Print edition for October 29, 2002

Charitable organization demands Porter retraction: Erin Neff; A charitable organization is demanding a retraction from Republican congressional candidate Jon Porter for what it says was an implied endorsement from its group in a television commercial.

Consumer confidence at lowest level since 1993: The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 79.4, down from 93.7 in September. The fall was sharper than predicted on Wall Street, where economists had been looking for a reading of 90.0.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Have trials in Virginia: Don't start crying because Malvo, the little punk, may be only 17 or 18 years of age. If he pulled the trigger of the murder weapon even one time he should join his mentor on death row. Yesterday The New York Times reported, "Commonwealth's Attorney Robert F. Horan Jr., the prosecutor for Fairfax County, said investigators believed that the teenager, John Lee Malvo, was the killer in the Oct. 14 shooting of Linda Franklin, 47, an analyst with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who was felled by a single shot to the head inside a parking garage at a Home ...

Fannie Mae will offer $12 billion to Nevada: The money should make more low-cost mortgages available to Nevada home buyers, Charlene Peterson, director of Fannie Mae's Nevada Partnership Office, said.

Letter: Keep medicinal benefits of pot: Why can't it be regulated so the medicinal benefits won't have to be withheld for all those it could help without creating a blanket approval for everyone over the age of 21 to have up to 3 ounces for recreational purposes?

Editorial: Cost of meetings must be questioned: The analysis included a break-down of costs, giving the university system a chance to examine where savings might be found. Board of Regents meetings require two days and the agenda is always full. But could the same amount of work be accomplished in six meetings, or five? It was found that 69 administrators attended the October 2001 meeting -- a typical turnout. This is excessive, particularly with teleconferencing available. And is it really necessary for the state to be spending $4,700 a meeting on food? And $2,600 for mailing and postage? With the state moving forward with its plan for ...

Letter: Negative ads, campaign signs wear on voters: My vote will go to the one who has told us his or her position on the issues.

Lawmakers told of plight of disabled, seniors in state: CARSON CITY -- Hundreds if not thousands of people with disabilities are not receiving appropriate services in Nevada, according to a state strategic plan released Monday.

Kristaponis takes job in development services: Donna Kristaponis will begin working for North Las Vegas on Dec. 9. She will oversee about a 60-person staff in development services, city spokeswoman Brenda Johnson said.

Editorial: Long-term care study has merit: Financial incentives for nursing home construction or expansion are bleak. Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates will be insufficient as governmental budgets are cut and health-care costs escalate. Few families will be able to afford the cost of nursing-home care on their own. And studies have shown that only a tiny percentage of people buy private, long-term care insurance.

Letter: Consider Q9 consequences: In response to the Oct. 21 article, "Driver pleads guilty in death of Sun exec," I would like to ask citizens to give Question 9 some serious consideration before casting their votes.

Spoonhour: No dunking over goats: UNLV basketball coach Charlie Spoonhour will prohibit furniture, equipment and all animals from being used on the court at Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday night at the team's annual Fan Jam.

Obituaries for Oct. 29, 2002: Charlotte Brewer, 74, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born June 16, 1928, in Warsaw, Mo. A resident for 40 years, she was a retired retail sales clerk.

Billboard campaign criticized: To Linda Ley, who manages Clark County's Court Appointed Special Advocate's office, there's no such thing as an ugly kid.

Koenning enjoyed Wyoming win with family: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Black dust problem curbed at closed manganese mine: Three Kids Enterprises and two federal agencies in mid-September successfully curbed potentially toxic, black dust that had been blowing from the 150-acre, open-pit mine for more than 40 years, said Bob Folle, compliance manager for Clark County Air Pollution Control Division on Monday.

Hunt answers Heller's query with sworn statement: CARSON CITY -- John Hunt, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, has submitted a sworn statement saying that he never violated Nevada's election laws, and many of his backers are denying misconduct in the handling of campaign contributions.

Henderson libraries push for tax increase: Jeffrey Libby; Henderson, a city lauded nationally for its parks, fares poorly when it comes to its libraries -- worst in the state for books per person and about one-fourth the national average at one book per person.

Parents plot toy shopping tactics amid shortage fears: Anne D'Innocenzio; NEW YORK -- Anne Goodwin, who usually finishes her holiday shopping by Thanksgiving, has already mapped out a strategy for getting the hot toys this season for her three children and 12 nieces and nephews.

SW Gas cutting rates: Grace Leong; Declining natural gas prices prompted Southwest Gas Corp. and several affected parties to file an agreement Monday calling for a 4.1 percent reduction in gas rates for customers in Southern Nevada and a 14 percent cut for those in Northern Nevada starting as early as Friday.

Las Vegas crime numbers increase: Violent crime increased 18 percent, the FBI's Uniform Crime report says.

Columnist Jeff German: Regents embarrass themselves: Today's No. 1 gaffemeister on the 11-member board is Regent Mark Alden.

Double slayings don't deter resolve at strip mall: Jen Lawson; Karl Vetter, owner of Kool Kollectables in the Commercial Center shopping complex, is a self-styled crime prevention activist.

Davidson cites broad background: Kim Smith; Scientists and attorneys both need to have the ability to "analyze, synthesize and communicate" information, Davidson said.

Hunt defends ties to mortgage firm: Erin Neff; Democrat John Hunt defended his campaign ties to Vestin Mortgage during a debate Monday by saying the company's executive is not trying to buy an attorney general.

Postal procedure raises questions about privacy: A three-month-old U.S. Postal Service policy in effect in Henderson -- one that could spread statewide -- has the service turning over responsibility for the maintenance and security of residential mailboxes to developers and homeowner associations.

Business strong for Vegas megaresort: Las Vegas Sands Inc., Adelson's parent company for the Venetian, reported third quarter cash flow jumped 81 percent from the third quarter of 2001. Cash flow of $59.9 million was up from $33.1 million during the 2001 quarter, which was marked by a slowdown in visitation to Las Vegas after the September 2001 terrorism.

Monday's prep results: BOYS SOCCER

Top writers gather for Vegas Valley Book Festival: His latest, "Wings of Fire" (Barnes & Noble; $25.95), focuses on covert military activity in the Middle East.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Language of hate is ageless: "I am the victim of harassment," she said.

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

Wednesday's horse racing entries: OAK TREE MEETING

Nebraska tribes largely left out of gaming efforts: Joe Ruff; NIOBRARA, Neb. -- Signature gathering, posturing and court action in a failed fight to allow voters to legalize video slot machines happened largely without the involvement of Indian tribes, who have pushed for more than a decade to get casinos in Nebraska.

Tribes sue over California gaming compact: Amanda Riddle; LOS ANGELES -- Two Southern California Indian tribes sued the state in federal court Monday for allegedly violating the gambling compacts that allow them to operate Vegas-style casinos on their reservations.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Amundson has no need to redshirt: Dean Juipe; It's a practice the NCAA allows yet one that isn't always in the best interest of the athlete.

Community briefs for Oct. 29, 2002: The Sisterhood of Congregation Ner Tamid will present its annual Hanukkah Holiday Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 2761 Emerson Ave.

Aggressiveness key to success for Barrera: Dean Juipe; Having lost his first fight with Erik Morales, featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera used a different tack for the rematch.

F1 announces rule changes for next year: Formula One teams rejected radical proposals for a weight handicapping and switching drivers, and approved qualifying and scoring changes.

Deal made in cocaine case: Geneva Kincaid Monday pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. In exchange for her guilty plea, prosecutors will dismiss two other charges against her -- misdemeanor embezzlement and drug trafficking.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Sterling Marlin out for rest of season: Winston Cup driver Sterling Marlin, who suffered a fractured vertebra in an accident last month at Kansas Speedway, will not be allowed to return to the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge this season.

Police go to Florida to get Rundle: Rundle has been held in a Florida jail since Oct. 12, when he was arrested at an Orlando hotel on a warrant for murdering his wife, Shirley, in their Las Vegas home.

County trying to learn why UMC so far in debt: Adrienne Packer; Clark County administrators are delving further into University Medical Center's finances to try to uncover a definitive reason why the public hospital is suddenly struggling financially.

Losing rusty cars not a crushing blow: By Timothy Pratt; Joe Beatty, a machinist, had at least 100 cars and trucks on his 20 acres along Sandy Valley Road.

Santee tribe's casino remains open despite six-year legal fight: Joe Ruff; NIOBRARA, Neb. -- Blue, red and white lights flash on the slot machines as they purr and trill in the Santee Sioux Tribe's Ohiya Casino just off Nebraska Highway 12 -- the only casino in the state.

Car used in fatal shooting is found: The car, found over the weekend at Tropicana Avenue and Mountain Vista Street, just over a mile from the scene, was heavily damaged, Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said Monday.

Equipment supplier authorizes share repurchase program: The program will operate under parameters established by the board and as market conditions permit, the Las Vegas-based company said.

Fashion Show developer has record quarter: The Rouse Co., a Maryland firm that is developing the Summerlin master-planned community in Las Vegas and the Fashion Show mall on the Strip, Monday reported record financial results for its third quarter.

Roger banking on work ethic: Kim Smith; David Roger

Hansen left teacher's job for law career: Kim Smith; Just like his rivals in the district attorney's office, Joel Hansen never dreamed he would one day be running for the county's top prosecuting job.

Union dispute at Hacienda, Sahara to be reconsidered: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the NLRB did not give adequate reasons when it cleared the two hotels of allegations of unfair labor practices when they discontinued deducting union dues from the paychecks of its employees.

Rate increase requested: Under the filing, Allstate would raise premiums for homeowners by 17.9 percent and for condominium owners by 3 percent. Allstate writes 73,226 policies in Nevada and collected $34.6 million in premiums in 2001. The increase would generate an estimated $3.3 million.

Wynn director's firm buys 1 million shares: Stanley R. Zax, chairman and chief executive at Zenith, is a director of Wynn, the filing said.

Official opposes legalization of casinos in Singapore: The Times said Lee, who is also finance minister and is being groomed to be the next prime minister, made it clear that Singaporean gamblers cannot bet on casinos being allowed anytime soon.