Print edition for December 1, 2003

Putting a lock on child safety: Gun locks have become more common over the last three years, with most manufacturers providing some kind of locking mechanism with new firearms, said Leon Novak, owner of Center Mass Firearms in Henderson.

News briefs for Dec. 1, 2003: A Las Vegas man apparently was ambushed outside his apartment early today by gunmen who fired about a half dozen shots and killed him, Metro Police said.

Death penalty clarification due: Anne Gearan; WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court said today it will clarify the impact of its ruling last year that juries, not a judge, must decide if a convicted killer lives or dies.

Gaming briefs for Dec. 1, 2003: WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., owner of the Sheraton and Westin chains and a player in the Las Vegas tourism industry, today said it hired Vasant Prabhu away from Safeway Inc. to fill the job of chief financial officer being vacated in a management reorganization.

Officials: Fountains send bad message: Water officials are alarmed because Clark County and Las Vegas appear to be balking at the imposition of conservation rules that are part of the regional effort to trim water use.

Family, friends remember LV football player: An emotional daylong viewing for football player Edward Gomez took place Sunday, a day after his former Las Vegas High School teammates posted a 41-7 state semifinal victory over Palo Verde.

Power utility to join Utah supplier: Boulder City's municipal power utility is joining forces with a large Utah energy supplier to develop a power generating station that could secure low-cost electricity for residents for years to come, city officials said.

Just in time: Second homeless clinic opens as flu season, cold weather arrive: By Timothy Pratt; Just as the flu season is picking up speed in area homes and workplaces, the region's second free clinic for the homeless opened today.

Firing of higher education chief not unique: Jennifer Knight; Few college presidents in the history of Nevada have had the unfortunate distinction of being removed from their jobs.

Security guard pays price for heroic act: In his dreams, former security guard Steven Glenn sees a 14-inch butcher knife coming at him.

Fire destroys vacant restaurant: Earl Shaver, 37, "told people there that he set the fire to stay warm," Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said.

AEDs will provide schools an edge in safety: By Emily Richmond; Source: National Center for Early Defibrillation, Nevada Chapter of the American Heart Association.

Man shot, killed outside apartment: Jen Lawson; A Las Vegas man was ambushed outside of his apartment early today by gunmen who fired about a half-dozen shots and killed him, Metro Police said.

Editorial: Please, no voting fiasco: In an urgent letter to Heller, Carson City Clerk Alan Glover wrote that because people must be trained and the software and hardware all delivered and tested, "time is paramount." Glover, president of the state association of clerks and elected officials, told Heller, "We cannot stress to you, in strong enough terms, the importance of communicating and working with the local election officials."

Editorial: New crime warrants its priority: This is why were pleased to learn that the U.S. Attorney's office for Nevada is participating in "Operation Cyber Sweep," a program coordinated by the U.S. Justice Department. Last week, as the result of this program, charges were brought against three people, including one from Las Vegas, one from Henderson and another from Illinois. They were charged with various counts of identity theft, including the use of Social Security numbers belonging to other people and buying and selling merchandise using other people's financial information.

Bush may lift steel tariffs: The announcement could come as soon as Monday, the officials said, when Bush is in Michigan to attend an economic event and raise money for the 2004 campaign. But he may wait until after a Tuesday trip to Pittsburgh, where the decision to accede to the trade organization ruling, even if accompanied by a threat by Bush to reimpose tariffs if there is a surge of low-cost foreign steel, will be deeply unpopular among U.S. steel manufacturers.

Birth announcements for Dec. 1, 2003: Nov. 16:

Women honored for bus shelter: The morning ceremony was scheduled to take place at the Mojave Counseling Center, 400 E. Charleston Blvd., a part of the University of Nevada School of Medicine. The center assists 2,500 mentally ill people with comprehensive treatment plans, daily living, financial planning, job training and access to health care.

Letter: Separation of powers is crucial: The separation of powers doctrine is not about the heroic efforts of classroom teachers to provide an education to our children in spite of all the garbage being dumped on them by Washington, Carson City and the Ed Shack. It's not about police officers, firefighters, professors or the vast majority of government employees who do their jobs every day and just want to build a life for themselves and their families.

Beavers would bring local flavor to LV: Just call them Eager Beavers.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Dec. 1, 2003: Lisa Ferguson; Like moths to a flame, millions of people were drawn to malls this weekend searching for "perfect" gifts to present this holiday season to their nearest and dearest as well as their distants and obligateds.

Hospitals see first signs of flu season: Erica D. Johnson; Many Las Vegans won't be enjoying the holidays this season because they'll be sick in bed with the flu.

LV proposes percentage of projects earmarked for art: Sito Negron; Las Vegas is considering a "percent for art" program that would dedicate 1 percent of some construction project expenses to public art.

Rebels do enough to slow Bramlet: UNLV didn't stop Casey Bramlet, Wyoming's prolific senior quarterback, from having a big game in his final one as a Cowboy. But the Rebels did keep him out of the end zone during the second half, which was good enough on an unseasonably warm day in Laramie.

Sports briefs for December 1, 2003: The Supreme Court today rejected an appeal from a student-run newspaper that wanted autopsy photos of racecar driver Dale Earnhardt.

Orchard owner Gilcrease dies at 87: Well into his 80s, Las Vegas farmer Ted Gilcrease felt he had a purpose in life -- to continue running his pick-and-pay farm in northwest Las Vegas.

Rebels ponder what could have been: Steve Guiremand; LARAMIE, Wyo. --- As they left chilly War Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon following a 35-24 come-from-behind victory against Wyoming, several UNLV players celebrated by throwing snowballs at each other.

Court rejects Indian gaming case: Andrew Kramer; PORTLAND, Ore. -- The state Supreme Court threw out a suit to block a new Indian casino on the Oregon coast last week, deflating the hopes of anti-casino activists who thought they had discovered a legal flaw in Oregon's tribal gaming rules.

Rebels ready for the road after some home-schooling: UNLV's basketball players heard the applause their sticky defense drew Saturday night, tried to muffle ensuing gasps and then they listened to themselves when it mattered most.

A Wide 'Net: For the person who has everything, dive into eBay: Kirk Baird; That's especially true during the Christmas holiday season.

Consumer advocate to head national panel: Hay was chosen at a meeting in Columbus Ohio to succeed Rob Tongren of the Office of Ohio Consumer Counsel. The organization, which met the weekend of Nov. 15, has membership in 45 states.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Bailey, Krone top Thanksgiving weekend racing: Ralph Siraco; Leftovers Monday sees turkey soup as we unbuckle another notch on the belt of a great Thanksgiving feast of racing. A record-breaking horn of plenty kept serving great racing from great performances as the four-day holiday rolled along.

Applications available for fire academy: Locals are invited to pick up applications at Fire & Rescue Headquarters, 500 N. Casino Center Blvd. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 9, 2004.

Construction spending hits high: The Commerce Department reported today that the total value of building projects under way came in at a seasonally adjusted $922 billion in October, representing a 0.9 percent increase from the previous month.

Columnist Dean Juipe: CCSD abuses undercut kids, sports: Dean Juipe; Walking out of the supermarket Saturday, my wife couldn't resist putting her pocket change in the bucket manned by a bell-ringing, costumed waif.

Holiday drinkers are urged to Make the Call for a ride: Heather Rawlyk; For a ride, call Designated Drivers Inc. 24/7 at 456-RIDE (7433)

Letter: Profit margins determine auto insurance rates: I was also surprised to learn that good or bad credit, or age, had to do with premium cost. They told me that if you live in certain areas of Las Vegas that that could make a difference in your cost. They all agreed that your driving record was the main criteria for premium changes, including how far you drive to and from work and how many miles a year you put on your car. Some companies charge you more if you drive more than 7,000 miles a year and others give you up to 12,000 miles before a surcharge ...

Letter: Gridiron irony on the way?: MICHAEL C. MILLS

Guinn elected governors' group vice chairman: Guinn succeeds Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, who was elected chairman at the meeting the weekend of Nov. 22.

Public to get help obtaining prescriptions: CARSON CITY -- A new program to help low-income families and senior citizens obtain prescription drugs either free or at a reduced cost was to be unveiled today in Las Vegas.

Obituaries for Dec. 1, 2003: Richard Lee Bilbro, 57, of Las Vegas died Nov. 23 in a local hospital. He was born Oct. 4, 1946, in Old Hickory, Tenn. A resident for eight years, he was a retired Air Force chief master sergeant and a Vietnam War and Desert Storm veteran.