Print edition for August 12, 2003

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Fittipaldi still learning ropes in Winston Cup: Two months into his career as a full-time NASCAR Winston Cup driver, Christian Fittipaldi has faced a steep learning curve.

Lawyers' ethical rules revised: Anne Gearan; SAN FRANCISCO -- Lawyers who learn that a client is cooking the books or looting a company's till could snitch to authorities with a clear conscience under changes to lawyers' ethical rules approved narrowly Monday by the American Bar Association's policy-making board.

Campus cops to focus on middle schools: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School District police will try a new approach to quelling campus crime when classes begin Aug. 25 -- targeting truancy, bullying, fights and drugs at middle schools.

UNLV athletic director candidates: Capsules compiled by Steve Guiremand; Mike Bohn

Titus' vote on budget bill questioned: Erin Neff; Las Vegas resident Bob Rose filed a request for an opinion from the state Ethics Commission on Monday about whether Sen. Dina Titus acted improperly by voting on the state's budget and tax bills.

Tech giant to appeal ruling: Microsoft said it would appeal the finding, which is only the second but biggest ever patent-dispute loss for the software giant. An appeal would likely take years, and the judgment may not survive.

Business briefs for August 12, 2003: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said Monday that second-quarter earnings fell sharply, another sign that the legal troubles of Stewart remain an albatross for her once-lofty company.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: It's possible UNLV could let Hogan escape: A couple of weeks ago, everybody was ready to rename the athletic director's office at UNLV "Stalag 13" in honor of Wayne Hogan, the Montana AD who was thought to have the inside track on the UNLV job after reportedly charming everybody he met during his interview a couple of weeks ago.

Sunrise workers ratify deal: A representative of Service Employees International Union Local 1107 said Monday that 97.3 percent of those voting ratified a contract at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and Sunrise Children's Hospital. The union did not disclose how many voted, but it represents about 2,200 hospital employees.

Change aims to improve court function: Malia Spencer; Two judges have been appointed liaisons to the Las Vegas Municipal Court's Drug and Domestic Violence courts on Monday in an effort to improve the services and efficiency of the programs.

Morgan Stanley accused of high-pressure tactics: Justin Pope; BOSTON -- Morgan Stanley set up elaborate contests and incentives that encouraged its offices in the Northeast to push customers to buy the company's in-house mutual funds, and failed to disclose those measures to investors, Massachusetts authorities alleged Monday.

Death penalty sought against boy, 16: Erica D. Johnson; Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against one of three teens charged with killing an immigrant worker who was walking to a grocery store, District Attorney David Roger said Monday.

Meskwaki vote tied to reopening of casino: Todd Dvorak; IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The elected council of the Meskwaki tribe, heeding the advice of federal officials, has scheduled a recall election for October, the council chairman announced Monday.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Brace for a TV guide to Las Vegas: Studio Vegas, the new entity we reported about a few weeks ago, is starting to make some major deals to help produce some programs:

Driver remains critical after LVMS accident: Local driver Rich Attisani remained in critical condition at University Medical Center's Trauma Center following an accident Saturday evening at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Sierra Pacific to issue shares: Of nearly 92 million votes cast, the company said about 59 million voted in favor of the proposal.

Columnist Jeff German: Cabbies deserve protection: The 47-year-old Star Cab driver was shot in the head during a May 9 robbery and has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation ever since.

Departing Nevada Power users seeking flexibility: Kevin Rademacher; The four large power customers preparing to leave Nevada Power Co. to buy their own electricity responded on Monday to concerns outlined in a report issued last week by the state Public Utilities Commission staff.

AD approval set for Thursday: Steve Guiremand; UNLV President Dr. Carol Harter apparently doesn't plan on wasting time when it comes to naming her new athletic director.

Nuclear shipment shrouded in secrecy: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department shipped an undisclosed amount of high-level nuclear waste across the country last month without notice to residents, local officials or members of Congress who represent areas along the route, nuclear opponents said.

Estandia a big target for UNLV quarterback: Steve Guiremand; Greg Estandia knows what you're thinking. He says he hears the question every day.

News briefs for August 12, 2003: A 16-year-old Las Vegas boy was shot and killed outside an apartment complex in the 800 block of West Lake Mead Boulevard about 11:15 p.m. Monday, police said.

Shaffer offers reasons for missing end of session: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Ray Shaffer, R-North Las Vegas, says he missed the last days of the 2003 Legislature -- including the final vote on the critical $863 million tax plan -- because he put his family ahead of politics. "My vote was not needed," Shaffer said Monday, adding that he did not think his absence would hurt him in his bid next year for re-election.

UNLV testing shakes up valley: Jennifer Knight; UNLV geologists set off a series of underground explosions early this morning to mimic seismic activity and will now begin the six-month process of interpreting the information to determine the potential for a major earthquake in Las Vegas.

Shaffer explains his reasons for missing end of session: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Ray Shaffer, R-North Las Vegas, says he missed the last days of the 2003 Legislature -- including the final vote on the critical $863 million tax plan -- because he put his family ahead of politics.

Ex-cabbie sought in crime spree surrenders: Jen Lawson; A former cabdriver suspected in a series of robberies and kidnappings in the Las Vegas Valley surrendered Monday night in Los Angeles, authorities said.

Hearing on Southwest rates draws little notice: Kevin Rademacher; Southwest Gas Corp. customers apparently are not very worried about their natural gas bills during these 108-degree summer days.

Gaming briefs for August 12, 2003: Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas, operator of 13 casino properties in six states, extended a telecommunications services agreement with Sprint Corp. with a three-year, $1.4 million deal, the companies announced today.

Community service added to Morris sentence: District Judge Nancy Saitta on Monday added the condition to the sentence already given to Karen Morris, 35, after Morris was found to have violated her probation.

Teachers making late moves to Clark County: By Emily Richmond; With less than two weeks until the start of the school year, hundreds of new teachers will spend the rest of this week attending curriculum and policy workshops, learning their way around town and in some cases, finding a place to live.

Police shoot, kill former Metro officer: Will Oremus and Jen Lawson; A former Metro Police officer was shot and killed by police Monday after kidnapping a Henderson doctor in an attempt to feed his addiction to prescription drugs, Metro Police said.

Homeless remark stirs controversy: Ed Koch and Will Oremus; A comment on a television news talk show by a Las Vegas official implying that the homeless are not "regular people" has given more ammunition to critics who say Las Vegas is the "meanest city" in America when it comes to the homeless.

Internet infection spreads across globe: Matt Moore; STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- An Internet-borne infection incapacitated tens of thousands of computers today, snarling company networks and frustrating home users as it spread across the globe.

Where I Stand -- Dr. Donald S. Kwalick: Public health in mind: TURBULENT world events, the threat of bioterrorism and emerging diseases have created a heightened interest in the role of public health. This attention comes at a time when local authorities are struggling with budget deficits while at the same time receiving money earmarked to create and strengthen programs dealing with terrorism.

Community briefs for August 12, 2003: The Community Advisory Board for Nevada Test Site programs will host a public meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pahrump Nugget, 681 S. Highway 160 in Pahrump.

Letter: Limit PACs' role in politics: The Sun wisely stated that it opposes this option "because presidents of state schools must not be obligated to any master other than the public."

Columnist Susan Snyder: Driving home a point: " 'God grant me the courage to sell my car.' What's that all about?" she asked.

Editorial: Judges are not robots in robes: We believe there is a reason the person presiding over a trial is called a judge. Federal judges are appointed to the bench only after having passed rigorous confirmations by the Senate. Unless they abuse their trust, they should be allowed to render judgments -- as conceived by this country's Founding Fathers. Over the past 15 years, however, there has been a growing movement in Congress to codify the sentencings in federal crimes. A body of thought, today embraced by the Bush administration and a majority of the members in Congress, states that federal judges should regard federal sentencing "guidelines" ...

Obituaries for August 12, 2003: Cephus Barfield, 96, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospice. He was born July 29, 1907, in Randolph County, Ala. A resident for 37 years, he was a retired Army warrant officer.

Letter: Smaller classes, better salaries for teachers essential: Letters from readers suggesting that class size is irrelevant to learning leave me exasperated. I have never met a teacher who believed this nonsense.

Editorial: Community owes much to Broadbent: Broadbent, a Republican, understood that government played an essential role in building a better community. He also was a man who knew how important it was to prepare for the future. His death reminds us just how much these leadership traits are missing from too many of today's elected and appointed officials.

Nominations due for Peacemakers: The annual award recognizes people who have brought peace to the lives of others or have advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution in the state.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Del Mar: Wednesday's card

Letter: Relishing life key to better driving: When I come to a stoplight, I stop. When I change lanes I use my directional signals. I don't have a cell phone stuck to my head while I'm driving. I'm not eating or admiring myself in my car mirror while I'm driving in heavy traffic. I don't pull up to the car in front of me at a light so close that a speck of dust would have a hard time fitting between the two bumpers. I don't drive drunk to kill innocent people. I don't use illegal drugs while driving.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Expect wild times down the stretch: MLB snapshot

Claridge, Nantkes miss practice: Steve Guiremand; UNLV linebacker Ryan Claridge can't seem to get a break these days when it comes to injuries.

Immunization schedule for August 12, 2003: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Services scheduled Saturday for Broadbent: Afsha Bawany; Services for longtime public servant Robert N. "Bob" Broadbent will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cholla Street LDS Chapel in Henderson followed by a graveside service at noon at the Boulder City Cemetery.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Drought now affecting golf courses: Dean Juipe; Perhaps you've seen their ad in the newspaper. Or read the glowing feature on the course in a local golf magazine.