had been teaching at the Community College of Southern Nevada for the past two years used phony credentials to get his job and received thousands of dollars in extra pay as a result, according to documents and sources at the college.

Wynn testing market for IPO: If you want a piece of the most expensive casino resort in Las Vegas history, it will cost you $21 to $23 per share.

Local sports calendar: MONDAY

News briefs for Oct. 7, 2002: Two men charged with violations of the Clean Air Act in connection with asbestos abatement at the Sierra Arms apartments in 1998 have been sentenced to home confinement and probation.

Robinson puts UNR win atop his list: Steve Guiremand; John Robinson has been on the sidelines for some pretty historic victories in college football history.

Car owned by Rundles found in Seattle: William Rundle is wanted for questioning in the death of his wife, Shirley, and his mother, Willa.

Internet user is sentenced in teen sex plan: Jace Radke; A Florida man convicted of traveling to Las Vegas to have sex with a 14-year-old girl has been sentenced to 37 months in prison.

Body found in desert: An autopsy performed by the Clark County coroner's office confirmed that the man died as a result of stab wounds and blunt trauma, Metro Police said this morning.

Edwards and son ordered to different prisons: Edwards is to serve his 10-year sentence in Fort Worth and Stephen Edwards, sentenced to seven years, is going to Beaumont, Edwards' paralegal, Mary Jane Marcantel, said Friday.

Bucking trend, more Nevadans gain health insurance: Erica D. Johnson; The percentage of Nevadans who had health insurance grew from 1999 to 2001, bucking the national trend that showed fewer people had coverage, a recent survey by the Census Bureau says.

Man found dead in burned building: Firefighters discovered the dead man in the apartment building at Tropicana Avenue and Nellis Boulevard early Saturday morning.

South Carolina posts brisk Powerball sales: Amy Geier Edgar; FORT MILL, S.C. -- Edwina Verbal smoothed out a piece of paper containing several combinations of numbers as she prepared to fill out her first South Carolina Powerball ticket.

Ethics Commission seeks more facts on candidate's complaint: CARSON CITY -- Christopher Hansen, an Independent American candidate for secretary of state, says he will follow through with his complaint that Secretary of State Dean Heller slandered him in a newspaper story.

Gambling expansion shelved: The proposal was expected to be unveiled next month, but has been dropped for the time being with insiders saying there is too little parliamentary time for it.

Rebels roll to win over UC Riverside: Hernandez currently leads the team in scoring with 17 points on six goals and five assists, while Frederick follows in second with nine points on three goals and three assists. Overall, UNLV outshot UC Riverside, 13-5, in the match.

State's school boards prepare to lobby lawmakers for funds: By Emily Richmond; Members of Nevada's 17 school boards will get a crash course in the etiquette of legislative lobbying this week, as administrators prepare to push for additional funding for the Silver State's students.

North-south battle shapes up in race: Erin Neff; John Lusk

Daley looking at possible casino: "He is making inquiries to look at it," said one official who asked not to be identified.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: At 50, Sahara suffering mid-life crisis: In addition to the parties, there is plenty going on behind the scenes.

Editorial: Vital bills need quick approvals: The bills represent a lot of time, hard work and patience by Southern Nevada residents, local government officials and the state's congressional delegation. On the lands bill, for example, the Nevada Wilderness Coalition spent more than a year preparing its recommendations. It members personally surveyed the lands under consideration and attended many meetings to forge consensus with other groups and individuals. Rep. Jim Gibbons introduced a bill in the House that differed significantly from the Senate bill. Fearing an impasse on this important bill, the Sun editorialized in favor of a reasonable compromise. Fortunately, the House and Senate did just ...

Letter: Qualifications still matter in hiring practices: How far down are we going to have to lower our standards in the United States, in order to accommodate everyone who feels entitled to working for our government regardless of qualifications? Last time I checked, any job position (whether in the private or the public job market) always comes with minimum qualifications and experience requirements. Have things changed?

Community briefs for Oct. 7, 2002: The Nevada Commission for National and Community Service Inc. will host the annual Governor's Points of Light Awards at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Stardust.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Breeders' Cup challenge fast approaching: Ralph Siraco; Breeders' Cup here we come!

Prep Schedule: MONDAY

Letter: Let Bush drop bombs on Iraq: Let President Bush go bombing. After all, we should be allowed to get something of value from this guy. Just agree with whatever reason for invading he is espousing that day and go with it.

Editorial: Sahara standing tall after half a century: Bill Bennett, who turned Circus Circus into a success and created the Luxor and Excalibur hotels, bought the Sahara in 1995 and brought his many years of experience to the job of not only saving the hotel, but turning it into a resort attractive to today's visitors. Bill Bennett has made many contributions to Las Vegas over the years -- he fed the Culinary Union workers during their three-year strike at the Frontier -- and his saving of the Sahara has to rank as among the most important. Allow us to offer a toast: To the Sahara's next 50 years.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Sunday's races at Santa Anita: Sunday's card

Immunization schedule for Oct. 7, 2002: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

DA's drug cartel remark angers pot-initiative official: CARSON CITY -- A chief deputy district attorney in Clark County has suggested a drug cartel is behind the effort to legalize possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana in Nevada.

Obituaries for Oct. 7, 2002: Wanda May Beauchamp, 76, of Henderson died Friday in a local hospital. She was born Nov. 18, 1925, in Tacoma, Wash. A Henderson resident for 34 years and a former longtime resident of Boulder City, she retired as a clerical assistant from the federal government.

Birth announcements for Oct. 7, 2002: Sept. 21:

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