Print edition for February 28, 2003

Columnist Ben Grove: Bybee at heart of three-nominee circus: Ben Grove; NEVADA LAW professor Jay Bybee's nomination to the federal bench was approved 12-6 during a contentious Senate Judiciary Committee meeting last week, and Bybee likely will clear the next and final hurdle: a full Senate vote.

Editorial: Plan for early taxes is now fair: But that plan was flawed. Many legislators are skeptical of Guinn's tax. Just how many taxes are passed and at what level will be decided only after considerable legislative debate. It would have been unfair to subject a few taxes to early and permanent approval, thus denying them the opportunity for reductions or deletions later on in the legislative session when the tax issue takes center stage. If the lawmakers had decided to reject the remaining portions of Guinn's tax package, the ones imposed by early approval would have placed an unfair burden on the taxpayers affected by them.

Columnist Erin Neff: Beware of the rush to anti-terrorism legislation: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The government has never been fond of one of this country's greatest freedoms -- expression of speech.

Initial fears of local casinos losing revenue appear to be a false alarm: By Liz Benston; The alarm bells started going off in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 1998.

Columnist Jeff German: Politics plays role in push for more cops: SHERIFF Bill Young has been in office for only two months, but he's already wise to the ways of politics.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: The North Korean crisis: PARDON ME IF THIS sounds like something I have written before. Looking back over the past 10 years, my assistant has found several columns about North Korea. Most of them have been triggered by another aggressive act committed by that country. It used to be dictator Kim Il Sung and since his death it has become his son, Kim Jong Il. Both have proven to be skilled at poking their fingers in the eyes of the United States and then demanding some more financial aid or food for their starving country. They oftentimes get both and the money goes for ...

Editorial: Better data needed on insurance crisis: Doctors dispute the numbers generated by the Legislature's staff, and there is no denying that skyrocketing medical malpractice insurance premiums for doctors have created a crisis in Nevada. But it's also becoming clear that legislators need more solid information, especially since doctors want even stricter limits placed on medical malpractice awards. In addition, even with the tort reforms, insurance premiums aren't going down -- just one more reason why the Legislature should also be considering tougher insurance regulation.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Gross receipts tax has support: IF RECENT POLLS have any validity and if certain groups are willing to put their people and their money where their mouths are, the anti-tax mob may turn out merely to be a vocal, loud and obnoxious minority.

State deficit to be debated today on Cox channels 1, 39: The program, which will be shown live at on Las Vegas ONE, Cox cable channels 1 and 39, will include Republicans and Democrats, business leaders and experts to discuss the situation the state is in and how the problem can be solved.

Hit-and-run suspect surrenders: Rodolfo Manaot Villanuela may be charged by the Clark County district attorney's office with a felony for leaving the scene of a fatal traffic accident, police said. He may also face other charges, they said.

Tax collections rise in December: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The state's sales tax collections rose in December 2002 compared with the previous December in the largest percentage increase since July 1999.

Major trade show moving from Chicago to Las Vegas: The 59th annual National Hardware Show, managed and produced by Norwalk, Conn.-based Reed Exhibitions, is scheduled for May 10-12, 2004.

Woman sought in link to pit bull attack on boy: Police say they now know the names of the dogs, and investigators believe the owner lives in the 400 block of Rancho Del Mar, in the neighborhood where Austin Bechtel was attacked.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch says Indy 500 not in his plans: Kurt Busch drew rave reviews from several CART drivers after his 18-lap joyride in Michel Jourdain Jr.'s Champ Car earlier this month at Sebring International Raceway.

Judge rules against tribe in donations case: Erica Werner; LOS ANGELES -- In a case seen as an important test of Indian sovereignty, a judge ruled Thursday that a Southern California tribe is subject to the same state campaign-finance laws that apply to other political contributors.

Northland offers to buy Ocean Spray juice unit: Justin Pope; BOSTON -- Northland Cranberries Inc., the No. 2 cranberry juice company, disclosed Thursday it had offered $800 million to buy the juice business of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., the largest player in that market and an operator of a plant in Henderson.

DMV hikes suggested: CARSON CITY -- Rather than taking more money away from road building, legislators suggested today the state Department of Motor Vehicles raise the costs of a driver's license and vehicle registration to support growth.

Affiliate's lawsuit delivers another blow to Sprint: Margaret Stafford; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Telecommunications giant Sprint Corp. already was getting tossed like a dinghy in a hurricane before one of its business partners dumped another bucket of water into the hold.

Columnist Jeff German: Lawmakers butting in on talks: This is not the best time for county commissioners and other county officeholders to be seeking large pay raises for themselves from the Legislature.

Nevada to Calif. maglev train still up in air: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A critical showdown in Congress this year may settle the long fight over $950 million in federal funding for the nation's first magnetic-levitation, high-speed train project.

Megabucks progressive slot climbs to highest level ever: Bill Gould came to Las Vegas with a group of friends from Henniker, N.H., this week, and by Thursday night, several of them had hit jackpots on the slot machines at the Sahara, including Gould.

Vegas condo project proposed: Metropolis, an 18-floor, 65-unit condominium complex with an Art Deco theme, is planned for the northeast corner of Desert Inn Road and Debbie Reynolds Drive. It would overlook Steve Wynn's Desert Inn golf course, across Desert Inn Road, and stand where a low-rise timeshare now sits.

Police kill man in hostage incident: Jen Lawson; A Metro Police officer shot and killed a 28-year-old unarmed man in the front yard of a southwest Las Vegas home early today after police allege the man held seven children hostage with a sawed-off shotgun.

Stewart loves LVMS racing: In his first trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart left the track in an ambulance after crashing out of the inaugural Indy Racing League event here in 1996.

Race fans enjoy their comforts: Eric Leake; Rising above the El Monte RV Corral at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a massive three-pronged flagpole displays a camper's allegiances.

National Airlines to sell assets to cargo company: Defunct National Airlines plans to sell its scant assets to an Alaskan cargo company planning to develop a Las Vegas-based niche charter operation.

Wisc. governor, lawmakers fighting over tribal compact: J.R. Ross; MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle's top administration official Thursday defended an agreement with the Forest County Potawatomi that would allow the tribe to run its casinos indefinitely, while Republican lawmakers continued to take their shots at what they called a sweetheart deal.

Agencies in LV expect smooth transition into new department: Jace Radke; When the new Homeland Security Department officially absorbs 22 federal agencies Saturday, officers at the isolated Coast Guard station near Searchlight expect a quiet transition.

Weber gets death sentence: Erica D. Johnson; Convicted murderer Timmy J. Weber will be put to death for the torture and murder of 15-year-old Anthony Gautier -- but he could live a long life in prison before the sentence is actually carried out, prosecutors said Thursday.

Prayer vote puts fed funds at risk: By Emily Richmond; Ignoring stern warnings from their own legal advisers, members of the Clark County School Board refused Thursday to prohibit invocations or benedictions from graduation ceremonies -- a move that could jeopardize $70 million in federal funds.

Casino operator replaces sports-betting system: VirtGame, based in San Diego, has received regulatory approval in Nevada for a "closed-loop" computer network that allows gamblers to bet from remote locations. The system doesn't use the Internet and therefore isn't in violation of rules prohibiting online gambling, the company says.

Letter: Bush provoking an already-bad world situation: But any individual nutcase terrorist doesn't mind going to join "Allah" by using any kind of crude bomb. Now the U.S. is totally perceived as the enemy. Provoking the Arabs further will quite possibly mean another 9-11, especially if they know we're on the verge of attacking them anyway.

Columnist Rusty Wallace: New bodies may force changes at some tracks: Rusty Wallace; Appearances

Chong's career sparked by upcoming reunion: Kirk Baird; It wasn't happenstance, coincidence or even an act of God that got Cheech and Chong together again.

Musical Art Society receives Grant: What: "Grant Griffin's Magical Night of Music."

Lady Rebels defeat New Mexico at home: Sophomore Sherry McCracklin had her sixth career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Cannery ready for major Club scene this weekend: Spencer Patterson; Tonight The Club welcomes its first major national act, the Neville Brothers, for three shows in connection with the venue's Mardi Gras celebration. Doors open at 7 p.m. each night, with the concerts slated to begin at 9.

Jury changes are in lawmakers' court: Erica D. Johnson; A year's worth of work aimed at improving the jury system is coming to its conclusion during the legislative session, as the work of the Jury Improvement Commission makes it way into law as Senate Bill 73.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Owner of ibiza nightclub flips over 50 Cent booking: Spencer Patterson; Talk about a grand opening.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Helping homeless is comic Allen's passion: Bernie Allen was driving a taxicab in the Bowery of New York City in 1959 when he first paid attention to the homeless.

Goodman, Weekly to woo clinic: Judy Odierna; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Councilman Lawrence Weekly will be in Ohio on Tuesday and Wednesday trying to persuade leaders of the Cleveland Clinic to open a medical center on city-owned land in downtown Las Vegas.

Heavier Ruiz hoping to push way to win: Dean Juipe; His people skills sufficiently polished after several weeks of mingling with fans and media, John Ruiz trusts that his boxing abilities are equally honed as he prepares to fight Roy Jones Jr. Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Centennial gets chance to defend its state title: Adam Candee; Thursday's Nevada State Basketball Tournament capsules:

Letter: Only Congress can delcare war: ERNEST ELMS

'Mamma Mia!' turns on the lite at Mandalay Bay: By Jerry Fink; "Mamma Mia!," that's-a some-a kind-a show.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Creel census clerks reported that anglers fishing the Overton Arm in the Muddy River area, north of the boat ramp, were successful landing eight crappie. An angler using top-water lures landed largemouth bass that ranged from two to three pounds.

Harter says consultant jumped ship to Gregory: Judy Odierna; Judicial candidate Mathew Paul Harter said he was shocked to learn recently that political consultant Gary Gray was working on incumbent Toy Gregory's campaign in the race for the Las Vegas Municipal Judge Department 1 seat.

Letter: Reid on side of progress with Title IX defense: Not only has Title IX been responsible for a huge increase of participation by women in school athletic programs over the last 30 years, the law requires educational institutions to maintain policies of gender equity. It is difficult to understand why President Bush (the Education President?) would want to weaken an equal rights law.

High school students court up close look at judicial system: Jace Radke; U.S. District Judge Philip Pro may have caught a glimpse of a future attorney Thursday when he met Cimarron-Memorial High School senior Tiana Smith-Jones at the George Federal Building.

Guest Columnist John Conyers: Online gambling prohibition a bad idea: You might remember a failed experiment the U.S. government tried in the 1920s called Prohibition. Today, Congress is rushing to pass a similar ill-conceived prohibition of Internet gambling. Gaming prohibitionists believe they can stop the millions of Americans who gamble online by prohibiting the use of credit cards to gamble on the Internet. Just as outlawing alcohol did not work in the 1920s, current attempts to prohibit online gaming will not work, either.

Schulte shines in semifinals: Adam Candee; Schedule

Panel votes on ethics bill: Members of the IAP told the committee the ethics commission should not be in the position of deciding whether statements by political candidates are false and deceptive. It is a freedom of speech issue, they said.

State basketball boxes: 4A BOYS

'Springfield Sam' receives two years: Manarite, 84, has already pleaded guilty to a Clark County District Court charge of battery with a deadly weapon stemming from the September incident that led to Dino Boggiano, owner of Astro Auto Sales, being shot in the wrist.

Medicaid recipients would get Ticket to Work: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's budget includes about $200,000 for Ticket to Work, a program that allows disabled people to continue to maintain Medicaid coverage after getting a job.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Jones solid as 'heavy' favorite: Dean Juipe; When the John Ruiz vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight was initially announced, the first guy I called was Montell Griffin.

Rain expected to clear by Sunday's NASCAR feature: Thousands of race fans anticipating the weekend NASCAR events looked out their windows today, undoubtedly concerned about the dark skies and wet streets.

Veteran lawmakers honored: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The Legislature honored its longest-serving lawmakers Thursday with praise for the foundations laid in a combined 76 years of service by Speaker Emeritus Joe Dini Jr. and former Sen. Lawrence "Jake" Jacobsen.

Community news briefs: Boulder City mayoral and council candidates are expected at two public events scheduled for next week.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Making sure kids are dialed in: Dear Teenagers,

Missing LV man, saying he has amnesia, returns home: Donovan Lee Curtis crashed his truck on Highway 1 in Redwood City on Feb. 6, shortly after his wife in Las Vegas got a text message on her pager saying that Curtis was being carjacked, according to Bronwyn Hogan, spokeswoman for the San Mateo Sheriff's Office.

Ex-kicker Cofer collects Bullring win: Mike Cofer owns two Super Bowl rings, but the former field goal ace admitted he had never gotten as big a kick from sports as he did late Thursday night at The Bullring on the grounds of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

LVMS weekend race schedule: 1:30 p.m. -- Busch Series qualifying (two laps, all positions)

Tickets go on sale for LV exhibition: Tickets are $25 for plaza and field seats and $20 for reserved seats.

Students volunteer to pay for better UNLV rec facilities: Jennifer Knight; UNLV students want their student fees more than doubled so they can have a better place to hang out.

Officer shoots man to death: Jen Lawson; A Metro Police officer shot and killed a 28-year-old unarmed man in the front yard of a southwest Las Vegas home early today after the man allegedly held seven children hostage with a sawed-off shotgun.

Obituaries for February 28, 2003: Irene M. Acosta, 64, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. She was born Feb. 18, 1939, in El Paso, Texas. A resident for 10 years, she was a hotel accountant and active with hospice.

Taxpayer group's dinner was a tough house for Guinn: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn had a tough sell Thursday night as the keynote speaker at the Nevada Taxpayer Association's annual dinner.

Arena League standings: AMERICAN CONFERENCE

New blow to OB coverage feared: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's budget calls for cutting payments to the doctors who treat the more than 100,000 Medicaid recipients in the state -- and some legislators feel it will worsen Nevada's medical crisis, particularly in the care of pregnant women in Clark County.

Legislative briefs: Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, is hospitalized in Henderson with a lung infection, according to Democratic leaders.

Fine ART: Oldest Neville Brother stays true to his heritage: Spencer Patterson; When: 9 p.m. tonight through Sunday.

Vegas Beat -- Timothy McDarrah: Vegas fails to milk fund-raiser: Boo for the moo.

Letter: Pedestrians deserve respect: The fact that this is not so should definitely be publicized by the broadcast media each time another pedestrian is hurt or killed. The statute should also be changed to make drivers more liable for penalty and costs whether the pedestrian is in a "legal" walkway or not.

Reading goes to the dogs: Eric Leake; Alexandra DePari admits that her reading buddy Charlie is not always the perfect listener.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Dark clouds are a quail's best friend: Barb Henderson; It's wonderful to have dark storm clouds floating above. Let it rain.

Rebels seeking home on Front Range: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: Cinematography showcased in 'Perdition' DVD: The DVD of Sam Mendes' "Road to Perdition," available this week (Dreamworks DVD, $26.99), has a director's commentary track and the standard complement of deleted scenes and production photographs. They're interesting enough, but the best aspect of the "Perdition" DVD is its most basic -- its crisp, sharp picture.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Confounded by Raelian beings: Religion, as all life, is best approached with a sense of humor.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Powell's balancing act: PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH is using every diplomatic skill available to get the support of the Security Council for moving on Saddam Hussein. Probably his most effective weapon has been Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has been juggling political and diplomatic balls from Seoul to Baghdad and back. The former general has international credibility that the president and his other advisers have sacrificed during the past two years. France and Germany have been able to paint our president as a cowboy with advisers who are nothing more than gunslingers. They have failed dismally to paint Powell in that corner.

Editorial: It's a sad day in the neighborhood: Rogers' values also stood out because of the coarsening of television programming -- and in society in general. The dismal trend has become so widespread that programs the entire family can watch are the exception, not the norm. Even the networks' 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. time slot, once known as the "family hour," today is loaded with shows containing sexual references and vulgarities.

Performing Arts for February 28, 2003: Chorus

Datebook for February 28, 2003: Registration for Las Vegas' Cultural Affairs Division's art classes March 11 through April 19 will be through Thursday at the East Las Vegas Community/ Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., and Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Fees vary depending upon the class. 229-1515, 229-6383, 229-6211 or 229-4800.

On Display for February 28, 2003: In honor of Black History Month, Todd Buckner displays his recent paintings through March 25 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

State deficit to be debated Sunday on Cox channels 1, 39: The program, which will be shown live at on Las Vegas ONE, Cox cable channels 1 and 39, will include Republicans and Democrats, business leaders and experts to discuss the situation the state is in and how the problem can be solved.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: There's much to love at I Love Sushi: Good things in small packages. The restaurant I Love Sushi at 11041 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson is a gracious, accommodating eatery. The first time I dined there I was with friends who didn't know that sushi rice is made with vinegar. That posed a problem, since one friend was on an acid-free diet.

Anthony trumpets success: Most people are ready to relax and take it easy by the time they reach the age of 81.

Sun sports section gets top-20 honor: The Sun was the only sports section in Nevada named in the judging of daily, Sunday and special sections.

Editorial: Get with the times on salaries: With the Legislature in charge, salaries for those offices have been at a virtual standstill since 1995. There are bills in the Legislature this session to boost their salaries to $134,000 and $155,744 respectively. We support those bills, as it's only fair for the salaries of top elected officials to be commensurate with their responsibilities. If the bills fail, the salaries will be frozen for another two years at least, making the disparity even more illogical.