Print edition for September 6, 2002

Johnson & Johnson spark Jaguars' victory in opener: Spencer Patterson; Thursday's scores

Lender faces record fine for predatory lending: The charges stem from the company's November 2000 purchase of Associates First Capital Corp., the largest U.S. consumer finance company, which had been accused of deception and taking advantage of people with poor credit records by charging high interest rates and fees for loans.

Challenges remain for National: While a $112 million financial package announced Wednesday by National Airlines should pull the company out of bankruptcy next month, other challenges remain for the Las Vegas airline.

California guard gives verbal committment: "I thought it was a good situation for me," Winston said. "I think coach (Charlie) Spoonhour is a good coach. I really liked Vegas.

'Lifetime jackpot' planned: The game, called "Cash for Life," guarantees winners a minimum jackpot of $1.4 million, paid in weekly installments of $1,000, over the next 20 years.

Rating agency upbeat about casinos: Earnings for major casino companies have rebounded, beating Standard & Poor's expectations, the agency said in a report issued last week.

Commercial real estate markets remain sluggish: Grace Leong; The slower-than-expected economic recovery and uncertainty in the aftermath of corporate scandals have delayed recovery in the nation's commercial real estate market, said a top executive of international real estate brokerage CB Richard Ellis on Thursday.

Police called to quell crowd: The contest between developers of a proposed community near Red Rock Canyon and their opposition heated up Thursday night as Metro Police were called to remove protesters from a Clark County zoning meeting.

Business unit name changed: Reno-based IGT, the world's largest slot machine maker, acquired New Jersey-based AWI, along with sister companies VLC and United Tote, as a result of last year's merger with Anchor Gaming Inc. VLC and Tote will keep their names, as both companies have strong brand recognition in their markets, the company said.

Caesars second to get OK for private salon: By Liz Benston; State regulators approved a request Thursday by Park Place Entertainment Corp. to launch a private gambling area at its Caesars Palace hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

Woman has no regrets in slaying: Kim Smith; Roberta Stevens knew heading into court Thursday she could get a no-parole life sentence for killing her husband. She didn't plead for mercy, though. She lit into her dead victim instead.

Enron motion on Nevada utilities considered: A federal bankruptcy judge is considering a motion by an Enron Corp. subsidiary that would require Nevada Power Co. of Las Vegas and a sister utility to post $307 million in collateral in connection with a lawsuit Enron filed against the utilities.

CCSN in action: CCSN in action

Rebels 'need' win against KU: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Detroit contractor named: Perini and L.S. Brinker were involved in the construction of MGM MIRAGE's $220 million temporary casino in Detroit. The current casino will remain open while the new casino is built. Construction is expected to begin this year.

School district investigates cause of Clark evacuation: Jace Radke; Clark County School District Police will try to determine if a student is responsible for releasing an irritant that caused 24 people at Clark High School to become sick and caused the campus to close Thursday.

Guinn: Raising taxes 'highest priority': CARSON CITY -- The "highest priority by far" of the 2003 Legislature will be to develop a plan to raise taxes, Gov. Kenny Guinn said Thursday.

Hansen's name restored to ballot: The court overruled District Judge Sally Loehrer, who ruled Hansen, 20, did not meet the requirements that say he must be a peace officer when he assumes office, if he were to be elected.

Cortez to referee Vargas-De La Hoya: Cortez, of Las Vegas, drew the assignment for a prestigious fight that will have the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association 154-pound championships at stake.

America West expands service: The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline, the second busiest air carrier at McCarran International Airport will reinstate a third daily, nonstop roundtrip flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth and initiate a second daily, nonstop roundtrip flight to Miami.

Tech giant's stock rebounds on respectable sales forecast: The Santa Clara-based company's midquarter report offered no surprises but did allay some investor fears that its business has been dismal.

Casinos gear up for football season: The Fiesta, like other casinos, uses the start of the NFL season to market football wagering to bettors.

Heated battle expected in sheriff's race: Keith Paul; With two Metro Police veterans competing in the Clark County sheriff's race in the general election, the most important issues facing them could be money and the political clout of Sheriff Jerry Keller.

Judge extends financing plan: The order allows the property to cut its commitment amount from $50 million to $25 million at a lower interest rate because business has been stronger than expected.

Teacher sex cases prompt call for probe: Diana Sahagun; The recent arrests of Clark County teachers in connection with sex-related crimes has prompted the vice president of the Nevada State Board of Education to call for an investigation into the way educators are licensed.

Rebels ranked 16th in preseason poll: The Rebels, who return four starters and seven letter winners from last year's squad that advanced to the national final, racked up 143 points in the poll of 16 Division I head coaches.

Police probe threats against reporters who wrote Seagal stories: AP; Ned Zeman, who wrote a story for the October issue of Vanity Fair, told police a man in a car pulled up alongside him as he was driving home Aug. 26 and shined a bright light into his car. The man pointed a handgun at Zeman and said, "Stop," police said. Zeman called police that day.

Vegas firms set to mark Sept. 11: MGM MIRAGE employees will receive a commemorative pin, while individual MGM MIRAGE casino properties will feature stories in employee newsletters, displays in employee areas and other remembrances.

51s bounce back to even series with Edmonton: Victoria Sun; Salt Lake takes 2-0 advantage

Black boxes: Devices seen as way to monitor teens' driving: Jace Radke; Basic High School student Valerie Ortiz says she is ready to get behind the wheel, but the 15-year-old's mother, Geri Ortiz, isn't as confident.

Jewish calendar showcase for kids' artwork: Diana Sahagun; WEEKEND EDITION: Sept. 7, 2002

'Mystere' still a wonderland at Treasure Island: By Jerry Fink; "Mystere" reminds me of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," with the audience filling the role of Alice.

Jayhawks head to Las Vegas: AP; "There isn't an area of our team that we don't need to improve in, offensively, defensively and in the kicking game," Mangino said. "We studied the game tape of week one very carefully, as a staff and with our players. We realize that we have a lot of things that we need to get done and to improve upon."

AVP Shootout: Mike Lambert, Honolulu/Lee LeGrande, Hermosa Beach, Calif. def. Eduardo Bacil, El Segundo, Calif./Frederico Souza, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21-16 and 21-11.

Columnist Jerry Fink: At Romy's, it truly was a grand old party: Romy's Cafe and lounge became a hotbed of political activity Tuesday night.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Bump-and-runs may be on tap at Richmond: Kurt Busch used it to move Jimmy Spencer out of the way and win the spring NASCAR Winston Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Dismal picture painted over arts funding: Stephen Curran; Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m., Old Logandale School Historic & Cultural Society, 3011 N. Moapa Valley Blvd., Logandale. Host: Moapa Valley Arts Council

Impressionable: Kirk Baird; WEEKEND EDITION: Sept. 8, 2002

Columnist Susan Snyder: The time is meow for cat news: Ugly development, air pollution, child safety, pedestrian deaths, bad legislation.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Numbers meant to move us: They can use 180 cars.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway point standings: Late Models

Community briefs for Sept. 6, 2002: Army Recruiters will host a safety fair at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Army's 6th Recruiting Brigade, 4539 N. 5th St. in North Las Vegas.

Performing Arts for September 6, 2002: Comedy festival

On Display for September 6, 2002: Carefree photographs of Holocaust victims before they were imprisoned, through Nov. 17 at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. (229-6383); and the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North.(229-6211).

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Pentagon rebuilt; airport security lagging: Benjamin Grove; So in the newly rebuilt west side of the Pentagon, photo-luminescent exit and no-exit signs are now mounted in the hallway baseboards.

Editorial: Truth about taxes finally comes out: While Nevada has been growing at a rate faster than any state over the past 10 years, state leaders have been in denial about the need to raise taxes. As the population boomed, so did the deficits in infrastructure and social service programs. Throughout the '90s the refrain was always the same, whether it was Metro Police, the school district, the firefighters, the highway departments, the building inspectors or social workers: Not enough staff. Not enough money. That was the answer when unmet needs were questioned.

Editorial: Lands bill too close to lose: Congress has before it a bill affecting Southern Nevada that off-roaders, developers, wilderness advocates, Republicans and Democrats all agree is good legislation. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., worked for more than a year with local interest groups to craft the Clark County Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002.

Columnist Erin Neff: Lobbyists will rush in to fill the void: Erin Neff; Imagine how you'd feel if you not only had to maneuver around a new building and perform well, but also watch out for bullies and solve the state's biggest budget crisis in history.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Post-primary analysis is absurd: If you mess with the strip clubs, you will be crushed (district attorney hopeful Abbi Silver).

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Ushering in Beat generation: Today the Las Vegas Sun debuts VegasBeat, a new gossip column by Timothy McDarrah.

Datebook for September 6, 2002: The U.S. Space Camp's "Mission to Malls" 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., today through Sunday at the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 Sunset Road. 384-8084, Ext. 345 or 434-0202.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: New battle to save Tahoe: The struggle to save this gem in the mountains has had champions going back to Gov. Charles Russell, who during the 1950s obtained the land to develop Sand Harbor State Park. I had the opportunity, as a state department head, to accompany Gov. Grant Sawyer during his meeting at Harvey's Wagon Wheel with California Gov. Pat Brown. Both men knew the importance of saving the lake. Sawyer in his book "Hang Tough" recalled, "I became a little annoyed when Pat complained that the lake was being ruined by sewage from Nevada. My response was he must believe that Californians don't ...

Panel's value questioned: WEEKEND EDITION: Sept. 8, 2002

Columnist Barb Henderson: Memories at the end of the rainbow: Barb Henderson; Nevada hunters realize how difficult it can be to draw a Pronghorn Antelope tag. If you're successful in the draw for a rifle antelope tag, you will not be eligible to even apply for another antelope tag for five years.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Dog days, not coach, were problem in 'Let's roll' controversy: So what? Well, several writers with little imagination, or nothing more to do, wrote that Bowden should have first received the approval of the Todd M. Beamer Foundation. "Let's roll" were the last words Beamer was heard saying as several passengers of United Flight 93 took on the terrorists who were attempting to fly the plane toward Washington, D.C. They all died in a Pennsylvania field. The actions of Beamer and his fellow passengers might have saved the lives of many other Americans and/or the White House or other important national monument.

Letter: Bad drivers are the real problem: What's wrong are our so-called "drivers" who are speeding, passing others in unmentionable maneuvers from one side to the other and completely ignoring any sign -- be it speed signs or others advising us to a possible danger, reduced speed or whatever. I have been passed doing the speed limit by some who were judged by me to be at least 20-30 mph over the posted limit -- cutting in and out of traffic at high rates of speed. But we are blaming everything and anything when something goes wrong.

Columnist Jeff German: Nolan wins one for the Little Guy: Dennis Nolan is a four-term Republican assemblyman who is well respected by his colleagues at the Legislature. You wouldn't expect the 41-year-old former paramedic to be the underdog in his bid for higher office at the state Senate.

Letter: Citizens don't seem to matter to White House: Lawyers will find a loophole in the law of gravity if you pay them enough. The administration's view of our government's checks and balances seems to be getting out of hand.

Max Corsun, longtime Las Vegas deli owner, dies: Corsun, who for 30 years operated Max Cs Deli at 221 Bridger Avenue in the shadow of the Clark County Courthouse and at three other locations, died of complications stemming from an auto accident seven weeks ago.

Action on gravel pit delayed: Clark County Commissioners were not able to recommend moving a large gravel pit out of the urban area at their regular meeting this week.

Harrigan leads induction class: Victoria Sun; One omission was all it took for Lori Harrigan to rededicate her life to softball.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Badgers win 1 and lose 1: Because it was Labor Day weekend, there was a good chance to get a seat on an airliner going to Minneapolis early Sunday morning. A seat on Northwest Flight 712 was obtained but I was informed the plane was filled to capacity. Upon arrival at the gate, I was surrounded by red shirts and sweaters. They were some of the Wisconsin fans going home from the game played with the Rebels Saturday night. You know the game the Badgers were leading 27-7 with 7 minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when the lights went out and remained ...

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Realignment means long math to finding winners: Sal DeFilippo; Grab your protractor, or nearest abacus. It's time to do some heavy calculations.

Veterans home director ousted: CARSON CITY -- John Sias, who has been director of the fledgling state Veterans Home in Boulder City for the past three years, has been given his walking papers and he says he can't find out why.

Acosta back after yearlong Vegas hiatus: Acosta says his Las Vegas absence was because he and many other local performers were caught in the aftershock of Sept. 11.

Letter: Police vehicles slow speeders: And regarding the Centennial High School student who was killed driving -- speed kills. Only when miracles happen do drivers and passengers survive.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 7 a.m.-noon, Moen Distribution Center, 4335 Arcata Way, North Las Vegas; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Lowes of Henderson, 440 Marks St., Henderson; 2-7 p.m., Tomiyasu Elementary School, 5445 S. Annie Oakley.

Letter: Don't force your music on others: "Well," you say, "what about music?" Just this, there's nothing wrong with music or people who like music. What is wrong is the assumption by any individual or group that everyone around them shares their taste in choice and volume of music.

Letter: Yucca counsel is a waste of our $4 million: Joe Egan, the state's lead legal counsel, does have an impressive resume, I must admit. But in the David vs. Goliath fight the state is facing, this time Goliath wins.

State's number of legal immigrants takes jump: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada statistics reflected a nationwide increase in legal immigrants, according to an annual report by the federal government.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Del Mar: Saturday's card

Red Cross planning readiness program: Details of the program that combines a number of health skills like CPR and first aid to train people to help those injured in disasters or terrorist attacks until paramedics arrive on scene, will be announced at a 2 p.m. news conference Wednesday at the local Red Cross office at 3672 N. Rancho Drive.

Kenny happy question on Nevada Power stays on ballot: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Power Co. officials said they are disappointed, but Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny said she is delighted that the Nevada Supreme Court has allowed residents to vote on an advisory question of a public takeover of the utility.

Comedy Festival honors Reynolds, Carlin, Reiner: Carlin will receive the Las Vegas Comedian of the Year Award from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Reynolds will receive the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award. Carl Reiner will receive the Steven Allen Pioneer of Comedy Award.

Bush wants more for Yucca: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Bush is asking lawmakers for $66 million more than the $527 million he originally requested for Yucca Mountain next year. The money is vital for the Energy Department to apply for a Yucca construction license by 2004, budget documents say.

Rain has arrived but the drought remains: While showers brought welcome relief to Southern Nevada residents, parched after a summer with only a single day of thunderstorms, the brief respite has not made a dent in the drought, officials said.

Editorial: U.S. must stand by Afghan government: After Tuesday's attack, it's reassuring to hear President Bush say that the United States doesn't have plans to leave Afghanistan soon. It would be a mistake, even as the United States prepares for war in Iraq, to shortchange our mission in Afghanistan. It also is important to bring stability to Afghanistan's neighbor, Pakistan, which also may be where Osama bin Laden is hiding -- if he's still alive. Bush doesn't like to use the term "nation-building," but the reality is that we have to make sure that countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan respect the rule of law and at ...

PCL Playoff box: Las Vegas - Edmonton: Time-- 2:41. Attendance-- 3,097. Umpires: HP-- Achwege; 1b-- Higgens; 2b -- Riley; 3b-- Barnes.

Political notebook: Kenny, James say no conspiracy: Erin Neff; Conspiracy theories continue to swirl around the most unlikely of political bedfellows -- Erin Kenny and Mark James.

Indictment will be sought against driver in fatal crash: Kim Smith; Prosecutors announced this morning they intend to seek an indictment against a Las Vegas man accused of causing the crash that killed Las Vegas Sun Vice President and Associate Editor Sandy Thompson.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Pats, Eagles good plays on the over: Dean Juipe; I'll always remember an e-mail I received a year ago after a column that surveyed National Football League over/under win totals and offered New England at over six wins as the best play on the board.

He Said, She Said: Saint, Hayden revise 'Love Letters': When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: AF's Fisher no king with Lobos' fans: Steve Guiremand; Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry is probably the last person in college football that you would expect to talk trash about an opponent. Colorado State quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt maybe -- more on that later -- but not DeBerry.

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: Del Toro true star on'Blade II' DVD: "What you will see is mostly (excrement)," says Guillermo Del Toro proudly of the scenes deleted from "Blade II" "But for some reason, we geeks love to buy DVDs and watch this stuff."

Attorney general race heats up with debate: Erin Neff; The first debate in the attorney general's race has generated some ammunition for both campaigns.

Editorial: Preserve heritage of park: Five years ago the city made a run at taking over the park. Leading the charge was then-Councilman Matthew Callister, who criticized the park's serenity by charging that once visitors arrived, "There are no programs ... there is nothing for the people to do when they get there." He then outlined the city's vision for the park -- concerts, parties, special events, league softball, golf and other activities that would need big lights and create noise and traffic. People protested vigorously against this radical transformation of their peaceful park and the Legislature listened. The city's proposal never made it out ...

Coldplay finds the need for speed: Kirk Baird; Burgeoning Brit rock stars Coldplay received a bit of advice from the old guard while opening for U2 last year.

Steve Rogich, brother of political adviser, dies: Rogich, the brother of noted Las Vegas political adviser Sig Rogich, founder of R&R Advertising and the Rogich Communications Group, died Saturday. The cause was not immediately available.

Obituaries for Sept. 6, 2002: Dorothy Charters, 85, of Las Vegas, died Wednesday in a local care center. She was born March 7, 1917, in Collingwood, Ontario. A resident for two years, she was a homemaker.

News briefs for Sept. 6, 2002: State Controller Kathy Augustine said a debt collection program has taken in more than $1 million since last December from people who owe the state money.