Print edition for December 22, 2003

Shustek plans to make Vestin private firm: Kevin Rademacher; Vestin Group Inc. Chief Executive Michael Shustek wants to take his company private.

Passenger traffic up 9.4 percent in November: McCarran said 3 million passengers used the airport in November, up from 2.7 million a year earlier. That brings the 11-month total to 33.3 million passengers, a 3.2 percent increase from the first 11 months in 2002.

Harsh prison duty in Iraq stays with Nevadans: Jace Radke; Serious injuries at Abu Ghraib prison during the 72nd Military Police Company's deployment.

Hospital union workers vote to keep Service Employees: Michelle Swafford; An attempt by an employee to remove the Service Employees International Union Local 1107 as a bargaining agent at Desert Springs Hospital was rejected as most of the union-covered workers voted to keep the union, officials announced Friday.

Local VA forced to hire specialists for patients: Two years ago, Dr. Susan Bannick-Mohrland left her Las Vegas private practice as a geriatrics specialist to take a similar post with the local Veterans Administration.

Wolfgang Puck meals to be sold: The $10 meals will be served on most domestic flights of at least 700 miles and on some Caribbean journeys. The meals feature items such as caramelized pecans, dried apples, coffee-fudge brownies and bottled spring water, US Airways said.

News briefs for Dec. 22, 2003: Las Vegas firefighters rescued an invalid woman from a burning home in northwest Las Vegas Saturday night, a fire department spokesman said.

Goldie Moran, wife of former sheriff, dies: Goldie Moran lived most of her adult life by the saying, "Behind every great man there is a great woman."

15 Nevada Guardsmen called to duty: Detachment 1 of the 126th Medical Co. will augment soldiers with the 1256 Medical Co., based in St. Paul, Minn.

Nation on 'high' terrorist alert: WASHINGTON -- The head of the Homeland Security Department today urged people to "just go about your business" despite the decision to raise the nation's terror-attack warning to its second-highest level.

Obituaries for Dec. 22, 2003: Eugene Harold Anderson, 69, of Henderson died Saturday in Henderson. A lather, he was born Dec. 7, 1934.

More cabs authorized to deal with New Year's, conventions: Additional taxicabs will be allowed on Southern Nevada roads for about half of January to accommodate the big crowds expected to be in town, the Nevada Taxicab Authority decided.

Flu hitsClark County early: The Las Vegas area has been hit harder and earlier by flu and flu-like cases this year, according to the Clark County Health District.

Authorities investigating LV dentist: Dan Kulin; State authorities are investigating a Las Vegas dentist who told the California Highway Patrol that he used cocaine to anesthetize his patients.

Southwest Gas plan calls for stopping credit refunds: Kevin Rademacher; A proposal by Southwest Gas Corp. of Las Vegas to end credit payments to customers is drawing mixed reactions from industry analysts.

Hypnotist may face new trial for fraud: Erica D. Johnson; The Nevada attorney general's office is deciding whether to retry hypnotist Marshall Sylver on fraud charges after a district judge declared a mistrial in his case on Friday.

American Pacific reports lower profit: American Pacific Corp. last week reported net income of $3.9 million, or 53 cents a share, on revenue of $20.4 million for the company's fourth quarter ended Sept. 30. That compares with net income of $4 million, or 55 cents a share, on revenue of $21.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2002.

Wrong number, right person 'a blessing' for Vegas family: Sito Negron; Elizabeth Meltzer got a wrong number when she called seeking donations for the family of a former student. It turned out to be the right place to call, though.

Editorial: Issue that could vex Solomon: Those who want to open up the records make a compelling case. The adoptees say that they have a right to this information about them, to discover more about their past and who their birth parents were. This discovery also can help when it comes to their own health. For instance, many medical conditions often can be passed on genetically from parents to their children. If a child, or the adopted parent, isn't aware of the birth parents' medical histories, then the adoptee may not receive the right treatment for an ailment or disease they may develop later on in ...

Students can earn college credits: The THINK Summer Institute has never been offered in Nevada until now and is the most rigorous summer program offered to students in the state, organizers said.

Surcharge increased because of rising fuel costs: "Fuel prices are just stuck at these very, very high levels," said David Swierenga, an industry economist at AeroEco in Vienna, Virginia. "It's been the one fly in the ointment for airline recovery."

Columnist Susan Snyder: Road rage surfaces in Jarbidge: And while the destiny of the 1.5-mile South Canyon Road remains in limbo, so does the future of a historical display commemorating the Jarbidge Shovel Brigade.

Toys will be given away: Members donate new toys in addition to financial contributions from several local companies. Call 456-4480.

NLV Police probe man's death: Police and medics went to the 2000 block of Hassell Avenue about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday after residents reported a naked man running around the neighborhood, Officer Justin Roberts said. Darryll Hicks appeared to play hide and seek with officers, darting in and out of a house, Roberts said.

Supreme Court defines limits for jury misconduct: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that it is not misconduct if a juror uses his or her specialized knowledge in reaching a verdict.

Miller wins No. 100: Nick Christensen; Sherry McCracklin tallied a career-high 21 rebounds Sunday and Sheena Moore scored 19 points as UNLV defeated South Florida 74-61 at Cox Pavilion.

Many denied glimpse of new CCSN chief: By Emily Richmond; It was supposed to smooth ruffled feathers -- a videoconference that would give faculty, students and staff and chance to meet the man hired sight-unseen to serve as interim president of the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Holiday Closings: SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Offices closed.

Twain delivers no-frills gem: Leah Robinson; The world's best-selling female entertainer had fans packed to the rafters at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, signing autographs, posing for pictures and even taking her act up into the cheap(er) seats.

Editorial: Here's hoping that spam is now cooked: Spam is the generic name for the thousands of unsolicited and usually fraudulent commercial messages that show up in a computer user's e-mail. Deleting the spam, and retrieving legitimate e-mails from among it, costs businesses and individuals valuable time. The new law is aimed at the deceptive practices of "spammers," which includes masking their identities.

Penn National sues Scott: Clarke Canfield; PORTLAND, Maine -- The company that has partnered with Scarborough Downs in hopes of operating a horse track with slot machines in Westbrook or Saco filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the Las Vegas gambling figure who wants to do the same in Bangor.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Home Depot of Henderson, 1030 Sunset Road, Henderson; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., America West Airlines, 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd.; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Concorde Senior Living, 2465 E. Twain Ave.

Henderson gets new numbers: All Henderson government phone numbers will have a 267 prefix.

Letter: Drug bill does not help seniors: As if sending nuclear waste to Nevada wasn't bad enough, President Bush has broken his promise to help seniors with the high cost of prescription drugs. Under the pretense of adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, the president signed a law that will give billions of dollars to drug companies and the HMOs while shortchanging seniors. If that wasn't enough, the bill allows drug companies to keep prices high because it forbids Medicare from negotiating lower prices for drugs that many seniors need to survive.

Sports briefs for December 22, 2003: The team called a news conference for later today to make a "major announcement."

Weekend sales disappointing to retailers: Anne D'Innocenzio; NEW YORK -- The nation's retailers spent a glum weekend before Christmas after a much-hoped for sales bonanza failed to materialize, though business at discounters and luxury stores appeared to be brisk, according to analysts.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: P. Val to celebrate anniversary on Friday: Ralph Siraco; To say jockey Patrick Valenzuela is talented would be obvious to any race fan and horse player. To say Valenzuela is gifted would be obvious by just watching how he rides against the Southern California riding colony. But he will be the first to say that he is as fortunate as gifted and talented to be doing what he is meant to do at all.

Birth announcements for Dec. 22, 2003: Dec. 7:

Robinson had hand in Riley's success: Steve Guiremand; Oregon State head coach Mike Riley agreed that it was indeed ironic that his Beavers were holding their Las Vegas Bowl practices at UNLV this week.

Carey brings full range of gifts to Aladdin Theatre: Spencer Patterson; The new millennium hasn't been particularly kind to Mariah Carey, but you'd never know it judging from the first few rows Saturday night.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Ho, ho, ho -- Rebels thankful for victory: Dean Juipe; It was a game with one too many f-words: fouls.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Dec. 22, 2003: Lisa Ferguson; Here's one to ponder: If a Christmas tree falls in the living room, do pets hear it? More than likely, they're to blame for such yuletide disasters.

Celebrity chef in deal for in-flight meals: The $10 meals will be served during the first quarter on most domestic flights of at least 700 miles and on some Caribbean journeys. The meals feature ingredients such as caramelized pecans, dried apples and coffee-fudge brownies, US Airways said.

Alaska trip has LV set for its midnight start: Nick Christensen; Usually, having to catch an eight-hour red-eye flight from Anchorage to Las Vegas is not a pleasant way to spend a Sunday.

Letter: Don't support barbaric violence of 'fur ranches': Animal advocates have had tremendous success in educating the public about the horrors involved in the trapping of wild animals for the fur off their backs. Graphic images of foxes and other mammals desperately fighting to free themselves from the steel jaws of traps are indelibly etched on many people's minds. Few would deny the cruelty and pain these barbaric devices inflict on innocent animals.

Happy Holidays: The Accent department shares its favorite holiday memories: A small miracle

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Future unclear for Gans TV project: VegasBeat has learned that Gans has been approached by reps for Bob Young and John Tomlin, the team that virtually created tabloid television when they started "A Current Affair" on the fledgling Fox network 15 years ago.

Gaming briefs for Dec. 22, 2003: HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A marathon night in the Senate resulted in the hard-fought passage of $1 billion in tax increases that could complete Pennsylvania's budget six months late, but efforts to approve gambling-financed property tax cuts collapsed Saturday before the sun rose.

Galardi strip club closed after losing in court: Erica D. Johnson and Christina Littlefield; Would-be customers arriving at Jaguars topless nightclub this morning were greeted with a sign telling them that the business that lost its liquor license last week was closed.

Poll shows emphasis on education: Jennifer Knight; Funding for education ranked No. 1 in the eyes of voters, while cutting taxes placed second in a statewide poll.

Hearing on racing license recesses: Francis X. Quinn; AUGUSTA, Maine -- Shawn Scott, the gambling developer who wants to start up a racetrack casino in Bangor, began recounting highlights of his business career Friday before the Maine Harness Racing Commission recessed its extended hearing until Jan. 8.

Rebels: No choke, this time: Within the UNLV basketball team, opinions differed about a 14-point lead that was shaved to six by Auburn within one of the final minutes of Saturday's late-night game.

Ankle sprain keeps local star Platt on Oregon sideline: Adam Candee; Sitting beside the court and watching his Oregon teammates practice Friday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center, Mitch Platt talked about what he cannot stand: Sitting and watching.