Print edition for April 3, 2003

Employees get new contract: Clark County commissioners on Wednesday approved a new contract for about 10,000 local government employees, ending eight months of federally mediated talks.

Measure would affect Edison contract: By Emily Richmond; While the word "Edison" appears nowhere in Assembly Bill 512, proposed legislation that would set new limits on how local school districts contract education services is a direct result of the private management company's presence in Clark County.

Obituaries for April 3, 2003: Lily Board, 98, of Henderson, died Wednesday in Las Vegas. She was born Nov. 14, 1904, in Manchester, England. A resident for 14 years, she was a homemaker.

Okla. lottery plan heading to voters: Tim Talley; OKLAHOMA CITY -- A statewide lottery plan is headed to a vote of the people after narrow approval in the Oklahoma House.

Editorial: Failure to act could mean justice denied: Cooper is trying to be reasonable. He is willing to have an increase phased in over time. But the County Commission, which has been faced with growing financial demands to support other services during austere budgetary times, didn't commit to increase the funding. County Manager Thom Reilly noted that the performance of the public defender's office has improved since a number of reforms have been put in place in the 17 months Cooper has been in the job. Adding paralegals for the first time and creating a separate team to handle just sexual assault cases are excellent steps, but if ...

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

Prep Schedule: TODAY

UNLV to host nation's best: Dean Juipe; A mere four years into its existence, the UNLV club boxing team will host the National Collegiate Boxing Championships tonight through Saturday at the Cox Pavilion.

Editorial: District's residents lose voice: James sees nothing wrong with joining Republic's payroll three months after being sworn in as a county commissioner. He says any conflict involving his public duties and his allegiance to Republic is easily resolved -- by simply abstaining from any discussion or vote involving the company. But James conveniently overlooks a salient point: His status as a paid lobbyist for Republic effectively disenfranchises his constituents. Four years ago the county extended the company's contract to 2035, but other issues involving trash removal frequently arise. It will now be pointless for James' constituents to contact him regarding their views about Republic, ...

Berkshire buying manufactured home builder: Under terms of the agreement announced Tuesday, Clayton Homes' stockholders will receive $12.50 per share, with about 136 million shares outstanding.

Egging us on: Ukrainian decorator keeps art form alive: Students hunched over tables, manipulated their kistkas and took notes. The process of writing and dyeing would last for hours. There would be casualties, of course; it was a beginners' workshop.

Man indicted in robbery, slaying: Jace Radke; A federal indictment has been handed down in connection with the 1999 armed robbery of a Las Vegas jewelry store that ended with a security guard being shot and killed.

Letter: Dowd column aids the enemy: As far as I am concerned, every negative column during this time of war leads to the deaths of American military personnel, because it usually raises the morale of the enemy.

Red Horse Squadron honored for work done in Afghanistan: Jace Radke; More than 200 members of the 820th Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron were to receive medals today for building and maintaining the runways and facilities in Afghanistan that allowed Air Force planes to provide support during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Raggio wants more strings attached to Lamb Park transfer: CARSON CITY -- While Gov. Kenny Guinn continues to wait for Las Vegas to decide if it wants to accept Floyd Lamb State Park, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio is trying to add more conditions to the transfer.

Sun Prep Athletes of the Week: Alex Lyon and Kelsey Klein: School: Green Valley

News briefs for April 3, 2003: Gov. Kenny Guinn on Wednesday named Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs-McDonald and Wendy Simons of Reno to two-year terms on the state Commission on Aging.

Jobless claims soar as growth stalls: The Labor Department reported today that new applications jumped by a seasonally adjusted 38,000 to 445,000 for the week ending March 29. That represented the highest level of new claims since the week ending April 13, 2002.

April 16 date set for talks on hazardous materials law: Clark County Commissioners introduced a new ordinance Wednesday that would tighten regulations for the use and storage of hazardous materials.

NLV golf course plan endorsed: The 72-hole Coyote Canyon Golf Club is being proposed by Jeff Jones, a Professional Golfers Association club professional and the owner of Diverse Sports. Jones said he has been speaking with Bureau of Land Management officials about purchasing BLM land for the project.

Talvio, Chong top Rebels honored: Talvio, a forward on the men's soccer team, was commended for being the top male student-athlete at the university with the highest grade-point average. It marked the third consecutive year Talvio earned the honor. Talvio, a native of Finland, has a 3.87 GPA in finance.

Airport group pledges to support Guard, Reserves: Dick Benoit; Dr. Ray Mundy, executive director of the Air Ground Transportation Association, joined Dixie Allsbrook, chairwoman for the Nevada Committee for Support of the Guard and Reserve, and Kevin Hall, global partnerships manager for the national committee, to sign a statement of support on behalf of the association's members who have employees in the National Guard and Reserves.

Federal appeals court rejects suit by fired deputy marshal: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has rejected a lawsuit by a former deputy marshal in North Las Vegas who maintained he was wrongfully fired and that he should have been protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Discussion set for sex shops: The proposal has been stalled as county staff tries to resolve a tangle of potential constitutional issues and opposition from landowners near the area.

Lawmakers sue governor: The lawsuit asks the state Supreme Court to void the compact with the Forest County Potawatomi and block the governor from signing deals with any other tribes.

Panel rejects slots: James "Chip" DiPaula, Ehrlich's budget secretary, said after the vote the administration would like to see the bill revived in the final days of the legislative session, but "I will tell you I don't hold out much hope."

Ex-prostitute testifies in Dotson's murder trial: Erica D. Johnson; A former prostitute said she used crack cocaine with a man hours after he allegedly robbed and killed an elderly woman in her Las Vegas home.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Kelley looks to bolster resume vs. Barrera: Dean Juipe; He's a two-time former world champion who has lost only five of 61 fights, yet Kevin Kelley isn't sure if he's Hall of Fame material.

Letter: Bush leading us in bad direction: If it is to stop terrorism, then how is the transnational nature of terrorism ever to be addressed? If it is to remove Saddam, then are we going to invade the country of every "evil" dictator in the world?

Tribes looking beyond casinos in diversification attempts: Gillian Flaccus; UMATILLA, Ore. --- The vast gray-brown bluff overlooking the Columbia River is wind-swept and empty, save for a pile of rusted irrigation pipes and hundreds of Canada geese that flock to nearby wetlands. A rutted dirt road winds aimlessly across the flat scrubland.

Community briefs for April 3, 2003: Spring Mountain Ranch and Valley of Fire state parks will co-sponsor a wildflower excursion at 1 p.m. Saturday at Valley of Fire State Park.

Letter: Government may have brought terror to U.S.: Many or even most of the estimated 300,000 Iraqi-Americans and resident aliens are law-abiding people who fled Saddam's brutal reign, which U.N. sanctions have exacerbated by targeting the civilian population while leaving the dictator unmolested. It is reasonable to believe, however, that Saddam's intelligence apparatus seeded that population with terrorists as a way of retaliating against the U.S., should the Gulf War resume.

Foxwoods plans casino expansion, Route 2 bypass: Diane Scarponi; Foxwoods Resort Casino said Tuesday that it will build a $99 million casino expansion and would seek Connecticut's approval for a Route 2 bypass to ease traffic congestion.

Catching up with ... STORMY HANSON: Where she is now: Indiana

20 percent of officials miss filing deadline: Commission Executive Director Stacy Jennings said Wednesday the office had not received about 475 statements by the March 31 deadline.

Moratorium put on licenses for new counseling facilities: Judy Odierna; The Las Vegas City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to place a 60-day moratorium on new licenses or locations for drug and alcohol treatment or counseling facilities.

Pacific Coast League schedule: Today-Sunday

Troops get local support: The Salvation Army's Clark County Command has readied its emergency canteen for immediate deployment in the event of an emergency. The canteen will be stocked with water, juices, food, blankets and other items.

Columnist Adam Candee: Silverado, Wooster lead the arms race: Adam Candee; Arms, arms and more arms.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Capps gets out of line, takes spin in IROC car: Ron Capps, who is used to driving in a straight line on the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing circuit, got a chance to race in circles Tuesday when he tested an International Race of Champions car at Talladega Superspeedway.

Riviera stock rises on buyout offer: By Liz Benston; An Italian investor who was rebuffed in his efforts to purchase the Desert Inn before Steve Wynn snapped up the property a few years ago is making another unsolicited offer, this time for the owner of the Riviera hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Doctors seek easing of state rules: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- Doctors are asking the Legislature to make it tougher for a state regulatory board to revoke the licenses of physicians who are found guilty of misconduct, and they also want to make it easier for new doctors to practice in Nevada.

Legislation adjusts state business fees: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Chad Christensen turned one of Nevada's business nicknames around Wednesday, when he testified on behalf of a bill supported by the state's resident agents.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Baseball isn't all choked up: I haven't had a favorite ballplayer since Bombo Rivera retired in 1982, but I may have to adopt David Eckstein.

Metro budget poses tough choices for city: Judy Odierna; To provide Sheriff Bill Young with the Metro Police budget he wants, the Las Vegas City Council would have to cut other services and would have to add $2 million to what is already shaping up to be an $8 million shortfall, officials said Wednesday.

Some tuning in, others tuning out: By Timothy Pratt; Television news headlines announced troops were closing in on Baghdad Wednesday and experts offered opinions on how to put Iraq back together again after the war.

Columnist Larry Dixon: No extra pressure defending title: Larry Dixon; A lot of NHRA Powerade Drag Racing fans have asked me if I have any added pressure this season to repeat our championship season of 2002. To be honest, I haven't tried to prepare myself any differently than I did last year.

AG says no signs of fuel price gouging: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Brian Sandoval said Wednesday that he has not found any evidence of gasoline price gouging in Nevada.

At halfway mark of session, tax debate shifts 'into high gear': Erin Neff; Text of Guy S. Hobbs' letter to the Nevada legislators

Students tout plan to open school libraries to public: By Emily Richmond; Clark County students went to Carson City Wednesday as part of Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins' Democracy in Action program, touting a bill that would require high school libraries be open to the public.

Sun Baseball Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and Sparks Tribune. Records through Tuesday.

Johnson still has his game: The impressive nitromethane-burning Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars are the showcase categories of the National Hot Rod Association but arguably the most intense racing takes place in the Pro Stock car class.

Rampart Casino celebrates anniversary: Rampart Casino celebrates anniversary

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Tweaked names offer platter of problems: VegasBeat just wanted to do a nice mention of ESPN's Al Bernstein and report that he was going to interview members of the Platters, Coasters and Drifters when Bernstein hosts a live show from the Sahara this afternoon (and again next Thursday).

Riggs and ready: NEXT UP

Fourth JAL flight canceled, concerns over war blamed: A Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority representative in Japan says the mysterious disease spreading through China is keeping some Japanese citizens from international travel, but the recent cancellations of Japan Airlines flights to Las Vegas were most likely the result of Iraqi war jitters.

Lacrosse fever catching on: Adam Candee; Baseball, softball, soccer, basketball -- whatever sport fits one's fancy can usually be found at Summerlin's Oxford Park.

Petition filed to alter NLV council rules: The Freedom of Speech Initiative II would ask voters to require public comment periods at the beginning and end of all council meetings and to allow any person or council member to place items on council meeting agendas.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Some in GOP get it: Nevada is not unlike at least half of the 50 United States in that it is hemorrhaging red ink with no end in sight. Legislatures across the country are wrestling with the "no choice" choice of raising taxes or cutting essential services, like school books, school classes and all those dear old Golden Rule days. And each one of the lawmakers are screaming bloody murder as they run headfirst into their own stump speeches about lowering taxes and increasing services.

College closes motor pool: CARSON CITY -- The University of Nevada, Reno, has come to the same conclusion as some state lawmakers who maintain that money can be saved through private operation of motor pools.

Private water development criticized: CARSON CITY -- A bill that would allow rural counties to contract with private companies for the development of their water resources was sharply criticized by a Las Vegas senator Wednesday.

Sun Softball Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Tribune. Records through Tuesday.

Legislative briefs for April 3, 2003: A bill to limit development in the lands adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area cleared the Senate Government Affairs Committee Wednesday.

Activists protest power line: A proposed 500-kilovolt power line route would affect the Las Vegas Wash, Lake Las Vegas, Sunrise Mountain and other environmentally sensitive areas, federal officials were told Wednesday night.

Legislators calling for study of state's critical nursing shortage: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- After lengthy testimony from union nurses and a brief exchange with a hospital lobbyist, an Assembly committee Wednesday decided the Legislature should study Nevada's critical nursing shortage.