Print edition for August 28, 2003

Ziser, marriage protection organizer, runs for Senate: Erin Neff; Richard Ziser launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, attacking Democrat Harry Reid as out of step with Nevadans' culture and social morals.

Fight schedule: At Reading, Pa., Kermit Cintron, Reading, vs. Jesus Valverde, Mexico, 10, welterweights.

Activist files papers in effort to recall Guinn: Erin Neff; Beginning today, the Committee to Recall Gov. Kenny C. Guinn has 90 days to collect 128,109 registered voters' signatures.

League of extraordinary football: Same tradition, different name.

Rebels set sights on a bowl: Steve Guiremand; It has taken four years but John Robinson finally believes he has the kind of talent on board for UNLV to make a yearly run at the Mountain West Conference title.

Deals fail to improve auto sales: Moreover, Ford Motor and the Chrysler Corp. lost market share in July, though the average incentives for Detroit's auto companies grew to the highest level ever, according to tracking firm Edmunds.com.

Pianists hit hard by new tax bill: CARSON CITY -- Four pianists have been laid off from the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris Las Vegas in an unintended consequence of the 10 percent state entertainment tax that goes into effect Monday for casinos with big showrooms.

Berkley told Nevada should have gotten anti-terror funds: Afsha Bawany; Officials in charge of Nevada's homeland security and emergency response said Wednesday that Las Vegas should not have been overlooked in special federal funding to prepare it for a terrorist attack.

Civilian, military forces learning to work together: Jace Radke; Saving civilian lives after chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive terrorist attacks, while working under civilian authorities, is a mission that takes some getting used to for military members.

Inmates say officers threw M-80 firecracker into cell: Jen Lawson; A citizen review panel has told Metro Police that the department needs to fully investigate two inmates' allegations that their hearing was damaged when corrections officers exploded a large firecracker in their jail cell.

Pledging Allegiance: Lewis stays true to telethon despite multitude of ailments: Earlier that year Lewis had been diagnosed with the ailment, which causes an excess of fiber in the lungs.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Klitschko brothers going in opposite directions: Dean Juipe; Keeping the Klitschko brothers straight, as in always knowing which is which, is a challenge that many boxing fans have yet to master. There's a tendency to see them as interchangeable.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: LVMS Strip to get two dates again next year: Although the National Hot Rod Association has yet to release its 2004 schedule, the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway again will be the scene of two NHRA national events.

Elizabeth Taylor slot machine leads latest offerings by IGT: By Liz Benston; The star of the classic films Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cleopatra and Butterfield 8 will be making her latest debut in casinos nationwide.

Where I Stand -- Linda Lera-Randle El: Homelessness' front door: Recently USA Today published an article on homelessness that went beyond the usual look at street people and the despair inside homeless shelters. The article examined debt and joblessness in America and revealed that many families are either on the brink of homelessness or have just become homeless.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 3:30 p.m.

Independent school capsules: Coach: Lou Markouzis (1st year)

Report reveals cause of mishap in F-15 engine: An Air Force accident investigation board has found that $1.6 million in damage done to an F-15E engine during a test in June 2001 at Nellis Air Force Base was caused by the incorrect installation of compressor blade locks.

Rhodes testifies he was 'playing the game': Malia Spencer; Former North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes said he was "playing the game" when he sent false receipts to back up an insurance claim, an act that landed him in District Court facing felony insurance fraud charges.

Ruling on value of condemned property upheld by high court: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday ruled that governments, when condemning property, must consider its highest and best use in setting the value.

10 More Mountain West Conference stars to watch this season: Ranked 12th in the NCAA in total offense (277.08 yards per game) in 2002 despite being surrounded by a poor supporting cast. Has thrown for 6,547 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career and has an NFL-caliber arm.

Flood victims say little relief flowing their way: Will Oremus; On Champagne Way -- a street whose residents have received a flurry of visits from volunteers, officials and reporters in the wake of last week's flash floods -- sympathy is plentiful, but monetary relief has been scarce.

GV, Chaparral among favorites to make states: Nick Christensen; When Green Valley cross country coach Jeff Doyle retired from coaching this summer, Gators track and assistant football coach Blaine Thompson had a void to fill.

Poker champion tells story of 'dead money': Michael Luo, Associated Press; Chris Moneymaker had plenty on his mind -- a new mortgage, serious credit card debt and a newborn daughter. But at the moment, he was concentrating on the beefy Costa Rican across the poker table from him.

Letter: District should upgrade role of school principals: I have taught in public schools since 1954, and I taught in a Las Vegas junior high school from 1991 to 2000, so I have some basis for the following opinions:

Taking an ill-suited tour through MAGIC convention: Kirk Baird; I'm standing in the middle of the Men's Apparel Guild in California (MAGIC) trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Recorder's office employees seek shelter under law: Employees of the Clark County Recorder's office providing information about the actions of their embattled boss, Fran Deane, have sought protection under the state's 30-year-old whistle-blower law.

Appeals court upholds leniency in tax case: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has upheld the decision of U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson to grant leniency in sentencing a Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to 32 counts of preparing false income tax returns.

Correction: Christoff's flier cited nine reasons former Councilman Michael McDonald should be defeated. The Sun regrets the error.

DOE lists Yucca dump as one of its priorities: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Opening the Yucca Mountain high-level nuclear waste dump by 2010 remains one of the Energy Department's top goals for the next 25 years, according to a draft of its 2003 Strategic Plan made public earlier this month.

Five teens in attack free on bond: Erica D. Johnson; Five of the nine teenage boys charged with attacking three other teens with rocks in a northwest Las Vegas neighborhood have been released from the Clark County Detention Center and the remaining defendants could be released this morning.

MWC history will live forever in our memories: Mountain West Conference teams have a rich football tradition both as members of the 5-year-old MWC and as affiliates of other conferences.

Columnist Linda Frolich: Missing the playoffs hurts a bunch: Linda Frolich; Well, first of all I would like to say that my heart goes out to all of those who were affected by the flood in Las Vegas a couple of days ago. My prayers go to you, and all the people who are putting out the heart and effort to help their fellow men.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Bad-guy role good for Busch: There are some people -- usually fans of other types of motor racing or guys who drive BMWs and wear tasseled loafers -- who believe there is a fine line between NASCAR and professional wrestling and/or roller derby.

Return to form: Adam Candee; Religion, politics, and last season.

Prep football schedules: CLASS 4A SUNRISE REGION SOUTHEAST DIVISION BASIC

Bambi may hunt for a new home: Sito Negron; Bambi won't be hunted in Las Vegas anymore, says the man at the center of the controversy over the video series that depicted naked women being shot with paintballs.

Rebels coach familiar with Toledo: Steve Guiremand; John Robinson and his staff didn't need to go far to get a pretty detailed scouting report for Friday night's season opener against Toledo.

Mountain West Conference Capsules: Steve Guiremand; BYU

Funding OK'd for airport security system: Jace Radke; The Transportation Security Administration has approved $93.75 million in funding for a new in-line baggage check system at McCarran International Airport that will move the massive explosives detection machines out of ticketing areas and will streamline airport security, officials said.

Anti-terror funds discussed: Afsha Bawany; Officials in charge of Nevada's homeland security and emergency response said Wednesday that Las Vegas should not have been overlooked in special federal funding to prepare it for a terrorist attack.

Nevadan helps keep troops supplied: Dick Benoit; Army Sgt. Anthony Falcone, brother of Frank Falcone of Las Vegas, played a key role in the success of operation Iraqi Freedom as American troops raced across the country early in the war.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A suspect 'victory' in Iraq: Ruthe Deskin; They are all means of getting out of an intolerable situation, and intolerable is certainly what the "victorious" war in Iraq has become.

Brimmer can save the day: Steve Guiremand; Just call it "The Hit."

Teachers' union opposes at-risk plan: By Emily Richmond; The union representing teachers wants to scrap a Clark County School District plan to reduce turnover for at-risk schools by requiring new teachers to stay at least three years.

Editorial: The silent treatment: We've generally supported the Patriot Act, but Ashcroft's appearance here was pathetic. He refused to take questions from local newspaper reporters, instead opting for brief one-on-one interviews with local television reporters that didn't allow for in-depth questions about the controversial law. This stage-managed event, complete with American flags as a backdrop for Ashcroft's speech, was blatant manipulation of the media. Ashcroft is afraid to address legitimate questions many people have about the Patriot Act -- and this fear was clearly evident by his hiding behind a choreographed event. We expected more courage from the nation's top law enforcement official.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Del Mar: 2nd Race -- QUINTON'S GOLD -- Espinoza sits here, draws good post for sprint claimer, good spot for win at beach. SAINT LORENZO -- Krone takes this runner, draws good outside post for sprint distance, lady been riding like possessed damsel. Value Play -- RADIATA

Witnesses sought in school bus accident: Detectives initially said they believed the bus driver, Marvin Mosely, 22, was at fault for failing to yield.

Hand it to De La Hoya: Dean Juipe; Pressed at length about his sore left hand, Oscar De La Hoya said Wednesday that he feels fine and that it will not be a factor in his Sept. 13 fight with Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand.

Editorial: Recall effort against Guinn is dead wrong: Fringe activists Tony Dane and Chris Hansen, who are leaders in the misguided effort to recall Guinn, are angry with the governor over his support for new and higher taxes during the 2003 Legislature. This is hardly reason for a recall election. Guinn was right in agreeing with his Task Force on Tax Policy, which concluded, after a year of study and hearings, that increased taxes were necessary. The task force said the increase was needed to make up for a shortfall in funds to pay for services, primarily education, vital to residents of a state whose population has nearly ...

Holiday closings: SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services will be operating as usual though administrative offices will be closed.

Obituaries for August 28, 2003: Margaret Smith Anderson, 88, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 27, 1915. A resident of 20 years, she was a retired teacher.

Democrats must move past 2000: Maybe if only Broward and Seward counties were recounted (as Democrats wanted), Al Gore might have won. But he didn't. This constant complaining by liberals is what my father called "sour grapes."

School plans space program to honor Columbia astronaut: The school is working to bring the only Space Explorers Program in the Western United States to Southern Nevada, Principal Michael O'Dowd said.

Water restrictions: The budgeted amount for golf courses is 6 1/2 feet of water per acre of irrigated turf. The fines can equal up to eight times the maximum rate for water.

Boulder City boiling over water restrictions: Boulder City has become the newest battleground in the war over water and growth.

Retired Gen. Creech, 'Father of the Thunderbirds,' dies: As a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, Bill Creech knew there had to be a better way to fight an air war than flying low to the ground in broad daylight and risking being shot down by North Vietnamese small-arms fire.

Two more execs plead guilty: The pleas were entered in federal court by Richard Botts, 45, former senior vice president for tax, and Jason Brown, 34, former vice president of finance.

Gaming briefs for August 28, 2003: COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's three research universities will collaborate on a project to produce human tissue and organs with the help of $6 million in state lottery funds.

News briefs for August 28, 2003: North Las Vegas Police are searching for a 16-year-old boy in connection with the shooting of his father this morning.

Survey ranks UNLV tuition fourth lowest: Jennifer Knight; Out of 68 universities surveyed, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, had the fourth lowest tuition rates, according to USA Today on Wednesday.

Gas price hike won't slow holiday travelers: The recent spike in local gasoline prices isn't expected to deter the highest number of Americans since 1995 from traveling over the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend, travel officials said Wednesday.

Second quarter growth stronger than thought: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy emerged from the doldrums in the second quarter of this year and grew at a solid 3.1 percent annual rate, a better performance than the government thought just a month ago.