Print edition for December 4, 2003

Victim's mother decries secrecy: Erica D. Johnson; The mother of one of the teen boys abused by a Catholic priest says the public deserves to know where the priest will serve out his three years' probation.

A time to give: Heather Rawlyk; Ron Hein, executive director for the local blood supplier, said Wednesday the valley "will likely face a full blown emergency shortage by Christmas if blood donations don't increase soon -- very soon."

Father of boy thrown from vehicle to face charges: Detective Dennis Magill said Andrew Olsen, 29, of Las Vegas will be cited for not having his son in a car seat when his sport utility vehicle collided with a pickup truck at Nellis Boulevard and Gowan Road.

Regulators lecture Park Place on AC woes: CARSON CITY -- The state Gaming Control Board is concerned about the number of infractions for underage gambling and drinking at casinos in Atlantic City owned by Park Place Entertainment Corp. of Las Vegas. Board member Scott Scherer told executives of Park Place on Wednesday there have been a "large number" of violations for minors gambling.

U.S. stocks rise again: Adam Geller; NEW YORK -- Stocks moved higher today as investors looked past a new report on jobless claims and mixed November retail figures.

Lawmaker to take on embattled Kincaid- Chauncey: CARSON CITY -- Seven-term Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, says she will not run for re-election and instead will seek a seat on the Clark County Commission.

Victim's mother decries secrecy in case of priest: Erica D. Johnson; The mother of one of the teen boys abused by a Catholic priest says the public deserves to know where the priest will serve out his three years' probation.

Sweet revenge: Steve Guiremand; LOS ANGELES --- Nobody had bigger shoes to fill on this year's UNLV basketball team than the smallest player on the roster, junior Jerel Blassingame.

NFR: Miss Rodeo competition a highlight to the busy week: Taking part in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary and making friends all over the country are two of many highlights of Lori Bortner's reign as 2003 Miss Rodeo America.

Hells Angels indicted in casino shooting: Jace Radke; Forty-two members of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang were charged in a federal indictment unsealed this morning in Las Vegas in connection with an April 2002 gunbattle that killed three people at a Laughlin casino.

Ousted CCSN chief files lawsuit: Jennifer Knight; A lawsuit seeking to stop the Board of Regents from discussing ousted Community College of Southern Nevada President Ron Remington at its next board meeting was filed in District Court Wednesday.

LV City Council votes to let fountains flow: Sito Negron; Fountain owners can keep their features running if they save water elsewhere, the Las Vegas City Council unanimously decided Wednesday.

Mandalay posts record profit in third quarter: By Liz Benston; Profit at Mandalay Resort Group rose 22 percent in the company's fiscal third quarter as hotel room rates soared to records and the company reported a return to healthy growth patterns seen before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks two years ago.

NFR: National Finals Rodeo event standings: Bareback: Will Lowe ($137,379)

Some disabled students to be held to different standards: WASHINGTON -- Education Department officials have decided children with the most severe learning problems can be held to a different academic standard than their peers -- a move that will ease pressure on schools struggling to make yearly progress.

Gaming briefs for Dec. 4, 2003: Boyd Gaming Corp. has introduced a player loyalty card for slot and casino pit play that can be used at the company's three downtown Las Vegas casinos -- Main Street Station, California and Fremont.

Commissioners delay vote on Station tower: More than three hours of sometimes acrimonious testimony and cross talk Wednesday failed to produce a decision from the Clark County Commission on a proposed 300-foot tower and 1,500-room resort in Summerlin.

Business briefs for Dec. 4, 2003: DUBLIN, Ohio -- Wendy's International Inc., the third-largest U.S. hamburger restaurant company, said more than 3,000 Wendy's outlets have started to take credit cards to try to boost U.S. sales.

Sports briefs for December 4, 2003: John Candler resigned as North Carolina State's diving coach after an investigation turned up his 1966 conviction on a sex charge involving a 12-year-old girl.

Red Sox set to hire Francona: Four of the first dozen men to manage the Boston Red Sox led the team to a World Series title. In more than eight decades since, twice as many and then some have tried and failed.

NFR: PRCA sets 2004 season: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- An expanded schedule and format are the new features of the PRCA ProRodeo Tour when it starts its fifth season in 2004. The PRCA ProRodeo Tour will retain its winter and summer series, with each culminating in a championship event, but the number of events in each series has been expanded to 12 from 10. A new twist is that each contestant can select up to 10 events in each series as his/her official Tour entries.

Big Marriott hotel set for site near Convention Center: Jackson-Shaw Company, which has a Las Vegas office that employs 120 people, announced Wednesday that it would build a 15-story, 548-room Marriott Renaissance hotel on Paradise Road, just south of Desert Inn Road.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: SCORE Terrible 250 race to keep July date: Despite being plagued by scorching heat each of the past two years, it appears as if the third annual SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 off-road race will retain its mid-July date in 2004.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: In fund-raising effort, Trejo goes to perch: Trejo, the popular KLUC 98.5-FM "Morning Zoo" jock, is spending the next 11 days living atop a 30-foot scaffold in a West Sahara Avenue parking lot to help raise at least $98,500 for the station's holiday fund-raising effort and toy drive.

Trooper investigating accident becomes an accident victim: Heather Rawlyk; A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper was struck by a car while investigating a crash on U.S. 95 near Flamingo Road Wednesday night.

Williams may challenge firing from city job: Sito Negron; A day after he was fired from his job at Las Vegas City Hall, Assemblyman Wendell Williams appeared to be leaning toward challenging the termination, while his former Neighborhood Services Department boss, Sharon Segerblom, said Wednesday she may accept a transfer to a different department.

NFR: Stock List: Andrews Rodeo, Inc.

Fight schedule: At Boston, Marcus Rhode, Oklahoma City, vs. Kevin McBride, Boston, 10, heavyweights.

Culinary, MGM Grand reach agreement: By Liz Benston; The Culinary Union has struck its latest labor contract with Las Vegas' largest resort.

Southpaw's springboard: Dean Juipe; The man he is scheduled to fight is the subject of a lengthy profile in the current edition of a national magazine, is regarded as a rising star with unlimited moneymaking potential and already has a March date with Shane Mosley.

For Metro task force, 'tis season to thwart thieves: Jen Lawson; Eighteen-year-old Joshua Soto and 20-year-old John Quijano had a plan.

Ohio slots proposal fails: John McCarthy; COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A slots-for-scholarships proposal, given up for dead by House Speaker Larry Householder, was revived briefly on Wednesday before backers gave up getting it before voters in March.

Texans buy up Mega Millions tickets: April Castro; AUSTIN, Texas -- Texans lined up early Wednesday for their first chance at the Mega Millions multistate lottery game and a shot at the $44 million jackpot.

Wildcats' role players excel: Adam Candee; Every football team needs Tyrone Brandon and Steve Holmes.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Lots of all-stars and a pair of Boll Weevils: The East roster for the Jan. 17 Las Vegas All-American Classic at Sam Boyd Stadium features not one, but two players from Arkansas-Monticello. You know, the Boll Weevils.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Klitschko ready to put fixed-up face to the test: Dean Juipe; The stakes are considerable as Vitali Klitschko and Kirk Johnson fight Saturday in New York.

Rebels' Brimmer snubbed for top defensive honors: Steve Guiremand; UNLV junior safety Jamaal Brimmer led the Mountain West Conference with six interceptions and tied for first with four forced fumbles. He was the national player of the week following his performance in the Rebels' 23-5 upset of Wisconsin. And he was one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award that goes to the top defensive back in college football.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- EXPLOITIVE -- Draws good rail post for route opener, Baze aboard Cardenas trainee, Exploitive diploma for first-year filly? LOST BRIDE -- P. Val aboard Mitchell trainee, draws alongside top pick for two-turn maiden/claimer, Lost Bride finds graduation in Inglewood? Value Play -- YYYYES

Toxic algae found in small amounts in Lake Mead: Southern Nevada water officials have formed a task force to track a blue-green algae in Lake Mead because the algae can be toxic in high concentrations.

NHP, public to have more contact: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Highway Patrol troopers will be making more stops of errant motorists both to increase safety and to evaluate the performance of each officer.

Vegas remains red-hot at home: Nick Christensen; There's always been a dilemma for Chris Kenady.

C-M picked to repeat: Nick Christensen; The ancient Spartans were known throughout Greece for their athletic prowess, especially in wrestling. The modern Spartans have the same reputation, at least in Las Vegas.

Nevada probe leads to Hells Angels raids: Jace Radke; Federal indictments are expected to be unsealed today in Las Vegas in connection with a two-year undercover investigation of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang involving charges of trafficking guns and drugs.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Videotape plays key role for DA in Palms shooting: Erica D. Johnson; A Clark County prosecutor says an amateur videotape produced by a tourist could help secure the conviction of a Texas man on a first-degree murder charge.

News briefs for Dec. 4, 2003: A California man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Cape Girardeau, Mo., to charges from an investigation that turned up 4 million pseudoephedrine pills, an ingredient used in making methamphetamine.

New digital imaging tools will help doctors' diagnoses at UMC: The hospital's cardiac lab will become fully digital thanks to the efforts of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who was a key part in the hospital securing federal funds to implement its Picture Archiving and Communication System in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Reserve, Guard now receive unlimited commissary benefits: Dick Benoit; The Defense Department has announced that with the president's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2004, Reserve and National Guard members and their dependents now have unlimited access to commissary stores at military bases.

It's Christmas Rhyme: Tense tales add color to holiday rush: "Talk about crazy," said Vic Fenimore, spokesman for the Southern Nevada U.S. Postal Service.

NFR: Whitfield still man to beat: In 2003, the PC Police forced the name change of calf roping to tie-down roping. What didn't change was the legendary figure who continued to dominate the event.

Community briefs for Dec. 4, 2003: A free workshop, "9 Ways to Beat the High Cost of College," will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday and from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle.

Obituaries for Dec. 4, 2003: Edward W. Calhoun Jr., 73, of Las Vegas died Nov. 27, in Las Vegas. He was born May 27, 1930, in Monroe, La. A resident for nine years, he was an employment analyst for the state of California and an Air Force veteran.

NFR: Headers, heelers combine efforts: Heeling

NFR: James helped put the event on map: Barrel racing pits a woman and a horse against three barrels and a stopwatch.

NFR: Classic combination of strength and grace: Saddle bronc riding is considered to be a classic event that combines elements from bareback and bull riding, requiring strength, grace and timing.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A gift-wrap of saturation journalism: Ruthe Deskin; I call it saturation journalism.

NFR: It takes 2.4 seconds to settle this score: Bulldoggers compete in the game's quickest event, since its world record is 2.4 seconds.

NFR: For 8 seconds, fans get big thrill: Eight seconds on a beast that weighs a ton attests to either the foolish, or fearless, chromosome that makes a cowboy tick.

NFR: Lowe ready to take center stage: Bareback riders hang onto their broncs with a tight clench of a leather rigging, some nifty rear-end leverage and vise-like legs that must loosen on demand.

NFR: 2003 National Finals Rodeo Schedule of Events: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Cowboy Christmas trade show opens at Las Vegas Convention Center. Runs daily through Dec. 13 (free admission).

Speakers bureau planned to keep focus on education: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School Board members are forming a speakers bureau to step up their public appearances, part of a campaign to keep education issues on the front burner between sessions of the Legislature.

Recent editorials from New Jersey newspapers: AP; Stafford has added its name to the list of municipalities urging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to shut down the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey.

Letter: Bush's Iraq visit sadly contrived: First of all, Bush's appearance in Baghdad was, as Mr. O'Callaghan admits, yet another grand photo opportunity for a president who artfully avoided Vietnam while 58,000 other Americans, not so privileged, died. The president's Thanksgiving photo op was similar to his landing on an aircraft carrier in full flight regalia.

Nuke waste security to be studied: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Security risks associated with nuclear waste storage pools and containers at nuclear power plants will be part of a new $1 million study by the National Academy of Sciences, officials said Wednesday.

Legislative Commission OKs regulations for new taxes: CARSON CITY -- After months of hearings and rewrites, the regulations imposing the centerpieces of Nevada's $833 million tax increase plan were approved by the Legislative Commission Wednesday.

Slow growth expected course for the future: Dan Kulin; While Clark County's population skyrocketed during the past 11 years, Boulder City has grown at a relative snail's pace, and, with a proposed new plan for growth and development headed to the City Council next week, it appears city leaders and residents want to keep the pace and policies that guided the city through the 1990s.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A vote for sanity: Why? Because he understands the absurdity and undeniable danger inherent in shipping high-level nuclear waste across this entire country, through cities large and small, over bridges, on barges and on rail cars that pass thousands of schools full of little kids, just to bury it a few miles from Las Vegas.

Letter: Homeless services must be more accessible: The reporter kept stressing that shelter beds were available. Both of the recent fires attributed to homeless people, however, were set miles away from any of the shelters. Shelter services are not centrally located and they are not always known to all of the homeless people.

Editorial: Traffic changes can't happen fast enough: The Transportation Department is considering four major improvements to the area. One of these would connect Martin Luther King Boulevard with Industrial Road, a fix that could offer motorists a north-south alternative to I-15. Another plan would improve the entrances and exits on I-15 between Sahara and the Spaghetti Bowl. A new bridge on I-15 at Charleston Boulevard is under consideration since the current one isn't wide enough to handle all the traffic. In addition, and very importantly, engineers could try to improve the access to the city's 61-acre downtown redevelopment project, which is crucial to the city's revitalization.

Editorial: Students are not at fault in this snafu: At least that's the way it's supposed to work. Many community college students are now finding that courses they spent time completing might not be accepted at UNLV after all. This means that if they transfer after two years, they will not have enough credits to be full juniors. Their bachelor's degree may take them an extra semester or two to earn.