Print edition for February 5, 2003

American action boosts Vegas airline layoff total: American Airlines' planned closure of its 32,000-square-foot reservation center in April will result in the second-largest group of layoffs in the aviation industry in Las Vegas since the terrorist attacks.

World Court rules against U.S.: Toby Sterling; THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- The United States must temporarily stay the executions of three Mexican citizens on death rows in Texas and Oklahoma, the World Court ruled today.

Walls of Fame: Exhibit reveals Warhol's evolutionary relationship with celebrity: Sun Staff; Dressed in black and accompanied by a longtime friend, Liza Minnelli appeared at the door. She sat down for tea and began to share stories about her old friend, Andy Warhol.

Festival features film noir selections: Tickets are $3. Call 455-7340 for more information.

'Shadow of Evil' opens at Winchester: Kirk Baird; Classic film noir is the subject of a five-week film festival, "Shadow of Evil."

Letter: Gross receipts tax is dangerous: In the first, German compares California's 8.8 percent tax on corporate revenues with Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed 0.25 percent levy on gross receipts, implying that our neighboring state has a much higher tax. Corporate revenues reflect operating profit or EBITDA, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Gross receipts are all sales of a company regardless of profit. For example, a company with sales of $40 million and EBITDA of $1 million would be taxed $88,000 in California, but would incur a tax of $100,000 in Nevada even though it might be showing a loss.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Celebrities start rolling in for Stones: The largest event is probably the Rolling Stones concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena. When Mick Jagger and the Geriatrics performed in Las Vegas in November, fans such as Bruce Willis, Kiefer Sutherland, Lara Flynn Boyle, Naomi Campbell, Stephen Dorff, Luke and Owen Wilson, Estella Warren, Stephen Bing and two of Keith Richards' daughters -- Theodora and Alexandra Richards -- turned out.

Tax task force grilled over projected deficit, new taxes: Erin Neff; Those who studied the state's tax structure for more than a year began making their case Tuesday to lawmakers, who now have 118 days to figure out how to solve the state's pending deficit.

Editorial: Subject UMC study to reversal of roles: There are seven major private hospitals in the Las Vegas Valley, all competing for insured patients and leaving UMC to care for most of the indigent ones. What should their obligation be toward ensuring that the public hospital stays solvent? Should local and state governments do more to ensure that private businesses provide health insurance for their workers? And should state and federal governments increase reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid, major sources of revenue for public hospitals? Because hospitals all over the country are experiencing financial crises similar to UMC's, these and other questions are ones that Congress should address ...

JASON brings oceans to the desert: By Timothy Pratt; Diving with dolphins off the coast of California is as far removed from driving through the Nevada desert as studying for a master's degree is from pushing a janitor's broom.

Letter: Elect officials who can solve our tax problems: Our current lawmakers and politicians fail to take advantage of taxing the casinos a higher dollar amount and attacking the tourist sector to provide tax relief and to fund various state projects. They have also failed at securing big business to call Nevada their home.

UNLV's recruiting class: John Andrews, LB, 6-1, 220, Compton (Calif.) College; Tyler Crandal, OT, 6-7, 290, Mission Viejo (Calif.) Saddleback College; Joe Critchfield, OL, 6-4, 305, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College; Greg Estandia, TE, 6-7, 225, Moorpark (Calif.) Junior College; Ernest Gordon, CB, 6-1, 180, Sacramento (Calif.) Hiram Johnson HS; Alvin Marshall, RB, 5-10, 190, Compton (Calif.) College; Brian Nicholson, DL, 6-5, 280, San Marcos (Calif.) Palomar College; Ja Ja Riley, RB, 6-2, 205 (transfer from Ohio State); Jay Staggs, WR, 6-1, 200, Goleta (Calif.) Dos Pueblos HS; Donell Wheaton, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne HS.

UNLV looks to add size, ability: Steve Guiremand; The national letter of intent signing period began today at 7 a.m. with high school and junior college recruits around the country getting up early to fax in letters to their schools of choice.

Former DA seeks fed suit dismissal: By Timothy Pratt; Former District Attorney Stewart Bell and Chief Deputy District Attorney David Barker have filed a motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit in which they are named as defendants.

More candidates enter city elections: Dan Kulin; A former Henderson director of economic development and a North Las Vegas woman whose husband is leading an effort to put a question on the city ballot that proposes changes to council meeting policies both filed as council candidates Tuesday.

Job cuts part of plan to trim costs at UMC: In a move to cut costs at University Medical Center, Clark County officials say they will cut jobs, eliminate open positions and look at other measures to ease the hospital's fiscal woes.

Scholarship program faces uncertain future: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's much-heralded Millennium Scholarship program may be in financial trouble within three years, state Assemblymen said today. Tobacco settlement funds are used to pay for the college scholarships, but Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, told State Treasurer Brian Krolicki that "if we continue the way we're going, we're going to have to infuse new revenues" by 2006.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Jazz Society event at university hits the right note: Elizabeth Foyt; Musicians young and old, along with jazz devotees, enjoyed the opening reception for the exhibition of photos by Gordon Blanz and jazz-influenced art by Ray Figueredo. Blanz, who drew upon favorite portraits of jazz greats from several decades, came from Tucson for the occasion.

Community briefs for Feb. 5, 2003: The African and World Import Store will sponsor an art contest for both secondary and elementary students from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Moyer Student Union Ballroom.

Democrats want to get to bottom of election challenge: Erin Neff; An election contested to curtail one Democratic assemblyman's career may instead end up hurting the Republican lawmaker who helped launch the challenge.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: At lake, Ritz fits just fine: Situated just a short drive from the Lake Las Vegas entrance and flanked by an impeccably maintained golf course (two championship courses are available to resort guests) the first view of the Tuscan-inspired resort is awesome.

Guinn's plan to phase in taxes will be opposed: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed tax plan calls for various new and increased taxes kicking in at different times, with some starting as soon as April -- but Senate and Assembly Democrats may prevent that from happening.

Animal Foundation to run shelter: The Clark County Commission, by a 6-1 vote Tuesday, tabbed the Animal Foundation to run a centralized shelter for dogs and cats in Las Vegas beginning in two years.

Ruling bothers some tribes: The executive order, which comes a few weeks before the start of negotiations between Davis and tribes over possible changes in their 20-year gambling compacts with the state, also authorizes the commission to audit the tribes.

LV Valley Water District approves drought plan: The largest distributor of water in Nevada approved a plan to conserve water in response to a three-year drought that has cut supplies of resources throughout the West.

News briefs for Feb. 5, 2003: The trial of a Las Vegas man accused of murder culminated Tuesday in a hung jury.

Share buyback approved: MGM MIRAGE will buy the shares from time to time on the open market or in third-party transactions, the Las Vegas-based company said today. The owner of casinos including the Bellagio and MGM Grand completed a 10 million share buyback last year.

Report: FBI questioning PurchasePro execs: Several former PurchasePro.com executives have been sought for questioning by the FBI in recent weeks over the now-defunct Las Vegas company's dealings with AOL Time Warner Inc.'s America Online unit, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

Gaming stocks fall on proposed N.J. tax hike: Shares of casino companies including Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. fell Tuesday after New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey proposed raising casino taxes to plug a $5 billion budget deficit.

Man fined, imprisoned for scam: Williams, along with Trudy Anson and Rande Hersh, the owners of two Las Vegas companies Trans-World Investments Inc. and Trans-World International LLC, were accused of soliciting investors starting September 1998 to invest in a "non-existent high-yield investment program" and continued to sell unregistered securities despite a cease and desist order issued in May 1999 by the state securities division, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Harrah's quarterly profit falls on higher expenses: By Liz Benston; Harrah's Entertainment Inc. today reported a slight decline in earnings for the fourth quarter as its casinos faced higher casino taxes and competitive pressures in some parts of the country.

Guard unit put on alert for call-up: The company is currently preparing in the event that it is called to active duty, spokeswoman April Conway said.

Beers apologizes for e-mail: Erin Neff; Assemblyman Bob Beers apologized this morning for comments he wrote in an e-mail to a constituent in which he rants about service industry workers and what he terms their "legacy" of not valuing education.

Former LV law professor questioned on legal views: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Former Las Vegas law professor and federal judge nominee Jay Bybee found himself today facing renewed questions about his role in a 1989 federal investigation of loans made to Iraq.

ER change could free up ambulance crews: Emily Richmond and Ed Koch; Clark County Health District is expected today to approve a plan that would allow ambulance teams to leave patients at hospitals within one hour of arrival even if the person's care has not been transferred to the emergency room staff.

Attorney general won't push for takeover of ethics panel: CARSON CITY -- Saying he does not want to become an "empire builder" in state government, Attorney General Brian Sandoval said he will drop plans to gobble up the tiny state Ethics Commission if it objects.

Editorial: Cut would risk health of public: Clark County is home to more than 12,000 restaurants, and the health district's 40 inspectors try to check them all at least once a year. A cut of the magnitude being discussed could result in many restaurants going for years with no inspections. Inspections would focus on restaurants with histories of violations and the others would be on their own. From the standpoint of consumers, this cannot be allowed to happen, as food poisoning is a painful and sometimes fatal ordeal. The best protection for diners is a restaurant's knowledge that an inspector can stop by any time. Infrequent inspections ...

Culinary threatens action: The union's contract with Tropicana's 1,200 workers expired on May 31, but the parties were unable to reach a new agreement because of Aztar's alleged refusal to agree to priority hiring for existing employees if the company proceeds with plans to redevelop the Tropicana.

Executive moves to Alliance: Lipparelli was previously the president of Shuffle Master Inc. and replaces Bill Watson, who is retiring.

Columnist Jeff German: Letting freedom ring in NLV: Far too often elected officials, looking to avoid public scrutiny of their actions, try to take that away from us. They try to restrict our ability to weigh in on issues important to us.

Girl, victim of stabbing, released from hospital: Jen Lawson; Tuesday afternoon, as 10-year-old Brittney Bergeron was being moved from University Medical Center to a rehabilitation center, one of two people charged with stabbing her, 16-year-old Monique Maestas, was clearing the way for Nevada authorities to extradite her from Utah.

Tech giant's profit soars: Net income increased to $991 million, or 14 cents a share, from $660 million, or 9 cents, a year earlier, the company said. Revenue slipped 2.1 percent to $4.71 billion, the first drop in a year. Revenue this quarter may fall as low as $4.57 billion.

Rebels swept in DH vs. Saint Mary's: The Rebels (2-2) hit the road for the first time this season this week when they head to Phoenix to compete Friday-Sunday in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament.

Bush environmental policies touted in speech at Red Rock: Jennifer Knight; Using Red Rock Canyon as a backdrop, an Interior Department official stated a case for the Bush administration's policy on environmental issues in the West.

Wednesday's prep result: GIRLS BASKETBALL

LV Gladiators make four roster moves: Coe and Henderson both suited up for the season opener against Los Angeles. Henderson recorded one solo tackle.

No solution for Walters' project offered: Politics and emotions charged the debate between southwest Las Vegas residents and golf course magnate Billy Walters' proposal to build a shopping center on county land.

Local prep standouts head for top colleges: Adam Candee; Local prep signees

Columnist Peter Benton: Els just may give Tiger challenge in '03: Peter Benton; Rumor has it Tiger Woods, who is recovering from knee surgery, will return to the PGA Tour for the Buick Invitational next week.

Nurse gets higher bail in sex case: Jared Riser faces three counts of sexual assault of a minor under 14 and one count of lewdness with a minor under 14 in connection with the fondling of a patient.

Henderson briefs for Feb. 5, 2003: A proposed $6.4 million four-story apartment complex for low-income senior citizens that would be among the tallest buildings in downtown Henderson was given final approval by the City Council on Tuesday.

Spread of bird disease slowed: Authorities believe they have made considerable progress in their efforts to control exotic Newcastle disease in Clark and Nye counties.

Henderson changes liquor fees, licensing: Dan Kulin; Higher liquor license fees and revised regulations for businesses selling alcohol in Henderson were approved Tuesday by the City Council.

Evening walk ends in tragedy for Summerlin woman: Jen Lawson; Carol Miller went for a walk around her neighborhood near Summerlin every night. But Saturday night, she didn't come home.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Cheating is widespread and blatant: Dean Juipe; The perception is rigidly formed in each and every one of our minds: The NCAA has its rules and regulations, and is one tough customer for those who violate its precepts.

Sprint profit up -- WSJ says execs forced out: Amy Shafer; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sprint Corp., facing reports that its two top executives were being forced out over their use of a questionable type of tax shelter, reported fourth-quarter earnings today of $39 million.

County passes new, restrictive billboard laws: New, more restrictive Clark County rules governing billboards traveled a long, twisting road, but are now in place.

Obituaries for Feb. 5, 2003: Emily L. Anderson, 86, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. She was born Dec. 6, 1916, in Nogales, Ariz. A resident for 40 years, she was a retired hotel cook.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kyle Busch to drive a Busch car for Hendrick: Kyle Busch has an agreement to sign a multi-year contract to drive for one of the most successful teams in NASCAR -- Hendrick Motorsports.