Print edition for September 12, 2002

Yucca OK facilitates push for new plants: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nuclear technology companies, emboldened by congressional approval for Yucca Mountain and other favorable factors want to build new nuclear power plants in the United States within five years.

Las Vegan 'disgraced' over being questioned by FBI: Jace Radke; Born in Brooklyn, 35-year-old Carlos Nieves now calls Las Vegas home.

Utility gears up for public debate: Gearing up for a debate on the future of Nevada Power, company executives criticized government-owned utilities and said they were building a coalition of support to fight a ballot question about public power.

Three arrested after LV-bound plane diverted: Jace Radke; Three passengers on a Northwest Airlines flight bound for Las Vegas were arrested Wednesday in Fort Smith, Ark., after the flight was diverted due to concerns about their suspicious behavior.

Audit calls for records on council staff: The Las Vegas City Council support employees should be required "to record daily hours worked" to show that they are doing their jobs, an audit released this week says.

Comdex show producer's top executive sells shares: Frederic Rosen sold the shares in Key3Media Group Inc., Los Angeles, for between 2.3 cents and 3.1 cents a share, company officials said Wednesday.

Courtroom tensions grow; judges quarrel: Kim Smith; A lack of courtrooms and an abundance of medical malpractice cases and construction defect lawsuits have Clark County District Court judges sniping at each other and court administrators struggling to appease all of them.

Compromise may be near on public lands bill: Harry Reid and Rep. Jim Gibbons are nearing a compromise on a contested public lands bill that would set aside thousands of acres as protected federal wilderness in Clark County, the congressman's staff said Wednesday.

Former first lady Sawyer dies: Diana Sahagun; Bette Sawyer wasn't much for the political games that the wife of a candidate had to play.

Planning commission OKs proposed casino in North Las Vegas: Although developers presented a mountain of support for an 800-room hotel-casino, they told the North Las Vegas Planning Commission that it could be eight years before the resort is built.

Autumn can be tough on allergy sufferers: Diana Sahagun; Break out the tissues.

Man killed as he steps in front of bus: Christopher Sandusky, of Georgetown, Texas, and formerly of Henderson, e-mailed his former wife a suicide note and left the same note on a computer in his father's Henderson home, Trooper Jim Olschlager said.

Vegas auto pitchman appears to get around: Michael Hill; SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Tom Park stands in a lot full of Hyundais wearing a crisp white shirt and blue, tie taping commercials for Syracuse ("Great selection, great savings!"), for Schenectady, N.Y. ("What a great time to save!"), for Albuquerque, N.M. ("There's no comparison!") and for Columbia, S.C. ("Give us a call!").

Tributes to victims take on many forms: Dan Kulin; Away from the ceremonies attended by thousands of people across the nation Wednesday, many area residents and businesses paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy a year ago in their own ways.

Officer wounds robbery suspect: Keith Paul; A Metro Police officer shot a home-invasion suspect Wednesday after the man turned with a gun in his hand as he fled, police said.

Letter: Lottery best way to solve state's economic woes: Although raising taxes on casinos would be less administratively burdensome for the state, it appears likely that casinos would strongly resist a tax increase.

Sun Prep Athletes of the Week: Jeff Henle and Katy Barrett: School: Sierra Vista

Editorial: Buffer zone idea worthy of pursuit: That's why good agricultural planning places buffer zones between crops and rivers, to keep fertilizers out of public water and environmentalists at bay. That's why buffer zones are designed around airports, to increase safety and in so doing decrease tensions between residents and airport managers. That's why all zoning laws are in place, to create buffers between incompatible developments.

Judge dismisses lawsuit: A federal judge threw out the lawsuit after finding the court did not have jurisdiction.

Obituaries for Sept. 12, 2002: David Bindson, 87, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born Feb. 25, 1915, in Smorgon, Belarus. A resident for three years, he was a retired restaurant owner, member of the Holocaust Survivors Group of Las Vegas, a board member of the Lions Club, a member of the Jewish Council for the Elderly of Chicago, and the Carefree Senior Living Association.

QB is one big pain for Foothill: Spencer Patterson; As Foothill quarterback Josh Daneshforooz struggled off the field last Friday at Durango, one thought flashed through the mind of Falcons' coach Ray Fenton: Here we go again.

Coating may ease potentially toxic dust from mine: Jeffrey Libby; Cleanup began this morning at an abandoned manganese mine south of Sunrise Mountain, a World War I-era relic in a valley now teeming with smaller, thriving sand and gravel pits mined for home building.

Catching Up With ... Richard Seigler: High School: Chaparral ('99)

Longtime radio, television personality Reno dies at 75: Services for longtime Las Vegas radio and television personality Walt Reno, who did everything from emceeing local charity events to hosting national broadcasts, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home.

Disabled students' lawsuit reinstated by appeals court: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court Wednesday reinstated a lawsuit against the Clark County School District filed by two disabled students who allege they suffered repeated physical, psychological and verbal abuse while at the Variety School.

Prep Standings -- Girl's Volleyball: CLASS 4A

Hotel safety engineer Perry dies at 59: Perry, a vocational school graduate who worked his way to the top safety engineering position at The Venetian, died Wednesday of heart failure. He was 59.

Company completes stock split: Also, the company's previously announced 1-for-10 reverse stock split was effective at the close of business Monday.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: In need of real resolve: There was nothing else to think about Wednesday but 9-11 because, at least up until the time I am writing this, there was nothing else of note happening. Anywhere. That, of course, is good news.

Cuts to cost firm $16.1 million: The firing of 23 percent of Mikohn's work force and the departure of former managers will save $10 million a year, the Las Vegas-based company said. Third-quarter profit will be cut because of employee severance costs and lease obligations on plants the company will no longer use.

Prep Standings -- Girl's Golf: CLASS 4A

Liability in highway deaths at stake: Kim Smith; Clark County jurors are being asked to decide who should be held civilly responsible for the deaths of a California man and his children who were crushed by 23 tons of concrete pipes that fell off a flatbed tractor-trailer three years ago.

Drivers need to slow down: My wife and I do not have a car due to financial setbacks related to 9-11, so we have to rely on the bus.

Letter: War with Iraq is no solution: Amongst them in line were my older brothers and sister, who my mother had to send forth while she tended to me, her new baby. She never forgot those Depression days; and years later told me: "It never fails ... when the Republicans control the White House, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer!"

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: BLM extends Primm course by 70 miles: Saturday's seventh annual SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 off-road race underwent yet another significant change this week when the Bureau of Land Management altered the course.

Expansion of beltway to aid LVMS traffic: A new leg of the Las Vegas Beltway, scheduled to open next month, is expected to ease traffic congestion on Interstate 15 and reduce travel time to and from Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the annual NASCAR Winston Cup race weekend.

Anniversary passed quietly for Southern Nevadans: Jace Radke and Keith Paul; Law enforcement remains at a high state of alert in Las Vegas today, but other than a late flight and some skittish nerves the Sept. 11 anniversary passed quietly in Southern Nevada.

Trial begins for man accused of killing 67-year-old woman: Kim Smith; Brett Jones was so drunk when he beat and strangled 67-year-old Shirley Rogers to death that he didn't know what he was doing, his attorney told jurors Wednesday.

Va. Tech game comes at right time for Leftwich: Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich will have his only chance to audition for the Heisman Trophy against a highly ranked opponent tonight when the 17th-ranked Thundering Herd plays No. 9 Virginia Tech (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.).

Confident Vargas awaits shot: Dean Juipe; The fight he always wanted is on his doorstep and Fernando Vargas is brash as ever.

MGM MIRAGE signs Indian casino deal: By Liz Benston; Las Vegas Strip resort operator MGM MIRAGE has signed an agreement with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to help the California tribe develop a casino in downtown Palm Springs.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Cashman linked to Expos-ure: Thank you, ESPN.com and Seattle Times. Just when I thought the rumor mill that specializes in linking pro sports franchises to Las Vegas had been shut down or at least closed for the season, you managed to restart the conveyor belt.

Prep Standings -- Girl's Tennis: CLASS 4A

Pennsylvanians favor gambling as way to raise revenue: Peter Jackson; HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvanians want the state to spend more on education and prescription drugs for the elderly, but they oppose increasing taxes and favor expanding legalized gambling to raise revenue, according to a statewide survey.

Nevada lawmakers say U.S. should attack: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada congressional lawmakers today said the United States should attack Iraq, even if President Bush fails to rally United Nations support.

Three former execs accused of looting Tyco: Sam Maull; NEW YORK -- Three former Tyco International executives were charged with fraud today for allegedly pillaging their company of tens of millions of dollars.

Count on Centennial to continue its roll: Spencer Patterson; Sun State Football Top 10

Editorial: Remove roadblock over a drug benefit: What is even more worrisome is what is happening to retirees. Those who are retired often don't have health insurance and that number has been growing, according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research Educational Trust. In 2001 and 2002, only 34 percent of businesses with 200-plus employees offered health benefits to their retirees. According to the survey, that is the lowest percentage after 14 years of a steady decline since 1988, when 66 percent of retirees were covered.

Community briefs for Sept. 12, 2002: The Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada will present Wayne Edington, financial advisor with Paine Webber, to its membership at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 5300 Vegas Drive.

Tucker erases doubts: Steve Guiremand; Going into the season opener against Wisconsin, UNLV coach John Robinson admits he had doubts about senior outside linebacker Tyrone Tucker.

Ex-Fed chief rejects board job: The rejection "is a blow to the board's credibility," said Charles Mulford, accounting professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "I can't think of anybody they could get that would have the kind of credibility that he has."

Profit down, cash flow up for owner of Henderson mall: Forest City said a more consistent cash flow indicator of year-to-year performance, EBDT (earnings before depreciation, amortization and deferred taxes), for the second quarter was $43.6 million, or 87 cents per share, an 8.7 percent increase on a per-share basis over last year's second-quarter.

Lawsuit filed in governor's race: Barbara Scott, a former topless dancer who received 21 percent of the vote in the primary election, has filed a defamation of character suit in district court in Minden, saying the comment by Neal hurt her chances in the election.

Upcoming events: The HBC Combo of La Nueva 103.5 FM and KLSQ 870 AM will hold its seventh annual concert/festival beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday at Lorenzi Park.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Brown takes on another test: Dean Juipe; In sports gaming vernacular, John Brown is something of a live 'dog.

County executive to lead group: Manning, elected by the 26,000 members of APWA, brings more than 30 years of public works experience to the international association. A member of APWA since 1973, he was named one of APWA's top 10 public works leaders of the year in 1998.

Prep Standings -- Boy's Tennis: CLASS 4A

Heller opposes investment plan: CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller and Assemblywoman Marcia deBraga, R-Fallon, who pushed for a constitutional amendment to protect the state Public Employees Retirement System, said today they oppose a plan by Sen. Randolph Townsend to use some of that money to invest in Nevada companies.

Firm recognized by Dow Jones: The index is a compilation of 300 companies worldwide selected for their ability to create long-term, sustainable shareholder value.

Prep Standings -- Football: CLASS 4A

UNLV grad killed at Pentagon honored: Dick Benoit; About 50 members of UNLV's interfaith community, including about 25 members of the UNLV/Community College of Southern Nevada Army ROTC detachment, gathered for a 6 a.m. Time of Remembrance service Wednesday morning sponsored by the University's Multicultural Student Affairs office.

News briefs for Sept. 12, 2002: A 32-year-old Las Vegas man accused of causing an accident that killed a woman and seriously injured two other people has agreed to spend between six and 20 years in prison.

Prep Standings -- Boys Soccer: CLASS 4A

NLV panel approves plans for development: Plans for three housing projects were presented to the North Las Vegas Planning Commission Wednesday night, part of the drive to develop 1,900 acres of former federal land.

NLV finance director Vaitkus dies: Vytas Vaitkus did not seek the fanfare he received for digging the city of North Las Vegas out of many a financial hole.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: We shall survive the worst: Ruthe Deskin; Some of us recall the horror of the sneak attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Friends recall an eccentric: Victoria Sun; The disappearance of former NBA center Bison Dele has gone from curious to serious amid growing concern among his friends, acquaintances and former teammates and coaches.

Village Voice: Singers have sought Fabre for vocal tutelage: During a singing career that has spanned almost 40 years, the 52-year-old entertainer has earned the respect of her peers for her talent.