Print edition for December 11, 2003

Family Support Division changing in wake of review: By Timothy Pratt; The Clark County office responsible for collecting child support will be making a series of changes to improve a series of flaws highlighted by an outside review earlier this year, officials said Wednesday.

Fewer tobacco products are being sold to teens: Jean Reid Norman and Mary Manning; Nevada is one of seven states that have significantly reduced cigarettes and other tobacco products sold to teenagers, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said Wednesday.

Drug, gang sweep nets 12 in LV area, L.A.: Jen Lawson; Twelve people were arrested by federal authorities Wednesday as part of a major drug and gang sweep in the Las Vegas area and Los Angeles.

Alleged victim's testimony describes attack: Erica D. Johnson; A 21-year-old man on Wednesday told jurors that alleged 311 Boyz gang member Steven Gazlay pummeled him with a crowbar in an unprovoked attack last summer.

LV cable operator sees growth: Growth in basic video customers in 2004 will be just under 1 percent, the Atlanta-based company said in a statement timed to coincide with a presentation given by executives at a UBS AG conference in New York.

Report pointed to favoritism in LV department: Sito Negron; Las Vegas city managers received a consultant's review of the now embattled Neighborhood Services Department in March, and it included a finding that could have served as a warning of things to come.

Officer suspected of drunken driving resigns: Ryan McCulloch, 25, was scheduled to appear before Metro's pre-termination board Wednesday, but Undersheriff Doug Gillespie said he resigned earlier this week.

Judge clears way for regents to privately discuss firings: Jennifer Knight; A District Court hearing that threatened to stop today's Board of Regents' discussion about the removal of two high-ranking CCSN officials failed Wednesday.

Boulder Dam Hotel about to turn 70: Dan Kulin; After surviving about 25 owners, numerous bankruptcies, and a long, slow decline from a first-rate hotel popular with celebrities and royalty to the brink of demolition and back to respectability, the Boulder Dam Hotel turns 70 next week.

FluMist vaccine now in good standing: A month ago the Clark County Health District discouraged people from using FluMist, a new aerosol vaccine for the flu, and told the public to instead rely on the injected form of influenza vaccine.

City Hall welcomes addition: Dan Kulin; After the new $41.8 million addition to Henderson City Hall opens Monday, city officials expect a one-stop shop for building and zoning permits will become a popular feature. But some residents say they are most looking forward to the return of a drive-through window to pay utility bills on Jan. 5.

City of Las Vegas raises limits for affordable housing help: Jennifer Shubinski; The city of Las Vegas is making it easier for low-income people to buy homes.

Some good, bad news for Nevada children: Cy Ryan and Emily Richmond; CARSON CITY -- Children in Clark County have the highest rate of tooth decay in the state, a survey released earlier this week showed.

Editorial: Patients' needs must come first: While improvements in reporting are essential to improve patient care, even this reporting has its limits. As the Sun's Emily Richmond noted in a story Tuesday, federal confidentiality laws prohibit either a hospital or state government from disclosing publicly whether a physician has had his privileges revoked. That also means the public doesn't have a way of knowing just how many times a physician has had his privileges removed. Health care organizations, such as hospitals, managed care organizations and state medical licensing boards, can access a national registry -- the National Practitioner Data Bank -- to see what physicians are ...

Last in ring of artifact thieves to be sentenced: Jace Radke; Federal investigators are nearing the end of a case that has stretched over two years and led to a ring of relic hunters who were stealing pieces of the past.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Bribery no way to lead: Sounds perfectly fair to me. In fact, that system has worked very well since it was first implemented, probably around the time of the caveman when he learned that whatever the fellow he bopped on the head had at the time of his demise now belonged to the successful bopper.

LV hospital expansion under way: Michelle Swafford; Sunrise Children's Hospital on Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas broke ground Wednesday on a $75 million renovation and expansion project that will provide much-needed pediatric beds and services.

Fight schedule: At Los Angeles, Goyo Vargas, Mexico, vs. Mike Anchondo, LaPuente, Calif., 10, lightweights.

Fatal accident was second for tractor-trailer driver: Mary Manning and Christina Littlefield; A truck driver whose truck hit and killed a 10-year-old North Las Vegas on Monday afternoon was involved in a 2002 accident that killed a Las Vegas teen.

Editorial: Heller right on target: States are looking at buying more voting machines or updating the ones they already have. In response to the voting debacle in Florida during the 2000 presidential election, Congress has provided money to the states to purchase machines that are technologically advanced. That means no more punch cards and hanging chads. In Nevada, there are seven counties that no longer will use the punch card system.

Letter: Iraqi oil should be used first to help Iraqi people: The first, "Iraqi output, exports surge" (Associated Press), extolled the record rise in Iraqi oil production to more than 2.1 million barrels per day. The second was a Reuters piece entitled "No relief in sight for fuel-starved Iraqis," which recounted the day-long lines suffered by increasingly restive locals, who are reduced to scrounging amid a burgeoning and chaotic black market for fuel.

News briefs for Dec. 11, 2003: An 18-year-old motorcyclist was killed Wednesday morning when he crossed the median and drove into oncoming traffic on Summerlin Parkway just west of Rampart Boulevard.

Father might face charges in death of child in car crash: A 3-year-old Las Vegas boy injured in a traffic crash Monday night has died, and authorities may now try to hold his father responsible because the boy was not wearing a seat belt and was not in a child safety seat at the time of the accident, Metro Police said Wednesday.

Rubber giant reveals more accounting problems: There has been no determination whether the accounting for its business in Europe will have a material impact on its financial report, Goodyear said in a statement.

Grant funds not vital to growth of Metro force: Christina Littlefield and Dan Kulin; The federal grant program that helped police departments across the country add more than 100,000 officers since the early 1990s is being rolled back by some cash-strapped local governments who are now trimming their police force.

Audit recommends revival of medical screening panel: CARSON CITY -- The medical-dental screening panel, which was abolished in the overhaul of Nevada's medical malpractice laws, should be revived, an audit by a national organization says.

Millionaire program clients testify against hypnotist: A hypnotist and self-help guru's main defense against charges that he robbed disgruntled clients of refunds is that they didn't do all of their homework -- thus negating the money-back guarantee to double their money in 90 days.

Beyonce, R. Kelly pass 'boards: Spencer Patterson; An arena brimming with Beyonce fans stood poised, itching to dance, as the breakout pop star took the stage at Wednesday's "Billboard Music Awards."

Letter: Improper way to criticize Bush: This is deplorable! The cartoonist, as well as the newspaper, have chosen an inappropriate and vitriolic method of attack against the president. The brave soldiers and sailors who are defending our freedom from terrorists deserve better.

Team ropers establish standard in Round 6: It moved Barnes and Bach both into second place in the world heeling and heading standings.

Key dates in Nevada's 2004 election process: AP; -Feb. 7-12: Various GOP Lincoln Day events around state.

Correction: Correction

Water Wonderland: Lake Las Vegas home to dazzling boat parade: Christmas trees twinkled from atop the 140-passenger yacht. Glowing snowflakes decked its sides.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Low-key Morel suffers first loss: Dean Juipe; One of boxing's longest running champions and admired fighters was beaten last week in a fight that was, for him, typically under the radar.

Obituaries for Dec. 11, 2003: William C. Blazek, 82, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Boulder City. He was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Wisconsin. A resident for 56 years, he was a retired automobile mechanic and a World War II Army veteran.

State fights fire with fire: A plume of smoke rising above the eastern edge of the Las Vegas Valley on Tuesday came from a controlled burn in the Las Vegas Wash, one of a number of prescribed fires in Southern Nevada's wildlands.

Large racino back on track: By Liz Benston; Las Vegas gambling giant MGM MIRAGE said today it would resume construction of a slot machine casino at the big Aqueduct Race Track in Queens, N.Y., following the resolution of a three-year federal investigation into criminal activity by race track clerks in New York.

Columnist Linda Frohlich: Time to speak English, get back to Las Vegas: Linda Frohlich; WHAT: Linda Frohlich Basketball Camp.

King's Atlantic City card chock full of excitement: Dean Juipe; Promoter Don King frequently overloads his cards with numerous, insignificant fights. But Saturday in Atlantic City, a typically mammoth King card has an atypical quality to it as he presents no fewer than eight 12-round fights.

Letter: Tax burden is spread over year: Say your federal taxes are $6,000 per year. The way our tax system works now, $115.38 is taken from your paycheck each week.

Matchup at point will have Rebels on guard: Steve Guiremand; Jerel Blassingame so far has more than lived up to the hype that surrounded his arrival at UNLV after helping lead Los Angeles City College to the California state junior college championship last year.

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

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Top Fuel driver Herbert hires new manager: Doug Herbert, who finished ninth in the NHRA Top Fuel standings this season, has hired veteran drag racer Ed "Ace" McCulloch as his team manager and tuner.

Driver of truck that killed boy was involved in another fatal crash: The 57-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer that ran over and killed a 10-year-old North Las Vegas boy Monday afternoon was also involved in an accident in 2002 that killed a Las Vegas teenager.

Magical Forest joined by several holiday displays: Offering everything warm and fuzzy about Christmas, the Magical Forest has become a holiday anchor, a community tradition embraced by repeat visitors and those who have helped build the magic over the years.

Guinn names 10 to Amber Alert panel: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named 10 law enforcement officials to the statewide Amber Alert Committee that will oversee the efforts to recover abducted children.

Academy popularity grows: Dick Benoit; The number of applicants to the Air Force Academy is 301 students more so far this year than all of last year, the academy's admissions department officials said.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- QUANAH COUNTY -- Draws good outside post in small five-filly sprint, Solis scales Sahadi trainee, Quanah wins in LA county? YOUARESWEET -- Draws just inside top pick for allowance/claiming opener, Olivares returns on co-owner Currin trainee, Sweet repeat? Value Play -- CAN'T BE DENIED

Columnist Ron Kantowski: 51s have issues heading into winter meetings: Don Logan, president of the Las Vegas 51s, is leaving today for baseball's winter meetings in New Orleans that he says are the most significant in the history of Las Vegas' triple-A professional baseball franchise.

Vegas lands direct Philly flights by Southwest: Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop round trips between Las Vegas and Philadelphia when it begins serving its newest market in May, the airline announced today.

Community briefs for Dec. 11, 2003: Lily of the Valley Ministries is holding a revival meetings every night through Friday at 6 p.m. at 100 S. Maryland Pkwy., between Fremont Street and Carson Avenue.

Sports briefs for December 11, 2003: Oklahoma quarterback Jason White capped his return from two serious knee injuries by being honored as The Associated Press College Player of the Year.

Teaching with a passion: Nick Christensen; For more than 15 years, Bishop Gorman soccer has been Victor Arbelaez.

Oklahoma tribes pushing for Pennsylvania bingo: Marc Levy; HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Two Oklahoma-based Indian tribes that want to run a gambling operation in Pennsylvania are looking into opening parlors with card games and electronic bingo machines that are similar to the slot machines that some state lawmakers are trying to legalize.

Hearing in Nevada to focus on Nellis, nukes: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A congressional hearing in Nevada next month will consider the effect that nuclear waste shipments to the potential Yucca Mountain storage site could have on Nellis Air Force Base.