Print edition for September 25, 2002

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.

Nevada couple's love story a matter of the heart _ and liver: AP; Doctors say their one-in-a.m.illion love story is an even rarer success story in the world of organ transplants.

Universe of verse: Unvarnished prose, passion unleashed at Poets' Corner: Frustrated, he grumbles to himself and returns to the pages of his tattered yellow notebook.

Hunt: Nothing wrong with Vestin contribution: By Timothy Pratt; John Hunt, Democratic candidate for attorney general, denied any wrongdoing in a state inquiry over campaign contributions.

News briefs for Sept. 25, 2002: A 17-year-old boy was killed about 1:30 a.m. this morning, when the sport utility vehicle he was driving collided with a propane truck.

Student falls on B-painting trip: By Emily Richmond; The Basic High School homecoming tradition of painting a giant white "B" on a Henderson hillside went awry Tuesday when a senior slipped on a rock and was airlifted to the hospital.

School district wants applicants' drug histories: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School District officials want Nevada lawmakers to grant them more access to job applicants' criminal histories of drug-related offenses -- a demand critics call an invasion of privacy for people who have already completed their court-ordered punishment.

Washington state tribes in battle over gambling: Paul Queary; On one side, the tribes hope to retain their exclusive right to operate slot-machine-like games that have pumped millions into tribal coffers in recent years. On the other, non-Indian card rooms, bingo halls, bars, restaurants and bowling alleys want access to the lucrative machines, and they're promising the cash-strapped state a fat new source of tax money for the privilege.

Casino opens just in time for storm: The opening was originally scheduled a week ago, but last-minute problems led to a delay.

Community briefs for Sept. 25, 2002: The box office is now open for the Henderson Pavilion, the largest amphitheater in the state, which will host concerts, Shakespeare in the Park and other cultural events.

Nevada Power flier raises ire of County Commission: Nevada Power Co. has launched a rhetorical salvo in its battle against the prospects of a public takeover, and the company's move has raised howls of protest from Clark County Commissioners.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Rebel women want to start second season on right foot: Victoria Sun; First-year UNLV women's golf coach Missy Ringler wasn't at the helm when the Lady Rebels began their inaugural season at the Mason Rudolph Championship last September.

Columnist Peter Benton: U.S. has the goods to retain Ryder Cup: Peter Benton; The 34th Ryder Cup, often referred to as the golf world's greatest team event, gets under way Friday over the 7,118-yard, par-72 Brabazon Course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Truly sexy is truly imaginative: InStyle magazine, Elle, W, and a host of other mags perpetuate the myth that the more outrageous the fashion, the better it is. No so.

Letter: Public agencies depend on taxes: Our regional public water agency's bid for Nevada Power for lock, stock and barrel gave me a flashback of some ballot issue, for adding one quarter of a cent sales tax to the already existing 7 percent sales tax, to save our region's water agency.

Search for body of Dele and friends is called off: Angela Doland; PAPEETE, Tahiti -- Investigators have stopped searching the South Pacific for the bodies of former NBA player Bison Dele and two friends who disappeared at sea.

Trooper charged with lewdness involving child: Erica D. Johnson; A Nevada Highway Patrol officer was arrested in North Las Vegas on Monday and charged with two felony counts of lewdness with a minor child, a North Las Vegas Police official said Tuesday.

Editorial: Improve services for the disabled: Some disabled people need nothing more than existing laws that guarantee access for them as they use sidewalks and enter buildings. Others need extra help, such as the availability of specially equipped vans to take them to work, appointments or on other outings. Many people need even much more help to avail themselves of the quality of life that non-disabled people take for granted. Private care is simply out of reach for most disabled people, whose income potential is oftentimes diminished by their disability.

California smoke poses area threat: Dan Kulin; Smoke billowing from a California forest fire could prompt a public health advisory in Clark County if smoke, which clouded the Las Vegas sky Tuesday, reaches the ground, air quality officials said.

Sierra Pacific counsel to retire this month: The man who led Sierra Pacific Resources' unsuccessful effort to get a $922 million rate increase for subsidiary Nevada Power Co. is leaving the company.

Work goes on at N.Y. casino: Joel Stashenko; ALBANY, N.Y. -- Following court action Tuesday, limited improvements will continue at a convention center that the Seneca Indian tribe hopes will be its first casino.

Letter: Vegas is capital of bad driving: I, too, have driven in many major cities (including Paris) and find the drivers here to be the worst. They are inconsiderate, competitive and obnoxious beyond belief.

Doctor says Guinn will fully recover: "He sailed through the surgery with no problems," said Dr. Jean B. deKernion, who has performed more than 1,000 of the operations. "He went through it like a young man."

Gone fishing: Try the best Las Vegas markets: Max Jacobson; When not buying live fish, one should always check for firm, springy flesh, brightness in the eyes and a fresh scent. That's just good sense.

'Oscar's River' flows downtown: Jace Radke; About three hours after Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman officially opened a public plaza downtown complete with a waterway already becoming known as "Oscar's River," an uninvited guest decided to test the clear water that runs through the block-long park Tuesday.

Tuesday's prep results: Sierra Vista 3, Cimarron 0

Executives inflated revenue: The three have agreed to cooperate with a federal inquiry into advertising transactions at AOL Time Warner Inc., one of Homestore's business partners, the New York Times reported.

SCORE driver standings: TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)--1. Mark Post, Laguna Hills, Calif./Jerry Whelchel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Ford F-150, 237; 2. Scott Steinberger, Cypress, Calif., Ford F-150, 235; 3. Ed and Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 231; 4. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 191; 5. Dan Smith/David Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150, 174; 6. Darren Skilton, Lakewood, Calif., Kia Sorrento, 172; 7. Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico, Ford F-150, 93; 8. Glen Greer, Green Valley, Ariz., Dodge Ram, 74; 9. Mark Miller, Carefree Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 69; 10. Josh Baldwin, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150, 55.

Letter: Anti-Americanism worsens relations: Schroeder's decision was no feat of courage, though. He waited to make his announcement until after the election was over. It was anti-American sentiment, after all, that helped Schroeder secure victory. But Germans shouldn't be shocked that Americans, who helped liberate Germany from Hitler's rule, would find a comparison to Hitler to be highly offensive -- even if it was only meant for domestic consumption in a political campaign.

Appeals court says attorneys are due fees in bankruptcy: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has ruled that two Las Vegas law firms are entitled to more than $1 million in fees in the handling of the bankruptcy case of a man who claimed their representation did nothing to benefit him.

School district workers to vote on union representation: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District's office personnel, janitors, bus drivers and food service workers will get the opportunity to choose which union should represent them -- either the current organization or Teamsters Local 14.

High court allows murder-plea change: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court today allowed Gary W. Scherer to withdraw his plea to second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of jewelry salesman Harold Dice Goodwine in Las Vegas in 1994.

Yucca a source of pride for Bush: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- In a draft document touting President Bush's environmental accomplishments, the White House says Yucca Mountain will protect public health and safety and "should be able to meet EPA's radiological protection standards."

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Andretti won't have Kool sponsorship: Andretti Green Racing will be moving from CART to the Indy Racing League next season without the team's longtime sponsor, Kool cigarettes.

DA candidates question other's experience: Erin Neff; Experience was at the heart of the first debate between Mike Davidson and David Roger on Tuesday as each candidate for district attorney criticized his opponent's background as inadequate to lead the 600-employee office.

UNLV women to host Fall Invitational: Joining the Lady Rebels in the individual tournament will be competitors from Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, San Diego and Northern Arizona.

Senate approves funds for Shoshone members: The bulk of a $138 million fund would be released to those who are at least one-quarter Western Shoshone, under a bill introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Reid sits on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which approved the legislation without discussion today.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Anyone else bored by Ryder Cup?: Dean Juipe; Maybe it's just me, because I don't see any other columnists around the country who share the same sentiment.

Poetry to spotlight Black History Month: The contest is open to Clark County students in kindergarten through grade 12 and is intended as a resource to complement history, English and social studies curricula in local schools.

Foes are against pot issue: Erin Neff; The leading candidates for the state's and county's top law enforcement positions all say they are adamantly opposed to a ballot question seeking to legalize possession of three ounces of marijuana.

Savvy wine buys: Honig Cabernet Sauvignon '99: Similar to most high-end cabs from the Napa Valley, this is a concentrated and nicely extracted wine, which means the juice is allowed to spend time on the grape skins. The result is a dark, rich wine with hints of chocolate and cherries, and reasonably soft tannins for such a young wine.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Celebrity sons share pack mentality: Dean's son Ricci Martin might do a gig with Frank Sinatra Jr. in Las Vegas next week. Martin is now doing a moving tribute show to his father at Le Bistro Theatre at the Riviera.

Letter: Many willing to risk others' lives in war: Occasionally, though, these "brave patriots" do tear themselves away from the safety and comfort of their "foxholes," their sofas, TV, pizza and beer to call one of the numerous incredibly tedious ultra-conservative "talk radio" shows glutting our public airwaves, anxious to spout their war mongering "views" to the gleeful "host."

Obituaries for Sept. 25, 2002: Arthur Alexander, 86, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. Born March 14, 1916, in Detroit, he was a painter for Burroughs Manufacturer and a World War II Air Force veteran.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: AGA's Griffin bash brings out dignitaries: Elizabeth Foyt; Held at Paris Las Vegas and planned by Rino Armeni with Sandy Peltyn, Brenda O'Boyle Haynes, Blair Farrington and Mary Lynn Palenik, the occasion benefited greatly from the talents of Donald Ross, Robert Zitto and Eric Weisberg, all of Bally's-Paris Las Vegas' catering, food and beverage, convention and banquet services departments.

Trying to put bullies in their place: By Emily Richmond; The Nevada Bully-Free Task Force recommends parents whose children are being bullied take the following steps:

Nuke industry concentrates on licensing of Nevada dump: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Now that Congress has approved Yucca Mountain, nuclear industry officials have shifted their lobbying priorities, a top industry leader says.

Court OKs gay man's suit against MGM Grand: CARSON CITY -- A divided federal appeals court has ruled that an openly gay man is entitled to bring a sexual harassment lawsuit under the U.S. Civil Rights Act, even though all his accused tormentors were fellow male employees.

Software flaw could have allowed man to cheat at bingo: Nevada gaming regulators hoped to begin determining today whether a software programmer who used his knowledge of a bingo system to cheat was acting alone.

Bank buying back $2.4 billion of stock: The bank will purchase as many as 50 million shares of the 1.7 billion outstanding, spokeswoman Julia Tunis said. The stock, worth $2.4 billion at Tuesday's closing price of $48, will be bought in the open market.

Vegas firm reports loss: The Las Vegas-based company captured attention in 2000 when it was fined by the Nevada state Gaming Control Board for allowing its Australian subsidiary to accept illegal Internet bets. The company was also ordered to sell off its MegaSports Australia subsidiary.

Vegas new-home sales decline: Home builders in Las Vegas closed on 1,863 new units in August, down from 2,199 units in August 2001. Despite the drop, valley new home sales are down just half a percent on the year due to a strong first half of 2002.

Water rates to be adjusted to encourage conservation: To punish those who drench their lawns, and in effect waste water, the Las Vegas Valley Water District is considering adjusting rates in a manner that also could reward those who conserve the precious desert resource.

'Bumfights' producers charged in Calif.: By Timothy Pratt; Four Las Vegas men have been charged in San Diego County with illegally soliciting homeless people to be recorded for a video sold over the Internet called "Bumfights."

Feds: Casino workers afraid of reprisal: By Liz Benston; The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Tuesday filed a sex and age harassment lawsuit against the Riviera Hotel and Casino -- and claimed casino workers industry-wide are afraid of reporting such harassment for fear of retaliation.