Print edition for April 15, 2003

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Johnson says more West Coast venues needed: The West Coast deserves more NASCAR Winston Cup races, driver Jimmie Johnson said, but moving races to tracks such as California Speedway or Las Vegas Motor Speedway may not be the best solution.

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

Columnist Susan Snyder: Statue joke is heading for trouble: A front-page photo last week showed Iraqi citizens defacing a mural of Saddam Hussein with a roll of packing tape.

Letter: Tobacco smoke choking life out of Las Vegas: From the time I nearly vomited as I passed by the special "Kevorkian" chamber for tobacco addicts in your airport, to the foul-smelling cabs and the poisoned air at the hotel, I can safely say that I will never return to your city until smoking is prohibited in and around these places.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: We all must speak out: THERE ARE over 250 million Americans with the freedom to think and say what they please.

Engagement: Kristosik, Bronson: The wedding will be Aug. 23.

Editorial: When is a conflict not a conflict?: The recent history of the mine includes overwhelming public opposition to dense residential development out of concern that it would detract from Red Rock's natural beauty. James, who represents the area, took office in January. He started out neutral, saying that Rhodes had a right to be heard. His neutrality was viewed with skepticism by his constituents, especially when Rhodes announced March 26 that he had bought the mine for $50 million. But on March 29, James announced that he favors low density. The irony is that Rhodes, if what he says in his lawsuit is true, did not raise ...

UNLV's Vose selected for MWC weekly honor: Vose, who pitched for Cimarron-Memorial High, gave the Rebels a 13-1 lead and struck out seven before leaving in the seventh inning in game three vs. Utah, which UNLV went on to win 13-5. Vose is 5-3 this year and ranks second in the MWC with 56 strikeouts.

Obituaries for April 15, 2003: Ward C. Abbs, 85, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 8, 1918, in El Dorado, Wis. A resident for 25 years, he was a retired operating engineer surveyor and a World War II Army veteran.

Editorial: Don't let state chiefs take advantage of law: In response to the decision involving Kirkland and others, last week the Assembly Government Affairs Committee recommended that legislation be passed preventing administrative heads from taking advantage of the exemption, a situation that made a mockery of the law. Besides, it is ridiculous to think that there was a shortage of credible candidates to take the job that Kirkland filled. The Legislature should follow the lead of the Government Affairs Committee and prevent state government executives from receiving both their salaries and government pensions.

Pledges of Allegiance: Gettysburg Address

North Las Vegas seeks wash land: Dan Kulin; Eight property owners with a combined 20.6 acres along Upper Las Vegas Wash could end up in court over North Las Vegas' efforts to acquire land for a planned $37 million concrete flood control channel.

Clinton rips GOP on economy: After the 2000 presidential campaign, some observers questioned whether it had been a good strategy for the Democrats to keep a scandal-beset Bill Clinton out of the picture, passing on his oratory skills and popularity.

Gates returning to Vegas: It will be Gates' 20th appearance at Comdex, which was the city's largest convention through the late 1990s but has fallen on hard times with an economic downturn in the information technology industry and reductions in travel for conventions and shows following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Nevada's February jobless rate holds steady: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY -- Nevada's jobless rate didn't change between January and February, prompting Gov. Kenny Guinn to say Monday that the state "is holding its own" despite a poor national economy.

Homeland security school being planned at UNLV: Jennifer Knight; The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will be home to a homeland security institute designed to train academics and the nation's first responders to fight terrorism.

Columnist Dean Juipe: By dating a player, commish puts himself in curious spot: Dean Juipe; It's a commonly held belief that mixing business with pleasure is a risky proposition.

Letter: Lighten tax load for middle class: Lower taxes are an incentive to put in for voluntary overtime As a full-time nurse (frequently requested to work overtime), I would be inspired to work extra hours on a regular basis, knowing Uncle Sam is not getting the majority of those earnings, as he is now.

Ensign urges HUD to drop LV complex: Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has urged the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department not to renew its contracts with a local subsidized apartment complex that neighboring property owners complain is a haven for crime.

Local news briefs for April 15, 2003: Five Las Vegas post office locations will remain open until 10 tonight for procrastinators to mail out those last-minute tax returns.

Show jumping world finals set for LV: IF YOU GO

Relatives mourn death of Las Vegas Marine's brother: Relatives of Joshua Brink last night pondered the irony of life and death.

Indictment returned in millionaire scheme: Erica D. Johnson; A grand jury indicted a local businessman on theft charges in connection with thousands of dollars in fees paid after he promised to make people millionaires.

Homeless shelter woes: Before he became the center of a controversy for trying to help others, Anthony V. Mosley needed a lot of help himself.

Man, 69, gets 262 months in prison: Jace Radke; A 69-year-old man characterized as a career criminal by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Johnson was sentenced to 262 months in prison Monday.

No evidence of crimes in audit: By Emily Richmond; State Superintendent Jack McLaughlin defended the management of the Nevada Education Department's nonprofit foundation Monday, after the release of an audit that found several violations of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures.

Moratorium considered for massage businesses: The council will decide whether to place a moratorium on massage businesses and for how long.

Wells Fargo reports surge in profit: Michael Liedtke; SAN FRANCISCO -- Wells Fargo & Co. today reported the latest in a string of quarterly earnings gains that have been propelled by the bank's success at selling financial staples amid economic uncertainty.

Letter: Reports from Israel appreciated: MARLENE SUPER

GOP lawmakers address education ralliers: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The two Republican Senate leaders told 300 education supporters Monday that while they support the call for more school funding, they need more people to rally their colleagues to raise taxes.

National's Chapter 11 plan converted to liquidation case: A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has converted National Airlines' Chapter 11 reorganization to a Chapter 7 liquidation case, which will enable a trustee to sell the defunct airline's scant assets.

Judge keeps lid on Area 51 secrets: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has refused to unveil confidential documents that may reveal if and how hazardous substances were handled at the secret Air Force Base at Area 51.

LPGA Takefuji Classic Field: Kristi Albers

LV might offer rental help for the homeless: Judy Odierna; Las Vegas may soon begin helping homeless people cover some of the costs of a place to live.

Assembly approves school cell phone bill: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly began clearing dozens of bills from its house Monday in preparation for an upcoming deadline.

Three citations issued over threats to French restaurant: Mary Jane Jarvis, co-owner of Andre's, said she's happy Ron Weist is being punished for leaving three profanity-laced messages on the restaurant's voice mail.

Nonexistent power deal questioned: Kevin Rademacher; A contract that never was took center stage Monday in Nevada Power Co.'s $195 million rate case before the state Public Utilities Commission.

Previous victims describe attacks: Erica D. Johnson; Jurors on Monday heard two elderly California women describe how Anthony Dotson abused them decades before he robbed and killed a 79-year-old Las Vegas woman.

Alliance Gaming reports rise in revenue: By Liz Benston; Las Vegas slot maker Alliance Gaming Corp. on Monday reported an increase in operating earnings and revenue driven by strong slot machine sales at higher prices.

Longtime Sun printer, antiquities hunter Gresser dies at 80: For more than a quarter of a century at the Las Vegas Sun, printer Don Gresser set Linotype, cut and pasted ads and ran the presses.

First SARS case in Nevada suspected: Mary Manning and Dan Kulin; SARS Symptons

Aristocrat forecasts first-half net loss: SYDNEY, Australia -- Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., the world's second-largest maker of slot machines, said it will have a first-half net loss because of severance payments to its former top two executives.

Man arrested in Internet sex case: Jace Radke; A 46-year-old man who has lived in Las Vegas since 1963 is facing charges that he attempted to lure a 15-year-old girl to be his sex slave.

Telecom giant files reorganization plan: The company plans to keep its Clinton, Miss., operation open, but simply as one of its many regional offices. The company's new headquarters will be in the Washington suburb Ashburn, Va., where MCI is based.

Ministry expected to be closed: After operating for nearly 20 years, God in Me Ministries is expected to be ordered to close its homeless shelter operation Wednesday afternoon.

Witnesses from bar tell of signing election papers: Judy Odierna; Patrons of Gary Horrocks' bar told a Clark County grand jury that they were misled by Horrocks into signing fraudulent election documents.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Holiday weekend jammed with events: Does Fabulous Las Vegas pause to take a breath for the Passover and Easter holidays?

Indiana Senate approves plan for additional casino: Shannon Dininny; INDIANAPOLIS -- The state Senate approved legislation Monday to allow a casino in southern Indiana's economically depressed Orange County, bringing proponents to the brink of fulfilling a yearslong push in the General Assembly.

Legislature news briefs for April 15, 2003: A bill that would require public administrators in Clark and Washoe counties to have certain qualifications before they are elected became the first bill defeated on the floor of the Senate this session.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Banks wooing scouts to make him early pick: At least one source -- but not one that matters -- said UNLV's Marcus Banks did nothing to hurt his NBA draft status at the recent Portsmouth Invitational in Virginia, a pre-draft workout for college seniors.

Community news briefs for April 15, 2003: The Champions of Organ Sharing, a group of local organ recipients, donor family members, those on a waiting list and transplant professionals will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sunrise Hospital auditorium.