Print edition for September 11, 2002

Letter: Arafat admission comes too late: Arafat, according to the Associated Press, also said the world expects from the Palestinians a "clear stance and firm answers regarding peace with Israel ..." Has the world gone crazy? Since when do we wait for mass murderers to decide that murder won't get them what they want? There is no reason to deal with Arafat and his terrorist organization.

Kentucky gambling expansion may move to front burner: Mark R. Chellgren; FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The stars may be aligning to put expanded gambling back on the front burner of Kentucky public policy debate.

Senators seek changes to tribal recognition process: Melissa B. Robinson; WASHINGTON -- Sens. Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman, both Connecticut Democrats, introduced a measure in Congress Tuesday to halt future federal Indian recognition decisions until the process for making such decisions is changed.

Letter: Best coverage is none at all: It seems to me that the most responsible coverage would be no coverage at all. If we want to encourage future attacks, the best way is to show that those attacks have had a profound effect on our lives. To publicize negative reactions is to portray the attacks as highly effective, thereby providing aid and comfort to the enemy.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: The hard truth on Entwistle's final night: Bedside reading this week: the Clark County coroner's report on the death of John Entwistle.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Don't cheapen Sept. 11: Meanwhile the debate continues in New York about a permanent tribute on the site of the World Trade Center. More issues for discussion:

Columnist Victoria Sun: UNLV golf team looking for Moore: Victoria Sun; The Los Angeles Lakers had Magic Johnson.

Columnist Peter Benton: South Shore's Akridge triumphs at Southwest Section championship: Peter Benton; The Las Vegas Chapter, Southwest Section of the PGA staged its Chapter Championship at the TPC Canyons recently, and chapter president Dale Akridge of the South Shore Golf Club emerged victorious after rounds of 67-73--140 over the par-71 layout.

Letter: China poses greater threat than Iraq does: They say Saddam Hussein must be removed from leadership in Iraq because he possesses weapons of mass destruction that might be used against other nations. Additionally, he has treated individuals within his nation savagely, refused to accede to United Nations dictates, and is likely guilty of sharing weapons technology with other rogue nations.

Oral HIV tests are available: Oral HIV tests do not require blood or needles and provides a testing option that is 99 percent accurate and results within 10 days. The test checks for the presence of HIV antibodies in the tissue fluid of the cheeks and gums.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Backdrop of Faberge art highlights Bellagio party: Elizabeth Foyt; From the first glimpse of the exquisite exhibition of Faberge creations in the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the spell of enchantment was felt by all. Reflecting the vastness of his talents, Faberge's fabled Imperial Easter Eggs, along with jewelry, liturgical pieces, gem-encrusted clocks and other priceless treasures are on display. Portraits and family keepsakes of the doomed Czar Nicholas II with Empress Alexandra and their children are also exhibited.

Deployment is now more commonplace: National Guard

Editorial: Builders can solve their own problem: With a budget deficit estimated to exceed $330 million next year, and with programs for needy people being slashed, the state is in no position to subsidize the construction industry with a nonprofit insurance fund. The insurance division instead agreed to help provide information about where private residential construction insurance may be obtained. The state also had some advice for the builders: Do a better job of policing those in your industry who are not meeting professional standards. There are without a doubt home buyers who file unwarranted lawsuits. But the majority of homeowners simply want to settle into their ...

Charities find donations skyrocket after attacks, then dive: The generosity that blossomed after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 has waned, but the need for help has not let up, local nonprofit organization officials say.

Editorial: We must be in war for long haul: While there is broad public support for continuing the campaign against al-Qaida, President Bush is having a trickier time in enlisting the same level of backing from the U.S. public and, to a greater extent, from foreign allies for a military invasion to overthrow Iraq's Saddam Hussein. On Thursday President Bush, speaking before the United Nations in New York, will get a chance to make that case more persuasively than he has so far.

Prone to theatrics: Area productions offer volume, variety: Marilyn LaRocque; Whoever said Las Vegas lacks culture hasn't taken a close look at the city's long-standing performing arts institutions.

Savvy wine buys: '97 Marques de Riscal Rioja Riserva: To be labeled a reserve wine, as this one is, a wine in Spain has to spend at least one year in oak fermentation. As a result, rioja reservas tend to have notes of vanilla, and lots of lush, ripe fruit.

Community briefs for Sept. 11, 2002: As many as 15,000 bikers are expected from around North America for the Las Vegas BikeFest beginning Thursday at Fremont Street Experience.

DMV studies alternatives to reduce lines: Cy Ryan and Ed Koch; The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles hasn't been able to reduce waiting time to reach its goal of one hour per customer, so it's trying some new ideas.

FBI officials expect no LV threat today: Jace Radke; Officials with the FBI and Southern Nevada law enforcement agencies said they expect no terrorism threat to Las Vegas today.

Harter upbeat in annual university address: Jennifer Knight; In an uplifting speech that touched on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, UNLV President Carol Harter extended a challenge Tuesday to raise $350 million in six years.

News briefs for Sept. 11, 2002: In a short presentation Tuesday to the Clark County Commission, Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax reported no significant errors in canvassing the returns of the primary election.

DOE expects to have waste transportation plan in a year: The Energy Department's chief scientist in charge of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository said the agency will have a national transportation plan ready in a year for shipping the expected 77,000 tons of radioactive waste.

Flight bound for LV diverted: FORT SMITH, Ark. -- A year after terrorists hijacked four cross-country flights, a Northwest Airlines jet bound for Las Vegas was diverted to Fort Smith's airport this morning after three passengers locked themselves in a bathroom, officials said.

LV businesses mark day with thoughtful events: Grace Leong; A year after the terrorists hit the United States, Tanya Watler of Las Vegas still mourns her aunt who died in the attacks and what she calls an entire generation lost.

Court denies appeals of two killers: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has denied the appeal of Frank S. D'Agostino, sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal stabbing and the burning of the body of Eleanor Panzarella of Las Vegas in 1989.

Gray clouds provide fitting backdrop for LV ceremonies: Ed Koch and Stephen Curran; As drops from a pre-dawn shower fell on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Mary Lamas solemnly but proudly watched her son,Clark County Firefighter Mike Hutcherson march toward Station 18 on Flamingo Road.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Cheever accuses Castroneves of blocking: Helio Castroneves had two words for Eddie Cheever Jr., who accused Castroneves of blocking him during the thrilling closing laps of Sunday's Indy Racing League Delphi Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway:

Turner's an eager Beaver: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Walters' attorneys argue for indictment to be tossed out: Kim Smith; Attorneys representing golf course developer Billy Walters and his associates provided Chief District Judge Mark Gibbons Tuesday a host of reasons why a four-year-old money laundering indictment against them should be tossed out.

Boulder City Council briefs for Sept. 11, 2002: After answering calls for weeks about dust storms kicked up by an off-road race earlier this summer, Boulder City officials considered withholding permission this fall for a race that has run more than 30 years.

Governor: Rainy day fund may be used: CARSON CITY -- If the Nevada economy continues to sag, Gov. Kenny Guinn said, he may have to drain more than $100 million from the state's rainy day fund.

Harrah's gets OK to bid on Illinois license: The opinion, which is not a formal decision on the license, was offered in response to concerns by Harrah's that regulators might object to the company's market concentration in Illinois, where it already operates two casinos, the Chicago Daily Herald reported.

Prominent artist Amie dies at 49: Ronald Terry "Ron" Amie, a Las Vegas artist who combined Rembrandt's dark environments with the bright colors of 1970s pop art, has died. He was 49.

Proposed schools audit blasted: CARSON CITY -- A potential audit of the Clark County School District would look into such areas as the solvency of the health insurance plan for teachers, the maintenance at the district's 245 schools and if the district is managing its money effectively.

Victims of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001: CONFIRMED DEAD: American Airlines Flight 11

School District official blasts proposed legislative audit: CARSON CITY -- A potential audit of the Clark County School District would look into such areas as the solvency of the health insurance plan for teachers, the maintenance at the district's 245 schools and if the district is managing its money effectively.

Salt Lake wins in PCL playoffs: Johnson, a former Trapper, had two hits and drove in five runs.

Casino operator selects Internet technology firm: The mapping service will ensure that MGM MIRAGE's site will block customers in areas where Internet gambling is illegal, the company said.

Dismissal sought in Weber case: Kim Smith; Defense attorneys representing a Las Vegas man facing the death penalty in the slaying of his girlfriend and her 15-year-old son say there isn't enough evidence to take the case to trial.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Sports play key role in our psyche: Dean Juipe; At times it gets a little syrupy, of course, all this rehashing and analysis of what happened to America a year ago today.

IGT revved up over slot: IGT revved up over slot

Audit questions collection of fines: CARSON CITY -- Municipal and Justice courts are doing a fairly good job in collecting fines, but District Courts are turning in a poor performance, a legislative audit said.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Las Vegas, Salt Lake City companies form alliance: Spire Communications and Truesynergy Group have joined Vanguard Media, Salt Lake City, and MassMedia, which has Las Vegas and Reno offices. Paula Yakubik, founder of MassMedia, said the local public relations and advertising firm would continue to be known as MassMedia/Vanguard.

$4.4 million plan approved: LVCVA spokeswoman Erika Brandvik said television advertising featuring the "Vegas Calling" theme currently being used nationwide will be used promote the city during a period when visitation is expected to be more than 8 percent ahead of last year's totals.

Nebraska gambling promoters try to save initiative: Kevin O'Hanlon; LINCOLN, Neb. -- Organizers of an effort to legalize video slot machines in Nebraska have launched a two-pronged legal attack to get the issue on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Terrorist attacks ripped many immigrants' worlds to pieces: By Timothy Pratt; Luis Quintana, a U.S. native, thought his bride of nearly two years, a woman from his family's hometown in Mexico, by now would be not only his lawfully wedded wife, but also legally able to live with him in Las Vegas.

Obituaries for Sept. 11, 2002: Benjamin F. Bell, 71, of Las Vegas died Saturday. A social worker, he was born Aug. 28, 1910, in Texas.

Wranglers to be part of East Coast league: Anchorage, Bakersfield, Fresno, Idaho, Las Vegas, Long Beach and San Diego are scheduled to begin play in the expanded ECHL in 2003-04 with Ontario and Reno coming on board the following season.

Morning rain ends valley's dry spell: Just over one-quarter of an inch was recorded at McCarran International Airport, bringing the year's total to 0.89 inches. The last time Las Vegas had as much rain was July 17, when just over half an inch fell, though a few hundredths of an inch fell last week, National Weather Service meteorologist Charlie Schlott said.

Weather ruled out as cause of rescue helicopter crash: Jace Radke; Investigators are concentrating on the possibility that either a mechanical problem or human error caused a Mercy Air Service helicopter to crash Saturday near Primm, killing the pilot and two paramedics.

Racetrack fined over underage gambler: Prairie Meadows officials this week signed an agreement acknowledging the violation, commission administrator Jack Ketterer said Tuesday.

Nevada lawmakers mark anniversary at Pentagon ceremony: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- One year ago, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., huddled with his staffers in their Capitol Hill office and prayed.

SCORE entries: TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)--12 Brian Collins, 39, Las Vegas/Brian Stewart, Long Beach, Calif., Chevrolet Silverado 1 Dan Smith, 38/Dave Ashley, 45, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150 9 Darren Skilton, 34, Long Beach, Calif., Kia Sorrento 19 Ed Herbst, 41/Tim Herbst, 39, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 4 Gustavo Vildosola, 49, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob McCachren, 37, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 62 Jeff Geiser, 36, Peoria, Ariz./Rick Geiser, 37, Desert Hills, Ariz., Ford F-150 76 Jesse Jones, 36, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Ford F-150 3 Mark Post, 43/Kelly Courie, 33, Laguna Hills, Calif., Ford F 150 44 Richard Hoffman, 48, Lake Forest, Calif./Craig Stewart, 33, Santee, ...

Vegas-bound plane diverted to Arkansas because of suspicious passengers: Police and firefighters surrounded the aircraft, which was parked at the end of a runway.

Advisory issues could be off ballot: Adrienne Packer; A District Court ruling on whether Clark County possessed the authority to place two smoking-related advisory questions on November's ballot could determine the fate of a slate of planned questions.

Public meetings planned for input on wildlife refuges: The 7 p.m. meeting at the Fish and Wildlife Service office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, is designed to help officials develop a comprehensive plan and environmental impact statement for the four Southern Nevada National Wildlife Refuges: Ash Meadows, Desert, Moapa Valley and Pahranagat.

Herrera proposes development buffer zones: Environmentally sensitive areas such as Red Rock Canyon could soon see greater protection from residential development, a growing flashpoint of controversy for the Clark County Commission and other government agencies.

Dividing line: Dean Juipe; Despite being in Las Vegas and being housed in all but adjoining accommodations, Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas are to have no physical contact whatsoever until they touch gloves in the ring Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.