Print edition for February 6, 2003

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Recruiting experts take a guess: To show how irrelevant statistics can be, consider the Air Force basketball team leads the NCAA in team defense. While I love the throwback style of Princeton West, what the Falcons actually lead the nation in is "least productive offense." One truth about never shooting the ball on offense: it keeps the other team from doing the same.

No search for debris in Nevada: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; Experts are not yet ruling out the possibility that shuttle debris fell in Southern Nevada, but so far no official search is being conducted in the area.

VA clinic's troubles upset council: Judy Odierna; Dozens of veterans are not happy about plans to relocate Veterans Affairs services from the Addeliar D. Guy III Ambulatory Care Center to 11 temporary locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley, some Las Vegas City Council members said.

Little debated at power hearing for consumers: Sparse attendance at two consumer sessions Wednesday to address a proposed Nevada Power Co. rate decrease stood in stark contrast to last year's standing-room-only crowds that railed against the utility.

Monorail funds wait for OK: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Bush included $40 million for the Las Vegas monorail in the federal budget he unveiled this week. Now it's up to Congress to approve it.

Supreme Court upholds county's contract decision: City Plan Development Inc. and Ernesto Savino appealed the bid award to the court, noting that City Plan Development submitted the low bid and claiming that the company should have been awarded the contract.

ER changes will free up ambulances: Ambulance crews will now be able to leave patients in hospital emergency rooms if the wait for a bed takes longer than an hour.

Experts miss EPA office opening due to Texas duty: The Environmental Protection Agency opened its new Environmental Response Team West office in Las Vegas today, but three of its environmental experts missed the ceremony because they were busy monitoring the Texas air for potential toxins from the space shuttle explosion.

Blackjack games hit Arizona Indian casinos: Beth DeFalco; SALT RIVER-PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY, Ariz. -- With dollar signs in their eyes, gamblers began saying "hit me" as Arizona Indian casinos offered their first day of live, Las Vegas-style blackjack.

Firm signs online ad deal: Firm signs online ad deal

Las Vegas' Busch enjoys his 18-lap CART joyride: Mike Harris; SEBRING, Fla. -- There was no checkered flag, but Las Vegas native Kurt Busch felt like a winner Wednesday after turning 18 laps at Sebring International Raceway in Michael Jourdain Jr.'s Champ Car.

Developer proposes racetrack: Charles J. Betters, a Beaver County developer who expressed interest in riverboat casinos along the Ohio River in the mid-1990s, said Tuesday he has filed an application for Pennsylvania's last remaining thoroughbred racing license with the state Horse Racing Commission.

Retailer cutting jobs, changing pay policy: The company also said Wednesday it will relocate or remodel more stores this year.

UAL launching low-cost carrier: In the most extensive comments yet on its new strategy in bankruptcy, United told its employees it needs its own discount carrier to become more competitive in the leisure travel market.

Artists' Block: Funkhouser's First Fridays seize downtown scene: By Kristen Peterson; Cindy Funkhouser had barely moved into her antique store on South Casino Center Drive when a friend suggested she feature local art on the walls.

Highlights of fiscal 2002 gross and net profits report on Nevada casinos: AP; - STATEWIDE: Grossed $17.3 billion, had EBITDA of $2.9 billion and $33.5 million net loss.

Editorial: People getting fair shake at the county: On Tuesday, to the consternation of normally influential billboard companies, the County Commission voted to reduce the amount of roadway where new billboards will be allowed. U.S. 95 north of Cheyenne Avenue to Nye County will now be off-limits to new signs. On the southern beltway, new billboards will now be allowed only between Valley View Boulevard and Warm Springs Road, whereas before they were allowed between Durango Drive on the west and Pecos Road on the east. This means that now about another 25 miles of beltway will be restricted to existing billboards. On Blue Diamond Road, new billboards ...

Letter: Nevadans need to back Guinn's tax proposals: Let's face it, Nevada is in a crisis situation. Not only do we have below-par schools and services, we tax the poor at a higher percentage than the rich. Our state's fast-growing population needs aren't being -- and can't be -- met by our existing tax sources.

Crime tip line changes name: Jen Lawson; Secret Witness is out. Crime Stoppers is in.

Community briefs for Feb. 6, 2003: North Las Vegas and the North Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club are accepting applications for Kids Organized to Improve Neighborhood Streets, a program that begins on March 3.

Letter: Drug plan isn't a viable choice: President Bush suggests that in his new plan, people with Medicare will have a choice, they can stay in traditional Medicare -- and continue to see the doctors they know and trust without prescription drug coverage -- or get some prescription drug coverage by joining an HMO at the price of giving up their doctors and direct access to specialty services. This is not a viable choice.

Wednesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Title IX is playing fair: Title IX, which was enacted 30 years ago, provides equality for women in much more than athletics. It is an anti-discrimination law that insists college admissions be fair for both men and women. USA Today, in an editorial, reminded us that prior to Title IX that "Women were routinely discriminated against in college admissions -- and barred altogether from some of the best schools. Medical and law schools imposed quotas to keep women out of classes. Outside of departments such as home economics and nursing, few professors were female." The editorial goes on to tell readers that "women now outnumber ...

Sun Prep Athletes of the Week: Shyon Clark and Ra Chauna Randle: SHYON CLARK

Catching up with ... JEN KLINE: Where she is now: South Florida

Agassi still trying to get Steffi on a doubles date: Rob Gloster; SAN FRANCISCO -- Although Andre Agassi isn't making great progress in his attempt to convince wife Steffi Graf to join him for mixed doubles at the French Open, he remains optimistic.

City Council seeks probe of drug facility: Judy Odierna; The Las Vegas City Council has asked Metro Police to open a criminal investigation into the events surrounding the placement of a drug treatment facility at 800 S. Valley View Blvd., across the street from a middle school.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: In finals, Goodman can't spell it out: Well, at least they are better spellers.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tyson's newest trainer has him on right path: Dean Juipe; Mike Tyson has gone through more than his share of trainers, each of whom found the job a challenge.

Letter: 'Portable' hoops an obstruction: I don't live in Summerlin. I do, however, live on a street that has households that have made these "portable" hoops a permanent feature. Personally, I wouldn't really care if someone has a "portable" basketball hoop in front of their home save for one thing. They are an obstruction to vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic.

Editorial: Making the case against Iraq: Saddam is defying U.N. resolutions that Iraq disarm and account for what happened to its weapons of mass destruction that it maintained after the Gulf War. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw said Saddam is "gambling that we will lose our nerve rather than enforce our will." It's unlikely France or Germany will support military action to rid the Mideast of Saddam, but it's certain the United States, Britain and other European allies will form a military coalition to invade Iraq. The United States likely wouldn't have considered war against Iraq just a few years ago under the same circumstances. But ...

Nevada Air Guard unit finalist for national honor: Dick Benoit; Members of the Reno-based 152nd Security Forces Squadron learned recently they are one of only two Air National Guard security unit finalists for the Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Squadron of the Year award. More than 80 Air National Guard units were originally in competition for the award.

Sun Girls Hoops Top 10: Sun Girls Hoops Top 10

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Just having a good old time: Ruthe Deskin; Reader response was so great that Clifton, sponsored by the newspaper and the Nevada Humanities Committee, published a booklet, "You Know You're a Nevadan, If ... "

Rebels' Robinson beaming over recruits: Steve Guiremand; UNLV football coach John Robinson hit the recruiting road in full gear in December and January.

Grand juries stay busy hearing fatal DUI cases: Erica D. Johnson; Two men were indicted Wednesday on charges stemming from separate fatal DUI collisions during what a district attorney called a "busy month" prosecuting similar cases.

Sun Boys Hoops Top 10: Sun Boys Hoops Top 10

Columnist Adam Candee: Cheyenne girls throw in towel vs. Centennial: Adam Candee; An opponent falling behind the Centennial girls basketball team by 50 points this season qualifies as the norm. That opponent quitting the game and walking out of the gym midway through the fourth quarter qualifies as something quite a bit different.

Ruiz-Jones strategy debated: Dean Juipe; Although he lives in Las Vegas and will be fighting here March 1 against Roy Jones Jr., John Ruiz is holding his training camp in Florida. The idea is to utilize the humidity and get him down from his normal 233 pounds to a svelte 225.

Firm partnering on Strip Ferris wheel, hotel at Wet 'N Wild site: The Clark County Commission on Wednesday approved a plan for a 50-story hotel and timeshare development anchored by a 12-story Ferris wheel and a man-made lake on the Las Vegas Strip.

Park Place posts loss on two settlements: By Liz Benston; Park Place Entertainment Corp. today reported a loss in the fourth quarter but said it managed to slightly beat Wall Street expectations at a time when its two other major competitors on the Las Vegas Strip were forced to slash earnings estimates on lower than hoped-for results.

Gaming interests donate to state Democrats: The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, an arm of the Democratic Party and headed by Maryland's Democratic Senate President Thomas Mike Miller, received the money, the newspaper said.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Savoie gets another chance to extend her streak: Angelle Savoie will get the opportunity to compete for a fourth consecutive NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship after all.

Prefectures seek casinos: Osaka Gov. Fusae Ota and senior officials of Tokyo, Shizuoka, Wakayama and Miyazaki handed the petition to Yoshitada Konoike, state minister in charge of crisis prevention and special deregulation zones.

North Las Vegas Council briefs for Feb. 6, 2003: North Las Vegas will fight a proposal to create special adult-entertainment business districts in Clark County.

Obituaries for Feb. 6, 2003: James E. Barron, 81, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospice. He was born March 29, 1921, in Marvell, Ark. A resident for 49 years, he was a retired dancer and longtime entertainer in Las Vegas and a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Training to reduce harassment sought: CARSON CITY -- The state paid out $661,405 in sexual harassment and discrimination cases last year, and Gov. Kenny Guinn said he wants to step up harassment training and the investigation into the claims.

Parents reach agreement on burial of slain 3-year-old: Erica D. Johnson and Jen Lawson; David Cowan and Tamara Bergeron reached an agreement moments before a court hearing that was to have determined who would get custody of their daughter's body, District Judge Sally Loehrer said.

News briefs for Feb. 6, 2003: Nevada's smallpox vaccination plan is on hold pending more information from the federal government and a formal response to concerns about compensation for anyone harmed by the shots.

Police plan station in northwest by 2004: Dan Kulin; The North Las Vegas Police Department is following the population explosion north with plans to open a new police precinct station in the northwest part of the city in June 2004.

Woman convicted in hotel killing: After deliberating for about five hours, jurors found Paulette Perry guilty of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery with the use of a deadly weapon.

County's land-use planning at center of debate: Residents of Spring Valley clashed Wednesday over the fate of nearly 300 acres in what a few years ago was undeveloped desert, but became the focus of a battle over how Clark County handles the entire land-use planning process.

Diminutive Pool gets chance to dive into Division I football: Adam Candee; The witch's brew of realism and self-confidence cooked up by Chad Pool is one he can truly call his own.

Escrow firm has license revoked: Grace Leong; The state Department Business and Industry has revoked the licenses of Las Vegas escrow company K&E Loan Servicing Inc. and its owner William Kenneth Rick, who is suspected of unlicensed mortgage loan operations.

UMC budget slashed: Clark County officials detailed plans Wednesday to save more than $10 million annually at the area's largest hospital, keeping the financially floundering University Medical Center afloat.

Rattler knows LV is fickle: Adam Candee; He wishes them nothing but the best, but forgive Randy Gatewood if he cannot see how the Las Vegas Gladiators are going to survive where so many other sports teams have failed.

UMC's Quick Care centers will be hit hard by cuts: By Timothy Pratt; At the UMC Quick Care on Russell Road, Roseanne Bissattini, a graduate student, was leaving the clinic after getting treated for a cold sore Wednesday.

Rebels-USC tip time pushed back Sunday: The move was made at the request of ABC television, which will show the game on a regional basis.

Reward fund started to find Summerlin killer: Jen Lawson; Doug Miller's wife was killed while taking her nightly walk through the Summerlin area, but he doesn't want residents of the area to be afraid.

Arbitrator will try to dunk basketball feud: Judy Odierna and Dan Kulin; The fight over basketball hoops in a Summerlin neighborhood is heading to an arbitrator who could rule on the matter within a month, Summerlin North Community Association President Hal Bloch said Wednesday.

Hall of a career: Greg Maddux had not been with the Chicago Cubs long when he was sent to the minor leagues to work on his mechanics and mental approach. Pitching coach Dick Pole jolted him with a simple question.

Cost of prepaid tuition plan to jump: CARSON CITY -- The rates for the state's prepaid college tuition program need to be raised by as much as 60 percent, and the state should spend $370,000 on advertising for the program, state Treasurer Brian Krolicki told lawmakers Wednesday.

Gaming industry reports loss of $33.5 mil.: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's 249 casinos posted a $33.5 million loss -- at least on paper -- last fiscal year ending June 30, the first time the industry has not made a profit in at least the last 15 years.

County Commission turns down homes under airport flight path: A 304-unit residential development that was opposed by government agencies and helped prompt a push for the reform of Clark County's master-planning land-use process was thrown out Wednesday by the Clark County Commission.

Pilots get feel for enemy weapons: Jace Radke; Sitting in the cockpit of a MiG-23 Flogger, Air Force fighter jock Lt. Mike McGinn's easy confidence plays across his face in a smile.

Rebel women climb to No. 15 in rankings: The Rebels reached the top 15 for only the third time in school history. The defending Mountain West Conference champions are 2-0 but will face their toughest test of the young season this week by traveling to Fresno State for a Saturday match vs. the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs.

Developer, site set for seniors complex: Judy Odierna; The Model Assisted Living Advisory Committee, chaired by Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, on Wednesday decided that the 90-unit complex will be built at Roland Wiley Road and Silver Sky Drive.

UNLV women's team inks three recruits: Chock plays for the Las Vegas Premier Soccer Club and is a member of the Nevada State Olympic Development Team.