Print edition for February 14, 2003

Columnist Susan Snyder: Inspired by lovelorn Clara-ty: Pity poor Clara Harris.

Should privatization be aggressively pursued?: Sen. Sandra Tiffany, a Las Vegas Republican, is assistant majority whip in the Senate. She also sits on the Senate Finance Committee.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: The coward's way out: If we have learned anything these past couple of years, it should be that nothing, absolutely nothing, should surprise us. And yet, the surprises keep coming.

Letter: Peace activists always criticizing: Of course, after 9-11, these are the same people who complained that the president didn't do enough to protect us. Will someone please remind these people that they can't have it both ways?

Corrections official: 2,500 inmates could be released if tax plan fails: Jackie Crawford, director of the state Department of Corrections, told the Senate Finance Committee, "This is not a scare. This is a reality."

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Armeni benefits from capital idea: The Bishop Gorman High School senior was just tapped to attend the prestigious National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington, D.C.

Columnist Susan Snyder: We can't mask our concern: Reuben, who declined to give his last name, listened intently as salesman Henry Flores described differences between the American M-17 mask and the Israeli adult models.

Editorial: Health care fix must be major: For at least the past three or four decades, with the advent of Medicare, Medicaid and health maintenance organizations being highlights, we as a nation have been fixing or attempting to fix only the component parts of the country's health-care system. Every cure impacts other sectors, which then need a cure of their own. It seems to us imperative that the federal government appoint a commission to thoroughly study the whole system before it deteriorates further. Fixing only the component parts has led us to where we are today.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Nevada National Guard medics on their way overseas: Medical units are made up of special people who become invaluable during combat. I got my first helicopter ride to M.A.S.H. strapped on the side of a helicopter 50 years ago this week. It was bitter cold outside so they covered me with a plastic shell to prevent frostbite.

Editorial: Preparedness starts with phone book: Meanwhile, the national terrorism alert stands at "high" and people are buying duct tape and plastic sheeting in hopes of protecting their homes in case of a biological or chemical attack. Sadly, that precaution, as well as stocking up on food and water, cannot be labeled as over-reaction. But people should act in context. Metro Police, in cooperation with other public safety partners, has published a 28-page advisory beginning on page 49 of the white pages in Sprint's January telephone book. Titled HANDSS, for Home and Neighborhood Disaster Safety and Security, the information should be regarded as required reading.

Teen to tout Nevada program in D.C.: When the Governor's Youth Advisory Council came up with its "Abstinence Works" program in 2001, the participating teen leaders knew they had a winner.

Columnist Jeff German: Mayor's nightclub dream is nightmare: With a gleam in his eyes, Goodman told reporters that his good friend, actor Joe Pesci, may want to be a partner in "Oscar's Speakeasy."

Word of Mouth: If your bowl of soup suddenly starts to talk, look around for ventriloquist Ronn Lucas.

Letter: It pays more to be casino worker than a teacher: She wrote that educated people here in Vegas can earn more money by selling cocktails in a casino than by using their education in a classroom. How true.

Columnist Erin Neff: Time grows short on details of Guinn tax plan: Erin Neff; Sure they've tinkered with the edges of the $1 billion tax proposal, some criticizing Gov. Kenny Guinn and others wondering exactly how he plans to implement his plan.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Congress must tend to malpractice crisis: Benjamin Grove; Nevada drew national attention last summer when doctors walked off the job at the only trauma center in Las Vegas in protest of skyrocketing rates. But it's not just a Nevada problem anymore -- 12 states are in crisis, with 30 near crisis, according to the American Medical Association.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Real story behind poll results: That was the finding of a Mason-Dixon survey conducted for the Review-Journal, which ignored that astonishing number (30 percent support and 14 percent undecided) and focused on the dog-bites-man story of a majority (56 percent) being against the Guinn tax proposals. (What's next -- a banner headline that pollsters have miraculously divined that the public hates a personal income tax? Stop the presses. Please.)

Datebook: Las Vegas' Cultural Affairs Division presents a Valentine's Day Dance featuring Tony Scodwell and His Big Band at 7:30 p.m. today in the Charleston Heights Ballroom, 800 S. Brush St. Admission is $12. 229-6383.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Sometimes, commercial success hits right note: Spencer Patterson; Just before the Rolling Stones took the stage Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena, I couldn't help overhearing a conversation in the row behind me.

On Display: In celebration of Black History Month, a collection of photographs of the Air Force's Tuskegee Airmen is on display through Sunday at Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Caesars Palace gig fits Osborne like a glove: After performing for presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, David Osborne has become known as "The Pianist to the Presidents."

Date Saint: St. John mixes assorted couples in SingleMingle Minute Match: What: SingleMingle Minute Match.

Piercing 'Shock' absorbs jaded, twisted themes: What: "Shock."

Obituaries for Feb. 14, 2003: Esther M. Alberti, 91, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. She was born March 4, 1911, in Muscatine, Iowa. A resident for 22 years, she was a homemaker.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New menu a stirring success at Aureole: Monday evening while driving to Mandalay Bay to join friends for dinner at Charlie Palmer's Aureole, traffic going into the hotel was bumper-to-bumper. I had forgotten that the footwear convention was in town.

Performing Arts: 'Romeo and Juliet'

Teen girl testifies in Weber trial: Erica D. Johnson; A 15-year-old girl wept Thursday as she testified that Timmy Weber raped her on the day her mother and brother were brutally killed last year, and she said it was not the first time she had been sexually assaulted by Weber.

DEI vs. RCR: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The peculiarity of the situation is not lost on Dale Earnhardt Jr.

McDonald's stock slumps: McDonald's Corp. stock slumped Thursday to $13.57 -- its lowest level since 1994 -- after the company reported a bigger sales decline than expected in Europe, its second biggest market.

Ivanpah Airport land could be purchased this year: CARSON CITY -- The 6,500 acres of federal land for the proposed Ivanpah Airport in Clark County could be purchased this year, McCarran International Airport director Randy Walker says.

Budget bill earmarks $400 mil. for Nevada: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress on Thursday stamped its final approval on the $400 billion federal budget bill that allocates money to most federal departments and projects in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

Library bond sent to county panel: Eric Leake; A library bond initiative moved a step closer to the June ballot Thursday despite a protest over a pending sexual harassment lawsuit.

Metro Police officer to receive highest honor in law enforcement: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Metro Police officer Keith Borders has been in six shootouts in his nine years of duty.

Goodman, Pesci discuss gin club partnership: Judy Odierna; Mayor Oscar Goodman's dream of a downtown gin joint has attracted some celebrity interest.

Political notebook: Guns, anti-abortion plates urged: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Two conservative lawmakers have introduced bills that would create special license plates supporting anti-abortion organizations and the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

Fullerton to offer early test for UNLV: The third-ranked baseball team in the country visits UNLV this weekend, but Rebels coach Jim Schlossnagle said that rating isn't an accurate gauge of Cal State Fullerton.

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

Maestas siblings face Justice Court hearing: Beau Maestas, 19, and his sister, Monique, 16, were brought to Las Vegas Thursday from Nephi, Utah, where they fled after the Jan. 22 attack in a trailer at the CasaBlanca resort.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Mandalay Bay Theatre is Swede spot: The former ABBA members visited Las Vegas for the opening of "Mamma Mia!" -- the stage show built around their pop songs.

Vote on poultry slaughter delayed: Judy Odierna; Dozens of residents made emotional pleas to the Las Vegas Planning Commission on Thursday to deny a zoning change that would allow the slaughtering of poultry in certain areas of the city.

Scientists see drought lasting several decades: Scientists believe the five-year drought that has gripped the West could continue for decades, according to research published this week in a scientific journal.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Reasonable goal: Rebels finish third: Dean Juipe; Once upon a time -- well, about two weeks ago, to be exact -- the Mountain West Conference basketball race looked to be a mad scramble. In gambling terms, it was lacking form.

Smallpox vaccine could be available next month: Jim Najima, public health preparedness coordinator for the state Health Division, said Thursday that people who have shown an interest in being inoculated should receive information on the procedures by the end of the month.

New lawsuit fees proposed: CARSON CITY -- The Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a bill that would add $20 to the cost of filing or answering a civil lawsuit in District Court.

Off-road vehicle fees proposed: CARSON CITY -- A bill to require the registration and taxation of off-road vehicles, including dirt bikes and dune buggies, was introduced in the Senate Thursday.

Volunteers to get service awards: Awards will be conveyed in five categories: education, group, individual adult, senior and youth. Nominations may be submitted by any individual, group or organization. Religious, fraternal or professional groups may nominate their members so long as the beneficiaries of their services are not limited to their membership. Any volunteer performing service in Southern Nevada is eligible for an award.

New bills: Erin Neff; Assembly lawmakers introduced a host of bills Thursday ranging from changes in the state's DUI and death penalty laws to limits on so-called e-mail spam.

UNLV will need heart vs. BYU: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Bill would speed up judgment for evicted tenants: CARSON CITY -- A bill to allow tenants a speedy judgment against landlords who have illegally locked them out was introduced in the Senate.

Local investors allege they lost millions: Arvis Forrest was described by his attorney as an "old country boy" who left Arkansas with $40 in his pocket as a teenager and built a multimillion-dollar investment portfolio through self-taught knowledge of real estate.

Boyd Gaming upbeat despite earnings miss: By Liz Benston; Boyd Gaming Corp. missed fourth-quarter Wall Street earnings expectations by a hair but still touted record earnings and revenue and cash flow for 2002 as well as its highest annual cash flow in six years at its three casinos in downtown Las Vegas.

Budget slashing draws opposition: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's plans to cut the state Division of Investigations by nearly 50 percent has drawn opposition from law enforcement officials who say it will lead to a major increase in drug trafficking in rural Nevada.

State of marriage: Nevada leads nation in rate of those tying, breaking the knot: By Timothy Pratt; In Nevada, you can get married by Elvis, or divorced six weeks after moving to the state.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Rackin' up good time with antlers galore: Barb Henderson; Thousands of sportsmen/women will be heading to Reno this month for two National Wildlife Conservation Organization conventions.

Report: State college profs not carrying full loads: Jennifer Knight; None of Nevada State College at Henderson's seven full-time teachers are carrying a full load and most are teaching to half-full classes, according to a report released by the university system Thursday.

Harmon investors finally reach end of a long road: Jace Radke; Seven years ago Dan Grey began lugging boxes of paperwork around and telling whomever would listen that he was one of the victims in a multimillion-dollar mortgage scandal.

Editorial: Division of power must remain clear: Because Guinn's veto came after the session, an override vote could not be held until the 2003 session. This week the Republican-controlled state Senate, voting along party lines, sustained the governor's veto. It would be a shame, however, for the vote to be interpreted only as a political victory for the Republican governor. The vote is best interpreted as a victory for good government.

Residents gather to pray for peace: Demonstrations

Nevada Carpenters Union loses NLRB election: Lenny Taylor, a Carpenters Union organizer, blamed the results on the company's alleged union busting tactics. "The company is willing to spend $2 million a year on things like captive audience meetings where workers listen to union busters for at least two hours a week. At the election, the workers were surrounded by their supervisors. It was all very intimidating. But we respect the workers' right to choose."

Letter: Bush enrages the entire world: President Bush's clumsy handling of international affairs continues to create more anti-American sentiment throughout the world in spite of a general consensus that Saddam Hussein is a latter-day Joseph Stalin and needs to be neutralized.

Valley Health owner's stock tumbles: Shares of Universal Health Services Inc., the biggest U.S. operator of psychiatric hospitals and owner of Valley Health System in Las Vegas, tumbled as much as 24 percent this morning after the company replaced Chief Financial Officer Kirk Gorman.

Ethics Commission can't agree on fines for AIP candidates: CARSON CITY -- The state Ethics Commission deadlocked Thursday on imposing fines of more than $6,000 on 26 political candidates from the Independent American Party for failure to comply with the state's financial disclosure law.

Problem gambling study triggers debate: By Liz Benston; Results of a new survey on Las Vegas-area gambling addicts revealed Thursday could be used to develop treatment programs and policies to address the social costs of gambling, authors say.

Former Olympian Austin eager to move up in class: Dean Juipe; Ordinarily, it's the last thing a fit and athletic man at the age of 31 would choose to do. But Tim Austin is going against convention.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Pit road incident puts Busch near the rear: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Kurt Busch blamed a communications breakdown for his pit-road run-in with Kevin Harvick in Thursday's second 125-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500.

Planners delay vote on poultry slaughter sites: Judy Odierna; Dozens of residents made emotional pleas to the Las Vegas Planning Commission on Thursday to deny a zoning change that would allow the slaughtering of poultry in certain areas of the city.

UNLV to offer youth camps this summer: The clinics will include tennis, volleyball, football passing, track, soccer, golf, softball and basketball for boys and girls in four different age groups. Each of four separate camps, which will be fully supervised, will last Monday through Friday from June to early July.

News briefs for Feb. 14, 2003: An original LeRoy Neiman painting valued at $39,500 was stolen Wednesday from the Centaur Sculpture Gallery in the Fashion Show mall, Metro Police said.

Strong weekend seen for Las Vegas tourism: Las Vegas is parlaying the popularity of Valentine's Day with a three-day weekend, thanks to a friendly February calendar -- but higher fuel prices are making some casino resorts nervous about their future prospects.

Lawmakers shy away from prison project: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Lawmakers are fleeing as fast as they can from a proposed trip to Ensenada, Mexico, to see a prison experiment with Scientology ties.

LV convention unions clarify work roles: Lindajo Loftus, IATSE's spokeswoman, said the agreement finalized Jan. 22 "eliminates jurisdictional conflicts between the two unions with any employer where both unions have collective bargaining agreements or where two different employers with separate agreements are working on the same project."

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Time to act normal?: The Las Vegas Sun's award-winning cartoonist, Mike Smith, said in one picture what I will take almost 1,000 words to convey in this space. In Thursday's USA Today, Mike drew a picture of a man sitting comfortably in his easy chair reading a newspaper. The headline read: "Terror Alert."

LV brokerage bankrupt: In Business Las Vegas, a sister newspaper to the Las Vegas Sun, reported Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services plans to reorganize its finances.

Ethics Commission can't agree on fines for IAP candidates: CARSON CITY -- The state Ethics Commission deadlocked Thursday on imposing fines of more than $6,000 on 26 political candidates from the Independent American Party for failure to comply with the state's financial disclosure law.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Angler nabs largemouth bass: Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) creel census clerks reported that a boater fishing near the Muddy River and Fish Island at Lake Mead was successful landing four largemouth bass that averaged 3 pounds. Top water lures landed the fish.

Letter: Bill banning exotic pet trade long overdue: They are transported for sale to private owners (pets), or sent to an exotic hunting ranch, slaughtered for the exotic meat trade, for breeding, for their pelts, and the list goes on.

UNLV to host men's tourney this weekend: Squads from New Mexico State, Weber State, Nevada-Reno, Idaho State, Utah State and Pacific will take on the host Rebels in a bracket format culminating in Sunday's championship at noon.

House GOP pushes new nuclear testing: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A policy-setting group of House Republicans is echoing President Bush's call to make the Nevada Test Site ready for a new era of bomb testing within 18 months. The proposal is part of a new GOP report endorsing a dramatic shift in U.S. nuclear weapons policy.

Strong sales propel stock: Dell earned $603 million or 23 cents per share in its fourth quarter ended Jan. 31, up from the $456 million or 17 cents in the same period a year ago.

Tax debate not on Democrats' early agenda: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn wanted lawmakers to spend the first 45 days of the session focused on his first five tax proposals. Assembly Democrats plan to spend the first 45 days highlighting anything but.

Grant to help art education: The program will place art educators in local elementary schools to conduct activities that provide new art experiences for schoolchildren and their resident teachers.

Report: Half of Green Bay's bars have illegal machines: Workers at about half the bars with the machines admitted they pay out cash prizes, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

4A title up for grabs: Adam Candee; Las Vegas coach Joe LaRocco surveys the Nevada wrestling landscape this year an notices something conspicuously missing from it: A clear-cut favorite.

Community briefs for Feb. 14, 2003: The Silverado Ranch Park dog run will close for renovation Tuesday.

California nears deal on water use: IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. -- Officials from two California water agencies said Thursday that they are on the cusp of an agreement that could open the door for added water flow both for their needs and for Las Vegas.

Editorial: Neighbors' turn to be tolerant: Nevertheless, the Combs' family reconciled itself to reality and cooperated with the county on a plan to reduce its odors, in exchange for the fines being waived. Patriarch Robert Combs told the county at a meeting on Wednesday, "We want to be an asset to the community, not a hindrance." The family's willingness to embrace the plan will help make the farm as compatible as possible with its new surroundings.

14 Rebels headed for Bill Cosby Invitational: The meet, hosted annually by intrastate rival Nevada-Reno, will include men's and women's college and club teams from up-and-down the West Coast. Top Rebel performances should be seen from senior high jump specialist Tianika Sharrieff and sophomore hurdler Brigitte Ladouceur.

Columnist Jeff German: Outcasts no match for Guinn: The latest to surface is Tony Dane, a well-known GOP dissident who said Thursday he's chairing an "exploratory committee" to recall Gov. Kenny Guinn over his push to raise $1.1 billion in new taxes.

Budget bill earmarks $300 mil. for Nevada: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress on Thursday stamped its final approval on the $400 billion federal budget bill that allocates money to most federal departments and projects in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.