Print edition for January 17, 2003

Editorial: Boldness required in tough times: The governor has acknowledged that taxes will have to be raised because state government can't bear any more dramatic cuts. And while he won't spell out exactly until Monday what tax increases he will propose, he has been supportive of broadening the state's tax base so that nongaming businesses will contribute more than they do now. Guinn is a Republican, so that will blunt some of the vitriolic tax-and-spend attacks that typically would be made against a Democratic governor wanting to raise taxes. But Guinn hardly has it easy. It takes a two-thirds vote in each house of the Legislature ...

Food safety industry won't forget Schmutz: WEEKEND EDITION: Jan. 18, 2003

Columnist Susan Snyder: Recounting a surgical strike: The guy who sat alone on the eastbound shoulder of State Route 159 Tuesday morning was missing a shoe.

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

Obituaries for Jan. 17, 2003: Nancy G. Adcox, 71, of North Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospice. She was born Dec. 29, 1931, in Nash County, N.C. A resident for 35 years, she was a Dunes hotel porter for 23 years, a Golden Nugget porter for 10 years and a longtime member of the Culinary Union.

Columnist Erin Neff: Guinn speech won't address real problems facing Nevada: Erin Neff; For more than two decades your Legislature has ignored a budget structure that everyone said would lead to the trouble we're in right now.

Editorial: Local governments banding together: If the Legislature did squeeze money from local governments, that would mean either taxes would have to be raised or services would have to be reduced at the local level. Financially whacking local governments this way also would be the height of hypocrisy: State governments always have criticized the federal government for shifting to them more responsibility to provide services without enough funding.

Letter: Military draft would do U.S. kids some good: The four years I spent in the Navy made a real man out of me. I shudder to think what I might have become without serving my country as a sailor. Every young person in this country upon graduation from high school should put two years in the military, or two years in the Peace Corps. There is more to life for young Americans than mirrors and drugs.

AG may rule on dual regent roles: Jennifer Knight; The attorney's general office is prepared to offer a legal opinion on whether a member of the state Board of Regents can also work for the university system, a spokesman for the office said Thursday.

Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra visits Ham Hall: Marilyn LaRocque; What: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

514533338.html: WASHINGTON -- The U.S. trade deficit bulged to a record $40.1 billion in November, reflecting Americans' ravenous appetite for foreign-made goods, especially toys, TVs and clothes.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Remembering days of snap, crackle and pop: Spencer Patterson; Walking through the cavernous maze that was the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show last week, I was surrounded by devices purported to make recorded music sound better.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Supreme Court case was incredible high: Benjamin Grove; Nevada Deputy Attorney General Paul Taggart had strolled its grand interior on a boyhood trip, imagining that one day he might appear before the high court.

Rally to protest Head Start switch: By Emily Richmond; Clark County parents whose children receive preschooling, health care and nutritional assistance through Head Start were to rally today in downtown Las Vegas to protest proposed changes to the federally funded program.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: There has been little change in the fishing during the past week as anglers at Lake Mead continue to find typical winter fishing with about the only consistent success coming after the Nevada Division of Wildlife weekly rainbow trout plants.

Blood drives scheduled: Friday: noon to 6 p.m., Dahan Institute, 7660 W. Cheyenne Ave.; 6:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Area Technical Trade Center, 444 W. Brooks Ave.

Mine-shaft accident second at same site in recent months: Jen Lawson; The state plans to take action to close a mine where a 62-year-old Alaska man and his son fell into a shaft Thursday, injuring the father.

Asylum writer will return to Africa: Exiled African poet/novelist Syl Cheney-Coker plans to return to his troubled homeland of Sierre Leone at month's end, and says he has accepted that his fate may be that he never can stay in any one place for too long.

Disease strikes poultry: Nevada agriculture officials quarantined Southern Nevada poultry Thursday after confirming that the highly infectious Exotic Newcastle disease had been found in a backyard flock of chickens near Nellis Air Force Base.

Columnist Barb Henderson: State duck stamp art contest takes flight: Barb Henderson; The Nevada State Duck stamp is so beautiful that many folks choose to keep them in a collection. But for waterfowl hunters in Nevada, the attractive stamp is required on their licenses.

Letter: Bush meddles in malpractice issue: If not, perhaps the president should really get our Uncle involved and limit the amount the insurance companies can charge and, what the heck, maybe how much money they can make or lose if the government does a bad job of regulating.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Drugs: Both good and bad: Reporters Cy Ryan and Judy Odierna wrote: "Nevada authorities say their system is different from those of other states where the information is routinely funneled to police agencies.

Political notebook: Confusion exists over campaign form: Erin Neff; The year 2003 was supposed to be in with the new, but some politicians dragged up the old anyway.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Swede sounds emanate from Mandalay Bay: But it becomes a lot harder to poke fun once you see the show.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Sand Dollar is Las Vegas' own culture club: The blues start around 10 p.m. at 3355 Spring Mountain Road and continue into the early morning hours.

Culinary shops for criticism of Wal-Mart tax stand: Culinary Local 226 went on a shopping spree that it believes proves that retail giant Wal-Mart would not raise prices if forced to pay a possible new business tax in Nevada.

Acting Housing Authority boss awaits board's verdict: Dan Kulin; Four of the five Las Vegas Housing Authority commissioners said Thursday they have not decided whether they would vote today to make acting-Executive Director Parviz Ghadiri the permanent head of the agency or launch a new search.

State of the State: Guinn's address to Legislature will test his leadership: Erin Neff; WEEKEND EDITION: Jan. 19, 2003

Vegas getting spaced out: Kirk Baird; When: 9 p.m. Saturday.

On Display for January 17, 2003: Bellagio celebrates the Year of the Sheep with a combination of Chinese traditions and Feng Shui through Feb. 1 at its Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Admission is free. 891-7515.

Letter: Military draft should include SUV drivers: There is increasing talk of reinstituting the draft. If this happens, let's also make certain that the age restrictions are dropped and that everyone will be drafted to serve in combat, from the age of 18 as it is now to the age of 80. Then we'll see if these characters will be so anxious to shed their own blood for cheaper gasoline to fill up their big SUVs.

Columnist Jeff German: IRS alone can't save downtown Las Vegas: This is the same IRS that has given headaches to casino dealers and other tip earners in the valley for more than 20 years.

Dead woman linked to missing child case: Jen Lawson; A body found in a garbage bin Wednesday has been identified as 18-year-old Shalynn Hatter, a woman who was in the spotlight in October when her 2-year-old daughter disappeared for two days with a baby-sitter.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Adding a point to Super snub: Super Bowl officials still owe us for last year's overrated commercials featuring Britney Spears, who has made a career out of being the junior class tease.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: Saturday's card

Charo Nation: Kirk Baird; WEEKEND EDITION: Jan. 19, 2003

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Exhibit paints fond memories: It is signed, "To Fred" (my dad) ... "Andy," and there is a drawing of a heart between their names.

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: 'Brother' not a typical spoof: Last summer I went to see "Undercover Brother" -- now available on DVD (Universal DVD, $26.98) -- at the recently opened Neonopolis 14. I went because I wanted to check out the theaters, because I like screenwriter John Ridley's other films ("U-Turn," "Three Kings") and because I felt like a comedy.

Nevada Power's spending on advertising criticized: Nevada Power Co. spent more than $846,000 in the week leading up to the Nov. 5 general election in an unsuccessful effort to defeat a Clark County ballot measure dealing with electricity.

Break on Through: Spencer Patterson; The Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger?

Nevada malpractice plan, Bush's differ on economic caps: Both the president's plan and Nevada law keep intact an injured patient's ability to seek unlimited economic damages to pay medical bills and make up for lost wages.

Performing Arts for January 17, 2003: Guitars

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Let states deal with it: Now we're talking. That's the kind of language, though, that Rush Limbaugh climbs all over his "liberal" friends for using to solve our problems. And that's the kind of language that the Republicans in Congress like to assail as practically un-American, especially when they are uttered by a political enemy. And that's the kind of language that contains fighting words to George Bush's White House, which prides itself on the issue of states' rights and damned be he who tries to step on them! (Unless, of course, states' rights has anything to do with Nevada's desire to keep nuclear waste ...

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New Gaylord adds spice to Rio's cuisine: Apreview dinner at Gaylord, the new Indian restaurant at The Rio, turned out to be more than I'd expected. I'd been eagerly awaiting the opening of Gaylord. As a fan of Indian cuisine I'd dined often at the Gaylord in San Francisco in Ghiardelli Square and the one on Battery Street.

Goodman calls NFL ad decision hypocritical: The National Football League's labeling of a Las Vegas commercial as unsuitable for broadcast during the Super Bowl is hypocritical because an NFL affiliate website teaches people how to gamble, Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday.

Burton's magic takes many forms at Monte Carlo: By Jerry Fink; More than 1,000 amateur and professional magicians were in town this week to attend the 26th annual World Magic Seminar, founded by Siegfried & Roy. At least 50 of them were at the Lance Burton performance one night at Monte Carlo. What they got was two magic shows for the price of one.

Editorial: More is at stake than leave policy: The issue for the Supreme Court is not whether the state was right or wrong in calculating Hibbs' leave time, but whether he had the right to sue Nevada for an answer to that question. The U.S. District Court in Reno tossed out Hibbs' suit, saying under the 11th Amendment states are immune to lawsuits filed in federal court. On appeal, however, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court reversed that decision, saying Congress was constitutionally correct when it inserted language in the law making it exempt from 11th Amendment challenges by states. The 14th Amendment, for example, declares that no one ...

Datebook for January 17, 2003: The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and St. Andrews Society present "Something Scottish" in observation of Scottish Heritage Month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. Admission is free. 223-8040.

Magicians hone craft at event: Most of the year it only seems as if there are 1,000 magicians in Las Vegas.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: The chilling winds of a military draft may blow into Congress: Rangel, a senior congressman, served in Korea with a combat outfit attached to the 2nd Infantry Division. That division is still serving in Korea along the DMZ.

Columnist Jon Ralston: It's Guinn's moment of truth: This year must be different.

Community briefs for Jan. 17, 2003: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hikes, walks and programs free of charge. To make required reservations or for more information on the following or upcoming programs, call 363-1922:

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: CART plans to race under the lights, but not at LVMS: There was a time when it appeared CART would stage its first night race on the 1.5-mile superspeedway at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Letter: Red Rock future up to firm, BLM: As a resident of the Blue Diamond area, I believe it is time for James Hardie to take the high ground, as it has many times throughout its history as the Red Rock Canyon's neighbor. This multinational corporation has successfully mined this beautiful and unique hill for approximately 20 years. They've demonstrated responsible business ethics by making a profit while working with local groups to reclaim depleted mines, salvage cactus from targeted mining areas, and entering into a voluntary agreement with federal agencies to protect the rare Blue Diamond Cholla.

Community leaders reveal their hopes: Carlos A. Garcia

2003 Racing Schedules: Feb. 16 -- Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla.

City to honor firefighters who rescued woman, 84: Judy Odierna; Hazel Benevides never imagined her concrete house would catch fire.

Library District promotes bond issue for new facilities: The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District board will ask voters in June to raise their property taxes by about $9 per $100,000 valuation to fund construction of four new branches.

Carbon monoxide plan is approved: Jace Radke; A week after approving a similar plan to curb pollution from fine dust, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has OK'd a plan to control carbon monoxide in Southern Nevada's air.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Loss takes the wind out of UNLV: Dean Juipe; It's a setback with some immediate ramifications.

No raises planned for state workers: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn reiterated Thursday that his upcoming budget will not include raises for state workers or university professors but that it will include a 2 percent increase promised to teachers two years ago.

Tuscany hopes to find right blend of tourists, locals: By Liz Benston; Just one block east from the crowds of tourists that mill about the famed "Four Corners" of the Las Vegas Strip, the modest facade of the Tuscany hotel sits near a busy restaurant corridor and several other casino hotels that rely on business from locals.

Santa Fe Station exec to replace Marrandino: Kelly is senior vice president and general manager at Station Casinos Inc.'s Santa Fe Station.

Law may not prevent doctors' exodus: Benjamin Grove; By Benjamin Grove LAS VEGAS SUN

Loss of LV ethics panel will give state officials more work: CARSON CITY -- The decision in December by the Las Vegas City Council to abolish its ethics code and ethics board is going to throw more work on the state Ethics Commission.

Local hockey player dies after injuries from hit and run: Before their game tonight, a local semi-pro hockey team will retire the number of a 27-year-old player who died Wednesday from injuries suffered when he was run over by an alleged drunken driver.

Piazza Lounge serves as Tuscany's entertainment cornerstone: If the new 60,000-square-foot Tuscany casino is half as popular as the Piazza Lounge at the same location, it is destined to be the hottest spot in town.

Bigelow, Araujo carry heavy load for Cougars: the numbers; First Half: BYU 43-33

16 prep games on tap at LV holiday event: The all-day event at Green Valley High School will feature a number of interesting matchups. Northern girls power Mineral County will take on Bishop Gorman at 1 p.m., followed immediately at 3 p.m. by a boys matchup of Hug and Gorman.

Aladdin tries to reinvent itself while seeking suitor: Adam Goldman; Building a megaresort on the Las Vegas Strip is supposed to be easy money, but that wasn't the case with the $1.4 billion Aladdin hotel-casino, the latest of the city's glittery gambling temples.

UNLV opens season: The Rebels will dual Boise State, rival Nevada-Reno, Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Language barrier: Lack of interpreters causing problems in health care: By Timothy Pratt; Stories about communication problems in the hospitals and clinics of the Las Vegas Valley make the rounds among the area's health-care professionals.

Group hopes to legalize millions of Mexican immigrants: By Timothy Pratt; A group that says it represents hundreds of thousands of people of Mexican descent in the United States is to meet this weekend in Las Vegas to develop a game plan for legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants.

Shareholder suing executives: Bloomberg News reported that shareholder William Kelsey is suing current and former managers and directors on behalf of Pinnacle, an action called a derivative lawsuit, the Las Vegas company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The suit seeks more than $10 million of damages following the event described in separate litigation as a "weekend of debauchery" involving prostitutes.

Woman who claimed rape faces extortion charges: Yun Kyeong Kwon Sung filed a civil lawsuit against Rene Angelil in March 2002, claiming he raped her two years earlier at the Imperial Palace. Four days later, she filed a report with Metro.

Hewlett-Packard reclaims top spot from Dell: Shipments increased 4.9 percent to 38.8 million units, topping analysts' forecasts of 4.4 percent growth, according to IDC. The push came from the U.S. market, which grew 6.6 percent from the same quarter in 2001, well above 3.5 percent forecasts.

Contest will give names to Mars rovers: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration kicked off its nationwide Name the Mars Rover contest this week. All entries must be in by Jan. 31 and officials will choose the best names for the two robotic rovers, which will land on the red planet in May and June.

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

Rapist's life sentence will be appealed: Dan Kulin; A convicted rapist who has already spent much of his life in prison will appeal the life sentence he received Thursday after a judge labeled the man a habitual criminal, his attorney said this morning.

West Nile virus expected to reach Nevada by spring: William McCall; PORTLAND, Ore. -- Nevada is among the last few states untouched by the West Nile virus, but health and veterinary officials said Thursday they expect to see cases of the potentially fatal disease in animals -- and possibly humans -- by spring.

Water to cost more for less use: Water price increases, limits on the use of turf in yards, and reductions in lawn watering are probably coming to Southern Nevada this summer, officials said Thursday.

Dead woman linked to missing child: Jen Lawson; A body found in a garbage bin Wednesday has been identified as 18-year-old Shalynn Hatter, a woman who was in the spotlight in October when her 2-year-old daughter disappeared for two days with a baby-sitter.

Home Run Challenge to return to Las Vegas: Big League Home Run Challenge tickets go on sale Tuesday at noon and are priced at $20 for reserved seats and $8 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Cashman Field box office, all Las Vegas-area Ticketmaster outlets, www.Ticketmaster.com and by calling 474-4000.

Columnist Jeff German: Union has food for thought in tax debate: Union leaders Thursday reduced the raging debate over tax increases in Nevada to a level that average consumers can understand.

Rebels simply another victim: Steve Guiremand; PROVO, Utah -- UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour was trying to put his team's 85-77 Mountain West Conference opening loss to BYU in perspective here Thursday night.

Las Vegas company refinances bonds: The notes carry an interest rate of 9.5 percent.

Runnin' Rebels box: 3-Point Goals: 6-17 (Johnson 3-5, Hunter 2-4, Turner 1-3, Banks 0-2, Lewis 0-3).

$125.6 million spent in Nevada by movie companies in 2002: CARSON CITY -- The upcoming movie releases "Intolerable Cruelty" and "Looney Tunes" helped pour $125.6 million into the Nevada economy last year.

Nevada eateries, hotels get awards: "We certainly had no idea they were going to rate the hotel," said Lesley Pittman, spokeswoman for Station Casinos. "We're very excited and very proud. This is a testament to the outstanding work of our team members."

Former recorder wants back pay: Former Clark County Recorder Judith Vandever, despite an illness she said required her to spend months out of the office last year, is asking the county to pony up back pay because she never called in sick.

Reduced Yucca budget pending: Ben Grove; WASHINGTON -- As lawmakers near the end of a complex and protracted battle over federal spending, this year's budget for Yucca Mountain is still about $336 million, about $255 million less than President Bush wanted, congressional sources said.