Print edition for December 30, 2003

Officials try to determine if mad cow beef hit Las Vegas: Although some of the recalled beef from a Holstein confirmed with mad cow disease may have been distributed in Nevada, beef in Las Vegas markets and restaurants continued selling briskly Monday.

Snow, wind make for hazardous driving in northern Nevada: AP; Chains were mandatory in the Sierra on Interstate 80 and U.S. 50 over Donner and Echo summits, and chains or snow tires were required on all other mountain highways. Highway 50 was closed at times for avalanche control as were California 88 and 89.

Obituaries for December 30, 2003: Caroline Evelyn Basurto, 81, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. She was born April 22, 1922, in Scribner, Neb. A resident for three years, she was a homemaker.

News briefs for December 30, 2003: A man charged in connection with an Aug. 7, 2002, drive-by shooting that left two people dead has been granted bail.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Catching a drift in snowy Utah: We'd have been better off if we'd used the chains to bar our hotel room door last weekend.

Stage Coaches: As life gets busier, coaches preach simplicity, empowerment: For as much as $1,000 a month, couldn't you simply buy more time?

Editorial: Mad cow requires swift action: Here in the United States, about 35 million cows are slaughtered each year and processed for their meat. The only ones tested for mad cow disease are those showing visible signs of possibly having it, such as a cow with no broken bones staggering or unable to stand. Over the past several years only about 20,000 to 30,000 cows were tested for it. Agriculture Department officials are still defending this small amount of testing, despite the growing world reaction to last week's news. They will have to change their position if they want to regain world confidence in our beef ...

Winter storm moves east, but another is behind it: AP; A winter storm watch was posted on Tuesday in the mountains for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Forecasters said snow was likely through Friday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Skaters will feel impact of closure: Dean Juipe; There are signs of neglect, as if the facility was actually older than it is. But upkeep hasn't been much of a priority at the ice rink within the Santa Fe Station casino in North Las Vegas, nor will it be now that its days are numbered.

Shooting spree suspect ordered to mental facility: A 26-year-old man who allegedly went on a shooting rampage in late September, killing one man and shooting two Metro Police officers, has been ordered by a judge to undergo psychiatric tests at the state's forensic mental hospital.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita Park selections: 1st Race -- L'EFFACEUR -- Flores returns on co-owner Garcia trainee, draws good spot for another win, should be in the hunt throughout. STERLING WISDOM -- Training at Hollypark, hustling Pedroza on Canani & Gill runner, draws good box for mile claiming opener. Value Play -- PARA USTED

Letter: Prejudice against secularists is not acceptable: But at least he is not being forced to spend his tax dollars to support the offensive shows or businesses. Religious monuments and prayers, such as the Pledge of Allegiance with the words "under God," in private facilities or on television do not offend me. I am, however, offended when I am forced to support these things with public funds. Murdock suggests that secularists quake at the sight of the 10 Commandments. We only quake at being forced to pay for the exhibition of that slab on public property.

Immunizations: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Lady Rebels could have used an assist: As part of the player profiles in their media guide, Lady Rebels basketball players were asked "If you could change one thing in women's basketball what would it be?"

Letter: Bush can't be trusted on 9-11: Before 9-11 there was no chatter of this kind. But now, after 9-11, when the terrorists surely must be even more careful lest they be found out, they are being so accommodating as to be discussing where, when and methods?

State college needs $9 million to start construction: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada State College has collected $1 million but needs $9 million more in private contributions before construction can start on its first building in the south of Henderson at the foot of Black Mountain, the college's Spencer Stewart told the state Public Works Board on Monday.

Rebels working on finding mix: As Jan. 12 ekes closer, UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour is trying to assemble a rotation that is sound, strong and makes sense.

Where I Stand -- Kirsten Garlock: Valuable resources: THERE WAS only one true consensus at the Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum: Students of Las Vegas care. They have real opinions about real issues, and they are more than willing to share. From water conservation laws to regulations concerning proficiency testing, today's youth are concerned about what is happening in their valley.

Death raises concern for homeless: The body of an apparently homeless woman believed to be in her 40s was discovered Monday inside a hatchback car parked in a lot dotted with stored vehicles, Metro Police said.

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

Federal judge spurred to new heights: Jace Radke; When he was formally welcomed into his new role as U.S. District Court judge on Monday, Robert Clive Jones was given a pair of spurs by former Clark County District Attorney George Holt.

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

It's a winter wonderland: Ed Koch and Christina Littlefield; Twelve-year-old Kevin Luangrath awoke at 7 a.m. today when his 10-year-old brother shoved a handful of snow in his face.

Longtime Las Vegas performer Hunt dies: Charles "Blackie" Hunt, a musician and comedian in the legendary Las Vegas lounge act The Characters and the estranged husband of Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, died today. He was 73.

Business news briefs: PHOENIX -- America West Airlines pilots have ratified a new three-year contract that extends long-term disability coverage and pays a retirement bonus, after rejecting proposals earlier this month and in March.

FedEx buying Kinko's: Kinko's has eight locations in the Las Vegas Valley with 125 employees.

Sports briefs for December 30, 2003: McCracklin, a 6-1 junior forward from Hazel Crest, Ill., is the nation's leading rebounder. She played all 40 minutes Sunday in a 62-51 victory against Mississippi State, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Tree-incarnation: Jennifer Knight; Tree Drops

Laughlin casino operator reports a loss: The loss was higher than the $1.8 million loss, or 36 cents per share, reported for the same 2002 quarter. Revenue for the quarter was $10.3 million, down from $10.9 million for the year-ago period.

Case of alleged killer dog, hit man muddled: Las Vegas Animal Control authorities will file a criminal complaint against the owners of a Rottweiler that allegedly killed an Italian Greyhound in an upscale Summerlin neighborhood, supervisor Roger Van Orrdt said Monday.

Would-be gaming tribe loses showdown: Elizabeth Zuckerman; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A federal judge ruled Monday that the state acted properly in shutting down the Narragansett Indian tribe's tax-free smoke shop, saying the state has the right to tax cigarette sales on the tribe's land.

Armed helicopters to patrol Strip on holiday: Jace Radke; Armed military helicopters will patrol the Strip on New Year's Eve to protect the expected 350,000 revelers from a potential terrorist attack, officials said this morning.

Design OK'd for Vegas mental hospital: CARSON CITY -- Despite pleas from nearby residents, the state Public Works Board on Monday approved the design for a 150-bed psychiatric hospital to be built on the campus of the present mental health center in Southern Nevada.

Snow not a sign of drought relief: Like a railroad, a series of fronts has been moving across the West, bringing Las Vegas, the Sierras and the Rocky Mountains rain and snow.

GM introduces Chevy Cobalt at LA Auto Show: Gary Gentile; LOS ANGELES -- General Motors Corp. unveiled its 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt on Monday, the latest new Chevy in a revamped line designed to boost the brand's sales to 3 million units -- a level last reached in 1979.

Killings called murder, suicide: The woman called 911 about 12:30 a.m. and said her husband was trying to kill her, Metro Lt. Chris Hoye said.

Business, labor back compacts: The brief said voiding the compacts could cost 35,000 jobs, block $1 billion in new construction, end Indian grants to charities and community groups, and cost the state treasury more than $200 million in the current biennium.

Niagara Falls casino thrives but neighbors haven't seen benefits: Bob Matuszak; NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- In the course of a year, the Seneca Niagara Casino has created jobs and a few millionaires.

Valley's first lighted crosswalk proposed: Dan Kulin; A new neighborhood in Henderson may become the first in the Las Vegas Valley to have a crosswalk bordered by in-ground lights.

LV resorts replacing canceling customers: Strip resorts that had seen a drop-off in occupancy rates attributed to terrorist threats already are now seeing rooms fill up as the countdown toward 2004 rolls on.

Killer gets new penalty hearing: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court today granted a new penalty hearing for a man who had been sentenced to death for killing a convenience store clerk during a robbery in Las Vegas in 1988.

Frohlich did a number on UNLV record book: If you turn to the first page of the UNLV part of Linda Frohlich's scrapbook, you'll find there's plenty of room for pressed flowers and torn ticket stubs.

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

Redskins' Spurrier quits: Joseph White; WASHINGTON -- Steve Spurrier resigned today as coach of the Washington Redskins, ending a failed attempt to bring his Fun 'n' Gun offense to the NFL.

Little claims employee stole millions: Jen Lawson; The Metro Police fraud and forgery unit is investigating a complaint filed by comedian Rich Little alleging that an employee stole up to several million dollars from him.